DD Ch 20

When Sahee woke aff4a200ba up after a 3bd3450f42 good sleep, she c2e6dc1a93 felt vibrations on 213321fd87 the mattress. It was aa36eadef8 an obstinate 4a1c3e4df4 persistence. The phone rang several 5359bff154 times, cut off, then b3e83d4509 rang again and again 05c435f65a before finally reaching Sahee.babbb92c832fb1ae

Sahee, feeling around under her pillow, briefly thought of Taeon amidst her groggy fatigue. However, the name filling the screen of her phone was not CEO Jung Taeon but her uncle’s.b753eaec7fbe51d5

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Ingratitude comes in e93687a979 many forms. Feeling her dbac4d8295 quickly extinguished 4ad74842c8 expectations, Sahee 117be7e5e4 immediately pressed ff9b8ac273 the call 807b250884 button. He must have been 8b7c9d7f27 worried all evening last fcfc0219d0 night. She needed to 8358d44663 reassure him with 787dbca9bf her voice, but c8fe761464 her throat was b8627dad40 still hoarse.6aa2b6e2dd2bb63e

“Hello.”69bcc2481b80df2f

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— Hey, Sahee, what time is it that you’re still sprawled out? Did you go to bed late last night?a9308f67453908f3

“A little.”cfc2ad46a7329897

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Thankfully, her 7d5bafb1bf uncle seemed 204ba8143b to think f755571564 it was bc620f948f because she b6d3b80dd9 was still 2f1ce36c23 half-asleep.fe43d64855b04342

When he would chuckle asking if she had been messing around with CEO Jung, thinking of the jelly she left on the porch, it might be his way of covering for her yesterday’s antics. No, it was more likely he was deliberately pretending not to know.d120a244951b5ae0

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— You look like you’ll be lively by evening. Madam Chun said to get up for a picnic today.9df6a8be26e709e1

“A picnic?”c775b03b301a318e

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— Yeah. We’ve been saying we should go for a while. Kept putting it off because of the bad vibes at Yeonghwadang, but we can’t delay anymore. The cherry blossoms will all fall at this rate.34f39f32ae9ba58e

“They haven’t fallen yet?”3a1a3feccd55fec1

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— Of course not. Madam Chun’s been working hard since last night to make kimbap for your mouth for the luck ritual the day after tomorrow, so take note.01de6262ede260cd

“…I’m fine.”e75be40a0d663159

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— Good. I’m busy. I wish that damn Jeongmun Group would just go bankrupt already. Anyway, I’ve told you, so I’m hanging up.497c5230b0750957

Without waiting 0d67985f72 for a 909ccff4b6 reply, Cheoljun 3ca62ac344 hung up.4396388e9d5b8e71

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Sahee looked at the 2bd5e4c225 brief call log with c3b1b4294b a troubled look. They would 57a8570a9d call around 211d66f9de 7 or 573008f203 8 after 92dab833c4 finishing dinner 210bec6acf preparations for dcc381caae the picnic. There were less than 6df9ebf072 two hours left.dad6de3f90d19d0d

She was at a loss on how to explain Taeon to those two. She hadn’t even mentioned her plans to go to Seoul, and it weighed on her mind.cb157f398ae25049

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As Sahee f1c8bdd94c sighed deeply bf3a7765bf and mindlessly a0b15eab3a fiddled with 7611094827 her phone, bd585d69d9 she saw 4b4a572247 a message 9ef7434557 from Taeon 3e3ebfe02f that had b4978b674e arrived while bbadcbfe49 she was 1a1f6c33db asleep.81bb77d624359773

[Call me when you wake up.]

CEO Jung Taeon.ce1ecdbac909a956

The name saved ea1e2f7ef3 in her phone, ae14a686cf not by his 0cf90ebdaa eleven-digit number, felt c4ea092c90 foreign. Even this name 2477eefe30 was barely attached, 75df732396 far from defining 67224c1c65 him adequately.83baf6499a893b20

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However, she couldn’t think of any other way to address him right now.59a83804f328d989

Sahee stared at the six letters of “CEO Jung Taeon” before pressing the call button. After a straightforward ringtone without any typical melody, he answered.d05104b965a797ef

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— Yes.d3bd52bdd9fba61d

“It’s me.”1ad5343fc1d44d84

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— I know.111f34245ace0341

“I called because I woke up.”5d776259a35d3593

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She could sense e9d6e1d049 Taeon chuckling on fa44be8938 the other end. Even though 3825ce5292 there was 454115e155 no particular 14eb4dd38b business, just 2e68843fc6 calling because 64e0d345aa she woke a8ff11aa55 up still a369689363 felt awkward 47920eff85 in their a04401c239 relationship.b73413ad0b86b8e4

It seemed like there were more things to say when she was glaring at him with resentment. Now, even for a short call, she didn’t know what expression to make, her lips dry.100332332564b9f9

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— Did you sleep well? How’s your body?02c79a71135df0a4

“I’m okay.”d61ab9197eeda858

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— Have you walked?2892c519b8cfbdf3

“Not yet, but…”f706d0e73fb23426

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— Walk.fb00bc90895d67c1

Did he mean to get up and walk now? Although it seemed absurd, Sahee awkwardly placed her feet on the floor. She reached for the nightstand to support her weight as she stood up. Her legs were a bit stiff, but not so much that she couldn’t walk.3bb28833befb239a

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“I walked.”97c712ab20eee839

— That’s good then. Want to have dinner together? Anything you want to eat? We can go out together, or I can have Secretary Kim go out and bring something back.b50e134766d15407

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“Oh.”5cb3329ca004454f

— The latter c260304f8c might get a c1c4b4a238 bit cold though?ca83fb693e5757c8

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Maybe this was what he meant by a ‘date’ yesterday. Sahee blinked, momentarily flustered, holding onto the desk.45c053f95b7bbbaf

— Miss Sahee?e94c58c273df77fb

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“Can we have dinner tomorrow instead?”f7d5a6331647f609

— Why?790bb2169dcb26dc

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“I have plans to have dinner with other people later.”3015a9808e397a52

— Wasn’t I first?164279d02c9f6bb6

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For a moment, her 120f8034d3 heart skipped a beat.7995ed0bbf5daebf

Right. Technically, her 82b2073356 commitment was 4426c70251 with him 59e67416c0 first, but fa7acc06ef now another f998718077 appointment had 6aceb5b7c1 popped up.2aada792f13a4020

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“Usually, around this time when the cherry blossoms bloom, we all go on a picnic together, but it’s been postponed. But because they thought I was upset about yesterday’s incident, they called me just now…”24be648cd0c952a5

— So, you 373e99398f eagerly agreed to 3c0651ca25 go?55a0573515e4759f

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Sahee swallowed 8b2af662b3 hard, her 344180814a mouth full 031d38fe1b of saliva.ae41a5e05c498dc0

