He realized it.
Kim Taeyoung had figured out his feelings.
Hakyung wanted to get out of there quickly.
If he stayed even a moment longer, those annoying words might slip out of that mouth.
“Huh? No, that’s not true, Hakyung?”
To avoid Kim Taeyoung’s attention, Hakyung didn’t know how to answer.
“…You just like him, right?”
Muheon’s unusually long explanation made both Taeyoung’s and Hakyung’s eyes widen.
Despite their focused gazes, Muheon stayed calm and casually put his arm around Hakyung’s shoulder.
Like a deer caught in a trap, Hakyung, who couldn’t escape Taeyoung’s stare, naturally leaned into Muheon’s embrace.
The strong arms of the boss wrapped around him, and Hakyung’s anxious heart began to calm.
“Yeah, that’s right. When you tricked me and I ended up on the streets, the boss saved me. I’m really thankful and I like him.”
At Hakyung’s straightforward words, Taeyoung’s usually bright smile twisted a little.
“When you say you ended up on the streets because you got tricked by him…”
He let out a bitter laugh, clearly annoyed.
It was obvious that now that someone was on Hakyung’s side, Taeyoung was determined to outplay him.
Hakyung flinched a bit at Taeyoung’s laugh but trusted the firmness of the arms around his shoulders.
“From now on, I have to repay the boss’s kindness and work, so I can’t go back to the countryside. And since you were the one who cut off contact first, let’s just keep it that way.”
“What? Are you crazy, Kang Hakyung?”
Taeyoung showed his true colors at Hakyung’s declaration of cutting ties.
Losing his composure, he reached out to grab Hakyung—but a bigger hand stopped him first.
What the hell was that guy?
Both Hakyung and the boss were seriously making him mad.
Taeyoung shot a fierce glare at Muheon.
If it were Hakyung, his eyes would have been squinting from exhaustion and shrinking his shoulders.
But Muheon wasn’t like that.
He just squinted his eyes as if finding the situation ridiculous and said,
“Your voice is pretty, but your manners are utterly shameless. No, I should say your singing, not just your voice.”
“What did you say?”
“They say what separates humans from beasts is language. If you don’t fix your nasty habits and lies, you’ll get into serious trouble soon.”
Taeyoung took a step back from the cold glare that pierced between Muheon’s narrowed eyes.
There was something strange about this man called “boss” — he wasn’t just an ordinary human.
Noticing that he instinctively backed down, Taeyoung bit his lip in frustration.
It was all because of Kang Hakyung.
He glared at Hakyung with an even angrier expression than before, but the man’s large body blocked his view.
“H-They really go all out, huh.”
Muttering quietly, Taeyoung roughly ran his hands through his hair.
Just as he was about to say something more to Hakyung, his phone vibrated sharply in his pocket.
Seeing “Manager Choi” on the screen, he realized he had to hurry.
He couldn’t afford to make things worse by fighting with Hakyung here — he should have smoothly gotten another song out of him…
That stupid strong dolphin made things complicated and ruined the plan.
It was unfortunate, but the damage was done.
He decided to meet later to sort things out.
For now, meeting a big client from China and making a good impression was more important.
Kim Taeyoung clicked his tongue briefly and answered the call.
“Yes, Manager.”
“Taeyoung, where are you? The client is asking for you!”
“I’m coming right away! Where should I go?”
“The rooftop lounge! Come here!”
After hearing Manager Choi’s answer, Taeyoung quickly ended the call and warned Hakyung in a low voice.
“You’ll get a call from me soon. Pick up. If you say another stupid thing about cutting ties, and you want to keep the life you owe me, you better answer.”
Now that he knew the boss and Hakyung were in cahoots, there was no need to be careful with words around them.
Hakyung’s eyes wavered at the threat, but only for a moment.
He had nothing to lose from Kim Taeyoung anymore.
The boss had saved him when he had nowhere to go, fed him, clothed him, but never treated him harshly or took anything from him.
At this moment, Hakyung once again realized how twisted the relationship between him and Kim Taeyoung was.
“No. I won’t answer even if you call, and I’ll change my number. Someday… when I get the chance, I’ll expose all your nasty deeds too.”
Taeyoung, who was about to open the door and leave, stopped in his tracks and looked at Hakyung.
