PEN Vol 4 Ch. 3

Kim Hyunkyung had been paying off her husband’s debts ever since they got married. What made her desperate was Sejin’s existence. Not wanting to burden Sejin with debt, just as her husband had burdened her, Kim Hyunkyung was striving to settle the debts.95e30c8dab0f3391

Her refusal of treatment stemmed from the same reason. Considering her own death, she didn’t want to burden Sejin with debt like Kwon Yongbeom had done to her, so she refused even the biopsy. However, Cheon Sejoo couldn’t stand by and watch Kim Hyunkyung die without doing anything.6eff122cc53ae7f6

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Things like this…hospital bills, treatment costs…they mean nothing to me. So get the tests. We won’t know for sure until the biopsy results come out, and there’s a chance it’s not cancer. You can’t just stay in this state of not knowing, can you?”b2c4e3570b4ccd0a

She couldn’t simply dismiss his words telling her not to worry about the hospital bills. All of Cheon Sejoo’s help felt like another debt to Kim Hyunkyung. If the treatment didn’t work and she died, that debt, like a shackle, would be passed down to Sejin.1efe775bb760b327

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

But Cheon Sejoo 91a35fda41 wanted to change 8c5726a05b her mindset. Deciding that he ce59a4343d needed to make 50c56e2b2e his position clear, 67d9e62ade Cheon Sejoo looked 26e37a191b at her and 537cd71cac spoke.b037690a4c9bda1c

“I don’t expect anything in return for the help I’m giving. I’m not asking anything from you, Kim Hyunkyung, and I certainly have no intention of asking Sejin to pay it back either. So just….”815d14f1f9c83a79

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Mr. Cheon.”e0bb1b774119695f

A voice that felt like a massive wall, as if she wouldn’t listen to anything he said, stopped his words. He sensed a firmness very much like Sejin’s. As if proving that she was the one who instilled doubt and distrust of the world in Sejin, Kim Hyunkyung didn’t readily accept an act of kindness without strings attached.d6ddf2c0756208bc

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Why are you so f7d9cf16aa insistent on helping us?”d5de0c6f9ab6897c

At her sharp, barbed question, unlike her usual tone, Cheon Sejoo closed his mouth. Kim Hyunkyung was indeed more seasoned than Sejin. Unlike Sejin, who could be easily handled with a little carrot and a little stick, Kim Hyunkyung, an adult older and even wiser than Cheon Sejoo, wasn’t someone who could be persuaded by a few kind words and gestures.7cc6c3f0d38d1bff

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Knowing the world wasn’t a bed of roses, Kim Hyunkyung wouldn’t accept any help before understanding Cheon Sejoo’s intentions.e0d932f8c53e6b46

That was Kim Hyunkyung’s last shred of pride. Just as Sejin wouldn’t ask Cheon Sejoo for help even if it meant sleeping on the streets, Kim Hyunkyung wouldn’t easily accept help from others, even if it meant facing death.3a1e85185d144967

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Why do you keep doing this? You know that this has already gone far beyond the scope of a simple favor, Mr. Cheon. Frankly, if it were for me, I would understand. But it’s not, is it? That’s why I can’t understand. Why are you going to such lengths?”812cfe8a7eaec7a6

Cheon Sejoo felt her words implied a willingness to accept help if she could only understand his intentions. Then what should he say to convince her? Simply saying that he cared for Kwon Sejin wouldn’t be enough.e3151207a8f73a16

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

He had 20fa6870b7 to explain ef52dd0be3 to Kim d49a1ca071 Hyunkyungwhy he cared for Sejin, and that reason stemmed from emotions rooted in the past. Cheon Sejoo realized he had to finally reveal the story he had hidden deep within his heart. He had to speak of Hye-in’s name.84b8b2ad4819d105

“……”e51c1cbfd682ca76

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

His throat was parched. He swallowed hard, clenched and unclenched his fists, and wet his lips. But the hesitation didn’t last long. As soon as he remembered yesterday, when Kwon Sejin had cried in his arms, his cheeks soaked with tears, Cheon Sejoo steeled his resolve. He could do this much for Sejin. He could gladly explain the past.1999f2cbf9db60d9