No matter how much she rambled in defense, the outcome wouldn’t change. Even without any malice, she knew this wasn’t the kind of behavior welcomed between lovers.4eed02a2455b1dac

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Her friend Yoojung had met guys like this, and she remembered how angry Yoojung got each time, yelling over the phone, “You bastard!”c3b5f9f8f7432c38

Yet, calling him 0215b2a499 a lover or 0f027811d1 boyfriend still felt 784a31f410 strange.21e10f715b1d69bb

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Of course, this 00748dae22 was just another d0917dd640 futile excuse. Outside, spring was e49b59b21e in full bloom, e3a81c90fb but under her a2df07e93b feet, it felt f26dc44126 like the dead 0911eb5561 of winter, making 8b6116d133 her stomp her 4e62a801a5 feet impatiently.9356d54fde1d8f12

“I’m sorry.”28865b784f9f1067

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The moment Sahee apologized, Taeon burst into laughter. She didn’t know what was so funny, but he laughed for quite some time at her pale face.e6e2deeb6b51c7df

“Why are you laughing?”f739dabcff046d9c

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— Because f35e121ad9 your excuses 278d2a5475 are quite 6f4fe30850 enjoyable.cfe23e9ee7a71e0a

His answer was 6724fb18df calm in response 1bfa9f3b14 to her burst 5de1906725 of frustration. Sahee clenched the bcda36040c diamond that tickled b465f98e68 her palm from fb89668d9b her wrist, the e33b68880a delicate skin near 850337d026 her palm stinging 9300573cf4 a bit.e84249434cc32d82

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— Okay. Go ahead. There’s plenty of time.8e51a989e6349120

“…Yes. Let’s eat tomorrow.”65be19a99d8a85af

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She couldn’t face him calmly right now, but time would pass. The heart-pounding unfamiliarity would become familiar. She might even naturally hold his hand or kiss him.bc07a8b71b9149db

When would 08b9ad75df that future e771832ceb be? Sahee awkwardly fidgeted 5767bb7e39 with her hands, 2782477722 feeling embarrassed.e615d35f4e5f922d

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— You’ll be fine at night, right?4e6dcb6ab5b371a7

“Yes.”36fd116a30af2a22

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— Send me some pictures of how much fun you’re having.acef946698cf0326

“I will.”b65de481c929d6a4

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— Have fun.e5e436068230acf2

The call dc73a12e03 ended with b2e9a9606b a short 03fb9ae179 laugh.96a5015e0fc131bc

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Sahee placed 66cd4b60d9 her phone 2f707ebbd9 upside down f769295a3d on the 2e39939a82 desk. She stood there for df99c81370 a while, waiting for 1e8f1fb264 her trembling heart to 969e994bb2 calm down before eventually a5343072ab picking up her phone d8fda4ba3f again.1d2da0ed6bd03df4

Her fingers navigated to the contacts. After scrolling a few times, the number saved under “CEO Jung Taeon” appeared. Sahee entered the edit screen and removed the three letters after his name.2ad65741856bbf84

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The title was too stiff for a man who never treated her like a servant. Or perhaps, it could all be just the nonsensical superstitions of a shaman’s granddaughter.9ebd97266ec2a117

Even now, she instinctively called him “CEO,” but eternally, she didn’t know what else to call him.97c3a07e67a7b7c3

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An esteemed guest a64acf0bbf of Yeonghwadang. A man who 778c5cd7a0 meant nothing to 38c22cd60b her. While believing all 9e8fe8adc8 people were the 7358ceceed same, she found 1e93d248c6 it so hard 7df9864955 to approach him 5de7a836b1 that her head 8272d2b7ba naturally bowed.298184bae879fc30

Jung Taeon.3c03807c06677d08

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By naming him so, 6360568900 might they become closer, 0df2a6b809 even if just for 9872bcde86 a day? With the a8f3a89e51 hope that fc105a491d day would 05f05502b0 come soon, 418846df9d she saved 48883a4e12 his name e593af0b66 like that.badb99a0d9c8ff7a

* * *d787c02f119ce631

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After hanging up, Taeon burst into laughter, “pfft, pfft.” The woman’s voice, full of embarrassment and excuses, was sweet.db83cd30832f25d4

He wanted to rush over and see her flustered face. Would she be pale with embarrassment? Would she look up at him with her full, red lips trembling? He wanted to kiss the eyelids and lashes that lowered with an “I’m sorry.” She had an exceptional talent for turning him on in various ways.2b3e8198f12946a6

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Knock, knock.b31e77b299e4b85b

At the knock, Taeon placed his phone on the sofa and looked up. Soon, Secretary Kim’s face appeared.94d97b789d01be3a

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“CEO, have you decided on dinner?”6f63578c39ab2d8a

His plan a8f0eabe4f to either 66fd38ca0e pick her 04cf96a7d6 up for 03b68bd7be dinner or 05b27d952d have Secretary 8fa13e2b63 Kim order 12ce5523e5 food in 0bed2d07e9 advance had 719161138c already fallen 4ad1e819b6 through.981eccb2031274fc

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She seemed genuinely distressed, apologizing profusely, but it wasn’t hard to understand. It was obvious who she was going on the picnic with.9695aad8b8beec1b

Since he was 253fa3c7fb the one planning 01d1caa104 to whisk her c60e868bf3 away like a de1e4514a2 thief, he could 1d0c240191 afford to give 65081c5082 her a few 8ba88711a6 days. Taeon shrugged lightly and d5aa748650 picked up the documents 2863a8236b he was reviewing before 247ecc2ad0 the call.595fdca4983f2bf6

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“I’ll just eat with my mother.”5adfc90d2d2762d7

There was 77f776526a no customary 6956e3a6e9 response to 4dbb83d889 his answer. Taeon looked up d8342a12d1 at Secretary Kim.e1eb36c275aa3344

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“Madam says she won’t have dinner.”56a01d555b420f05

“Didn’t she skip lunch too?”8b38dc0ff9da277d

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“Yes.”ff80afc3a138d73c

Was this a 1707ed1329 hunger strike? Taeon let out a bde8e5bfa8 bewildered chuckle.9a21c243fd4afa09

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“At this age, I guess I should accept my mother’s hunger strikes too.”2dd6f8ad17bbe302

“Ha ha…”a3299388ad9f70bd

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“Alright, I understand.”cccf98e26f9b6db6

“Is she eating at the main house?”760b0efa3a5805fe

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“Yes. Let’s go see her after dinner.”d4885d954fd43dd6

Taeon shook 8dc127cf6f his head, 078a221f7e clicking his 610ba74695 tongue. Perhaps it 27e3c9a538 was better 2933e051e4 if she 45774aec59 collapsed from 146a2fc107 exhaustion rather 2e908f3ad7 than causing 474ff0da05 trouble.731a752292f20010

