DD Ch 8

The vibration started early in the morning. Just as it stopped, it began again, and when Sahee thought it was finally over, it rang out noisily once more. Half-asleep, Sahee groped around under the blanket.

At this hour, the only people likely to call were Ms. Cheon or Uncle Bang. It was probably a summons, saying they were short on help. Grimacing, Sahee pressed the call button.

“Yes…?”

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Her mind was foggy, and her eyes stayed closed. When there was no immediate response from the other end, she repeated, “Yes?” Her voice was soft as sleep threatened to pull her back under during the pause.

─ Are you preparing breakfast this morning?

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“Just dinner…”

─ Just dinner?

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To keep herself from falling asleep, Sahee gripped her phone tightly. She tried to open her eyes, but her body felt drained of energy. Struggling to stay conscious, she mumbled a reply.

“Just dinner…”

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─ Alright, understood. Get some more rest.

“Yes…”

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She heard a faint chuckle from the other end of the line. Still too drowsy to process anything, Sahee let out steady, rhythmic breaths.

─ I’ll come by when I have time, so answer when I call.

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“…”

─ Don’t ignore me.

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The realization hit her like a slap to the back of the head. The call had ended abruptly, leaving Sahee wide awake. As the weight of her realization settled in, she checked her call log.

An unregistered number.

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It was him.

The eleven-digit number filled her vision as if it had been engraved into her memory.

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* * *

Taeon let out a quiet chuckle as he ended the call.

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He tapped the screen of his phone lightly with his fingertip, replaying the drowsy responses of the woman in his mind.

If her long hair had been splayed like dandelion fluff across white bedding, it might have been easier to imagine. But picturing her with her face buried in a pillow, mumbling her replies? That was far from the image he had of Sahee.

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Unless she had mistaken him for someone else, it was hard to believe she could ever be so docile or unguarded. And yet, he couldn’t help but wonder what her face had looked like in that fleeting, vulnerable moment—even if it would crumple the instant their eyes met.

“Good morning, CEO.”

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Taeon turned his head to see Secretary Kim entering the room, their eyes meeting.

A good morning, indeed. It certainly felt like one.

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* * *

Leaning against a pillar, Sahee glanced briefly toward the entrance of the small outbuilding.

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The dark night, illuminated only by a single crude lightbulb she had painstakingly installed years ago, was utterly still. She could hear the rustling of leaves in the distant mountains as she turned her head away.

Whenever she had the time—once a day, if possible, or two to three times a week when busy—she made sure to sketch. Nothing cleared her mind better.

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Following the reference image displayed on her tablet, Sahee moved her hand across the page with smooth, deliberate strokes. But then she abruptly stopped. Resting her forehead against her sketchbook, she let out a deep sigh.

It was an unusually slow day.

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After being jolted awake by Jung Taeon’s call, Sahee hadn’t been able to fall back asleep.

During the day, Sahee’s gaze occasionally drifted toward her phone.

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Even while working with a calm expression, she would find herself glancing at it, feeling a faint sense of unease gnawing at a corner of her mind.

It was like a worm slowly eating away at an apple, bit by bit, leaving her heart slightly hollowed out.

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* * *

“Don’t come! You absolutely cannot come!”

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That wasn’t all. Perhaps because of the commotion caused by Jung Taeon the previous evening, Ms. Cheon had been adamant since lunchtime that Sahee stay far away from the kitchen. As a result, Sahee had spent the entire day holed up in her room.

The phone, placed on the small wooden veranda, buzzed just then. Startled, Sahee quickly lifted her head. Reaching for the phone, she silently repeated the man’s number in her head.

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[Kim Juhwan]

But instead of numbers, a name filled the screen. Staring at Juhwan’s name for a moment, Sahee finally pressed the call button.

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“Hello?”

─ Yeon Sahee? Is this Yeon Sahee?

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“Yes, it’s me.”

─ Hey! Why haven’t you been answering?

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“Ah…”

She had completely forgotten. The excited voice made sense—Juhwan had been the one on the other end of the line when Jung Taeon had rudely snatched her phone away that night.

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From Juhwan’s perspective, it must have seemed like an outrageous breach of etiquette. Adding to that, he had already been exasperated that day with Park Minjae’s romantic escapades. For Sahee to do something similar on the same night must have been infuriating. Although Juhwan didn’t know the full story, Sahee did, and she couldn’t help but feel guilty.

