Elder Kang was busy dancing around his study that when his phone began to ring. He didn't notice right away but when he did, he ran to pick it up.
When he saw who was calling he grinned widely but before picking up, he coughed and wiped the smile off of his face.
"Grandson... aren't you suppose to be at work?" Elder Kang asked questioningly despite already knowing what had happened. His voice still containing a tinge of happiness.
Kang Jun ignored his question.
"Where's Mingyu?"
"…" Elder Kang was completely confused. What did Mingyu have to do with this?
Seeing that he wasn't answering, Kang Jun asked again but he wasn't going to ask a third time. Feeling as if his grandfather wasn't going to answer, Kang Jun made the move to hand up. He didn't have time for this.
His grandfather always had the annoying habit of wasting his time.
"He's with Qiao Lan, why?" Elder Kang finally answered.
Kang Jun: "Obviously. Where are they?"
Elder Kang cursed the old man who had texted him before under his breath.
Acting strange? How was this man acting strange? There were no changes in the eyes of Elder Kang. The man was as cold and impatient as always. So much so that it infuriated him.
Elder Kang's mood slowly began to sour. It became present in his voice as he spoke.
"Coffee shop, across the street from that entertainment company that's having an event." When he spoke, there was a slight sneer when he mentioned the words ' that entertainment company'. He didn't dislike the entertainment industry per say, but he slightly disliked Halo Stars Entertainment. It had taken away one of his grandsons and made the boy so busy that he never came to visit anymore.
But right now it wasn't the time to be thinking of such things. Elder Kang concentrated on the grandson who he was speaking to. Questions filled his mind. His grandson was all too confusing.
And here he was getting excited about getting a granddaughter-in-law he was a fool for having hope…
But at the same time, he felt as if it might have something to do with his future granddaughter-in-law. So he continued to answer Kang Jun's questions, despite the man not answering any of his.
Thinking back, he remembered that Kang Jun and Mingyu had gone out with a girl the other night. Maybe his great-grandson was a key ingredient to ensuring Kang Jun's future marriage. He had so many things to ask him but he didn't say a word.
Elder Kang just waited for Kang Jun to speak once more.
Kang Jun: "Thanks. Bye."
Thanks?
Did his rude grandson just thank him?
He was so pleased for a moment that Elder Kang had almost forgotten that the boy hadn't replied to any of his questions.
Almost.
"Wait!" Elder Kang screamed, stopping Kang Jun from hanging up.
Kang Jun: "Mmm?"
"Didn't you hear me ask why?!"
"Why what?"
'Why what? Why everything you say and do is so infuriating, boy!' Elder Kang felt his insides burn and his head throb.
"Why are you looking for Mingyu?" Elder Kang asked as calmly as he could.
Talking to Kang Jun threatened to give him high blood pressure, so he wanted to make it quick.
The line went quiet for a minute. A part of Elder Kang felt that Kang Jun might just hang up on him without answering. He'd never done that to him before but, with Kang Jun, anything was possible.
Sometimes he wondered why or what he had done in his past life to deserve such a confusing grandson who only did things at his own pace. But other than that, he couldn't complain. Kang Jun was perfect in every other way.
Kang Jun's voice softened, "I'll tell you later."
For some reason, Elder Kang could accept that.
He felt as if that was the most he had ever gotten from Kang Jun and he didn't want to push it. If the man was really beginning to open up, he didn't want to risk messing anything up.
Kang Jun: "Also, about your promise from last time. I want it in writing."
"Do you not trust me?" Elder Kang asked rhetorically. He knew that it wasn't about trust. In the world, a person could only trust themselves. Mostly when they were in a family that was constantly at war.
Nothing could be done about the lack of trust Kang Jun felt. Even if it was for his own family...
"Just in case." Kang Jun's voice seemed slightly lower to Elder Kang's ears.
"Alright, then. I'll get right on it." Elder Kang started as he pulled out a paper and pen. "So the terms will be as such. You need to get married within three months of the contract being signed. If you do, I'll let you have custody of Mingyu."
"Mmm."
Elder Kang: "But, if you don't you must listen to your parents and marry someone of their choosing along with taking over all Kang Corporation activities and become the true heir. Kang Jun, my boy, you cannot live life without someone by your side. I know you don't understand but once you get old and grey, you'll see that I was right."
Elder Kang knew he was being biased and unfair. Kang Jun had never wanted to step into his late elder brothers footsteps and become the true heir of the Kang's. He had many half brothers who could do just as well but Kang Jun had always been the brightest and so Elder Kang and Father Kang had put most of their hopes on Kang Jun after the eldest sons death.
Either way, Kang Jun would be getting married so by default Mingyu would be going under Kang Jun's care. The only difference is that he could choose someone he fancied in the three months he had.
Three months was not long to court a girl but it was all Elder Kang could give him. And despite understanding that Kang Jun had a deep disdain for his parents and the decisions they made he didn't want to allow the man from straying away from the family.
Kang Jun didn't have time to argue with his grandfather about the right way to live one's life. Those things changed from day to day but if his family thought that an arranged marriage and taking his place as the head of the family would be beneficial to him, he had no complaints.
He, personally, didn't want the post but he knew that if he didn't agree to the contract Elder Kang would never allow him such a perfect opportunity to take Mingyu from Qiao Lan.
The man could see that it was a win-win situation on that front but it would also mean sacrificing his freedom if he didn't marry in three months...
He wasn't too confident in that prospect
"...Mmm." Kang Jun answered slowly. "I'll sign it the next time we meet."
In the car, feeling that Elder Kang had accepted his answer, Kang Jun hung up without a second thought.
Kang Jun's long fingers clutched the wheel and he revved the engine.
Vrooom!
The car sped away toward the coffee shop.