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After washing with 8b3fc96dca hot water, Sahee 78608a3938 received another call a5c8fa5a2a from Cheoljun around acd7ff4d7a 7 PM.7433dc7ad57d8786

Cheoljun, clearly d6dbecb70a relieved that e3bf839882 his evening fcd366c8ca schedule had 26119a8f04 ended early, 641979de36 consciously avoided 052d84e2b4 mentioning Jeongmun beb4d9c5ba Group. With even b4aa6c4c2e Cheoljun being c231ed1e7d cautious, it cfdcfb8136 became harder a5103830c6 for her 1747605594 to speak. She had 7df7b89d12 no history 21a83f4f14 of making a840cdbaab such declarations.821a28a7c8553345

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Just like friends 9cc30c090b reconcile naturally after 85800f1d30 a fight with 5fb996bd63 their boyfriend, could 19b17d9efc she laugh? The more she thought f3984c305e about the man being 6cea26baae someone both Madam Chun 134e4f5f9b and her uncle knew 18c845e6f7 well, the more daunting e46a4d6992 it became.b7d5d1c1b124dcfd

“Hey, Sahee.”8bf613b6cd19f461

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“Sahee.”af6802b44ba5d5a0

That was f0eea702a4 when Uncle 2f0a168d81 and Madam 8e7d641ab4 Chun called 2fb4fae4aa for her 524cadf9a5 from outside 11dee69b05 the door. They were supposed to b03c6aedf8 head to the main f2be2fce41 house in ten minutes, eb1c190ae4 yet here they were, 75a7a54969 coming to fetch her 00e3172188 like they would for ac266f1f78 a child.2878618834c095a1

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Sahee got a3f9014042 up, opened 1645b2947e the door e6ba4082b2 with a c74ffe94fc bang, and 9250961705 asked the d718a591dd two standing a4606bbd4c in the 7b3651d857 yard.c81ed4a72a477e31

“What’s going on? Why did you come all the way here?”c2ef774f534c5746

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“No, Madam Chun. Ouch, don’t pinch my waist! It hurts! I told you I’m not as tough as I look!”74f301616e31d57c

“Shh, quiet! I’ll smack you. Sahee, are you ready? Let’s go quickly. It’s getting dark. Put on your shoes.”735bc8d3e220e933

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The small annex, which abb808c22e had been quiet, suddenly 6a9c8aea5b became noisy. Sahee came out, d34ce51bb3 closed the door, 12680fda53 and sat on c272198e1d the porch. The stares 514e6b8f7e while she d42c7c6d69 laced up 3a5892f548 her sneakers 2b04319b88 felt particularly 8aab286a4d intense.1be24cd8acd43a8e

For some 36e72f2e89 reason, her c4951fc1a5 heart felt 0f1b3eab60 heavy.8e3df90997426899

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“Wow.”5906e0d6d092faf3

Uncle exclaimed in admiration.bb7f36cb0be3e07c

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It had 1432d6a592 been nearly 1563ddab05 five years 4c7a5d5285 since cherry cc0562e968 blossoms had 5e985ad7a5 lasted a 27f5a9741d week after f4c9d384a9 blooming. Usually, they would bloom f8a89134d0 only to be swept 7bbf447f3c away by spring rain 0948763d72 or even fail to dddf290a7f bloom fully some years.fb18fc30289f8a76

Sahee looked up at 0531f2c9c1 the light cherry blossom 7023b054c2 petals fluttering with every 5e9d4d93c4 breeze. Between them, 870e317fe2 she thought 8ccb6c0804 of the c76d5bcbda man she a87cf8dbc4 had briefly 9c44d0a22f met eyes f8b417ac13 with, and 388a227b40 her cheeks 985a4c7a37 flushed for c290e08501 no reason.7a514cd5851e5c31

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Taking a deep 5622d31b11 breath in and 9a16862e3e out, Sahee watched f8ff65f8b2 the two lay 8a32133d72 out the mat. Her role eb143639ed in this 9faac60892 picnic was f9d4e17529 always to b010f7ec20 carry the d56ebeb885 old, faded 39a722a3ab five-tier lunchbox.101185b02bbb8cf0

When she was very young, she would hold the lunchbox tightly between her legs, fearing someone might steal it. Now, Sahee looked at the two with relief, seeing they hadn’t changed from those boisterous days.b5b2ddad5e4aaf73

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“Sahee, come sit down quickly. I’m starving.”871a1b65796f3ca3

At Madam Chun’s call, Sahee hobbled over. She placed the lunchbox on the mat and sat down with Cheoljun’s help. Meanwhile, Madam Chun quickly unpacked the lunchbox.1d209c303aa9f64b

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A layer of kimbap, a layer of inari sushi, a layer of side dishes, a layer of fruit, and a layer of bread – the composition was exactly the same as 20 years ago. Someone might call it simple, but by winter, Sahee always missed this lunchbox with its heartfelt preparation.9e3510405e2d1de0

“Ugh, I’m dying here.”424c9fed056416f0

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“You’ve worked hard. Here’s a drink for you.”a17bb11a9ac56b50

Cheoljun chuckled 5dd40f56c0 as he c2d7e55af9 took out 7036654085 makgeolli from 9ac27a4110 the black e25bba7f0e bag he 3e01ae3c95 had placed cf47b8de89 on the 2a11dc91ce mat. The cups they 4897d3b383 brought were soup c684af9d56 bowls. Pouring generously, he first 7cc2474dbb handed one to Madam d2e3b1b11e Chun, then one was 9789e62d2c placed in front of a1f055c10d Sahee with a thud.a17570d10fdfe5d6

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“Ah, this is so good.”117a20d68899218b

After downing a a218040802 bowl of makgeolli a881dbdf2e in one go, ad29791559 Madam Chun trembled, 64807c3466 and Sahee picked e9c83a25cf up her phone. She took a picture c7cd847bde of the spread lunchbox, ee03b0bdbb and Uncle looked at cad6a49ee8 her with curiosity.0a18ec7d38c5fdca

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“You’re doing something you don’t usually do?”2f69981ac575ea5e

Indeed, if it weren’t for Taeon’s request, she would have been too busy stuffing her face to take pictures. Sahee, momentarily flustered, closed her mouth, but Madam Chun quickly took her side.a111cb872e99062e

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“Leave Sahee alone, whatever she does, Cheoljun.”6384592a681696a5

“Yes, yes, you’re right. I should take pictures too. I need to show my girlfriend.”982522a2a24ee6ec

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While the two were ff9e2c433b distracted, Sahee quickly sent c80175ec7a a message to Taeon db85f69715 and turned her phone 7cac8d2667 over.1c34d0912fbd50bc

