DD Ch 1

“Tomorrow night, a valuable guest is coming. Make sure to prepare well.”

Chalang, the wind chime hung at the edge of the annex’s eaves rang.

Following the spring breeze, Sahee slowly got up. The fresh scent of flowers filled her reddened fingertips as she hugged the vase. The flower chaos happened because the little daughter-in-law of the Jeongmun family liked flowers.

Since dawn, Uncle Bang had been wailing in front of Sahee’s room after returning from the flower market.

Of all days, Mrs. Chun, who was in charge of decorating the Yonghwadang, had fallen ill. What should we do now? Sahee, you’re an artist, so your aesthetic sense should be better than mine, right? You didn’t graduate from art college in Seoul for nothing. If this goes wrong, Yonghwadang will fall out of the lady’s favor and end up ruined…

Even while blocking her ears against the endless comedy, Sahee eventually had to open the door.

The owner of Yonghwadang, shaman Park Jisun, was her grandmother. The order that a valuable guest was coming meant she had to follow it even if her legs were torn apart.

Sahee slowly walked and placed the last vase by the artificial pond next to the stone wall. The Provencal-style vase was large enough to cover her upper body and heavy enough to press painfully from her waist to her ankles.

Ugh.

Suppressing the twisted pain like a tangled thread, Sahee sat on the landscape stone that surrounded the artificial pond. Despite the short distance, cold sweat ran down her side face.

Phew…

When the wind swept away the sweat and the sharp pain finally subsided in the sunlight, Sahee could look around.

Is it the first time in nine years to use this annex? The sight of the annex, now in full bloom with flowers, was quite a sight.

The last time they all visited was after Jung Seong-ryeol, the eldest son of Jeongmun Group, committed suicide by jumping off a building. Although the Jeongmun family occasionally visited Yonghwadang afterward, they never used the annex. That’s why Mrs. Chun tried hard to make the annex shine like a new house and ended up getting sick.

Until a week ago, this place was nothing more than Sahee’s desolate workspace that no one visited. Often, the sound of conversations from people passing by beyond the wall or the lyrics of overgrown leaves would be heard…

“Wow, Lee Hyungu. How long has it been?”

Today, the intruding voices were familiar.

Lee Hyungu, and a man who must be his classmate.

Originally, when the Jeongmun Group visited, they were supposed to block that back road, but Mrs. Chun must have forgotten while she was ill.

“Really? Look at you, looking all fresh after living in Seoul. Long time no see. Are you here to see your parents?”

“The seasons changed, so I had to. I just escaped for a bit to avoid the nagging at home. I’m sick of hearing about marriage. How old am I to be talking about marriage?”

“Parents are all like that.”

“Even though times have changed, they don’t listen. I mean, age aside, you need a woman to get married. Can you get married alone? Not only marriage, now they want to see a child too. I’m planning to go up as soon as I get a chance.”

“Didn’t you say you were meeting a colleague last time?”

“We broke up ages ago. Lee Hyungu, you.”

“Me?”

Sahee briefly turned her head towards the two classmates sharing their recent updates. It was because of the damned intuition that might be flowing in her blood.

“Ha, should I say this?”

“What? What is it?”

“I might… marry Yeon Sahee.”

“What? Yeon Sahee? That Yeon Sahee?”

Crazy guy.

A smirk escaped from Sahee’s lips.

“Yeah.”

“Are you dating? You?”

“Not exactly dating… It’s just that the elders in the family are talking.”

“If the classmates find out, they’ll go crazy. This bastard. Marrying Yeon Sahee?”

“Ah, why!”

“Why? Look at you grinning from ear to ear. Half the boys in our neighborhood had Yeon Sahee as their first love. Not even half, almost all.”

“Jealous?”

“Jealous, you bastard.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Still as damn pretty?”

“Pretty, but that’s all, right?”

There was no response from the other side. Sahee could easily imagine Lee Hyungu’s characteristic smug face.

You should take the chance when I offer to marry you.

His greasy, shiny eyes seemed to say that. Watching him, it was both ridiculous and endlessly miserable.

“It’s not like she has a decent job. Was she a fairy tale writer or an illustrator? Just between us, there’s nothing to see in Yeon Sahee except her body. My mom absolutely refused, but it’s just my pure heart, ha… You know.”

