NLFSD Chapter 23

Chapter 23

“One, two, three… twenty robes?”

It was a scene too absurd to believe. Seo Taecheon had apparently been rotating through twenty identical black robes. At this point, it was as if he and the black robe had become one.

Lee Jiwoon, shocked, began taking the robes out.

“I’ll try to organize them nicely in my own way.”

After all, they were valuable belongings to the other person. Jiwoon thought it would be best to fold them neatly and carefully.

About thirty minutes later, Seo Taecheon opened the door and stepped out. The sudden silence from Jiwoon had been too suspicious, prompting him to go look for him. He was also concerned about what kind of trouble Jiwoon might be getting into.

“Where did he go?”

Just a while ago, he had been making a racket doing chores, and now it was dead silent? Seo Taecheon wanted to see for himself what exactly Jiwoon was doing.

But Jiwoon wasn’t in the spacious kitchen, the small room, or the bathroom.

“…Huh? The door’s open.”

Then he noticed the door to the dressing room was half open. Seo Taecheon approached it and peeked inside. The very next moment, a smile slipped onto his lips.

Lee Jiwoon had fallen asleep, curled up with several black robes wrapped around him. He looked like a bird nestled comfortably in its nest, a peaceful smile on his face.

Seeing Jiwoon lying on his side in a ball, Seo Taecheon couldn’t help but laugh. Even in sleep, Jiwoon hugged the robes to his chest and buried his face in them.

“Mm….”

Sensing a presence, Jiwoon flinched. Seo Taecheon carefully approached the pile of robes where he lay.

Using his uninjured hand, he gently cradled Jiwoon’s small head and placed it on his thigh. Even in sleep, Jiwoon smiled faintly at the comfort, and his hands twitched in the air.

“Hrrm… mm…”

Seo Taecheon took Jiwoon’s wandering hand and guided it to rest against his chest. Jiwoon suddenly began pressing against Seo Taecheon’s chest.

But the way he touched him was less gentle affection and more like the crude hands of a shopper squeezing peaches to test their ripeness.

In his dream, Jiwoon was tracing the smooth yet solid wall he had felt back at the workshop.

Yes. This texture, this temperature, this humidity… this was it. Where had it gone and only now returned? Jiwoon indulged himself in the sensation, blissfully content.

“It must be uncomfortable sleeping here.”

“No… I like it here….”

Still half-asleep, Jiwoon rubbed his cheek against Seo Taecheon’s thigh. Taecheon looked down at him for a while, watching him doze off again, and then picked up one of the robes and gently draped it over Jiwoon.

“As expected, I should be the one doing the housework from now on.”

First, get the washing machine running. The dishes can be dealt with later.

With that thought, Seo Taecheon stroked Jiwoon’s head.

“Time to get up now.”

“Mmm… Just a bit longer…”

Seo Taecheon poked Jiwoon’s pink cheek. The plump flesh, so elastic, sank in and then bounced right back.

“Let’s go eat.”

“Fo—…”

“Food. I said food.”

“Food?!”

Jiwoon’s eyes shot open. For a moment, his head was foggy. To the left—black fabric. To the right—more black fabric. Even what was covering him now was a black robe.

“Why am I like this…?”

“Looks like you fell asleep while organizing the clothes.”

“Ah, right.”

His memory slowly returning, Jiwoon sat up, raking his fingers through his messy hair. The scent of the robes had been so comforting, he’d meant to rest for just a moment—and had no idea how long he ended up sleeping.

“It’s five o’clock now. We should get ready to head to Pyeongchang-dong.”

“Ah! Pyeongchang-dong.”

Jiwoon suddenly snapped to attention. They were scheduled to visit Seo Taecheon’s family home to meet his father. They had a dinner appointment—being late was not an option.

After washing up again, Jiwoon headed to the small room adjacent to the master bedroom. Since he was, after all, an outsider Omega, when they moved in together he had brought only his personal belongings and kept them in that room. So he could always leave with them again if needed.

“What should I wear…”

He opened the wardrobe and fell deep into thought.

“Casual? No. This is a formal meeting with an elder, I should dress respectfully.”

