Snake Venom Ch 33

Chapter 33

As Lee Yeonwoo entered the underground parking lot, he was once again reminded of how narrow his perspective was. He had assumed that the provided accommodation would be a decent hotel at best, but the van he was riding in descended beneath a towering high-rise apartment.

With his packed luggage slung over his shoulder and the lunchbox clutched as if it were a sacred treasure, Lee Yeonwoo looked around with a naive gaze. Could a parking lot really be this wide and gleaming? He was only momentarily stunned before he began following Cheon Wooshin, who walked ahead with practiced ease.

The elevator shot up to a high floor in an instant. Before he knew it, just by trailing Cheon Wooshin’s broad back, they had arrived at the front door. Beyond a transparent glass door and a neat corridor, a spacious interior came into view. The duplex with its high ceiling was the kind of structure one would only see in dramas.

Lee Yeonwoo looked up at the ceiling with a slightly intimidated expression. Was it really okay for a mere sleeping space to be this nice? Did he deserve to be treated like this? He realized immediately how absurd that thought was. The disparity in treatment that felt almost alien wasn’t because of him, but because of Cheon Wooshin. It was a sign of just how great and important a person he was.

“Am I really allowed to stay here? Won’t it be inconvenient for you, Team Leader? I can sleep anywhere, really.”

Cheon Wooshin responded as he took off his jacket.

“I mostly use the second floor. You can live on the first. If you need something while I’m resting, just contact me by phone.”

Of course. This space was meant for Cheon Wooshin.

His words about keeping personal spaces separate and minimizing contact outside of work were a way to ensure efficient rest time for each of them. To Yeonwoo, who had never shared a living space with anyone but his grandmother, it felt like a thoughtful gesture.

Moreover, just the fact that he was being allowed to stay in a space used solely by someone else made it clear that he was receiving very different treatment compared to Im Sehan and Jung Sooho. Though they were all on the same team, Yeonwoo felt more closely affiliated with Team Leader Cheon Wooshin. The term “primary guardian,” the large hand that had checked his heat—these images flitted through his mind.

Cheon Wooshin took the lunchbox bag Yeonwoo was holding and spoke.

“Your room is over there. Just unpack a few things and come out.”

“……”

Yeonwoo didn’t respond and simply stared up at him. After meeting his gaze for a moment, Cheon Wooshin spoke.

“What is it?”

His tone was polite, yet subtly provocative. Lost in his own thoughts, Yeonwoo didn’t notice. Instead, he suddenly asked a question.

“How old are you?”

He was skilled enough to receive support for such an extravagant place, ruthless when it came to work, yet considerate and respectful, never treating even a mosaic-blooded person with disregard. What kind of life had he lived, or how long must one live, to possess such composure and integrity? Yeonwoo found himself growing more curious about Cheon Wooshin.

“……”

Caught off guard by the unexpected question, Cheon Wooshin raised one eyebrow slightly. Then he returned to his usual expression and answered.

“You’re twenty-three, right?”

“Yes.”

“I’m thirty.”

Yeonwoo then quietly murmured the age gap between them.

“Seven years…”

At that small remark, Cheon Wooshin turned his gaze with an expression of disbelief. What was so serious about that that he was mulling it over like that? It was so ridiculous that he didn’t even feel like asking about the intent behind the question.

“I’ll head up.”

“Yup.”

As Yeonwoo walked toward his room, he glanced back. He saw Cheon Wooshin ascending the stairs.

Cheon Wooshin was, in short, a “real grown man.” It would take at least seven years to become like that. A clear light shimmered in Yeonwoo’s large eyes. It was because of a small realization.

He was finally beginning to understand what the feeling that kept tugging at his heart was. Admiration. A solid adult figure whom he, who rarely encountered ideal human beings, had finally met. Giving this overwhelming emotion a name brought a strange sense of relief and a flutter of excitement. That sense of admiration had added warmth to his feelings.

‘Once all this is over, I’m going to call him hyung.’

Of course, that would only be possible if Cheon Wooshin allowed it, and assuming their relationship continued as it was. Still, it was a pleasant thought. Yeonwoo rubbed the corners of his mouth that were twitching with a smile and opened the door to his room.

“Oh…”

The assigned room even had a small living room and bathroom. It was completely independent, which surprised Yeonwoo once again. He ran his hand over the neatly made bedding for no particular reason. The hospital bed he had thought was cozy was nothing compared to this. He suppressed the urge to lie down and rub his cheek against it. Dinner with Cheon Wooshin came first.

