By Zephyria 
“Ah, Seo… I run a gopchang restaurant.”
As Seo Chi-young spoke, a brief silence followed. Only then did Chi-young click his tongue, realizing there were countless gopchang shops in the world, and added an explanation: “Why is it that, uh, Mr. Yoon Jun-young comes here often…” But Jang Ui-geon spoke before the explanation could even finish.
“Yes, I know. But what can I do for you?”
“…..Uh.., I just called on the off chance. I believe you mentioned Cheongsan Farm before…”
Maybe I shouldn’t have called after all. Even if it wasn’t that specific duck farm, someone like Jang Ui-geon would surely have a few other decent places lined up. Feeling as though he had called intentionally for such a trivial matter, Chi-young’s voice naturally trailed off.
Surprisingly, however, while Jang Ui-geon didn’t seem particularly delighted, he wasn’t entirely dismissive either. After asking a few more questions, he said, “I’ll head over there now,” and hung up.
Chi-young had called hoping it might be of some help, but he hadn’t expected such an immediate response. He stared blankly at the disconnected phone for a long while.
He was even more surprised when Jang Ui-geon actually arrived shortly after hanging up; regardless of where he had taken the call, he arrived in just over half an hour. Consequently, even when Ui-geon greeted him with a casual smile, it was Chi-young who ended up hesitating and stammering.
In truth, once he arrived, there wasn’t much for Chi-young to do. While the owner—who seemed both pleased and perplexed—was on the phone with someone, likely his uncle, and discussing things with Jang Ui-geon, Chi-young merely chimed in with a word or two every now and then, usually unrelated to the main topic.
Perhaps trying to save Chi-young’s face, the owner would occasionally say, “Normally this is difficult, but since you’re an acquaintance of this young CEO, let’s at least talk. CEO Seo here is young but lives very diligently, and since I have a son around his age, I want to help him out if I can.” Whenever the owner veered off in that direction, Chi-young would bow his head with an embarrassed expression. Jang Ui-geon would occasionally glance at him with a formal smile and chime in with a “That’s right.”
Moving to the inner part of the shop, amidst the bustle of employees and large slabs of meat hanging from iron hooks on the ceiling, it didn’t take long for them to finish their conversation. After making several calls to the farm and covering the basics, the owner and Jang Ui-geon quickly concluded the meeting with the intent to set a date to visit the farm for a detailed consultation.
Chi-young, who knew nothing about the specifics, sat there like a forgotten sack of barley while they discussed things like the price per head and the method of supply. He felt he didn’t need to be there, but he missed the timing to excuse himself.
He could have interrupted them to leave, but despite anxiously checking his watch, Chi-young couldn’t bring himself to get up.
So this is the face he makes when he’s working.
It was because he couldn’t stop staring blankly at Jang Ui-geon, thinking such a thought.
Jang Ui-geon didn’t change much even when working. Just as he did with people he met casually, he guided the flow of the conversation pleasantly, winning people over even while discussing rigid business matters. He did so in a way that was advantageous to himself, yet ensured the other party never felt they were losing out.
“……..”
Chi-young was genuinely impressed. He had rarely witnessed a business transaction from such a close distance, but it was certainly rare to find someone who could steer a deal in their own direction within such a cheerful and refreshing atmosphere.
For now, it was merely an introduction to the owner who would act as the intermediary, but Chi-young was certain that even when he visited the farm later to negotiate the deal, he would extract the maximum result he desired.
Despite the thorough conversation in a positive atmosphere, it didn’t take very long. As the discussion drew to a close, Jang Ui-geon glanced at Chi-young, who was anxiously looking down at his watch, then gave the pleased owner a friendly smile and stood up, saying, “Then I will contact you again later.”
Chi-young stood up along with him, greeted the owner side-by-side with Ui-geon, and stepped out of the shop. Checking his watch, he realized it was about an hour later than he had originally planned.
I’ll have to move quickly once I get back to the shop. But no matter how fast he moved, he’d be short on time for the herbal decoction to steep; he wondered what to do.
Yet, despite the anxiety, he didn’t feel resentful or upset. He felt a sense of quiet satisfaction, wondering if he had actually been of help to Jang Ui-geon.
“I know you must be busy, thank you for introducing me to such a good person.”
