CHAPTER 192: SPOILED LITTLE PRINCE

GARAM wouldn’t say that he was surprised when the bus stopped directly in front of their house.

The bus wasn’t even stopped by the security team at the gate.

In fact, they welcomed the bus as if they were waiting for it.

"Hyung, you arranged all of this pretty quickly, huh?"

"You know there’s nothing chaebols can’t do in this country," Song Sihyuk said in a low voice while carrying the sleeping Gunwoo in his arms. Their son fell asleep a few minutes ago. "I don’t know if you already noticed, but the bus driver is actually one of our bodyguards."

"Like everyone else in the bus."

The Alpha nodded. "Did I do well?"

"To be honest, I’m not sure," Garam said, leaning his head against the window. It wasn’t like they were in a hurry to get off the bus, so he didn’t stand as soon as the bus stopped. "Our son developed a fear for cars. So, until he gets better, we should use public transportation. But I’m not sure if this counts as commuting."

"Why do you have to commute normally when I can just buy a bus for you and Gunwoo?" Song Sihyuk asked. "Our son is afraid of small vehicles like a car because that damned kidnapper used a car. But it seems like Gunwoo is fine with larger vehicles."

"It’s not just that, Hyung. It seems like our baby feels more confident in a large crowd."

"We have plenty of people to pose as passengers for us. I actually want you and Gunwoo to stay at home in the meantime. But I know you wouldn’t want to live in fear."

Garam nodded. "I don’t want Gunwoo to live like that either. Our son is too bright to be locked up in the house because of his trauma. With therapy, I hope our son gets better soon. I don’t want him to be afraid of the world."

"The child therapist that we hired is good. She was the one who helped Kim Heedo get better after he got kidnapped as a child."

"Kim Heedo? The chaebol heir of Ilsung Group, right?"

"Yes."

"You know, Hyung. It still shocks me that chaebols get kidnapped. As a commoner, I’ve always believed that chaebols are untouchable."

"Well, there are stupid and brave people everywhere. And the underworld isn’t usually afraid of chaebols."

"Underworld as in..."

"Yes, the world of the Korean ’mafia.’ Even chaebols like us are careful when dealing with bastards like that. Just like us, they have connections to the government. As you know, the chaebols run this country. But there’s one thing the government uses to put chaebols on a leash."

"And that is...?"

"Inheritance tax," Song Sihyuk said bluntly. "The inheritance tax our government puts on chaebols is ridiculously high. Sometimes the inheritance isn’t worth it anymore because of tax. That’s why we negotiate with whoever is in the position to cut the inheritance tax that we need to pay. And that’s one of the few times the government has the upper hand against chaebols."

"Is that why my father-in-law is busy after Grandfather died?"

"Correct."

Oh.

Garam didn’t ask questions anymore since he didn’t want to know.

It has nothing to do with me since Sihyuk Hyung took care of my and Gunwoo’s inheritance tax.

"Dad... Daddy..."

Garam and Song Sihyuk both looked down at Gunwoo, who had just woken up.

"Hi, baby."

"Gunwoo-ya."

Gunwoo looked relieved while looking back and forth between Garam and Song Sihyuk.

He’s probably glad that Sihyuk Hyung is still here.

And he was right.

"Daddy, let’s sleep together," Gunwoo said, hugging Song Sihyuk’s neck. "You, me, and Dad."

Song Sihyuk looked at Garam as if he were asking for his permission.

"Go home and pack some clothes first, Hyung," Garam said. It wasn’t like he could deny Gunwoo what he wanted right now. "My clothes won’t fit you."

"Alright," Song Sihyuk said, sounding excited. And then the Alpha kissed the top of Gunwoo’s head. "I’ll be back quick, Gunwoo-ya."

***

"ALL grown-ups were once children... but only a few of them remember it."

Garam fought the urge to yawn while listening to Song Sihyuk read an English book to Gunwoo.

He read the book title on the cover.

It’s ’The Little Prince’ by an author whose name I can’t pronounce.

Of course, Garam could understand, speak, and read English.

But he wasn’t as fluent as Song Sihyuk.

Plus, English wasn’t his favorite subject.

That was why he was getting sleepy.

The only reason Garam hadn’t fallen asleep completely was because Song Sihyuk’s voice sounded sexier when speaking in English.

I want to hear more.

Haaah.

He was so hopeless.

"Daddy, is this a fox?"

Aigoo.

Garam was surprised to hear Gunwoo speak in English.

Well, it wasn’t the first time that his son did that.

But he was surprised by how fluent the child sounded now.

"Yes, that’s a fox, Gunwoo-ya."

"I want a fox, Daddy."

"Sure. Let’s buy a fennec fox later."

"Hyung, is it legal to buy and own a fox?" Garam asked in disbelief. "Here in Korea?"

"Yes, it is," Song Sihyuk said. "We have lenient import regulations due to the growth of exotic animals in the industry. In fact, the exotic pet market is much like the luxury market now."

"I’m not sure if we should let Gunwoo own an exotic animal at his age..."

"But I want a fox like the Little Prince’s fox, Dad," Gunwoo whined while looking at Garam with huge, sparkling eyes— eyes that he couldn’t refuse. "Pretty please, Dad?"

Haaah.

Garam still wasn’t sure if it was okay to spoil Gunwoo that much, but what could he do?

His son had gone through a traumatic experience.

A little reward shouldn’t hurt.

"Alright, you can get a fox," Garam said, sighing. "But promise me that you’ll take care of it."

Gunwoo smiled and nodded. "Yes, Dad!"

***

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