“You?”
“Me? Well, I guess once I graduate from school, I’ll have a clearer idea, but I’ll probably end up working somewhere related to Ringa. Still, I probably won’t get involved in the family business.”
It seemed they didn’t want to entrust their daughter with anything that could turn dangerous. At least having one of the kids they cared for safely inside the boundary made Yuri let out a light sigh.
No, actually, it wouldn’t be that dangerous.
Though there were many morally questionable things involved, it was still a legitimate business. It wasn’t a violent gang that used their bodies as capital, and at least there wouldn’t be work that physically harmed someone unless it was really severe.
“Probably the youngest uncle would do well.”
As if knowing what Yuri was thinking, Xiaoqun muttered.
She was also looking toward where Yuri’s gaze was fixed. The young lady in white, who was chatting warmly and quietly but also throwing charming smiles and words to everyone around, naturally gathering people. Just with her glances and eye smiles, she could pull people’s favor and the atmosphere of the place. Xiaoqun smiled while watching him, but also looked at him with some degree of coldness.
“I like the youngest uncle, but sometimes he can be scary. He always smiles gently and treats everyone well, whether me or others, but sometimes it feels like he’s watching from afar. It’s been like that since I was little.”
Even while playing around happily, Xiaoqun murmured as if feeling that an adult was mixed in. She sighed lightly and shrugged her shoulders. Still, she said, it’s fine.
Yuri silently looked at Ling Xinlu. She thought girls could often be more sensitive than boys. Even siblings who were always together — Pai just smiled and said, “Youngest uncle? Sounds good.”
Ling Xinlu leaned toward the young lady in white beside him, curious about what they were talking about so amusingly. Then he burst out laughing and whispered something back to her. Their affectionate couple-like behavior slowly made others start to look at them as if wondering, “Could they actually be dating?”
“......”
Perhaps because she looked like Jung Tae-ui at first sight, Yuri thought. Especially when she smiled, her eyes bent with drooping eyelids behind them, and her mouth curved in a neat line — her expression was similar to his. She wasn’t a particularly special beauty or flashy, but Yuri was sure why Ling Xinlu immediately approached her. Even if others didn’t know, Yuri felt she probably did.
It seemed she already knew Ling Xinlu and had a fondness for him. Whether it was a liking toward him or toward Ling Xinlu — since Ling Xinlu seemed to be seeing her for the first time there, it was probably the latter — she was constantly smiling with shining eyes, unable to cool her flushed cheeks in front of his affectionate and radiant smile.
Ling Xinlu must have realized after a few words that she already liked him. He was a sensitive person, after all. And he must have poured sweet words and gentle gestures like water and fertilizer so that that fondness could bloom into a gorgeous flower. He was a man who really knew how to use the affection directed toward him.
She seemed oblivious to everything else around her. For example, the man who had been with her before Ling Xinlu came over and was still glaring fiercely at them.
“……Doesn’t look good.”
Yuri muttered suddenly. Xiaoqun, next to her, widened her eyes and said, “What?” Yuri answered with a hesitant “No,” shaking her head.
“Just a bit tired. Wondering if there’s somewhere decent to sit.”
Yuri stepped back. There were no chairs in the secluded corner where they stood. Inside the corridor where people gathered, there were several empty seats, but she didn’t want to squeeze in among people.
Looking around for a moment, Yuri found a hollow carved generously into the wall next to a pillar and sat there. It seemed originally meant to hold a large vase or statue as decoration, but since it was empty, no one would complain if it was used as a seat.
Xiaoqun, who had been watching Yuri with a bright smile, ran over and teasingly whispered, “I’m a well-raised lady, so I won’t sit on the pedestal.” Then she sat on Yuri’s lap.
“……. A well-raised lady shouldn’t sit on just any man’s lap.”
“He’s my uncle, what’s the big deal? Am I heavy?”
“Your boyfriend is watching over there, you know.”
“He’s my uncle, what’s the big deal? Am I heavy?”
Xiaoqun, with innocent eyes sparkling, earned a bitter smile from Yuri. She patted Xiaoqun’s head.
Her neat and shy boyfriend seemed worried but didn’t come close, only sneaking glances as if intimidated by a man who looked much cooler than himself… Yeah, like the man over there with a face full of anger and despair on his birthday.
Around then, Ling Xinlu, who had stood beside the young lady in white the entire time and focused all his attention on her, suddenly picked up a glass from the table as if thirsty. Gazing at her with eyes shining ecstatically while she eagerly spoke to him, he silently looked down. At her words, he answered with a slight smile curling his lips, cooler than before.
Yuri, watching them quietly, finally met eyes with Ling Xinlu, who had finished looking around the corridor to refresh the atmosphere.
