Thinking back to Kang Si Jin saying he wonders what would have happened if he had chosen Baek Yi Seok's side makes me think of an Everything Goes Right AU where Kang Si Jin is at the South Chungcheong District Court when Lee Han Yeong becomes a judge. It's a sleepy district, far from the political maneuverings of Seoul, and Kang Si Jin is bored out of his wits (and lonelier than he wants to admit). Baek Yi Seok knows, and probably feels sorry for being the reason Kang Sin Jin is languishing in a provincial court. Luckily Lee Han Yeong has just been sworn in, needs mentoring, and so Baek Yi Seok decides to assign him to Kang Sin Jin's sala as an associate. It goes better than expected. Kang Sin Jin remembers Lee Han Yeong, is pleased that he's made it this far. Lee Han Yeong is happy for the guidance, excited about his job. He blossoms under Kang Sin Jin's mentorship, and Kang Sin Jin helps him reach his full potential as best as he can (I imagine at some point he indirectly gives his blessing for Lee Han Yeong to pursue justice by less than conventional means). The two of them become close, bonding over late night case conferences, sharing meals. If Kang Sin Jin finds his gaze lingering a little too long on Lee Han Yeong when he thinks he doesn't notice, and Lee Han Yeong keeps finding ways to make his senior smile - well. They're colleagues, aren't they? It's in the court's best interest for its employees to get along. And then Haenal decides Lee Han Yeong would make a good son-in-law for their law firm. This AU idea brought to you by the image I had of Lee Han Yeong and Kang Sin Jin sharing a meal together, and Kang Sin Jin very quietly telling Lee Han Yeong "Please don't marry her."
