“A few years ago, there was a guy who tried to kill him to avenge his close colleague. Unfortunately, that guy was quite handsome and ended up being hospitalized for life. So……. in the end, there’s no karma here. He couldn’t get his revenge and was crushed by that monster……. Many people, unable to beat him, vent their frustration on themselves.”

“That’s……. really unfortunate.”

“Yeah……. That’s how it is. His character is terrible no matter how you look at it. But sometimes, you’re unlucky enough to run into him, and it won’t end well.”

After saying this, Tou glanced at Jeong Taeui in the mirror and smiled.

“But don’t worry. With your looks, you don’t need to worry about unnecessary things. Just worry about your life.”

“Oh, thanks.”

Jeong Taeui said through gritted teeth, raising his hand to give Tou a smack on the neck.

A young and beautiful guy……. For example……. someone like Xinlu?

Jeong Taeui frowned as he thought about someone who fit all those criteria perfectly. If so, wouldn’t that be Xinlu?

“Doesn’t that mean Xinlu needs to be cautious too?!”

Jeong Taeui grabbed Tou’s wrist and shouted, making Tou blink and look back at him.

“Uh……. yeah. Thinking about it, you’re right. But well, no member would dare confront someone from the office. Even he would have a hard time if he messes with someone there.”

“Right……. I guess……. right?”

“…….”

Jeong Taeui, nodding, suddenly raised his voice. Tou gave him a blank look as if to say, “Oh, you idiot.” Only then did Jeong Taeui shrink back and close his mouth.

“Even if you’re not worried, the staff knows how to handle themselves. If Rick comes here, just worry about your own life. No one but yourself will look out for you.”

Exactly. Before worrying about others, he wasn’t even confident enough to secure his own life.

“Hmm……. I hope there’s some issue with their personnel and Rick doesn’t come.”

Jeong Taeui prayed silently with a sliver of hope, knowing the chances were slim.

“Yeah, that would be great. But anyway, they’re coming tonight, so we’ll find out then.”

“They must be in Hong Kong by now.”

“Yeah. Hope they get here with their heads still spinning from jet lag.”

Jeong Taeui laughed as Tou pretended to slice his own neck. That joke lightened some of the dark images clouding his mind.

Only a few hours left. By then, Jeong Taeui would meet the people he had only heard about in rumors. Though it was entirely different from what he expected, Jeong Taeui felt a bit excited and nervous.

“All right, they said we have to report to the office after moving rooms. They need to check.”

Tou said while wiping his mouth with a towel as he passed Jeong Taeui. It made him jump.

“If we go to the office, we’ll probably see Xinlu, right? Since he’s in charge of internal affairs, we’ll definitely have to talk to him. You must be thrilled, Tay.”

Tou smiled and gently elbowed Jeong Taeui’s side. He dodged and evasively replied, “Mmm.”

No. It’s not that he didn’t want to see him. Jeong Taeui wanted to meet him and hear that soft voice; he also liked the smell of the fragrant soap. But he wasn’t confident to face him now. Somehow, if he saw Xinlu now, Jeong Taeui felt he’d freeze on the spot.

Moreover……. if they met again, how would Xinlu look at him?

Jeong Taeui used a towel to wipe the already dry back of his neck. His heart grew heavy.

Since that day, he hadn’t seen Xinlu once. Unless something special happened, there was no reason for members and logistics staff to meet. They worked in places with no chance of running into each other. He occasionally went to his uncle’s room, which meant sometimes he went to the first basement, but even then, he carefully looked around like a thief.

What was that kid thinking, raising his head in front of a nice guy applying medicine?

Tou threw the towel into the collection bin next to Jeong Taeui and habitually patted his pocket to check his cigarettes before leaving, leaving Jeong Taeui alone to wrestle with his thoughts in the bathroom. Jeong Taeui caught him with a gloomy face.

“Going for a smoke?”

“Huh? Yeah. You coming?”

“Yeah, give me a cigarette.”

“……. You know there’s nowhere to buy cigarettes here, right?……. All right, I’ll lend you one. Pay me back with a pack later.”

“Do you know how annoying your face looks right now? Try looking in the mirror.”

Tou – a hardcore smoker, defended his stinginess, saying, “Damn it, I’m stuck here for 15 more days, and my cigarette stash is running low.”

Jeong Taeui followed Tou through the messy hallway to the ground floor and stepped outside without hesitation. He glanced around. It felt cowardly, but he didn’t know what to do if he ran into Xinlu now.

Stepping out, the bright sunlight made it hard to open his eyes.

Living underground, the air conditioning and lighting systems were perfect, making it feel no different from natural light, so there was no discomfort. However, sometimes being exposed to sunlight and the wind could bring a bit of peace.