─ Didn’t you see my messages? Why haven’t you responded? Do you know how worried I was?

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“Sorry. I was busy with family matters.”

─ It wasn’t anything serious, was it?

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“No, I just forgot because I’ve been so preoccupied.”

─ Fine. But seriously, this isn’t the first time you’ve done this. Check your messages, will you? Anyone would think you live in the mountains.

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“Pretty close.”

─ Well, it is kind of remote. Sheesh.

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As she idly rolled a pencil between her fingers, Sahee noticed how stiff her joints felt, likely from lack of sleep. Her eyes ached too. She resolved to go to bed once the call ended, but Juhwan’s hesitant voice interrupted her thoughts.

─ Want me to come get you?

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“What?”

─ You know, I told you to come up to Seoul sometime. Did you forget already?

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“Ah.”

─ Our group is planning to meet up next week. All of us.

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“Really?”

─ Of course! You have to come. You’re always the one missing. Are you busy?

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Sahee paused to think. While she was used to such invitations, the idea of traveling all the way to Seoul was daunting. On a normal day, she would have promised to join next time.

“…Alright. I’ll go.”

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Her response was impulsive, no doubt.

The reason? She wanted to stop glancing at her silent phone. Perhaps she had been cooped up in Yeongwadae for too long, growing overly sensitive to even the smallest disturbances. The arduous journey to Seoul might help clear her mind.

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─ What? Really? You’re actually coming?

“You invited me, didn’t you? Where should we meet?”

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─ I didn’t think you’d actually say yes. Let’s meet in Gangnam. I’ll come pick you up.

“No need. I’ll get there on my own.”

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Despite Juhwan’s insistence on picking her up, Sahee remained firm.

The call ended with a promise to meet next week. Closing her sketchbook, Sahee braced herself against the pillar and slowly got to her feet.

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By the time she had washed up and climbed into bed, it was already past midnight.

There was still no word from him.

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* * *

As Taeon stood from his seat, Secretary Kim, seated across from him, jumped to his feet as well.

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That afternoon, a competitor had signed a business agreement to open a premium shopping center within an apartment complex. The deal had come a week earlier than expected, signaling their urgency.

Within Jungmun Construction, voices were now calling for swift coordination with local banks to finalize funding agreements and issue their own announcements.

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Taeon had spent the entire day in front of his monitor, enduring countless video conferences. Had he been in Seoul, he would have checked things in person, but that wasn’t an option. His voice had risen more than once during the discussions.

It was 2 a.m. by the time he finally stood, buried in paperwork until the early hours.

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“I’m going to freshen up.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll have your clothes ready.”

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Unbuttoning his shirt from the top down, Taeon headed for the bathroom.

As he tossed his shirt aside, his phone buzzed repeatedly with incoming messages. Frowning, he checked the screen.

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[Yeon Sahee]

The only message was a photo of a meal she had lazily sent. No words followed. Clicking on the image to enlarge it, Taeon clicked his tongue.

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For someone with a degree in fine arts, her photography skills left much to be desired. It was obvious she had snapped the picture absentmindedly, her disinterest evident in the skewed angle and lack of effort.

While he didn’t expect her to be waiting for his reply, the thought of waking her up at this hour with a mischievous call crossed his mind.

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Wanting to hear that dull voice one more time—if that was a guilty pleasure, so be it.

Just as Taeon stared at the photo and moved his hand toward the call button, there was a knock at the bathroom door.

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“CEO.”

“Yes.”

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“Sorry to interrupt, but it’s Manager Gwak from Citizens Bank on the line. He says it’s urgent, and I noticed you hadn’t gone into the bathroom yet.”

Frowning, Taeon tossed the phone onto his discarded shirt.

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“Give it to me.”

Opening the bathroom door halfway, Taeon gestured for the phone. The call was quickly transferred to him.

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* * *

Sahee grabbed her shopping bag and stepped out of the small guesthouse.

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The weather was beautiful. Under the vast, vivid blue sky, budding flowers were starting to bloom everywhere. Stopping briefly to admire a forsythia blooming early under the fence, Sahee took out her phone and snapped a picture.

Click. The shutter sound had barely faded when a pair of voices rang out.

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“Wait a second, oppa!”

“Okay, okay! Take your time!”

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“Just 10 minutes! I’ll be back in a flash after changing!”

It was Lee Hyungu and Chae Hyunji.

