Translator: Nox

Chapter 30

**Villain's**

**Pure Love**

**30.**

**Middle School Reunion**

Around six in the evening, the main building bustled with guests for once. Start of Hyunwook's hosted reunion.

Hyunwook, who'd grabbed a camera and vanished from Domyeongjae days with no word, returned right on time, gatherin' some ten middle school classmates for the first time in ages.

Main buildin' staff served food whipped up with seasoned skill. Traditional dishes from the Nam family's feasts for generations—not worlds apart from cheap pub snacks, but worlds finer—filled the wide table.

Moon Siljang brought out Songyeopju, Domyeongjae's third-generation pine needle liquor aged long in pine leaves. Its fresh, cool pine scent paired perfect with meats and such, a symbolic booze that'd graced Nam family tables ages.

"Man, thanks to you, Hyunwook, gettin' rare brew like this."

"Sides taste insane. And this booze? Scent's killer."

Classmates busy tossin' reviews. Only Moon Siljang and Do Eunja knew how to brew Domyeongjae's traditional liquor, never sold on market, so felt mighty precious.

Chance like this? Gotta chow down—classmates attacked sides and booze with battle stance. One eyed Moon Siljang refillin' plates before empty, lifted head.

"Manager. Any other guests comin' besides us today?"

"Nope."

"Eat hearty 'fore ya go. Guests at our Domyeongjae, Young Master Hyunwook's classmates—can't skimp."

Ooh... Young Master.

Teasin' hoots rose here n' there. Hyunwook bit lip hard, raised glass.

"Tease? Spew out all that gut-stuffed grub first."

"Man, true gold spoon. Jealous, gold spoon. Reborn? Gonna be you—know that."

Hyunwook gulped booze neat at classmate's end.

"Try hard. Gold spoon birth ain't easy. Anyone can try, not anyone pulls it. Know that."

"Argh, damn. Hate admittin', but spot on—no comeback."

"Hyunwook. Me? No envy. Just wanna stay pals forever—cut others, keep me eternal. That's enough."

"Me too."

"Me too."

Rare booze sparked split reactions. Hyunwook, rare inviter to Domyeongjae, wrapped chat with short laugh.

No braggin' boasts or show-offs—these pals. Chaebol young master inside Domyeongjae, but plain likeable guy among friends. No need flaunt life—nothin' off-kilter anyway.

Yet today, Hyunwook opened Domyeongjae to pals first time. Secret Moksan-gun kingdom, ancient estate—no uninvited stepped foot.

Deep-thinker Hyunwook's no light call.

"But where's Yeonwoo?"

"Right. Said she here? Yeonwoo late?"

Hyunwook sipped again. Picked Domyeongjae meet 'cause Yeonwoo here.

"Reckon Yeonwoo can't make it."

"Huh? Why? Said she here."

"Can't even spare a bit? Why? Hey host, she know we comin'? Came see Yeonwoo."

Host inwardly stuck. Bragged everywhere Yeonwoo here.

"Well, how say it. Yeonwoo works here."

"So?"

"Looks can't ditch work. Said sorry."

Classmates wore baffled looks.

"Man, what time is it. Tell her clock out, we'll wait. Work till when?"

Hyunwook arched brow 'stead answer.

Yeonwoo's on duty today. Newbie duty Domyeongjae's old tradition. Principle-stickler Moon Siljang no slack, so Yeonwoo no-show.

Straight facts? Tons to add. Pals knowin' company life grasp Domyeongjae quirks? Hyunwook skimmed words, topped empty glass.

No beggin' Moon Siljang ditch Yeonwoo's shift for "classmate"—Hyunwook, born-bred here, knew better. Place principles live, traditions n' stubbornness all. Moon Siljang's seamless staff rule tops law.

"Uh, 'scuse me."

Then. Main buildin' door cracked, face peeked—all heads whipped.

Most shot up from chairs, stunned mugs.

"Whoa, Yeonwoo!"

"Hey! Ji Yeonwoo!"

Through cracked door, Yeonwoo smiled small at classmates. Stunned Hyunwook rose too, wide eyes droppin' glass.

"Sorry late. Can I come in?"

Classmates flipped out, scramblin' wild.

"Course! C'mere! Hurry, Yeonwoo!"

"Yaaah! Yeonwoo's here! How long's it been!"

Yeonwoo slipped shoes off, stepped in. Hyunwook turned followin' her slow entry, burst easy laugh moments later.

"How'd ya come? Said can't earlier."

"Well, Moon Siljang said clock out. Where sit?"

"Ah, here. This side, Yeonwoo."

Unthought early clock-out for Yeonwoo.

Clocked out, Seongheon bypassed main buildin'. Eyed neat-lined shoes, caught shrill laughs ringin' out—headed Unseondang.

Moon Siljang waitin' at Unseondang greeted Seongheon shoeless. Yard swept clean, airin' done.

"Come in, Executive Director."

