Chapter 43
Hongju carefully peeled his hand away after attaching the bandage loosely, making sure it didn’t touch the raw skin. Mu-gyeong let out a small laugh and reached for his coffee cup again.
"You say you’re clueless about the world, but you know how to spot your spot and stretch your legs."
His mouth tasted bitter. Maybe Mu-gyeong thought he was fawning for approval. But that wasn’t it—he could swear. That little gesture just now... he didn’t even know why he did it. God, he was pathetic. He’d repaid the debt by selling his body, said thank you like it was a favor, and even patched up the man’s wound. No wonder people looked down on him. No wonder he always ended up being someone’s mark.
A wave of self-loathing crashed over him, and Hongju pressed his lips shut for a long time. After downing his coffee in one go, Mu-gyeong leaned in, draping one arm over the back of the chair Hongju was sitting on. The sudden sound of breath so close made his whole body tense up again.
"What is it?"
His voice was wary, laced with resistance, but Mu-gyeong came in closer to his ear without a care. Hongju’s entire nervous system zeroed in on the pressure of Mu-gyeong’s chest brushing his right shoulder.
"Gu Madam paid off the rest of the pot. The collateral game is over now."
"......"
"For a while, things might get dirty again. Watch your back."
He said what he wanted to say, then pulled away. A faint trace of that refined cologne lingered near Hongju’s nose.
"I’m telling you this with full awareness of what it means."
It was something Hongju had said to him once. Whether there really was anything Mu-gyeong had to brace for, who could say? Still, it wasn’t completely useless information, so Hongju gave a small, obedient nod.