Chapter 21 – A Man's Resolve

”It’s best if my other half can trust me enough, if she does not trust me, then it means that I have not protected her enough for her to trust me. I believe that is all…”
– Yunho

Yunho’s father who studied law has educated Yunho and raised him to always think logically.

On choosing a wife, there was one advice he told the young Yunho.

“Take your future wife to these two places.

One, the night market. It’s a place full of hardworking people at 2 or 3 am when the ordinary people are normally asleep. She should not be disgusted by the foul smell and sweat, or be alarmed by the hardwork put by those people.

Two, in an ICU at the hospital where all people regardless of social status linger between life and death. What expressions would she make? A person with a good heart could have tears and feel as if it were her own problem. But a person without a good heart will be indifferent.

You will need someone who will work hard with you, and who will have empathy when you are down, injured, or in any way, disabled.”

The young Yunho listened to his father and took his advice to heart, holding onto these even when he had grown into an adult.

Jaejoong was peeking outside the tent. He couldn’t contain his excitement. “Is this it? Is it time to come out?” He was checking the people in the venue and was amazed a crowd this many could gather there for the Ground Force Festival. It’s just day one. “Aaaah.” He went back in. This would be the first time in 6 long arduous years that Yunho and him would be on the same venue in public. This only happened in his dreams. Jaejoong was ecstatic and peeked out again.

Then there it was. They were introduced and called out by Yunho to conduct the opening performance. Jaejoong along with the rest of the performers came out. The crowd went hysterical and cheered loudly. He glanced at Yunho and saw that he was watching him and Jae couldn’t stop himself from smiling and being giddy. The moment was nothing short of heaven.

It was getting hot from being directly under the sun and Yunho had to squint his eyes to protect from its glares. With his co-host, he signaled the start of the event, and he watched anxiously as Jaejoong popped out of the tent and into the view of the crowd. Jaejoong gave him a look and a cheeky smile. He knew that smile. Jaejoong was excited, so was he. Yunho looked down and tried to control himself and stop himself from smiling widely. His lips curved upwards and he had to look down many times to keep himself together. He looked again at Jaejoong who shone so brightly. Suddenly, the sun’s rays became less blinding.

Seeing Jae perform live again, Yunho reminisced how far they’ve come already… They met back in 2001… It’s been 14 years… and many many things have happened.

Jaejoong was singing so freely. His joy was so obvious and was bursting out of him. “I love him,” Yunho thought to himself.

“Hard work at 2-3 am, father?” Yunho watched Jaejoong and recalled how the 16-17 year old boy back then had gone days without sleep just to finish recordings, perfect their dances, and practice some more vocally. During their trainee days, Jaejoong had sold chewing gum and chocolates, delivered chicken and newspapers, worked as a construction worker and gas boy to support himself. What else has he done? He wasn’t picky at all, and he didn’t change all these years. His perseverance was unwavering however harsh the demands were.

“Someone with a good heart?” Yunho will rack his brain thinking of someone else who could be warmer than Jaejoong. Who wa