IC C16

Chapter 16

2. Hong Kong

“You’ll be leaving late on the night of the twenty‑second. Keep that in mind. Don’t make any plans until the twenty‑fourth. Understood?”

“Yes.”

“Go.”

When Siwon bowed silently, Jushang twisted his lips into a sneer and smacked him on the head.

“Always so damn rude. You just press your lips shut and nod like a fool, Kang Siwon.”

“…”

“What are you staring at? Get out of here already.”

Siwon stepped out of the car without replying. He had no desire to keep offering greetings that were never once received with civility.

Eager to get out of the garage, he strode quickly away. At the same time, he was puzzled as to why they would be staying in Hong Kong for three days. One day was enough for a visa run. And yet, here he was, saddled with three days in Jushang’s company.

“Ugh.”

His face twisted into a grimace. He shook his head—best to think positively. At least he was able to do the visa run at all; that was something.

Not long ago, Koreans had been restricted to staying in Macau only 120 days a year. If he had been assigned to Sovereign in those days, he would have already been an overstayer and branded a criminal alien. It was sheer luck the law had changed.

Still, no matter how positively he tried to think of it, three whole days with Jushang was nothing short of torment. Heavy‑hearted, he entered the dormitory elevator.

When he opened the front door, a pair of shoes greeted him. Lei Jun had returned. In the living room he found him sitting on the sofa.

“You’re back, Wei?”

“Yeah.”

He would have walked straight past to the bedroom, but Lei Jun called out to him.

“Hey, Wei.”

“What?”

“I’ll be in Hong Kong next week. Three nights, four days. I won’t be back at the dorm, so just a heads‑up.”

Siwon blinked. He too would be going to Hong Kong the same week. That was a coincidence far too close for comfort.

“When?”

“From the twenty‑first till the twenty‑fourth.”

“…That overlaps. I’m in Hong Kong as well. From the twenty‑second to the twenty‑fourth.”

“Really?”

Lei Jun looked mildly surprised, then lifted a sly smile.

“Too bad, Wei. It would have been the perfect few days for you to enjoy freedom without me around.”

“It’s not really about freedom.”

“No need to pretend otherwise. You’d have the bedroom to yourself, only need to cook for one. What’s not to love?”

“…I suppose it is a shame.”

“What? So life’s better without me? Cruel!”

Lei Jun gave a mock sob. Siwon had no idea how to respond to his constant theatrics. When he kept silent, Lei Jun dropped the act with a smirk.

“So why are you going, Wei? A little gourmet pilgrimage?”

“…Yes.”

Siwon seized the excuse readily. But the next question froze him.

“Who are you going with?”

“…Just on my own.”

For some reason, saying he was going with Jushang felt like a mistake. But if he claimed he was going with a friend, Lei Jun would see through it—he knew Siwon had no such connections. Better to lie outright about going alone.

Fortunately, Lei Jun nodded easily.

“Ah, I see.”

“And you? What’s your reason?”

Siwon asked it more to keep up the conversation than out of real curiosity.

“People I need to meet.”

“Ah.”

Naturally. With his endless connections, Lei Jun surely had acquaintances in Hong Kong too.

“Maybe we’ll bump into each other.”

“…Perhaps.”

Siwon prayed they would not. If Lei Jun saw him with Jushang after he had pretended to go alone, it would be trouble.

“If we meet by chance, greet me properly. Don’t you dare ignore me, Wei.”

“Of course.”

He said it lightly, but in his heart he promised himself—he would keep out of Lei Jun’s sight at all costs.

At last the day of departure arrived.

Late at night, Siwon climbed into a taxi with Jushang. They were headed to the Taipa Ferry Terminal.

Their booked ferry departed around 11:00 p.m. on the twenty‑second. He did not even need to ask why this late crossing had been chosen—it was obvious. Fewer travelers at this hour made it easier.

Just as expected, the ferry was nearly deserted. Siwon slipped into a corner window seat and leaned his head against the glass.

