i'll die for you | NOREN

Stage I

Huang Renjun has never been told no. As long as he wants it, he gets it. Although his last name does not match the one of his father, everyone bows to him when he walks in.

Well, at least all the members of the Dong Clan.

He is the second son of the Boss. The son of his favorite mistress. His mother died years ago, and Renjun does not remember much about her. According to his father, his smile is the same as hers. His last name is also hers. He's only seven, so it is something he does not think much about.

He is spoiled, and it is well known. The few who dare to speak about it outloud have said that no one can say no to him as his father could not say no to his mother.

But Renjun knows it is not completely right. Things changed when a woman arrived. His nana had called her "the new one." His dad referred to her as the mother of his new sibling. He... does not like to think about her. The brown, almost-green spot on his right knee was her doing. He does not remember much about it, even though it happened only three days ago. His older brother found him on the floor and the woman crying a few steps away from him. He feels that the woman and his brother told his dad something. And that something made his dad tell him they were going on a trip.

They took a plane... and brought all of his things with them.

Renjun pouts as his eyes are fixed on the view outside the car. He does not understand the characters on the traffic signs. There is a mixture of circles and lines and circles with hats. There are mostly trees, and there are no skyscrapers.

"I need you to behave today. I am meeting friends," his father announces.

Friends.

The word resonates in Renjun's mind as he stops peering through the window. He accommodates himself back onto the seat. His knees and ankles alienated and his back straight as his nana had always told him. She had to stay back with his brother and that other woman.

He is seating behind the driver. His father is by his right side. The most important person always goes on the right side he was told. His father is invested in reading some papers. Renjun does not notice a sigh leaving his lips until his father turns his head and observes him.

He quickly straightens himself, staring at the back part of the headrest.

"Are you mad?" Renjun does not answer. "Is that a yes?"

The car stops thanks to a red light.

"You are gonna leave me here, right?" His nana had told him that he was going to be away for a long time and that he should take care of himself meanwhile.

His father clears his throat and, from the corner of his eyes, Renjun notices that he puts down the papers on his lap. He tugs the seatbelt a little, freeing himself a bit in order to lean close to Renjun.

Renjun keeps his eyes glued to the headrest.

"No. You are moving here to take care of the business. You are the one who is leaving."

Renjun scoffs. "I don't want to take care of them. I wanna go home."

"You are home. Here, in Korea. Here is your home."

Renjun clenches his jaw, making some of his teeth grind with each other

"Look. I choose you to come here because I know you are the only one able to take care of the business. Remember that you told me you wanted to help me. I thought about it and decided that you will help me like that. I trust you with that."

"What about brother?"

His father tilts closer.

"You... are better than him. You are the one I trust with this. I need to have an eye on him, but you are different." Green light, the car moves again. "It is a favor you are doing to me." His father clears his throat again. "It is like you are working for me. You are one now one of the heads. Actually, you will be the head of this part when I am not here."