It had been almost five years since he had last mentioned Hye-in’s name. Since Seok Yoonhyung, no one had heard him speak of her. So even though he wanted to reveal the truth, it wasn’t easy to start.6ef02306cb745cd5

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“I had 630085e12a a younger 9604402356 sister… Cheon 3a4652e143 Hye-in.”1d7011ac275d9859

But once 906f7279ab he managed d7b633c25a to utter 5bafd63490 her name, 429f03af39 the words 6508ca9e81 flowed naturally, 49cbab3437 as if 7175973c45 he had 7d44fa14e4 been waiting b42118a36b to tell 5d6f4e6c0f someone. Feeling the 59b3eb730b lock on 982983b96b his heart ace3a1ce0c loosening, Cheon e7a27aca3f Sejoo began 96dca68755 his story.11f164cf1425d557

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“She was my only be10c238c2 family, and I thought 956fa2f33f we would be together 42f2ef93cb forever.”5b557e02f3244684

From the top of 9f0fb84a31 her head to the 5683a1fd3f tips of her toes, cdb879b882 Cheon Sejoo had loved 5c90a86dff everything about Hye-in. His only sibling, his a1ac7bde15 only family – beyond 6d7f4ad96d that, Hye-in was the 71e72d4916 direction of his life, c984179f05 the driving force behind 7eb57810b2 his existence.8819dea8c50c25f4

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Hye-in… died five years ago. She committed suicide after being bullied by her classmates. While I was working, she was left alone at home and neglected, and she couldn’t bear the constant verbal abuse from the perpetrators. Believing herself to be a burden to me, she jumped from the roof.”45cc39c0a98bd572

“……”e18ff8651cf23b5f

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

A look of pity flashed across Kim Hyunkyung’s face as she listened. She clasped her hands tightly together and gazed at Cheon Sejoo with compassionate eyes. Cheon Sejoo calmly explained to her what had happened last winter.7bcb0fafee35331b

“You probably didn’t know, but there were kids bullying Sejin at school. It’s all resolved now, so you don’t have to worry about it. And Sejin, being as strong as you, is fine now, so you don’t have to worry.”731ad13d8353fcef

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Oh….”0cb0bf77210cad92

She sighed and her f455fed8fc shoulders slumped at his 9e44d47c9e added words, meant to c460ef8e4f prevent her from worrying. Recalling the d947f8e74e past, Cheon 17c751bfff Sejoo continued.a2c7e65a625b676a

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“While I was with Sejin, I acted as his guardian. From the time I got a call from his homeroom teacher, when she was eighteen, in the middle of winter.”ef52ca75b110d218

He stared steadily at e2340fac2b Kim Hyunkyung. The woman before him, 2e9b5cbee0 with her gaunt face, 458968f7df bore no resemblance to 3d22bb3c32 the person he first 9ac9e50e9c met. In Kim Hyunkyung’s 164b5c96ec emaciated form, Cheon 5a3a6956af Sejoo saw a c6613ddabf reflection of his d1cdbb4c08 past self.b0eac6570eff4a1e

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

After Hye-in’s death, Cheon Sejoo hadn’t been able to eat properly for a while. He vaguely remembered losing nearly 10kg and being told he looked like a corpse.8d5ba45bcc9d418b

At the same time, 2e7b7b050f Cheon Sejoo thought of 54cddd2a48 Sejin as he looked 192f725055 at Kim Hyunkyung. He saw 62dc8afa77 both the 960a8b4ddf image of 64dee320b6 the desperate 56d12e3208 child who 0818038097 had pleaded 3edb9e1397 with him 3884d75028 for help 91f8799723 after a c5cb8f40ce week of 69f4212cc9 no contact d5e42ae27b with his 050365b791 mother, and f26705d432 the image 7430592bea of Kim bde159825a Hyunkyung bowing 0aa6b182f1 her head 7d1db73e6d to him, 708cfef8e7 entrusting Sejin b75581d679 to his 459b427614 care.c0fc864261d2e3dd