“.......”
For a brief moment, the smile vanished from Ling Xinlu’s lips.
As if only then realizing Yuri had been watching him all along.
Ling Xinlu, whose gaze was fixed on Yuri, shifted his eyes after a few seconds to Xiaoqun sitting alertly on Yuri’s lap. When their eyes met, he smiled warmly and waved, but his usual smile did not return.
Ling Xinlu said a few brief words to the young lady in white, then started walking briskly toward them. The young lady in white, suddenly left alone, blinked in confusion and clutched Ling Xinlu in embarrassment.
Though she smiled prettily with a hint of unease, Ling Xinlu silently looked down at her, as if checking every inch of her face for anything he might have missed — his eyes noticeably colder than before.
Soon, Ling Xinlu gently but firmly shook off her hand that was holding his sleeve and said a few words. Then he turned away. She stood there in stunned silence, unable to follow him.
Ling Xinlu crossed the corridor straight and stopped a few steps away from them. He had wiped the smile off his face as if it had never been there, but now his usual radiant smile was back.
“So you were here in this corner. No wonder I didn’t see you until now. Did you eat something?”
“Yes, so-so.”
“You didn’t just pick at the greens again, did you?”
Ling Xinlu laughed out loud playfully and then finally looked at Xiaoqun. He smiled quietly while looking at her and said, “Long time no see, niece.”
“Is that so? How nice to see you,” Xiaoqun replied, looking at Yuri for agreement. Yuri just muttered “Well,” unaware of how warm and soft her own thigh was.
Ling Xinlu tilted his head, watching them.
“That’s not wrong, but… what if you sit on my pillow just because it’s comfortable?”
“Huh? Pillow?”
“When Gabe massages my eyes at night, I lay my head on it.”
Ling Xinlu nodded toward Xiaoqun’s bottom with his chin. She looked surprised and said, “Oh, really?” then pretended to pout.
“But I can’t lie down here, can I?”
“...No, I don’t like anyone else using my pillow. So just get up.”
"........"
She kept silent, staring at Ling Xinlu with eyes that said “No.”
And amidst that, Yuri — who suddenly became a cushion or pillow — could see the words flowing over Ling Xinlu’s forehead as he smiled: I really hate this annoying siblings.
When Yuri said this, Xiaoqun teased, “Ordering a lady to run errands,” but readily got up and hurried toward the corridor. Yuri stood as well.
Ling Xinlu came over slowly and stood beside her.
“Why are you hiding in such an unnoticed place?”
“I don’t like busy places much.”
“Ah, well… but you’re on my right. You know I can’t see that eye.”
Ling Xinlu lightly tapped near his left eye and said casually. Yuri kept a slight distance and nodded.
A sharp memory of him telling her not to stand on his right side flashed in her mind. Time really had passed. He must have softened his once rigid heart a bit. Maybe Ling Xinlu also remembered the past, glancing shyly at Yuri. Yuri asked, noticing even the smiling expression behind his indifferent face.
“What are you thinking about?”
“Nothing.”
Knowing that saying she was recalling the past would only make him more embarrassed and sulky, Yuri politely dodged. Ling Xinlu, knowing and willing to be fooled, kept silent.
“But… that young lady……”
Yuri opened her mouth but closed it again.
The young lady in white Ling Xinlu had left behind was now crying in the far corner of the opposite corridor. One or two friends tried to console her, but she kept shaking her head.
Following Yuri’s gaze there, Ling Xinlu lightly raised his eyebrows.
“We were just talking happily a moment ago. Why is she crying now? Did something happen?”
Speaking as if it was none of his concern, Ling Xinlu watched her silently. As she sobbed and shrugged her shoulders, he sighed and tilted his head.
“I greeted her as soon as I came here, but when we talked, there was nothing special.”
Ling Xinlu’s gaze was cold as he looked at her.
Because he realized she wasn’t what he wanted. Or rather, he probably knew that from the start but went to her anyway. There was no expectation, only pure curiosity.
Now his curiosity was satisfied, and the briefly swelling feelings had deflated.
At the same time, Yuri’s feelings also deflated, as if the air filling them had leaked away.
“Doesn’t look good.”
Yuri murmured to herself.
Ling Xinlu, who had been looking indifferently around the corridor, suddenly stopped. Slowly turning his gaze to Yuri, his eyes showed something strange — puzzled as if hearing something odd, amused, and a little embarrassed.
“Huh? Sorry, I didn’t hear well.”
Ling Xinlu smiled and asked again, but Yuri said nothing. He frowned slightly but still smiled and said:
“Why? Are you angry? Mad?”
