From Now On, A Marriage Proposal Is The Only Way To Survive

Chapter 5

“Hmm…”

Kyo-Shin narrowed his eyes slightly, staring at Shin-Yeon with a suspicious expression.

“I’m not lying… I’ve never seen anyone who looks better in a suit than you, Executive Director Seo.”

As Shin-Yeon avoided his gaze and his voice gradually faded, Kyo-Shin touched the corner of his lips before pulling his hand away.

“Well, that part is true.”

Before long, the server entered, marking the start of the full-course meal.

While eating, Kyo-Shin casually led the conversation, subtly extracting information from Shin-Yeon.

Enjoying the delicious food, Shin-Yeon gradually lowered his guard, unintentionally revealing his concerns about his family.

With Kim Shin-Hee’s sudden disappearance throwing his household into chaos, it was only natural for him to worry.

Moreover, Suhan Group, despite its size as a mid-tier company, lacked solid internal stability. It had grown through sheer luck and crude management rather than careful planning and skilled leadership.

If this business engagement didn’t lead to marriage and Kyo-Shin withdrew his investment, Suhan would likely face bankruptcy.

Understanding this, Kyo-Shin placed a bite of steak into the mouth of the little kitten eagerly flirting with him in an attempt to save his family.

“Nom.”

“You eat so prettily.”

“Aren’t you going to eat, Executive Director Seo?”

“I am.”

Of course, his true focus was more on assessing Kim Shin-Yeon’s thoughts and admiring him rather than the food itself.

Completely unaware of Kyo-Shin’s deeper intentions, Shin-Yeon suddenly had an idea.

…This feels like an opportunity.

Picking up a neatly cut piece of steak with his fork, Shin-Yeon held it out toward Kyo-Shin.

“You should eat too. If you eat well, I’ll feel full just watching.”

“That’s not something a ‘kid’ should say.”

With a firm yet elegant motion, Kyo-Shin took hold of Shin-Yeon’s hand and pulled it closer to take the bite.

Shin-Yeon’s heart thumped strangely at the sight.

With a face that looked like it had been pulled straight from a painting, Kyo-Shin exuded an air of maturity that blended perfectly with his refined elegance.

As he chewed, a bit of juice from the meat seeped onto his lips, and he casually licked it away with his tongue while locking eyes with Shin-Yeon.

“Uh, um… Excuse me for a moment.”

“Mm.”

Feeling overwhelmed by the intense, sensual atmosphere radiating from the older man, Shin-Yeon hurriedly took off his jacket, left it on his seat, and rushed toward the restroom.

“Haa… Wow, this is seriously suffocating. Grown-ups are way too difficult…”

The aura Kyo-Shin emitted dominated the space, making it feel almost overwhelming.

It was frightening yet strangely alluring at the same time.

Shin-Yeon had never experienced something like this before, so it was difficult to put into words—but it was embarrassing enough to make his face burn.

Still blushing, he washed his hands in the restroom before heading back to the private dining room.

Just as he reached for the door handle, Kyo-Shin’s voice drifted from inside.

“I should be free after six. The Paris Group must have been pretty desperate. Suggesting a blind date even though they know I’m engaged.”

…A blind date?

Shin-Yeon froze, gripping the door tightly as he instinctively held his breath, focusing on the conversation inside.

“They even booked the wedding hall already. Of course, nothing is certain until the marriage is legally registered… Hmm. If the engagement with Suhan falls through, I’ll withdraw my investment immediately.”

Hearing his voice turn cold, Shin-Yeon finally realized—Kyo-Shin’s kindness wasn’t because he had fallen for his flirting.

Kyo-Shin had known about Kim Shin-Hee’s disappearance from the start. He had only agreed to spend time with Shin-Yeon to test him.

That realization sent a stiff, sinking sensation through Shin-Yeon’s body.

“……”

But what was he supposed to do? He couldn’t exactly beg Kyo-Shin not to take his investment away just because his older brother had run off.

Now that he thought about it, all the adults involved were just pretending not to see the obvious, lying to each other while fully aware of the truth.

Kim Shin-Hee, you bastard… You really think running away solves everything?

Clenching his lips tightly, Shin-Yeon glared at the door.

If he changed his attitude now, things would only get worse.

No matter what, if he married Kyo-Shin, Suhan wouldn’t collapse overnight.

…Of course, that was only if he managed to succeed in proposing.

Knock, knock—

After taking a moment to compose himself, Shin-Yeon knocked on the door and re-entered the room with a calm expression.

Just as he walked in, Kyo-Shin was ending his call.

They resumed their meal, finishing with dessert while continuing their casual conversation.

Despite the warm atmosphere, Shin-Yeon was completely preoccupied with figuring out how to win this man’s heart.

“Shall we go now?”

“Yes.”

As Kyo-Shin reached for the bouquet of freesia flowers and prepared to call for the server, Shin-Yeon stepped closer and held out his jacket.

“I’m not cold anymore.”

Accepting the jacket, Kyo-Shin caught a lingering scent of freesia and unconsciously let a small smirk form on his lips.