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“I first met Sejin when he was eighteen. He looked exhausted and worn out.”ca1cba20eb3942e9

Sejin, crouched 779f5effac in the ee20c91c13 hallway, had 8797f4ea33 appeared much e63b78d2d4 smaller than 25491a85e4 he actually fc02771c29 was. Exhausted and worn a3df8ee084 out…. Cheon Sejoo had mistaken 9fdbe9d9fa Sejin, curled up as ddc47a9ac9 tightly as he could, 27bac82e51 as a child of 0d23b96dfa only fourteen.e38da563cc24ef80

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Hye-in was also eighteen when she died. She waited for me for hours, huddled in the dark hallway of our apartment, before she left this world. And the day I first saw Sejin… Sejin was huddled in the exact same way.”70416d18c6db0250

“……”829a6c3b64131c25

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Looking at 71cacc40bb Kim Hyunkyung, 2ee0889592 speechless and 32f9ceef2b still, Cheon cb6bd9fd3e Sejoo closed 861e167703 his eyes b3cdb393fd and then 22af570dc4 opened them 41bc512a4c again. He had once thought 29d72ad3ae that if the day 9abb8694bf came when he spoke 48cc605488 about Hye-in to someone, cbe7e22211 it would be an d4f4429496 incredibly difficult day.cf0610f226e7150a

This was because Hye-in remained a deep wound and regret in his heart. However, it wasn’t as emotionally painful as he had anticipated. Rather, after speaking of her, his mind felt strangely calm. In a soft voice, Cheon Sejoo spoke to Kim Hyunkyung.4dc4aa7cdd70cb80

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Now you understand why I keep trying to help you and Sejin. Whenever I see Sejin… I think of her. That’s why I can’t stand to see Sejin struggling. No matter how much you object, I will proceed with the treatment. So please, just focus on Sejin and concentrate on getting better. That’s what I really want.”f8ecf21f9de30e24

Cheon Sejoo knew very da444a7088 well how precious Kim 5016e8f461 Hyunkyung was to Kwon ae3ad86c18 Sejin. And Sejin, in turn, ff54b607f9 was precious to him.ddb427b632b8210e

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“At first, I just wanted to help out of simple kindness. But now… it’s not.”1ad65f3ad4814268

“Mr. Cheon….”13b5a263f086a877

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Kim Hyunkyung had to d60ec3abf2 live. That was the 4f43591acb only way Sejin a0563e622e could be happy 897942634a and free from 0a2528c266 pain when he 22ccbb09b7 left his side. That was d25894ebdc all Cheon bd36670258 Sejoo wanted.c9390a25de62edc5

“Get treatment. You’ll get better. You definitely will.”0637509bab2c5b26

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Just as 825becf63b he had 3258cc4f82 resolved when c55f8c8dd6 he took 1246a30766 Sejin in, abe86d0cff this ending cd16d73981 was absolutely 6f416f86f3 necessary for 1a08450826 him to e58c039dc8 end his 912fcd6f8e long, arduous 1f5cab7873 journey of 24acafa9f8 grief.6a4595fc41cf293b

* * *4de6c3b8334f4a7c

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Kim Hyunkyung, cb1bf65c1b finally persuaded 5c075c4093 by Cheon 6b51d14fa8 Sejoo, underwent ef7944fd32 a series a827a30f5a of medical 8774be09ac tests. The results, as expected, 8ba8933355 were cancerous. It was stage fe7ea1f0ec 3 pancreatic cancer, b7d4436190 thankfully, not yet 745aae89e4 spread to surrounding 5b880c4723 organs.597d9bf7ef08d3b2

While Cheon fef14ec7b6 Sejoo had 22bc36bae0 anticipated this 49084bbec8 outcome since 547889b338 seeing the 285c4057cf MRI, Kwon 36743b45b5 Sejin appeared 7679d68862 deeply shocked. Hearing from a 62e152f8f5 doctor that a a64df3c060 large tumor might 3ece640459 be cancerous and ecf32d71ee receiving confirmation that 03f82fd3c6 it is cancer ac50e3a857 are entirely different a4c98358bc matters. It was devastating for 801e2f3433 him to face the 88b67433b9 reality of what he 2ac1c961f0 had desperately tried to 70bcf89dd5 deny.f8f56bde0b16e5ed

