Jong In had politely declined a ride back with the Ohs, choosing to dial for a cab instead and Sehun was more than happy to leave him behind so he could speak to his sister in private. He has no idea why they’re helping an enemy when they’re supposedly on Baekhyun’s side.
“Don’t look at me like that, oppa. I don’t know.” Se Ryeong sighed. “It was instinctive. I would’ve helped anyone in that situation to protect Savv’s profits.”
“Still, you shouldn’t get yourself embroiled with Kim Jong In if you’re going to continue being Baekhyun’s pretend girlfriend. They are arch enemies and you’ve already picked your side.”
“I know,” Se Ryeong muttered. “Jong In could’ve been fired.”
“Exactly. When will Baekhyun have another chance like that?”
Se Ryeong had nothing in her defence. “I thought you disliked Baekhyun? Since when were you on his side?”
“I’m not on anyone’s side. Byul-ie likes him and he treats you decently from what I gathered, so I’m just riding with the tide. But that doesn’t mean I will not castrate him if he so much as lands a finger on you inappropriately.”
“I am a black belt!”

///

Jong In felt drained, both physically and mentally. But he couldn’t go home in the middle of a work day without arousing suspicion from his mother, so he opted to pay for a cab ride going in circles around his neighborhood whilst he slept. Instead, he dreamt of Se Ryeong’s relieved expression when he handed the cheque to her and Sehun’s cold, apathetic gaze, and he jerked awake with perspiration raining down his temples. The Oh siblings were so similar, except he had seen Se Ryeong’s tender side whenever she’s with Baekhyun, and that makes her less intimidating than her brother. He had never really seen her that hostile to be honest, and she’d smiled at him before they drove off. Why? Why would Oh Se Ryeong help him?

Jong In was born knowing rivalry as his first word and overtaking Baekhyun was his goal. Jong In had tried everything, from being an obedient son in torturing Baekhyun, to being rebellious and careless with the company and his life to piss Baekhyun off. He even decided to become a proper businessman and fight it out with Baekhyun, but he was always sorely lacking. Although his mom had taken everything from his older half brother and handed it on a golden plate to Jong In, Baekhyun had the smarts and the connections. Jong In doesn’t know why he’s trying so hard to fight for something that didn’t belong to him rightfully anyway. But he had to believe his mother. Who else could he