As they walked toward the livestock market, Jang Ui-geon spoke to Chi-young, who was still calculating the time needed to prepare for business back at the shop. Only then did Chi-young turn his gaze toward him. He met the eyes of Jang Ui-geon, who was looking at him with his usual faint smile.
“Ah, no, it just happened… I hope the deal goes well.”
As Chi-young spoke, mentioning the appointment the butcher and Jang Ui-geon had made to visit the farm this weekend, Jang Ui-geon smiled and said nonchalantly, “It will go well.” Faced with that calm, understated confidence, Chi-young stared at him for a moment before breaking into a smile.
Right, come to think of it, I think I felt this way back in high school too. That confidence that naturally seeped through a mundane demeanor had set Jang Ui-geon apart from others then, and it still did now.
It really seemed like it would work out. He felt that this confidence wasn’t empty bravado, but something that would bring tangible results.
Jang Ui-geon looked at the smiling Chi-young with curiosity and asked, “What is it?” but Chi-young shook his head, saying it was nothing. Jang Ui-geon gave a light shrug and didn’t press further. “I’m just in a good mood because it looks like I’ll get a good deal thanks to you,” he said with a smile.
Looking at that handsome smile, however, Chi-young’s own smile slowly faded.
He had forgotten for a moment, but seeing that smile brought it back. The clear line visible within that attitude of smiling effortlessly and speaking without hesitation.
…It would have been better if Jang Ui-geon had shown a glimpse of displeasure. Or, even if he hadn’t shown it openly, it would have been better if he had shown a clear sign of rejection by refusing Chi-young’s kindness in calling him. It would have been better if he had at least indicated that his feelings had shifted, but he hadn’t.
He accepted the other’s kindness and returned an equal amount of kindness in return. Yet, he had drawn a clear line that must never be crossed.
“By the way, how did you get Jun-young’s number?”
“Huh? Ah.., he calls me occasionally. Mostly late at night before the shop closes, telling me he’s on his way so I shouldn’t close up and just wait for him.”
“Really? Wow.., that guy is really head over heels, isn’t he?”
Jang Ui-geon laughed pleasantly, as if surprised and amused.
As if nothing had ever happened—as if the way Jang Ui-geon’s gaze had frozen that night was merely Chi-young’s delusion and a trivial matter that Ui-geon didn’t even remember—he spoke to Chi-young with an effortless smile.
He was like that with everyone.
But it was always the same. In high school—no, they hadn’t even spoken like this back then—and even after meeting again, weren’t Yoon Jun-young and Kwon Ga-eul the only two people Jang Ui-geon treated with true intimacy?
So, he should have been grateful just for the fact that Ui-geon was smiling and talking to him like this. Nevertheless, a small thorn in his heart erased his smile.
As they walked toward the parking lot—Chi-young walking alongside him since it was the same direction as the subway station—Jang Ui-geon looked back curiously at Chi-young, whose pace was gradually slowing. Chi-young, who had fallen a couple of steps behind, stopped completely and looked at Jang Ui-geon. Ui-geon also stopped and tilted his head.
“What’s wrong? Did you forget something?”
Staring at the questioning Jang Ui-geon, Chi-young thought that apologizing now might actually make him look more ridiculous, but he bowed his head deeply anyway. Then, he spoke seriously to Jang Ui-geon, who looked surprised and speechless.
“I apologize for my rudeness last time.”
“….Last time?”
Jang Ui-geon raised an eyebrow and tilted his head. However, despite asking back as if he didn’t know, he seemed to realize immediately what Chi-young was referring to. A perplexed smile flickered briefly and then vanished.
“Last time? I’m not sure what you mean.”
“…I feel like I crossed a line.”
Chi-young stammered, but spoke each word clearly. Like a child confessing a mistake while knowing they’d be scolded, he kept his head slightly bowed, looking up at Jang Ui-geon only with his eyes before dropping his gaze again.
Jang Ui-geon remained silent for a moment.
Chi-young thought he might just smile and brush it off, saying, I’m not sure about that. Or perhaps he would say, It’s okay, don’t worry about it.
Either way, he would continue to keep his distance from Chi-young, but even so, Chi-young wanted to say it. Even if it risked making things more awkward.
However, in front of the bowing Chi-young, Jang Ui-geon’s silence lasted longer than expected. Workers pushing large handcarts to move goods from the parking lot to the interior of the livestock market glanced curiously at the two men standing frozen and facing each other on the side of the road.
