Precious Thing

“Why aren’t you studying abroad? Your family has a ton of money. It’s surprising you didn’t go to an art school, let alone study abroad.”“Because, like you said, we have money.”Lee Yesin had no reason to hide or be embarrassed about his family’s wealth—it was common knowledge.“What do you mean by that? All rich kids study abroad.”“I can live as I want and still start my own business. I’m not aiming to join a company, so why bother building up a fancy academic background?”“Wow.”Kim Hyeonggeon exaggerated his response, while Lee Yesin, uninterested, waved his hand dismissively and opened his workbook. Still, he intended to go to university—he wanted to participate in orientations, team-building trips, and play games while drinking with friends.“Is that why Hangyeol isn’t going either? They say your fathers are the same, right?”Lee Yesin stopped clicking his mechanical pencil and slowly lifted his head.“Where did you hear that?”His face hardened, coldly staring at Kim Hyeonggeon.The teasing about Go Hangyeol never stopped, even after they started middle school. The kids who became friends with him would always bring up the word “dad” and tease him by linking him to Lee Yesin.“You’re lucky to have a good dad.”“Yeah, it’s better than having no dad, right?”“They say your birthdays are just one day apart? Your mom must be impressive, how did she manage that?”“It must be tough being compared to Yesin all the time, right? There’s gotta be some favoritism.”“What do you do at family gatherings? Do you go together?”“Have you met Chairman Lee? You’re his grandson too, right? The male line is more important, after all.”Their intentions were unclear. It wasn’t just innocent curiosity, but they also didn’t seem malicious—it was a confusing mix. But it was cruel, especially since the insults often targeted Go Hangyeol’s mother. Ill-mannered kids treated her like she was cheap. Whenever that happened, both Go Hangyeol and Lee Yesin would get angry, and their arguments would often escalate into bigger fights.Around the time they were growing tired of this, Lee Juho sat them both down and brought up studying abroad. From the start, Lee Yesin wasn’t interested. His dream was to learn from a famous jewelry designer in Korea. He could probably get in as her apprentice immediately if he asked for Lee Juho’s help, but he wanted to achieve it on his own. So he followed her work closely, occasionally sent fan letters, and made his own plans. His first goal was to start working at her shop after graduating high school, while attending university. Unlike him, however, Go Hangyeol, who dreamed of becoming a fashion designer, would benefit more from studying abroad. He didn’t need to stay in Korea. So, Lee Yesin told him to go. But Go Hangyeol shook his head.“I can’t leave you behind.”Hearing that, Lee Yesin faced his own selfishness. He had urged Go Hangyeol to go, but deep down, he didn’t want him to leave.When he was young and didn’t know why his mother had left, Lee Yesin had trouble sleeping for a long time. During those times, it was Go Hangyeol who stayed by his side. He always called before bed, and on some nights, he would sneak into Yesin’s room and sleep beside him. Now that they were older, the intense loneliness wasn’t as unbearable as before, but Yesin still wanted Hangyeol to stay close. It was a selfish desire he couldn’t express.“…But you should go. Nothing bad will happen to you there, and it’ll help you reach your dream.”“If you don’t go, I won’t go either.”“That’s ridiculous. I’ll visit during breaks. I’ll bring my mom too.”Studying abroad was a decision to be made with parents, but neither Lee Juho nor Go Hangyeol’s mother seemed particularly invested in his education. So, despite his own feelings, Yesin tried to persuade Hangyeol for the sake of his future and their upcoming high school years. It made sense for him to go. Besides, Hangyeol’s mother had once mentioned wanting to live abroad.“Go to France or Italy, wherever you want. Your mom will definitely go with you if you say you want to.”“Why do you keep dragging my mom into this?”“I’m not dragging her into it. I’m saying she’ll go with you, so don’t worry about it.”Watching their bickering, Lee Juho eventually left, telling them to think it over and let him know. Yesin, still holding Hangyeol’s hand, kept urging him to reconsider, but Hangyeol avoided the conversation with flimsy excuses. Finally, when Yesin wouldn’t back down, Hangyeol bit his lip and spoke quietly.“You can’t be without me.”He pulled his hand from Yesin’s grasp and rubbed his eyes. Yesin, wide-eyed, stared at him.