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Her uncle had mentioned in passing that their relationship had progressed significantly. Apparently, they’d been caught sharing passionate kisses at the Yeongwadae entrance several times, much to his disapproval.

It was none of her business, but it was a relief to avoid any unnecessary trouble.

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Stuffing her phone into the pocket of her camel-colored knit zip-up, Sahee walked briskly. As their gazes briefly met, Lee Hyungu flinched.

“Yeon Sahee!”

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She was about to pass by, but Lee Hyungu called her in a small voice, stopping her in her tracks. Turning only her head, Sahee glanced at him.

“At least say hi! We’re old classmates, after all!”

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“……”

“We might even be family soon.”

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“Sure.”

She gave a curt reply and tried to continue walking, but Lee Hyungu quickly stepped in front of her, blocking her path.

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Frowning, Sahee stared at him. Whatever was bothering him, his face looked uneasy and nervous.

“I just want to make sure… you’re not going to say anything weird to Hyunji, right?”

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“……”

“I mean, about us. Our… past relationship. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t twist things or anything.”

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“Us?”

You and me?

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At her incredulous expression, Lee Hyungu’s face turned beet red.

“That’s not the point! Just—please be careful with your words. No need to stir up unnecessary trouble, right?”

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“That’s all?”

“Huh? Yeah… that’s all.”

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“Fine, then.”

That was exactly what Sahee wanted. If Chae Hyunji ever found out that Lee Hyungu’s original target had been her, it was obvious how much of a scene the spoiled brat would make.

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Turning away, Sahee sidestepped him and continued on her way. However, she hadn’t gone far before Lee Hyungu’s sneering remark struck her like a blow to the back of her head.

“How’s it going with Jungmun?”

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Sahee turned fully to face him. Seeing that his taunt had landed, Lee Hyungu smirked mockingly, twisting the corner of his mouth.

“You’re not seriously expecting some Cinderella story, are you?”

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“……”

“I mean, I’m just saying this because I’m worried. I’ve met plenty of guys like that at social gatherings. You know, the kind who keep their dating and marriage partners separate.”

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“……”

“I’m just worried you’ll get your hopes up and end up getting hurt. Life isn’t a fairy tale. It’s cold and harsh. You know that, right?”

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At that moment, Sahee let out a dry laugh. The smug look in Lee Hyungu’s eyes, as he gazed down at her, faltered for a moment.

“Lee Hyungu.”

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“Huh?”

“Go see a doctor.”

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“What?”

“I think there’s something wrong with your eyes.”

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“What are you talking about!”

Ignoring Lee Hyungu, who was now shouting, his face flushed bright red, Sahee calmly walked away.

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Dreaming of being Cinderella? How laughable. That only worked if the other person was a prince on a white horse. But no matter how generously she tried to see him, he was closer to a villain—like the witch offering a poisoned apple.

Sahee tightened her grip on the shopping bag filled with heavy rice cakes.

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* * *

After making the effort to walk from the small guesthouse to the main building, Sahee found that Madam Chun wasn’t there. Peeking her head into the empty room to confirm, she sighed and closed the door.

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Just then, a nearby door opened, and another housekeeper peeked out. She had worked at Yeongwadae for a time but had to leave due to personal circumstances. When Jungmun Group suddenly came down, they’d made an effort to bring her back. Naturally, she was acquainted with Sahee.

“Auntie, do you know where Madam Chun is?”

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“Madam Chun? She went to the market with Cheoljun earlier.”

“When was that?”

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“About 30 minutes ago? It’ll probably take them a while to get back. Why, Sahee? Do you need something?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

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“Madam Chun really dotes on him, doesn’t she?”

The housekeeper chuckled and shook her head in an exasperated but amused way. Sahee glanced down at the shopping bag in her hand before suddenly looking up.

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“Auntie, would you like this?”

“Huh? What is it?”

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“Just some rice cakes… If you’d like, you can have them.”

“Oh my, why are you giving me this?”

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Despite her words, the housekeeper didn’t seem displeased. Taking the bag from Sahee, she inspected it and then widened her eyes.

“Oh my goodness, this is from Hanbit Rice Cake Shop!”

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“You know it?”

“Of course! It was on Gourmet Time a couple of weeks ago, labeled as one of the top three rice cake shops in Seoul! They made such a fuss about how they only sell premium rice cakes, and I thought, ‘These people are ridiculous,’ but they even make honey rice cakes? These TV shows are so unreliable these days.”

