In the end, the boss’s condition was that nothing could change.
The possibility that had barely improved to a plus dropped back to zero.
Considering the life he had lived and his surroundings, Kang Hakyung, a 24-year-old just starting out in society, didn’t seem attractive to the boss at all.
Sighing deeply inside at the harsh realities of romance, Hakyung stood up from his seat, still clutching the blanket the boss had given him tightly inside his coat.
It was a very unkind piece of advice coming from a boss who paid his salary.
Also, even though there were no selfish motives, the boss’s words made his heart beat far too fast.
The fact that his feelings had grown this much was definitely the boss’s fault.
Hakyung pouted for no particular reason and stomped his foot hard.
He wasn’t sure if the boss noticed his timid attempt to express dissatisfaction.
***
“Muheon, the next place you’re going is Songdo, Incheon.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, and a hotel with major Chinese investment just opened nearby. They sent an invitation… it wouldn’t be a bad idea to stop by while you’re there.”
Muheon briefly reviewed his schedule in his head at Gisang-oh’s words and nodded.
Since he had to make an appearance anyway, it would be more efficient to handle everything at once.
With that approval, Gisang-oh began mentally listing everything that needed to be prepared.
“This time, take Kang Hakyung with you. The kid’s never been to a hotel before.”
However, Gisang-oh hadn’t expected the name Kang Dolgo-rae (Kang Hakyung’s nickname) to come up.
He hesitated for a moment, but when the name popped out, he simply replied that he understood.
If Muheon wanted to bring him, no further explanation was needed.
“Then I’ll prepare everything accordingly.”
“Do so.”
“Should I inform Kang Hakyung?”
“No, I’ll do it.”
At Muheon’s response, Gisang-oh bowed and left the office.
Considering the sudden increase in personnel, they had to move quickly.
Once the large figure of Gisang-oh left, the heavy air in the office felt lighter.
Even in a small room, Kang Hakyung never made things feel cramped or stifling…
Muheon unconsciously compared the two and sided with Kang Dolgo-rae.
Anyway, it had already been several weeks since the strange but adorable Kang Hakyung came to Seoul.
During that time, the only outing had been a trip to the shopping mall with him, so life must have been dull for the kid.
A hotel funded by massive Chinese investment was sure to be luxurious, and maybe it would bring some joy to his quiet days in Seoul.
He hoped Kang Dolgo-rae wouldn’t find work in Seoul too difficult and would want to stay.
Only then would he remain by his side.
So Muheon carefully made plans to keep Kang Hakyung close.
Just imagining his excited shriek made the corners of Muheon’s lips curl up.
Knock knock knock!
“Boss, I’m here to clean!”
They say people appear when you talk about them.
Sure enough, Hakyung showed up, knocking on the door himself and peeking his head in.
“Come in.”
“Yay!”
Hakyung entered energetically, holding a rag and bustling around.
These days, he used the excuse of cleaning the office to sneak in and out.
Even if the future looked hopeless, what could he do?
Not seeing the boss for even a single day felt like a thorn stuck in his mouth…
They say the one who longs more is the one who loses.
Though he never fought with the boss, that’s how Hakyung had been feeling lately.
The office was already spotless, but Muheon’s office was immaculate to a fault.
So Hakyung felt a bit frustrated that he couldn’t sneak in more than twice a day.
“Kang Hakyung, sit down for a bit when you’re done cleaning.”
“What? I already finished cleaning.”
He answered immediately, as if he’d been waiting for the cue, and plopped onto the sofa.
Muheon, quietly smiling at his puppy-like energy despite being called “Kang Dolgo-rae,” sat across from him.
Today again, Hakyung sneakily eyed Muheon’s muscular thighs and grinned to himself.
“Have you been to Incheon?”
“Incheon? No, never.”
All Hakyung knew about Incheon was that there was an airport.
He shook his head.
Muheon, already expecting that answer, followed up:
“Then do you want to go?”
“Wha…? Why? Are you sending me away? It hasn’t even been a month!”
The sudden suggestion to go to Incheon made Hakyung jump.
