"A few years ago, someone tried to kill him to avenge his close colleague, unfortunately, he was quite handsome, and ended up being hospitalized for the rest of his life. So… in the end, there was no such thing as reaping what you sow. Not only was he unable to take revenge, but he was crushed by that monster… There were also many people who took their anger out on themselves because they couldn't win against him."
"That's really… such a pity."
"Um… That's how it is. No matter how you look at it, his character is terrible. But there are also times when you are unlucky enough to run into him, and the outcome won't be good."
After saying that, Tou suddenly glanced at Jeong Taeui in the mirror and smiled.
"But it's okay, with your appearance, you don't need to worry for nothing. Just worry about your life."
"Oh, thanks."
Jeong Taeui gritted his teeth and raised his hand to hit Tou on the back of the head.
A young and handsome guy….. For example… someone like Xin Lu?
Jeong Taeui frowned as he thought of someone who fit all of those criteria perfectly. If so, wouldn't it be Xin Lu???
"Doesn't that mean Xin Lu also needs to be careful?!"
Jeong Taeui grabbed Tou's wrist and shouted, he immediately blinked and turned to look at Jeong Taeui.
"Eh… yeah. Thinking about it, that's true. But, well, there's no way a member would go against someone in the office. Even if it was him, it would be a headache if he touched someone there."
"Is that so… is that so… right?"
"..."
Jeong Taeui was nodding when he suddenly raised his voice. Tou glared at him with white eyes as if cursing this idiot. Only then did Jeong Taeui flinch and shut his mouth.
"Even if you don't worry, the staff will know how to take care of themselves. If Rick comes here, he only needs to worry about himself. No one else will worry about him."
That's right. Before worrying about others, he didn't even have the confidence to worry about his own life.
"Um… I hope something happens to the staff there and that guy named Rick doesn't come anymore.
Even though he knew that it was unlikely to happen, Jeong Taeui still silently prayed with a small hope.
"Well, that would be great. But anyway, they're coming tonight, so we'll know then."
"They must have arrived in Hong Kong by now."
"Ah. I hope they come here with their heads still spinning for the Jet flag."
Jeong Taeui laughed as Tou pretended to cut his throat. That joke helped to dispel the dark afterimages that had been clouding his mind.
Only a few hours left. When that time comes, Jeong Taeui will be able to meet the people he had only heard about through rumors. Even though it was completely different from what he expected, Jeong Taeui still felt a little excited and thrilled.
"Okay, they said that after changing rooms, you have to report to the office. They need to check."
Tou said while wiping his mouth with a towel as he passed by Jeong Taeui. He suddenly jumped in surprise.
"If I go to the office, I'll probably meet Xin Lu. But he's in charge of internal affairs, so I'll definitely have to go talk to him. I'd love to, Taeil."
Tou smiled and gently elbowed Jeong Taeui in the side. He dodged and said evasively. 'mmm'
No. It's not that he didn't want to see her. Jeong Taeui wanted to see her and hear that soft voice, and he also liked the smell of that fragrant soap. But he didn't have the confidence to stand in front of her right now. Somehow, if he were to see Xin Lu now, Jeong Taeui felt like he would freeze on the spot.
Moreover… if we meet again, how will he look at me?
Jeong Taeui used a towel to wipe the dry nape of his neck. His heart became gloomy again.
He hadn't seen Xin Lu once since that day. Unless there was something special, the members and the logistics people had no reason to meet. The important thing was that they worked in places where they had absolutely no chance of meeting each other. Since he had to go to his uncle's room, he would occasionally go to the basement first, but even then, he had to carefully look around like a thief.
What the hell was his little boy thinking, raising his head in front of a kind guy who was applying medicine to him?
Tou threw the towel into the collection bin next to Jeong Taeui and habitually tapped his hand in his pocket to check his cigarette pack and went out, leaving Jeong Taeui alone in the bathroom to brood. Jeong Taeui grabbed him with a sullen face.
"Are you going to smoke?"
"Huh? Yeah. You're going too?"
"Yes, give me one."
"..... You know there's no place to buy cigarettes here, right?..... Okay, I'll lend you one, just remember to return it with a pack next time."