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“Oh…”

Sahee’s lips parted slightly in surprise, her fingertips tingling with unease.

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“Did that friend of yours with the red sports car give it to you?”

“Sorry?”

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“You know, the one everyone’s talking about. Who else would drive such an expensive car in this small town? Madam Chun said he’s your friend.”

“Oh, yeah. Yes.”

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“Rich young men really are something else. This looks delicious. Aren’t you having any?”

“I’m not really a fan of rice cakes.”

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“That’s right! Why don’t you like something this good?”

The woman tilted her head, genuinely puzzled.

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“But are you sure I can have this? Didn’t you bring it for Madam Chun?”

“No, it’s fine. Please, enjoy it.”

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“No, no. You should give it to Madam Chun. She’s probably exhausted.”

“Huh? Is Madam Chun unwell again?”

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“No, not exactly…”

The housekeeper trailed off, hesitating. After finally recovering and getting back on her feet, had something else happened again? And yet, somehow, she’d managed to go to the market? Sahee asked in surprise.

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The woman’s expression was troubled. She glanced around nervously before leaning closer to Sahee and lowering her voice. The worry in her tone made Sahee’s heart pound.

“Since it’s just us, I’ll tell you… Yesterday…”

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“What happened yesterday?”

“Well, while we were preparing lunch yesterday, that person from Jungmun Group, CEO Jung Taeon, came by and called Madam Chun over.”

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Sahee swallowed dryly. She suddenly recalled the call she had received from Madam Chun around lunchtime yesterday, where she had been adamantly told not to come, warned repeatedly to stay away.

At the time, Sahee had thought Madam Chun was being overly sensitive about the incident from before. But hearing that Jung Taeon had sought her out specifically left Sahee speechless. She also remembered the CEO asking over the phone this morning if Madam Chun would be preparing the meal again today. The memory made her feel dizzy.

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“Madam Chun said he didn’t say much, but people like that… do they ever really say nothing? Just leave the rice cakes for her. If you leave them in her room, she’ll figure out they’re from you and eat them. Just leave them.”

Sahee clutched the shopping bag tightly, biting her lower lip.

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“I heard you’ve been busy lately, Sahee. Word gets around. You used to help out, but you’ve been too busy to pitch in lately. And Hyunji—how is she still the same, no matter how much older she gets? She came to help but ends up creating more work, making everyone do things twice.”

Sahee forced a smile, her lips curling upward with effort. The woman continued complaining about Chae Hyunji’s family, but her words barely registered.

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Though she was listening, the voice seemed to drift past her. Nodding absently, Sahee’s thoughts wandered to the man.

* * *

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The sun was setting.

After finishing her work, Sahee stepped outside with a sketchbook and a can of beer in hand.

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Settling on the veranda, she squinted at the fading sunset. Using her palm to shield one side of her face, she shifted slightly, propping herself up with her other hand. Once her back was comfortably resting against a pillar, she finally felt at ease.

Placing the sketchbook on her lap, Sahee opened the beer can.

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“Hmm…”

The cold beer went down her throat, making her Adam’s apple bob slightly.

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She had learned to drink in college. Though she wasn’t a heavy drinker, she enjoyed the lazy, relaxed feeling alcohol brought. Even if just for a moment, it cleared her mind and made laughter come easily. When she returned to Yeongwadae, the first thing she had brought in was a small refrigerator, solely for the sake of storing alcohol.

Feeling the warmth spread through her stomach, Sahee flipped through the sketchbook. She stopped at a drawing she had started the day before. At the time, she thought it wasn’t bad, but looking at it now, it seemed crude.

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As she sketched, her thoughts drifted to the call she had been waiting for all day. The memory stirred a mix of frustration and indignation deep within her.

Her mind had been preoccupied all day.

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Setting the beer down, Sahee picked up her pencil and continued working on the unfinished sketch. She tried to focus, recalling reference materials in her mind and carefully refining the lines.

But she still wasn’t satisfied.

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Letting out a deep sigh, Sahee stared at the drawing. Even though it was just a sketch, she felt embarrassed to call it finished. It would remain incomplete forever, another imperfect piece weighing on her mind. It was always the flawed drawings, not the ones she had done her best on, that lingered like a thorn.

Why had it turned out this way?

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Next time, she vowed, she wouldn’t let it happen again.

There had been countless nights of self-recrimination, dissecting every reason for her failures, slowly honing her skills over time.

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Sahee flipped to a new page in her sketchbook.

