AOA 157

“Ha….”

He sighed for the umpteenth time. However, instead of giving up, Baek Mugyeong racked his brain trying to figure out what to do. He had no talent for persuading others. And if Jeong Minchae really wanted a child, he couldn’t object.

Couples typically fought over issues both big and small. These conflicts ranged from minor lifestyle habits to major clashes over religion or beliefs. If the conflict intensified, breaking up was the inevitable outcome.

Compromising was difficult, especially when it came to children. If Jeong Minchae wanted it, it was right to give it serious consideration. Baek Mugyeong tried to imagine if he could become a father. However, no scene came to mind. A child of his own bloodline was a dark, unknown territory.

No, that’s not right. It would be Jeong Minchae’s child.

Baek Mugyeong rubbed his face and expanded his thoughts. He wanted to see a child who resembled Jeong Minchae. The child would be cute and lovely. Above all, the mere thought of Jeong Minchae and the child together brought a smile to his face. People were just like this, fickle.

“Ahem.”

Baek Mugyeong, whose mind had changed in an instant, cleared his throat. Since he did not yet know Jeong Minchae’s true feelings, he could not make a hasty judgment. For now, the priority was to find out what was bothering Jeong Minchae.

He stood up from his seat. Outside the window, the afternoon cityscape unfolded. It was almost time for Jeong Minchae to return.

❖ ❖ ❖

“Take this.”

Jeong Minchae returned to the hotel before sunset and placed a small piece of paper in the hands of not only Baek Mugyeong but also Lee Miseon and Lee Sejun.

It was a Mega Millions lottery ticket. He explained that he went into a convenience store and bought it while browsing Chelsea Market.

“They say the prize is 670 million dollars. If you win, you have to give me 5%. Since I bought it for you. Got it?”

Baek Mugyeong looked back and forth between the giggling Jeong Minchae and the lottery ticket. He had earned a lot of money using the memory of having traveled back two years in time. However, he had never once thought about buying a lottery ticket. There was no particular reason. It was simply because he had no memory of the winning numbers.

“Do you happen to know the winning numbers?”

“No.”

“Then why did you buy it?”

“You never know, right? Haven’t you ever tried something like that, Mugyeong? Thinking about what to do if I won the lottery is fun.”

“I haven’t tried it.”

“You’ve lived a boring life. Try it this time.”

Baek Mugyeong chuckled. He wondered how Jeong Minchae would react if he told him he had more money than the Mega Millions lottery winnings.

However, Jeong Minchae was quick-witted.

“That reaction is strange. Wait… You made that much money? More than 670 million dollars? That’s right. It is. What on earth were you investing in? Give that to me. I guess I’ll have to take your luck, Mugyeong.”

Jeong Minchae reached out to snatch Baek Mugyeong’s lottery ticket. Baek Mugyeong reflexively raised his arm to dodge the attack.

“Give me that.”

“It’s mine now. If I win, I’ll give you 5%.”

“You already have plenty of money.”

“The more money, the better, Jeong Minchae-ssi.”

Baek Mugyeong answered politely while dodging Jeong Minchae’s attempts from side to side. Because he was tall, Jeong Minchae could not reach him even when he jumped up, and thanks to his build, he was not pushed back either.

Jeong Minchae, who had tried to snatch the lottery ticket several times, finally gave up. In the meantime, Baek Mugyeong put the ticket into his pants pocket.

“You’re bragging like this about having long arms.”

“I’m tall, too.”

“You’re bragging about this again. I can’t forgive you, even if you’re my boyfriend. Just cut off 5 centimeters. You’ll still be tall.”

Jeong Minchae clung to Baek Mugyeong’s arm and hugged him tightly, begging him to cut off his legs. he was strong, but not strong enough to render Baek Mugyeong unable to move.

Baek Mugyeong liked the feeling of being tangled up, so he relaxed his body and stayed still. But he didn’t stop teasing him.

“I should increase the weight training. You’re soft.”

“Mugyeong is tougher than average. Just try letting me push you.”

Baek Mugyeong stumbled backward just as Jeong Minchae had wished, eventually falling on the sofa. As he leaned against the backrest, he saw Jeong Minchae’s face, red from exertion.

“I’m taller now.”

“The absolute value doesn’t change just because the position has changed.”

“Don’t attack with facts; let’s settle this with falsehoods and fabrications.”

Baek Mugyeong burst into laughter at the serious remark that sounded like a joke. Unlike himself, Jeong Minchae had a talent for making others laugh. In times like this, he had to use his head to agree with him. That was the proper attitude for a good lover.

“Our Minchae is eight feet tall and a giant.”

“That’s even more humiliating. Let’s stop talking about height. By any chance, do you know the lottery numbers?”

Jeong Minchae, having very wisely changed the subject, climbed onto Baek Mugyeong’s lap and sat down. It was a natural move, but a strange position. Because of this, Baek Mugyeong felt slightly flustered.

Sex was forbidden during the trip. Baek Mugyeong agreed with Jeong Minchae’s strong resolve not to get laid down with vigorous sex while his family was present. They made repeated adjustments to avoid the heat and rut periods. For the past five days, all Baek Mugyeong could do was suck and touch Jeong Minchae’s genitals. Even that was done with extreme caution, as he could lose his mind if he got too aroused.