“That’s why if you don’t go, I won’t either.”With a reddened nose, Hangyeol wiped his eyes roughly with the back of his hand. Yesin slowly nodded, then hugged him, whispering that they wouldn’t go, that they’d stay together. Just as much as Yesin needed Hangyeol, Hangyeol needed him.When they both enrolled in the same regular high school, Yesin made a special request to the teachers to avoid bringing up family matters. Though it was just a rumor to most, some people knew the truth: that Lee Juho had another son with his mistress. But unless someone specifically looked into it, they wouldn’t know that son was Go Hangyeol.In elementary and middle school, it was impossible to hide their family background. They deliberately chose a regular high school, hoping for a quieter life, and for two years, things went smoothly. Thanks to his past as a child actor, people occasionally gossiped about Yesin and Yeho Group, but he kept a low profile, and soon, those who tried to suck up to him drifted away. The peace he found was hard-earned. But how do you know about that?“Where did you hear that? That we have the same father?”Yesin’s cold gaze made Kim Hyeonggeon hesitate, narrowing his eyes. When Yesin didn’t let up, staring intently, Hyeonggeon finally spoke in a small voice, looking around nervously.“…The class president from Class 3 saw your student records. He thought it was interesting that you’ve been in the same school since elementary, so he looked into it.”“…Does Hangyeol know that you all know?”“He should. The rumor started spreading last year. I heard about it back then too.”“What? And why didn’t I know?”“Why do you think? Who would dare bring up the topic of illegitimate children or mistresses in front of you? Even the teachers are too busy tiptoeing around you.”It was always the same. The person who should know first was always the last to find out, and by the time they were ready to take responsibility, everything was already over. Lee Yesin shot up from his seat. As he was about to dash out, Kim Hyeonggeon quickly blocked him.“Hey! Do you think running away will solve anything? It’ll just make Go Hangyeol look even worse.”The last part was whispered almost under his breath. Lee Yesin stared at Kim Hyeonggeon, dumbfounded. As they silently looked at each other, the bell rang for homeroom. Lee Yesin swallowed hard and sat back down.“What do you mean by ‘make him look worse’?”“Well, you know how they say the meddling in-law is more annoying than the nagging mother-in-law. No matter how you step in, it’ll just look like hypocrisy since you’re the one who has it all.”“It’s not hypocrisy or anything like that.”“Sure, I know that. I’m your friend, after all. But what about the others? Especially those who already see you in a negative light? They’ll just gossip more behind your back, saying you’re secretly enjoying it. Think about it. Compared to Go Hangyeol, you’re the only one who benefits.”It was absurd. An exaggeration, a baseless rumor that couldn’t even be considered gossip. His stomach churned. Why did this have to happen? Just because they were born to different mothers, one was branded a hypocrite, while the other was labeled the child of a concubine. Neither of them had ever begged to be born.“The kids aren’t teasing or anything. They just quietly know. Go Hangyeol is kind and has a good personality, so no one’s going to step up and say anything bad.”“…Really?”“Yeah. I swear. Don’t worry.”Lee Yesin ran a hand through his hair and nodded. It was true that since Go Hangyeol hadn’t asked for help, it would be strange for Lee Yesin to intervene on his own. Nodding again, he let out a thin sigh. Kim Hyeonggeon patted his hair gently.“It’s okay. Nothing’s going to happen. I shouldn’t have told you.”“…No, thanks for telling me.”Lee Yesin brushed away Kim Hyeonggeon’s hand and sat up straight. The teacher had entered the classroom by then and glanced at Lee Yesin before starting the homeroom session.After that day, Lee Yesin began paying extra attention to Go Hangyeol without him knowing. Just as Kim Hyeonggeon had said, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Go Hangyeol smiled often, was full of jokes, and remained diligent. Whenever Lee Yesin saw Go Hangyeol’s composed face, the worries and anxieties that had flared up inside him gradually faded away, and they spent peaceful days without any incidents. They shared their daily routines, moving between school and cram school, and even talked about their future together. “I’ll make accessories, and you’ll design clothes. Let’s walk in a fashion show together. Then we’ll open a store together. We’re definitely going to make it big. We’ve got the talent, don’t we?”They giggled as they looked into each other’s hopeful eyes. It was nothing but happiness. That’s why they didn’t realize it was the calm before the storm.