IMFOBO | CH 56 | No Way That’s True

It was late afternoon by the time the two finally left the hotel.

Only after getting into the car that had likely been waiting for hours did some of the tension seem to ease.

At least in a moving car, there’s no way he could try anything.

“We’re heading out now, Executive Director.”

With the chauffeur’s words, the vehicle began to glide smoothly onto the road.
Maybe because it was Sunday, the traffic was lighter than expected.

In the end, the room service breakfast remained untouched.

What happened between the couple after the staff had left the room didn’t come to an end until much later.

She had to shower all over again, rendering the first one pointless, and her legs had completely given out.
The soreness deep in her thighs had her sinking onto the bathroom floor.

She hadn’t realized just how obvious her lack of exercise would become.

“And where do you think you’re going in that state?”

Rather than letting her get dressed, Ryu Tae-san had brought another sheet.

Apparently, it was his version of “a service for his shy wife” or something along those lines.

Eun-cho couldn’t figure out what exactly she’d done wrong.

There hadn’t been any towel accidents, and she hadn’t called him oppa like he always wanted.

So then—why?! Why?! Why did he ignite all over again?

And to make things worse, who could have imagined she’d end up wrapped like a human kimbap in a sheet and delivered back to the bedroom?

Was it because I called him “honey”? Should I have just tossed out an “oppa” like throwing him a bone?

Or maybe it wasn’t about what she called him at all—maybe it was just that he was outrageously, ridiculously lustful.

How could one man have that much stamina?

Forget construction—he should be in the battery business.

Still… wasn’t I enjoying it a little too much to just blame Ryu Tae-san?

The wave of self-loathing hit her hard, and Eun-cho wanted to rip her hair out.

The man was way too much.

Aside from his loud, annoying mouth, his face and body were exactly her type.

“A man just needs a face, a nose, a mouth, know how to provide for his family, and be good in bed. That’s all.”

Even without much experience, she was starting to think the old lady by the jujube tree had a point—this man was really, really good in bed.

At first, it had been overwhelming just to keep up, but later… the strange anticipation she felt for the next round said it all.

There was no denying it—what they had in the bedroom was amazing.

But… was this okay?

Was it really okay to just give in to pleasure like this, without thinking?

She had a feeling she wouldn’t be able to handle the consequences later.

“What are you thinking about?”

There was no way she could ever admit that she’d just been thinking about how amazing last night had been.

So Eun-cho just flashed him a bright smile instead.

Tae-san raised one eyebrow, then gave a soft chuckle.

He reached over with his large hand and covered the back of hers.

“…”

Eun-cho looked down at the hand Tae-san had captured.

It wasn’t the first time they’d held hands, but something felt… different.

Between their fingers, she could feel a faint tremble and a shared warmth slowly seeping in.

She might’ve been dazed after last night’s whirlwind, but even these smaller, gentler touches made her feel… tingly in a different way.

It was like a soft ripple was spreading through her chest.

Wait—am I nervous?

No. No way.

There’s no way I’m getting flustered. Not because of that brute.

Determined not to let him see her flushed cheeks, Eun-cho stubbornly kept her gaze fixed out the window.

Still, she didn’t pull her hand away—and just like that, the hours passed as they drove toward Cheongnim Village.

* * *

As soon as they arrived in Cheongnim Village, Eun-cho was swept up in a whole new kind of chaos.

The moment she changed into the hanbok prepared at the old house, she had to rush off to the village hall where the elders had already gathered for a full-on celebration.

Just like the wedding, the reception was absolutely draining.

As night deepened, the Cheongnim-ri village hall practically shook with excitement.

“Please eat lots, everyone.”

Grandma had laid out a proper feast to celebrate her granddaughter’s wedding.

Though more modest than the time Taesan hired a catering company, still, the guests were still treated generously without anything lacking.

Everyone ate, drank, and even danced with joy.

“Oh my, who would’ve thought he came from such a prestigious family? The grandson of Baekwoon Group!”

“If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll support you however I can.”

“Not only is he handsome, but he has has a charming way with words, too!”

The grandma from the house with the blue roof was practically shouting her praises of Tae-san.

Now that they had held a full-on wedding, there was no point in hiding his identity anymore.
And yet, somewhere between laughter and chatter, Tae-san’s connection to Baekwoon Group started to feel less important.
Thanks to his impeccable ability to blend in and behave just as warmly as always, the arrogance he was once known for felt worlds away.

“Live happily together until your hair turns gray!”

“Whether you’re a man or a woman, all it takes is a little compromise and care to stay happy!”

The blessings from the village elders felt endless.
Their string of heartfelt well-wishes left Eun-cho so full she didn’t even feel like eating.