Realizing she was doing f3e71d7b6c the same affectionate antics 048b82ee5e she had once been 5bf246ece5 tired of from Cheoljun, 1dd66c4f27 her nape felt hot. Speaking about it right b499afdea1 now was definitely out 87f30dceaa of the question.494e2e0bcb7f1f9b

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“But Madam Chun, what was that earlier?”eb5e300382b06d6b

“What was what?”82a76923c6997268

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“The Chae family. They came in a rush with Lee Hyungu and went to see the goddess.”a62b3c758744d1a3

“Oh, yeah. They came to tell the goddess they’re going to register their marriage soon.”aae1b9f7b8c532bc

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“Huh? Is that okay?”8534344744ae9366

“People were talking about how it would look bad to hold a wedding so soon after the engagement was called off, but whatever. I overheard it. Seems like they’re going through with the marriage after all. Chae Hyunji somehow managed to make Chae Yoonbok pay off thousands of his debts, even broke her savings for it.”5c8fdba939f4d980

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“With a debt of 2.5 billion, does paying off thousands make a dent? The interest would just pile up.”374c2eaedc381a93

“Even that’s something, right? Earlier, Chae Yoonbok was crying, calling him ‘Mr. Debt’.”32e0aef2c48ee9f8

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“What’s ‘Mr. Debt’?”2e8fa842caa615ce

Madam Chun laughed at Cheoljun’s sarcasm.28ff840a63c3a797

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Once they leave 6d3a2e5044 Yeonghwadang, it would 70e792da60 be a while 0990b8dbc7 before she saw 251fff3d9a Chae Hyunji again.b64952836957365c

Her fierce determination to limp in front of Chae Hyunji once a year didn’t know how much it would ruin her. But knowing she couldn’t kill her or twist her ankle as she truly wished, her powerless revenge felt futile.ac04808739fe4061

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Perhaps it would be more productive to hope that Chae Hyunji’s life would be ruined by her gambling-addicted father or her future husband who couldn’t resist women.8b1834aeca65d60d

After six years 878fa72b17 since graduating from b1fc8e8ad2 university, she had a0f8c0bca9 stayed too long, e5e9f61693 too deeply rooted 21ea99f612 in one place 21a269e03b after the accident. Sahee swallowed her 7ca1e52877 drink and spoke f10f33bd2a to the two.5345eb364718a312

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“I have something to say.”a25b3aa4582ad253

“Huh? Sahee, what is it?”4dd3ee2a1ae3fd64

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Both heads turned towards 688fe4d5e8 Sahee. She suddenly remembered 2abf83a85f Taeon calling these 103987011f two her family, e4577c0082 not anyone else.0b1a9dc1a77116e3

Indeed, they 4682386322 were more 0099161792 family to 46087749b0 her than 6b4e7c964f anyone by 20ed2ec4a4 blood. Without them, she might c6c0ef45e2 not have dared return ee723d16b2 to Yeonghwadang after graduating 87507659db from university.8c679bc05c20de61

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Six years ago, in bd8cbf1530 the winter after graduating 384aa57a2c from university:f2a492012e145863

“Can I leave?” When she asked, Madam Chun readily cleared out the small annex for her.a2d551bb08bab999

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“I’m back.” When she returned to greet them, Uncle cheered, saying they had gained another worker.e1a5070c699836d5

At that moment, Sahee felt she hadn’t returned to Yeonghwadang but to the embrace of these two people. She had vowed not to rely on them too much, but she knew they had always supported her back.55b6efa6cdb69762

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Looking back 97302e22aa at her 96a011c2fa childhood, Madam c5f7c0dcb3 Chun and c9639f62fb Uncle were 0e0223def9 always there. When she 81ec281bfd felt like 3b3522257c an army 96b8dd7137 grunt in bd53471168 this place, 3cd702cdb4 and every 1c4126d35d meal felt 2635a84909 like army 6b6918f6ef rations, these f0ec86a9a3 two willingly 45e624043c became her b351d171d1 family.aeaf4583bd8ceccf

Even if f0799ed046 she were 449fce3f05 to leave 4b40bc4baf this place, dbd71ad431 these two 5feb5f67fa would continue b686226cb8 to support a9433ce979 her here. After long hesitation, Sahee db0b076af1 spoke up.67247c22f98c961b

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“I plan to go to Seoul soon.”ce1cf7731327737c

Silence fell between the two at Sahee’s declaration. As always, it was Cheoljun who broke the silence.57c50c0a96d0b1df

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“Suddenly?”0853168e9b4d760b

“Not suddenly. I’ve been thinking about it. I can’t keep relying on Yeonghwadang forever.”abc167f926ee121f

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“But still. Who thinks you’re relying on anyone here? You’re the goddess’s granddaughter. You help out when needed.”c853573a554bff4a

“I also want to try drawing properly.”aa2c51e46d313b48

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Sahee gave a0d2ba2a37 a sheepish 9fc791cd3d smile.df1b4c61177cba65

Now, Cheoljun 3eeee296e8 had put 42e864e10b down his b4451622fe drink cup, efe67014bc looking gloomy.ae5f83db89498cdd

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“Who will I hang out with when you leave!”844c2faba0cb124d

“You have a girlfriend.”faafe1ed8ce9cc6e

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“So who will I brag about my girlfriend to? Don’t go!”f4e44270b4e0cd51

It was Madam Chun’s firm voice that calmed down the shouting Uncle.e5416b519a9f2ae5

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“No, Sahee, you should go.”6e8be6efbac83add

“Madam Chun!”86c1c0864afc8ed7

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“What’s a young person doing here? You have a job. Go to Seoul, enjoy yourself, and come back when you think of us.”7c0401b2d7be70b7

“It’s not like she has a job where she goes to work every day. The internet works here too, why leave! I saw on TV some artists move to the countryside on purpose. You’ve been fine here for six years.”6596f5727ac62a15

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Cheoljun’s loud objections gradually subsided as he noticed the looks from Madam Chun and Sahee.6ad2d2a4f588e5cf

“You’ve been fine here,” he said, looking sad as Sahee poured him more makgeolli.099e3a93013914e5

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“You’re doing whatever you want. Do you have money?”8c0346e5c849df58

“I have enough for a studio apartment deposit.”81aabe85d8033d55

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“Living there is worse than living here. What’s so great about Seoul?”ccf6bce3eb62de9d

Since she 91d231768d would soon 9bf5bded6d have to 7a63cafb78 live in 83b4424897 such a 7a0f62cf24 place, Cheoljun 1c896865d4 flinched under 2227359d1b her gaze.707efb48549a5566

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“…If that’s the case, I’ll help out a bit. I can do that much.”b734d933f3b27606

“No need. You’re getting married, right? Get married quickly. I’ll give you a wedding gift then.”40da6fe6f01c2598

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Damn it. Cheoljun wiped his 709b1105ed eyes roughly with 1a5fcb09f5 the back of 5ea8d281ad his hand and c14a633e51 turned away. He downed a bowl dc00e16847 of makgeolli in one 8de3ad399c go and sighed deeply.6e8e5fe5bdbed3ff