"Do you know how disgusting you look right now? Look in the mirror."
Tou, a die-hard smoker, excused his stinginess and said, 'Damn it, I have to be locked up here for another 15 days, but my stock of cigarettes is almost gone.'
Jeong Taeui followed Tou through the messy hallway and up to the ground floor, and without hesitation, he and Tou walked out of the building. He glanced around. He knew it was a bit cowardly to think like this, but he really didn't know what to do if he happened to run into Xin Lu right now.
Jeong Taeui stepped out of the building, the bright sunlight making it difficult for him to open his eyes.
Although living underground, the air conditioning system works perfectly and the lighting system is also designed to give a feeling that is not much different from natural light, so there is no inconvenience. However, sometimes being exposed to sunlight and the wind blowing in your ears like this can also help your soul to be a little calmer.
Jeong Taeui often goes out for walks in his free time. I don't know if it's the same with his other colleagues, but every time he goes out, he meets someone.
The path through the dense forest is dangerous at night, so there are hardly any people out at that time, but during the day it is a great place to take a walk. And if you walk along the small path behind the building - although it is quite far away, you can get close to the beach. The rocks are as big as houses, stacked on top of each other, and the color of the sea is also beautiful.
so I stayed in his room."
"Oh, Tou's room? I know."
Xin Lu nodded. The atmosphere became awkward again.
It was better than having to go see him alone in his room and say it, so that was fine. But the atmosphere right now was like a bed of thorns, very hard to bear.
Jeong Taeui looked down at Xin Lu as he bowed his head. His long eyelashes fluttered a few times. He could see a small swirl on top of his head.
What an adorable boy. He would definitely like a girl who is cute, petite like a doll, and sweet like cotton candy.
But suddenly a big man who he considered his brother appeared before him and did such a shameful thing. He must have been very surprised. He probably even felt disgusted or annoyed.
"Why are you looking at me with that look?"
If he asked that, should he just say he was just absent-minded for a moment? Or would it be better to just admit honestly, 'Yes'? Either choice was difficult, but in the end, he said it.
"You come to Officer Jeong's room sometimes, right? You won't be able to go there for a while. During joint training, there are rules that officers, guards, and other members are not allowed to have more contact than necessary."
"Huh? Ah... thanks."
Jeong Taeui knew that too since his uncle had told him not to come for a while, but after hesitating, he just said thank you. In fact, he was also very grateful that he still cared about him so much.
That's right, Xin Lu is trying his best to treat him well anyway. Even if he feels uncomfortable or something, he doesn't show it.
As the conversation progressed, the silence grew several times longer.
Once again, the topic came to a dead end. Jeong Taeui noticed Xin Lu's awkward glance at him and sighed a little before moving away. Only now did he realize that he was blocking his way.
"Then I'll go first."
Xin Lu bowed his head and brushed past him. Jeong Taeui looked behind him and muttered an apology. He wondered if he could hear it because his voice was so small.
Phew. He sighed and slowly moved. But suddenly the footsteps in the distance stopped.
"I… Taeil."
He hesitantly called out his name. Jeong Taeui stopped and turned around. Xin Lu was looking at him with a confused expression.
"Brother… this… I…"
"....?"
"This…"
Xin Lu's face turned red, his voice low.
Jeong Taeui felt extremely restless. It didn't matter if he got angry or yelled at him. He braced himself and clenched his fists in his pockets.
However, after a long hesitation, Xin Lu spoke again.
"I have slept with men before."
"....."
The cigarette he was holding in his mouth fell to his feet. He looked at Xin Lu in confusion. He couldn't look him in the eye and just stammered.
"Two years after graduating from high school, I wasn't very mature at the time, but one time I went with my friends to a place for people like that, men. But at that time, it was the first time I did that….."
Xin Lu's face turned red like a ripe tomato before he finished speaking.
Jeong Taeui didn't blink, he just stared blankly at Xin Lu as if he had lost his soul. His mind was blank, he couldn't think of anything.
After a moment of silence, Xin Lu stopped and looked up at him and shouted.
"Brother! Cigarette! Cigarette!"
Jeong Taeui bent down, the flame from the cigarette that fell on his shoe stuck to the dry grass and smoked.