Pig Government Official

-4-

“Ah…”

A gentle and friendly voice had just invited Jeonggwan for a meal. Jeonggwan, who had been glaring at Jihoon, turned dazedly to look at Jihoon’s cousin hyung.

“Definitely. Because I’m sorry.”

“Yes! Yes! We will! Hyung!”

What’s going on? Awesome! Suddenly high-tensioned, Jihoon responded more enthusiastically, answering the man like a loyal dog. He just looked like a bastard.

The man turned back towards the banquet hall. As soon as he disappeared from sight, Jihoon started slapping Jeonggwan’s back.

Hey! I think hyung likes you! As expected! Artists know how to recognize a kindred soul! But just in case, you’re starting a special diet training from today. Skip dinner from tonight! While Jihoon was rambling on, none of it entered Jeonggwan’s ears. It wasn’t worth responding to such nonsense.

When Jihoon’s cousin turned back to speak, his scent spread and stimulated Jeonggwan’s nose. It was a citrus scent that suited the man perfectly.

It’s refreshing, Jeonggwan thought, naturally recalling the terrifyingly handsome man he had encountered earlier by the elevator.

Not strawberry, but strawberry jam scent. That really didn’t suit him at all.

* * *

The bewitching smell that no one has tried only once – this was the smell of ramen. At 11 PM, no less. The brothers in their respective rooms naturally opened their doors and came out.

“Ah, you said you weren’t going to eat earlier!”

“Just one bite.”

“Me too, just one bite.”

“Hyung, I’ll have two bites…”

The second brother, Jeongwon, complained irritably at the others coming out one by one. Earlier, when Jeongwon had asked the eldest Jeonghyun, the third Jeongyun, and the youngest Jeonggwan if they wanted ramen, they all said they didn’t. These bastards.

Dropping his irritation, Jeongwon smirked.

“I knew this would happen, so I cooked four servings.”

As expected of the smartest Jeongwon. Living with these annoying guys who always say “No, I don’t want any” and then turn around asking for “Just one bite” had made him develop a tolerance. Everyone excitedly grabbed their chopsticks at the news of four servings.

“Hyung, did you cook Samyang ramen?”

“Shut up and eat.”

“But… ramen should be Samyang…”

Jeongyun, who was about to say “Cook Paldo ramen!”, meekly picked up some noodles. He knew he couldn’t win an argument against Jeongwon. Besides, Jeonghyun and Jeonggwan had already taken their portions and were blowing on them to cool them down, so Jeongyun’s chopsticks moved faster. They had learned early on that saying less meant getting more in this eat-or-be-eaten brotherhood food chain.

Slurp- Slurp. The kitchen, which had been filled with the sound of frantic noodle-eating, began to buzz with conversation as only the broth remained.

“Little one, did your part-time job go well today?”

“Yeah.”

“Didn’t you bring any leftovers?”

“There are tarts in the fridge.”

I don’t really like tar-whatever. Jeonghyun, gulping down the broth, still motioned with his eyes for Jeonggwan to bring them from the fridge. Jeonggwan, drinking his broth, glared at Jeonghyun for ordering him around even though he was closer to the fridge.

“Don’t you have hands…”

“What?”

“Cherry flavor? Blueberry?”

“Both.”

At Jeonghyun’s low, stern voice, Jeonggwan, true to his position as the lowest-ranked youngest, scurried to the fridge to bring out the tarts.

“Oh, today’s ones look pretty good?”

“They said some big shot came to the hotel today.”

“…Hmm.”

Jeonghyun and Jeongwon, seemingly uninterested in such details, crudely shoved the tarts into their mouths, demolishing them. Jeongyun kept glancing at Jeonggwan, who looked somewhat deflated, and cleared his throat.

“Jeonggwan-ah.”

“…Yeah?”

“You’re cute and kind.”

“…Stop it.”

“Really. You’re not a pig. You’re a mini-pig.”

Jeonggwan looked at his third brother with half-open eyes, who was trying to cheer him up. Are you making fun of me?

“Mini-pigs are still pigs, you know?”

“…Then let’s say you look like the smallest one among them.”

You’d never say I’m not a pig, would you? You’re going to let this slide without telling me who your employer is who said such a rude thing, aren’t you?

“What? Who called Jeonggwan a pig? Which brainless bastard?”

“Hyung, let’s use insults that at least show up in internet searches.”

“Jeonggwan… isn’t a pig! Jeonggwan is a cute mini-pig! The smallest one among them…”

The eldest turned his head towards Jeonggwan, crumpling the already demolished tart box, saying “Piiiig?” His face said he’d beat up whoever it was if Jeonggwan told him. Jeongyun beside him was having a 7.0 magnitude eye earthquake, trying hard to flatter Jeonggwan to improve his mood.

However, unable to contain his indignation and curiosity, Jeonggwan spoke up.

“Who is Won Junjae?”

Jeonggwan asked, poking Jeongyun with his spoon. Who is he that you can’t tell me first? Who is he? Is he famous?

“Won Junjae?! Did that bastard call Jeonggwan a pig?!”

“Won Junjae? Won Group’s Won Junjae? Won Electronics’ Managing Director Won Junjae?”

