Jeong Taeui, while pondering if this lazy man was truly living the life of a sage, nodded in
agreement.
From early in the morning, everything had been bustling and hectic. Although the rush had
begun a few days earlier, today felt even busier.
Today, a distinguished guest, whom he had only heard about a few days ago, was expected to
arrive. They said this guest was coming from Riyadh.
Riyadh–the capital of Saudi Arabia.
He recalled Ilay's mysterious smirk and prolonged words –
"A distinguished guest from
Riyadh"
– which still lingered in his mind. He could easily sense the discomfort behind that
smile.
Riyadh... Could it be that their special anti-terrorism team was arriving right away?
"This is the final negotiation about the repayment for the last borrower, which is the Vice
Minister*, so the highest-ranking individuals will be too busy to attend directly. Perhaps their
subordinates are coming to understand each other's intentions, right?"
(*Vice Minister: Typically the second-highest ranking official in a ministry, after the
Minister)
As they report back to their superiors, a final decision will be made. Johan calmly spoke,
though Jeong Taeui's worry was transparent.
Jeong Taeui tilted his head and asked,
"But didn't Rick bomb Riyadh before? Is it okay for him to meet those guests?"
"This is a special situation. The day to decide the succession is approaching. Outsiders cannot
lay a hand on the distinguished guest in Tarten. Even if they aim for him, it would be after he
leaves Tarten upon completing his negotiation."
Johan waved his hand dismissively. Besides, they were not part of the special task force but
merely 2-3 individuals involved in the Vice Minister's debt repayment. Jeong Taeui
wondered if he could even touch a finger of that person.
That's also true.
Jeong Taeui scratched his head and sank deeper into the sofa.
"I hope the distinguished guests from the Middle East finish their business and leave soon.""Well, only those in high positions will be busy. Lazy folks like us have nothing to do with it.
Ah... but if Chris is busy, does that mean you'll be busy too?"
"Huh? Oh, not me. These days, he's been following Richard during the day, so I'm free at
Seoik. How could I follow him when he's dealing with matters related to Tarten?"
In reality, Jeong Taeui would have been buried under the odd jobs Christoph assigned.
However, he was currently very idle, wandering around. Moreover, with guests from the
Middle East, everyone would be occupied, making Jeong Taeui even more free.
Noon was peaceful without the two men–Ilay and Christoph–who usually caused him
anxiety. This was quite nice.
"I wonder if Christoph is okay..."
Jeong Taeui muttered, leisurely opening a book.
As Johan mentioned, Christoph had to join the busy team due to the distinguished guest's
arrival, waking up at sunrise.
Christoph followed Richard's schedule, who always went to work early and diligently.
Christoph had tried to kill himself (or Richard) in the morning.
Due to low blood pressure, Christoph usually struggled to wake up around mid-morning.
This morning, despite Jeong Taeui's efforts to shake him awake beside the blaring alarm
clock, Christoph couldn't open his eyes.
Richard was the one who finally woke Christoph up. Chris sat on the bed, looking pale as if
he were dying.
Days went by similarly.
Richard woke Christoph much easier than Jeong Taeui.
No difficulty. He simply walked into Christoph's room, fully prepared to go out. The moment
Richard entered, Christoph, no matter how drowsy, looked at him with intense annoyance.
"I never permitted you to enter my room. Get out immediately."
"If you don't wake up and get ready right away, I'll step on the bed with my shoes and drag
you out."
"...If you want to see blood early in the morning, go ahead."
While responding to Richard with furrowed brows, Christoph gradually became alert.
Once Christoph got out of bed and dragged himself to the bathroom, Richard coldly left the
room. He didn't forget to smile warmly and greet Jeong Taeui standing awkwardly.
"This morning, too, he frowned and went out. I guess he's fine now."Even if he practiced smiling every night, it would be useless with that face. Jeong Taeui
shook his head and clicked his tongue.
From his seat opposite Jeong Taeui, Johan was engrossed in marking passages in the book
[Hot Beauties from Afar], responded.
"I heard every night you run into Christoph's room and stay there for a long time. What
would others think of that?"
Jeong Taeui paused his thoughts and looked at Johan seriously.