For someone who had fallen hard for his boss and wanted nothing more than to stay, the idea of being sent away was outrageous!
When the boss had taken his backpack and told him to stay by his side—and now he wanted to send him off somewhere without knowing how he felt?
Resentment surged in Hakyung’s chest.
Seeing Hakyung’s eyes grow misty, Muheon hurriedly waved his hand, caught off guard.
“I’m not kicking you out. I mean I want you to come with me on a business trip to Incheon.”
“No way! You’re going on a business trip? To Incheon?”
“Yeah. I’ll be there for a few days. Do you want to come, Kang Hakyung?”
“You’re seriously not sending me alone?”
Muheon gave a helpless smile at the suspicion in his eyes.
He seemed like a completely different person from the obedient Hakyung who’d followed him around just weeks ago.
But whether it was back then or now, he was still just as endearing.
Muheon decided he’d clear up any remaining doubts once they arrived in Incheon, but for now, he had something else to give him.
Muheon took out the chocolate Dominhyun had given him that morning.
He’d said kids on land loved it these days and had slipped it to him discreetly.
Normally, Muheon didn’t care for sweets and would’ve returned it, but today was different.
He had a “strong dolphin” who would devour it with joy.
“Here, eat this.”
“Huh? This is from Hyung Dominhyun! You got one too, boss? Whoa, yours is way bigger than mine!”
“You got one too? Well, eat it anyway.”
Dominhyun had already given him a small chocolate the size of a finger that morning, claiming he’d queued up with his girlfriend for it.
Hakyung had taken a small bite while cleaning and had been amazed by how good it was.
He’d been upset thinking he wouldn’t be able to buy another, but now the boss was giving him one the size of a palm.
A joyful song naturally bubbled up from his lips.
“Chocolate, full of palms, full of affection, sweet sweet sweet! So sweet, chocolate!”
He looked ready to break into tap dance from excitement, but Muheon quickly grabbed his wrist and stopped him.
Hakyung’s face flushed bright red from the unexpected contact and abruptly stopped singing.
Still, he didn’t want to say “let go,” so he quietly let his wrist rest in Muheon’s grasp.
He thought it would be nice if he could melt like the chocolate and stick to the boss’s hand.
“Ah, naughty strong dolphin!” he thought, stamping his foot at the ridiculous thought.
The boss wasn’t even thinking that way, but Hakyung was beating the romance drum all on his own.
“You’re going to eat it, right?”
“Yes, yes! I’ll eat it all!”
Normally he might have offered a bite to the giver, but he was being unusually possessive today.
Muheon silently praised his maturity and gently rubbed the soft wrist still in his hand.
The casual touch sent Hakyung’s heart racing.
He barely restrained the heavy breath threatening to escape his nostrils and quickly pulled his wrist back.
If he stayed like that a second longer, he might have lost control and tackled the boss.
Trying to collect himself, he tucked the chocolate in his pocket.
“I’ll enjoy it well! Is there anything I should bring for Incheon?”
“There’s nothing you have that you need to bring.”
It was harsh—especially since he barely had anything in the first place.
Hakyung frowned deeply, bowed, and left the office with heavy steps.
Muheon chuckled quietly at the sight of him clearly sulking.
Teasing Kang Hakyung once a day was just too much fun to give up.
***
He packed a small bag with just a phone charger and a change of clothes.
He wanted to bring more, but had nothing else to take.
Hakyung made a final check-in call to his grandmother.
Since he usually called her in the evening, his early morning call startled her.
“What’s this? Is something wrong?”
“No, no! I just wanted to say I’m going on a business trip to Incheon starting today. I told you a few days ago, remember?”
“Ah, it’s today?”
“Yep! I’ll learn a lot and do a good job!”
“Okay. While you’re at it, try to win over your boss, the little pig, alright?”
Hakyung laughed awkwardly at his grandmother’s playful encouragement.
Half of him hoped seeing the boss at work would make him lose interest.
The other half sincerely wished the boss’s job wasn’t dangerous or bad.
He wondered how he’d feel once the trip was over.
But no one could predict that.