Chapter 68

Why is he so upset that he can't give me a gift?

The first thing that came to mind was a question.  It's understandable if you chose a gift as a way to win someone's favour. It was in that context that I delivered Yoo Jin-ha as a gift. But now I am a little confused.

Isn’t this a bit excessive?

It's not like he's making up some lame excuse...

Shin tae-oh just went crazy because he wanted to give it to me. So, he said those things.

"What if I reject it?"

"You should think carefully about that."

Shin Tae-oh pointed to the coat with his eyes.

"If you reject this, there's no one else to wear it. I threw away the receipt."

"If you just give me the card, I can go and get a refund. I go there often and get along well with the staff. They'll probably do it for me."

"A refund... is that possible?"

"Yes."

"But what if they change all the staff there?"

"Even so, it's still possible."

Among the items Shin Tae-oh had purchased over the years, there were a few that were quite hefty for me to handle. Every time that happened, I would go to a familiar staff member and ask for a refund.

"It's definitely possible."

It was when Se-hyeon was about to take the coat.

"What about my feelings?"

"...."

Se-hyeon looked at Shin Tae-oh while holding the coat. Coincidentally, Shin Tae-oh also turned his gaze, and their eyes met.

"My feelings can't be refunded."

Se-hyeon raised his arm. Shin Tae-oh, who had spoken with a serious expression, felt a slight pang.

Seeing the faint sadness in Shin Tae-oh's eyes, which had sent shivers down his spine, Se-hyeon realized what he had done.

He knew it all along.

Every time Shin Tae-oh had casually brushed off the rejections of his gifts, Se-hyeon knew that it wasn't something insignificant.

Yet, Se-hyeon had hurt him despite knowing that Tae-oh wanted to do something nice for him.

Se-hyeon avoided looking at the coat. It was ironic how he kept recalling the past, but his thoughts kept wandering. When Yoo Jin-ha rejected a gift, Se-hyeon took care of the situation. If Shin Tae-oh asked Se-hyeon to keep it and use it, he would use it, but if not, he would go through the refund process.

This time, since the gift had come to him, he didn't think he would handle it... but...

"Boss."

In the heavy atmosphere, Se-hyeon called out to Shin Tae-oh. He looked into Shin Tae-oh's eyes, which were now directed at him. If they were full of resentment before, now there was a sense of resignation.

"Thank you."

Se-hyeon accepted the coat and immediately put it on right there. He ignored the wind gently rustling his hair and the sunlight warming his entire body.

From the moment Se-hyeon saw it, he noticed that it was the same coat I had looked at last time. He liked it quite a bit, but the price had prevented him from considering buying it. However, now that he put it on, it was indeed...

"It's lightweight and warm."

It was lighter and had a softer texture compared to the other coats I usually wore. The cashmere material was said to be good, but it looked even better in person.

It hadn't been long since he put it on, but it felt like his body was already heating up. It stood out with its bright grey colour, but it was also beautiful in that regard.

"It suits you well."

"Thank you."

Se-hyeon even carefully removed the brand label and put it in his pocket.

Se-hyeon, thinking that he had shown his gratitude by accepting the gift, composed his expression. Now it was his turn to receive what he wanted.

"I also want to give you a gift. That's the condition for me accepting this coat."

"A gift?"

Shin Tae-oh asked curiously and caressed his tie.

“I got this last time.”

Shin tae-oh wears that tie every time he mentions it. When is a day when you don’t wear it?

"I know. And I also know that this coat is incredibly expensive."

"You shouldn't include the price in the gift. It becomes burdensome between the giver and receiver."

Se-hyeon smiled outwardly at Shin Tae-oh's instructive tone but internally felt a sense of disbelief.

So, the reason he casually bought expensive gifts and gave them was because of this.

"I know. I also know that if I try to keep up with you, my two legs will tear apart."

In my circumstances, I can't even keep up with Shin Tae-oh's footsteps.

"So, I'll give it to you after 12 months."

"Um... Well, even if it's a year, it feels strange for some reason."

"If you agree to receive it at that time, then I'll accept it as well."

Setting aside Shin Tae-oh's hesitant reaction, Se-hyeon brought out a blank piece of paper.

"I would appreciate it if you could write something here. I want to promise that my words to you, Boss, these are not just empty words."

"You're more proactive than me?"

"If possible, I would like to use this as a written agreement for the repayment I mentioned earlier."

As Shin Tae-oh held a pen, ready to write anything, he paused.

“This is my repayment for the favour of moving my father to a better hospital room.”

“Isn’t that a separate issue?”

Q

“Since you didn’t write them separately, I’m going to write them down all at once. “If the boss writes it down, I will document it.”

When I thought that it would be a good idea to end all financial relationships at this point, Shin Tae-oh nodded while wondering how he should accept it.

"How should I write it?"

"Please write that you won't give gifts worth more than a million won from now on."

"Am I writing a contract right now?"