"Your phrasing is strange. If someone hears that, they might think I'm practicing body
language with those 'hot beauties from afar'."
"Oh, isn't that so?"
"Of course not!!"
"Then what are you doing?"
Johan asked with genuine curiosity. Jeong Taeui opened his mouth wide but couldn't say
anything.
If he said Christoph practiced smiling in his room every night, it seemed inappropriate.
Jeong Taeui hesitated, closed his mouth awkwardly, and muttered –"There are some things...
but not like that..." – Johan looked at him with disappointment and clicked his tongue.
"That's why rumors spread about you..."
Unable to ignore that, Jeong Taeui immediately asked –"What am I doing!" –Johan just
clicked his tongue and feigned ignorance. But when Jeong Taeui grabbed his collar and shook
him, he finally spoke.
"Rumor has it that you, Christoph, and Richard are in a love triangle."
"What?"
"You've become an obstacle in a forbidden relationship because Christoph and Richard have
grown very close. You're just a condiment in the middle."
"WHAT THE HELL!"
Jeong Taeui yelled with angry eyes, but Johan turned back to his book, marking passages in
[Hot Beauties from Afar] and offering advice – "Don't let your soul fall to lust."
Jeong Taeui could only look at him in shock.
Jeong Taeui had heard the first part of this rumor.
It was also the main cause of his headaches.Recently, Christoph had seriously confessed to Jeong Taeui that he had a 'same-sex
relationship' with Richard, but somehow this story spread outside–probably the source of the
rumor was easily identifiable – and now almost everyone at work knew about it. Except for
those involved.
Christoph had spread this rumor himself – although he simply expressed the truth he believed
– but seeing Richard smiling happily, unaware, pained Jeong Taeui. Especially when Richard
acted polite and friendly to Christoph in front of everyone.
Don't do that. The more he did, the more credible and widespread the rumor became... But
Jeong Taeui couldn't say that to Richard.
So Jeong Taeui could only regret and be troubled by the rumor.
Suddenly, Johan threw another bomb.
"To protect my purity, I want to say that I have never had any physical relationship with
them."
Jeong Taeui felt the terror of rumors and said–"This is a rumor where only those involved
don't know, while everyone else is aware?"–Taeui seriously explained to Johan.
Not sure if he believed it, Johan squinted at Jeong Taeui.
"Now that I think about it, I heard you went to Richard's bar following Christoph and had a
good time with Rick."
Wow, that rumor spread too...
That wasn't a rumor, so Jeong Taeui didn't know how to justify it.
Johan probably guessed the truth from Jeong Taeui's expression, looking at him with disdain
and said–"A true flirt..." –then continued reading.
"YA, IT'S NOT LIKE THAT!!"
"What? I've heard many people witnessed you and Rick being close. Isn't it true?"
"No... but... it's not like that... Christoph and I just maintain a pure and clean relationship!"
"Really? Maybe. Actually, I don't think you and Christoph have anything. Your face doesn't
deserve a precious tulip like that."
"Judging people based on their looks–No, if you know it's a false rumor, you should clarify
it!"
"Why should I? Even if I clarify without evidence, they wouldn't believe it. Rumors usually
last no more than 2-3 months before fading."Johan shrugged irresponsibly, making Jeong Taeui feel a surge of anger, wanting to strangle
Johan.
Feeling exhausted, Jeong Taeui almost lay down on the sofa, covering his face with a book.
He heard Johan mumbling beside him.
"By the way, the thing with you and Rick... It's good you didn't have to go to the hospital.
Your body seems stronger than I thought."
"Or maybe I haven't tried it yet, but the human body's structure is indeed mysterious and
amazing, so perhaps that size can be endured?"–Johan giggled to himself. Jeong Taeui quietly
stood up, holding a 1,6-liter beer bottle, turned it upside down, and approached Johan
menacingly.
"Let me experiment on your body. I'll help you."
Johan turned to see Jeong Taeui with the beer bottle and turned pale.
"H-Hey... isn't that size unrealistic?"
"Yes, psychological pressure is equivalent. Physical pressure is similar. When you exceed the
limit, there's no significant difference. Come here."