“Well… Your mother has a point. She’s a cripple.”

Cripple.

At that word, the emotions that had surged and swirled for a moment scattered emptily. It was something she had experienced countless times since the moment the derogatory term became her essence.

Just as she was about to turn back, Sahee flinched. It was because her eyes met through the eerie silence of the rustling leaves.

Cold snake eyes.

A gait neither slow nor fast.

A tall man in a dark navy suit was walking through the annex. He was large and, above all, imposing.

Although the man was walking, he looked more like a sculpture emphasizing physical beauty than a living person. His gaze, looking down at her like an uninvited guest, was arrogant as if he were the original owner of this place.

Sahee knew this man.

Jung Taeon.

CEO of Jeongmun Construction.

His face appeared in the news almost daily, and her grandmother recited his name like a prayer. Watching it, his name felt like a spell. As the prominent heir holding the financial lifeline of Yonghwadang, he was a doctrine stronger than any truth.

“He is a valuable person, so he must be treated with respect.”

Hearing that paradox, Sahee, who had scoffed that all people are the same, was ironically crushed by the pressure.

Taeon was already staring at Sahee from a step away. The series of actions of taking out a cigarette from his jacket pocket and biting it looked bored.

It was clear that he didn’t even question Sahee’s existence, thinking she was just a servant who would bow her head and quickly run away. Without adding any unpleasant words, his blatant gaze alone was close to their kind of courtesy to tell her to get lost.

Taeon flicked open his Zippo lighter and lit a cigarette. He took a deep drag and exhaled slowly. The smoke swirled in the air before dissipating.

“When I was younger, I was heartbroken and felt sorry for that girl. If I were to marry her… I’m not sure. You’re amazing, Lee Hyungu. You’re really in love. But can that Yeon Sahee even have sex? Isn’t she paralyzed from the waist down?”

“What are you talking about? Are you out of your mind? She injured her ankle, not above that.”

“Oh, have you already done it?”

“Not yet. Soon, I guess.”

Ignoring the taunts from over the wall, the man casually lowered his gaze. It was too obvious to be a casual glance. At the end of his gaze, Sahee’s slender ankle was exposed.

Sahee limped. It was from an accident she had as a child. She had been swept away by a strong current in a river and her left ankle got stuck in a crevice of a rock. She was said to have endured it for half a day. When she was found, her ankle was already broken beyond repair.

Since the accident, her life had been constantly worn down. Life had thrown Sahee into endless loss, and her innocence, naivety, and cheerfulness seemed to have never been hers to begin with. Sometimes she became cynical and resigned, but losing herself was not really okay.

“Damn, she has huge breasts. When we were in school, we all prayed together, hoping that Yeon Sahee’s uniform button would pop open just once.”

“Damn it, to your sister-in-law.”

The man’s gaze, which had been fixed on her ankle, climbed up Sahee’s body. The moment the white T-shirt billowed in the wind, revealing the curves of her breasts, Taeon’s one eyebrow slowly rose.

Sahee’s clenched fists had turned white, and she tried to maintain a composed expression despite the humiliation. Her cheeks ached from forcing a smile.

“She’s so stiff. It was in the past, in the past! When we were young and full of energy! And we haven’t even gone to the altar yet, man. And who’s your sister-in-law? She’s your sister-in-law. Got it?”

“… I’ll let you know how it was on our wedding night.”

“Haha. Congratulations in advance. Lee Hyungu is marrying Yeon Sahee. I should have stayed with my parents instead of going to Seoul.”

“You… can’t handle Yeon Sahee.”

“You have a lot of inheritance. Is that it?”

“Yeah, well! Isn’t it? Ha, I’m already worried. How am I going to live with her?”

“Yeon Sahee has a terrible temper.”

“It doesn’t matter now, does it? How dare she act high and mighty to her husband? Does she think she’s still the same Yeon Sahee?”

“Wow, Lee Hyungu is a man?”

She was already furious.

Sahee quickly gave a curt nod to the man. As she tried to pass him, she lost her balance and stumbled. He quickly grabbed her arm.

“…”

Taeon frowned and took the cigarette out of his mouth. He tapped the ashes off with his fingertips and put the cigarette back in his mouth. His gaze was fierce as his cheeks hollowed out.