Naturally, his eyes turned to the suits. But then he thought, I’m not going to the office, what’s the point of wearing a full suit?

“Then maybe semi-formal…?”

Muttering, Jiwoon dug through the closet, but quickly erased the thought.

“What I wear isn’t what matters. It’s the role I’m going there in that matters.”

I’m not an Omega who entered a political marriage with this chaebol family, nor one in a contractual or sham marriage. I’m just the result of an administrative error.

The hospital had accepted him without issue yesterday, but there was no guarantee today would go the same.

Jiwoon couldn’t help but worry that Chairman Seo might view him unfavorably.

Realizing in the end that clothes weren’t the issue, he put on slacks and a white shirt and stepped out of the small room. Seo Taecheon was already fully dressed and standing in the middle of the living room.

“So… how are we getting there? Should we call a taxi?”

Jiwoon asked, but Seo Taecheon shook his head lightly.

“No. My father will be sending someone.”

“Someone?”

Just as Jiwoon wondered who that might be, the doorbell rang. Seo Taecheon checked the intercom and pressed the unlock button. A man in his forties, wearing a suit and glasses, walked in and gave a bow.

“Young Master. It’s been a while.”

“Mr. Choi. It’s been a while.”

“Mr. Lee Jiwoon, I’ll be escorting you today. Pleased to serve you.”

Jiwoon bowed politely, then followed him out and got into the black car.

The ride to Pyeongchang-dong took a bit of time. Jiwoon endured the long ride in a state of anxious tension, and eventually, they arrived at the mansion.

From the very front gate, the place screamed luxury. And it only got grander past the garden.

There was a massive pond, koi fish as thick as one’s arm swimming about, a small pavilion tucked into the greenery—it was practically a paradise.

Wow… what a ridiculously rich house. Well, it is the chairman of a conglomerate, so I guess this is to be expected.

…But can someone like me just walk in?

Worried, Jiwoon stepped into the entrance hall.

“Father, we’re here.”

“Mhm. Come on in.”

“Hello.”

Jiwoon bowed in greeting, and Chairman Seo returned the gesture with a nod and motioned toward the sofa.

“Please have a seat first. The meal is being prepared.”

Jiwoon and Seo Taecheon sat down side by side, and Chairman Seo took the seat across from them.

“Taecheon told me the general situation. I hear the registration is already complete and that you’re officially married.”

“Ah… yes.”

I wasn’t the one who filed it, but… yes, technically, that’s true.

Jiwoon nodded calmly, and Chairman Seo’s expression grew serious.

“Mhm…”

What is he going to say now? Jiwoon couldn’t begin to guess the chairman’s next words. After a short silence, Chairman Seo finally opened his mouth.

“I’ve already reserved a spot at an English kindergarten.”

“…Excuse me?”

Jiwoon was so shocked that his voice cracked. A full-on squeak escaped him.

“They say it’s best to book ahead, even before the child is born. So I made arrangements at a reputable place.”

Jiwoon was stunned. Sir, we haven’t even held hands yet—how are we having a child? No, more importantly, our divorce is in four and a half months—how do you expect us to produce a baby?

“Uh, Chairman… well, the thing is…”

As Jiwoon fumbled to say something, Seo Taecheon, sitting beside him, laid his hand over the back of Jiwoon’s.

What the… Why the hand?

Jiwoon’s heart skipped a beat. Thump thump—his pulse quickened, and he couldn’t speak.

“Thank you. For going so far as to make a reservation in advance.”

“Whether it’s a grandson or granddaughter, it doesn’t matter to me. I think two would be perfect.”

Not one, but two?! Jiwoon was utterly speechless and moved his lips again.

“Sorry to interrupt, but…”

Then Seo Taecheon cut in to speak on their behalf.

“That’s something the couple should decide for themselves. I believe my Omega feels similarly.”

“Ah. I see. Of course, family planning is something the individuals involved should agree upon.”

Jiwoon stared at Seo Taecheon, dazed.

What is going on with this conversation? Is he saying we should at least fake this properly? Or is there some hidden meaning behind his words…?! Jiwoon felt like he was being swept away in a whirlpool of confusion.