“…Oh boy.”

The eldest, not knowing who Won Junjae was, angrily said, “Won Junjae?! Bring that son of a bitch here!”

The second brother looked at Jeonggwan with interested eyes, asking, “That Won Group’s Won Junjae? Really?” He seemed amazed that his brother had met such a famous person.

The third brother lost focus in his eyes and said, “Ah, forget it,” as he poured rice into the remaining ramen broth and shoveled it into his mouth. Jeonggwan clicked his tongue at Jeongyun’s persistent silence and shifted his target to Jeongwon, who was surprised at hearing Won Junjae’s name.

“Jeongwon hyung, do you know Won Junjae?”

“Of course. He’s the managing director of Won Electronics.”

“…Won Electronics’ managing director?”

Won Electronics? The company that made my phone, Jeonghyun hyung’s phone, mom and dad’s phones…? Our refrigerator, kimchi refrigerator, washing machine, dryer, door lock, laptop, gas range, dishwasher, air purifier, air fryer, air conditioner, TV… Even that hamster-shaped MP3 player I begged mom to buy when I was young…?

That Won Electronics…?

Jeonggwan’s pupils shook like a 9.0 magnitude earthquake, just like Jeongyun’s earlier. The managing director of that Won Electronics…? Jeonggwan hurriedly took out his phone and searched for Won Junjae on the green search engine.

Won Junjae

Businessman

Holy crap. It really shows up? But the profile picture is empty, and it only says “Won Junjae. Businessman.” Is this right? Jeonggwan scrolled down.

Sure enough, the news section was full of Won Junjae’s photos. Wow, he looks like a celebrity. Even in candid photos taken by reporters, the man exuded class and handsomeness.

– Won Electronics Managing Director Won Junjae, Too Handsome Even with Sunglasses

Jeonggwan clicked on the article as if entranced. Won Junjae was wearing sunglasses at the airport, but truly, as the headline said, his handsomeness couldn’t be hidden. How can he be even more handsome than actors…?

The comments below the article were like those of celebrity fans.

(2,003 comments)

MakeWonJunjaeNationalTreasure | Honestly, just debut as a celebrity already, Director.

sksmsgostja | How is Won Junjae a celebrity? LOL

CloseMouthUglyMenLessThanJunjae | Ugly men who’ve seen my nickname. Please close your mouths.

CheeseChuChup | Who will take Won Junjae… Oh, it’s me.

alclstkfka | Above comment, you’re crossing the line

DoubleStandards | I’m 62… Could I embrace a man in his 30s like Junjae… Late at night… My heart flutters…

He’s really just like a celebrity… But how old is this person for them to say he’s in his 30s?

“How old is he…? He’s so handsome I can’t guess his age.”

“Jeonggwan, how old are you?”

“…Twenty-three.”

“Wow, our Jeonggwan is a baby. But that person can’t be that young, right? How old was he again?”

“Thirty-two…” Jeongyun muttered quietly as he ate his ramen porridge.

Jeongwon raised his eyebrows in surprise. Wow, Won Junjae is younger than I thought? I thought he was in his mid-thirties? Does he look older because he always has his hair slicked back?

“…This person called Jeonggwan a pig?”

“Wow… He’s nine years older than me…”

Hey, Jeonggwan-ah. We should milk these rich people. Let’s file for compensation for emotional distress. What do you think? These people won’t be affected by losing a bit of money. Jeonghyun whispered devilishly, sticking close to Jeonggwan’s side.

Jeongwon looked at his brother with disdain before turning to Jeonggwan, his eyes sparkling as he asked for the full story of how he ran into Won Junjae and got called a pig.

But Jeonggwan just muttered, “This person is really nine years older than me? That’s too big of an age gap!”

For Jeonggwan, who was good at imagining getting entangled with handsome men of his taste, the age difference with Won Junjae was disappointing. Even in his imagination, a 9-year gap seemed a bit much.

* * *

After the practical lecture ended, Jeonggwan headed to the changing room in the department office to change out of his chef’s uniform. Park Jihoon following behind, chattering away, was a given.

A week had already passed since that day. Whenever he had the chance, Jihoon pestered Jeonggwan about having a meal with his cousin hyung from that time, and Jeonggwan always refused, saying it was burdensome. Today was no different.

“Come on, really… Just once, okay?”

“I said I don’t want to…”

“I’m telling you, that hyung is really a catch. Don’t you know about agape love? Huh? I’m telling you, if you date him once, he’ll give you everything, even his liver and gallbladder.”

“Ah, then why don’t you date him?”

“Are you crazy? I don’t do incest.”

Jihoon spoke seriously but still clung to Jeonggwan’s shoulder, not letting go. I’m telling you, I’m helping you win the lottery of life, okay? Huh? He’s my cousin hyung, you know? If you knew who he was, you’d faint backwards.

“Who is he? What’s so great about your cousin hyung? Is he a Won or something?”

Jeonggwan asked with an expression that said ‘you’re talking nonsense.’ His eyes were challenging, as if to say, ‘How great can he be if he’s so great?’

“Huh…? How did you know…?”