Yuri just silently stared at him. Seeing her quiet, sinking eyes, the smile on Ling Xinlu’s face slowly faded.
“Why...”
Just as Ling Xinlu was about to speak again, heavy footsteps came sharply toward them.
Breaking through the crowd, a man approached them without taking his eyes off Ling Xinlu. His fierce glare was like fire ready to burst, and he stopped only when within reach. His shoulders shook as he barely held back his anger and glared at Ling Xinlu. Ling Xinlu just glanced at him with an indifferent face and then smiled as usual.
“Qingmin, why does the star of the day come to such a corner? Come to think of it, I didn’t properly congratulate you earlier. Happy birthday.”
“Yes, thank you, uncle. Earlier, you came in and ignored me, then stole my girlfriend right in front of me, so I’m honored to get your greeting now. What exactly do you want?!”
His voice was sharp and aggressive enough that people a bit further away turned their heads. Ling Xinlu stared silently at the man for a moment but showed no special reaction. He just smiled awkwardly and softly called his name.
“I didn’t know she was your girlfriend. I asked her, and she only said you were close friends. Who would think she was your girlfriend?”
Qingmin’s face hardened. Ling Xinlu stabbed directly at something Qingmin had been holding inside.
“Besides, I meant no harm. She just looked like someone I know, so I tried to talk to her. We only exchanged a few words. I don’t think you should have come at me like that.”
“You’re overthinking. And it’s not like she was your girlfriend anyway. I just said a few words, so don’t get mad at me,” Ling Xinlu said with a tone that clearly meant, “That’s your problem,” shrugging his shoulders slightly.
Qingmin glared at him fiercely. Then, following Ling Xinlu’s glance shifting briefly to the woman who was sobbing and sneaking glances here, he seemed to decide to vent his frustration at Ling Xinlu rather than her. Probably thinking it was more manly that way.
“Stop making excuses! Do you think I’m stupid? I noticed from the moment I saw you. You went to her, asked if you could talk, right? You said you had no other intentions?! Ha, even passing dogs would laugh! Just be honest — you saw her, knew she was someone else’s girlfriend, and wanted to flirt a little!”
Qingmin shouted.
The corridor fell silent like water was poured on it. No one spoke loudly. Everyone either kept their mouths shut or whispered quietly, watching.
In the sharp, thorny silence, Ling Xinlu didn’t change his expression. Well, he did — his smile disappeared and a hint of irritation showed. He sighed and slowly opened his mouth.
“What’s the problem? Did I touch her? Did I trick her and drag her away? I only said a few words and gave her back to you. I even told her to go back to her boyfriend. But you didn’t get it and grabbed me, so I explained again kindly. I said when a better guy shows up, the original boyfriend will be left behind without a second thought. Still, since he’s kinder than me, if she cries and apologizes, he might accept her. Didn’t she apologize to you? She looked like she was crying.”
Ling Xinlu frowned coldly, asking why everyone was making such a fuss over a little talk. His voice echoed quietly, and the woman who had been sobbing started crying harder. Her bruised pride, the humiliation of having nothing but shallow greed exposed, the disappointment and frustration all came through her tears.
Leaving her sobbing far behind, Qingmin glared at Ling Xinlu with a pale face, clenching his trembling jaw. Then, with a voice trembling as much as his jaw, he gritted his teeth in fury.
“Yes, I know without you saying it. I saw everything. I don’t know why you did it, but you openly seduced her and then left when you realized it was wrong. Do you think I didn’t see? — I’m not a one-eyed bastard pretending to be normal like you, uncle!”
A loud shout echoed through the corridor.
Even the whispers disappeared completely, leaving perfect silence.
In that tense, sharp quiet, Qingmin glared at Ling Xinlu, his shoulders trembling with ragged breaths.
Ling Xinlu, expressionless, silently stared back. His cold black eyes fixed on him, but actually only one eye was watching him as Qingmin said.
Finally, he spoke coldly.
“You seem really angry, so I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that. Talking more won’t do us any good, so let me just make one thing clear for you. I only said a few nice words, then gave the light girl back to you. Whether you keep dating a shallow girl who left you or not is none of my business, but that girl will never be your aunt. After that woman insulted you and came running to pick a fight with me, you’re the only one worthy of that.”
Qingmin’s eyes flashed white for a moment. He lunged at Ling Xinlu, grabbing his collar.
But just before his hand grabbed the collar, Yuri stepped in between them. She grabbed his wrist to stop him.
“Calm down, for now.”
“Let go! Get out! That bastard──!!”
Yuri gestured with her eyes to some men awkwardly standing nearby. They quickly came and restrained Qingmin.
