The Country Life Diary of a Gangster's Secretary - c74

This chapter is paid for by Nemuru!

“Hyeseong, there are so many people here.”

 

“It’s a department store.”

 

Hyeseong calmly explained to Dohyun, whose eyes had widened. After all, this place wasn’t just an ordinary department store; it also had sculptures, small exhibitions, and pop-up stores, hosting various events together.

 

Thanks to that, it was this crowded even on a weekday.

 

“Let’s have lunch first.”

 

“Okay.”

 

Hyeseong went on a Seoul outing with Dohyun for the first time in a while. Just as he was thinking he wanted to go to a bustling place after a long time, Dohyun had seen this place on SNS and nagged him to come here.

 

Hyeseong also had something to buy, so it was killing two birds with one stone.

 

“Why do we have to wait so long even to eat a meal?”

 

They tried to pick a decent restaurant and eat whatever, but almost all the restaurants were packed, so they had to wait in line no matter where they went. They chose the place with the shortest line. But even that required a 40-minute wait, which Hyeseong couldn’t understand.

 

“Hyeseong, that’s how it is when you come to places like this.”

 

Dohyun seemed excited even to stand in line, humming nonstop. After killing time like that for a while, a notification to enter soon popped up on their phones.

 

The Japanese restaurant they had randomly chosen was quite good. Good enough to somewhat improve Hyeseong’s mood, who was a bit irritated because he couldn’t understand why they had to wait.

 

“Hyeseong, I wrote down a list of all the places I want to go here.”

 

“Okay. Let’s go to all of them.”

 

However, Hyeseong soon regretted those words. Dohyun was busy running around here and there like a fish in water. Hyeseong was busy chasing after him.  They bought bread at a bakery famous for croissants and drank coffee at a cafe that was said to have a unique bean flavor.

 

After that, they browsed several cute character pop-up stores and participated in a shooting game event.

 

Dohyun got a zero score with his terrible shooting skills, while Hyeseong showcased his skills by hitting all ten out of ten, receiving applause from not only the staff but also the people around him.

 

“Hyeseong, is there anything you can’t do?”

 

Dohyun, who was hugging the coffee machine he won as a prize, asked with a big smile. After that, they went around the department store about two more times before Hyeseong entered a cafe with Dohyun.

 

“It was easy. You’re just really bad at it.”

 

“No way. Everyone else was getting 2 or 3 points, but only you got all 10 points! My friend, I’m really proud of you.”

 

Hyeseong laughed and drank his coffee. Dohyun also seemed to have run out of energy or achieved all his goals, as he didn’t look like he wanted to move anymore.

 

“Dohyun, wait here for a bit.”

 

“Huh? What about you, Hyeseong?”

 

“I have somewhere to stop by. I’ll be back soon.”

 

“Oh, you said you had something to buy, right? Let’s go together!”

 

“It’s fine. You’re already carrying a bunch of stuff. I’ll be back soon.”

 

Hyeseong left Dohyun alone in the bustling cafe and went down to the 1st floor. It was where the luxury brand stores were located. Hyeseong entered the brand he had checked out beforehand.

 

As soon as he entered, an employee greeted Hyeseong with a soft smile.

 

“I’m here to look at some fountain pens.”

 

“Please follow me this way.”

 

The luxury brand Hyeseong entered was also famous for producing high-quality fountain pens. The employee who guided Hyeseong began explaining while pointing to a huge showcase.

 

Hyeseong’s gaze, which had been looking around, fixed on one spot. The elegant pattern embroidered with thin gold lines on a deep aurora-colored black particularly caught his eye. The employee, reading Hyeseong’s expression, immediately took out the product.

 

“This is currently our best-selling line. This product has been consistently loved by our brand, and it has been renewed this time. The exterior has become even more classic, making it perfect for gifting.”

 

Hyeseong couldn’t take his eyes off that fountain pen. Was it because it resembled the person who would receive this gift?

 

“I’ll take this one. Please gift wrap it too.”

 

“Yes, I understand.”

 

The employee began explaining the product and wrapping it with a big smile. While doing so, they also didn’t hold back on compliments, saying that there was only one left in stock and it was sold out nationwide, so it wouldn’t be easy to get more, and that he made a good choice.

 

Hyeseong looked at the fountain pen until the moment it went into the box. I hope they like it. His heart was fluttering for no reason.

 

“By the way, may I ask who you’re giving this gift to?”

 

“Ah……”

 

Hyeseong fell into a brief contemplation. Such personal questions were quite uncomfortable, but the employee must be asking with a service industry spirit, so it was awkward to refuse bluntly.

 

“Oh, actually, we include a simple message card for customers who buy gifts.”

 

“It’s a gift for someone very precious to me.”