She knew why she couldn’t draw properly earlier. This time, she resolved to focus completely. She vowed not to think about that rude man as she adjusted her grip on the pencil. But she stopped before even drawing a single straight line.

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Her stomach churned as an image came unbidden to her mind.

A deep voice. A crisp, clean scent. A gaze cast downward. The silhouette of his shoulder blades, like ridges beneath the taut fabric of his white shirt. The shape of his large hands gripping something. The details flooded her mind in a chaotic rush.

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Inside her, a fierce battle raged between her desire not to draw him and the flimsy justifications she came up with. Her hand trembled as it gripped the pencil, but she eventually drew the first line.

She remembered the watch he always wore. Though she had never paid much attention to it, it was always there on his wrist whenever he handed her something. As if she had owned it herself, Sahee quickly sketched the watch.

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Her flushed cheeks grew warmer from the alcohol. Sahee tapped the empty beer can against the wooden veranda before standing up.

She returned to her room and bent down to open the fridge, but her vision swam. Still, she stubbornly grabbed another can of beer and opened it with determination.

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At that moment, their eyes met. Taeon, wearing a black shirt, was looking up at Sahee. She hadn’t even noticed when he arrived.

His disapproving gaze swept over her before he bent down and picked up an empty beer can resting on the veranda. He gave it a light shake, and the small amount of beer left inside sloshed audibly.

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“This is so irresponsible.”

“…”

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“Aren’t you working?”

Hiccup. A sudden hiccup escaped Sahee’s lips, and she quickly covered her mouth with the back of her hand. Despite her embarrassment, her body instinctively moved, her legs springing into action.

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In a clumsy rush, she stumbled out of her room, hurriedly gathering the sketchbook she had left on the veranda. Taeon’s eyes followed the sketchbook she clutched to her chest as if it were a treasure.

Could he have seen the drawing?

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He didn’t say anything, but the sketchbook had been near the empty beer can he picked up. He must have noticed it.

Feeling uneasy, Sahee looked at him nervously. Taeon sat down, narrowing the already small space on the veranda, prompting her to awkwardly shuffle backward. Unsure whether he had seen the drawing, her confusion grew as he turned to her.

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“Did you have dinner, Yeon Sahee?”

“…Yes.”

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“Really? Then why didn’t you send me a picture?”

Sahee hiccupped again, frowning at his nonsensical comment. Taeon’s expression remained calm, even as he moved to sit at the far end of the veranda. His quiet gaze followed her profile.

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For a while, he simply stared at her face without saying a word. Even the sound of her hiccups eventually faded in the stillness. The cool evening breeze helped steady her breathing, and the effects of the alcohol began to subside.

“Did you eat?”

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“I did.”

Taeon leaned forward, stretching out his arm. Startled, Sahee flinched, but he merely reached for the beer can in her hand, taking it away with ease.

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Pop. The crisp sound of the can opening broke the silence.

“This is nice. Irresponsible, though.”

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“…”

“What did you do yesterday?”

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“…I worked.”

“And today? Isn’t it your dinner shift, Yeon Sahee? Shouldn’t you be in the kitchen?”

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She had already heard from others how he had pestered Madam Chun, yet here he was, feigning innocence and chastising her for not being in the kitchen. He was such a strange man.

“Why?”

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Taeon raised an eyebrow as if to ask what the problem was.

“It’s nothing.”

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Though the words about Madam Chun were on the tip of her tongue, Sahee held back. She feared that defending Madam Chun might give him leverage to exploit.

Deciding it wasn’t worth pursuing, Sahee turned her head away. Taeon leisurely finished his beer, crushing the can in his hand before standing up.

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As he moved closer, the masculine scent of his cologne tickled her nose.

“Did you wait for me yesterday?”

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“…No.”

“I was busy with work.”

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“I didn’t wait.”

Sahee’s voice was firm, her eyes hard. Taeon chuckled softly, stepping closer. He leaned down and gently pressed his lips to hers.

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The soft touch startled her, but before she could process it, he left another brief peck on her lips.

She felt a surge of indignation at his audacity—showing up unannounced and kissing her as he pleased. But that was the nature of their relationship. Sahee accepted the kiss as if it meant nothing, as if she hadn’t been waiting for him at all.

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Taeon deepened the kiss, his lips enveloping hers. Her lips parted involuntarily, and a low sound escaped from deep in her throat. He pulled back briefly to study her flushed face before diving back in.

