Dirty Switch

Twenty-six years old. January 31st.

Before they knew it, their fourth wedding anniversary had arrived.
“Congratulations, young master. The Director is busy today, so I came in his place.”
Seo Baekhan’s secretary handed over a bouquet so large and heavy it would be hard for even a grown man to carry with both hands.

“…Thank you.”
Last year. The year before. ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) Since getting married, Taehyun had heard the exact same words from Baekhan’s secretary every time. He’d received the same-sized bouquet, and a gift of similar value.
 

It was the same on the day he returned from the U.S. and first arrived at their newlywed home in Pyongyang after wrapping up his life abroad. Inside a cozy house that faced Yeonhwagung, it wasn’t Seo Baekhan himself, but the staff he had hired and an enormous bouquet that welcomed Joo Taehyun.
This bastard didn’t even bother to show up when his much younger husband flew all the way from the U.S.?
Aside from the eldest brother who truly couldn’t make time, Taehyun’s other brothers and sister had graciously come to Pyongyang together. Even though they were so busy that they had to head straight back to the airport after dropping him off, his overbearing siblings had insisted on escorting their baby brother from Incheon Airport to the house in Moran District.

Yoonwoo, people can hear you.
I said it so they’d hear. And if Seo Baekhan couldn’t make it, shouldn’t someone from his family—whether in-laws or out-laws—at least show their face? What, you think a damn flower basket is enough?
He’s been really busy lately, so I told him not to take leave. And the assemblyman—no, I mean, Father—and Mother said we should meet another time because I’d be tired.

Then who are these people? They look like they were hand-picked from among the long-term staff who’ve worked for Seo Baekhan’s family. Are you sure you and he discussed this?
Uh? Oh… yeah. I told him to take care of it himself, nuna.
He was just spewing words to calm down the raging Joo Yoonwoo, but Joo Taehyun had been just as flustered. He’d heard they’d hire a few people to handle odds and ends, but the staff lined up politely at the front door didn’t feel like ordinary employees. Even in the way they avoided eye contact, there was a sense of seasoned discipline—they clearly seemed like longtime retainers of the Seo household.

In contrast, Joo Taehyun had brought no one with him except for the security guards. Even that was under a new contract arranged by Assemblyman Seo Hongkyu, so the personnel would rotate regularly. As for a personal assistant, he planned to hire one sometime next week. It didn’t make sense to ask someone who only handled minor personal tasks to follow him all the way to Pyongyang.
Baby, you said you were going to hire your assistant locally in Pyongyang, right?
Uh? Yeah. I thought that’d be more convenient.

You should rethink that.
Even the usually laid-back third brother surveyed the staff that Seo Baekhan had placed with a hardened expression. It was obvious the house had been managed to Baekhan’s taste during the two weeks Taehyun had been away. At the very least, Baekhan had chosen these people, and it was clear they’d take his orders more seriously than Taehyun’s.
We’ll handle this as soon as we get back to Seoul, so don’t worry about it, baby.
But hyung, I really don’t mind—

How can we leave such a soft-hearted guy alone in Pyongyang? You already can’t even say a single harsh word to that bastard Seo Baekhan!
Nuna, I really said I’m fine. It’s just… a really busy time right now…
Joo Yoonwoo dramatically clutched her chest and moaned, saying she was going to lose her mind. This time, even the brothers didn’t stop her. They just sighed heavily, wearing the same frustrated look.

Taehyun-ah, we’re probably going to miss our flight, so we’ll go ahead… But until we send someone over, you’d better keep your door locked. Don’t leave laundry or cleaning to them, either. Got it?
Hyung, come on, that’s a bit—
Listen to your second brother, baby. What you and Seo Baekhan have isn’t a marriage. It’s a contract.

……
This whole thing? It’s the Seo family picking a fight. There’s no other way to interpret it except that they want to monitor your every move.
Joo Kyunghan gave a strained smile and gently pinched Taehyun’s cheek.

You know, right? You can break a contract you don’t like.
The third brother repeatedly insisted that if anything ever got hard, Taehyun had to speak up. The sighing second brother and Yoonwoo surely felt the same.
That must’ve been when it all started.

Even in the Seoul house, both sides began sending in staff to the point where the domestic employees ended up divided like two rival factions.
“Then, young master, I’ll take my leave. Have a good day.”
“Yes, take care.”

Year four of married life.
In that time, Seo Baekhan had climbed to the position he wanted—the youngest-ever director of Jejungwon. But Joo Taehyun was still “young master.”
Social welfare studies?

Yeah, I’m thinking of taking over the scholarship foundation later. I figured it’d be good to have a title that ties into that.
Hmm, that makes sense. But that field might be more removed from practical work than you think. If it’s really just for the title, another university with strong applied research might be better.
Well… if the news came out that Seo Baekhan’s husband went to a school other than Pyongyang University, I don’t think you’d be the one taking the heat.

