A Deal with the Shield

A new morning in this new life dawned.

After sleeping deeply thanks to that jackpot dream about the agricultural random box, my condition was great.

‘Whether those Alpha bastards find me or not.’

To shake off the anxiety, I started sharpening my farming tools first thing in the morning.

I also contacted Secretary Choi for the first time in a while.

Just in case those annoying guys really showed up.

[Young master! It’s been a while. Is there something you need? If you’re calling me directly, I assume it’s not something the workers can handle.]

“Yeah, Secretary Choi. About those Alphas I used to chase around.”

[Yes.]

“They’re apparently tracking me. The chairman himself called to tell me.”

[…Excuse me?]

“I wish it was a lie too, but I don’t think it is. There were dozens of footprints around the house.”

It definitely wasn’t something supernatural.

At a glance, they were clearly the footprints of adult men—evidence that one of those guys had come here with people to search for me.

Silence fell.

Secretary Choi stayed quiet for a few moments before finally speaking.

[…Young master, you didn’t try to kidnap and imprison Mr. Seo Eunsu again behind my back, did you?]

“No. I’m busy farming. I have to feed Janggun, take care of him, walk him, bathe him—I don’t have time for that kind of nonsense.”

[Right. I figured as much. But then… why would they do that?]

“I don’t know either.”

Not understanding the enemy’s intentions was what bothered me the most.

Why drag someone who’s quietly minding their own business?

I spoke honestly.

“I’m scared they might try to hurt me.”

[That’s unlikely. Even when you used to chase them yourself, they never treated you carelessly.]

Yeah, I know that too.

But if the original plot decides to interfere, I’m screwed.

That was a secret I couldn’t explain, so I just sighed.

Secretary Choi offered a solution.

[Should I send security personnel? Or relocate you somewhere else?]

“That’s not ideal. Security would stand out too much in the countryside. We’re already outsiders—adding guards would just make things suspicious.”

Moving again didn’t appeal to me either.

I’d already planted seeds and even bought rice seedlings.

‘And I like this place.’

The village didn’t discriminate against outsiders, the land was fertile, and I’d already helped the workers settle here.

I couldn’t ruin that because of myself.

‘This is a problem…’

As I groaned, Secretary Choi carefully suggested something.

[Then how about this?]

“What?”

[Keep someone trustworthy by your side. Someone strong enough that those Alphas won’t dare cause trouble.]

“Strong? Who?”

Was there even someone who could make those guys behave?

Someone who could make them hide their fangs…

“Ah.”

Wait.

There was one person.

But… should I really call him?

[Yes. That person. Mr. Seo Eunsu, whom you once truly hated.]

“Are you insane?”

I trusted Secretary Choi, and now he was trying to drag me straight back into the original plot.

Et tu, Brute—no, Secretary Choi.

I didn’t even know whether to be mad or impressed.

[Why? It’s not a bad solution. If he agrees, it’s beneficial for you.]

“I literally signed a contract promising I’d never see him again……”

I even told him to report me to the press or sue me if I ever showed up.

This was me choking myself with my own rope.

‘And now I’m supposed to undo that?’

No thanks.

I should’ve just fled overseas when I had the chance.

[That’s unfortunate. This is why you shouldn’t make promises you can’t keep.]

“I thought I could keep it. And at the time, it was the best choice.”

To calm Seo Eunsu—who had been emotionally wrecked by the real Seong Chanyeong—that contract had been necessary.

I didn’t regret it.

‘…Well, maybe a little now.’

Life really doesn’t go the way you expect.

After thinking for a moment, Secretary Choi spoke again.

[You said the condition was that you wouldn’t appear before him, correct?]

“Yeah.”

[Then if he comes to you willingly, wouldn’t that technically not violate the contract?]

“…That’s true.”

If Seo Eunsu came to me on his own, it wouldn’t break the agreement.

‘And maybe… I could even turn this situation around.’

A crisis is an opportunity.