٠ ࣪⭑The mock exams in April had ended. Though visiting each other’s homes was forbidden, Lee Yesin and Go Hangyeol often broke that rule, and this time, they secretly spent time in Lee Yesin’s room to celebrate the end of the exams. They devoured three whole chickens they had brought and played games, alternating between muted cheers. As dusk approached, they ordered two pizzas, which they polished off in front of the TV as if they hadn’t eaten all day. Then, they watched a movie. They picked it without question since it had a high rating, but it turned out to be overly quiet and slow, so eventually, Lee Yesin and Go Hangyeol, both full, fell asleep side by side.Even as the ending credits rolled for some time, and the DVD continued to loop the soundtrack and display the main menu screen for hours, a faint voice crept into Lee Yesin’s ear.“What’s this? Coming back without a word after acting like you’d never come back.”“Am I not allowed here?”The next voice was so familiar, yet it had been so long that it sounded almost foreign—it was his mother, Yoon Seokyung.“You could’ve at least called.”“I didn’t come here for you. I came to see the kid.”Lee Yesin’s eyes shot open, and he quickly shook the still-sleeping Go Hangyeol, who slowly opened his squinted eyes in confusion. Before he could ask what was wrong, Lee Yesin put a finger to his lips, signaling for silence. Go Hangyeol closed his half-open mouth.“At this hour? The kid’s asleep.”“Not that one. My real kid.”The light filtering in through the curtains caught in Go Hangyeol’s brown eyes, and he blinked slowly.“…Hey.”“Where does Hangyeol live?”Lee Yesin was staring into Go Hangyeol’s eyes when something unseen suddenly struck the back of his head hard. A heavy, reverberating sound echoed in his ears.“Shit, hey!”“Don’t curse, you bastard. You never even gave it half the thought I did, did you? You don’t even know what I’m feeling right now, do you? The kid I raised with love turns out to be the child of a barmaid you hooked up with, while my real kid has grown up without a father, being pitied and pointed at for being an illegitimate child. How many years do you think it took me to accept that? You’re a real piece of trash. You and your dad, for even suggesting this, are complete scum.”“Urp.”Go Hangyeol, covering his mouth, let out a short gag. Urk, urk. After a few more dry heaves, he vomited onto the floor. With his mouth agape, Lee Yesin stared down at the sour-smelling mess.“Yesin’s here. Lower your voice…”“How could you even think of switching children?”A sharp voice pierced his eardrums and lodged itself in his brain. Lee Yesin and Go Hangyeol raised their heads and looked at each other. That’s how the tragedy began.٠ ࣪⭑Confusion and chaos approached with stark clarity. Before anyone could assign blame, they each retraced their pasts. Every time they did, nausea would rise, and the things they had and had not would flash in and out of their minds. The harsh reality that others had awakened was creeping steadily toward Lee Yesin and Go Hangyeol.So, it was all originally mine. My father, my mother, the life gilded in gold.Go Hangyeol thought.“……”But he couldn’t say anything. Go Hangyeol watched in a daze as Lee Yesin cleaned up the vomit. What on earth was happening? How could my mom be your mom, and your mom be my mom?“Hyung… I’ll ask what’s going on….”“…I’m not your hyung anymore, am I?”Lee Yesin, with his arms limp at his sides, looked up at Go Hangyeol. Go Hangyeol averted his gaze. At the end of his lowered gaze, Lee Yesin’s hand was trembling slightly. Where do we stand now? Where are we going from here? It would’ve been better if we’d never known.“Sorry, Yesin. I’m sorry. That came out wrong.”“…It’s fine.”The slow sound of scrubbing the floor continued.Lee Yesin didn’t know what to do. He couldn’t even understand the current situation. But it felt like something that shouldn’t have been said. The voices of his parents had been too loud. What had his mother been thinking, saying something like that in front of him? He couldn’t understand her intentions. But the next day, he could tell who had taken priority in her heart.“Where’s Hangyeol?”Standing neatly on the first floor of the crowded cram school building, Yoon Seokyung asked Lee Yesin. She didn’t even bother to ask how he was. It had been seven years since they last met. Lee Yesin felt like his heart was breaking apart.