By Zephyria 
“It turns out they bribed the facility manager and instructed him to tamper with the wiring to make a fire more likely to occur. Since few places have security as stringent as that house, it seems they wanted to blow it away entirely. Fortunately, thanks to Yeon-rok-ssi discovering it early, a major accident was prevented.”
After revealing the truth about the previous incident, Yeom Cheon-ho continued.
“And actually, I feel as though Yeon-rok-ssi is a symbol of good luck.”
“……Me? A symbol of good luck?”
“Things have been going well since I met you.”
Having heard similar words from Choi Hwan, Yeon-rok’s eyes widened. The idea that he was like a symbol of luck for his name partners made him feel quite good. He, too, had met his name partners and… luckily, things… though he couldn’t possibly say they had gone well.
‘Wait? Actually, wasn’t it rather the opposite?’
Yeon-rok suddenly realized. After meeting the three—who were barely roommates, let alone family—hadn’t all sorts of incidents and accidents broken out? It was only because they had been kind lately; otherwise, he would have run away from home long ago. While he was lost in thought, it was time for the second part of the auction to begin. The two returned to the auction house.
The second part of the auction was even more intense than the first. This was the first time Yeon-rok realized there were so many incredibly wealthy people in Korea. Artworks priced at the cost of a house, or even more, were put up and sold continuously. In the midst of it, the piece Yeom Cheon-ho had been eyeing finally appeared.
“This is Kim Geum-sang’s work, <Man-un (Full Fortune)>. This piece is making its first appearance on the market, and it is notable for the unique detail of actually mixing gold into the paint. Now, we start at 1.5 billion won, increasing in increments of 20 million won.”
Once again, Yeom Cheon-ho assigned Yeon-rok the role of raising the paddle. Although he had become somewhat accustomed to spending Yeom Cheon-ho’s money, Yeon-rok’s hand trembled at the staggering starting price.
“1.86 billion won, we have a bid via phone from Kim Seo-yong-ssi. 1.88 billion, 1.9 billion, a phone bid from Lee Jae-jun-ssi at 1.92 billion, 40 million, 60 million……. We are heading toward 2 billion won through a phone bidding war.”
The moment it surpassed 2 billion, Yeon-rok almost dropped the paddle he was holding. Even though it wasn’t his money, he felt terrified. No, because it was Yeom Cheon-ho’s money, he was even more terrified. After a fierce battle, the piece fell into Yeom Cheon-ho’s hands for the enormous sum of 2.54 billion won. Yeom Cheon-ho wore a satisfied smile. The artist was likely very satisfied as well.
“I can’t do this anymore. I’m done.”
As Yeon-rok quickly handed over the paddle, Yeom Cheon-ho chuckled softly. He seemed to find his partner, whose courage was the size of a pea, quite adorable.
He continued to buy artworks without hesitation during the second part of the auction. Since they were all pieces Yeon-rok had taken an interest in, he screamed inwardly. Please, for the love of God, let them all be talented painters!
Once the auction ended, an announcement for an after-party for the participants followed. Yeon-rok realized that, like the banquet last spring, this auction was also a venue for networking among the upper class. No wonder they had given him a separate membership card! Just as he let out a small sigh, feeling overwhelmed, Yeom Cheon-ho spoke.
“Do you happen to remember what I told you last time? I said it would be better not to appear friendly toward me in front of others.”
“Uh, yes……. I remember. Why is that?”
After arriving at the after-party and taking their places, Yeom Cheon-ho handed him a glass and leaned down to whisper in Yeon-rok’s ear.
“There will likely be people of Yeom Cheon-ryul’s watching us here as well, and it wouldn’t be good for Yeon-rok-ssi to be seen as having a friendly relationship with me. You would become an easy target for Yeom Cheon-ryul to aim for.”
Without realizing it, Yeon-rok grew tense and swallowed hard. He felt an urge to personally find out who was watching them. However, fearing he might look suspicious, he held back and asked Yeom Cheon-ho in a low voice.
“Then what should I do?”
“Yeon-rok-ssi has already attended twice as my partner. Therefore, I would like it if you appeared to be on bad terms with me tonight.”
Yeon-rok nodded at those words. Though it was a shame, he first let go of the hand he had been holding with Yeom Cheon-ho. However, as if that alone wasn’t enough, Yeom Cheon-ho made a suggestion.
“Hmm, I know. How about trying to slap my cheek?”
“What? No way!”
Yeon-rok accidentally shouted loudly. Realizing his mistake, he looked around to find that eyes were drawn toward them. Yeom Cheon-ho said with a smile,
“That attitude is fine, but I feel this isn’t enough to spread rumors of a feud.”
“Even so, I am not going to hit the CEO.”