The sea rolled darkly beyond. Night waters had no different density than by day, yet they seemed heavier, pressing somehow. The brine carried on the wind left him queasy. Closing his eyes, Siwon drifted into sleep.

He awoke to his shoulder being shaken rough.

“Wake up.”

Blinking rapidly, he saw passengers around them gathering their bags. They had arrived in Hong Kong.

Pulling his hood low, Siwon followed. With Jushang he moved into the immigration line.

“Passport.”

The officer spoke brusquely. Jushang handed Siwon his passport, and he in turn passed it across the counter. The weary‑faced official glanced once, stamped, and waved them through.

“Phew.”

Siwon exhaled quietly, relief flooding in. The journey had been only an hour, nothing arduous, but crucial nonetheless. He no longer needed to fear overstaying—at least not for three more months.

“Hand it back.”

“Yes.”

“Hotel now.”

Jushang strode toward the taxi stand. Siwon followed him into a cab.

“Rosena Hotel,” Jushang told the driver.

Only then did Siwon learn their destination. Until now, aside from the fact of going to Hong Kong, nothing had been explained to him. Where they would stay hadn’t even been shared. In truth, it hardly mattered—this was only a visa run. One night’s lodging could have been anywhere.

It was past midnight, the streets near empty. The taxi sped freely and brought them to the Rosena Hotel.

Inside, while Jushang checked in, Siwon surveyed the lobby. Well‑kept, yet touched with age—perhaps three or four stars. In Hong Kong, where many buildings were old, this counted as decent. Still, Sovereign’s polished resort had spoiled his tastes. A man with no money, developing expensive preferences. He smirked bitterly at himself.

“Ahh, tired.”

Keycard in hand, Jushang yawned wide. Siwon pressed the elevator button silently. They rode up, and Jushang lumbered in first.

“You going to wash up?”

“Yes.”

“I’m going straight to bed. And keep it quiet. I hate the sound of running water.”

“I just feel sticky.”

“It’s only April, what sweat? Just sleep, damn it.”

His complaining continued unabated. Ignoring it, Siwon slammed the bathroom door open on purpose and stepped inside. The water coursed hot and heavy, easing knots from his shoulders. At least the plumbing here was reliable.

When he came back out, Jushang was sprawled across the bed, snoring. So much for noise. Nose wrinkling at the contradiction, Siwon pulled his own blanket fast over his head, grateful at least for the separate bed to himself.

The grey light of early morning woke him. Strange beds never gave him proper rest; his body ached. Jushang too sat up, grimacing.

“Ugh, goddamn it. I’m still dead tired.”

“…”

“Get up. We’re eating.”

“I’m fine.”

“Shut it. You think I’m inviting you for your sake? You planning some stunt alone in the room?”

Siwon said nothing more, resigned. At least being dragged along meant breakfast.

They stepped out into a bustling tea restaurant¹ right next door. It was peak morning rush: tables packed, strangers shoved shoulder to shoulder.

“Scrambled eggs.”

“I’ll take egg toast and coffee. Oh—and a milk pudding.”

When Siwon placed his order, Jushang sneered.

“You came just to eat?”

“…Why else come to a restaurant?”

He left the ending unsaid, but Jushang glared daggers anyway. When Siwon expected a curse, instead came an entirely different question.

“So what are you going to do with your life?”

“Keep on as I am now. Do the jobs I’m assigned.”

“No, idiot. I mean when two and a half years are up.”

Two and a half years—that was when his contract with Baeksa‑pa ended. In truth, Siwon still doubted they would really void his debt. And yet, hearing this suggested they didn’t mean to snatch him away entirely afterward.

“I’ll go back to my old life, I suppose.”

That simple—a chef again, working hard, pocketing his earnings, putting savings aside. A modest life, but with no debt choking him, lighter, freer. Illusory for now, but a dream he clung to.

“You really want to go back to that shabby life?”

“I was never so shabby as that.”

“Ha! You and your pride. What if a chance comes to make real money?”

¹ Cha chaan teng: Hong Kong–style diner serving local comfort food, affordable and ubiquitous.