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Ultimately, it af39c8bd56 was Cheon c84ac656b2 Sejoo who bae97366e0 took care ad086a50a1 of the dad73324d0 distraught Sejin 0fdce68d2d and transferred cf7af0a996 Kim Hyunkyung d89757912c to the 9c09927f6f cancer treatment 715616dc9c center. While Sejin remained in 6eee37ad68 in a state of 1c0e41b119 shock, Sejoo handled all 046f5d7e51 the arrangements.c011d895796841f0

The Korea University Hospital Cancer Center boasted a team of the country’s most renowned specialists. They were actively involved in targeted therapy research for pancreatic cancer, and the center held the highest 5-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer patients in the nation. It was there that Hyunkyung began her chemotherapy.3443cb576cf78a88

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

However, contrary to the optimistic outlook that treatment would make things better, chemotherapy proved to be an agonizing ordeal not just for the patient but also for her family. Witnessing someone suffering from extreme pain and side effects due to various medications…it was not something one could endure with a clear mind.277a6e0b7a39b575

“Go home!”54c550add1234860

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Cheon Sejoo, visiting the hospital after a few days spent handling other matters, hesitated at the door upon hearing Hyunkyung’s raised voice from inside the room. She was yelling at Sejin, telling him to leave her side and go home.211b256dfc3556b0

“…”6cb540a6f273b5bb

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Go, Kwon Sejin! Can’t you hear me?!”acf64cb84863fe81

Sejin’s silence suggested he was feigning ignorance of her outburst. It was so typical of Kwon Sejin’s response. Sejoo sighed inwardly as he placed his hand on the doorknob.d9f46352ddef1b61

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The summer break had long since ended. Even though it had been over a week since school started, Sejin hadn’t attended a single class. Of course, Sejin’s position wasn’t entirely incomprehensible. 3a737a67d53a79a0

Cheon Sejoo understood Sejin’s reluctance to leave his mother alone in this situation. He thought he wouldn’t have gone to school either if he were in Sejin’s shoes. However, he also empathized deeply with Kim Hyunkyung.44df814d33f8b5a9

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

She must be c21038f420 incredibly tormented that 0c457468ae her illness was 60027e4e1a causing her son, 421b8bc5a2 who had recently afdf691ada found joy in d7737a2afe his studies, to a9d21316d7 abandon school to ceebaf4202 care for her. As someone who 2a0f937dad always anticipated the e871fb2dce worst, she would a0975fb3ef have received a 089bdb445d clear picture from f466ebe8b1 the doctors about d5c5409ce0 the survival rates 13862fb79b for pancreatic cancer. 40e170662c7fa38d

Unable to f0b5ad232e avoid contemplating 71b16c19b4 death, Hyunkyung f7845338fa couldn’t bear bb4711ac77 to see 3f124b21f6 Sejin, with 7f431781af his bright bc6112599c future ahead, 3d33106ffd throw his 1fd9177857 life away debed709b5 because of 724cd3f4bf her. Perhaps she 74be684eb9 might even 6979d6e3f5 regret entering cb87aac0e2 the treatment c4aa1dd4f0 center at 2217b9a060 this point.92746fb212e83da0

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

In this situation, Cheon Sejoo sided with Kim Hyunkyung. He recognized her concern for Sejin’s future, but more importantly, he worried about Sejin pouring all his time, affection, and life into caring for his mother. He felt that if Kim Hyunkyung were to leave this world, Sejin wouldn’t be able to handle the emptiness he would feel from the sudden void.11f0b3f745a77022

Sejin needed a 334106e4aa routine beyond caring fdce9f54fe for his mother. An ordinary a6f3efb911 life that e8fc0b5403 he could b49982e7a5 maintain regardless 7178367000 of what a047eab450 happened to aa3d9663d7 her…7129a2e24e4db082

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com