“Why didn’t you come out together?”“He’s just wrapping things up…”Trapped in an endless maze, Lee Yesin and Go Hangyeol were now avoiding each other with awkward lies, hiding their emotions. If possible, they both wished to erase the memory of last night.“Will it take long?”“He’ll be out soon…”Lee Yesin used to approach Yoon Seokyung with warmth, speaking informally as a close adult and child often would, only switching to formal speech when making requests with a gentle smile. But those memories felt distant. In the seven years that passed, she neither visited Lee Yesin nor even called.“I’m here to see Hangyeol for a bit. Go home first. I’ll see you there.”Last night, Lee Yesin replayed her words in his mind. ‘How long do you think it took me to accept this?’ Seven years, Lee Yesin answered silently. But Mom, it didn’t even take me a day. Please, don’t look at me like that. He bit his lip and forced himself to nod before walking past her.Thirty minutes later, Hangyeol appeared in front of Yoon Seokyung, who had been left alone. As he walked slowly, he stopped involuntarily upon seeing her. She smiled softly at him.“Aren’t you hungry? I’ll buy you something nice. Let’s go.”It felt like a massive airplane landing without warning in a crowded, chaotic street. Yoon Seokyung finally realized from Hangyeol’s devastated expression that he knew.“…Who told you?”Hangyeol lowered his head and shook it, unable to speak as his mouth went dry. As he bit his lip and held his breath, Yoon Seokyung’s high heels came into his view. He swallowed hard, staring at the dark green embellishment on her shoes.“…I was with Yesin yesterday. In Yesin’s room.”He spoke softly, lifting his head. Yoon Seokyung blinked slowly, and they both stared into each other’s light brown eyes. Passersby glanced curiously at them, but neither moved. After a while, Yoon Seokyung reached out and gently stroked Hangyeol’s cheek.“Hangyeol, tell me what you want. I’ll do everything for you.”Tears flowed, though he wasn’t sure if it was from the relief of reclaiming what had been lost or from the unfamiliarity of her tender touch. The sorrow of the moment overwhelmed him. Where did we come from, and where are we headed? His stomach churned once again.٠ ࣪⭑Although she had said, “I’ll see you at home,” Yoon Seokyung barely acknowledged Lee Yesin before leaving on a night flight, only reminding him to study hard. Left alone, Lee Yesin spent the weekend sitting in his room, waiting as the sun rose and set, the low moon rose high and then fell again. Meanwhile, the resentment that had surfaced from Hangyeol’s vomit crept out from under the sofa.‘Honestly, didn’t you enjoy it?’The dark red substance stirred before him. Lee Yesin stared blankly at it.‘You lived an unblemished life. Hangyeol took all the blame in your place. Honestly, didn’t you feel relieved at times?’It whispered as it bent down towards Lee Yesin’s heart. He lowered his gaze, staring at it with his mouth agape. As his gaze met it, the mass began to grow. A bubbling sound could be heard, and the viscous liquid dripped onto the floor, swallowing every trace of Hangyeol’s vomit. Slowly, Lee Yesin looked up. The mass grew endlessly. Eventually, he had to tilt his head all the way back, and it loomed over him, compressed by the walls of his room.‘Sorry for the late introduction. Hello, I’m your guilt.’“…Please, save me.”He wanted to die.As the moon, which had risen slowly, sank quickly, and the stars disappeared with the dawn light waking the birds, Lee Yesin made a resolution.“…I’ll set everything right.”He would fix it all. He’d find out who was responsible for the original mistake and correct everything. Even if it meant losing everything he had, even if it meant being mocked and scorned, he would do it. Because he was Hangyeol’s only brother. Because it was he who had taken everything from him.“…What do you mean?”Hangyeol asked, pausing as he packed his bag. Lee Yesin looked down at him and smiled softly.“Don’t worry. I’ll put everything back to how it was.”Without waiting for a response, Lee Yesin left the school and headed to Lee Juho’s office. He was allowed to enter the CEO’s office without an appointment solely because he was Lee Juho’s son.“What brings you to the office?”Lee Juho, sitting behind his large desk, leaned back and asked, watching a monitor. Closing the door behind him, Lee Yesin approached slowly.