IC C19

Chapter 19

 

He uttered the name in a voice that was almost a groan. Relief at encountering his familiar roommate was fleeting; already, his head throbbed with the thought of how he might explain the situation. Yet Lei Jun, as though already aware without need for words, slipped his arm through Kang Siwon’s and murmured,

“Can you behave yourself now?”

Bewildered, Siwon nodded, and Lei Jun resumed walking.

“Good boy.”

“……”

Was it really appropriate to be called “good” when he had clambered up to a floor that could not be accessed without a key card? The irony was almost laughable.

“But never mind me—why are you even at a place like this…?”

The question struck him belatedly. Lei Jun hardly seemed the type to be at such a party. Yet before he could press further, voices drifted up from behind him.

“…I saw him coming this way—where did he go?”

“Likely toward the hall!”

The guards had all but closed in on them. Lei Jun seemed to grasp the situation, pulling Siwon along as he whispered,

“We’ll talk later. For now, this way.”

He steered them toward the party hall. Guards stationed there were busy combing through the opposite exit, which drew most of the room’s attention to that side. Even so, the vast, open space was packed with too many people to navigate comfortably. Siwon obediently followed Lei Jun, murmuring with unease,

“There are too many people…”

“There’s no better option. Once we pass through the hall, it’ll quiet down.”

Even those words did little to ease him. Among the richly attired crowd, he stood out in a distinctly unflattering way—oil fallen upon water might have blended better. Only the dim lighting spared him from immediate recognition; a brighter room would surely have exposed him on the spot.

Instinctively, he clung to Lei Jun. Not merely for psychological comfort, but because being with him made Siwon seem slightly less suspicious, however illogical that was.

At last, they emerged from the hall into a backstage-like space. True to Lei Jun’s promise, no one was there. Siwon was just drawing a relieved breath when the sound of disorder came from behind them.

“Excuse us for a moment.”

“Routine patrol. We ask for your cooperation.”

The guards had pursued them relentlessly. It struck Siwon anew that they were still inside the building—vast though it might be, its walls made him a rat in a trap.

His lips were parched; his heart raced, yet his hands felt cold. Lei Jun studied him quietly, then ran his tongue lightly over his lips.

“…Hmm.”

Without warning, Lei Jun shoved Siwon against the wall.

The impact was so abrupt there was no time to startle before the hem of Siwon’s hoodie was pushed up over his head. Lei Jun stripped it off entirely—and then closed in over him.

“……!”

Softness met his lips. Siwon’s eyes widened. He could not fathom what was happening—or perhaps, unnervingly, he could fathom it all too well.

Lei Jun was kissing him. Not casually, but deeply—like lovers locked in reckless play.

“You… mmph—”

The protest died within Lei Jun’s mouth, smothered beneath the ardor of a kiss that threatened to devour his breath entirely. When Siwon tried, flustered, to push him away, Lei Jun’s arm slid firmly around his waist.

“That…”

The guards, now within five paces, hesitated. Determined to continue their patrol, yet evidently unable to find an opening to interject. Lei Jun turned toward them and cast a frigid glance.

“Can’t you see we’re busy?”

Held in his arms, Siwon realized: Lei Jun was hiding him in plain sight. Understanding the reason, the pounding of his heart began to ease at last.

“Apologies for the intrusion. We’re on patrol due to a report of an unauthorized guest.”

“Then go do your patrol. Or is watching two men clinging together your idea of a hobby?”

“……”

“Be on your way. I don’t mind, but my partner’s shy—it wouldn’t do.”

“Yes, enjoy your evening.”

What kind of “enjoyment” they meant was anyone’s guess. Regardless of Siwon’s inward mortification, the guards passed them by. Lei Jun watched until they were fully gone before withdrawing his gaze.

“That’s enough,” he murmured, releasing Siwon’s waist—though he did not cease shielding him with his body.

“Hey, you… I mean, just now—”

The words tangled hopelessly in his mind. After stumbling several times over them, Siwon finally blurted out,

“…Why did you take off my hoodie?”

