A few days later, Dogyun sat in a café waiting for someone extremely important.
His guest finally arrived. The elegant woman introduced herself as Jay, one of Korea's most renowned architects. Dogyun had spent days relentlessly calling and requesting a meeting, and although Jay almost never accepted face-to-face appointments, she had finally agreed after his countless attempts. Besides, she admitted, she had been curious to meet the son of Chairman Bae Ganmo, a man she had admired for many years.
Getting straight to the point, Dogyun explained that he wanted Jay to design the cultural centre for Baecha Construction's new luxury residential project. He believed that having Jay lead the project would dramatically elevate the company's image. He also hoped that Baecha Construction would become the architect's very first project in South Korea.
Jay admitted that it was not a bad proposal. However, she had one concern.
"Why should I trust you?"
She openly stated that she disliked people who obtained powerful positions through family connections rather than their own abilities.
Dogyun calmly defended himself. He was not an inexperienced amateur. He had studied finance abroad for six semesters, he had spent years learning from his father, and he possessed strong support within the company. Most importantly, he promised Jay complete creative freedom. Together, they could create the perfect landmark without unnecessary restrictions. Confidently, he added that someone as talented as her surely would not let such an opportunity slip away.
Jay smiled. "Oh, I won't."
Then she stated her terms. She wanted a hundred billion won up front, along with five per cent of all future revenue generated by the cultural centre.
The conditions were outrageous. Dogyun had known that convincing someone like Jay would not be easy, but even he had not expected demands on that scale. His secretary suggested finding another architect. Dogyun immediately refused. If he wanted his father to recognise him as the rightful successor, he needed the very best architect available. The last thing he wanted was for that bastard Minjun to end up leading Baecha Construction instead.
Meanwhile, while investigating both Hansol and Minjun, the secretary discovered something unexpected. Hansol had actually been Dogyun's classmate back in high school. Dogyun still remembered him as an incredibly friendly and cheerful student.
Back at the hospital, Hansol was finally ready to be discharged. Although Minjun wanted him to stay home and continue resting, Hansol insisted he could not miss class — especially since it was the professor's lecture. Even so, Minjun was simply relieved that Hansol had recovered.
The next day, Dogyun waited outside the architecture department. Ever since witnessing how protective Minjun had been at the hospital, he could not stop thinking about it. He was now convinced there was something between them.
Soon, he spotted Hansol approaching as if nothing had happened. This was his chance. He intended to ask him directly.
Unfortunately, Dogyun had no intention of having a calm conversation. Instead, he grabbed Hansol and tried to drag him away by force. Hansol immediately yanked his arm free. He wanted absolutely nothing to do with Dogyun. The only thing he wanted was to get away before Dogyun caused even more trouble. Turning around, Hansol left with Hunwoo.
However, it seemed their real problems were only beginning. Joyun had something extremely important that he needed to tell Hansol.
That evening, back at Professor Bae's apartment, Hansol had reached his limit. He no longer wanted to drink the awful herbal medicine his boyfriend kept making him take to strengthen his immune system. Unfortunately for him, Professor Minjun refused to compromise. Hansol was not allowed to leave a single drop. Only after finishing the entire packet of medicine did he receive his reward — a gentle kiss from the professor.
Hansol was more than ready to move on to something much more enjoyable. But first, they had to eat dinner.
Minjun proudly prepared a healthy detox soup for him. There was no doubt it was good for his health. According to Hansol, however, it tasted so bitter that it was almost impossible to swallow. Even though he genuinely appreciated how much the professor cared for him, he believed his recovery was already complete. What he really wanted was fried chicken. Delicious food gave him strength. Compared to fried chicken, swallowing that soup felt like drinking poison.
Still, if giving up fried chicken meant staying beside Professor Minjun, then perhaps that was a sacrifice worth making. After all, Minjun himself was the best medicine. The soup was quickly forgotten, at least for a little while.
Before long, the professor patiently convinced Hansol to finish every last spoonful. Poor Hansol could only force himself to eat the entire bowl.
Watching him closely, seeing how hard he was trying, Minjun finally made him a promise. "If you finish all of it," he said, "you can order whatever you want afterwards."
There was only one condition. Nothing spicy.
Hansol's eyes immediately lit up. Unfortunately, he would not get to enjoy the meal with his boyfriend. Minjun had another appointment and needed to meet someone before returning home. As he left, he reminded Hansol one last time: "Finish the soup before you order anything."
It was pure torture. But Hansol somehow managed to empty the bowl.
Soon afterwards, his pizza and fried chicken finally arrived. He was overjoyed. At least, he thought his food had arrived. The person standing outside the door was not the delivery driver. It was none other than Bae Dogyun.
Looking directly at Hansol, Dogyun asked a single question. "Why are you in Bae Minjun's house?"
Caught completely off guard, Hansol could not think of a single excuse. It was obvious what had happened. The despicable Cho Joyun had told the equally despicable Bae Dogyun that Professor Bae Minjun and Lee Hansol were romantically involved. After all, Joyun had witnessed their relationship with his own eyes, and he had even seen the professor arrange a make-up exam for Hansol. He had revealed everything because he feared Professor Bae would show Hansol favouritism again during the upcoming internship selection.
Deep down, Dogyun hoped Hansol would deny everything. Instead, Hansol quietly admitted the truth. He confessed that he had fallen in love with his professor first. At first, Minjun had not returned his feelings, so Hansol had pursued him relentlessly until they eventually became a couple.
Even then, he begged Dogyun not to do anything that would hurt the professor.
Dogyun refused to accept that Minjun and Hansol were really together. To him, however, that relationship became the perfect weapon. If he used it correctly, he could finally get rid of Minjun.
Hansol grabbed Dogyun's arm, desperately pleading with him to leave the professor alone. During the struggle, one of the buttons from Dogyun's suit fell onto the floor. Neither of them paid any attention to it.
Hansol was willing to do anything to protect Minjun. Seeing that determination, Dogyun made him an offer.
"Leave Minjun and come with me."