Swallow Hunting - Chapter 35.2
“I won’t kill him. I’ll just pretend to get hit a few times and lie down like I’m ready to be gutted.”
Hae-jun waved a hand at Yohan, who was seriously considering a self-inflicted injury scam. This was a matter Hae-jun had to solve on his own.
About two days ago, the building manager came by. He cleared his throat awkwardly in front of Hae-jun, mentioning that continuous civil complaints were coming in due to noise.
“Noise?”
Hae-jun muttered hollowly. The manager also looked uncomfortable, his expression grim as if he disliked being in this position.
“I don’t like saying these things either, but what can I do when they keep protesting? Please pay a little more attention.”
“By any chance…”
In case the madman was listening, Hae-jun quietly pointed a finger toward the house next door. The manager glanced around and nodded subtly. Looking at Hae-jun, who clearly looked like he hadn’t slept, and then at the neighbor’s place piled high with trash like empty boxes, the manager seemed to grasp the situation and looked at him with pitying eyes.
“Yes. I understand.”
After sending the manager away, Hae-jun walked in on tiptoe and sat on the sofa, being careful not to make a sound. His insides were boiling. For Hae-jun, it was truly a maddening situation.
The lunatic was quick-witted; he remained as silent as a dead mouse when Lee Kang-ju was there, but the moment the man left, the neighbor somehow knew and started hitting the wall without warning. It was even more infuriating because the man chose his targets before acting crazy.
He tried his best to avoid a confrontation, however.
While he briefly lost consciousness due to the mounting drowsiness, the phone in his pocket vibrated, causing him to open his eyes in surprise. Since he had set delivery calls to play a sound, this notification was from someone else.
“…”
Upon checking the sender, a rosy color returned to Hae-jun’s pale cheeks. Yohan narrowed his eyes and watched him, finding it strange. Despite that, Hae-jun’s silly grin wouldn’t stop.
“What’s with you?”
“What?”
“What’s up with your face?”
“What about my face?”
He checked his reflection in the side mirror. His skin had become dull due to the lack of sleep over the past few days, but it was still presentable. Not entirely satisfied, he tried his best to look at least a little better by unnecessarily tidying his messy hair.
“Your expression is pathetic. I don’t like how you’re smiling like an idiot.”
“Why are you picking on me?”
Yohan tilted his head and drew in a sharp breath. Before another comment could come out, Hae-jun beat him to it.
“I’m going to go rest at your place for a bit.”
“Why even bother saying that? Just go.”
“Still, shouldn’t I tell the homeowner?”
When he politely gathered his hands over his navel and bowed his head, Yohan snorted, saying he was doing the most. After acting a bit cute, Hae-jun shoved his head into his helmet. As he placed his feet on the floorboards, Yohan called out from behind, “Cha Hae-jun.” Turning his head, he saw Yohan with his hands shoved in his pockets, making serious eye contact with him.
“I’m saying this just in case, but don’t give your heart to a customer.”
“What kind of bullshit is that?”
“Keep a customer as a customer. Don’t cross the line.”
“Are you hungry? You’re saying such weird things.”
“You don’t seem to be in the right mind for a conversation right now, so just go sleep first. Let’s have a drink later.”
Yohan waved him off, telling him to get lost. Hae-jun laughed dismissively and turned the handles. It was clear that Yohan had skipped a meal. Why else would he spout such nonsense?
Giving his heart to a customer? No way. He had never done such a thing. Yet, strangely, strength entered his hands. An anxiety of unknown origin also began to creep up.
“There’s no way.”
He forced out a laugh and let the thought flow away. If he lost focus and got into an accident, a giant sinkhole would form in his bank account. He focused on driving before that could happen.
***
It was a night spent with Lee Kang-ju after a long time. Although the man had stopped by the house a few times recently, their meetings had mostly been wholesome, consisting of eating meals or going to the coin laundry.
It wouldn’t be like that this time. In fact, he hoped it wouldn’t. Hae-jun did not forget his duty. He gives his body, and he receives money. Lee Kang-ju was not a philanthropist, and neglecting his work while receiving such material benefits went against even Hae-jun’s shallow professional ethics.
Everything was for Lee Kang-ju. It wasn’t for his own unresolved sexual desire or anything like that.
Because he had become haggard from the recent lack of sleep, Hae-jun went home early to bathe and work hard on his appearance. He styled his hair up and then down, changed from a shirt to a clean t-shirt, and struggled in front of the mirror for a long time. The way he moved his hands busily made him look exactly like a male bird trying desperately to be chosen by a female.
However, he didn’t like any of it. He briefly missed the days when he went to work at the club and wore a suit like a uniform.
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