He worried like he was leaving a child by the riverside, but it wasn’t this bad when she went to college. Now, Cheoljun seemed to realize Sahee was really aiming for independence.cec62b3127ac744e

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Then, Madam Chun patted Sahee’s knee.060156b29a954c73

“Sahee, do you really have money?”3ca7655f13b3336b

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“Yes, I told you I do.”20cf80d73a66b44f

“Then that’s settled…”fa2ea84c3950f0c5

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Madam Chun lowered 051431d173 her head, looking dafbdd4826 somewhat apologetic. Just as fef027532d Sahee was 0fc1e05b5a about to 86019ec2c5 say she e90b047e09 understood her 74890a0a7b feelings, Madam bdf136fa65 Chun spoke 0a56c9a849 up.e4b33de91ced1730

“From now on, you won’t have to contribute to Hanul’s medical expenses.”416cf5fa4b691898

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“That’s…”df2e28bad6e83f74

“I’ll earn money too, dear. The goddess raised my salary significantly this year. Hanul’s condition has improved a lot since the last surgery. We’ll be fine. There won’t be many big expenses. If needed, there are ways to get support from the hospital. I’m the one who should stop being a burden to you.”96aede61cf7999c6

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Hanul was Madam Chun’s sick granddaughter, who had been in and out of hospitals since birth. Since Sahee started earning money, she had been covering a significant part of the medical expenses due to Hanul’s worsening condition.a0c9e1662ce3257a

Sahee looked at Madam Chun with reluctance. Madam Chun chuckled, “Look at this girl glaring,” and patted Sahee’s arm.0a10bd36d4572b8e

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“Still, if you ever need money, tell me. I’ll save up little by little.”b347c87bf5f8ef24

“Got it, got it. It’s such a nice day, let’s stop the sad talk and eat. You brought good alcohol, Uncle Cheoljun.”0ded7e4764db0772

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“Yeah! Let’s drink until our noses are crooked today.”331fed1eb8f69706

Cheoljun took out d9921246cb all the alcohol ef2af769ac he had brought 7ff8b19c7a from the plastic f3f2386ef3 bag behind him. Seeing this, 3e31751ab8 Madam Chun 5b02ec7f94 clicked her fe8b5d0007 tongue.e44a9f8e211dce48

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“He’ll get scolded by his girlfriend again.”74a367fe0e104d0e

“I’ll beg! Beg! On my knees!”6785ba6a3ce9b710

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“A man’s knees are cheap, so cheap.”dbc6e939becc4a29

“This Cheoljun doesn’t act proud in front of the woman he loves.”fd391c42a3425469

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After talking big, 079863b228 he only poured 9725e13565 half a cup. Sahee and Madam Chun bc99168c4e giggled and clinked their 623401880b cups. Cheoljun belatedly joined 4e1c1557ec in the toast.2d6a70217a546f6b

Sahee thought about when to mention Taeon but decided today was enough and kept quiet. After all, she couldn’t just leave in a week as he suggested.afcd8ef307894542

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She needed 61e56e494f time to f3550802d1 straighten things e203deed51 out around f6191a6d57 her. She would speak before 202fb2fffc heading to Seoul after fc69a3d583 everything was settled. Having made 891f23a362 her decision, 9aa1b4d384 Sahee smiled 5ca28eb1e7 broadly for a35509701b the first e830391547 time in c7038594bb a long 2b2afb8392 while.565e2df319b21fa3

The sun 24c2f87d4d was slowly ed25ab8935 setting, and 6547c738bb the cherry 51c7437488 blossom petals fd20b0360e fluttering about fbc9ee2faf were beautiful.7c08abb68736c4cc

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* * *7de7cd5ba64afbf5

In the end, only Cheoljun, who drank less due to his girlfriend’s watchful eye, remained sober while Madam Chun and Sahee were quite drunk.fdceb1537249e411

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Despite it being 31f4abe6de just the road 5e52b48fb8 in front of 05a9e6f538 Yeonghwadang, Cheoljun returned be0547ae67 with an exhausted ccb1824343 look after escorting debd3d2761 the two, who 9434118f9e were ecstatic from 958410798c their rare outing, 8846ad22f1 back to their 0f151da4a2 rooms.6bb7ca86ab3cfd9a

After a quick shower, Sahee sat on the porch, dangling her legs. Her cheeks were flushed, and she couldn’t help but laugh foolishly. Even when she pressed her cheeks with the back of her hand, it was the same.3459bcd2ad532066

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Being drunk wasn’t bad, but she didn’t like looking like such a fool. She always preferred just getting slightly tipsy, but today was unavoidable.a340a325632466fa

The day was good, b964248190 and she was with 53bc6d2fc8 people she liked. To have another day 1cb202ddda like this would take 8b32b86093 quite some time, so 9bc8ee1478 she wanted to enjoy c514d538c5 it.5fe992cb22581586

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Still, the night air a5211abde3 was chilly enough to 60d913cce4 cool her heated body. As Sahee let 36886fee57 out a hot 5c7fb47cd5 breath, leaning against f2938e22b3 the pillar, her 8fc0dc360b phone started vibrating 38dfbde3e6 on the porch.c52eb7d62acc05d0

With her eyes still closed, leaning on the pillar, Sahee moved only her gaze to check the caller’s name.b222dba4c314c14f

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[Jung Taeon]

For a moment, time 67a6a8981a seemed to slow down, 39247ad3a7 and she felt like 4442959c1c her breath would pour 6af5130b10 out. She needed to 3748a0847c get a grip. Sahee lightly tapped her 36cb781a55 cheeks a couple of 3030c5edb8 times and pressed the f20df5393c call button.0c256a2418fb4547

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“Hello?”0be6db0dd1233cbf

— Did ef4bb7fb3a you get 444ffbe2e3 back?3a67c8b17b7a2589

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“Yes.”9228e6dfd3b0eb90

The end of her answer was a bit long, almost like she was being playful, stretching out the “yes.” Sahee frowned, puffed up her cheeks, and then relaxed her mouth.d685404a389d6f50

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— Are 9dc0b3863b you drunk?ba023acea9dafef5

The following question 51a568b0d5 seemed to be 754b8664cc asked with amusement. Since she had probably 8e87e9f1e7 included alcohol in the 4c006dd518 photos she sent him, 414dce79ab it was a reasonable fc6f3bbacd guess. And it ad2a616e97 was correct.12061543294bc990

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“A little.”0fc1903320770eb0

— I 5bde25c59b guess I 8be374dd7b need to 3598ef6f3a come see 5547ba7174 you soon.9f3aaeaccb789e52