Through the hazy cigarette smoke like a morning mist, he was still looking at her. Holding Sahee’s gaze, he moved his lips silently, asking without malice,

“Is that you?”

Before she could recover from her surprise, her ankle, where his gaze had rested, throbbed for a moment. Not to mention the numbness in her arm, which was tightly gripped.

Sahee shifted her gaze towards the aching pain. Taeon, following her eyes, loosened his grip. Taking the opportunity, Sahee quickly backed away. The conversation from behind the wall had already disappeared.

“Hey, is Yeon Sahee here?”

It was then that she heard a voice calling her from a distance. Her uncle seemed to be looking for her cautiously, having heard the news about the early arrival of the guest.

She finally came to her senses. Sahee quickly bowed. She imitated Mrs. Cheon, who was always so polite when the so-called VIPs visited, and bowed her head gracefully.

“Excuse me. I’ll be going now.”

“… Oh dear! I’m so sorry. I heard you were coming late at night.”

In the meantime, Uncle Bang, who had spotted Sahee and the man, hurriedly ran over. Taeon nodded briefly.

Uncle Bang, standing beside Sahee, smiled ingratiatingly and patted Sahee’s arm lightly.

“Sahee, you go to the main house. They’re looking for you.”

“Yes.”

“CEO Jung, this way please.”

Uncle Bang escorted the man with exaggerated flattery. He kept complimenting him, saying things like, “Congratulations on your appointment as CEO,” “You look more handsome every time I see you,” and “I’m sure you’ll illuminate the entire Korean business world.” He was so eager to win his favor.

Sahee ignored her still aching arm and walked away.

* * *

When she arrived at the main house, her grandmother and the second wife of the Jung family, Min Yeojin, were already talking. Sahee quietly went behind them.

“Grandma, you found me.”

“Yes, Sahee.”

Her grandmother smiled gently and placed her hand on Sahee’s shoulder. She patted her shoulder lightly and gestured towards the wife, as if telling her to greet her first. Min Yeojin’s eyes narrowed for a moment.

“Hello, Madam. I’m Yeon Sahee, who will be helping you from today.”

Min Yeojin scanned Sahee. Although it was just for a moment, her blatant scrutiny was palpable. As if she didn’t even try to hide her feelings, her following voice was somewhat sharp.

“… Is she the granddaughter you mentioned? The one who does ballet?”

“That’s the second one. This child is the eldest. She helps out at the movie theater. Mrs. Cheon, who always served you, is so sick because she was so busy preparing for your visit. I’ll have Sahee and Mr. Bang help you in the guest house for a while.”

“Oh, I see. The one who never stopped praising CEO Jung? Now I don’t know what to believe. How can your granddaughter be so beautiful?”

Her soft voice was slightly distorted. Sahee maintained her posture, not letting go of the tension, and smiled. Park Jisoon, of course, knew what she meant.

“You flatter me. How can a girl from the countryside compare to CEO Jung? Sahee, bring some tea.”

“Yes.”

Park Jisoon knew her intentions. As Sahee turned to walk away, the wife sighed softly. She could hear Park Jisoon’s affectionate plea from behind her.

“Your leg is a bit uncomfortable. But I’m sure this capable child will take good care of you.”

“… Of course. How could she not? She’s my granddaughter. I heard the chairman praises you so much. Why don’t you visit Seoul sometime? The chairman misses you.”

“Of course. Naturally.”

Min Yeojin’s voice, which had been uncomfortable, was now cheerful.

Sahee walked on without caring. With each limping step, the calluses of her past were trampled.

It wasn’t something to be sad about. It was rather fortunate that the wife, who had been so worried about something happening to her unmarried son, had softened her attitude after just one step.

Thinking of Jung Taeon, a man who blatantly showed his annoyance and disgust, it was a ridiculous worry from the start.

* * *

Damn it.

Taeon tugged at the tie choking his neck and laughed nervously.

The 13-day, 14-night overseas business trip was pushed to the limit until his return, but it was only half a day ahead. And he used that half-day to come down to this remote place. It was so absurd that a hollow laugh lingered on his lips the whole time.

Even after successfully completing the first-quarter contract, he left for the business trip without any leisure to celebrate.

