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Chapter 8 - Discovery
It felt like around three minutes passed in silence.
Perhaps it was shorter, and Yoonshin only felt that way. As he was contemplating what to do next, Sehun spoke first, “I wonder why Director Ikyung Do sent you to me.”
Yoonshin was relieved that the unexpected and peculiar silence was broken and replied, “Her excuse was that she wanted me to be financially independent.”
Until now, he was always open to giving free legal advice and his retainer fees were set to the bare minimum to cater to his clients’ circ*mstances, so his income was quite low. However, his mother, who had passed away right after giving birth to Yoonshin, left a significant amount of inheritance, so he didn’t feel the need to be motivated by money. His sister also gave him a home and car when needed, so he had even less motivation. Sehun seemed to have guessed that much as well. “I can see that.”
“I’m guessing this is all due to my father. My father was also a lawyer like me, and in his later years, he spent his days helping people in difficult situations in more rural areas. Then, he passed away from overworking a few years ago.”
The only point in common between the two was Yoonshin’s father. A long time ago, on his father’s last day of life, they had met at his funeral. Yoonshin hazily recalled that moment whenever he saw Sehun on the news from time to time. But that was really all there was to it. The moment was too brief to reminisce frequently.
In the end, Yoonshin was unintentionally gauging whether Sehun also remembered their brief meeting.
Feeling awkward, Yoonshin stopped talking and stared at the other. The other said, “I also know that well. My condolences.”
Yoonshin was nervous as to what that slick person would say, but he felt himself losing a bit of steam. In the brief time that he waited for Sehun’s reply, he had wished Sehun would forget the embarrassing side of him that he showed that day. But when he really didn’t seem to remember, Yoonshin felt a bit disappointed for some reason.
Indeed, this was a past long gone. Sehun met countless clients every year, and there were more important files and people for Sehun to remember. Of course, Sehun would let an event like that just pass.
Yoonshin hid his disappointment and answered coolly, his lips redder. “She’s probably afraid that I’ll end up like our father. So, she wants me to learn how to look at reality squarely in the face. She must have felt that the way I chased my ideals was precarious. Perhaps you were the most realistic person that she knew.”
“Do you really think that you’re an idealist?”
“To a certain extent, but it’s not like I have zero sense of reality.” Yoonshin was better at knowing his position and knowing the other party than Sehun had thought. He was uncomfortable yet amused by the situation.
Shortly after, Sehun erased his emotions and said in a composed tone, as usual, “There are three things that I have never done for the past few years: pro bono work, ordinary client criminal cases, and all of our firm’s volunteer work. You’ll be doing those for the time being.”
Perhaps this was an offer that he hadn’t expected as Yoonshin’s eyes sparkled. Sehun didn’t miss that. Yoonshin looked bright, willing to do the work that Sehun himself was unwilling to do. As expected, their professional compatibility was not very good.
“I can do them well. I’m quite skilled at understanding victims.”
“I don’t need an associate with an unprofitable talent like that. I also don’t have a hobby of working while serving a younger master-in-law of a rich family. Don’t you have a better case record than that?”
“I’m really good at finding precedents. I’m decent at reading quickly, and I have pretty good interpersonal relationships.”
“And?”
“I can’t list them all… I’m confident that I will fulfill everything you give me well. I must do well so my sister can feel at ease, so I’ll give it my all. I’ll be happy to do anything you give me.”
“So, give you a test-run first? You’re confident.”
“I understand that you are very adept at calculating your gains and losses. I believe this won’t be a loss for you.”
‘Calculating gains and losses?’ Sehun was at a loss for what to say and laughed flatly. However, Yoonshin didn’t say anything wrong, so Sehun didn’t criticize or rebuke him. However, he waved his hand for Yoonshin to leave.
As Yoonshin calmly stood up as instructed and politely greeted him, Sehun walked over to the other. Soon, Sehun stood right in front of Yoonshin and grabbed his chin. They both couldn’t help but note the other’s smooth skin.
Sehun’s carefully arranged, harmonious visage observed Yoonshin quite doggedly. He lingered for a particularly long time on Yoonshin’s moist and gentle eyes.
Yoonshin couldn’t understand Sehun’s random action, so he swallowed nervously. He grabbed Sehun’s arm unconsciously. Sehun glanced down at Yoonshin’s hands that touched his wrist and shook the other off. Then, he took off his hand on Yoonshin’s chin.
He glared frostily at Yoonshin. “Don’t touch me.”
“But you… touched me first. I only exercised my right to defend myself.”
“I don’t like when others touch me according to their intentions. Only I’m allowed to do that. Not you.”
Yoonshin was about to ask what kind of logic that was, but he conceded and apologized. They had only met a few brief times, but his gut feeling told him that he shouldn’t try to understand Sehun with logic. “I’m sorry.”
“I get the gist of the situation, so scram. I’m going to think about it a bit.”
“My office is across from yours. I look forward to working with you.” Politeness must have been ingrained in his bones because Yoonshin bowed deeply once more before exiting the room.
The door closed with a click. Through the glass pane of his office door, Sehun watched Yoonshin walk across the reception office on his way to his office. Yoonshin politely greeted the support staff that he came across, perfectly fitting the image of Yoonshin that Sehun had pictured.
Sehun wasn’t sure what exactly Yoonshin’s sister, Director Ikyung Do of Soohan Group, wanted. However, the most important issue was that Sehun wasn’t the one who designed this situation. Sehun had many enemies. He always needed time to review whether there were any traps laid for him.