Shin Tae-oh let go of the pen on the paper, expressing his dissatisfaction, and Se-hyeon had plenty to say as well.

"The VIP room and the coat are more than enough. I feel burdened too."

"It's natural to feel burdened when considering the price. Besides, I didn't just give you such things..."

"I appreciated the powdered grain. Anyway, please write that you won't give them anymore."

Se-hyeon tapped the paper as if he had no intention of compromising.

“You're not writing a contract to repay me, you're saying you're going to tighten my leash. Should I write it like that?”

[TL note: “tighten leash” coz now he can't spend a lot of money on Se-hyeon's gifts.]

"Yes, by writing this, you're doing a good deed for your future spouse."

"...Spouse?"

"Saving money frugally is a significant advantage."

As Se-hyeon gently persuaded, Shin Tae-oh obediently continued writing. Observing him writing almost everything, Se-hyeon revealed his inner thoughts.

"Gifts should not be a burden to the other person."

"..."

"Gifts should make both the giver and the receiver happy. Please think of it in that sense."

Se-hyeon took the paper and inserted it between empty files. With this, he prevented Shin Tae-oh from bringing up various things.

Feeling a sense of accomplishment inside, Se-hyeon bit his lip to hide it and turned away.

‘How did I succeed in persuade that fireball?’

I won't let it go. Taenyang.

Ignoring Shin Tae-oh's gaze fixed on his back, Se-hyeon left the office and placed the tablet on the desk. He had prepared the approval files to be delivered personally and went to find Lee Jin-ho.

Inside the room, noticing that I was wearing a coat, Lee Jin-ho's gaze was fixed

on the coat.

"I'll be out for a moment."

"What's the matter?"

Seeing Lee Jin-ho, who seemed to be checking if something serious had happened, I shook my head. It was nothing serious.

"I'm going to withdraw my 12-month fixed deposit."

And also to test the performance of the coat I received from Shin Tae-oh.

***

Ha Min-hyuk saw Ha Jin-seong, who was present during the handover process. Ever since he told him to hand over the project, Ha Jin-seong had not rushed or pressured him in any way, patiently waiting for Min-hyuk's decision.

It was an indifferent reaction as if it didn't matter even if Min-hyuk didn't hand over.

He was the stepbrother who always caused trouble outside and was disliked. Min-hyuk had been concerned and on edge, wondering if Ha Jin-seong would try to take over the company's shares and kicked him out at the first opportunity, but now he seemed so docile...

"The world has become quiet."

For the first time in my life, peace has found its way to me. (Ha Min-hyuk thoughts)

People must live this kind of life, right? To live a comfortable life without constantly being on guard, to meet people without worry.

Ha Min-hyuk, who has experienced such a life recently, felt a strange sense of greed.

I wanted to pursue this peaceful moment further. I wanted to spend ordinary days working during the day and going on dates with Jin-ha in the evening.

To do that...

"If you haven't made a decision yet, get up."

Ha Jin-seong spoke in a tired voice, checking if there were any lingering concerns about the project. He seemed somewhat drained, with his usually sensitive temperament noticeably

softened.

"What if I don't hand it over?"

"Then it's your problem for being foolishly stubborn."

"What if I do?"

Upon Ha Min-hyuk's casual question, Ha Jin-seong fell silent. His expression twisted, and his mind seemed to be in turmoil.

"What do you hope to gain from this?"

"If you're going to talk nonsense, just leave."

Ha Jin-seong turned his chair, raising his hand, deliberately avoiding showing his face to Ha Min-hyuk.

"Whether this project succeeds or not doesn't matter. But what's the reason you insist on taking it?"

"Why should I tell you?"

Ha Jin-seong retorted with an irritated expression.

"Because I think you already know."

Ha Min-hyuk knew the impact it would have on Ha Jin-seong if he handed this over to him.

Both men cared about Ahn Se-hyeon. One person seemed to be expressing it openly without the need to hide their feelings, while the other person still seemed to be unaware of it completely...

Who should I support in this situation?

Shin Tae-oh? Ha Jin-seong?

Even if I excluded my own feelings, it was inevitable for me to lean more towards Shin Tae-oh. After all, Shin Tae-oh was a much better man than the devious Ha Jin-seong.

If that was the case, it would be beneficial for Shin Tae-oh if Ha Jin-seong didn't hover

around Ahn Se-hyeon.

Ha Min-hyuk organized his thoughts and spoke up.

"I'll hand it over."

Giving Ha Jin-seong a chance to stay away from Ahn Se-hyeon's surroundings.

Ha Min-hyuk signed the document, putting his name on it. With this, the project was handed over to Ha Jin-seong.

The reason for giving Ha Jin-seong an opportunity, even though I considered Shin Tae-oh to be better, wasn't anything significant.

"It will lead to a quicker decision."

Perhaps Ahn Se-hyeon could completely change the situation.

[TL note: WTF Min-hyuk (⁠ー⁠_⁠ー⁠゛⁠)]