That childish omega pheromone, laced with subtle defiance, was amusing.

So… he must have overheard my phone call.

Kyo-Shin narrowed his eyes, reading the truth in the sudden halt of Shin-Yeon’s flirting and his refusal to meet his gaze.

Shin-Yeon had just finished putting on the coat and scarf returned to him by the staff. Kyo-Shin handed him the bouquet for a moment, shrugging into his own coat as he whispered,

“Did you know that freesia flowers mean ‘Wishing you a new beginning’? What kind of new beginning did you have in mind when you prepared this gift?”

“My pheromone scent… ha… Never mind. There are plenty of other good meanings. If you don’t like the bouquet, I’ll just take it back.”

Unable to completely hide his disappointment, Shin-Yeon bowed his head as he spoke to Kyo-Shin, who was just coming out after paying the bill.

“Thank you for the meal. I appreciate you taking the time, and please consider my proposal seriously. I’ll be going now.”

With his head lowered, Shin-Yeon clutched the bouquet to his chest and hurried forward—before breaking into a full sprint.

Watching him flee in an instant, Kyo-Shin took his car from the valet at the underground parking lot and slid into the driver’s seat.

“Well, it can’t be helped.”

Tapping his fingers lightly on the steering wheel, he started the engine and drove off from the restaurant.

Meanwhile, Shin-Yeon, holding the bouquet tightly in his arms, trudged through the biting wind, trying to put as much distance between himself and the restaurant as possible.

“Damn… I should’ve just held back. Did I ruin everything because I couldn’t control myself? No… Maybe he was just using me. Maybe it’s better to give up quickly.”

Paris Group was a corporate giant—Suhan, a mid-sized company, couldn’t even begin to compare.

“Wasn’t being left out on the streets already set in stone from the start?”

No… wouldn’t it be better to at least try until the very end?

Maybe I can at least delay the investment withdrawal.

Staring down at the bouquet in his arms, Shin-Yeon suddenly wondered if he was just being childish, holding onto his pride without grasping reality.

“Should I just go on a blind date with someone else…?”

Dragging his feet, he spotted a trash can and stared blankly at the freesia bouquet.

“Shouldn’t have bought this…”

As he neared the trash can, he raised the bouquet, preparing to toss it in with one clean motion.

Thud!

At that moment, a large hand reached out from behind and grabbed his wrist, stopping him.

Shin-Yeon whipped his head around—only to freeze.

Seo Kyo-Shin stood there, looking down at him. His black coat and dark hair fluttered slightly in the wind.

“Let go.”

“This is mine.”

As Kyo-Shin took the bouquet from Shin-Yeon’s grasp, his gaze lingered on the other’s tear-filled, reddened eyes.

Cupping Shin-Yeon’s pale chin with his large hand, he murmured,

“Looks like the kid’s feeling hurt.”

“I’m not a kid! I’m already twenty!”

Shin-Yeon grabbed Kyo-Shin’s wrist, trying to push it away, but the man didn’t budge an inch.

“If you’re twenty, why are you running away? I made time for you on purpose. There’s still plenty of time left to monopolize me—leaving now would be a waste, don’t you think?”

Not even a little bit!

“You went as far as to propose to me, and now you’re giving up so easily?”

Releasing his chin, Kyo-Shin took a step back.

“In that case, I suppose it can’t be helped.”

He brought the bouquet to his nose, inhaling its scent as he turned toward his parked car and reached for the driver’s side door.

That’s when he felt a small hand grab the hem of his coat from behind.

When he turned around, Shin-Yeon hesitated before speaking.

“Um… Buy me a drink.”

“Starting day-drinking already?”

“If you won’t, I’ll just leave.”

He had barely mustered the courage to stop Kyo-Shin, yet all he got in response was a cold, teasing remark. Shin-Yeon instantly let go of his coat and turned away.

Thud!

But before he could take another step, his wrist was caught. In a single motion, he was pulled into Kyo-Shin’s arms like a helpless paper doll.

“…?”

With his face buried against Kyo-Shin’s chest, Shin-Yeon looked up, only to see an unreadable expression on the man’s face.

“I never said I wouldn’t buy you a drink.”

“…I don’t want to drink with you, Executive Director Seo. You’re just going to use this as an excuse to dump me, aren’t you? I know exactly what you’re thinking!”

The way you’re looking at me makes it painfully obvious!

“Hah.”

“As if I’d let myself be dumped!”

Amused by Shin-Yeon’s defensive hissing, Kyo-Shin let out a short laugh. Without another word, he opened the backseat door and pushed him inside.

He had wanted to put him in the passenger seat, but since it was on the road-facing side, the backseat was the safer option.

“I can’t park here for long. If we stand around any longer, I’ll have to pay a fine.”

…A parking fine? That was the last straw.

Sitting obediently in the backseat, Shin-Yeon made sure to declare firmly before closing the door,

“…I’m only getting in because of the fine.”

Thud!

Settling into the driver’s seat, Kyo-Shin glanced at the rearview mirror, watching as Shin-Yeon wiped at his damp eyes with his sleeve.

Now that he’d successfully captured the runaway kitten…