Chapter 13: Yoon Sera

When we finally reached my home, the sky had turned dark, and Zixuan was still by my side. It was much later than I'd anticipated, and I turned to him with a concerned expression.

"Zixuan, you should go back home now. It's really late," I urged.

He frowned, looking at me like I'd lost my mind. "Are you serious, Sera? How can I leave you alone after what just happened? You just had a car accident! Maybe the injuries aren't severe, but you're still weak. You hurt your hand, remember?"

I sighed, knowing he wouldn't let this go easily. "Are you planning to stay in my apartment then? That's not an option."

He shook his head. "No, I'm not staying in your apartment, but I'll be in the unit on the second floor. Dohyun's mom will be with you tonight, and I'll come back in the morning."

I raised an eyebrow, surprised at how things were planned without my input. "You guys arranged all this without even asking me?"

He nodded with a small smile. "Dohyun told me to stay nearby. And Taesan asked Dohyun to reach out to me. They won't be back until tomorrow morning."

Just then, a soft knock interrupted our conversation. Zixuan quickly went to open the door, revealing Dohyun's mom standing there with a warm smile. He bowed respectfully.

"You must be Zixuan, right?" she asked, her voice kind.

"Yes, ma'am," he replied politely.

Her eyes sparkled with a gentle amusement. "Such a handsome young man. Now, it's getting late. You both should eat. Let me put the food on the table."

Zixuan took the dishes from her, handling them with care, and set them on the table. The rich aroma filled the room, and our stomachs growled in response. As we began eating, Dohyun's mom, Mrs. Yeo, turned her attention to me.

"Thank goodness you're alright, dear. I nearly had a heart attack when Dohyun called me about the accident. How's your left hand now?"

I winced slightly at the thought. "It still hurts, but I'm hoping it'll heal soon."

She shook her head firmly. "Until you're fully recovered, don't even think about cooking. I'll take care of it for you."

I tried to protest, offering a small smile. "Ma'am, I'll be fine. You don't have to—"

Her voice turned strict, though her eyes remained gentle. "If you don't listen to me, I'll have to scold you."

Zixuan chuckled softly at our exchange. Mrs. Yeo turned her attention to him with a curious expression. "Where do you live, Zixuan?"

"Not far, just beyond the fifth neighborhood, ma'am," he replied.

She smiled warmly. "You should visit more often, son."

Zixuan nodded, smiling back. "I will, ma'am."

She waved her hand, dismissing the formality. "Enough with the 'ma'am.' Call me aunt, or even mom! I don't mind at all—you two are like my own children."

Zixuan grinned, a bit shyly. "Alright, I'll try calling you 'aunt,' then."

She nodded enthusiastically. "That's more like it! And your Korean is quite good, by the way."

I jumped in to explain, smiling softly. "He's been living in Korea for eight years now."

Mrs. Yeo's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? That's impressive! What brought you here?"

Zixuan's smile faded a bit, but he answered calmly, "I was training at Poll Entertainment to become an idol, but I had to quit because of a heart condition."

Her face fell with sympathy. "Oh, I'm so sorry, dear. I shouldn't have brought it up."

Zixuan shook his head, trying to lighten the mood. "It's okay, aunt. I'm enjoying my life now, and things worked out for the best."

Mrs. Yeo glanced around the room before adding with a small laugh, "As for my husband, he called earlier to say he won't be back tonight. He's at a reunion party with his old school friends. Can you believe he still has that kind of energy at his age?"

Zixuan joined in with a chuckle. "He really does."

The conversation drifted into a comfortable rhythm, filling the room with warmth despite the shadows of the evening outside. And as I looked at the two of them, I couldn't help but feel a small sense of relief—maybe, just maybe, things would be okay.

I slept so deeply, like I had been completely drained. When I woke up at 7 AM, the house was quiet, the early morning light slipping through the windows. I noticed a warm breakfast waiting on the table, and beside it, a small note in neat handwriting:

"Eat properly."

Mrs. Yeo must have left it before heading out. The thought of her caring touch made my heart feel a little lighter. I quickly showered, letting the warm water wash away the lingering fatigue, and then dressed up. As I was drying my hair, a knock echoed through the quiet apartment. Zixuan stepped inside, a gentle smile on his face.

"Good morning. Did you sleep well?" he asked, his voice warm with concern.

I gave him a grateful smile. "Yes, I slept like a dead person. It's been a while since I rested like that. Have you had breakfast?"

He nodded, smiling fondly. "Yes, Mrs. Yeo made some for me too. By the way, Dohyun and Taesan came back just a few minutes ago. They're waiting for you on the second floor. Eat up quickly."

