The Sickly Transmigrator Hides the Fact that He Became a Puppy - Chapter 9.1
The woman who had led Han Joon to the second floor was Joo Mi Jin, the younger sister of actress Joo Mi Yeon. She had once been an actress herself, then left the industry to start a shopping mall business that blew up, eventually leading her to establish an apparel company.
Though born into privilege, she had also built her own success, making it a rare sight to see her so exasperated by her nephew’s antics.
The moment they arrived, Mi Jin shoved Han Joon into Joo Mi Yeon’s former room and closed the door with a loud thud. She immediately launched into a relentless barrage of scolding.
“Are you an idiot? I told you to wait, didn’t I? Grandpa wasn’t asleep yet. I specifically told you to wait a bit!”
“I did wait. Ten minutes.”
“Ugh, you’re going to be the death of me. What’s with this reckless behavior lately? Are you going through puberty?”
Startled by her sharp tone, Yi Hyeon whimpered, snuggling further into Han Joon’s arms.
“Don’t yell, Auntie. Louie has been really sensitive to loud noises lately.”
“Have you already forgotten the promise you made with your mom?”
“Mom didn’t keep her promise to me, either.”
“What?”
“She said she’d spend my birthday with me this year… but…”
Han Joon tightened his lips, gently stroking Yi Hyeon’s back. Though he was usually quick with a sharp response, this time his dark eyes, framed by thick lashes, grew somber.
Mi Jin’s previously fierce gaze softened gradually. She sighed and motioned to the couch with a nod of her chin.
“Just sit down for a moment.”
Han Joon plopped down on the floor, placing Yi Hyeon on the plush couch. He began to gently tickle the soft fur under Yi Hyeon’s chin, making him squirm and bat at Han Joon’s hand with his paw in protest.
“Joon-ah, if you keep acting out and running away like this, don’t you think it’ll make your mom really sad up there?”
Han Joon lifted his head slightly, exhaling a long breath.
“And she’d be sadder if she knew I was homeless, wouldn’t she? So, Auntie, please try to convince Grandpa.”
Mi Jin sighed, wondering how her intelligent, talented sister could have had such a difficult son. Yi Hyeon, caught up again in hearing about Han Joon’s personal troubles, felt his anxiety build, his big eyes shifting uneasily.
* * *
It seemed that Chairman Joo didn’t mind Han Joon himself; he just didn’t like seeing a face that resembled Han Chul Woo’s.
Proof of this was that, even after everything, he didn’t kick Han Joon out, allowing him to lie comfortably on the bed in Joo Mi Yeon’s old room.
Yi Hyeon whimpered.
That night, unable to sleep, Han Joon took Yi Hyeon outside early in the morning for his routine in the garden.
As soon as he set him down on the grass, Yi Hyeon scampered behind a large ornamental rock to take care of his business. Once finished, he diligently kicked dirt over the area to cover his traces. But as he was energetically scattering soil, he made eye contact with Chairman Joo, who had been weeding nearby, eyes narrowed in disapproval.
Panicking, Yi Hyeon bolted back to Han Joon and dove into his open arms.
“Hiing!”
“Ha ha. Louie, that’s not a goblin—it’s Grandpa. A grandpa from mom’s side.”
Han Joon chuckled, patting Yi Hyeon’s back as he laughed heartily. On their way back to the house, Yi Hyeon clearly heard Chairman Joo mutter under his breath, cursing the “damn Han family.”
* * *
Being a senior in high school, Han Joon and Yi Hyeon were forced to be apart for more than ten hours a day. Each morning, Yi Hyeon would look up at Han Joon with a dejected face as he got ready, dressed in his school uniform.
“Ugh, I really don’t want to go to school.”
Han Joon muttered, slinging his bag over his shoulder with a dispirited expression.
“Hiiing.”
Yi Hyeon didn’t want to be left alone in the huge house with unfamiliar people, so he nuzzled into Han Joon’s chest, trying to cling to him.
“I’ll try to get out of study hall today…”
“Enough with the clinginess. Anyone would think you’re parting with a lover.”
Mi Jin called, tossing a cushion that hit the back of Han Joon’s head and fell to the floor. As much as she loved animals, she couldn’t stand the pathetic sight of her nephew dithering over whether to go to school. She pointed to the front door, reminding him that he was going to be late.