When she averted her gaze, embarrassed by how warm her face felt, he captured her lips again. His tongue explored insistently, his lips pressing firmly against hers. Each time she struggled to breathe, he somehow gave her just enough air, leaving her mortified and tense down to her toes.

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“Hmm.”

Taeon bit her lower lip lightly before finally letting her go. Their eyes met in silence, her cheeks burning, her eyelashes fluttering uncontrollably.

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“Yeon Sahee.”

The voice that called her name was low and rough.

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“Shall we head inside?”

The suggestion, casually thrown out, carried an undertone that was hard to miss—blatant, even.

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A light pull. A fleeting moment of interest and amusement.

The resolve she had made that night surfaced briefly, only to blur again.

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He had never hidden his desires, and at the end of her resolve, Sahee had once considered the possibility that she might end up tangled with him in a dizzying mess. Yet, she couldn’t easily bring herself to agree.

This wasn’t something she could brush off with the same nonchalance as a kiss. The thought of it unsettled her. Was she just being old-fashioned? And even if she was, did anyone truly get used to such things? The idea of leading him to her room, pretending to be more experienced than she was, and sharing that kind of intimacy felt overwhelming.

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The silence stretched endlessly.

“It’s still…”

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“Still what?”

“Too early. Someone from the theater might pass by… you never know.”

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“Here?”

Taeon raised an eyebrow at her nervous, rambling excuse, as if to ask if she was serious. On this remote island, where not even a faint voice could be heard in the distance, that was the best lie she could muster.

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“…Yes.”

She stole a glance at him. Taeon was watching her quietly.

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The silence was persistent, as if he were weighing the truth of her words. She couldn’t even blink under his gaze until he finally parted his lips.

“I thought it wouldn’t be surprising if you invited me to play house at night.”

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Even if it was just to play something as trivial as house, he had come here, he said, with a crooked smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

“So you knew what you were saying, then.”

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“…”

“Well, that’s a relief, I guess.”

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As she stared at him blankly, his hand reached out in an instant, snatching the sketchbook from her arms.

Startled, Sahee grabbed his arm.

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“Why are you—!”

“I was curious about what you’re hiding.”

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“Give it back!”

“Sure. I’ll return it.”

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Taeon rose to his feet, ignoring her protests, and opened the sketchbook. Tugging at the hem of his shirt did nothing to stop him. The sound of pages flipping echoed sharply.

Finally, his hand stopped on a page.

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Her habit of writing the date at the top of her sketches had never felt more regrettable.

Of all things, the reference for today’s drawing happened to be the watch he always wore. It was a coincidence so absurd that even a passing dog wouldn’t believe it. Her face flushed red, as if it might burst.

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Taeon alternated his gaze between the watch on his wrist and the drawing.

“Do you want it?”

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His voice was filled with genuine curiosity.

“Should I give it to you?”

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He looked down at her with a crooked grin.

Sahee, biting her lip, snatched the sketchbook back and hugged it tightly to her chest, ensuring he couldn’t take it again.

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Watching her, Taeon unfastened his watch.

As Sahee tried to ignore him, Taeon grabbed her hand and pulled it toward him. She tried to pull away with all her strength, but it was no use. The sketchbook tumbled helplessly onto her lap.

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The cold metal of the watch against her wrist sent a shiver down her spine. The watch was far too heavy, and its band was so loose it felt like it might slip off if she let her hand drop.

Taeon held her hand and brushed his fingers over its back. The soft hairs on her skin stood on end, and her shoulders tensed instinctively.

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“Clearly… my watch is too big for you, Yeon Sahee.”

Was he really just talking about the watch? The overt desire in his tone made it impossible to misunderstand.

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A chill ran down her back as she recalled the moment their lower bodies had pressed tightly together. Her ears burned with embarrassment.

Disgusting. Trash.

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Perhaps he was thinking of the same moment, as a playful smile danced on his lips.

When Sahee glared at him and twisted her hand to shake off the watch, he tightened his grip on her wrist instead.

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“Take it.”

Taeon released Sahee’s hand and picked up the sketchbook.

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“For the drawing.”

Without hesitation, Taeon opened the sketchbook to the page with the watch sketch and tore it out.

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* * *

When Taeon returned to the annex, his secretary was there to greet him.

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Standing on the stepping stone, Taeon slipped off his shoes and reached out toward Secretary Kim. With a subtle motion of his finger, Secretary Kim, who had been following behind him, quickly handed over the documents related to Lee Jubi.