Jeong Taeui smiled brightly with an almost expressionless face. At that moment, Johan
thought of temporary personality disorder due to stress.
"H-Hey, this is nonsense... Why are you approaching me? You look like Jason with a
chainsaw."
"Don't talk too much, take off your pants."
"NO NO DON'T... AAAAA! I WAS WRONG! PLEASE SPARE ME!!"
"Take them off! I said take off your pants!!"
When the men chatting on the other side of the bookshelf heard the sudden shouting and
commotion, they rushed over to see Jeong Taeui struggling to pull Johan's belt while Johan
resisted desperately.
And… thus, another rumor began to take root.
****************
The distance from Jeong Taeui's room at the far end of Seoik to the main entrance of the
main building was quite far. Although he could see people coming and going from the main
building, he couldn't clearly make out their faces.
However, when two black sedans and several mid-sized wagons pulled up in front of the
main entrance, and two men who seemed to be the distinguished guests stepped out of the
first sedan, Jeong Taeui knew they weren't people he had seen before.For some reason, he felt confident that if it were 'that person,' the owner of the mansion in
Seringe, he would recognize them from a distance due to their distinctive presence.
"Well, that's a relief... At least I can breathe easier."
Jeong Taeui sighed and lightly punched his chest.
After all, he had completely destroyed their house, and meeting the owner again would be
incredibly awkward. He would have to bow his head and apologize–
"Sorry for making your
house like that."
Jeong Taeui turned away from the window when he saw Richard and Christoph–standing
together as if to guide and escort the guests–walking into the entrance. Even from a distance,
he could vaguely recognize them, although their faces were not clear.
The sky began to darken. The sun had set, leaving only a faint purple-red glow. It was time
for dinner.
Since the distinguished guests had arrived today, they would likely have dinner in the main
building or the Dosik wing. The Seoik wing would be quieter.
Thinking he could enjoy a peaceful dinner, Jeong Taeui stepped out of his room.
Jeong Taeui was dreaming of a pleasant evening, having a comfortable dinner, then returning
to his room, lying on the bed, reading a book, and drinking beer until he fell asleep.
Feeling cheerful about the bright future, Jeong Taeui walked lightly towards the dining hall.
He believed that with the arrival of the distinguished guests that had been the talk of the past
few days, at least for today, everyone would be busy and wouldn't bother him.
However.
However…
HOWEVER!!!!
Less than an hour later, Jeong Taeui found himself sitting in a spacious and comfortable
living room on the first floor of Dosik.
"..."
"What's wrong? You don't look well. Are you feeling unwell somewhere?"
The person asking kindly, albeit with certain animosity towards Jeong Taeui, was Richard.
Among those present, Ilay should have been the one most attentive to Jeong Taeui, but he
seemed unconcerned about whether Jeong Taeui's face looked ashen or not. Christoph, who
had once confessed his feelings to Jeong Taeui bluntly, sat next to Richard with a cold
expression.And opposite them were two unfamiliar Arab men.
Though they wore traditional Tobe garments with Gutra headscarves, their unique presence
made them blend in rather than stand out.
They planned to stay here for four days before departing. As soon as they arrived at the
mansion, they met with the elders of the house and then would enjoy a pre-prepared simple
dinner.
Currently, before the dinner was ready, they were enjoying tea with Richard–their host for the
next few days and the final negotiation partner in this deal.
Jeong Taeui quietly sipped his tea, puzzled as to why he had to be present in this situation.
He couldn't understand the criteria for his inclusion.
It made sense for Richard, Christoph, and the two Arab men to be here. Even Ilay, observing
and assessing the candidates for succession, being here was understandable.
But why was he dragged into this meeting? No matter how much he thought, he couldn't
figure it out.
"You seem uncomfortable."
The man sitting on the right among the two Arab men, who seemed to hold a higher status,
continued Richard's conversation.
With a clearly defined and authoritative face, this man exuded an aura of dignity. However,
his smiling eyes softened his sternness.
"Ah... Maybe because I was dragged away from a delicious meal, I'm now having
indigestion."
Jeong Taeui rubbed his chest and mumbled.
Jeong Taeui could only hope that whatever discussions took place, he could manage to stay
out of further awkward situations.