Already, his whole body reeked of alcohol and cigarettes from the final bidding competition with Italy and Japan. As he went around the Middle East and the next Olympic host city, he cursed behind his smooth smile.

Damn 1 trillion club.

Jungmoon Construction’s operating profit, which had been on a downward slope, surpassed 1 trillion won last year. It had been four years since Taeon took office and five years for Jungmoon Construction, so it was truly a historic re-entry into the 1 trillion club.

Chairman Jung was greatly pleased and appointed Taeon as CEO. The old man, who had been itching to speak, raised his palm towards the audience at the inauguration ceremony.

“CEO Jung Taeon is the one who has learned and practiced the five principles I used to grow Jungmoon the closest. And today, after five years! I am placing five times the expectations on our CEO Jung, who has re-entered our construction into the 1 trillion club.”

Was he obsessed with the number ‘5’? He was an old man who clung to useless superstitions.

Anyway, with Chairman Jung’s one word, Taeon’s face was plastered on the evening news and the front page of the next day’s economic newspaper, declaring that Jungmoon Construction’s next goal was the 5 trillion club. He was screwed from the start.

And then what? Since he was inaugurated as CEO, he should purify his body and mind for a month?

Taeon laughed helplessly, recalling his mother whom he met at the airport. His mother, who he met at the airport after arriving, exhausted from layers of fatigue, was smiling brightly.

Son.

At the cheerful call, Taeon hugged his mother with open arms and sensed that something was wrong.

The deviation of his cousin, whom the chairman had arbitrarily placed in construction.

Jung Taejun’s embezzlement of 8 billion won was a misdeed that Taeon had neglected while waiting for the right time. He thought, “How far can a chick fly?” and watched. Besides, it had to be that much to twist the noisy neck that cried day and night.

But while he was on an overseas business trip, the chairman took that chick away. With his pride, he knelt before the chairman and cried, saying it would be a disgrace if Taeon, his subordinate, handled it. It was so absurd that he couldn’t even laugh.

“You know. After your uncle left like that, the chairman has been affectionate towards Taejun. Even if he doesn’t say it, you should think that he knows all your hardships. Your father also hoped you would listen to the chairman’s earnest request, and think of it as a long-awaited vacation. You haven’t rested once in two years.”

So Taeon abandoned his plan to return to the company directly from the airport. Instead, he followed his mother down to Yeonghwadang.

Pretending not to know and staying down for a month would solve everything? What nonsense. Anyway, the company’s major issues had to go through his hands. There were more than a few urgent matters to resolve.

The words to rest were just a facade, and in the end, he would be stuck and deceived. Even the peace of the blooming flowers and flowing river irritated his nerves.

“Anyway, damn it.”

Taeon sighed deeply, threw his jacket onto the bed, and lay down next to it. As he lay down, he craved a cigarette, and suddenly, the face of a woman he had seen through the cigarette smoke came to mind.

It was an unexpected intrusion. The clear hostility under her large, tearful eyes was quite impressive.

Taeon slowly closed and opened his eyes, as if recalling the woman’s face, and licked the inside of his mouth with his tongue.

She was a woman who could drive men crazy. Her soft-colored eyes and gracefully curved lines.

She was not only pretty but also arousing in many ways.

Just up to there.

Taeon erased his thoughts and turned his gaze towards the sound of the wind chimes outside the window.

The wind chimes rang clearly, following the scenery where the white light shattered. It was a beautiful sight for a hell that appeared after clearing the smoky gray city.

“Vacation…”

Vacation. Vacation is good.

Muttering, Taeon got up and unbuttoned his shirt one by one. He wanted to wash away the accumulated fatigue.

* * *

Before dawn.

Sahee, who was getting ready to go out, turned her head at the sound of a presence. Knock, knock, the sound of a strong knock and the shadow’s figure gave her a guess. Sahee, who had put down the lip balm she was applying by the mirror, opened the door.

“Are you getting ready?”

Park Jisun was dressed in a hanbok, indicating she had been receiving guests since this hour. Despite wearing a striking five-colored hanbok, she was not overshadowed by the clothes but rather exuded an imposing presence.

Sahee stepped aside to let Park Jisun in.

“Come in.”

“Have you been working?”

“I had some time after washing up.”

