IBS - Chapter 71

“Should you judge an event like that based on whether it was fun? It’s for the children. You should look at whether the kids liked it or not.”

“They seemed to like the person dressed as Santa and the balloon flowers. But as for the presents, there were a lot of kids who cried saying they didn’t like them.”

“Ah… I guess that can happen since they’re kids. Did the kids not like seeing you, hyung?”

Han Jinheon’s eyebrow twitched as if he’d heard a completely random question. He said there was no reason for them to welcome him when he wasn’t a celebrity. He could understand adults who knew him and had complicated interests, but what would children know?

That was also true, but if I had been a child at that event, I think I would have liked the handsome man more than the presents. Because a guy like me, whether young or all grown up, seems to prioritize faces. The power of a die-hard face-admirer doesn’t just appear out of nowhere.

“In the eyes of children, I’m just a big, dark-clothed man. At best, I’m a hyung or an uncle. In any case, it doesn’t change the fact that I look intimidating.”

As I chuckled, saying it wasn’t that I didn’t understand, Han Jinheon’s eyebrow twitched again, and he reached out to pinch my cheek. Ouch.

“I saw your mother too.”

Suddenly, Lee Geumyeong was mentioned. The smile on my face vanished on its own. It was impossible to even force a smile. Still, it didn’t feel right not to ask how she was, so after a moment’s pause, I asked.

“How was Mother? Does she seem to be doing well?”

Han Jinheon didn’t answer. If she were doing well, he would have said so. Was it that he couldn’t answer because she wasn’t? I didn’t want to disturb his driving, but I found myself repeatedly glancing at his face. I was curious why he wasn't answering and what kind of expression he was making right now.

“She’s doing well, maybe too well. Her greed for you is still the same.”

“…”

“Her love for her son is just so devoted.”

“Devoted, my foot…” Is trying to forcefully manifest her son’s abilities devoted love? I pursed my lips from my grumbling and stretched them out, turning my gaze out the window. In my past life and this one, it seems I have no fate with a mother figure.

The forest of high-rise buildings where the sky was not visible felt monotonous and desolate. It didn’t feel like Christmas at all. It just looked like there were many people out and about because it was a holiday; it was dull without the sound of carols echoing or the sight of the Salvation Army ringing their bells like in the old days.

The Salvation Army, the Salvation Army… Donations!

“Hyung. Did you really donate a billion won in my name?”

“I did.”

“Why?! Ah, no. Asking why seems a bit mean… For what reason did you do it? Without even telling me!”

If he had told me beforehand, I would have at least added the twenty million won in my bank account. Having that much money felt reassuring, but also unsettling. It didn't feel like money I had earned legitimately, and of all people, I had received it from Lee Geumyeong.

“Is there a reason I had to tell you? I just did it while I was at it.”

“You said you did it in my name. Of course, I should know.”

“You found out now, didn’t you? Isn’t the result a good thing? I did something good for you, not for me.”

“It is an incredibly good thing, but… Does Father know? If he finds out… ah, he’ll probably ask where I got the money to do it.”

“Well. We’ll see.”

He says an article will be out in a few days, so let’s see then. He says the old man reads every article related to HANQ without fail.

“An article…”

The word ‘article’ brought a sense of tension. I would have been satisfied with just Han Dongsik finding out, but an article? That meant quite a lot of people would know. My heart felt restless, but I had to express my gratitude.

“Even though you did it without my knowledge, hyung, I feel good because it seems like I did a good deed thanks to you… Although I do feel sorry that it’s like I made you do the good deed for me…”

“There’s no need to be sorry. I did it as a bonus.”

A bonus of not tens, hundreds, or thousands, but billions.

Should I give Han Jinheon at least the twenty million won? Should I start paying back the five hundred million? As I was having all sorts of thoughts, a department store appeared outside the window. I pointed at it, exclaiming in admiration.

I was wondering where Christmas went, and here it is!

The department store, celebrating Christmas and the holidays, was truly dazzling. Not only was the exterior decorated with red, green, and gold lights, but the interior was decorated in pure white, with a forest of huge trees adorned with artificial snow and beautifully draped string lights, making the lobby shine brilliantly.

The central tree among them was so large and magnificent that even as we went up the glass-walled elevator, it felt as if it were right in front of us.

Looking down from above, the trees weren’t just lined up in a row but were arranged like a maze, allowing for a simple exploration. I only thought it would be nice to give it a try, but I couldn't put it into action. An employee was waiting for Han Jinheon and me right from the entrance.

“Welcome to Raon Department Store. My name is Joo Miyoung, and I will be assisting you both today.”

