Chapter 159: JEALOUSY OVERLOAD
GARAM felt stuffy staying in the hospital room all day, so he decided to go to the hospital’s rooftop garden with Gong Hanseo.
It should be fine since only a few elderly people were there.
And they’re not paying attention to us.
"The kids said they’ll be late," Gong Hanseo said after checking his phone. "They decided to come together after shopping for additional presents for you and Gunwoo."
Aigooya.
"They didn’t have to."
"You know the kids won’t show up empty-handed."
"Hyung, you raised them well," Garam said. "Thank you for the red ginseng again."
Yes, Gong Hanseo brought red ginseng for him.
The expensive kind.
"You have to drink every single one of them, okay?" Gong Hanseo said, sighing. "Garam-ah, I know it’s scary knowing that you are sick. But please don’t lose hope. You can’t give up, especially now that you have a son."
Garam nodded solemnly. "Of course, Hyung. Actually, after I calmed down, I started feeling better. So, I think I should work on my mental health, too. If I let fear cripple my system, then I have a feeling that my physical condition will turn worse."
"Yes, it’s good to have a healthy mindset as well. So, if you need someone to talk to, come to me. The kids will also welcome you with open arms."
"But you’re all busy."
"We will always make time for you, Garam-ah."
Aww.
"Thank you, Hyung."
"I know it’s scary, so don’t be afraid to lean on us."
"You’re making me want to cry, Hyung."
"Then go ahead and cry."
As if on cue, Garam’s tears immediately rolled down his cheeks.
It was just that he felt safe with Gong Hanseo, his best friend for many years now.
Plus, Hanseo Hyung has always been a dependable hyung to me.
"Aigoo. What a crybaby," Gong Hanseo said teasingly. Of course, his hyung was only doing that to make him feel better. "I can’t believe a kid like you has a kid already."
Pfft.
Garam couldn’t help but laugh while crying, so he looked like a lunatic right now.
"Come here, crybaby," Gong Hanseo said, opening his arms. "Let this hyung console you."
Garam didn’t turn it down— he got up and let himself fall into Gong Hanseo’s waiting arms.
The older guy immediately wrapped his arms around him.
It’s nice to have a friend and a hyung like Hanseo Hyung.
Of course, Garam also felt safe with Song Sihyuk when Song Sihyuk was being a typical, controlling Alpha.
However, he still had to walk on eggshells around Song Sihyuk.
But, with his hyung and friend, he didn’t have to worry about that.
"Everything will be alright, Garam-ah..."
Gong Hanseo suddenly trailed off.
Garam lifted his head, both curious and worried. "What’s wrong, Hyung?"
"I think that young lady recognized us and snapped a picture of us," Gong Hanseo whispered. "I didn’t realize that there’s a crowd here now."
Ah.
Garam quickly wiped his tears with his hands. "Let’s head back to my room."
***
"HYUNGS, you’ve gone viral!"
Aigooya.
When Garam and Gong Hanseo returned to his room, their dongsaengs arrived a little later.
Kwon Jigu, Finn, and Lee Eunsang came to deliver that news.
"Is it bad?" Garam asked worriedly. "What are people saying about our picture?"
"Most of the comments are positive, Garam Hyung!" Lee Eunsang said excitedly. "Actually, our old fans are very happy to see you and Hanseo Hyung together. They are hoping for a reunion on stage!"
Oh.
That made Garam feel excited.
After all, deep inside my heart, I still want to perform— especially with my group members.
"Many people also expressed their concern about you and your health, Garam Hyung," Kwon Jigu said, his eyes glued to the phone. The kid must be reading the comments in the viral post. "You’re wearing a hospital pajama, after all. They’re wondering if you’re sick."
Ah.
Actually, Garam took a glance at the viral post earlier.
Some people are wondering if I left the group because I was sick.
"Garam Hyung, don’t go to the comment section," Finn said while typing on his phone furiously. "The haters have come and are now leaving nasty comments. Don’t worry, Hyungs— I’m already cursing them using my burner account."
Pfft.
These kids haven’t changed at all.
"Kids, let’s stop talking about that post," Gong Hanseo said in a slightly scolding tone. "Garam and I didn’t do anything wrong, so it should be fine. The photo is harmless, but haters will surely find fault in it. Just let them be."
Garam nodded in agreement.
Plus, since it’s a viral post including me, I’m sure Sihyuk Hyung’s team will take it down before it becomes bigger than it already is.
Haaah.
I’m still depending on Sihyuk Hyung.
