We Were Doomed from the Start ⛓ yungi [▶]

1

"You need to read the questions more carefully, Yunho."

"What's the point, anyway? And honestly, what's the purpose of all these questions?"

Mingi pulled Yunho's notebook, providing a bit more explanation about the current question, or more precisely, the one Yunho hadn't attempted.

"This isn't a puzzle where you can analyze and get the answers without writing anything. The question states that Mr. Nicolò estimated the income to be twenty billion in the first year. You need to write down your assumptions first, including the potential employees in the future."

Mingi began writing some theories and calculations for one of Yunho's tax questions. It wasn't unfamiliar territory. Yunho only had Mingi, the only person he could ask when struggling with all kinds of questions.

Mingi was his friend. That's what had been ingrained in Yunho after knowing this Song guy for quite a long time. Fifteen years weren't a short time, even if most of it consisted of monotonous things Yunho disliked. Yet, some—mostly the majority—disagreed. Mingi wasn't Yunho's friend; he was just the son of a mafia boss's right-hand man, Jung Dongwook, entrusted with protecting Yunho. Mingi was merely his bodyguard—watching over Yunho, fulfilling his requests as long as they didn't contradict the rules set by his father, sometimes engaging in light conversations or helping him with tasks like now.

There was a reason why Yunho often sought Mingi's help to explain or even solve problems he found too complicated. Being a business major was not his choice. It didn't mean Yunho had no plans for the future or hated his studies. On the contrary, he had many aspirations for a brighter future and survival. Unfortunately, his father, Jung Dongwook, saw no chance of success in Yunho's plans.

Too contrary, he thought. Yunho was deeply interested in everything related to art, whether it was singing, dancing, or creating visual art. He had repeatedly, long before entering university, talked about these interests, trying to convince Dongwook to allow him to join the art faculty. However, his father adamantly rejected the idea, insisting on enrolling Yunho in what he considered the best business school.

For Yunho, it was the other way around.

Jung Dongwook didn't permit Yunho to attend regular classes, just like other teenagers. Although, in reality, the reasons made sense. Dongwook, as a mafia boss, had many enemies who undoubtedly targeted him and his family members, including Yunho. He didn't want Yunho, with his chosen field, to become vulnerable to these enemies, risking undesirable consequences, considering taking lives was not a heavy burden for them.

However, the problem arose here. Online classes made Yunho unsociable. Let alone having friends, he hardly interacted with anyone. Dongwook would warn Yunho if he was caught having friendly conversations with someone he met online. It was too restrictive for Yunho.

At least, if he was forced not to make friends with many people out there, make the environment here more enjoyable. Allow Yunho to choose what he wanted. Perhaps, if he could truly study art, everything wouldn't be as dull as it is now, Yunho thought. Moreover, he had thought about many things. Being an artist didn't necessarily mean being burdened by non-profitable work. He could make money with his skills, singing at events and getting paid, becoming a dance teacher and earning a salary, or selling his paintings—even though he doubted his abilities in visual arts.

But Dongwook didn't think that way. He wanted his son to have extensive business knowledge to build his own company later on. Not as a successor, as the actual heir to his business was Yunho's older sister, Jung Eunwoo.