Haha. Yeah, you’ve got a point.
He’d been studying hard since transferring to Pyongyang University, but the only title Taehyun could claim so far was still “young master.” Even so, he didn’t get anxious. He just focused on what he could do right now. There was no way he could keep up with Seo Baekhan’s pace anyway. Once he stopped stressing over something impossible from the start, he finally felt a bit more at ease.
More than anything, there were too many things eating away at his nerves beyond schoolwork. He didn’t have the time to obsess over his unrequited feelings like he did during his teenage years. He had to periodically acquire Dirty Switch to deceive Baekhan’s senses, mediate between Baekhan and his birth family who constantly picked fights with him, and force himself into public activities that didn’t even suit him just to stay on good terms with Pyongyang citizens who scrutinized him head to toe whenever he stepped out to get coffee.

Well, if that’s why you chose Pyongyang University’s graduate school, then I should support it. Let me know if you need help.
Maybe because Baekhan wasn’t unaware of Taehyun’s quiet struggle, the more effort Taehyun put in, the more Baekhan seemed to offer subtle rewards. In the past, it felt like patronizing generosity disguised as kindness. But now, it seemed like Taehyun had at least risen to the level of “the kid I live with.”
From the moment he confessed and fled to the U.S., and from the wedding to now, Taehyun had been so busy that his memories had become fragmented and hazy.

Still, there were days like today, when his chest felt inexplicably hollow. Days when he couldn’t help but whine, even if it was selfish—like asking why Baekhan couldn’t just pick out the gift himself instead of sending a secretary, or whether they could at least go out for a nice dinner together, even if not today.
I don’t think you liking me gives you any reason to belittle yourself in front of me.
Taehyun always reminded himself of what Baekhan had once said in moments like that.

All I have to do is do my best with what I can right now. I promised I wouldn’t be greedy. Still, I’ve gotten this close to him—how lucky is that?
Whenever there were official events, Baekhan always made sure to bring him. Even when spouses weren’t required, he did. There was probably a reason, but still—it made him happy. Baekhan would introduce him to people as “my husband,” his partner…
“…He doesn’t even have a partner.”

Maybe that’s why Taehyun kept lingering around Baekhan with a sliver of hope.
Despite his fierce declaration before marriage, Baekhan never took on a separate rut partner. No one he saw regularly, not even a one-night stand.
At least, as far as Taehyun knew. And if there were someone, his ever-vigilant siblings who monitored Pyongyang like hawks would’ve caught on before anyone.

He knew it wasn’t loyalty to him, but more about Baekhan’s image management. After all, Baekhan had his fair share of tabloid scandals in the past. The guy had played around plenty.
Now that he was about to begin fulfilling long-standing ambitions—starting with becoming the youngest director of Jejungwon—he wouldn’t tarnish himself over something as trivial as a sex partner. Especially after marrying someone of the same sex and secondary gender.
So thankfully, the guest room in the basement had never once been used for its original purpose.

“…Ah.”
That was when it happened. A small vibration cut through his thoughts, and Seo Baekhan’s name popped up on his phone screen. The number he’d left blank in his contacts because he hadn’t known how to label it.
As if he always knew the perfect moment—like he could tell Taehyun was thinking about him.

“Uh, h-hello?”
─ Hey, Taehyun.
“Hyung, I just got the flowers. And the gift too.”

─ Ah, yeah? Perfect timing then.
“Thanks again this year, hyung.”
─ What are you thanking me for? You’ve put up with me for four years.

Taehyun just nodded silently. Whenever Baekhan gave him that kind of encouragement, he would quietly cherish the moment alone for a long time, clinging to the illusion that they were just like a normal couple.
Their first anniversary had been even more emotional.
When he unexpectedly received a bouquet and a gift from Baekhan, Taehyun had been completely thrown off guard.

Of course he had remembered the date. And he’d guessed Baekhan probably did too. But he hadn’t dared bring it up. It was probably just the day he’d signed a very important contract, to Baekhan.
Still, when had he prepared all this?
Right after the secretary left, Taehyun hugged the bouquet and cried a little—just a little. The gifts were perfume and a watch, neither really his style.

But they were thoughtful and well-chosen. The perfume complemented his pheromone scent with a mature, woody note. The watch was a high-end brand only connoisseurs would recognize, something he could wear without drawing attention.
He cleared his throat and held down the last call button on his phone. It was rare for him to call first, afraid he might bother Baekhan. His heart pounded the entire time the ringtone played.
─ What is it? Did something happen?

‘Ah, hyung. Um… the flowers and the gift. I got them. When did you prepare them? I was really surprised…’
─ That? Ahh.
The sound faded briefly, like he was checking the time.

─ I told them to bring it around now. But what’s going on?
‘Huh? Oh, nothing. I just… I was so thankful. I didn’t think you’d prepare something like this, so I didn’t…’
─ Sigh… Taehyun-ah, I thought something happened. You never call.

Baekhan lightly scolded him, telling him to think about the meds he always took.
‘Ah… I’m sorry. I just… I was really grateful. And felt bad too…’
─ As long as nothing’s wrong. Let’s talk later—I’m outside right now.

Before he could even reply, the call ended.
Taehyun felt terribly sorry to Baekhan… and then just terribly embarrassed.
To Baekhan, this anniversary probably didn’t mean much. Just like sending a gift card for a friend’s birthday. And here he was, making a big fuss by calling…

“But what’s the matter, hyung?”
─ Ah, right. I’m going to be late getting home today, but there’s something we need to discuss. Don’t go to sleep—wait for me.