Footprints in the Dirt

Joo Taegang drove away from Seong Chanyeong’s house in a daze, like a thief fleeing the scene.

The footprints that Chanyeong had nervously suspected might belong to a ghost…

Were, in fact, left behind by Joo Taegang and his subordinates.

The footprints were scattered not only across the field, but even near the house itself.

If he had paid just a little more attention, he would’ve easily noticed tire tracks too.

But Chanyeong, completely absorbed in his peaceful rural life with Janggun, didn’t suspect a thing.

After all, he never imagined the Alphas he had cut ties with would come looking for him.

And now—

If the Chanyeong who had read the original novel saw this scene, he would’ve shouted, “Objection, Your Honor! This is completely out of character!”

‘That’s the first time I’ve seen him smile like that.’

Joo Taegang gripped the steering wheel tightly and slammed the accelerator.

His face was pale, like he had seen a ghost.

The suffocating tension inside the car made even his subordinates shrink.

‘T-this is scary.’

His sharp Alpha pheromones filled the entire vehicle.

Even the subordinate who was also an Alpha looked like he might throw up.

That was how intense Joo Taegang’s presence was right now.

“…F*ck.”

He ran a hand through his neatly styled hair, ruining it completely.

His mood was terrible.

‘That bastard… smiling like he owns the whole world just because of a stupid dog.’

Ridiculously enough—

It was Seong Chanyeong who had him this worked up.

And it wasn’t even because of the usual disgust he used to feel toward him.

‘Why the hell am I feeling like this because of that guy?’

The emotion he felt after chasing him down like a rat was simple—

Irritation.

Just because Seong Chanyeong had been smiling brighter than ever over a tiny dog that didn’t even reach his ankle.

‘I can’t accept this.’

These feelings were supposed to exist only when he looked at Seo Eunsu.

This was abnormal.

Disturbing.

But what disturbed him even more—

Was the fact that he had flinched at what Seong Chanyeong said to that dog.

“No one’s going to hurt you anymore.”

“You’re safe here.”

He must’ve been talking to the dog.

But somehow…

It sounded like he was saying it to himself.

‘…So the rumors about him being sick weren’t lies after all.’

The countryside house looked warm and full of life.

The garden was well-maintained.

The house itself looked almost brand new.

Even the windows gleamed.

And that white dog he held so carefully was plump and healthy, its fur glossy.

But the only one who looked out of place—

Was Seong Chanyeong himself.

His pale complexion and tired eyes made him look fragile.

Joo Taegang didn’t know.

That Seong Chanyeong wasn’t sick at all.

In fact, he was healthier than ever, fully immersed in farming.

What he had mistaken for weakness was nothing more than sleep deprivation from excitement over bringing Janggun home.

And then—

The final blow.

“I can’t be like this.”

Tears fell from Seong Chanyeong’s eyes.

Before they could hit the ground, he wiped them away.

But that moment—

Made Joo Taegang feel like his heart had dropped.

Before he knew it, he had already run back to the car.

If not for his subordinates chasing after him, he might’ve driven off alone at full speed.

‘What if our eyes had met?’

He was afraid.

Afraid to face those tear-filled eyes.

The same eyes that had been full of happiness—

Twisting into pain because of him.

So he ran.

At that moment, his mind went blank.

The resolve to confront Seong Chanyeong vanished like trash thrown away.

“Dammit.”

Unable to understand himself, he slammed his head against the steering wheel.

“U-um… Director, are you alright…?”

As his suffocating pheromones slightly subsided, one subordinate carefully spoke up.

“I’m fine. Mind your business.”

“Y-Yes, sir.”

Clearly, he was not fine.

Everyone in the car knew that.

‘What’s wrong with him?’

‘No idea… didn’t he come here to beat up that Seong family guy?’

‘That’s what I thought too, but… apparently not.’

They communicated silently, moving their lips like goldfish to avoid provoking him.

Their conclusion was simple—

What the hell is wrong with him?

They couldn’t possibly understand the storm of emotions inside him.

‘I just hope we don’t crash.’

They quietly prayed as he drove like a madman.

Thankfully, after a while, he lifted his head and started driving properly again.

Just as they sighed in relief—

“Hey. You.”

“Y-Yes?”

“If someone you hated suddenly starts looking different… what does that mean?”

‘Out of nowhere?’

The subordinates panicked internally.

This had to be about Seong Chanyeong.

They all silently prayed for the youngest among them, who had been singled out.

‘Answer well… your job depends on it.’

But unfortunately—

The youngest had no sense of danger.

“Uh… well… if it’s about someone you keep thinking about… isn’t that denial before catching feelings?”

“Denial…?”

“Yes. Everyone I know who talks like that ends up asking for dating advice eventually—ah.”

Too late.

The others tried to cover his mouth, but the damage was done.

That one sentence exploded like a bomb inside Joo Taegang’s head.

‘Me… catching feelings for Seong Chanyeong?’

His foot slammed the accelerator.

The car surged forward.

The subordinates silently grabbed onto the handles.

“Sir! The car ahead—!”

“Ahhh!”

“Oh god, please save me from reckless driving…”

‘That’s impossible.’

Joo Taegang drove in fury.

Yet no matter how fast he went—

The only thing on his mind was Seong Chanyeong crying.

‘That’s impossible!’

While he spiraled into chaos—

Chanyeong, the cause of it all, remained completely calm.

“Man… my eyes feel dry. I didn’t sleep well last night.”

“And my ears feel itchy too…”

‘Did a bug crawl into my ear or something?’

They were living in entirely different worlds.

‘These footprints are bothering me… but I can’t just skip work because of that.’

Slacking off was the worst thing in farming.

Crops didn’t grow just because you planted them.

They needed daily care.

“Let’s see… the leafy vegetable patch looks good today too.”

The small green sprouts looked lively.

As I watered them, I naturally started humming.

‘Grow well until the day I eat you with grilled meat.’

Lettuce, chicory, kale, perilla leaves—

Just thinking about it made me happy.

‘Garlic is a must with ssam.’

I was already considering planting garlic too.

The land under my name was huge.

I could plant kidney beans, garlic, radish, even rice.

First—

I needed to till the field.

With a solemn expression, I brought out the cultivator.

One of the latest farming machines Secretary Choi had bought.

Of course, I didn’t forget to spread compost and fertilizer first.

‘Using a hoe has its charm, but why suffer when I have modern tools?’

Vrrrrr—

The motor roared as the soil turned easily.

Janggun stayed glued to my side.

His little tongue sticking out was adorable.

“Janggun, you might get dirt on you. Go play a little further away.”

“Bark!”

As if he understood, he ran off and started chasing butterflies.

Watching him made me smile.

Still a puppy—full of energy.

As I worked, I started thinking again.

‘Maybe I should plant fruit trees too.’

The blood of an orchard owner’s son stirred within me.

Back then, I could only watch.

Always sick, always left behind.

Even eating fruit meant waiting for others to peel it first.

I wondered—

Would fruit I grew myself taste just as good?

“At least now… I can try anything.”

The thought made me both happy and bitter.

‘That’s that. This is this.’

I pushed those thoughts aside and focused on work.

Simple labor really was the best remedy.

After all—

I had to provide for Janggun.

“Done.”

It took a while, given how large the field was.

Just as I praised myself—

My phone rang in my pocket.

‘Who is it?’

I thought it might be Secretary Choi.

But I was wrong.

An unknown number flashed on the screen.