Ch.122Red Snake 2

I glare coldly at the Crimson Envoy who’s gripping Shin-ae’s head.

I straighten my previously hunched body.

And with a face full of irritation, I said:

“Crimson Envoy.”

“Huh…?”

At my cold words, the Crimson Envoy, who had been breathing heavily, quickly regained her composure.

Looking at her, I crossed my arms.

“Is that all you can think about doing with me?”

My ears, which had been flattened in fear, now stand up stiffly in anger.

Seeing those ears, the Crimson Envoy averted her gaze and muttered:

“Sorry… I got angry without realizing it.”

“Fine, now I understand your thoughts perfectly well.”

A snort escapes me involuntarily.

I turn my body around sharply, arms still crossed.

At that, she dropped the head she was holding.

The sound of something like a bowling ball rolling across the floor echoes.

Soon, the Crimson Envoy, unlike her usual self, tapped my shoulder with an apologetic voice.

“Are you angry?”

I didn’t answer at the touch.

How infuriating.

After everything I’ve been through.

After waiting so long for someone to come rescue me.

All you could think about was doing ‘that kind of thing’ with me.

“Of course I’m angry! I thought I was going to die of fear!”

The Crimson Envoy pressed her lips tightly shut at my words.

Rendered speechless, she cleared her throat with a fake cough.

Then, picking up the fallen head, she says:

“That’s why I came to rescue you…”

I glance at Shin-ae’s detached face.

Soon, that grotesque thing squirms and gradually turns to powder, flowing through the Crimson Envoy’s fingers.

The same happened to the body.

The flesh I had been forced to lick became fine particles like salt and poured under the chair.

Thanks to that, only the black robe that had covered her flutters alone.

Was that salty taste because it was actually salt…?

I want to wipe my tongue immediately.

We looked down at the abandoned robe.

Soon the Crimson Envoy crushes that rag with her sharp heel.

“As expected, living alone seems dangerous. Even a moment’s distraction can lead to something like this…”

“What can we do? No one can stay with someone else forever.”

I muttered while pressing down on the robe she was stepping on.

The Crimson Envoy stares down at me.

She looks at the brand now completely encircling my neck and makes a serious expression.

“I’d like for Anna or me to stay with you forever… but if they keep harassing you like this, we have no choice.”

Soon, the red-eyed woman carefully touches the pattern around my neck with her finger.

Fortunately, seeing that I’m not in pain, she nods with some satisfaction.

“Anna, with her good information network, will track that woman…”

“For the time being, stay at my place.”

That again?

I look up at her with a serious expression.

Covering my chest with both arms, I asked coldly:

“As expected… a woman like you…”

“No!”

The Crimson Envoy vehemently denied it with a somewhat louder voice.

She composed herself and calmly explained the reason.

“My penthouse is surrounded by Ilshim hunters in all neighboring units.”

“Plus, when entering the complex, anyone who’s not from Ilshim has to go through security checks.”

“In other words, even when you’re alone, Shin-ae’s manifestations or enemies won’t be able to approach.”

She takes out a penthouse card from inside her clothes.

It’s a very luxurious gold color.

On that key card was written:

“Irvine Golden Forest Desire Palace.”

“Sophisticated Golden Forest Temple of Passion…?”

I can’t help but furrow my brow at the ridiculous apartment name.

The Crimson Envoy smirked as if in agreement.

“I didn’t name it, Uncle Chungsa did.”

“These days, they say brands need to sound luxurious to sell.”

She placed the key card in my palm.

Then she gently stroked the top of my head.

My fox ears flutter as if submitting to her touch.

“Still, I don’t want to live in a place like this forever…”

“Just until we catch Councilwoman Park. Both Anna and I will find out where that woman is hiding as quickly as possible.”

Seeing my gloomy appearance, the Crimson Envoy patted my shoulder.

And with a reassuring look, she says:

“Just bear with it until then.”

“…”

I fidgeted with the key card while keeping my lips tightly shut.

The gold color doesn’t suit me at all.

“Then, do I have to stay home alone while you’re gone?”

The Crimson Envoy always goes to work at Ilshim.

So, am I supposed to just stay home like a pet dog?

Just thinking about it makes me feel lonely and desolate…

My fox ears droop with the depressing thought.

The Crimson Envoy pinched my drooping ear and shook it lightly.

She pushed back my ear and whispered secretively, as if she had planned it all along:

“Don’t worry. I’ll give you a companion to talk to during that time.”

“A companion…?”

“—.”

“Has our bride arrived–?”

My lower eyelids twitch.

When I arrived at the terribly named Irvine Golden Whatever, a green-eyed woman with flowing black hair greeted me.

“Vice President Nahyun…?”

The Crimson Envoy dropped me off and hurriedly left for work.

Left alone, I was immediately grabbed by the shoulder by the Vice President.

“Why is such an important person here…”

“Why? I heard that because of that brand, Councilwoman Park can track your location.”

She pointed at my neck and spoke nonchalantly.

Up close, her appearance was quite different from the charismatic image she had at the company.

No trace of her vice-presidential dignity in those dolphin pants.

And instead of a fitted suit, a shabby hoodie.

Anyone would think she’s just a homebody in her 20s…

“That’s true, but…”

I mumbled while stealing glances at her appearance.

Nahyun suddenly put her arm around my shoulders.

As a result, her ponytail flutters and hits my cheek.

This person even has a scrunchie…

“Today, I personally took charge of escorting my daughter-in-law-.”