I hurried through breakfast, the food comforting me with its warmth, and then followed Zixuan downstairs to the second floor. As soon as we entered, Taesan rose from the couch, his expression shifting the moment he saw me. My heart skipped a beat; it had been a while since I saw that look of worry on his face.

"Are you okay now?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.

"Yes, I'm fine," I replied softly.

He took a step closer, his eyes searching mine. "Let me know if there's anything you need."

I nodded, feeling a mix of emotions I couldn't quite place. I took a seat on the couch, trying to steady myself. Zixuan, however, seemed troubled by something, glancing between Dohyun and Taesan before he finally spoke up.

"Dohyun, Taesan, I need to tell you something," he said, his tone serious.

Dohyun's brows furrowed as he turned to him. "What is it, Zixuan?"

Zixuan took a deep breath, glancing over at the window. "Last night, I slept in Dohyun's room. While I was getting ready for bed, I looked out the window. From there, I could see Taesan's house across the way. And I saw something... Someone, actually. The person was standing outside the house, staring up at it for a long time, almost like he or she was trying to see inside. That person kept jumping up, trying to get a better view. The person was small—like a kid maybe, but wearing a hoodie, so I couldn't see the face clearly. It might be dangerous."

Dohyun shot a quick, knowing look at Taesan, as if the two were silently communicating. Taesan's expression darkened before he replied.

"Then what happened?" he asked, his voice suddenly more serious.

Zixuan crossed his arms, his brows drawn in concern. "After a while, I saw that person walk away into the night. Taesan, you should file a report with the police. It's dangerous. Who knows what that person was doing there? The person could be a thief."

Taesan hesitated, glancing at Dohyun before looking back at me and Zixuan. "I want to find her myself before calling the police."

Zixuan's eyes narrowed in confusion. "Her? How can you be so sure it's a 'her'? It could've been a guy."

Taesan's face tensed slightly, his voice softer but uncertain. "I don't know. It's just a feeling. It could be him too, I guess."

I felt a shiver run through me. Something about the whole situation didn't feel right, like a secret hovering just beneath the surface. Trying to steady my nerves, I spoke up, my voice firm. "Taesan, maybe you should stay with Dohyun instead of being alone for now. It's safer."

He turned to me with a reassuring smile, but there was a shadow behind his eyes. "I'm with him most of the time, don't worry. It's just that... sometimes, danger has a way of bringing out the truth. Besides, I have a lot on my plate right now. Jia, focus on getting better, okay? Someone wants to meet you."

I blinked, caught off guard by his words. "Someone? Who are you talking about?"

Taesan's smile turned mysterious, the corner of his lips curling up. "That's a surprise you'll have to wait for."

His words lingered in the air, leaving a heavy sense of mystery that made my mind race with possibilities. I couldn't shake the feeling that whatever was coming next would change everything. And as I looked at Taesan's guarded expression, I realized that this was only the beginning of something much deeper.

Since I had no classes that day, all I wanted was a day of peace, a chance to relax after everything that had happened. Zixuan and Taesan left after chatting for a while, their laughter and light-hearted conversation lingering even after they were gone. The apartment suddenly felt quieter, and I welcomed the calm. Dohyun stayed behind, insisting on helping me get up to my place on the third floor, despite my protests. He was always so thoughtful.

As we reached my door, he hesitated for a moment before asking, "Can I enter?"

I couldn't help but chuckle at his politeness. "Why are you asking, Dohyun? This is your home. I'm just a renter here, remember?"

Dohyun shook his head with a gentle smile. "Don't think of yourself as just a renter, Sera. You've become part of our family."

His words caught me off guard. My chest tightened with an unfamiliar warmth. "Dohyun, we've only known each other for seven days. But… why does it feel like so much has happened in such a short time? It's like a dream. I haven't felt this relaxed since... since my mom passed away."

Dohyun's expression softened, a hint of sadness in his eyes as he listened. "You deserve it, Sera. You deserve to feel safe and at peace."

I managed a small, grateful smile. "Thank you, Dohyun. For everything. For putting up with me."

He tilted his head, looking genuinely puzzled. "Why would I need to put up with you? You're like family to me now. So don't think about it too much, okay?"

His kindness was overwhelming, and I couldn't help but think of Taesan, too. "You've been so good to me, Dohyun. And Taesan… he's been so kind as well. I'm really grateful to him. But there's something about him… he's different. I can't seem to figure him out."

Dohyun raised an eyebrow, a teasing smirk playing on his lips. "Why are you so interested in figuring him out?"

His question hit me like a lightning bolt, and I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment. I stammered, searching for the right words, but all I could think of was how curious I felt about Taesan—how I wanted to know more about him, understand the thoughts behind his serious eyes. But how could I admit that?

