CH 41

Chapter 41 - Sister

Mihee simply shrugged, neither confirming nor denying. “Well, following Ms. Do’s wish, Attorney Kang is the best teacher to show you how to survive. Just endure under Sehun for two years, then go study overseas.”

Yoonshin’s eyes became wide. “Will I be sent overseas? I’m asking in case my sister had other plans for me.”

“Not necessarily. I only brought it up because it’s normal for juniors to study overseas after they hit their fifth year. Why? Do you like it here? Your sister said you’d stay for a few years before you’d want out.”

Of course, Yoonshin had this in mind since he first entered the firm. He was planning on listening to his sister’s request by staying for a few years until she could appreciate that he had done as much as he could. But he felt slightly bothered to know that his sister expected him to do that. She knew her younger brother better than he had thought.

Since he couldn’t readily agree in the face of the daughter of the firm’s director and the one who actively recruited him, Yoonshin bit his lower lip. Maybe Mihee knew that he felt conflicted, so she changed the topic. “You siblings take after Professor Do. You must miss him. He was a good man… Sehun pretends he doesn’t, but he and I both respect him very much because he was always impartial and considerate.”

Sehun Kang respecting someone…

Yoonshin couldn’t picture that very well. Even if he somehow sketched the outline, he couldn’t add color to it. Yoonshin grinned bitterly. Mihee took a bite of her sandwich, but she tilted her head in confusion. Only after getting that confused look did Yoonshin realize that he smiled. He felt even more troubled than when he realized that his sister read him like an open book.

He feigned composure as best he could to hide his bewilderment. “I do miss him from time to time, but I’m fine since I have my sister. Her kids are also cute. My brother-in-law isn’t as bad of a person as other people say he is. After all, my sister chose him.”

“I thought this before, but you and your sister are quite close.”

“I consider her to be someone to protect. I’m sure my sister thinks the same about me.”

“Attorney Kang calls that a weakness—something to protect. He thinks people shouldn’t have that.”

Perplexed, Yoonshin blinked like a flickering tail light. He thought the opposite—that it was a sign of strength.

Mihee read the question in his eyes and added, “What I mean is that if you want to last long under that guy, don’t expose yourself too much. If he needs to attack or control you, he’s going to touch that first. There are a few juniors who were shaken off in that way.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Good. Oh my, did I take too much of your time? Let’s eat quickly. This tastes pretty good.”

Yoonshin started to dig in, matching Mihee’s pace. He ruminated on the conversation they had as he munched on the fresh vegetables in his sandwich.

As someone acquainted with Sehun for a long time, Attorney Song seemed to know a lot about him. Thanks to that, Yoonshin felt that, despite the casual conversation, he indirectly learned a lot about Sehun. Secretary Tak’s hints were also greatly helpful.

Clearly, Sehun seemed to be the type to act on his words. If he thought people shouldn’t have things to protect, he wouldn’t hold anything dear enough to want to protect it.

‘Is that why he’s always on the offensive?’

Based on Yoonshin’s observations to date, Sehun fit the stereotype of a “smart but bad guy,” yet that stereotype also seemed contradictory. Sehun was ruthless, powerful, and merciless, which seemed like defense mechanisms to Yoonshin.

Maybe that was why Yoonshin couldn’t help but be concerned about Sehun. Without realizing it, his eyes kept chasing after the other man, and he wanted to know what the other was thinking.

Yoonshin wasn’t sure of what he felt. Was it tension in front of his supervisor, consideration from dealing with a person who he fundamentally didn’t get along with, or another feeling that he was unaware of?

Like there was a thorn in his side, he continued to feel bothered about his strained relationship with that scathing critic.

* * *

Yet again, Yoonshin was buried in documents at the firm until late, only managing to return home near midnight. He felt like he would drive half asleep, so he took a cab. When he got off at the entrance of the apartment, he got a call that stopped him in his tracks. It was quite late at night, so there was only one person who would call him.

When he checked his phone, as expected, it was his sister.

He accepted the call and perched on a nearby bench.

The chilly night air nipped and bit at him a bit painfully, but he felt more awake thanks to that. He enjoyed this refreshing feeling, so he stayed seated. “Ikyung? I didn’t hear from you for a while—what made you call so late at night? Are the kids doing well? And my brother-in-law?”

Ikyung replied, sounding hoarse, “Everyone is doing fine. I stocked up your fridge with some side dishes. I told you to hire someone—why didn’t you? Your place is a mess. Crack open a window from time to time.”

“I don’t need a housekeeper for a single man’s apartment… I go there just to sleep these days. But when did you visit? You should have contacted me first. Then I would have gotten off work earlier.”

“I’m just on my way back from your place. I just got to the garage. I came because I had something to tell you, but you were a lot later than expected. I’ll come back next time.”