Instead of entering the room, Park Jisun stood at the door and looked around Sahee’s room. Under the tall lamp illuminating the desk, art supplies were scattered messily. Tsk, the lips thickly coated with bright red lipstick clicked. Sahee awkwardly rubbed her neck.

The place where she stayed was a small sarangchae, separate from the main building. In her very early childhood, she had stayed there with other family members, making it lively, but that period was short. When her half-sisters went to high school in Seoul, they left, and the sarangchae soon fell into silence.

Sahee didn’t mind the quiet. It was better than sitting in the room listening to others’ laughter.

When her sisters’ voices earnestly called for their mother, whined at their father, and the three of them burst into laughter like flower buds, she felt like a useless weed. She wished someone would weed her out, but desolation came faster.

Sahee was the only one who cared enough to clean and maintain the sarangchae where she lived. Thus, the sarangchae gradually aged during her three years of high school and became completely desolate during her four years of college in Seoul.

It had improved somewhat when Sahee returned after graduating from college, but it could never be as bustling as before. Unless someone had business with Sahee, the place remained a solitary island where even the sound of the wind was clear.

Sahee gave up on inviting Park Jisun into the room and stood straight.

“What brings you here?”

Without answering, Park Jisun scrutinized her and then roughly grabbed Sahee’s chin. Before she could frown, thick fingers smeared the lip balm she had applied. The calloused hand roughly rubbed the softened surface of her lips, causing them to swell red.

Without giving her a chance to resist, Park Jisun tugged at the collar of Sahee’s white shirt.

“Ugh.”

A short groan escaped as her neck was scraped. Park Jisun continued without concern. She buttoned the top and the next button of the shirt that had been naturally left open.

“Don’t act rashly. I came to say this.”

“……”

“The cost of you living and breathing in this house all comes from that family. It’s best not to get on the lady’s bad side. Anyway, it’s only until Mrs. Chun wakes up, so behave properly.”

“……”

“Tie your hair neatly in one.”

“Yes.”

As she was about to turn away, Park Jisun turned back and stroked Sahee’s cheek once. Finding no makeup smudged, she let out a faint sigh and turned away coldly.

Sahee stared blankly at the sand left on the porch.

What was so urgent that she came up without even taking off her shoes?

Sahee, who had brought a broom, gathered the scattered sand and shook it off towards the yard. She felt a bit better.

* * *

Prayer is sincerity.

It was a story she had heard countless times. Park Jisun always told guests seeking answers that they should pray with pure sincerity, the more earnest they were.

Then the guests would immediately bring bundles of money and place them in front of Park Jisun, crying that they hoped things would change no matter the cost.

Recalling the hundreds of desperate eyes, Sahee looked at Min Yeojin, who was praying.

What was this person’s earnest wish? It must be for her only son to inherit Jungmoon Group.

Sahee glanced sideways at Jung Taeon, who was sitting against the wall behind her. CEO Jung Taeon, who had arrived precisely at prayer time, was constantly checking his tablet PC.

The man, dressed in a gray V-neck sweater and slacks, appeared more relaxed than the previous day, but the sharp atmosphere made it hard for him to completely unwind.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

The sound of tapping on the tablet screen fell like rain.

It was then that one of the eyes of the praying madam opened slowly. Perhaps the noise from behind was annoying, as she briefly glared at the seat next to her.

“Hey, Taeon, come over here and put in some effort! Should your mother be the only one doing this? People might think the CEO of the construction company is your mother!”

Taeon chuckled without even lifting his head.

The madam sighed and shook the hands she had clasped together. She declared her surrender, attempting to bend her knees but staggering momentarily. Sahee quickly stepped in to support her.

“Are you alright?”

“Oh, my head. Thank you. I shouldn’t be receiving help.”

“It’s nothing.”

“I need to rest for a bit.”

“Would you like some cold tea?”

“Water will do. Thank you.”

The madam smiled gracefully as she sat down on the cushion. With a deep sigh, Sahee moved. She walked over to the cabinet in the corner of the room and poured water from the kettle. The spring water her uncle fetched every morning quickly filled the clear glass.

As she carried the tray back to the madam, she felt a gaze. Taeon was watching her. His gaze seemed almost like he was monitoring her, causing her previously steady steps to waver slightly.