“Opportunities come to people like me. Not to a dumb fishhead like you.”
Bang!
With a loud noise that seemed like his ears would fall off, Taeyoung disappeared.
Only after he was out of sight did a big sigh of relief escape from Hakyung’s lips.
Shame bubbled up in Hakyung’s small heart because his flaws had been exposed to the boss, someone completely unrelated.
Yet at the same time, affection for the boss who had thoroughly taken his side also surged within him.
Of course, the affection for the boss was stronger.
Hakyung rubbed his cheek against the big arm still draped around his shoulders.
“Boss, were you worried because you didn’t see me in the room?”
“Yeah.”
“So you came looking for me yourself? Because I can’t afford to get lost?”
“You know me well.”
Muheon, with one corner of his mouth lifted, adjusted the crooked hat on Hakyung’s head properly.
His fingers, weakened but gentle, meant he fully understood that Hakyung might have been startled by all this.
Touched by the man’s consideration, Hakyung cautiously asked,
“But aren’t you curious why I’m getting treated like that by my friend?”
“Not really.”
“Oh… I see.”
“Trash acts like trash. So don’t let it get you down.”
Muheon’s straightforward answer made Hakyung smile shyly.
His body twisted, wanting to somehow show that affection.
Fidgeting with his fingers, Hakyung lifted his head.
Even from below, the boss’s perfect appearance made him feel a strong urge to kiss him.
His heels bounced up and down on the spot, and his lips puckered forward.
While Hakyung struggled to control his unruly body, Muheon had already opened the door and stepped outside.
“Kang Hakyung, go to your room, change into something pretty, then come to the lounge. I’ll buy you some fruit juice.”
“Really? Yes, yes! What about you, boss? Are you… going to change clothes with me in the room?”
“I’m going ahead to check if there’s something tasty.”
At Muheon’s suggestion, Hakyung’s face flushed bright red, nodding as if imagining something.
A big smile spread across his lips.
The gloom that had clouded his face just moments ago now seemed to brighten, making Muheon wear a satisfied expression.
While wondering which of the clothes he packed in his backpack was the prettiest, Hakyung headed to his room.
Muheon, meanwhile, quickly arrived in front of the lounge.
He nodded slightly as he waited in the lounge corridor for the not-yet-arrived Kim Taeyoung.
A few minutes earlier, Muheon had heard the conversation between Kang Hakyung and the trash, and now he knew everything clearly.
If before, he had guessed that Kang Hakyung was the young dolphin he had rescued, now he was 100% certain with no doubt.
Moreover, that trash had not only snatched Hakyung right in front of him but was shamelessly using and manipulating him, which was disgusting and detestable.
“What should I do with him…”
Of course, taking everything away was natural, and he had to make sure that trash could never set his sights on Hakyung again.
He knew the simplest way was to just get rid of him right in front of his eyes, but he didn’t want to end it so simply.
Feeling the twisted grudge rising after a long time, Muheon smiled lazily.
After waiting for who knows how long, Kim Taeyoung, looking every bit the well-dressed young master, was coming at a brisk pace from afar.
A middle-aged man walked alongside him, talking as they hurried.
The moment they reached the entrance of the lounge, Muheon blocked their way.
“Huh?”
Taeyoung, who recognized Muheon first, frowned deeply.
He was persistent to appear here at yet another time.
The fact that Chief Choi was with him meant he couldn’t show his true temper, which only irritated him more.
Taeyoung looked up at Muheon with a sneer full of contempt.
“I heard that only invited guests can use this place tonight… If you want a drink, they sell beer at the underground pub.”
“I was invited too… But aren’t you the one who’s not really supposed to be here?”
Muheon showed his invitation directly in front of Taeyoung’s eyes and glanced over at him as if judging.
Then he quickly finished his observation with a face void of any interest.
Taeyoung had never seen anyone fail to be impressed by his flawless face, perfect body proportions, and the way he dressed.
The look in Muheon’s eyes that suggested Taeyoung was ‘not on his level’ and ‘insignificant’ was an added insult.
Just as Taeyoung was about to argue in anger at Muheon’s rude behavior,
“Muheon, I didn’t expect you to actually come.”
From inside the lounge, Hwang Lin, a big Chinese investor, walked over and put his hand on Muheon’s shoulder, greeting him warmly.