After some time, the faint sound of Jang Ui-geon muttering could be heard.
“I thought you were oblivious, since you contacted me so casually despite that.”
It was a small voice, like he was talking to himself. Chi-young stole a glance, and Jang Ui-geon, who had been looking at Chi-young lost in thought, smiled after a few seconds of eye contact.
“There’s no need to apologize. …Well, it’s true that I wasn’t in a very pleasant mood that day, but I have no intention of bringing that matter up again in any form. I’m not particularly going to say anything to you, and of course, I have no intention of being angry or treating you awkwardly. I thought there would be no problem if we just continued as we are now. …By any chance, did I treat you unkindly without realizing it?”
To the man asking back with a troubled smile, Chi-young quickly shook his head.
“No, that’s not it. That’s not it, but I just…”
Chi-young stopped mid-sentence. He couldn’t think of the words to follow “just.” Just, I wanted to apologize for my own self-satisfaction. Just, I hope you don’t draw a line against me. Just, I want to be close to you.
They all seemed right, yet they were all different. Unable to determine exactly which words should follow, Chi-young simply blinked with his mouth open before slowly closing it.
Seeing that he seemed to have something to say, Jang Ui-geon waited patiently while Chi-young scratched the back of his neck and thought hard. Perhaps Jang Ui-geon would have waited for several more minutes. If there hadn’t been an external interruption.
Behind the two men standing still, a heavy luggage cart rolled up. The worker, pushing a cart heavily laden with goods covered in bulging plastic and tied tightly with rubber bands, shouted abruptly when he got within a short distance of them.
“Don’t just stand there blocking the way, move! Can’t you see the luggage coming?!”
The short worker, who looked to be about ten years older than them, screamed and spat out curses even though he was still a few steps away—plenty of distance to steer the cart.
Jang Ui-geon glanced back. Seeing the worker glaring and spitting out grating curses, he stepped aside a couple of paces without a word. Chi-young followed suit and moved aside. After saying a brief “I’m sorry” and stepping well out of the way, the worker pushed the cart past, barely grazing Chi-young, while continuing to mutter curses.
Jang Ui-geon gave the slowly walking worker an indifferent look, then let out a short laugh, teasing Chi-young.
“You didn’t do anything wrong, so why apologize even if he didn’t get angry?”
“Uh.., but the customer… didn’t get angry either.”
Chi-young muttered as if making an excuse. Jang Ui-geon started to say, “Well,” but then closed his mouth with an ambiguous smile.
Right, it’s like this. Chi-young had the thought anew.
Jang Ui-geon almost never gets angry at others. He didn’t even have enough interest in people who didn’t matter to him to get angry. And that was the reason why he hadn’t shown any sign of displeasure toward Chi-young.
Chi-young smiled bitterly. Then he continued, as if sighing.
“And that man’s left leg is uncomfortable, so it must have been hard for him to turn the cart to the right. Maybe there’s another part of his body that’s struggling that we can’t see…”
It would have been much better for him to show a displeased face, Chi-young thought as he muttered hesitantly. Suddenly, Jang Ui-geon raised an eyebrow and looked at the worker walking away in the distance, limping slightly.
“Did you know him?”
“Huh? ….No, I don’t know him.”
Chi-young, initially bewildered by the question, followed his gaze to the worker and shook his head. Not knowing why he was suddenly asking if he knew the man, Chi-young blinked. Jang Ui-geon turned his gaze away from the worker and looked at him.
It’s just that people with physical disabilities, who might need even a small amount of help at any time, simply stand out. He had never thought of it as intentionally observing or watching them.
Not knowing how to respond, Chi-young stared blankly at Jang Ui-geon and awkwardly scratched his head. But why did the conversation go in this direction? What I originally wanted to say to him was— As Chi-young was thinking, he heard a loud crashing sound behind him and turned around. It seemed the rubber band on the cart the limping worker had been pulling had snapped, and the boxes piled inside were scattered across the ground.
“Uh.., just a moment.”
Chi-young asked for Jang Ui-geon’s brief understanding and ran over without hesitation. Beside the worker, who was picking up the items while swearing continuously, Chi-young helped gather the boxes and stack them back onto the cart.
Though the mouth that had been spitting curses fell silent, the worker continued to grumble under his breath as if dissatisfied. Chi-young helped him by tying the snapped rubber band and securing the load firmly. It didn’t take long for Chi-young to return to Jang Ui-geon.
