JD 28

“You kept asking me to come.”

“Yeah, I did. I asked you to. But I didn’t think you’d actually show up. Was it that cute kid that got you moving?”

Muheon didn’t bother responding to the teasing question, but Huang Lin, who understood what that silence meant, burst out laughing.

Clapping Muheon on the shoulder, Huang Lin motioned for them to go in and started leading the way. And the whole scene was clearly witnessed by Kim Taeyoung, who stood there, stunned.

He’d heard this man was the boss of the company Kang Hakyung worked for, so he thought he’d be running some half-dead hole-in-the-wall. But if Huang himself was dealing with him directly, that meant he wasn’t just some ordinary big shot.

Apparently, Choi, the manager standing next to him, came to the same realization. Just moments ago, he hadn’t reacted much at all—yet now he quickly stepped forward.

“Oh, Director Huang! Hello, sir!”

“Hm?”

“This is the one you agreed to invest in. Taeyoung, come on, greet him properly!”

Bowing deeply, Manager Choi gestured frantically toward Kim Taeyoung, who still stood stiffly. Prompted by his urgency, Taeyoung stepped forward and offered a greeting.

It was a complete 180 from the way he’d acted toward Muheon earlier—now he was polite and respectful. Watching the exchange, Huang Lin lazily waved a hand in acknowledgment, but then suddenly brightened mid-step as he turned back to Muheon. He’d just spotted Hakyung stepping off the elevator.

“Little one! Over here!”

Hearing the call, Hakyung—who had been scanning the surroundings—started hurrying over in small, quick steps. Muheon had said he’d buy him something nice from the lounge, so he’d changed into the best outfit he’d brought before coming down.

“Boss, boss’s friend! Hello!”

“You’re so polite.”

Smiling brightly—so different from earlier—Huang Lin reached out to pat Hakyung’s head, only to be blocked by Muheon’s hand. Finding even that amusing, Huang Lin laughed louder.

The scene of the incredibly handsome boss standing beside an equally good-looking friend was straight out of a painting. Dazed by the brilliance of the two, Hakyung stood in a daze until he finally noticed Kim Taeyoung nearby. He flinched and took a step back.

“Kang Hakyung…”

Taeyoung growled out Hakyung’s name, and the threatening tone made Hakyung step back again. But someone caught him from behind—Muheon, who had somehow slipped free from Huang Lin’s grip and wrapped a protective arm around him.

“It’s okay.”

Muheon’s voice was soft, like comfort, and sparked intrigue on Huang Lin’s face. What was the story behind these two? Or rather, behind these three—Hakyung, Muheon, and Taeyoung?

He couldn’t hold back his curiosity.

“Looks like you all know each other? Then you come with me too.”

Manager Choi, jumped at the invitation and quickly followed Huang Lin. Kim Taeyoung hesitated—being around Hakyung was uncomfortable—but he didn’t want to miss the opportunity, so he followed too.

Left behind, Hakyung hesitated, watching their backs as they disappeared down the hallway. Should he go or not? If he did, the mood would probably just get awkward. Maybe it was better to just head back to the room alone?

As he stood fidgeting in place, a large hand gently took hold of his wrist.

“Let’s go.”

“Boss, can’t I just go back to the room? You don’t have to buy me anything…”

“Nope, I want to.”

Muheon mimicked Hakyung’s tone and started walking. Since his wrist was firmly in Muheon’s grasp, Hakyung had no choice but to follow.

There were a lot of people around, so Kim Taeyoung probably wouldn’t try anything—but still, a part of him was uneasy.

Kim Taeyoung was good-looking and smooth-talking. If the boss talked to him a few more times, he might start to like him too. Then maybe he’d want to hold his hand, stroke his hair, not Hakyung’s…

Just like everyone else who’d once liked him ended up going to Kim Taeyoung in the end… what if even the boss ended up like that?

Before, it had just made him feel a little sad when people turned to Taeyoung—but if the boss did too, he might never recover.

Maybe that anxiety showed on his face without realizing it, because Muheon lightly tapped his cheek and said,

“I’ll buy it just for you.”

His voice was calm, almost indifferent—but somehow still kind, like he already knew exactly what Hakyung was afraid of. Hakyung’s heart plunged to the floor and then soared to the sky.

Just for you—those three words were so beautiful.

Blushing hard, Hakyung confessed,

“Boss, you’re the best-looking out of all the see eels.”

“…What?”

“So I like you.”

He blurted out his true feelings and walked ahead of Muheon—still holding tightly onto his wrist.

