* * *

It seemed warm and comfortable, but Jungin hesitated—he’d never owned anything white before.

Dark colors were more practical, staying clean longer and requiring less frequent washing.

Sensing his reluctance, Beomhyeon gestured to the manager, who promptly brought in more options while Beomhyeon flipped to a new page.

‘Is this how shopping is normally done? But… why only clothes for me?’

Taking advantage of Beomhyeon’s distraction, Jungin peeked at the price tags in the pamphlet.

His eyes widened.

‘How many zeroes is that…?’

The cost of a single outfit could buy 100 clothes from a discount market.

Flustered, Jungin grabbed Beomhyeon’s arm, shaking his head urgently.

“Beomhyeon, let’s just—”

“Well, well, who do we have here?”

Jungin’s words were cut off as a woman entered the room, her striking green heels clicking against the floor.

Her gaze fell on Jungin, partially hidden behind Beomhyeon, who was still clutching his arm.

The woman’s eyes sparkled mischievously as she took in Jungin’s small, pale face and oversized clothing.

Her lips curled into a smile as she approached with lively steps.

Unable to resist, she reached out to gently poke his soft cheek.

“And who’s this pretty little puppy?”

“Don’t touch him, Ki Yeonseo. You’re scaring him,” Beomhyeon growled, grabbing her wrist and pulling her away.

Unperturbed by his glare, Yeonseo pinched Jungin’s cheek with her free hand, her voice teasing.

“Aww, did I frighten the baby?”

Despite her playful tone, she exuded an intimidating aura.

Jungin froze, looking like he might cry at any moment.

Annoyed, Beomhyeon barked her name again.

“Ki Yeonseo.”

“Tsk, calling me by my name like that? Where are your manners, little brother?” Her smile faded, replaced by a sharp expression that resembled Beomhyeon’s.

Reaching for a cigarette out of habit, Yeonseo stopped when her eyes met Jungin’s wide, innocent ones.

Sighing, she crushed the cigarette between her fingers and tossed it aside.

“So, who’s this?” She raised an eyebrow.

“You brought him personally, so… don’t tell me…”

Beomhyeon gave a small nod, confirming her suspicions.

“Oh my,” she exclaimed, clapping her hands.

She immediately reached out, clasping Jungin’s hands with hers.

“You must be the youngest from the Lee family? Hello, I’m this idiot’s cousin, Ki Yeonseo.”

Jungin blinked in surprise.

He’d been wondering about their relationship, but her introduction caught him off guard.

“H-Hello. I’m Lee… Jungin.”

Springing to his feet, Jungin bowed deeply, his shoulders trembling slightly.

Unsure if she approved of his presence, he glanced nervously at her, only to find her eyes practically sparkling with adoration.

“Jungin… lover (aein)? Even your name is adorable!” (TL: She pronounced the last part of Jungin name as ain, which in korean means lover.)

“P-pardon?”

Though he’d earned plenty of nicknames before—like wife or Lee X-Jang—this was his first time being called “lover.”

Flustered, Jungin coughed into his hand, struggling to breathe.

With a practiced ease, Beomhyeon brought water to his lips.

Watching their seamless interaction, Yeonseo’s eyes softened with delight.

“Oh, he’s just too precious.”

“Thank… you….”

It felt like his naturally wavy hair might be ironed straight from how much it was being stroked, yet the gentle touch on his hair wasn’t entirely unpleasant.

Strangely, Lee Jungin seemed to be someone others easily took a liking to.

Was it because of his pretty face?

Or perhaps because he was an Omega who naturally triggered protective instincts?

Gone was the tense expression from earlier; now, Jungin’s face had softened completely.

Watching him blink at a memo urging the staff to move quickly, it was clear his mind was elsewhere.

A few hours later, Jungin collapsed onto the sofa, his face weary.

“Haah… haa…”

All he’d done was try on clothes, yet even that had stretched on for hours, leaving him utterly drained.