Jang Ui-geon, who had been watching him while standing there with his arms crossed, said shortly, “You’re good at that,” and Chi-young shook his head shyly.
“No, it’s just something I did often when I used to carry loads… No, that’s not it, uh…….. where were we in the conversation?”
Suddenly flustered, Chi-young mumbled, not even knowing what he was saying.
Jang Ui-geon looked down at Chi-young in silence before slowly speaking. “I said that since I’m not particularly going to do anything, there’s no need for you to apologize to me.” His slow, low voice lacked the casual amusement it had held until a moment ago.
Even though he had thought it would be better for the man to show a displeased face, Chi-young fell silent. The quiet, low voice without a smile was cold enough to make his shoulders instinctively hunch.
Chi-young anxiously rubbed the back of his neck again. He still couldn’t think of any particular words, but he carefully picked out the thoughts in his heart one by one.
“It’s not because I thought the customer… would do something. I didn’t think that. Just…”
Chi-young paused and then added quietly.
“I just hope that, even in the parts that aren’t visible on the surface, you aren’t displeased.”
Jang Ui-geon, who had been lost in thought while watching the laborer stagger away in the distance, shifted his gaze toward Seo Chi-young.
“What is it? Do you think some other inconspicuous place might be difficult for me too?”
Seo Chi-young looked at Jang Ui-geon. His expression and voice were still low and devoid of laughter. After hesitating as he watched him, Seo Chi-young suddenly murmured a single phrase.
“….I’m scared.”
For a moment, Jang Ui-geon looked at Seo Chi-young with a bewildered expression, as if caught off guard. Seo Chi-young shut his mouth.
Yes, he was scared. As is the case for anyone—even knowing that the other person didn’t harbor any particular ill will toward him—if he knew that Jang Ui-geon drew a line in a place unseen while maintaining a calm smile, he felt he wouldn’t be able to look at him with the same serenity he had until now. He was afraid that a shadow would cast over the heart that quietly watched him.
“……..”
Seo Chi-young let out a quiet sigh. Jang Ui-geon remained silent, staring at Seo Chi-young as if he were absurd.
It was understandable that he’d find it absurd… Seo Chi-young rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. Then, a quiet murmur escaped like a sigh. I’m not even being a nuisance… The sound of a clicking tongue followed.
“I get what you’re saying.”
Finally, Jang Ui-geon’s answer came. Seo Chi-young looked up at him with a small “Oh.” Jang Ui-geon’s voice was as calm as before, but the emotionless, chilly tone beneath it had softened. It was as if he were saying, Fine, I lose.
Jang Ui-geon was wearing a crooked smile, as if saying, Good grief. The slight wrinkle between his brows wasn’t pretty, but Seo Chi-young stared at him without blinking, glad to see the faint smile in his eyes.
“It wouldn’t have made a difference whether you said it or not, but did that weigh on your mind? You’ll find life exhausting if you worry about things like that.”
To Jang Ui-geon, who asked while lightly clicking his tongue, Seo Chi-young murmured, sounding flustered, “I don’t usually care.” But Jang Ui-geon replied, “Is that so?” with a look that suggested he didn’t quite believe him. A hint of concern seeped into his voice as he finished saying, “You’ll find life exhausting.”
He really has softened. The thought made Seo Chi-young’s heart race. Thus, Seo Chi-young gazed blankly at Jang Ui-geon, and as he followed him back toward the parking lot, he spoke without realizing it.
“Thank you.”
Jang Ui-geon looked back, puzzled.
“For what?”
“Uh… for not just brushing it off by saying it was fine.”
In truth, Seo Chi-young had expected that even if he apologized, Jang Ui-geon would have just said it was fine and moved on, leaving absolutely no room—not even a sliver—for him to follow.
Therefore, the fact that Jang Ui-geon had silently waited for Seo Chi-young’s words was unexpected and brought him great joy.
Jang Ui-geon’s pace slowed. Looking at Seo Chi-young with a strange expression, he slowly let out a bitter smile.
“Good grief… did you peek inside my head? How peculiar. Why would you think that about a man as kind and sincere as I am?”
Murmuring somewhat playfully, yet sounding genuinely curious, Jang Ui-geon began walking toward the parking lot again. This time, his pace was slightly slower.