“Phew…”

“Madam, please drink.”

“Yes. The water here always tastes good.”

“Would you like more?”

“No, thank you.”

Min Yeojin smiled and wiped the sweat from her forehead. Sahee stood quietly by her side with the tray in hand. The madam, perhaps uncomfortable with just sitting still, handed over the empty cup and started a conversation.

“Your name is Yeon Sahee, right? How old are you, Miss Sahee?”

“…I’m twenty-nine.”

“Do you have a boyfriend?”

“No, I don’t.”

“It’s a good time for that, why not?”

“I haven’t thought about it yet.”

“Well, you’re still young and so pretty, what’s the worry? Do what you want until you meet someone. You don’t necessarily have to, anyway. I used to think marriage was a must, but nowadays, I wonder if there’s any reason to complicate things with romance and marriage. Don’t you think so?”

She spoke warmly, seemingly forgetting the sharp look from the previous day. Sahee gave a faint smile and responded briefly, “Yes, I agree.” Simultaneously, there was a faint chuckle from behind.

Min Yeojin glanced back at Taeon with displeased eyes.

“Why are you laughing?”

“I like what Mother is saying.”

“I wasn’t talking to you, CEO Jung. Your situation is different. If you’re going to take over the group and manage it, you need someone reliable by your side.”

Taeon didn’t respond and lowered his head again.

The madam shook her head and slumped her shoulders. She looked up at Sahee, speaking as if confiding in her about Taeon’s shortcomings.

“That’s how he is. Cold inside but sways when he feels like it. I know him best, I gave birth to him. I wish I had a daughter too.”

“……”

“Your mother must be proud, Miss Sahee. Having two such pretty daughters. You don’t have any siblings other than your younger sister, right?”

“No.”

Sahee smiled slightly and lowered her gaze. The candle was already half burnt.

* * *

During the prayer time, Sahee’s role was essentially to nod along with the madam’s chatter.

If it were the sociable Mrs. Chun, she would have sat in front of Min Yeojin and chatted for hours, but Sahee only responded occasionally, just enough not to offend her.

“Miss Sahee.”

“Yes?”

“This.”

The madam took out a white envelope from her bag and handed it to Sahee. When Sahee looked up with a questioning gaze, the corners of her mouth curved smoothly.

“Could you deliver this to the Seonnyeo? I was supposed to meet her after the prayer, but I woke up too early and I’m not feeling well. I think I’ll just go back and take another nap. You don’t need to clean the room either. Just tidy up a bit when we have lunch later.”

“Yes. Should I just deliver the envelope as it is?”

“These are the potential match candidates for CEO Jung. Ask her to check the compatibility and see who matches best with him.”

Match candidates.

For a moment, her gaze shifted to the man who was the subject of countless match meetings. In the air, Sahee and Taeon’s eyes met.

He turned his back to the madam as if it wasn’t his business. His actions of putting on his shoes and going down the steps were as natural as flowing water.

The man was thirty-five years old this year, so it was only natural, but he didn’t seem accustomed to it; rather, he seemed indifferent.

Things like marriage. Match candidates and such.

“I know it’s a bit much, but the chairman asked me to take care of it, so I thought I’d check while I’m here. Anyway, it’s quite a fuss.”

“Yes, I’ll deliver it. Then I’ll see you at lunch.”

“Alright. See you later.”

Min Yeojin waved her hand at Sahee and slipped her feet into navy-colored flats with small ribbons on the toes. The man, who had turned away as if he would leave first, stood by the madam as she put on her shoes and kindly offered his arm.

Sahee, watching the situation, sat down on the porch next to them. The madam waited patiently without urging Sahee to put on her shoes, and after receiving a deep bow, she left the prayer room.

* * *

Taeon looked at his mother, who was walking with her arm linked in his.

Her smooth skin and straight eyes showed fatigue, but there was no sign of sleepiness. He could guess the reason behind her asking the woman to deliver the envelope, citing her condition.

The feeling of a son who had to watch his mother shout that he had a truckload of match candidates to a woman who seemed to have no interest in him.

His mother believed that all men were beasts driven by sexual desire.

She must have been worried that her son, who was about to have a match meeting, might cause some trouble with such a surprisingly pretty woman. So, instead of controlling her son’s lower half, she was targeting an innocent woman.