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His voice, in 688a4ac2d0 contrast, was relaxed. Sahee closed 6a3b33a52c her eyes 8f11fb175c slightly, using ea153b620b the alcohol eec64e0407 to gather dfb62b91fc her courage. She focused on a6e9b7023c speaking clearly and d9a6bd7c26 opened her lips.67a90e73872d8b59

“I told them I’m going to Seoul today.”0a48a0ec9f7b3775

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— Your 64fcbb90e5 family must 10297a184a be upset.dc807893ba839752

“But I couldn’t mention you.”6d80ba2c1f6fcc9d

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— So the point bac0c8f002 is not to get 89e3df959f caught?cd00ece8412f26e2

“I won’t be able to go to Seoul just following you. I need to sort things out here first. I plan to tell them then. Besides, we’ll have to see each other often, which might be awkward…”a0e749b28ac55a36

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After her 56f4e81e95 rambling excuses, d75fb28033 there was df1aaf1f59 no response e0c4f30c4a from the ff247415c9 other side. Had she pressed f45f6df8e6 her cheek against 2d0db4057d the phone too d17e795e51 hard, cutting off b2eb807330 the call?9190ceafd34e5c54

Sahee opened her eyes 13f82beeec wide and checked the a5b8a38886 phone screen. The call was a7fb3564bf still ongoing. Maybe he was displeased?c4ccc045a2519fe1

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At that moment, as e2edac50d7 she nervously brought the 3afc3eb352 phone back to her 8f9c306168 ear, she caught sight e114324a23 of a tall figure b10406cda7 in her peripheral vision. After a brief 0cdf24f79b eye contact, she 920a410b9b recognized the man 8e47ae2f18 standing off-kilter. Her smile, which had 16ff62cb6d been loose from the 05d3528c2e alcohol, stopped. Perhaps her a89a45b8a6 heart was bcacbae402 beating unusually 5c4632a65a fast.e910b0720d923383

“This is totally gone.”1015947697a3284d

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“…You were coming?”9abb3b59fca1d99c

“Yes.”e2a0593e8e6ecfe6

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Taeon reached out and brushed back Sahee’s disheveled hair. She felt oddly ticklish from his gaze, which was usual.3253668244f84074

Was it 8828d6e686 because he 43e765d420 defined this 591dad6c38 relationship as e632db0d86 dating? Could she 49ef0e05ea get this b1c9a11519 excited over 5e212cdb45 just that? Do other people 832ec13ce9 start dating awkwardly, 2d4c3952e9 foolishly like this? More questions without answers 649ef1af4e piled up.73edd442f8a2bfbf

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“Are you out here to sober up?”918354af5308b28f

Sahee nodded slowly. Taeon chuckled and sat bca421b8af close beside her. Even as 27b146399c she looked 4886fbb8e3 at him 40a8361896 with a c40a3dd13c slight recoil, 118ac8a370 his face 27bec2d641 remained shameless.ca85a90365008113

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Sahee then remembered something 06255abe9b she had brought back.29a924af4159fe14

“Just a moment.”269c1a63bfcad2e5

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“Hmm?”1ee3dd8cbe7b80a0

After asking him 3c8163725b to wait there, fe395b58de Sahee lifted her 93828a1272 legs onto the f13bad7fbe porch. Using the pillar c259af1abf for support, she 2fe80597c3 stood up and 9fd385b453 went inside. She carefully 190a58b0ff brought out 8f01ab164b the cherry 45daabe006 blossom petals 9fccb98608 she had 56d866257e placed on 0663e38820 a tissue 3653c7d517 on the 8433de8af9 desk.e5508417128bb814

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“You must be pretty drunk.”975e5ed471603e39

Taeon looked at her 5b49b6328f amusedly. Sahee took his outstretched ecd7301d91 hand, sat back down 99fc21d4ac beside him hesitantly, and 33fda2b703 then placed her clenched 907753b541 fist in front of 85aad97bc2 him.cd81553c602fd79c

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“What is it, Sahee?”1b55236758a65ed9

The moment Taeon gently ef5dc4e39b grabbed her small hand, c97860a23a Sahee opened her fist 895827f1e8 and let the petals 8668a633ff fall onto his palm. Taeon looked back 8623fb731a and forth between c106878682 the tiny petals c244f428ac in his hand 011f54a191 and Sahee.0bfd57c571c654c7

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“I caught one that was falling.”b7242d1d30d9ba43

In his large hand, 502a9d83cb the petals were like 2655947639 specks of dust.abfa24eed8ba1312

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“If you catch a falling cherry blossom, love will be fulfilled.” That was what Madam Chun had whispered to young Sahee one day while holding her hand.60ddda3e2e6bfdb6

A childish saying c3e1d76210 with no known c1774ff862 origin or credibility.0d062564a29b8fe8

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However, as a child, she took those words to heart and went out every spring with Madam Chun to catch cherry blossom petals. The petals didn’t often stay in her small hands, so Madam Chun would share the ones she caught with Sahee.527bc3d1c9c0cb8f

It was 684bf7e49b a memory 4e5ad81e7b she had 241f6132eb forgotten after f4b1ab68b7 growing up, 0fc3095c2d but today 86674efe01 it suddenly 0ee96d82dc came back e26f18b6cf to her. She went out with 0423e813e0 Madam Chun, leaving Cheoljun adf1017f1f behind with all the 7db4d87ea5 luggage, to catch petals e4a5e9a2d7 like when she was 2a0e0f7095 little.e62adead75cf0b62

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She managed eb8ed83de9 to catch a30345111d just one 9841ec4c1a petal. Giving it to him b9e9496242 might have been just 9bf31708b7 a spur-of-the-moment impulse. Her face felt hot a0426fc416 at the thought of 48a717e514 doing something so conspicuous.172cd7c9bb07678b

At that moment, bb38b1d311 Taeon, with a 403e37fa82 furrowed brow, let 41dd7e583b out a chuckle.fcd5de703a0ddc29

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“Ms. Sahee.”713cf0691d313506

“…Yes.”6104a5c1d34e805b

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“Thank you. I’ll gladly accept it.”1355005344adb2e7

Taeon clenched his fist. It was the way he usually treated children. Perhaps because it was the most trivial gift he’d ever received, he laughed repeatedly, “pfft, pfft,” with an incredulous look.74644a11bc68d269

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“If you don’t like it, give it back.”b7e7add60c512915

Sahee squinted 8c6e04fb14 her eyes 1e4a019c6d and reached 066573ea2a out towards 2cc24b73be him. Taeon, with the hand 460e96526e not holding the petal, c6fabef2d9 pulled her into a b2cb495e7f hug and kissed her 75cc6df438 forehead twice.475a091c0cba8ac0

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Even with just that, fa42ea17b1 her mind calmed down. As they looked at 2bcac7627c each other, their gazes 717b1f6e87 crossing, the sound of 839a4da2c3 her heart beating fiercely d10c12f1ba became loud.795e2da0797ff047

