Chapter 58
"......"
He wasn’t a boss, and he wasn’t a gangster either. So maybe Manager Yang was right—Mu-gyeong really was just some loaded rich guy with powerful connections. Even while staying at his hotel and exchanging secret messages, Hongju didn’t know a thing about him. Not that Mu-gyeong ever volunteered information, but then again, Hongju never really asked. So maybe it was only natural. Still, that cool voice echoed in his ears again.
“But weren’t you never in a position to ask for favors to begin with?”
Yeah. He wasn’t in a position to ask, or even to be curious.
“Let’s do rock-paper-scissors for cleanup too.”
“Hey, the youngest one should do it. We’re too old to be clearing dishes, aren’t we?”
“Fuck off, you sound like some boomer uncle. You’re all about equality when it’s time to pay.”
Ignoring the bickering, Hongju stood up. The short break was over. As he stepped over the threshold and walked down the quiet hallway, a sudden thought struck him. Was ‘Mu-gyeong’ even his real name?
Snow had started falling on his last collection run, and by now it had really piled up. The soles of his shoes squeaked as they crunched down over it. Hongju buried his nose in his scarf and lingered near a church. The person he needed to collect from was a pastor who worked out of a secluded alleyway church. A weekday afternoon. As Hongju entered the quiet building, he was greeted warmly—until he said he’d come from the House. The pastor’s face instantly changed, and he kept repeating that Hongju should leave quickly since evening service was coming up.
“Ugh, it’s cold.”
The pastor locked the door and occasionally peeked outside. Every time their eyes met, he waved frantically, clearly wanting Hongju to leave.
"...Amateur."