* * *

Jungin looked at the money his father handed him with a touched expression, but soon shook his head firmly.

“But I still haven’t used the money you gave me last time. You don’t have to give me more. I’ll get used to it.”

No matter how much he tried to make an angry face with his innocent features, it had no effect on someone like Chairman Ki, who had been through so much.

Seeing the hand reaching out with money, Jungin pressed his lips together and spoke again.

“And this is something I want to do. I’m lucky to be able to do things like this.”

Even when he said this with his soft, adorable face, it only made him look even cuter.

Chairman Ki, unable to resist the urge, rested his chin in his hands and smiled at Jungin with an amused expression.

“Where did such a pretty kid come from?”

“Huh? I’m from the community center…”

Jungin tilted his head and blinked quickly, while Chairman Ki’s delighted laughter echoed through the house.

Ha ha ha.

It was the first time he had heard this kind of laugh since Bomhyeon’s mother passed away.

The sound was so big that everyone in the house looked at Chairman Ki in surprise.

“Should I just make him my son? A daughter-in-law is nice, but a son seems even better. What do you think?”

“Father…”

Bomhyeon, who had been eyeing his father the entire time, put his chopsticks down and called out to him.

Feeling protective as usual, Chairman Ki smiled slyly, then reached out to pat Jungin’s head, kissing it lightly.

“What do you think? Don’t you think your father is better than your real father?”

Now, the relationship had become comfortable enough for these kinds of jokes to be understood.

Jungin also laughed playfully and nodded along with Chairman Ki.

But before he could do so, Bomhyeon grabbed Jungin’s hand.

“You finished eating, right?”

“Uh? Yeah…”

“Then let’s go.”

Jungin looked up as Bomhyeon suddenly tugged at him, his face subtly hardening as he pulled him along.

Jungin glanced at Chairman Ki, who simply waved his hand, clearly enjoying the moment.

“Hey, where are we going?”

“To buy clothes.”

“Suddenly?”

“I was planning to go already.”

With his long legs and quick pace, Bomhyeon was walking so fast that Jungin struggled to keep up, even with his long strides.

But when Bomhyeon slightly slowed his pace, his eyes landed on Jungin’s legs.

His expression shifted slightly, and Bomhyeon stopped in his tracks.

“Are you going to make me carry you again, like last time?”

Just as Jungin felt a sense of unease, Bomhyeon reached for his waist, and Jungin quickly spoke.

“I’m not going to be carried!”

“Why not?”

“Why? I have my own legs, you know?”

Jungin took a step back, and Bomhyeon’s gaze tightened.

The instinct of an alpha felt the rejection from his omega, and while Bomhyeon held it in, he let out a breath.

“Alright, fine. I won’t do that. Come here.”

“Really… damn it!”

After hearing Bomhyeon’s promise, Jungin stepped forward, only to be easily caught in Bomhyeon’s grasp.

His feet left the ground for a moment, and the familiar scent of Bomhyeon drew closer.

“Really, you jerk!”

Jungin now completely understood why he had saved Bomhyeon’s contact under the name “Asshole.”

As he stomped his feet, hitting Bomhyeon’s chest, they were interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching.

When they stopped, Jungin looked up and found himself face-to-face with some of the older men in the house.

“Good evening, young masters!”

“Good evening, Bomhyeon, Jungin!”

Towering men with intimidating faces bowed deeply, nearly at a 90-degree angle.

Given the current situation, Jungin, cradled in Beomhyeon’s arms, felt his face flush bright red as he looked down at them.

Unlike Jungin, who was visibly flustered, Beomhyeon nodded in acknowledgment as though accustomed to such greetings.

As he started walking, the oldest-looking man among the group followed, asking politely,

“Ah, where are you headed? Shall we escort you?”

“No need,” Beomhyeon replied curtly.

“Ah, understood. Please take care!”

The man bowed again, and Jungin accidentally met his gaze once more.

If there had been a mouse hole nearby, Jungin would’ve gladly buried his face in it.

Internally wailing, he clung tighter to Beomhyeon as they moved away.

Finally gaining freedom in the passenger seat, Jungin looked ready to bolt as his hand gripped the door handle.

That’s when Beomhyeon spoke up.

“Should we stop by the hospital?”

“Hospital?”

“Your ankle.”

Ankle…?

Confused, Jungin followed Beomhyeon’s gaze downward.

The moment he moved his foot, a faint ache radiated from his ankle.

“You must’ve twisted it earlier when you almost fell,” Beomhyeon observed matter-of-factly.

He was right.

Once he became aware of his ankle, the pain sharpened, and Jungin winced slightly as he rotated it.

“We’ll go to the hospital,” Beomhyeon decided.

“No, it’s fine,” Jungin protested.

He hadn’t even realized it was injured until now.

It was astonishing how Beomhyeon seemed to know his body better than he did.

“It’s not bad enough to go to the hospital.”

“…”

“Really, look—it’s not even swollen. It’s just a minor twist.”

It was just a slight sprain, not something worth a trip to the hospital.

Plus, Jungin had had enough of hospitals.

Fastening his seatbelt obediently, he met Beomhyeon’s gaze, prompting a small nod of understanding.

Relieved by the silent agreement, Jungin relaxed, exhaling softly.

“So… are we really going clothes shopping? Most stores are probably closed by now.”

Despite his memory loss, Jungin’s innocence was almost endearing.

Beomhyeon smirked lightly, driving with calm precision.

He had already arranged for the department store to remain open through Mr. Yoon.

Upon arrival, he carried Jungin effortlessly into the building.

“You won’t have to walk, so it won’t be tiring.”

Thankfully, there was no one else around.

Recalling how mortified he’d been earlier when someone saw him in Beomhyeon’s arms, Jungin’s ears turned red at the memory.

Still… how was shopping at a department store supposed to be effortless?

Did the clothes move around on conveyor belts like sushi plates?

“Should I put you down? Can you walk?”

“I can walk,” Jungin quickly insisted, nodding hurriedly to avoid giving Beomhyeon any reason to change his mind.

After being set down, Jungin stepped into the elevator with him.

A soft ding announced their arrival, and a polite voice greeted them.

‘Ah… that’s why he put me down,’ Jungin realized.

Beomhyeon had been considerate, knowing Jungin would be embarrassed if others saw them.

“Welcome. This way, please.”

“Yes.”

The man, dressed impeccably in a high-end suit, had a name tag identifying him as the manager. Jungin felt completely out of place.

As the luxurious atmosphere pressed in, making him tense, Beomhyeon squeezed his hand reassuringly.

Saying nothing, he led Jungin further inside, following the manager’s guidance.

Seated in a specially prepared area, Jungin was reminded once again of Beomhyeon’s overwhelming status as a scion of a massive conglomerate.

“We’ll prepare everything immediately,” the manager said, departing.

While sipping the tea brought over, Beomhyeon perused a pamphlet with the casual air of someone entirely at home in this environment.

Meanwhile, Jungin’s wide eyes darted around, taking in the opulent surroundings.

As the lights dimmed slightly, impeccably dressed staff began bringing in clothing.

Beomhyeon leaned toward Jungin, showing him an outfit in the pamphlet.

“I think this would look good on you.”

The image featured a beige knit sweater worn by the third model from the left.

* * *