LBOT-40

He heard a loud voice outside while buried under the blanket, curled up and sleeping late.

Xiao Zhan got out of bed and looked around the house blankly. Kim Joon could not be found.

After putting on his clothes and tidying up his tousled hair, he went downstairs, opened the door, and came out.

The grass was wet and felt especially fresh because it appeared to be raining at dawn.

He stretched all the way and breathed deeply through his nose, but he could smell grilled meat somewhere.

Kim Joon had been grilling skewers on the grill and drinking beer since the morning.

However, he was not alone, but with two Germany women living next door. They rented a house and became friends with Kim Joon, who invited them to play frequently.

Cyrilin, the eldest, seemed quite like Kim Joon.

After working on Wang Yibo, Xiao Zhan, Kim Joon, and Kim Yaan moved around several times.

However, it was quieter than expected at Wang Yibo’s side, and after about a half-year, it became common to settle down in one place for an extended period of time.

And at the end of the year, Kim Yaan left for Hong Kong last week, saying he had business to do.

Xiao Zhan tried to buy an island with the money he had saved, but the places he really wanted were ridiculously expensive, and the places that were suitable had only one drawback that he didn’t like.

So he was still considering it.

Kim Joon had his hair transplanted as planned, but the results were better than expected, and his hair grew longer than before.

When he was washing his hair, he carefully touched each hair as if it were a newborn baby, and Xiao Zhan laughed when he saw him from the side.

“You woke up?”

“Come over here and eat the skewers.”

Xiao Zhan shook his head and walked to the other side.

There was no way the meat was going down his throat as soon as he woke up. Instead, he took out a cigarette and lit it, and Khushi, the younger of the sisters, ran over to him and stood next to him.

She held out a skewer to Xiao Zhan.

“Here.”

He hadn’t the means to reject it.

“Thank you.”

She followed him around and talked to Xiao Zhan. With her hair braided in two pigtails, she was about Xiao Zhan’s shoulders tall, had round eyes looking up, and a cute dimple on her cheek when she smiled.

Xiao Zhan understood half of what she was saying in German and couldn’t understand the other half, but he answered with a guess.

She reached out to a plumeria tree while walking through the garden. She appeared to be picking flowers, but when she couldn’t reach them, she looked at Xiao Zhan.

Xiao Zhan extended his arm, picked a flower, and handed it to her. She smiled, holds out the flower, and pretends to place it next to her ear.

She asked if she was pretty while looking at Xiao Zhan hesitatedly.

“Yeah, it’s pretty.”

Her bright smile was really pretty. She quickly took the cigarette from Xiao Zhan’s mouth and placed it in her own.

Kim Joon, who was standing nearby, whistled.

When Xiao Zhan saw him, he gave him a strange look and walked to the other side, frowning.

Xiao Zhan spent the entire afternoon lying in a hammock in the yard. The weather was clear until the morning, but it began to rain after lunch.

Xiao Zhan relaxed in the afternoon sun, listening to the patter of the rain.

Kim Joon, who had been sleeping after filling his stomach with alcohol and meat in the morning, awoke scratching his back.

He sat down in a chair and smoked a cigarette. He opened his mouth wide, yawned, and exhaled smoke as he watched the rain fall.

“Shouldn’t we start working soon?”

Xiao Zhan felt the same way; he was a little sore from resting for so long. He had saved money, but it would not last forever.

“I received a call from Alan. There is a lot of work coming in, but no one seems to be qualified for it. It’s difficult to find someone as talented as you.”

“No. I won’t do business with him again.”

Kim Joon understood Xiao Zhan’s stern refusal and said nothing further.

Because Alan changed employers without consulting them, their position was also dangerous, and Xiao Zhan nearly died in China at the hands of Wang Yibo.

Xiao Zhan never looked for an article about Wang Yibo after leaving China.

Even if Kim Joon or Kim Yaan asked, he would always say he didn’t know. He didn’t want to think about him at all. He knew it wasn’t just disgust or hatred he was feeling. That’s why he didn’t want to talk about him, and he didn’t want to admit it.

He could hear rain falling when he closed his eyes.

Kim Joon’s cigarette smoke mixed with the hot, damp air. Kim Joon shifted the hammock from side to side after smoking.

Xiao Zhan burst out laughing when Kim Joon said he was like a baby in a cradle.

“Do you remember how I used to make you sleep like this when you were little?”

“Lie. I was ten then.”

“Because you were so small that you looked like a newborn baby.”

“Don’t say nonsense,” Xiao Zhan laughed. Real sleepiness poured out when his body was cradled.

Kim Joon sang a song. It was nice to hear his distinct low tone mixed with the rain.

Xiao Zhan lay there for a long time even after Kim Joon went in, enjoying the sound of the rain.

It was a most peaceful afternoon.

===

Yibo frowned as he shaved his chin with shaving cream. He was standing still because it was raining and his right thigh was tingling.

Even though it had been over a year since he had been shot, he still felt a slight pain in his leg on cloudy days.

The surgery was carried out at Wang Zoey’s hospital, which prided itself on being the best, but it was subpar. If only they were not related by blood, he would undoubtedly sue and seek restitution for the damage.

He went out after shaving and taking a shower.

After choosing a shirt, tie and watch in the dressing room, he put them on and stood in front of the mirror.

Chairman Wang promoted Yibo to CEO while he was away for a few months due to a leg injury.

Chairman Wang realized he wouldn’t be able to cut his throat right away, so he resolved to look for another opportunity while cursing his stomach in moderation. He’s a snake-like old man.

He went downstairs after straightening his crooked necktie to find Bowen waiting for him.

“You are here, Sir.”

He greeted the staff in the morning, went to the table, and sat down, while the house chef was preparing a meal.

Hangover soup was served thanks to drinking until late last night. Instead of rice, he drinks soup with a spoon, and his stomach is already full.

“It’s Sunday, are you going to work today?”

The house chef looked at him with a sad expression and asked.

Wang Yibo has recently been more focused on his work. She understands he’s busy because he’s been promoted, but he’s frequently skipped meals, and she’s concerned about his health.

“Yes, I was unable to work yesterday.”

“Shall I bring you a packed lunch?”

“No. I’ll take care of it at a nearby restaurant.”

Just then, Bowen’s cell phone rings in front of him.

Bowen took the phone and walked into the living room. “Yes, yes, alright.”

He returned to his position after a brief phone call. He looked like he had a lot to say, but he seemed to be waiting for Yibo to finish his meal, so he asked first.

“What’s going on?”

“The cathedral has contacted us.”

“Cathedral?”

Yibo, who was about to drink water, stopped.

Bowen didn’t say anything else. Their eyes met, and a smile slowly spread across Yibo’s face.

When he got up from his seat, the house chef asked worriedly.

“Aren’t you going to eat more?”

“I think I have to go in a hurry.”

Yibo, who was about to go out with Bowen, looked back and called the resident house.

“Ma’am.”

“Yes, Sir.”

Yibo smiled happily and asked.

“Please prepare dinner with special care tomorrow. It seems that a special guest will come.”

===