The one with red hair and crimson eyes was Hwang Rin, the dragon serpent who ruled over the Yellow Sea near China.
He showed great interest in the guest Muheon had brought for the first time in a while.
“Muheon, the one you brought along—though he smells of earth and fish—is quite cute. Little one, I am called Hwang Rin. What’s your name?”
“Huh? Me?”
Hakyung, still not used to the atmosphere, looked around nervously.
His gaze landed on the man sitting across from him.
He began to wonder if all leaders dyed themselves completely in their favorite color like this.
Hakyung glanced at Muheon, uncertain if he was allowed to speak.
Muheon gave a slight nod of permission.
Taking the cue, Hakyung opened his mouth.
“Hello. I’m Kang Hakyung.”
“Oh, good. What species are you?”
“I-I’m from the Kangdolgorae (Strong Dolphin) tribe.”
At Hakyung’s answer, Hwang Rin let out a soft coo like a grandfather delighted by a child’s antics.
He looked about the same age as Muheon in appearance, but his speech and mannerisms made him hard to read.
Was it a leader’s pride?
Hakyung frowned slightly, glancing between Muheon and Hwang Rin, sensing something strange.
“You’re a Strong Dolphin, huh? You must have a naturally good voice! I know because I have dolphins under me too. Can you sing well, little one?”
“Yeah, if you listen, it’s fun.”
Muheon answered for him, chuckling as he recalled the Strong Dolphin songs he’d heard.
The laugh felt a bit mocking, but since they were in public, Hakyung couldn’t show it. His face turned red.
The man seemed amused and tapped lightly on Hakyung’s hat.
“Is that so? I figured as much. Our company is expanding into Korean entertainment these days. Actually, we’re holding a party tonight to introduce some of our new talents… Are you coming?”
“No thanks, I’m not interested. What about you, Kang Hakyung? Want to go to the party?”
Muheon flatly declined the offer, then turned to ask Hakyung.
Hakyung quickly shook his head.
He really had zero interest in entertainment or music production — or at least, he felt he had to keep it that way.
Seeing him shake his head so fervently, Muheon gently placed a hand on his head.
“See? He says no too.”
“Yeah, that’s too bad.”
Hwang Rin clicked his tongue, genuinely disappointed.
He had hoped Muheon would make an appearance at the party and lend some support.
But it seemed like neither he nor the one he brought had any interest.
Most young ones chased after wealth and fame, but this Strong Dolphin didn’t seem to desire much.
And since Muheon said his singing was fun to listen to, he probably had talent — all the more unfortunate.
Hwang Rin gave the two one more look, but nothing seemed likely to change.
“Hey, Hakyung! Come here, we’ve got chocolate cake!”
From across the room, Geowng waved an arm while holding a teacup in the other.
Chocolate cake?!
Hakyung’s eyes lit up.
He wanted to rush over, but he knew it would be rude to leave while the adults were talking, so he stayed seated, tapping his feet restlessly.
As always, Muheon came to the rescue. He pulled back Hakyung’s chair and said,
“Go have some chocolate cake. Don’t eat too much — you’ll get a stomach ache. Just a little.”
“Okay! Should I bring some for you too, Boss?”
Hakyung jumped up and asked.
Even though he was clearly excited for cake, he still remembered his manners, which made Muheon smile.
Whoever raised this boy had done it right — he was exceptionally well-mannered.
Seeing that proud smile on Muheon’s face made Hakyung’s heart pound and his cheeks burn.
Bowing deeply, he rushed off. That smile was unfair.
As the little Strong Dolphin left, silence returned to the dragons until Hwang Rin broke it.
“Why are you suddenly hanging around with someone else?”
“Hmm?”
“It’s just… I’ve never seen you do that before. And this one’s from freshwater, right?”
“Well… a lot happened. But why are you reaching all the way to Korea? It’s not really a sea matter, so I don’t care much…”
At Muheon’s question, Hwang Rin narrowed his eyes.
He was mostly being led around by his subordinates these days.
“It’s just the trend lately. Isn’t it better to have more money and influence? But don’t worry. I’m not here to take anything from you.”
“If that was your plan, you wouldn’t have invited me here.”
Hwang Rin burst into hearty laughter at Muheon’s blunt reply.
Watching how Muheon treated the dolphin made the whole situation even more amusing.
Though they’d known each other for centuries, Muheon had never been this entertaining.
If Hwang Rin was someone who loved collecting things he liked, Muheon was the opposite — he discarded or avoided the things he liked and lived alone in silent dignity.
Even among dragons, Muheon was considered an odd one.
Perhaps that’s why his rare companion — the dolphin — attracted even more attention.
Of course, dragons never openly coveted each other’s possessions, which was a bit unfortunate.
“Well, if you change your mind and want to drop by the party later, feel free. I’ll let them know.”
After exchanging some casual parting words, the two went their separate ways — Hwang Rin to his waiting attendants, and Muheon to retrieve the dolphin who was now absorbed in the chocolate cake.
***
Hakyung patted his full belly as he wandered around the room.
When he thought of a hotel room, he’d imagined a bed and a bathroom.
But the room he shared with Muheon was more like an apartment.
From a cozy living room, a hallway stretched into several rooms.
There was even a minibar, a pool, and three bathrooms.
Hakyung’s feet couldn’t stop moving — this felt like a whole new world.
Muheon stood quietly, watching Hakyung bustle around by himself.
He followed behind slowly.
“Boss, our company dorm is really nice too, but this place is amazing! Is it because you’re friends with the CEO?”
“Friends?”
“Aren’t you? Then how’d he learn Korean so well? He even speaks it better than Mr. Geowng.”
As soon as they entered their private space, Hakyung began chattering away.
Muheon welcomed the change — it meant the boy was comfortable with him.
He caught Hakyung, who was practically leaving footprints all over from excitement, and gently sat him down on the sofa.
“Why, why? Was I being too fidgety?”
“No. Just take a rest.”
“Then… I guess I will. Boss, sit here too.”
Hakyung shifted awkwardly and patted the spot beside him.
Muheon sat, crossing his long legs.
Even just crossing his legs looked so elegant that Hakyung’s heart pounded.
He thought he might be completely smitten — but he didn’t mind. In fact, he liked it.
Scooting closer, he edged toward Muheon.
“Kang Hakyung.”
“Yes?”
“Do you like places like this? Should I build one for myself too?”
Surprised, Hakyung widened his eyes and looked over.
Muheon’s expression was serious — not joking.
The man prompted again, “Hmm? What do you think?”
Though Hakyung knew his boss dealt in money and power, he didn’t think he had the means to just build places like this.
Maybe he was showing off a bit…
But even that side of Muheon seemed cute to Hakyung.
“I like the dorm better. The whale room is nice, the kitchen’s nice, there’s a porch, and the goldfish and carp in the pond are really cute.”
“Really? Kang Hakyung, you’re quite modest.”
Muheon sounded a little disappointed by the answer.
Hakyung thought it was a good one, but couldn’t understand his boss’s reaction.
Shrugging, he started poking through the items on the table and licked his lips.
“Boss, looks like there’s going to be a buffet dinner here!”
“You’re already thinking about dinner? Your stomach must be as big as Namsan.”
“Namsan? Please… just call it a hill…”
As his voice got smaller and smaller, Muheon couldn’t hold back anymore and burst into laughter.
Mesmerized by the sound, Hakyung smiled too.
He hoped this warm atmosphere between them would last — at least until they returned to Seoul.