* * *

Taking a few steps closer to Jungin, who was still in Beomhyeon’s arms, he spoke.

“Have you had dinner yet?”

“Not yet…”

“Are you not hungry?”

Jungin instinctively wanted to avoid that playful gaze, but his stomach growled loudly, betraying him.

“If you invite a guest, you should make sure they’re fed properly,” Beomkyeon said, frowning at Beomhyeon as if scolding him.

But it wasn’t Beomhyeon’s fault; Jungin had refused food earlier because he wasn’t feeling well.

Feeling a sudden pang of guilt, he clung to Beomhyeon’s arm and shook his head.

“It’s not his fault. I wasn’t feeling well and said I didn’t want to eat.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

When Jungin nodded vigorously, Beomkyeon finally shifted his gaze away from Beomhyeon, smiling slightly as he looked between his son and Jungin.

“Well, it’s late, but let’s have dinner together.”

“Right now?”

“Yes. Your stomach’s been growling so loudly it’s pitiful.”

Beomkyeon let out a chuckle, clearly amused by the situation.

Before he knew it, Jungin found himself sitting at an enormous dining table, eating a meal alongside Beomhyeon.

‘Come on. I’ve already experienced disappearing from my own body and losing friends; an engagement isn’t that big a deal.’

Judging by how he was engaged at this age, it was clearly a business arrangement.

And no way would Beomhyeon actually want to marry him.

Definitely not.

A small laugh escaped Jungin, and he shook his head.

Beomhyeon noticed and slid a plate of fruit in front of him.

“What’s so funny?”
“Nothing, really.”

Yeah, he’d just stay here until he got used to things, then bring up breaking off the engagement.

It’d be better to remain good friends with Beomhyeon.

As his thoughts slowly settled, the headache from earlier began to fade away.

“I told you, it’s nothing.”

Jungin playfully tapped Beomhyeon’s shoulder, and finally, Beomhyeon looked away.

The meal was delicious, and though it was late, Jungin found the experience fun since he never had late-night snacks at home.

Wiping fruit juice from his lips, Jungin politely thanked Chairman Ki for the meal.

The chairman glanced at his watch and spoke.

“It’s getting late. Won’t Chairman Lee and Madam Jang be worried?”
“Ah…”

At the mention, Jungin’s expression darkened.

Beomkyeon raised an eyebrow, noticing Jungin’s mouth twitch.

“So, I have a favor to ask, Father,” Jungin began hesitantly.

“Father…?”

Beomkyeon set down his teacup, repeating the word.

Did calling him ‘Father’ make him uncomfortable?

“Is that title awkward for you? Should I call you Chairman Ki instead?”

“Hm. No, I think I prefer the first one.”

“Then I’ll call you Father.”

‘If he’s my Fiance’s dad, he’s like my dad too.’

Jungin glanced at Beomhyeon, who was frowning, and then nervously clenched his fists under the table as he continued.

“I’d like to ask a favor.”

“All right, tell me.”

Beomkyeon’s mood seemed to lift, and he gazed at Jungin with a benevolent smile.

He used to seem so intimidating, but now, seeing how similar he was to Beomhyeon, Jungin couldn’t help but grin.

“I want to stay here with you and Beomhyeon for a while!”

“Here? You want to stay here?”

“Yes. I ran away from home.”

It was better to be honest when asking for permission.

Beside him, Beomhyeon ground his teeth, but before he could say anything, Beomkyeon threw his head back in laughter.

“Hahaha.”

“Huh?”

“Hahaha, ha.”

Why was he laughing so heartily, shoulders shaking?

Confused, Jungin glanced at Beomhyeon, who grabbed his hand with an annoyed expression.

“If you’re done eating, get up.”

“What? But…”

“Kid, did you get permission from your parents?”

“They’re not that interested in me.”

Seeing Jungin’s lips droop with sadness, Beomkyeon nodded.