Yeom Cheon-ho gazed at the firmly speaking Yeon-rok and then gripped his wrist. He held it tight and guided the hand toward his cheek, and Yeon-rok struggled to resist. However, his grip was so strong that he couldn’t break free at all. Struggling desperately, Yeon-rok quickly spoke.
“I’ll just grab you by the collar.”
“By the collar.”
As Yeom Cheon-ho replied, a hint of amusement already lingered in his eyes. He had already grabbed Moon Gyeon-woo and Choi Hwan by the collar before, and he figured it would be better than being slapped.
“So, could you please let go of my hand…….”
Yeon-rok suddenly realized that this, too, was an action sufficient to make them look like they were on bad terms. Should he try resisting more actively? Just as he stole a glance at Yeom Cheon-ho and put more strength into his body, Yeom Cheon-ho, seeing Yeon-rok’s wrist turning red, clicked his tongue lightly and loosened his grip.
“Oh……!”
At that exact moment, someone passing by bumped into his other arm. Almost simultaneously, his wrist became free, and his body lurched to one side.
Splash—!
Due to the recoil, the drink in his hand was splashed across Yeom Cheon-ho’s face and chest. The people watching them gasped. Yeon-rok’s eyes also widened.
“C-CEO…….”
Yeom Cheon-ho closed his eyes for a moment and then opened them, lightly wiping away the alcohol dripping down the bridge of his nose and lips with the back of his finger. The scent of alcohol wafting from him was intense. Looking at the stunned Yeon-rok, who was still holding the empty glass, the corners of his eyes curved.
“Haha! Hahaha……!”
At the rather loud laughter, Yeon-rok’s face turned pale. Instead of getting angry after being splashed with alcohol, he was only laughing, which was somehow even scarier. The surroundings fell silent. Unable to say a word, Yeon-rok screamed only inside.
He had no idea how to fix the situation and was mindful of the other people’s gazes. Fidgeting anxiously, he practically threw down the empty glass and hurried out of the party hall. As Yeom Cheon-ho strode after him, the remaining people began to whisper. Though it was an accident, the creation of a feud was at least a success.
‘No! Why at that moment, of all times……!’
Yeon-rok clutched his head and headed toward a secluded area. He was walking quite fast, but Yeom Cheon-ho caught up to him without difficulty. After confirming no one was around, Yeon-rok asked anxiously.
“CEO, are you okay? Are you very angry?”
Fumbling through his pockets and confirming there was nothing to wipe with, he quickly pulled out the handkerchief tucked into the chest pocket of Yeom Cheon-ho’s suit and wiped away the moisture. Licking the alcohol off his lips, Yeom Cheon-ho smiled brightly.
“Not at all.”
Only then did Yeon-rok feel relieved and slump his shoulders.
“I mean, you suddenly laughed, so I thought you were angry…….”
“I just laughed because it was funny. And the surprised Yeon-rok-ssi was quite cute. The timing was surprisingly appropriate.”
Adding that the scent of the alcohol was pleasant, Yeom Cheon-ho simply smiled with a face that showed no anger whatsoever. After wiping away most of the alcohol, Yeon-rok sighed and then asked something he was suddenly curious about.
“May I ask one rude question?”
“Of course. Ask me anything you are curious about.”
“You said that you haven’t been able to feel emotions well since you injured your head. Then, were you really laughing because it was funny just now?”
It was only after learning about Yeom Cheon-ho’s past that Yeon-rok understood why he had been particularly difficult to read. The always painted-on smile, the polite behavior, and the attitude of almost never getting angry. Because there were no emotions to read, he had felt distant.
“Yes. It is true that I haven’t laughed in a very long time. Experiencing it firsthand just now, it seems that Yeon-rok-ssi is indeed occasionally unlucky…….”
As if he found it awkward himself, he pressed down on the corners of his mouth. Yeom Cheon-ho used his sleeve to wipe away the alcohol under Yeon-rok’s chin that he had missed.
“I feel that I am gradually becoming better at feeling emotions after meeting those three.”
“Really?”
“There are frequent cases where people whose bodies were paralyzed recover after meeting a name partner, or where their sight or hearing is restored. Considering such things, it’s not impossible.”
“Wow,” Yeon-rok exclaimed in surprise. On the other hand, he thought that since such miraculous cases existed, it made sense that pseudo-religions like the Hwamyeong Cult would emerge. At the same time, he thought of Moon Gyeon-woo, who loathed superstitions.
“That’s why, may I ask a favor?”
“Please tell me anything!”
Feeling extremely sorry for splashing alcohol on Yeom Cheon-ho, Yeon-rok answered proactively.
“Could you engage in deeper contact with me when you feel like it? If it is true that recovery is possible, I want to reclaim the emotions I lost.”