"We’re here for Garam," Gong Hanseo said in a serious tone. "Let’s focus on that."
And the kids really focused on Garam.
"Hyung, you’re having a hard time, right?"
"Should we all live together again? We want to take care of you."
"We’ll take care of Gunwoo, too!"
Aigooya.
Garam thought it was a good thing that he agreed to meet his group members today.
The way they make me feel loved is also making me feel better.
He was sorry for making Gong Hanseo and the kids worry, but he was thankful that they still cared about him that much.
"Thank you for all your concerns, but I don’t want to be a burden to you," Garam said, and the frowns that everyone had given him made him smile. "Hey, I know that you will never see me as a burden. But I’ll still feel bad. I was the reason our group disbanded during our peak, so I don’t want to be a reason for you to halt your solo careers."
"Taking care of you won’t halt our solo careers— all of us are on a break, anyway," Gong Hanseo said, and the kids nodded eagerly in strong agreement. "So, whether you like it or not, you’ll see us more often from now on."
Pfft.
But Garam thought he should grab that opportunity to ask for his group members’ help in something he wanted to keep a secret from Song Sihyuk and his in-laws.
"Hanseo Hyung, you have a good lawyer, right?"
After all, Gong Hanseo won when he fought to use their group name— which was already their brand— when they left the company.
"Yes," Gong Hanseo said while nodding. "What do you need a lawyer for?"
As expected, Hanseo Hyung is quick-witted.
"I want to write my last will to make sure Gunwoo will inherit everything I own."
"Garam-ah..."
"Hyung..."
Of course, Gong Hanseo and the kids didn’t like what Garam said.
Because it implies that I’ve given up.
But it wasn’t really like that.
"I have no intention of dying early, but it won’t hurt to prepare for the worst-case scenario, you know?" Garam said, smiling to assure his friends that he hadn’t given up on life yet. "After all, I have a son."
It looked like Gong Hanseo had something to say, but he was interrupted when Garam’s phone rang.
Oh, it’s Appa.
"Let me get this call," Garam said. He immediately answered his Omega father-in-law’s call because Lee Wonjae was currently looking after Gunwoo. "Appa, is everything alright?"
"Garam-ah, Sihyuk got into an accident."
***
"HEY, you’re awake?"
Tsk.
Song Sihyuk wasn’t happy that the first person who greeted him was Seong Kyungmin.
This bastard was also the last person I saw before my accident.
Yes, Song Sihyuk was sober enough to remember everything that had happened before he got into a stupid collision on the road.
And that’s not the only thing I remember.
Hence, he couldn’t help but feel impatient.
"Why are you here?" Song Sihyuk snapped at Seong Kyungmin. "It’s supposed to be your day off, right?"
"They called me because your pheromone level spiked while you were in surgery."
"Surgery?"
"For internal bleeding. But you’re fine now. You’re a Hyper-Dominant Alpha, so you’ll recover quickly," Seong Kyungmin said. "Especially since your pheromone level has skyrocketed again. It’s as if your pheromones increased to heal your body immediately."
Ah, no wonder Song Sihyuk woke up feeling like nothing had happened, even though he had gone through surgery.
My body doesn’t even feel heavy.
"Your appa and abeoji were here earlier, but I asked them to step out because your pheromones were making them uncomfortable. I volunteered to stay and keep an eye on you since I needed to observe your pheromone level anyway."
"Does Lim Garam already know...?"
"Yes, but I advised him against visiting you. Your pheromones might affect him, after all," Seong Kyungmin said, and then he raised an eyebrow. "Are you going to get mad at me for forbidding Lim Garam from seeing you?"
"No, you did the right thing," Song Sihyuk said. "His physical condition isn’t good, so my pheromones might just make him weaker."
"That’s true."
"But can you do me a favor?"
"Depends on the favor, of course."
"It seems like Lim Garam’s old group members have visited him today," Song Sihyuk said, clenching his hands tight. "Make them leave. I don’t know what I’ll do if I see them near my wife— especially that Gong Hanseo dude."
Seong Kyungmin scrunched his nose after Song Sihyuk’s pheromones turned stinky. "Are you feeling jealous of Lim Garam’s friends?"
"Lim Garam is my wife— he’s mine and mine alone."
"No, Lim Garam isn’t your ’wife,’ and he’s not yours. You’re already divorced, remember?"
"I remember everything now."
Seong Kyungmin’s eyes widened in shock. "Everything?"
"Yes, everything," Song Sihyuk said, his voice almost a whisper. "I fucked up big time, huh?"
***
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