The Lees probably weren’t the affectionate type, but still… The chairman’s lips curled into a knowing smile.

“What about your brothers, then?”

“My brothers, uh…”

Jungin’s eyes darted around in embarrassment.

Beomkyeon propped his chin on his hand and chuckled.

“I can imagine how those unruly brats would react.”

Wait… does he mean my brothers…?

Worried, Jungin looked down, but the chairman spoke again.

“So, how would you like your room set up?”

“My room?”

“You’re going to live here, right?”

“I don’t need a separate room. Beomhyeon’s room is spacious enough; I can stay with him.”

The chairman’s smile widened as he glanced at Beomhyeon, who sat next to Jungin.

“In the same room as him?”

“Uh…”

Jungin turned to see Beomhyeon looking… upset?

Maybe even angry?

“My son may be troublesome, but still.”

Trying not to laugh, Beomkyeon finally agreed to set up a separate room for Jungin, saying he could pick any available one he liked.

Jungin chose the room next to Beomhyeon’s.

“You’re the first person I’ve seen kick away an opportunity like this,” Beomkyeon remarked.

“Huh?”

“Nothing. If I say more, Beomhyeon will kill me, so let’s stop here.”

Was he always this oblivious? Jungin had no idea what they were talking about.

There was definitely something going on between Beomhyeon and the chairman, but he couldn’t figure it out.

Jungin tilted his head, watching Beomhyeon push his chair back as if about to leave.

“And… I have one more favor,” Jungin said quickly.

“Go ahead.”

“Yes, I really hope you’ll grant it, Father.”

Jungin had noticed how the chairman liked being called ‘Father,’ so he emphasized it.

Beomhyeon never brought friends home, so it seemed special to him.

The chairman waited patiently, making Jungin feel hopeful as he began to speak.

“Could you say I’m not here if my family comes looking for me? There are circumstances… I really don’t want to go back home right now.”

If he went back home, they would definitely lock him up, just like when he was stuck in the hospital.

But there was something he needed to do before that.

If Lee Jungin really died, then his original body must have died too.

He worried about what was happening at the orphanage in his absence.

Originally, after that incident at school, he had planned to bring the bullies to volunteer at the orphanage, but things had taken yet another turn for the worse.

Just thinking about how to untangle this mess made my head throb.

“You want me to lie for you?”

Beomkyeon, who had been contemplating Jungin’s request, furrowed his brows as if troubled but then opened his mouth to speak.

“Lying isn’t great, but I can make sure they can’t take you away by force. I’ll even assign bodyguards.”

“Bodyguards?”

“Yeah. If it’s for Hyun Group… anyway, your family won’t be able to lay a finger on you.”

The chairman looked at me with a gaze that, for some reason, held back more words.

He reassured me, telling me not to worry about such things.

His calm, confident smile somehow made me trust him.

“Yes. Thank you. I’ll leave it in your hands.”

Beomkyeon nodded in response to Jungin’s gratitude and called over someone named Mr. Choi.

“Introduce yourself. This is Mr. Choi, who handles all the household matters. If you need anything or feel uncomfortable, just tell him, and he’ll take care of it.”

“Hello, I’m Mr. Choi. I hope you have a pleasant stay here, young master.”

“Oh. Please take care of me as well.”

Jungin jumped up from his seat and bowed deeply, and Mr. Choi smiled warmly, his kind eyes fixed on him.

It had been a long time since anyone had greeted him so warmly, and Jungin couldn’t hide the smile spreading across his face, his cheeks flushing.

“It’s quite late. You should get some rest for today. Mr. Choi, see to it that the young master’s sleeping arrangements are comfortable.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

Young master… Even here, they were using that title.

Sure, Jungin was still a minor, but he was the same age as Ki Beomhyeon.

Did they call him young master too?

“Ki Beomhyeon, does your father call you young master too?”

Beomhyeon’s expression stiffened instantly at the question.

Or not… No need to react so seriously.

* * *