Jeong Taeui often took walks outside during his free time. Whether his colleagues did the same or not, he always met someone when he went out.

The forest path was dangerous at night, so no one went out then, but during the day, it was a great place for a walk. Walking along the path behind the building, though far, he could get near the sea. The rocks piled up like a house and the color of the sea were beautiful.

Jeong Taeui forcibly took two more cigarettes from Tou. Saying it was troublesome to go that far, Tou chose a nearby path. Jeong Taeui walked alone through knee-high grass, getting bitten by bugs and scratched by leaves until he bled.

He shouldn’t have worn shorts. Just as he considered turning back, the smell of the sea reached him on the breeze.

Damn it. He should’ve come here with Xinlu. Maybe everything would’ve gone smoothly, without the excitement…….

Jeong Taeui grumbled at himself, putting the cigarette in his mouth. He lit it with the lighter he took from Tou and took a deep drag.

“Sorry, trees. Even if you suffocate, bear with it a little.”

Jeong Taeui apologized for smoking in the natural forest. Ahead was the sea.

But unfortunately, the sea wasn’t the only thing that appeared.

After enjoying the sea breeze, it seemed someone was heading back this way. It was the person he least wanted to see now. Xinlu.

Hmm. Seeing him, Jeong Taeui instinctively looked for a place to hide, but before he could find a spot, Xinlu saw him.

Only after their eyes met did he realize he couldn’t hide. Xinlu looked surprised and paused but then continued walking towards him. After all, there was only one path.

“……. Did you go for a walk?”

Jeong Taeui said awkwardly. It would be stranger to pass by without saying anything. Xinlu stared at Jeong Taeui and nodded without hesitation.

“Yes, did you too, Taei-hyung?”

“Yeah, just……. long time no see.”

Jeong Taeui replied shortly as if nothing had happened. But it was a failure. His face was burning.

After a few more steps, Xinlu stopped, looking hesitant.

Jeong Taeui, with the cigarette in his mouth, worried but tried to act calm. Should he apologize? Probably. But his mouth was too stiff to open.

“Have you moved rooms? Which room are you in?”

Finally, Xinlu spoke. Jeong Taeui replied.

“Yeah, I moved to Tou’s room. Oh, he said I had to report, but I forgot. I’m in his room with him now.”

“Oh, Tou’s room. Got it.”

Xinlu nodded. The atmosphere grew awkward again.

It was better than finding him in the room to talk, so that was good. But now the air felt prickly and uncomfortable.

Jeong Taeui looked down at Xinlu, who was bowing. His long lashes fluttered a few times. He could see a small whirl on the top of his head.

Such an adorable boy. He must like a cute, petite girl like a doll, sweet as cotton candy.

But suddenly, a big guy he saw as a brother did something shameful. He must be shocked. Maybe even disgusted or annoyed.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” – If he asked that, should Jeong Taeui brush it off, saying he lost his mind for a moment? Or should he admit honestly, “Yes, I did?” Either way was tough, but Xinlu said.

“You often visit Instructor Jeong’s room, right? You can’t go there now. During joint training, contact between Instructors and members is prohibited.”

“Huh? Oh……. thanks.”

Jeong Taeui knew that as his uncle had warned him, but after hesitating, he only thanked him. He was grateful Xinlu cared.

Right. Xinlu was trying to be kind to him. Even if he felt uncomfortable, he didn’t show it.

Every time the conversation stalled, the silence grew.

Once again, the topic hit a dead end. Jeong Taeui noticed Xinlu’s awkward glance and sighed, stepping aside. He realized he was blocking the path.

“Then I’ll go first.”

Xinlu bowed and passed him. Jeong Taeui m

umbled an apology. He wasn’t sure if Xinlu heard, as his voice was small.

Phew. He sighed and slowly moved. But suddenly, the footsteps behind stopped.

“Uh……. Taei-hyung”

He hesitantly called. Jeong Taeui stopped and turned. Xinlu looked at him, confused.

“Um……. this……. I…….”

“…….?”

“This…….”

Xinlu’s face turned red, his voice a whisper.

Jeong Taeui felt extremely uneasy. He didn’t mind if Xinlu got angry or yelled. He braced himself, fists clenched in his pockets.

But after a long pause, Xinlu said.

“I’ve slept with men before.”

“…….”

The cigarette in his mouth fell to the ground. He stared at Xinlu, stunned. Xinlu couldn’t meet his eyes, stammering.

“Two years after high school, I wasn’t very mature, but I went to a place for such people, men. That was my first time…….”

Xinlu’s face was as red as a ripe tomato before he finished.

Jeong Taeui stared blankly at Xinlu. His mind went blank.

After a long silence, Xinlu looked up at him and shouted.

“Hyung! The cigarette! The cigarette!”