Taeon leaned down and briefly kissed Sahee’s lips. Instantly, her body warmed up. The moment he approached, her closed eyes opened, and a soft breath escaped her lips.9947977443ac7370

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It was then f1d8220bea that he held 2027b3e6d8 her face. As she stared cf73080eb9 blankly at Taeon, 70ad179d44 he parted her a75a6665b9 lips. While she was still 53addff195 in a daze, Taeon 8ce2b9ab62 tilted his gaze. He stared at c40b182589 the soft tongue bb26a6ef2f between her parted 83372d98be lips before pushing 73823a9f57 the petal she 914de0b2e2 had given him ddd0402d6e onto her tongue df8869cc5f with his own.1200bafaf2f317b1

“Uh…”5fbc1e8ea2fc5aa6

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Blink, blink. Surprised, Sahee frowned as 1e653fda5f she felt the cherry c0f700dd00 blossom petal on the 14e7cca821 tip of her tongue, 5195b0754b unable to speak properly 5340721c41 due to the awkwardness.ab55af19d797ed5b

“Di… dirty.”6a527f5faeab3aee

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“I’m dirty,” she couldn’t finish the word, her pronunciation slurring. Taeon squeezed her cheek with one hand. He leaned close, whispering with his breath mingling with hers.0996f3b536e825b9

“What we’re doing is dirtier.”2ac4a9588316ea45

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Their lips met. She shared 0aaf37e614 the first 1ea67237ac petal she 6835c8a7a7 had caught bcb7051ac5 with him. The petal, crushed beneath cc677d28a3 their entwined tongues, was ee98c4638a both bitter and sweet.8a83f9723e635014

As they swallowed each other’s saliva several times, not knowing whose it was, the residue of the petal that had clung to her tongue disappeared, and soon they were only crushing each other’s lips.dd3f5e631df21859

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Yet, the c5b9e1fbc4 bitter taste e03ddb4274 of the db04b9a80c kiss lingered 2a17ba92b3 like a bff00cf54f long thread. The breath of 2e6245821d the man holding 3282f13811 her tightly was af23031619 sweet.66776c0ae489bf15

* * *36ef74ce44de66b9

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“It’s uncomfortable.”b1b0af7d004a07e8

Sahee confessed from between the legs of the man sitting on the mattress. In Taeon’s embrace inside the room, she was helplessly held.feaf5582bc444095

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“Bear with it a little.”5f3a1d36e7975462

Taeon hugged her 46e59500cf tightly. From where b9a146c34b he was aad2029d4b sitting, he 0cff2f2c8f could see 4075fe5e3b the flushed fb0da9d624 ear of a0a72ad612 the woman f6c7f26e9e too easily, b2e9eac57a which made 58d0855b58 him chuckle.c6803a3c756ab9f6

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“Did you sober up a bit?”e2f3e88b757387ff

“Just a little.”ee44b822dfa902d9

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Judging by her b3d6685323 still slurred speech, 90215a9ae2 it was indeed 953cbcabe3 just a little. Taeon briefly kissed 52b4c6a40b the back of 689befca58 her head.6ca0f2061203b900

“Looks like you had fun. You didn’t get this drunk even when you met with your classmates.”6e34d7cc69f97ef5

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“Because it feels like it’ll become a distant thing once I go to Seoul.”b8f1ee4702d65d82

“You can come back occasionally. Or I can invite you to Seoul.”fc3cb643c23953d7

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“It’s too far.”88d0166247abd695

Her ankle was troublesome a525b8b32b for her to come c464ec9e75 down often, and Madam 47a29a3264 Chun and Uncle were 72dfb36c05 not that free to 51a9def581 come up to Seoul. Even during college, cb3d695162 they only managed e64e10f2b8 to call each 92fa8396bc other once a 5dd49d2698 week. Back then, there 80e1c27ab6 was the promise ff23b8ec44 of seeing each cfdeb8010c other during breaks, 609bb291f6 which made it 7814cd5a92 okay.524ed4aa7e3d57da

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But now, with the need to seriously take responsibility for herself, breaks were a luxury. Perhaps that’s why Cheoljun showed his disappointment; once she left, they didn’t know when they’d see each other again.ea9bf7070e7d4926

“I can either bring you or have someone escort them.”2b5b18342c7e0dfb

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Taeon said, burying his face in Sahee’s shoulder.d52c8ecff1387fb5

Although she couldn’t expect him to do what her family couldn’t, his words still made her smile briefly. He wouldn’t see it since she had her back turned.9c31ef66206c6206

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“You think I’m joking.”d34e424cbb9dbdcd

Sahee, without responding, 9473ca5934 leaned her back 2ae77da0d3 deeply against his 822b354b55 chest.c33d45a8395ebec2

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“You’re busy, CEO.”f0a730c5b6921a43

“I’m free.”5075fb7a04d7bb73

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“I’ll get busy once I start working.”70eb5a047aee5217

“What kind of work?”77884ea4cc1ce61f

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“I don’t know exactly yet… but I need to earn rent money…”5bba5f8247f5e7ed

Still, several classmates and seniors had promised to introduce her to jobs, and she had royalties, so she should be okay for a while. That’s what she was thinking when…51844fe15a4f90c9

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“What?”840d36bab8ac47fe

An incredulous sound b32a55ad19 escaped from Taeon.db5f5b6faead9254

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Sahee turned her head 6e486a16da to look at Taeon. Was it because she 74d34439c7 declared she would live 4112635164 in a rental despite b96b4fa9d3 his offer to live db2a63216d together? But she had a215c5f077 already refused that 8de80d7474 conversation.c13b4d844f2ce477

However, what Taeon said 26954f7bd4 was completely unexpected.6cccf7bc19c082b0

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“Ms. Sahee, did you sign a scam contract?”b532b8074ddb61ae

“Huh?”6f01370c85733eb6

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“You’ve been on the bestseller list since your debut, why would you live in a rental? It wouldn’t be surprising if you owned a house in Seoul. We’ll look at the contract once it’s light out. If there’s an issue, we’ll go through legal procedures…”95dc5853ae53bb24

“No! There’s no problem. It’s a publishing house run by a senior from university.”08563d6cd18ddba2

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Scam contract. Legal procedures. Her drunkenness vanished. Sahee hastily turned around, clutching his arm. Even though she said no, his expression didn’t relax.6845c5ca3feb7030

“People you know can be scarier.”dc6be0ddd7e9294a

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“It’s not that I didn’t get paid, it’s just that there were places to spend what I earned.”2aed4ce9fc528b45

“What places do you have to spend money on when you spend your days here just drawing?”9d9af98263efbfc6

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Sahee swallowed hard. Her lips dried 36b5d60af2 up in an 2ccf4ae2b8 instant. Taeon tilted his head, 938812b578 urging her to speak.090056e642c1cca7