“Shouldn’t you be in a position that requires much more protection than me?”

I hunched my shoulders like a student caught by a school bully.

She wiggled her fingers on my shoulder and said leisurely:

“You think I can’t protect our daughter-in-law?”

She guffawed and took the lead.

Even though it’s clearly daytime, her tone is tipsy as if she’s been drinking.

“After all, I’m the second-in-command of Ilshim-.”

No, if I smell carefully, it seems she’s already had a drink…

Her walking style is like that of an old man.

But soon, her smile disappeared and she made a bitter expression.

That look instantly made my whole body tense.

“Besides… Crimson Envoy said that even if I’m at the company, I’m not much help…”

A figurehead?

My lips part at her unexpected revelation.

“She says I always suggest after-work dinners, which she finds extremely annoying…”

When I first saw her at the Japanese restaurant, she really had an impressive aura.

But seeing her like this, she’s just like an immature swan sister…

“But it’s okay! Thanks to our diligent snake kids, I get to play around like this!”

Soon, as if her gloom had completely disappeared, her green eyes sparkle.

And so, I was dragged along by the energetic Vice President towards the Crimson Envoy’s penthouse.

This is like…

Being a pet left behind while someone goes to work!

But since I’m with someone as great as the Vice President, I guess it’s decent treatment?

Come to think of it, most corporate executives keep pets.

I might be no different from those dogs.

But…

Such bitter worries soon disappeared.

My eyes widened at the sight that unfolded when the front door opened.

Unit 2501.

Located on the 25th floor, that home was by far the best I had experienced in my life.

“Wow…”

A long hallway opened up as we entered.

Following that hallway, a massive living room of about 30 pyeong unfolds.

An obviously expensive sofa with a wide flat-screen TV.

And… the view of Seoul through floor-to-ceiling windows.

Even though Ilshim is a mega-corporation…

I can’t imagine all executives living in places like this.

“How is it, killer, right? Our Irvine Whatever is the pride of Ilshim Construction-.”

Nahyun rubbed her nose and said proudly.

It seems even the Vice President herself doesn’t know the name of her apartment.

“Make yourself comfortable until Crimson Envoy returns-.”

She said as she sprawled out on the sofa.

It seems she had been eating snacks even before meeting me, as potato chips were scattered on the marble table.

“Ah, yes…”

I looked around the penthouse with some tension.

And the thought that came to mind was…

No matter how rich.

No matter how nice the house.

People’s lives are all the same.

Especially our Vice President.

I glance down at her.

Pants that reveal her thighs.

Potato chips she eats without hesitation.

And… snack crumbs falling onto the rug!

This person has zero sense of cleanliness!

No matter if she’s the Vice President, she has no dignity!

Plus, it seems she’s been eating only delivery food, as both the sink and table are filled with disposable containers.

Judging by the relative cleanliness of the Crimson Envoy’s room and study, it must be Vice President Nahyun who made all this mess.

Crimson Envoy, what kind of battle are you fighting…?

I can’t help but sigh.

But regardless of my reaction, the Vice President continued to drop snack crumbs not only on the rug but also into the sofa crevices.

Watching that sight makes my insides twist.

I can’t take it anymore.

“Um, Vice President…”

“Yes?”

“Could you lift your legs for a moment?”

“Why my legs…?”

The Vice President tilts her head like a high school girl.

Soon she sees the vacuum cleaner in my hand and grins.

“Ah, it’s okay-. Anyway, Ilshim’s cleaning service comes every other day-.”

Are you kidding me, so all this is just two days’ worth?

The thought alone is dizzying.

“I’m just uncomfortable with the mess.”

I said with a forced smile.

Soon, hearing the grinding of my teeth, Nahyun scratches her head and gets up from the sofa.

“Ahaha… Alright, indeed our daughter-in-law is diligent with housework-.”

She watches my cleaning restlessly.

When I clean the bathroom.

When I do the dishes.

When I dust the rug and expose the sofa seats.

“Why are you staring like that?”

“No… I feel a bit sorry…”

“Then, please take these out.”

I pointed to the plastic containers I had stacked after washing.

She obediently picked them up with both hands.

“Delivery food is good, but you should try to eat home-cooked meals when possible.”

“But-, when I go to the main house, the old man nags too much…”

“Old man?”

“The Chairman-, he always scolds me when I’m at home-.”

Looking at the Vice President’s current state, that’s understandable…

It’s fortunate she hasn’t been smacked on the back!

“From tonight, please eat home-cooked meals.”

“But I don’t know how to cook?”

How shameless.

Well, I guess as a Vice President, she can be shameless…

“Why are you looking at me like that? Crimson Envoy can only cook ramen.”

I already knew the Crimson Envoy doesn’t cook.

Having always eaten her father’s lunchboxes, she probably never had to cook for herself.

“Don’t worry. I’ll cook home meals for you.”

Right, since it’s come to this.

Let me try being a father figure to the Crimson Envoy and this childish Vice President.

Since I can’t go to the shop anyway.

I’ll try applying my Angelic Hand to cooking as well.

Then, even without Senior Jiwook, I could open my own cocktail bar.

Having finished cleaning, I boldly headed to the kitchen.

And proudly opened the refrigerator.

But…

As expected of a home with two cooking novices…

The refrigerator contained only a few leftover delivery foods and a large quantity of beer.

“I guess I need to go shopping first.”

Somehow, I don’t feel like a pet that was brought here, but more like a housekeeper…

It seems I won’t be able to stay here comfortably after all.