“Explain to me. Why did the illegitimate child become legitimate, and the legitimate child become illegitimate?”Lee Yesin’s voice was cold. Lee Juho scanned his face slowly, then moved his mouse a few times before gesturing for him to sit down. This would be a long conversation. Lee Yesin placed his backpack on the floor and sat.“Did your mother tell you?”The first question was so awkward that it made him laugh.“Which mom? Dad’s wife or your girlfriend?”Lee Yesin’s sarcastic answer made Lee Juho sigh deeply before pulling out a cigarette. Lighting it with an expensive lighter, he rubbed his neck wearily.“Yesin, you only have one mom. My wife.”“The person who’s not related to me by a single drop of blood is my mom?”“She’d be hurt if she heard you say that.”Lee Juho spoke as if trying to reason with him. Lee Yesin looked at him expressionlessly.“You know it’s not because I dislike her. Please explain how things ended up like this.”He had no intention of moving until he got an explanation. Lee Juho, sensing this, knocked the ash from his cigarette into the ashtray and glanced at the clock.“What’s going to change if you hear the truth? You’re still my son. That won’t change.”“I’m not saying I won’t be your son. I’m saying this isn’t my place.”“It is your place. Don’t entertain foolish thoughts.”Cigarette smoke drifted toward Lee Yesin’s face. He neither avoided nor dispersed it, staring intently at Lee Juho.“Then what about Hangyeol? People still whisper behind his back, calling him the son of a bar woman, dragging your name through the mud.”“She is a bar woman. A well-off owner who makes more than most salaried workers, but still.”“That’s not what I’m talking about!”It was intentional. Every time Lee Yesin tried to stay calm, Lee Juho would derail the conversation, trying to make him storm out of the office without discussing anything important.“Why did you switch us? Why? That was originally Hangyeol’s place! Why did you change it?”Lee Yesin slammed his hand on the desk as he shouted, but Lee Juho didn’t flinch. He continued smoking leisurely, knocking ash into the tray and exhaling smoke.“So, did you suffer because of it?”“…What? What did you just say…?”“I asked, did you suffer because of it? You have both parents alive, you’ve lived a life with money poured into it, and you’ve received endless support. When you were a child, I let you act in a movie because you wanted to, and now I bought you expensive equipment to make jewelry. I got you private tutors, sent you to art school, and gave you everything you wanted. You’ve gained more than you’ve lost, so why are you so angry? If anyone should be upset, it’s Hangyeol.”The world turned upside down. Lee Yesin stood there, mouth agape, unable to say anything. Lee Juho chuckled softly before continuing.“Or are you just preemptively playing defense, worried I’ll take back everything I’ve given you? Don’t worry. You’ll live as a third-generation heir of Yeho Group until the day you die. I’ll make sure you can continue doing whatever you want, so just keep your mouth shut and live your life.”“…Then what about Hangyeol? What about… my real mother? What did they do wrong?”“Wrong? Heejeong does what she does because she wants to. She’s always been that way. I’ve been financially supporting her since she was pregnant, on the condition that I wouldn’t acknowledge the child in the family register. Anyway, after raising Hangyeol on her own and getting dissatisfied with the money I gave her, Heejeong showed up with him one day, and I didn’t turn them away. Since then, I’ve never neglected Hangyeol. He’s just not my official son, but otherwise, I’ve treated him no differently than you.”Lee Juho spoke casually, ignoring all the intangible yet crucial elements, focusing only on wealth and material things. His detached attitude left Lee Yesin feeling suffocated.“…What’s the point of it all? What’s the point of money? Because of Dad, the kids have lived completely different lives, and the mothers raised children that weren’t even their own. How can you talk so carelessly?”“Exactly, why are you the one saying that? It should be Go Hangyeol, not you.”“…And what do you think he would say? Would you try to give him money or something?”“Of course. I’d give him plenty.”“…”Lee Yesin opened his mouth but couldn’t say a word. A distance that couldn’t be closed had formed between his dearest sibling and friend, Go Hangyeol, and himself. The person he had called “Mom” all this time was nothing more than a stranger. His real mother had unknowingly raised someone else’s child, and the mockery that Go Hangyeol had endured should have been directed at Lee Yesin all along. Sure, just as Lee Juho said, the only mistake was calling the wrong person “Mom,” but Lee Yesin had never really been harmed. But did that make the current situation right? Was he supposed to just shut his mouth and accept it because he hadn’t suffered? No, this wasn’t right. Lee Yesin hadn’t been protecting Go Hangyeol’s back all this time out of hypocrisy.