He placed his bag on the spotless desk and took off his outerwear. So pleased with his new nest, he couldn’t help but hum a little tune.

After washing his hands briefly, he came out to see Cheon Wooshin placing the warmly heated lunchboxes on the dining table.

Reading the mood, Yeonwoo filled glasses from the water dispenser and took his seat in front of the lunchbox. He opened the lid, which featured a cute character of a rice bowl holding chopsticks in both hands, to reveal thick egg rolls, spicy stir-fried pork, seasoned dried radish strips, stir-fried kimchi, and soy-braised quail eggs—all neatly arranged. These were all side dishes he had personally selected. They were beautifully packed. His mouth watered naturally.

“When I get my first paycheck, I’ll buy you something delicious.”

It was the best expression of gratitude Yeonwoo could manage, being penniless at the moment. Cheon Wooshin lightly responded, “I’ll look forward to it,” and picked up his spoon.

Starving, Yeonwoo devoured half a bowl of rice before he even had time to think. Once he felt a bit full, the surroundings came into focus. The first thing that caught his eye was Cheon Wooshin sitting across from him.

Cheon Wooshin ate in the same way he did everything else—like an aristocrat who had received formal training in table manners, or a gourmet who truly savored the flavors rather than just filling an empty stomach. Yeonwoo felt his own limited vocabulary was frustrating. To be inspired to this extent even while eating lunchboxes—he thought that itself was a talent.

It had been a long time since he’d shared a meal with someone. When he lived with his grandmother, it had been a daily norm. After she fell ill, it became a rare event, and when he was dragged to Sodom, it became a dream that could never again be realized.

Chewing silently with both cheeks full of food, Yeonwoo wiped just under his nose.

‘Seriously, what’s wrong with me.’

Once again, Cheon Wooshin’s scent strongly reached him. The smell of food was much stronger, and he wasn’t even intentionally focusing his sense of smell anymore. Yet strangely, it felt like the scent slyly made its way through all the other smells and flowed into him. Could just thinking that it smelled good really make him this sensitive? It must be that the group pheromones of the purebloods were still affecting him.

He decided he would take a shower as soon as he got to his room. Just in case, he would take one more booster suppressant pill. While finishing his meal, Yeonwoo’s eyes widened. He had just noticed Cheon Wooshin’s lunchbox.

Had he even eaten anything while Yeonwoo had emptied his own bowl? It was almost untouched.

Was his headache really that bad? Apparently, it wasn’t just needless worry. Eventually, Cheon Wooshin set down his spoon with a strained expression and drank some water.

His thick Adam’s apple bobbed under his tilted jaw. After slowly emptying the glass, he clicked his tongue and set the cup down.

His frown deepened visibly, his brow furrowing as if from pain. That wasn’t all—cold sweat had broken out on his now pale face. Yeonwoo looked at him with growing concern. The symptoms were clearly not mild.

“Are you alright?”

When Yeonwoo called out, Cheon Wooshin raised his eyes. Even then, his face was stiff like a stone statue. Yeonwoo’s own expression turned equally serious. Rather than offering more food, he felt like they should head to the hospital right away.

“I’m fine.”

Perhaps having read the worry on Yeonwoo’s face, Cheon Wooshin stood from his seat. But the words were just that—words. He swayed briefly and had to steady himself with a hand on the table. Yeonwoo, who had been focused entirely on him, jumped up in alarm.

“Are you really okay?”

With a low sigh, Cheon Wooshin muttered,

“I’ll head in first. Please clean up after.”

Yeonwoo nodded, but he was still uneasy. Cleaning up was no issue—but would resting really help? No matter how he looked at it, it didn’t seem like something that could be solved by a bit of sleep. Cheon Wooshin lifted the hand that had been resting on the table and massaged his temple.

“Then I’ll see you tomorrow. The time is…”

Cheon Wooshin groaned softly and stumbled again, finally losing his balance. Yeonwoo, who had been watching him anxiously, kicked his chair aside. He couldn’t just stand by any longer.

He dashed around the marble table and reached out. Only one thought filled his head—that he had to catch him.

Just as Cheon Wooshin collapsed, Yeonwoo barely managed to support him. But with Cheon Wooshin’s full weight pressing down, they both lost balance. Unable to withstand the sudden tilt, Yeonwoo quickly gauged the height and curled his back to shield the man. Thud. The floor trembled.