“Normally, I would have done that. But… basically, I like people who look at the world with a warm gaze. Since I’m not really like that myself.”
Jang Ui-geon spoke casually, and Seo Chi-young, not knowing how to respond, could only manage an ambiguous smile. When the parking lot began to appear in the distance, Seo Chi-young slowed his pace.
“Um, then I’ll be going now.”
Jang Ui-geon, who was a few steps ahead, turned around. He looked at Seo Chi-young, who was standing at the exit of the livestock market leading toward the main road, with a puzzled look.
“Did you park your car somewhere else?”
“Yes, no… I took the subway…”
“…With that?”
Jang Ui-geon made a strange face as he looked at the small handcart carrying a styrofoam box that wasn’t very large but was quite heavy. Seo Chi-young smiled awkwardly and murmured, “Yes, it’s manageable.”
Until last year, when he visited the livestock market himself, it was difficult to commute by subway every day, so he had used a motorcycle. However, once he started receiving deliveries from a broker, he disposed of the motorcycle. Since the distance from the shop to his home was walkable anyway, he figured it was better to put whatever small amount he could toward paying off his debts rather than keeping a motorcycle he barely used.
Of course, he had never owned a car.
Jang Ui-geon, who had been staring intently at Seo Chi-young, seemed to sigh.
“I’ll give you a ride.”
As Jang Ui-geon began to walk again as if telling him to follow, Seo Chi-young, flustered, quickly waved his hands.
“Oh, no, you don’t have to…”
“I’m heading that way anyway.”
Having spoken decisively as if telling him not to say more, Jang Ui-geon looked back at Seo Chi-young, who was still hesitating and standing in place. Frowning, he walked back, practically snatched the handcart from Seo Chi-young’s hand, and strode away.
Seo Chi-young followed a few steps behind, staring at Jang Ui-geon’s back.
“I’m not lying. I’m not taking a detour just to drop you off, CEO; I really have business near there. …I originally planned to go after three or four in the afternoon, but it’s fine if I go early.”
Jang Ui-geon spoke as he walked, and Seo Chi-young nodded, finally offering a small greeting.
“Thank you.”
He was happy. Regardless of the reason, Jang Ui-geon was adjusting his schedule to show kindness to Seo Chi-young, and Seo Chi-young knew that such a thing was not common.
Jang Ui-geon glanced back at Seo Chi-young. Seo Chi-young, who had been smiling shyly and happily behind him, suddenly froze his expression the moment his eyes met Jang Ui-geon’s.
Jang Ui-geon’s face twisted subtly. Rather than displeasure, he looked at Seo Chi-young with an expression like a sigh and quietly clicked his tongue.
“Life must be really hard for you…”
“……..?”
Seo Chi-young only blinked and stared at him. He had thought life was hard countless times while living, but he couldn’t fathom why Jang Ui-geon would say that.
However, even though he must have seen the puzzled look on Seo Chi-young’s face, Jang Ui-geon didn’t explain further or add anything else. He simply gave a short laugh and stopped in front of the car a few steps away.
“Is it okay to put it in the trunk? Or should I put it in the back seat?”
“Uh… either is fine.”
As Seo Chi-young murmured, Jang Ui-geon opened the trunk and loaded the styrofoam box and the handcart. Only then did Seo Chi-young hurriedly run to his side, saying, “Oh, I’ll do it,” but Jang Ui-geon had already folded the handcart.
“Just relax, relax.”
The meaning of Jang Ui-geon’s words, murmured as if soothing him, was still not entirely clear, but Seo Chi-young smiled lightly, not feeling bad about it. While wondering what exactly he was supposed to be “relaxed” about, he nodded and said, “Yes.”
As Jang Ui-geon headed toward the driver’s seat, he asked Seo Chi-young, who was still lingering at the back of the car, “By the way, is your timing okay?” Only then did Seo Chi-young snap back to his senses, check his watch, and rush to the passenger seat.
“I’m a bit late, a bit too late… No, but please drive slowly, slowly… safe driving…”
Staring at him, Jang Ui-geon suddenly burst into laughter as he watched Seo Chi-young mutter about being late while anxiously checking his watch, only to suddenly remind him to drive safely.
“Yes, yes. Shall I try ‘safe driving’ as fiercely as a race car driver, then?”
The way he inserted the car key was as cheerful as his voice.