Taeon chuckled, recalling his mother, who had directly and openly encouraged him to have relationships with many women in his early twenties.

She had said it was better to get it over with while young, as there was no greater disgrace than being obsessed with women in old age.

“Hey, why do you keep laughing? So senselessly.”

“It’s nice to walk with you like this after a long time.”

“Stop with the flattery. Can I proceed with the match meetings? I was thinking of having them come here. It’s perfect. Quiet, less prying eyes, and the scenery is beautiful.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

Even if it was bothersome, what could he do? Delaying marriage any longer would be more troublesome. For someone like Taeon, marriage was merely a strategic tool for business. There was no reason to delay further. It was time to let go of his mother’s neurosis, which had been scolding innocent women because her son hadn’t married yet.

“Good. When you were in Seoul, you always brushed it off, saying you were busy. I wondered what you would do in this rural place for a month, but now you can have your match meetings. Let’s not drag it out; if you like someone, proceed immediately. I was always upset seeing the chairman favor Taejun, but now he’s doing something good for me.”

“Were you upset?”

Taeon looked at his mother with a face that seemed genuinely unaware. Min Yeojin laughed as if it were absurd.

“Of course. Why should you clean up after that fool? Let’s not talk about it. It makes me angry.”

Taeon nodded and turned his head towards the scenery indifferently.

At that moment, there was Yeon Sahee. Not far away, the woman was walking diligently. Her high-tied hair fluttered behind her round head as she limped past.

The silhouette of the woman he saw in the prayer room came to mind. The nape of her neck, illuminated by the bright yellow candlelight, was white and clean. It looked soft and delicate, as if even a slight bite would leave a mark.

“Isn’t she pretty?”

His mother had apparently caught even his fleeting glance. Without agreeing or disagreeing, Taeon raised the corners of his mouth and looked down at Min Yeojin.

“Are you interested?”

She was trying to probe Taeon’s feelings.

“I was surprised too. I’ve seen plenty of good-looking actresses and models, but this girl has an aura. She catches your eye. I wonder why she’s doing odd jobs in this rural place. If her leg was fine, she could’ve been an actress…”

Min Yeojin continued to share her detailed impressions of Yeon Sahee, insisting that she wasn’t belittling her, and adding that if she had acting skills, she could have been a successful actress. She even mentioned that she could’ve been a popular idol.

Is that so?

For a moment, he imagined the woman with glitter on her eyelids, dancing in his head. It seemed more fitting to see her crying in some weekend drama, swept away by cheap misfortune and melodrama. It would be quite a sight.

“If you want to have some fun with her, just let me know. I’ll talk to the Seonnyeo separately.”

It took a long speech to get to the main point. The absurdity of having his private life meddled with by his mother at his age made Taeon chuckle with a frown.

What if I am interested? So what? What difference does it make?

If he liked the woman, he could just make a move. She was very pretty, but he had no interest in wasting time on some pointless nonsense.

“Will you also provide condoms?”

“Hey!”

“I don’t need it.”

“Was I being too sensitive?”

“Aren’t you tired? Go rest, Mother.”

Taeon shrugged briefly and turned around with a sleek smile. At that moment, he heard someone call out “Sahee!” from afar.

She hasn’t gotten far at all.

Taeon looked in the direction where her name was called.

Was it Bang Cheol-jun? The man who had introduced the house when he first came here was rushing towards her. He said they had met before, but it was so long ago that he barely remembered.

The woman stopped at the call. She seemed to glare at Bang Cheol-jun for a moment and had a brief altercation.

When she was still, he thought she looked like an emotionless wax figure, but seeing her twist and show irritation made her look more human. And their eyes met.

How many times had they made eye contact now?

At their first meeting. This morning. After finishing the prayer.

At first, she was wary, the second time uncomfortable, and the third time she seemed to be watching for signs. Now… she seemed horrified and ran away.

Thinking of her startled movements like a sparrow taking flight, Taeon continued on his way.

Whether it was her lifelong survival method or her innate nature, there was no way such a perceptive woman hadn’t read his mother’s intentions. She might have already been warned.

So it was only natural that she would cautiously escape, but it strangely irked him.

In many ways, she was an irritating woman.