Sensing my discomfort, Dohyun's smile faded a bit, and he spoke more seriously. "Is it because he's so protective over you? Look, Sera… Taesan is tough. He's got a lot of walls built up around him. It might be better if you don't try too hard to understand him."

There was something unspoken in his words, a hidden warning that made my heart ache. I knew what he was really saying—that trying to get close to Taesan might only lead to pain, that falling for someone so guarded could only end in heartbreak. He was subtly telling me to stop myself before I got in too deep.

Flustered, I quickly shook my head. "No, no, that's not what I meant…"

But even as I denied it, I couldn't ignore the way my thoughts kept drifting to Taesan—his quiet strength, the way he made me feel safe even when he barely said a word. I didn't understand it, not yet, but I knew there was something there, something I couldn't explain.

Dohyun watched me with a knowing look, but he didn't push further. Instead, he softened his tone again, offering me an out. "Did I overstep? I'm sorry if I did."

"No, it's okay," I said quickly, forcing a small laugh. "I'm okay with it. Really."

Dohyun gave me one last reassuring smile, patting my shoulder gently. "Alright then. Get some rest, Sera. Call me if you need anything. Or... you can always call Taesan if you want."

He winked, trying to lighten the mood, but his words lingered in my mind long after he left. I leaned against the door, staring out into the empty hallway, my thoughts spinning in all directions. My heart was in turmoil, and I couldn't help but wonder—was Dohyun right? Should I stop myself from getting closer to Taesan? Or was there something worth fighting for behind those walls he'd built around himself?

The questions swirled in my mind, making it impossible to find the peace I had sought that morning.

The next day, as I stepped out of the building, my eyes caught sight of Taesan standing in front of the main gate, waiting. His usual calm demeanor was unchanged, but today, there was a weight in the air that I couldn't quite place. Dohyun soon arrived to escort me, and together we made our way toward Taesan. The moment he saw us, Taesan waved down a taxi, his expression serious.

He glanced at my bandaged hand and said, "I booked a taxi today. I don't want you taking the bus with your injury."

His words left no room for argument, so we all squeezed into the cab. The ride to the university was short—just five minutes—but the tension in the air made it feel much longer. When we arrived, we stepped out of the taxi, and that's when I noticed it.

Dohyun's expression had shifted. He was staring intently ahead, his eyes cold and sharp, something I'd never seen before. I followed his gaze and realized he was looking at a woman standing not too far away, surrounded by more than ten bodyguards. Her presence radiated an aura of power, commanding attention from everyone nearby.

Taesan's gaze locked onto her as well, and his face turned stony, his jaw clenched. It was like the air around us had suddenly turned icy. I barely had time to process this new tension before Dohyun took my bag out of my hand, slinging it over his shoulder as he muttered, "Let's go."

But just as we were about to leave, the woman's voice rang out, cold and biting, cutting through the silence. "You didn't even greet me, Taesan. After all, you owe me... for killing my husband and daughter."

Her words were like a punch to the gut. My breath caught, and I turned to see Taesan's reaction. His entire body went rigid, his fists clenching at his sides. Without a word, he turned around and walked towards her. His movements were slow, deliberate, like he was preparing for a confrontation. He leaned in, whispering something to her that I couldn't catch.

Whatever he said, it left the woman speechless, her face paling as she stood frozen in place. Taesan turned back around, his expression unreadable, and walked away, leaving her standing there alone, surrounded by her guards but looking small and defeated.

Whispers began spreading like wildfire through the crowd gathered around us. I heard snippets, voices rising in disbelief.

"Taesan is Ryu Sooah's son?! No way!"

"Is Taesan Ryu Jia's brother?"

"The son of Ryu Jin, the CEO who died in few days ago?"

The realization hit me like a ton of bricks. My heart pounded in my chest as the pieces fell into place. Taesan wasn't just anyone—he was Ryu Jia's brother. The same Ryu Jia who had been Soobin oppa's girlfriend, the one whose tragic story had left a mark on everyone's hearts. It was too much to process, too much to believe.

Phones came out, cameras flashed, and I knew this moment was spreading across campus in real-time. My thoughts were spinning, my mind struggling to catch up with everything I'd just learned. It felt like the ground beneath me was shifting.

Dohyun's eyes softened as he glanced over at me, his usual warmth returning as he asked gently, "Are you okay?"

I barely had time to nod before Taesan stepped closer, his face filled with concern. He reached out, his hand grasping mine with a steadying warmth. "I know you've got a lot going on in your mind right now. This is a lot to take in. But... let's talk about it later, okay?"

His voice was calm, but I could feel the weight behind his words. It was as if he was holding back an entire storm of emotions for my sake. I nodded, my grip tightening around his hand, hoping he could feel that I understood. Even though the world around us felt like it was spinning out of control, in that moment, his presence was the only thing keeping me grounded.