Charming as ever, Ryu Tae-san never once lost his polite smile.
He was already turning heads in his hanbok, but his gentle speech and respectful manners completely won over the village elders.

And on top of that, he didn’t hold back when it came to spending money, either.
He was the perfect son-in-law in every way.

Rumors quickly spread through Cheongnim-ri that the granddaughter of the local herbalist family had married very well.

But.

“Our Gu-won really needs to get married too, but it seems like he’s been arguing a lot with Tae-hee lately. Eun-cho, have you heard anything?”

The village head’s wife looked visibly worried.
She had been deep in her own concerns about her children but suddenly snapped back to reality.

“Aigoo! Here I am burdening a newlywed couple with all this talk. Forget it, Eun-cho. You two look so good together. Now all that’s left is to have lots and lots of kids!”

Once the elders had said their piece, they turned their attention away from the couple and dove into their food and drink with gusto.

Only then did Eun-cho let out a small sigh and glance at Tae-san.
Now that they were finally alone, there was something she wanted to say.

“Thank you.”

She had been raised to always express her gratitude when others helped her.

Even though it wasn’t exactly a good sign for her future that she kept finding more things to thank this man for…

Still. Gratitude was gratitude.

“For what?”

“For going along with all this, without complaint. I figured this kind of thing was so not your style.”

“I’m just trying to make a good impression on Lee Eun-cho.”

Eun-cho blinked.

But… they were already married. Wasn’t the goal accomplished? Why would he still be trying to impress her?

Before she could follow up, a loud voice cut in.

“Hey, groom! You’ve gotta carry your bride across the threshold! Pick her up, up you go!”

“Let’s see how strong this newlywed husband really is!”

The elders, tipsy on makgeolli, burst out in laughter.

Just moments ago, Euncho had barely managed to stop them from trying to hoist Ryu Taesan upside down to smack the soles of his feet—he, the great Ryu Taesan himself.

And now, they were onto the next thing. She braced herself, wondering how he’d try to get out of this one…

“I’ll lift her right up!”

“Kyahh!”

Before the words had even finished echoing, Tae-san swept her up into his arms.
Startled, Eun-cho instinctively wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

The fact that this man—so commanding and forceful—could match the elders’ playful mood this well was astounding.

He was the type to give orders, not take them. Which only made this side of him more surprising.

Eun-cho looked up at the man who, in that moment, seemed kinder than anyone else in the world, and involuntarily held her breath.

She was being carried, just like that morning, and yet… the mood was completely different.

And so, in Tae-san’s arms, she crossed the threshold of the old house.

It was strangely surreal.

When he first stepped over that threshold, she never would’ve imagined things would come to this.

“Aigoo! The groom’s strong as an ox!”

Laughter rang out around them.

In tradition, a groom carrying his bride over the threshold meant the start of a new home—
a promise that he would cherish and protect her.

Now, she was really married to this man.

Even though the ceremony was over, publicly crossing that line in Cheongnim-ri made everything feel oddly more real.
Like a wave of duty and responsibility had just washed over her.

What had started as a forced decision to protect the old house…
now felt like a much weightier one.

“You don’t have to look so conflicted. I’m going to treat you well.”

A soft smile spread across Tae-san’s face as he said it—gently, maybe even kindly.

And just like that, Eun-cho found herself wanting to believe him.
Even though she knew what kind of man he really was—one who wouldn’t hesitate to crush someone if they got in the way of his ambitions.

If the feeling of being special to someone was just a misunderstanding or a delusion,
there was nothing more dangerous than that—

 especially when it came to relationships between a man and a woman.

“Do as you wish. Whether it’s one year or three—doesn’t matter.”

“…”

“Even a lifetime wouldn’t be so bad.”

A lifetime?

Did he just say lifetime?

Did those words really just come out of Ryu Tae-san’s mouth?

Here is the English translation and edit of the passage you’ve provided:

She was so stunned that she couldn’t even tell if she had heard it correctly.

How long had she been spacing out?

In the blink of an eye, Tae-san kissed the side of Eun-cho’s cheek.

The spot where their skin had met felt unusually warm, as though the heat of his body had lingered there.

“…!”

She must have lost her mind.

It felt like the aftereffects of everything that had happened in just two days.

“Grandma wants you to come over now.”

With a quick peck on her cheek, Tae-san gently set her down.

That mischievous Ryu Tae-san.

It seemed like the rest of her married life would be nothing but resisting his constant temptations.

Still, in the end, you’ll leave too. Just like my father did.

Kindness always disappears without a trace.

I won’t believe it. I won’t be deceived.

And I won’t endure that loneliness again.

Never again.