***

The atmosphere at the table revolved around Hakyung, not Kim Taeyoung. Huang Lin directed even the smallest questions to Hakyung, leaving Taeyoung feeling like a sack of rice dumped in the corner.

Taeyoung, who had never once been treated as lesser when with Kang Hakyung, found the whole situation infuriating. Why had he even been asked to come if it was going to be like this…? Without realizing it, he let out a sigh laced with irritation.

Manager Choi seated next to Taeyoung, looked equally flustered, clearly waiting for the right moment to insert himself into the conversation.

“Ohh? So that’s how you ended up helping out with Muheon’s work?”

“Yes, yes! I even have a certification! I helped the hyungs on staff and Mr. Geowong too! Right, boss?”

Hakyung looked proudly at Muheon as he spoke. Muheon nodded and then brought a glass to Hakyung’s lips. As he’d said earlier, it was the peach juice he had bought especially for him.

Like a mother bird doting on her chick, Muheon was meticulous in the way he looked after Hakyung. Huang Lin watched the scene with interest, while Taeyoung watched with disdain.

“There’s something else you’re good at too.”

“Me?”

“Yeah. You’re good at singing, Kang Hakyung.”

It was something Hakyung hadn’t expected to hear. He froze, blinking slowly. Why’s he bringing up singing here of all places…?

Hakyung shook his head at the boss, trying to signal him to stop, but maybe because river dolphins and sea eels live in different waters, telepathy wasn’t working. Muheon continued without a pause.

“I heard it myself. You’re better than him.”

For the first time since entering the lounge, Muheon’s gaze shifted to Kim Taeyoung. Following suit, Huang Lin’s eyes turned as well.

Two sharp gazes—one pitch black, the other burning red—cut straight through him. Taeyoung shivered under their piercing stares.

“Come on now, our Taeyoung is a professional singer. You can’t compare him to a civilian!”

It was Manager Choi who jumped in. He wore an exaggerated smile as he tried to promote Kim Taeyoung’s abilities to Huang Lin.

He rattled off how Taeyoung was already famous on social media even before his official debut, how he had amazing talent as a self-composing artist, how his good looks attracted floods of fans… If there were such a thing as a hymn of praise for Kim Taeyoung, Choi could’ve written one on the spot.

But as the manager’s praises continued, Taeyoung’s face grew paler and paler. He was terrified they might actually ask him to sing.

And sure enough, that fear became reality. Listening to Choi’s spiel, Huang Lin turned to Taeyoung and gave a command.

“Is that so? I didn’t get a good listen earlier—why don’t you sing again?”

“Of course, he can! Right, Taeyoung?”

With a cheerful look, Choi asked the question, but Taeyoung’s face had already gone from pale to deathly blue. He just sat there, silently opening and closing his mouth. He didn’t answer. He didn’t move. Choi gave him a nudge.

“Hmm…?”

Huang Lin narrowed his eyes at the suspicious behavior. That’s when Muheon finally spoke.

“Huang Lin, investment should go into things that are solid and worthwhile. That one’s no good.”

Muheon, who’d never shown interest in this kind of thing, offering such pointed advice made Huang Lin raise a brow. He looked Taeyoung up and down again, then issued a second command.

“Human. Prove your worth.”

“W-wait, wait a moment! It’s just…”

Under the pressure of those crimson eyes, Taeyoung stammered and frantically turned to Hakyung. At this point, the only person who might be able to save him was Kang Hakyung.

He had to get on the same page with him, somehow. But Hakyung’s small frame was completely shielded by the man beside him—he couldn’t even see the brim of his hat.

Growing desperate, Taeyoung stood from his seat and took a step toward Hakyung. But that too was blocked—Muheon’s long leg stretched out to bar the way. Looking up in frustration, Taeyoung met Muheon’s cool gaze.

“Why are you calling out someone else’s employee? Did you leave your voice in Kang Hakyung’s care or something?”

“Th-that…!”

Taeyoung bit his lip, flustered. He had no way to get a recording right now, and he couldn’t sing in his real voice either. He was completely trapped.

Choi kept urging him, clearly frustrated by Taeyoung’s inability to sing, but those tightly closed lips refused to open.

Huang Lin, whose attention had briefly turned toward Taeyoung after Muheon’s warning, now clicked his tongue and withdrew without hesitation.

“You’re right. Investments should be solid and valuable. That one’s a bust.”

The finality in his voice was like a death sentence. Taeyoung’s eyes turned red with humiliation.