However, as he tried to look up at Jeong Minchae in a strange position, it naturally led to erotic fantasies.

“I don’t know the lottery numbers.”

Baek Mugyeong spoke while holding Jeong Minchae’s thighs with both hands. Stock information was stuck in his head, but he had never even looked up things like lottery numbers.

“What a shame. But why are your hands here?”

“It’s natural?”

“We have to go have dinner soon.”

“You can let me suck a little. Right?”

Baek Mugyeong whispered. He did not forget to subtly release pheromones or gently stroke the thigh he held in his hand.

For a moment, Jeong Minchae looked conflicted. Jeong Minchae tended to be weak against such temptations. In particular, if pheromones were spread, he would give in one out of every two times.

As expected, Jeong Minchae laughed in disbelief.

“It’s the same pattern every day, but I always let it slide.”

“It’s because you like me.”

“I can’t refute that.”

Jeong Minchae giggled and leaned forward. Baek Mugyeong gently held his face as he drew closer and pressed his lips against his.

A sweet and soft pheromone wafted out from Jeong Minchae as if he had deliberately set his mind to it. The scent tickling the tip of the nose delivered a pleasure so intense it felt like suffocating after just a short while. His body, remembering that moment, instantly heated up.

But the kiss came first.

❖ ❖ ❖

Baek Mugyeong failed to keep his promise to only suck. He went beyond sucking and licking, even going to the bathroom to rub and touch him. Although he came to his senses midway and did not go as far as penetration, Baek Mugyeong still ended up getting smacked on the back by Jeong Minchae.

The two barely managed to finish showering and rejoin the group before it was time for dinner.

The dinner venue was a Chinese restaurant near the hotel. Shrimp fried rice, wonton noodles, pork rice bowl, various dim sum, five-item cold appetizers, fried eggplant, stir-fried bok choy, yuringi, and so on. Everyone ordered whatever they wanted to eat. Lee Sejun, who still had indigestion, ordered crab porridge with a sad look on his face.

Before the food arrived, Jeong Minchae, Choi Jieun, and Park Soyeon took turns describing what they had seen and eaten at Chelsea Market. Inside Chelsea Market, a famous tourist spot, there were restaurants, cafes, bakeries, ice cream shops, and more. As they each commented on how delicious the lobster, gelato, and bagels were, Lee Sejun could not hide his envy.

Baek Mugyeong became an attentive listener, straining to hear the story. In the meantime, he was met with stinging stares from his companions. Silent questions rained down from not only Lee Miseon, but also Choi Jieun, Park Soyeon, and Lee Sejun.

‘What did Minchae say?’

‘Why did he sigh?’

‘He’s not sick, right?’

‘Is something wrong?’

Since they traveled separately from the hotel to the Chinese restaurant, he didn’t have a chance to have a proper conversation with his companions. So, they all asked with their eyes.

Baek Mugyeong, who had completely forgotten to ask if something was wrong because he was busy doing something naughty with Jeong Minchae, felt cold sweat running down his back. However, as someone who had lived long enough, he didn’t panic and handled it skillfully.

‘I haven’t asked yet. We should finish our meal.’

Baek Mugyeong repeated the same answer four times with his eyes and facial expression. Everyone nodded in agreement that they should eat with a relaxed mind.

While they were having a silent conversation, the food arrived. The table was instantly filled with delicious dishes.

“This is delicious. Everyone, give it a try. You too, Mugyeong.”

Jeong Minchae tasted the fried eggplant and was greatly impressed, enthusiastically recommending it to his companions. Baek Mugyeong put the glossy fried eggplant into his mouth. The well-fried eggplant was delicious.

“Hyunf, I want some too.”

Lee Sejun, who had been diligently eating only crab porridge, could no longer hold back and intervened.

“Is your stomach okay?”

“I feel much better. I think I’ll be fine as long as I don’t overeat.”

“You’d better hold back. This is all fried food.”

“I brought some digestive medicine too. You should be fine if you take it right after eating. You can also take a walk around the hotel. You can prick your finger again.”

Lee Sejun, a high school student who seemed capable of chewing through iron, claimed he could eat anything. Jeong Minchae, who is weak against his younger sibling, lost quickly.

“Ugh, fine. But just eat one per plate.”

“That’s harsh.”

“You said you wouldn’t overeat. Then don’t eat.”

“No. I’m going to eat. I love you, Hyung.”

Lee Sejun put a piece of fried eggplant into his mouth with a happy expression. The adults sitting at the table smiled fondly at the conversation between the young nephew and grandson.

Baek Mugyeong, who had been laughing along, was engulfed in a strange feeling. The family dining tables he had experienced were never like this. During his childhood, he rarely had the experience of eating together with both his parents. Since both parents were people of few words, mealtimes were always quiet. It was even worse when relatives gathered. Regardless of whether it was his paternal or maternal side, everyone spoke with a hidden knife.

He knew in his head that not all families were like that. However, he was surprised all over again while having a meal last Christmas. He had gotten used to it by now, so he took it for granted during the trip.

Suddenly, he felt strange remembering that Jeong Minchae wanted to have a child. Another member is going to join the family?

That didn’t seem like a bad thing. A small child resembling Jeong Minchae.

Baek Mugyeong’s heart pounded just at the thought.