“…I’m going to reveal everything.”“What?”“I’m going to reveal it all. That Hangyeol and I were switched, and that he’s the real grandson of Yeho Group’s chairman. I’ll tell everyone.”There was no going back. Once you know the truth, you can never return to ignorance. Lee Yesin was no longer Yoon Seokyung’s child, and Go Hangyeol wasn’t Go Heejeong’s son either. The guilt that had grown to the size of a house on that fateful night had already started eating away at him. And, of course, its meal was Lee Yesin.“Yesin, there are things you should say and things you shouldn’t.”“Everything you said today was something you shouldn’t have.”“What exactly is the problem?”Lee Juho stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray and looked at Lee Yesin with disdain. Lee Yesin gave up on trying to have a conversation, bent down to grab his bag, and walked out of the office. Even as Lee Juho called after him, he didn’t look back. What was the problem? His entire life up until now was the problem.He wanted to run straight to the broadcasting station and scream that Yeho Group’s chairman’s youngest son wasn’t Lee Yesin but Go Hangyeol. But he couldn’t act on that impulse so recklessly. He needed Go Hangyeol’s permission.“You’re here, Yesin? Hangyeol’s in his room.”As always, Go Heejeong, dressed elegantly, was picking up a small clutch bag as she spoke. Lee Yesin smiled softly and replied, “Yes.” She grabbed her car keys from the shelf and hugged him, kissing his cheek. Her matte pink lipstick left a mark on his skin.“You snuck here without your dad knowing, didn’t you? Don’t worry, I won’t say anything, so have fun quietly.”Her bright smile finally looked familiar to him. The way her eyes crinkled was the same. Forcing open his tightening throat, Lee Yesin returned her bright smile.“Yeah. I’ll keep quiet. Have a good time.”After seeing her off, he rubbed his cheek and knocked on Go Hangyeol’s door.“I’m coming in.”He waited for a response. He normally wouldn’t have, but he no longer knew what was right or wrong.“…Come in.”After a long pause, he heard Go Hangyeol’s voice. Swallowing his anxiety, he opened the door. Go Hangyeol, who had been sitting at his desk, dragged his chair over to the bed. It was something he always did when Lee Yesin came into his room. Lee Yesin’s place was on his bed.“Why are you still in your uniform? You rushed out earlier. You haven’t been to the academy since the weekend.”Lee Yesin didn’t ask if Go Hangyeol had met with Yoon Seokyung or what they had talked about. Go Hangyeol didn’t ask either. They were pretending as though nothing had happened that day. But things had changed. They avoided leaving their classrooms, and when they ran into each other, they exchanged awkward greetings before quickly turning away. Lee Yesin stopped going to the academy. Though it had only been a few days, he knew. This silence and the invisible wall between them would only grow thicker and more solid.“…I’m not lying.”“About what?”“About fixing everything.”“You… do you even know what you’re saying?”Go Hangyeol quietly stared at him. The white light from the fluorescent lamp shattered in his eyes. Meeting his gaze, Lee Yesin nodded slowly.“I’ll set things right. If you’re okay with it.”“…So, what you’re saying is that you’ll become me, and I’ll become you?”“No. We’re just returning to how things originally were. We’re not switching places, we’re finding our rightful positions.”“But… my mom, the one who gave birth to you… no, damn it.”Go Hangyeol clamped his hand over his mouth. Lee Yesin gripped the blanket tightly. His throat burned. His heart felt heavy, and life was unbearable. How did we end up like this?“You see? We can’t go back now. But we’ll be fine, too. In seven years, we’ll be okay.”“But…”“You’ll be happier than you are now.”He could say that for sure. Lee Yesin had grown up with a lot. The natural courtesy that came with his position, the measured politeness that followed him everywhere, and even if people spoke ill of him behind his back, they all treated him with respect in person. Lee Yesin knew this. He knew everything. He was well aware that people lowered their heads, averted their gaze, and chose their words carefully, all to avoid offending him, the well-to-do Lee Yesin.Power was sweet. So accustomed to the sweetness of the power he had, he didn’t realize it until the moment came to give it up. It was only then that he understood how sweet it had been. Now it was time to taste the bitterness. A far harsher bitterness than others would face. What becomes of a fallen man of power? Lee Yesin smiled at Go Hangyeol.