If I used Seo Eunsu as a shield, those guys would naturally focus on him instead of me.

And in front of him, they wouldn’t dare do anything to me.

‘Worst case, I’ll just have to watch them fight over him.’

Whatever.

I’ll just pretend I didn’t see anything.

Using one enemy to control another—this plan was starting to sound very appealing.

Then Secretary Choi delivered the final push.

[Seo Eunsu is currently struggling financially and has taken a leave of absence. He’s working nonstop part-time jobs. If you offer him lodging, meals, and a high salary, it’ll be hard for him to refuse.]

“That… actually works.”

Money wasn’t an issue.

Seong Chanyeong’s limitless black card was still very much alive.

If it meant protecting my peaceful life, I’d spend whatever it took.

[Then shall we offer 5 million won per month?]

“Double it if needed.”

Tuition, living expenses—it’s better if he doesn’t have to worry about any of it.

“But if he refuses, don’t push it. Find another way.”

[Understood. I’ll contact him immediately.]

Honestly, I didn’t expect him to accept.

If anything, he’d probably curse me out.

‘Still… if it works, it’s not bad.’

I didn’t get my hopes up.

Even if it was a perfect job, it was still Seong Chanyeong.

[If it doesn’t work, I’ll find a reliable Alpha to protect you.]

“Got it. I’m counting on you.”

Not long after, unbelievable news arrived.

[Young master! Good news! Mr. Seo Eunsu accepted your offer!]

…Huh?

That easily?

Secretary Choi worked fast.

Not long after Seo Eunsu accepted the “human shield” job, he showed up at my house.

The moment I opened the green gate, his neat, flower-like beauty came into view, along with a fresh floral scent reminiscent of blooming petals.

I almost wanted to faint.

‘This is already worrying.’

Did I just dig my own grave?

While I hesitated, Seo Eunsu greeted me first with a faint smile.

“Hello. It’s been a while, Mr. Seong Chanyeong.”

“…Hello.”

“Since I’m technically employed now, should I call you ‘young master’?”

No. Absolutely not.

I might choke on my own food.

“Just call me whatever you’re comfortable with. This situation is already awkward enough—I don’t want you calling me that.”

“Then I’ll stick with Seong Chanyeong.”

‘This is awkward…’

I had imagined this reunion in many ways.

None of them matched reality.

‘I thought he’d at least question why I called him here.’

But he was calm.

Composed.

Almost like he didn’t harbor much resentment toward me.

Like a still lake, he showed no disturbance at all.

That calmness made me more nervous.

“Secretary Choi explained things. I’ll be staying in the annex and helping with your work.”

“Huh?”

“The farming. He said I’d just help with small tasks. Also… that you’re not in good health.”

“…That’s not true.”

Did Secretary Choi lie to get him here?

That didn’t sit well with me.

Since Seo Eunsu would be staying until next semester, he had brought a lot of luggage.

It would be rude to keep him standing, so I guided him to the annex.

‘Better be honest.’

Lying to him would only make things worse.

And worse meant bad endings.

“The truth is… I asked you here because of those Alphas.”

“The Alphas?”

“You probably know them—Baek Dojun, Chae Yunchan, Joo Taegang, and Yoo Iseo.

The ones I used to bother with one-sided advances.”

“Ah… yes.”

“They’re looking for me. That’s why I called you.

There’s no other intention—I just thought… they wouldn’t act out in front of you. So I’m asking, even though it’s shameless.”

In other words—I’m on your side, don’t shoot.

I explained everything.

Even though I phrased it indirectly, Seo Eunsu seemed to understand why I specifically called him.

Which basically exposed those guys’ pathetic crushes.

But even then, he stayed calm.

No anger.

No cold reaction.

Instead, he smiled faintly.

“I know. If you had lied to get me here, I wouldn’t have come.”

“Then why…?”

“You seem different. You kept your promise and never appeared before me. You didn’t harm me either. I had a feeling… you wouldn’t hurt me now.”

“And also……”

“And also?”