“The PR team has sent all the promotional materials about the financial agreement to the media. The signing ceremony is scheduled for tomorrow morning, and the article will be released around lunchtime.”

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“Is Manager Kang Bong-gu handling the ceremony?”

“Yes. Manager Kwak from Citizen Bank mentioned it was unfortunate he couldn’t meet you and asked us to pass along his regards.”

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“Tell him not to call me at dawn.”

“Haha….”

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Leaving Secretary Kim to chuckle awkwardly, Taeon strode forward with long strides.

Passing through the hallway and opening the door, Taeon walked to a table piled high with documents. Secretary Kim had to nearly jog to keep up.

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“Uh, CEO.”

“Yes?”

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As Taeon sat down, he tossed the documents onto the table.

Secretary Kim glanced at a piece of paper neatly placed atop the pile. It was a small, folded sheet of white paper, roughly A5 in size. Through the thin, translucent paper, a faint pencil sketch was visible.

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As Secretary Kim unintentionally stared at the folded paper, Taeon tapped the table lightly with his fingertips.

“Ah! Yes!”

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Startled, Secretary Kim quickly straightened his gaze.

“Do you have something to say?”

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Taeon picked up the paper resting on the documents and frowned as if urging him to speak quickly.

“It’s about the professional baseball opening game.”

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At the mention of the topic, Taeon raised an eyebrow. It had already been quite some time since he’d come here. He’d mentioned before that he would use the opening game as an opportunity to leave the estate and move back to Seoul permanently.

“Go on.”

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“Should we cancel it?”

“Cancel what?”

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Taeon smirked, and Secretary Kim felt his already straightened posture stiffen even more.

“We’ve prepared the personnel to accompany you to Seoul, but I wasn’t sure if you wanted to adjust the plan.”

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“The opening game, huh.”

“Yes…”

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Taeon leaned back in his chair, his posture relaxed.

“Do I look like someone who’s lost his mind to you?”

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“Excuse me? Absolutely not!”

Secretary Kim waved his hands frantically. The slight upward curve of Taeon’s lips suggested he didn’t believe the denial.

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Secretary Kim looked at him with a troubled expression. Suddenly, the image of Min Yeojin, who had spent the entire dinner probing about Taeon and Sahee’s relationship, overlapped with his boss’s face.

“…The Madam seems to be coordinating with Hanseong Group for a matchmaking meeting next week. If you’re planning to go to Seoul, it might be a good idea to give her a heads-up. Hanseong will need to schedule accordingly as well.”

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“Ah.”

Taeon straightened his posture and reached for a pen from the holder. His gaze as he flipped through the documents was indifferent, making it hard to guess what he was thinking.

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It was in the silence, as Secretary Kim’s eyes darted around nervously, that he suddenly realized something: the watch that was always on Taeon’s left wrist was missing.

As Taeon turned to the next page of the documents, he spoke in a low voice.

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“Cancel it.”

“…”

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“I’ll just attend the opening game briefly. Adjust the schedule so it doesn’t interfere with work.”

“Yes, understood.”

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Secretary Kim cast a sidelong glance at Taeon’s wrist before giving a brief nod. Taeon merely scanned the documents with an impassive gaze.

* * *

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Madam Chun’s room was bustling, even in broad daylight.

Three people sat huddled around a table, working on sewing three ancestral garments for an upcoming ritual. The room was already in chaos, filled with layers of fabric.

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Sahee lifted a stack of cloth, only to cough and turn her head away from the dust. Uncle Cheoljun, who had been stitching an underskirt, looked ready to explode with irritation.

“Ugh, come on!”

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Finally, Cheoljun threw the underskirt he had been glaring at onto the table. Madam Chun laughed as she wet the end of a thread with her tongue.

“You’ve got to hand-sew it. What can you do?”

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“Madam Chun, seriously! You can order these ancestral clothes online for 25,000 won, and they deliver right to your door. Why are we still doing this by hand in this day and age?”

“Don’t spit on the underskirt; it’ll bring bad luck.”

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“Madam Chun!”

“Get on with it! We’re out of time! You don’t understand devotion, do you?”

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“Sahee, what do you think? Huh? I’ve worked at Yeonghwadang for 20 years, and I still don’t get it. Are ghosts even real? Do our dead ancestors actually know we’re burning silk robes for them?”