“I’ll make it happen.”The disdain and suffering you’ve endured for 19 years will now be mine to bear. You can live your life oblivious, walking a path lined with blooming flowers. Lee Yesin stretched out his arms and embraced Go Hangyeol. You can do it, right? Guilt whispered in his ear.٠ ࣪⭑Lee Yesin headed home, thinking about what he needed to do. He needed solid evidence to ensure that this didn’t end as just a rumor. A DNA test was the best evidence. The problem was that, as a minor, he couldn’t do it alone. He’d have to use money—lots of money. And he needed to find out why Lee Juho had switched him and Go Hangyeol. As he calmly organized his thoughts, he arrived home and opened the door. Waiting for him was his grandfather, Chairman Lee.“You’re here. Come, sit down.”Chairman Lee, sitting at the head of the sofa, gestured for him to sit. Lee Juho, who had been sitting nearby, sighed in relief, reassured that Lee Yesin had come home safely—without causing any trouble.“Your dad is worried about you. You should charge your phone.”Chairman Lee pulled him close to sit. Sitting across from Lee Juho, Yesin stared at his father for a moment before turning his gaze to his grandfather.“What brings you here?”“What? Can’t a grandfather come see his favorite foal?”Lee Yesin glanced at his watch. It was past 11 p.m. It was hard to believe Chairman Lee had come running in the middle of the night just to see him. The two weren’t particularly close. Chairman Lee adored Lee Yejun, and the conversations he had with Lee Yesin were limited to family gatherings. He had always wondered why. Yejun, he could understand, but why didn’t Chairman Lee show him the same affection? Why hadn’t he urged him to study business like he had with the other grandsons? Now, it all made sense.“It’s late. You could’ve come tomorrow.”“Speak more kindly, will you? At the very least, don’t act like a cheap person.”It was clear that Chairman Lee had heard everything from Lee Juho, as his words were more blunt than before. Lee Yesin nodded slowly.“I can act cheaper if you’d like. I didn’t learn much growing up under my father.”Pfft, Chairman Lee burst out laughing. He pointed at Lee Yesin, chuckling. The laughter went on for quite a while, and as his shaking finger changed direction, his tone became more mocking.“How badly did they raise you to turn out like this, huh?”Chairman Lee raised his voice as he threw a tray of refreshments toward Lee Juho. The tea cup shattered, and fruit rolled across the marble floor.“Consider yourself lucky that you’re still a minor, Yesin.”Chairman Lee’s voice, now devoid of any laughter, cut through the tension. He kicked the apple at his feet, and it rolled until it stopped at the tip of Lee Juho’s shoes. Unfazed, Lee Juho quietly wiped the tea off his face.“Miss, could you bring us some towels?”The housekeeper quickly came out, handing clean towels to Chairman Lee and Lee Juho. Lee Yesin, with a stiff expression, observed the scene. It wasn’t his first time witnessing his grandfather’s violence. However, it was his first time seeing Lee Juho get hit. And the chairman was now saying that next year, it would be Lee Yesin’s turn. A hollow laugh escaped him. Chairman Lee glanced at Yesin while wiping his hands.“One more thing to expose, I see.”“…Lee Yesin.”Lee Juho called out his name in a stern voice. But Lee Yesin didn’t flinch. This kind of violence didn’t scare him.“So, what’s got you so curious?”Chairman Lee, stepping back as if to retreat, asked in a sweet voice. Despite brushing back his thick hair, he didn’t resemble an eighty-year-old man in the least.“Why did you do it?”“Did that curiosity get your father beaten up?”He didn’t seem to have been hit that hard. He sneered internally. But speaking out again might mean he wouldn’t get the information he needed, so he kept quiet. The housekeeper brought out a new tray of refreshments with a worried expression, and Lee Juho filled Chairman Lee’s cup as the chairman raised it. With that unspoken permission, Lee Juho began to speak.