He shouted loudly and cursed as several men dragged him out of the corridor. The young lady in white, who had been quietly watching in the corner, also left with her friends.
Inside the corridor, an awkward silence remained with people eyeing each other nervously. Amidst that, only Ling Xinlu, showing no discomfort or unease but a slight irritation, calmly walked to the table and picked up a glass.
After lightly sipping, he exchanged glances with some people and chatted a bit. Gradually, the uneasy atmosphere in the corridor eased, and people started to speak awkwardly again as if nothing had happened. Soon enough, no matter how much this incident would be talked about later, the place returned to roughly the same mood as before.
Yuri, on her way back to the table, finally received the drink that Xiaoqun had brought after stopping for a long time due to the tense atmosphere.
“I like uncle, but… I think he’s a bad person today.”
Xiaoqun whispered softly beside her. Yuri glanced at her for a moment, then turned her head without saying anything. Ling Xinlu, who had found his usual polite smile again while chatting with others, suddenly looked toward them. Their eyes met.
Ling Xinlu looked at Yuri silently for a moment, then slowly wiped the smile off his face. Tilting his head, he stared at her as if trying to check something.
Asking permission to the person beside him, he walked toward Yuri. She looked at him with her usual indifferent expression. Ling Xinlu stood before her and stared intently. Yuri met his gaze without showing any special expression.
“Are you angry?”
"......."
“Are you angry at me?”
"......."
Reading that answer from the silent Yuri, Ling Xinlu frowned slightly.
“Why is Gabe angry at me?”
“I’m not angry. I just think this isn’t right.”
“That’s anger. Why are you like this?”
Ling Xinlu frowned as if confused.
Yuri fell into thought. Though her thinking lasted quite a while, Ling Xinlu stood quietly before her, showing an annoyed expression but patiently waiting for her answer.
Finally, finishing her thoughts, Yuri shook her head.
“This isn’t reasonable.”
Denouncing clearly, Yuri raised her head. Ling Xinlu let out a short sigh and looked at her with a hurt expression. Even Xiaoqun, watching from the side, shrugged her shoulders nervously, sensing the sharp gaze. But Yuri calmly met that gaze.
“Ling Xinlu, I’m trying to understand from your side, even though I’m neutral. …No, I don’t have to try, it comes naturally. After all, I have a better opinion of you than them. But even so, this isn’t right. You already suspected before even talking to her.”
That she was his girlfriend.
That she gave me a subtle admiring look and how she might react if I spoke to her.
And after talking directly to her, even though she looked very similar to someone else, how he would think of her.
Ling Xinlu must have known all of that. Even if it wasn’t a conscious calculation, at least unconsciously, he could have figured it out. And still, he approached her.
Just a moment’s curiosity.
Just a sip — not from her, but a thirst to quench.
“What wrong did they do to you?”
Ling Xinlu said nothing. He just stared at Yuri intently.
His face, cold as if he never imagined this situation — maybe resenting Yuri for exposing a part of himself he hadn’t even realized.
“Gabe has no reason to blame me. Those who can blame me are those involved. — Don’t you think that’s presumptuous?”
He answered coldly.
But after that, Ling Xinlu gave Yuri a cold look and turned away. Without looking back, he walked back into the crowd. Watching his back, Yuri sighed silently.
“...Yuri uncle, I do like youngest uncle, but I’m still on your side.”
Seeing Xiaoqun whisper “Fighting!” while making a cute fist, Yuri turned her gaze away from Ling Xinlu and muttered flatly.
“If we pick sides and fight here, I’ll be at a disadvantage.”
Hearing that with a little laugh mixed in, Xiaoqun laughed out loud.
“What nonsense, I’m a one-woman army!”
“What kind of one-woman army? Should I help? Then the two of us can take down two hundred people.”
Before Xiaoqun finished, a voice quickly interrupted.
Looking up, they saw someone poking his head between them, chewing with bulging cheeks while holding croquettes in one hand and duck legs in the other. Xiaoqun happily called out, “Oppa!”
“Just got here? Thought you’d be late, but you came earlier than expected?”
“I ran away. If I stayed, I would have had to stay all night. Want some?”
Pai, who seemed to have just come back and hadn’t even changed out of his stiff suit, suddenly offered Yuri a duck leg. But before Yuri could say anything, he remembered, “Oh, right, Yuri uncle doesn’t really like meat,” and started eating it himself.
“But why is the atmosphere like this? Where’s Qingmin? We should congratulate him on his birthday.”
Pai glanced around, greeting people with eye signals as he looked at them. Even though the atmosphere had returned to normal, something still felt off. He looked at Xiaoqun with round eyes, and Xiaoqun shrugged her shoulders with a pout.