I thought we would wander around the department store, window shop, and if we found a store we liked, we’d go in, try something on, and then leave after seeing the price. To be more honest, I wanted to have a fun time, like asking Han Jinheon to pick out clothes that suit me or me picking out clothes that look good on him. That’s what I wanted to do. But…

“Oh…”

Contrary to my wishes, we didn’t get to look around the department store and were led by a dedicated employee to a personal lounge on an upper floor. The space, prepared for VIPs, was filled with more people than I expected. For me, who was unfamiliar with department stores in general, this space felt like another world, and it was fascinating.

We were guided to a personal room that seemed even quieter and more private.

What a sight. Inside the spacious room, there was a cozy-looking sofa, a side table with a nice color scheme, a large mirror occupying one wall, and a fitting room spacious enough for two. Finally, in the center, there were clothes, bags, shoes, and other accessories that looked expensive at a glance. These were displayed neatly on hangers and stands.

This was like a small department store within the department store, another society within a society. The employees who had created this small department store-like space for us were all skilled and kind. They were also wearing name tags, which had a Beta mark engraved on them.

Is this something only Betas can do? Did Han Jinheon specifically request it? As I found all sorts of little things curious and looked at him, my eyes met his indifferent ones.

“There’s no rush, so take your time looking.”

“The things here?”

“Yes. I tried to select them in the style you like as much as possible.”

He tells me to pick as much as I want. He says it’s fine to pick everything. If I picked all of this, it might cost anywhere from tens of millions to hundreds of millions of won. Because when I sneakily glanced at the price tags, my eyes almost popped out.

But, setting all that aside.

“Thank you, but…”

None of this is my style.

I thought he had taken all the clothes from my suitcase and hung them up nicely. There were only clothes that looked so much like copy-and-paste that I could make that mistake.

The employee, Joo Miyoung, who guided us here, added a comment. She said she brought them considering the brands I usually wear and prefer. Furthermore, she nonchalantly mentioned how she managed to acquire limited-edition shoes, of which only a few were imported into the country this time. She said it while seeming very proud of herself.

What should I do? The difference in taste is huge; it seemed these items, from brands I didn't even know, were destined to return to the store simply because they weren’t to my liking. Hmm.

“Hyung, aren’t these sneakers pretty?”

I picked up the sneakers that caught my eye and showed them to Han Jinheon. Han Jinheon, sitting down on the sofa, nodded perfunctorily. He didn't even look.

“The sneakers you’re holding right now are the limited edition ones I just mentioned…”

She began her explanation. I tried my best to pretend to listen, out of respect for the effort she put in for me and also being mindful of Han Jinheon, but it was like talking to a brick wall. I felt sorry for her efforts, as I struggled to hold back a yawn.

With no interest, the time was incredibly boring. The pleasant room temperature and the cozy scent made my mind go blank. My eyes were gradually getting heavy, perhaps because my physical condition was also slightly declining.

I’d rather be walking with Han Jinheon. I want to walk around and look at things, even if my legs hurt. Ah, this is not the time. I felt like I might actually fall asleep if I wasn’t careful, so I lifted my head more stiffly. I thought I could hold on if I just endured it like this.

Judging my reaction to be lackluster, the employee changed the position of the hanger. As if the hanger that was in the back was the highlight, she ambitiously began to introduce the clothes she had prepared, but the weight of my eyelids remained the same. It didn't lighten one bit.

Even the focus of my eyes was blurring. This wouldn’t do. Thinking that putting something in my mouth might help, I started eating the neatly arranged refreshments. They were quite tasty and sweet.

“……?”

As I savored the lingering sweetness in my mouth, I tilted my head, looking into the air, sensing a peculiar aura. Then I sat up straight and quickly turned to look at Han Jinheon.

“……!”

A very, very sweet scent. I could smell a scent that I presumed to be an Alpha's pheromones!

“Han Sol.”

The firm voice calling my name brought me to my senses. My eyes, which I had closed without realizing, flew open, and I was utterly flustered. My face was tilted close to Han Jinheon's chest, and he was staring at me with a displeased expression.

“Ah… Sorry. I was just playing around…”

It seemed I had unconsciously followed the scent, sniffing, and ended up here. Besides Han Jinheon, I was embarrassed to be seen by the employees who were looking this way, so I blurted out a random excuse and straightened my posture. My face, flushed with heat, felt hot.

Han Jinheon, frowning slightly, gestured to the employee. It meant to continue. The employee, with a ready smile, began her explanation again.

“In the case of this H brand jacket, the logo has been embroidered quite attractively this time, giving it a classic atmosphere…”

However, I had already thrown away even a shred of concentration due to the sweet scent that was still lingering. How could I possibly ignore this fragrance?​