“Heejeong had a narrow pelvis, so she had to have a C-section. She was so scared that she opted for general anesthesia too. Thankfully? Well, if you can call it that, Heejeong never got to see you, the healthy baby she gave birth to. And just a few hours later, Seokyung gave birth. Seokyung wasn’t in good health at the time. There were complications during delivery, and the baby wasn’t breathing on its own. It had severe cyanosis, of course, didn’t cry.”Lee Yesin tried to make sense of Lee Juho’s words. He wanted to ask about the parts he didn’t understand, but no words came out.“Seokyung passed out, and the baby was given oxygen and admitted to the intensive care unit right away. And then I remembered you, born just hours earlier.”Lee Juho’s voice seemed distant, as an image of a cold, sterile operating room—one not in his memories—formed in Yesin’s mind. Though it was just imagination, he could feel the damp smell and heavy air. The blood in his veins turned cold.“That’s all there is to it. We switched you because we thought the baby wouldn’t make it. There was a high likelihood of brain damage. We couldn’t accept a child like that as the grandchild of Yeho Group. Luckily, Hangyeol grew up without any problems.”Lee Yesin inhaled sharply, holding his breath until his face reddened, not wanting to let anything else escape as he slowly exhaled.“Your birthday is December 31.”Yesin had been born the last child of the year, with a fair complexion.“And Hangyeol’s birthday is January 1.”The first child of the new year—Ko Hangyeol, born with light brown eyes.“Now that you know, live quietly. It turned out this way, but we haven’t deprived that child of anything. If word gets out, you’ll be the one to suffer.”What was he even supposed to understand from that? Could anyone understand such a statement? Yet, Yesin nodded. Not now. Even if Yesin threatened to expose them now, they would remain unfazed, manipulating the media to cover up the truth. Just as they had back then with Ko Hangyeol, they would handle it all smoothly, with calm expressions. Preparation was needed. A plan was needed. Yesin had no intention of backing down.“…What will you offer me as hush money?”Chairman Lee chuckled. After exchanging a glance with Lee Juho, they both burst out laughing.“Now you’re acting like my son.”It made him want to throw up.٠ ࣪⭑Yesin demanded money and freedom from Chairman Lee. He told him he wouldn’t go to college and planned to live recklessly, asking for leniency on any minor scandals. Chairman Lee handed him a bank account, instructing him to only use cash. It was part of the fortune he had set aside for Yesin upon reaching adulthood—money that had already been laundered three times and was untraceable. It was illegal wealth that Yesin was legally allowed to use.Yesin’s plan was simple. Cause scandals. Then, reveal the truth about the child swap and frame Ko Hangyeol as the tragic victim. These people had swapped a child simply because he might have had a disability. With the truth about the illegitimate and legitimate children coming to light, Yeho Group would have no choice but to accept Ko Hangyeol and cast Yesin aside if his scandals kept piling up. It was the only way the 19-year-old Yesin could think of.“But aren’t you a minor?”“Yes, I am. Can I not come in? I’m Lee Yesin.”“Oh, sorry for not recognizing you! Come on in, this way.”The man chuckled playfully. Yesin glanced at him and stepped into the luxurious club room. As a minor, there were plenty of crimes Yesin could commit—drinking, smoking, prostitution. That’s where he would begin.“Have you ever drunk before?”“Just a few times… My dad gave me some.”“Oh, your dad gave it to you?”The man sitting at the opposite end of the sofa laughed jokingly. Yesin stared at him. He downed half the drink in front of him and then stood, walking over to pour the rest of the alcohol over the man’s head.“I don’t like that tone. Like you’re teasing me.”“…Sorry.”“If you’re sorry, get me a girl. Someone clean, no complications.”“……”The others in the room looked at the man sitting at the head of the table. He seemed to be either the owner of the club or the highest-ranking person in the room. Yesin smiled as he looked at him.“I’ve never had sex before.”“Take him to Seyoung.”Without breaking eye contact with Yesin, the man gave the order. The man in the suit by the door opened it and stepped aside. Yesin put down the glass he was holding and walked forward.“Come back again, Yesin.”The man at the head of the table said as Yesin reached the door. He turned to look at him and replied, “Sure.”‘Do I really have to go this far?’Someone asked him. Yesin nodded.‘Why?’‘Because it’s the only way to make them suffer, even a little, and for Ko Hangyeol to find his rightful place.’‘What about you?’Yesin glanced back.“This one’s fine. He’s clean, no diseases, and he’s good with virgins. Any questions?”