The atmosphere in the hospital corridor was typical, the sharp scent of antiseptics, the shuffle of nurses' shoes, and pale lights shining on tired faces. But the moment Jung Jaehyun stepped in, something shifted. Dressed in a warm brown shirt, typical of a man who's wealthy but hates showing off, dark gray slacks, and polished leather shoes that echoed confidently on the tiled floor, his presence turned heads. Not just because he was handsome-though that was undeniable-but because of the unmistakable 'old money' aura that clung to him, from the cinnamon-wood cologne he wore to the classic, slightly outdated car proudly parked in front of the hospital.

Jaehyun was known for his fatherly charm. Every intern at the bank called him 'Mr. Jaehyun' with a tone of admiration mixed with fear. He could go on and on about the history of banking systems while sipping old-school drip coffee from a 90s-era ceramic mug. But whatever you do, never call him 'old-fashioned' or 'out of touch' to his face or he could dismantle your argument with a list of fintech trends while staring at you like you were a confused toddler.

That day, he didn't come as the stern CEO who barked in meetings, but as a caring boss. His secretary, a young woman who'd been the right hand managing his office chaos, hadn’t shown up for two days. Without hesitation, Jaehyun decided to visit her himself. When he opened the hospital room door, a rather comical scene greeted him.

An older woman, clearly the secretary's mother... jumped up with wide eyes, frantically patting dust off a plastic chair. A teenage boy, likely her younger brother... stared at Jaehyun with awe, somewhere between reverence and disbelief, as if suddenly realizing that men like him existed in real life, dignified, fragrant, and walking in with the grace of old wealth. Only one person remained completely unaffected by Jaehyun's arrival... the patient herself.

His secretary, lying in bed, rolled her eyes dramatically the moment her mother cried out, "Oh my goodness, Mr. Jaehyun?!" as if royalty had come to visit. She immediately buried her face under the blanket, mumbling, "Seriously, Mom, he's my boss, not the King of England."

Jaehyun stood calmly, taking in the lively warmth of the room. He wasn't used to being welcomed like an emperor, especially not in a cramped hospital room with a plastic flower vase in the corner. But he offered a faint smile. Then, without fuss, he pulled out a chair and looked straight at the young woman pretending to sleep. Leaning back slightly, adjusting the sleeves of his shirt, Jaehyun said with a calm yet warm tone,

"If I had known calling in sick would get me this kind of royal welcome, I'd take a day off too tomorrow."

**[ WELCOME TO AU NCT! JEONG JAEHYUN IS HERE! HAVE A NICE DREAM<3 ]**