* * *

For lunch, a clear radish soup was served.

Sahee, who had eaten early with her uncle, went straight to the annex. There was no time for digestion. On the way back from the prayer, her uncle asked if she could clean CEO Jung’s room.

He was insistent, saying he had an urgent date. He even cried, saying he needed to get married, making it impossible to refuse.

Could it really be that great? Sahee thought with a grimace, recalling her uncle talking to his lover after lunch. He was so affectionate, even the slightest end of his words was filled with whining, making her wonder if it was not possession by a spirit, but by such behavior.

Sahee quickly closed the window under the bed that she had opened for ventilation. She was in a hurry, thinking she needed to tidy up CEO Jung Taeon’s room. Limping, Sahee busily moved between the two annex buildings.

Sahee opened the door after mentally going over her to-do list: airing out the room, tidying up the scattered clothes, and emptying the trash can.

“…!”

CEO Jung Taeon looked up from buttoning his shirt.

“… I’m sorry.”

Sahee slammed the door she had opened. It was clearly unexpected, but the man showed no surprise. Sahee, who had opened the door, was the one who was more embarrassed, her neck flushed.

“Come in.”

Soon, Taeon’s voice came from inside the room. Sahee looked down at her fingers still on the doorknob for a moment before pushing it hard.

Through the slowly opening door, the man was putting on his suit jacket. The dark gray three-piece suit fit him perfectly.

“… There was a problem with the person who usually cleans the CEO’s room, so I came instead.”

“On your first day?”

“I’m sorry.”

“Yeon Sahee doesn’t need to be sorry.”

“…”

“Can you leave?”

“I’ll finish up quickly.”

“Okay, then.”

Sahee stepped aside to avoid CEO Jung Taeon, who was walking towards her briskly. She bowed her head quietly and waited for him to leave, but he stopped right in front of her. Sahee looked up from staring at the hem of the man’s suit pants.

Their eyes met immediately. Their gazes slowly met and rubbed against each other.

“… Is there anything else you want me to do?”

“No, there isn’t.”

Taeon passed by Sahee without stopping. A sudden gust of wind blew, and a bitter woody scent penetrated deep into her lungs.

* * *

Sahee forcefully patted the crumpled blanket until it was flat. Even while cleaning the room where the man stayed, she couldn’t shake off his gaze and scent.

Why would he stand there and watch someone clean? It seemed like he didn’t even try to hide it.

Unlike the messy madam’s room, CEO Jung Taeon’s room was clean. If it weren’t for the wet bathroom floor or the rumpled bed, one might not even know that someone had stayed there.

Did he not eat?

Considering his height and build, she thought he couldn’t even eat three meals a day, but he seemed like someone who was simply born that way.

It was as if he had been CEO Jung Taeon since birth. He was a man who was difficult to imagine as a boy. His sharp and cold eyes seemed almost ascetic in their perfection. It was difficult to imagine someone who had everything desiring anything.

As Sahee walked along the edge of the bed, tidying the bedding, she twisted her body, frowning at something that caught her eye.

“…”

A condom box was neatly placed on the nightstand.

A condom. What was that?

Startled as if she had seen a ghost, Sahee swallowed and straightened her twisted waist. She finished tidying the bed by pulling the end of the blanket and awkwardly straightened her back.

It was common for people in the business world to stay overnight at the movie theater. Some of them even used the movie theater as a place to meet their young lovers.

She didn’t know how well Mrs. Cheon could imitate the moaning sounds of “Ah-ah! Ha-ha-ha!” saying that she couldn’t sleep all night because of those disgusting things. She used to be surprised when she was younger, but now Sahee just laughed it off.

It’s pure to believe that sex is beautiful and noble. In reality, sexual desire is dirty and ugly. Even people who smiled brightly during the day often became Mrs. Cheon’s prey after a night.

Although CEO Jung Taeon wasn’t a married man, it was natural for him to do so… What was he talking about abstinence? He was completely wrong.

Sahee left the room with a completely disgusted expression, taking only the trash bag with her.

She now understood why the madam was so picky. As the saying goes, a leaky bucket leaks from both ends. Even though their living spaces were divided into two, it was still a place she shared with her mother. It was shocking that he would even think of doing such a thing, even if he didn’t think anyone would hear him.