 

“Oh my, could it be for your lover?”

 

When the employee asked shyly, Hyeseong gave a slight smile. Then the employee clapped their hands excitedly.

 

“I knew it was for your lover! I should have put more effort into the wrapping. Would you like to write the message card yourself?”

 

“Yes, I’ll do that.”

 

Hyeseong wrote a few words on the card the employee handed him and left the store. Hyeseong didn’t bother to clarify the employee’s words hoping his lover would like it. He just smiled, thanked them, and left the store.

 

“What, Suji’s face can’t stop smiling?”

 

Another employee approached the one who had wrapped Hyeseong’s gift.

 

“Ah, Team Leader, did you see the face of the customer who just left? I really thought I was looking at an idol. Someone like that was shyly smiling saying it’s a gift for his lover, even my heart fluttered for no reason.”

 

“What? Really? I should have taken a look at his face too.”

 

While the two were making a fuss envying Hyeseong’s non-existent lover, it happened.

 

“Excuse me.”

 

A large shadow fell behind the two.

 

“Yes? Customer, what can we……”

 

The faces of the two who turned around slowly stiffened as they exchanged glances. They were probably thinking the same thing right now. They were barely suppressing their joy at seeing pleasant faces in a row.

 

“How may I assist you?”

 

The team leader approached the customer with a professional expression. But he slightly smiled and turned his head to Suji.

 

“The one I’m interested in is this person.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

Suji widened her eyes and looked at the person. She had spent Christmas single for about 3 years now. Just as she was expecting the pinkest hue to be sprinkled on her life, the customer slowly opened his mouth.

 

“What did the person who just left buy here?”

 

Suji’s face was filled with bewilderment. What came out of the customer’s mouth was unexpected.

 

* * *

 

As soon as he bought the item and returned, Dohyun started asking persistently as expected.

 

“What did you buy? Isn’t that place expensive? Has Hyeseong finally opened his eyes to material desires?”

 

Dohyun’s eyes widened as he looked at the shopping bag Hyeseong brought. It was a brand Dohyun knew well too.

 

“It’s not like that. You’re all wrong.”

 

“Huh? What is?”

 

“I didn’t buy something expensive. And it’s not mine.”

 

“Then could it be……”

 

Dohyun’s eyes sparkled as he clasped his hands tightly. His appearance resembled Boksil waiting for a snack, making Hyeseong laugh unknowingly.

 

“I’ll buy you something even better later. Unfortunately, this is for someone else.”

 

“Who are you giving it to?”

 

Dohyun seemed to be very disappointed at the words that it belonged to someone else. But his curiosity didn’t stop.

 

“Just……”

 

Suddenly, Hyeseong recalled the conversation he had with the employee a while ago. Come to think of it, he shamelessly didn’t say anything about the gift being for a lover. Did he enjoy it implicitly? Let alone a lover, that person doesn’t even know his feelings.

 

“There’s someone I need to repay.”

 

Hyeseong changed his words, feeling a bit embarrassed. Dohyun narrowed his eyes but didn’t ask further. He seemed to be hit with the immense fatigue from shopping. The two finished their coffee and left the store.

 

“Dohyun, do you want to go home first?”

 

“Huh? What do you mean?”

 

Dohyun, who was about to go to the parking lot, asked with wide eyes. They had traveled from Hyeseong’s house to Seoul in Dohyun’s car. So they should do the same on the way back, but Hyeseong was saying something strange.

 

“I’ll take care of some more business and go.”

 

“What business? Let’s go together!”

 

“No. You have to take care of Boksil. Go ahead first.”

 

Hyeseong fiddled with the innocent shopping bag.

 

Dohyun thought for a moment. Maybe Hyeseong wants to deliver that item to its owner today. Of course, he didn’t hear exactly who the recipient was, but he had some guesses.

 

“Okay. Then you’ll take the bus when you come back?”

 

“Yeah. I’ll figure it out.”

 

“Come back safely. Make sure to contact me when you’re coming!”

 

So Dohyun decided not to ask further. He just waved his hand at his friend.

 

After parting with Dohyun and being left alone in the department store, Hyeseong blankly stared at the dark green shopping bag.

 

Then he took out his phone and checked the time. Ihyeok would get off work soon. His fingertips tickled for no reason.

 

He thought about going back home with Dohyun even now, but the desire to act on the thought that suddenly came to him was stronger.

 

Hyeseong didn’t think it was good to follow impulses. But strangely, after leaving Taesung and running away from Ihyeok, he found himself following his emotions more often than his reason.

 

It was truly a contradictory feeling for someone who had decided to give up on his one-sided love.

 

Hyeseong calmed his heart that was pounding for no reason and slowly moved his feet.

This chapter is paid for by Nemuru!