"Yeah. Main buildin' noisy."

"Young Master Hyunwook's reunion today."

"Ah. Today's the day."

Hyunwook back from camera trip, said snap pics n' return. Seongheon straight to bedroom; Moon Siljang followed.

"Executive Director, dinner at Unseondang?"

"No dinner plans. Simple coffee, please."

"Got it."

Seongheon shed jacket, hands washed, sat reception tea table. Moon Siljang grabbed tiny espresso cup, stood coffee machine, fiddled slow fingers.

Hot steam, coffee dripped. Rich scent filled space; soon Moon Siljang brought tray.

"Empty gut? Brew hurts—bread too?"

Seongheon waved no, gripped tiny cup. Fresh sip flooded mouth bitter-sweet. Lips closed savorin', rich acidity ended nutty fine.

Eyed Moon Siljang wipin' machine, his faint pine pollen glow—opened lips.

"Pollen flyin' won't last long now. This time every year, damn annoyin'."

Annual gripe. Pollen end meant Yeonwoo no more yard sweep—Seongheon smirked wistful.

Then asked Moon Siljang.

"Speakin' of, long time seein' ya at Unseondang, Manager."

"Yeah. Sent newbie to reunion, short-staffed, so me."

"Ah. Reunion."

Ah. Joined reunion.

"Told her go, she balked no need—stubborn. Zero flex."

"Ji Yeonwoo?"

"Yeah. Ditch work? Bull. Aigoo, cussin' 'fore Executive Director."

Seongheon chuckled.

"Begged her go, no dice—wrangled long, barely sent. Pals eatin', her solo work?"

"Did right."

Recallin' laughs ringin' outside. Cried buckets yesterday—hope today's Yeonwoo laughs heaps, enjoys full.

"Manager, wrap yer business. I'm fine."

"Uh, Executive Director."

Moon Siljang called; Seongheon looked up.

"Yeah, Manager."

"Got words."

"Speak."

Moon Siljang rubbed hands on apron cloth. Tough words comin'.

Seongheon set cup, straightened—ready listen. Moments later, Moon Siljang spoke.

"How long at Domyeongjae?"

"Me?"

"Yes."

Outta left field. Seongheon pondered, lips parted.

"Planned month start, now thinkin' three."

"Three months?"

"Site messier'n thought—takes time tidy."

Three months? Seongheon just realized.

"Me here bother ya?"

"Aigoo, no. Nothin' like. Wonderin' if HQ got lawyers plenty."

"Meet Seoul ones with ya."

Seongheon's brow twitched.

"Manager in trouble?"

"No, not me."

Moon Siljang waved big.

"Folks nearby need consult—maybe advice. Nothin' big, no one know, no ask—few words suffice."

"......"

"Domyeongjae staff tied tight Sullyang Group, near Sullyang own—bit help maybe…………"

"Domyeongjae staff issue?"

Inept beggar Moon Siljang wore pained mug. Seongheon watched quiet, laced fingers, head tilt.

"Ji Yeonwoo maybe? Namsong Industrial VP?"

"Aigoo, how'd ya know, Executive Director?"

Seongheon nailed sharp; stunned Moon Siljang flustered. Sipped coffee fresh, continued.

"Happened knew. My office."

"Aigoo...."

Moon Siljang long sigh, mixed feelings.

"How torment her—girl skin-bone frail, pitiful."

Seongheon knew, Moon Siljang spilled guts. Told Yeonwoo zip lips, but scoured stalkin' news all night. Magnifyin' glasses on phone long, eyes foggy day.

"Can't keep her Domyeongjae forever—gotta send someday, but scum huntin' worries."

"Huntin'? Who?"

"...Yeah. Recent, front here flashin' newbie pic askin' here or not—met nasty thug. No panties, what then."

Ears deaf already, grasped front—Seongheon's breath stretched long. Bit molars tight hid, gulped coffee loose. Deep rich turned poison bitter.

Fessed to Seongheon finally, Moon Siljang wore tangled mug. Swore secrecy tight, now snitched self—this mad too.

"Thought watch quiet, but worry somethin' blows."

"Manager, never pegged ya busybody. Nosy n' tattlin'?"

Moon Siljang sheepish at Seongheon's jab.

"Age? Or spring fever old? Odd deeds. Or Do Eunja rubbed off? Ya saw—she pokes everywhere."

"Good though. Who minds Domyeongjae staff if not ya."

Seongheon rose.

"No need HQ trip, Manager. Far. Long drive."

"Huh? How meet lawyers?"

- 6 -

Arms jacket, Seongheon replied.

"Met lawyer today anyway."

"Huh? You? Direct? Why?"

Why tacked, pondered, Seongheon short laugh.

"Dunno. Spring fever maybe."

"Good coffee."

Seongheon stepped wash-way; Moon Siljang lips twitched.

Stared long at recedin' back. Sturdy shoulders, neat stride always.