“Ki Beomhyeon, when are we going home? I don’t think I need any more clothes…”

Beomhyeon, who had been idly scrolling on his phone with one long leg crossed over the other, shifted his gaze to Jungin.

Seeing Jungin’s pale face and the way he gasped for breath, Beomhyeon’s brow furrowed.

“Weren’t you just saying you liked Ki Yeonseo?”

“When did I ever say that…!”

Had he upset Beomhyeon by being a little too friendly with Yeonseo?

Flustered, Jungin glanced over at him.

“Are you… seriously mad?”

“No.”

“S-sorry. But I couldn’t help it…”

Watching Beomhyeon avoid his gaze, Jungin tried putting himself in his shoes.

If they’d gone out together and Beomhyeon spent all his time with another friend, wouldn’t he have felt hurt too?

With his expression quickly drooping, Jungin grabbed Beomhyeon’s arm and apologized.

“I’m sorry, Ki Beomhyeon. I didn’t mean it that way. I really am sorry.”

“We’ll see.”

“I swear, I won’t do it again. I’ll just hang out with you. Please, don’t be mad anymore… You’re the only friend I’ve got left.”

Beomhyeon remained silent, watching Jungin weave a one-man play in his mind, his lips curling into a faint smile at the sight.

Suppressing the laughter bubbling inside him, he looked up at Jungin, whose face was scrunched in distress.

“Just this once.”

“Really?”

“And keep it moderate with Chairman Ki.”

“Huh?”

Just then, Yeonseo appeared, carrying several outfits in her hands.

Despite the hours that had passed, her face was glowing as she approached.

Upon encountering the swirling Alpha pheromones around Beomhyeon and Jungin, which practically screamed “stay away,” Yeonseo let out a scoffing laugh.

“Hah.”

She had heard the youngest of the Yeonhwa Group was a dominant Omega.

Yet, judging by the situation, Jungin didn’t seem to sense Beomhyeon’s pheromones at all.

The amusing absurdity of it drew a wry smile across Yeonseo’s lips.

“Should I feel bad for him, or should I just laugh?”

What could be more painful than an Omega who couldn’t sense the pheromones of the Alpha they liked?

It was both pitiful and entertaining to witness her cousin caught in such a predicament.

“Looks like the baby’s worn out. Should we call it a day?”

As Yeonseo spoke, a hint of color returned to Jungin’s face.

His transparent reactions drew a chuckle from her.

“Mr. Jung, make sure to send the clothes the baby tried on today to Jungin’s place.”

“Oh, I’m actually staying at— Mmph.”

Jungin, who had been about to reveal his current living arrangement, was cut off when Beomhyeon clamped a hand over his mouth.

It was obvious that letting Yeonseo know would lead to unnecessary trouble.

Picking up on the situation, Yeonseo raised a brow and let out a pleased hum, her shrewd gaze flitting between them.

Her suspicion confirmed by Beomhyeon’s sour expression, she smirked.

“Baby, what are you doing this weekend? Want to have a meal with your big sister?”

“This weekend?”

“Yeah. Or are you busy studying?”

Remembering Beomhyeon’s status as a student, Yeonseo shifted her tone, almost teasing.

“I’m not studying, but I do have a part-time job on weekends.”

“A… part-time job?”

For a brief moment, Jungin thought he heard something snap.

Turning toward the source, he saw nothing, but the silence that followed made him look back to Beomhyeon.

“A part-time job? No way Uncle would charge you rent. If you’re short on allowance, should I help you out?”

Yeonseo’s sharp gaze zeroed in on Beomhyeon, clearly demanding to know what nonsense he’d been putting Jungin through.

Beomhyeon, however, looked equally startled—this was the first he’d heard of Jungin working a part-time job.

Realizing the misunderstanding, Yeonseo dismissed her suspicions.

Surely, neither her Uncle nor Beomhyeon would force Jungin to work.

If anything, they were more likely to lock him up at home.

Wait.

Was that insane cousin of hers actually planning to confine him?

* * *