“So you wouldn’t get caught because of what you’re wearing. Disguise is the foundation of any infiltration—don’t you know that? You really are a rookie, aren’t you?”

“O-Obviously. It’s not like I’m some professional—why would I be used to infiltrations?”

It sounded so obvious now that he felt foolish for asking. Picking up the discarded hoodie, Siwon mulled over his options. The guards likely had a rough description of his clothing; wearing it would be risky. Yet without it, he would still look suspicious.

“Wear this,” Lei Jun said, reading his conflict. He shrugged off his jacket and draped it across Siwon’s shoulders. Unable to refuse, Siwon slipped his arms through. The smooth lining brushed against his bare skin, carrying with it the lingering warmth of Lei Jun’s body.

“…Thank you. Truly.”

Lowering his head in embarrassment, his eyes fell upon Lei Jun’s own attire. The man wore a black changpao—modernized so that it resembled a shirt, yet its mandarin collar betrayed its lineage. The closure running from his neck to the right breast added a distinctly old-fashioned elegance.

“Shall we head down?”

Lei Jun turned lightly on his heel. Without question and without pause, Siwon followed him wherever he intended to go.

The path to the elevators proved longer and more labyrinthine than anticipated. Whatever logic had guided the building’s design, it was far from kind to newcomers. Siwon thought that had Lei Jun not been there, even without the guards, he would have struggled to find his way out alone.

Beep—

Inside the elevator, Lei Jun tapped a gold card against the reader beside the panel. Siwon glanced at it sidelong.

“…May I ask how you got that?”

The atmosphere within the party hall made it clear it was no ordinary gathering; it had the air of a place inaccessible to anyone outside the elite. Lei Jun replied offhandedly,

“This card? Nothing special. An acquaintance was invited to the party and brought me in as a partner.”

“…Ah.”

Even having such acquaintances was impressive—but given Lei Jun’s charm and sociability, it was hardly surprising.

Siwon found himself studying Lei Jun anew. Moments before, the darkness and urgency of their flight had prevented him from truly seeing him. Under the bright elevator lights, he was almost a different man.

Today, Lei Jun looked exceptional—even more so than usual. He had always been handsome, but now there seemed to be an aura of refinement about him. Perhaps it was the perfectly tailored black changpao paired with dress trousers, or perhaps the baroque décor of the elevator. Whatever it was, he seemed far removed from the “Ace Dealer of Sovereign Casino” Siwon thought he knew.

Most striking of all were his eyes.

No longer their usual black, but a clear hazelnut brown. Each time the light caught them, the color quivered like liquor in a glass. Modern color lenses truly came in wondrous varieties these days, Siwon thought with unconscious admiration.

Ding—

The elevator arrived. Beyond the sliding doors lay an unfamiliar space.

“…Where are we?”

“Parking garage. Come along.”

Lei Jun stepped out, and Siwon trailed after him.

As befitted such a luxurious building, the garage was lined with high-end cars. Lei Jun opened the door of a sleek white sedan among them.

Was he inviting him to get in? Siwon hesitated, only for Lei Jun—already seated—to roll down the window and ask,

“What are you doing? Aren’t you getting in?”

“…Can I?”

“Otherwise, why would I offer? Oh—are you waiting for an escort?”

“No!”

Flustered, Siwon scrambled into the seat, unwilling to be mistaken for someone fishing for gallantry.

The interior was spacious and immaculate; white leather seats bore no stain, and the faint new-car scent was worlds apart from the smoke-laden atmosphere of Jushang’s vehicle.

“…I didn’t expect to run into you in Hong Kong.”

Turning his head toward the quiet voice, he saw Lei Jun leaning back in his seat, gaze resting sideways on him, seatbelt conspicuously undone.

“…Weren’t you with Jushang?”

“Yeah. Nothing particularly urgent, though…”

“…Hm. I see.”

It was clear he didn’t fully believe him—and in truth, had their roles been reversed, Siwon wouldn’t have either. The thought that his earlier lie had been so clumsily exposed made him swallow back a sigh.