When his complaints didn’t sway Madam Chun, Cheoljun turned to Sahee instead. Madam Chun clicked her tongue, muttering about how he needed to grow up. Meanwhile, Sahee, who had been quietly flipping a completed sock inside out, looked at him with a calm gaze.

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“Uncle.”

“What?”

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“On your shoulder.”

“My shoulder? What about it?”

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“There’s a young woman.”

Sahee glanced at Cheoljun, then casually placed the sock on the table as if it were no big deal. The room instantly fell into an icy silence.

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“Did you wrong someone?”

“What—what kind of nonsense is this…?”

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Cheoljun’s expression shifted rapidly from confusion to unease, and then to sheer panic.

As Sahee nonchalantly sipped her coffee, she let out a chuckle. Only then did Cheoljun realize it was a joke, and he exploded.

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“You little—!”

“Ha, did you really fall for that?”

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“No, I didn’t!”

“Uncle Bang, you’d better stick to Yeonghwadang. I’m scared you’ll get scammed if you leave. Don’t even think about starting a business or anything like that.”

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“Ugh, you brat! With those piercing eyes of yours, how was I supposed to know your weird sixth sense might be hereditary?”

Cheoljun brushed his shoulders off unnecessarily, shifting his body as if embarrassed. His broad back hunched as if trying to shrink. Madam Chun and Sahee burst into laughter at the sight.

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“But Sahee.”

“Yes?”

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“What’s with the rice cakes?”

“Oh.”

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“Did your friend come by?”

It seemed the rice cakes left in Madam Chun’s room, along with Sahee’s mumbled excuse, had already made the rounds. Sahee fiddled with a pair of slippers and nodded.

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“Honestly, I think they like you.”

Cough, cough. Sahee broke into a fit of coughing. Sensing some juicy gossip, Uncle Cheoljun turned his body slightly, eyes gleaming with interest. Sahee avoided their prying eyes as she unraveled a silk thread.

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“Over some rice cakes…”

“Why else would someone come all the way to this remote place just to give you rice cakes? Have you ever seen a man spend time or money on a woman he doesn’t like? Right, Uncle Bang?”

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“That’s true.”

“It’s not like that.”

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No matter how much Sahee denied it, it was useless. Madam Chun and Uncle Bang were already whispering to each other, exchanging glances as if to confirm their suspicions.

“It’s from a really famous rice cake shop. It was even on TV.”

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“Really?”

“Yep, yep!”

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“Looks like Yeon Sahee likes you!”

The misunderstanding was snowballing out of control. Sahee tightly pulled the thread she had unraveled, snipping it off with scissors. Trying to avoid being dragged into the confusion herself, she pretended not to hear and turned her head away.

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She knew well that transporting rice cakes from the heart of Seoul to this remote village would be as easy as making a phone call for a man.

Like a night of fleeting curiosity, like the watch he left behind carelessly… it was just a trivial flirtation to him anyway.

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“But you have no sense.”

“Why are you always nitpicking?”

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“Sahee doesn’t even like rice cakes.”

“Ah, right.”

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“Still, I like this one more.”

“……”

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“I like this one better.”

Madam Chun’s pointed remark made Sahee glance back. Madam Chun, who had been scratching her head with a needle, wore a playful expression. Sahee quickly turned her head away.

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In the awkward silence, Uncle Bang mouthed, “What?” to her. Madam Chun kicked him under the table.

“Ow!”

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“Anyway, tell him thank you. I opened a pack and tried it, and it was so good, so I took some with my morning coffee when I went to the annex. He really liked it.”

For a moment, Sahee’s brow furrowed in confusion. To make matters worse, Uncle Bang, still holding his leg from the kick, added his own comment.

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“Ugh. Was that it? Thanks to that, this morning was great. CEO actually finished his food, can you believe it?”

“……”

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“He usually leaves the dessert untouched, barely even touching it.”

“What’s gotten into him?”

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Madam Chun grumbled, clearly displeased.

Only Sahee, stunned, couldn’t find the words and blinked in surprise. The embossed logo that had gleamed on the surface of the rice cakes came to mind, and it felt distant.

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When the gift he had sent appeared back on his table, Sahee couldn’t imagine the man’s expression. Was he shocked? Maybe even annoyed.

At that moment, her phone, which had been placed on the floor, vibrated. A message from an unsaved number.

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Sahee glanced at the two chatting, then checked the message from the man.

[Would you like to come tonight?]

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