“…Madam Chun’s granddaughter has been ill. There have been several major surgeries in recent years. She’s often in the hospital.”fe5e1be852c001ad

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“So what? You’re saying you’ve been paying all her medical bills?”ac8b26158c1d9a29

“Not all, but, probably, a lot…”1e682faef90992e0

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This time, she thought of Cheoljun, who had to get his girlfriend’s permission even to spend a single 10,000 won bill. Sahee cautiously watched Taeon’s reaction.6553cc4087d06bec

His lips 169fcd8a79 parted in 0da00b9ce0 disbelief, and 5ff4fae04d his lowered 71f21b5502 gaze seemed ffebf47430 quite astonished.0dcfedb917c985d0

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“Sahee, are you a pushover?”f3eff0b9948347a0

“It’s my money.”0acb8f974ed59cb4

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Sahee answered defiantly. She never understood de6aa6a259 why Cheoljun had 4eea9e4592 to get permission 852dc0afb9 from someone else 2421e9a688 to use his 3419a0d3b5 own money.16ebdf4952cf7bfc

“That’s not the point now. Why are you paying the medical bills for someone who isn’t even your real family, not even that person, but their granddaughter?”49b4ccf6922238ed

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“You don’t know anything, CEO.”a7a365050e1629f5

“What don’t I know?”a60e43f21d9375d9

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“Madam Chun did even more for me when I was young. After my accident, she carried me on her back every day for a year to school, which was an hour away on foot.”3b4df3efd4adbfeb

“…”2e933cf08e74ca1a

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“Whether it’s thousands or tens of millions, it’s not a waste, so please don’t say that. It’s not like I took the money from your wallet.”91d163d48f4b66e5

At the 5c2f648265 end of adf94fa37a her defense, 45ca0c5b5e tears welled dec256c529 up in fc5edcdeea her eyes.5f5b27654dd15ad6

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Her mother who had abandoned her forever, and her grandmother who wouldn’t even meet her eyes for a while before finally turning away cruelly. In the midst of this misfortune where no one wanted to take responsibility, it was Madam Chun who pulled Sahee out.7b0424f3ec41170e

She carried the bdda314632 lonely child on 4c09f81214 her back every 8635fa557f day for that 880949ac6e long time just cdbaf5a7da to comfort her. At that time, d3b672fa6a it was Sahee 98d3a5868b who was unrelated, 88b65d1ff9 not Madam Chun ab287177ed now.6fe46b175fbb1d7f

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The trivial stories she heard while her head was buried in Madam Chun’s back brought Sahee back to earth. They made the times when she felt swept away by the fierce currents seem like they were in the past.20061ee9a9ced3a9

Sahee suddenly 0b64d46895 turned her ae910e0e27 head.b4c13a04fdf5ea07

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Hearing the 4ed4623340 long sigh 0bb0319316 from behind, 607ef26637 her heart 090bf707aa tightened.af366715ce3a9e8f

She shouldn’t have brought it up. From yesterday, all she had told him seemed like nothing but her weaknesses and miseries, which felt somewhat horrifying.ac09f1cb45474ef6

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The alcohol had worn off, and she couldn’t even use that as an excuse anymore. Sahee buried her head on her knees. Taeon pulled her firmly towards him.049e98ca6508b25d

Even as Sahee flinched 188d8d6386 and tried to shrink de00737e2d away, it was futile. Taeon lifted her onto 825dfd0ffb his lap and turned f019bca890 her to face him.f9797c92d442799c

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“Indeed, a guy who never carried you talks too much.”dc58e5a13901ae8f

“…”7f78e01289aa6552

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Her rough 6076eae42f breathing calmed b16b25af56 down in ebcfe2f0ea an instant. Sahee lowered her gaze.93c20927d9a44688

“Sorry,” the warmth of his embrace was comforting. Although she had shouted that he knew nothing, she hadn’t wanted to make him apologize for something he didn’t know about. Her heart sank.9d58f59b2fcf0031

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At that moment, Taeon’s hand reached out and gently held her left ankle, softly tracing over the scar as he asked her quietly.4fa7c7ce82040acd

“Was it an accident?”1269e79521fa2875

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“…”23fa805931dd65ae

“When you were young?”8341fcdd80c67160

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“…Yes.”25d6fceef197ceb1

“When?”3c67cb27c884d674

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“A long time ago. When I was nine…”34b3a8004d41e433

“Is it still hard to talk about?”c5374f779dbba539

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It was strange. She didn’t want to seem more pitiful than she already was, yet she also wanted to tell him everything and lean on him. She wished he would say it was okay.30cbf258b83b1069

As a lover, she couldn’t expect him to embrace all her pain. Even if he touched her scars hundreds of times, they wouldn’t disappear.6c6e7fd944f4222d

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However, it was f941eb82b0 the first time d8b1716eff she felt this 5c76478079 desire towards someone.a1da929989c10746

“I fell into the river.”6d435f2af5800f02

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Sahee quietly 6e1dd00839 spoke, her f290386110 gaze lost 883a0e31d2 in the bc752356a2 air, recalling 46f29ee435 that day.6866ae723ade7fbd

The sound of 49c7ab2813 pouring rain. That day when ad4d273eea she walked on 424ac62899 the wet, muddy 485ff89415 ground towards the 89e9b6a102 school, the fierce 0094bff8d6 current had swept 9f568bc412 her away completely.be9c581f0664b7ab

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“…It was a day when it was raining really hard. Even though they reported it right away, the current was too strong for rescue. People thought I was swept away and drowned, but I got caught between rocks and survived.”b2dc3c71a6c9b84b

It was a relief that the man’s face didn’t look overly sympathetic. He just held her tighter. His hand, which had been gently touching her scar, stayed on her ankle.ff174c7516a65761

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“But because I was only found after daylight, I can’t walk properly anymore.”cda96ef13731efaa

“Why were you by the river on such a rainy day?”527c29fd160c6365

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“To find a doll.”7c2f16495350488f

“Was it a doll you liked?”3be00f68323ccadf

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“No, it wasn’t mine. It was my little sister’s. She lost it nearby, so I went to help her look for it and ended up in the river.”9c9133d92fde8f43

That was the extent of the summary. Sahee couldn’t tell him everything and stopped there.1060c399f28d1030

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Perhaps one 698a875ce5 day she acafb0aeb9 would really 57ac6762ab tell him 5810b6fe36 everything. Even if that day a739c37405 never came, this was cb4ee5436a enough for now.07728dd227fe18e8

Sahee leaned her head against Taeon’s chest.a75ee86814f95b49

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* * *03882cc1d1e5395d

“CEO.”601d81c173132d94

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Taeon, back b6392590b6 in the 94c5683a48 annex, nodded 8ba583340a to the aa3df590d1 waiting Secretary 10f021a541 Kim.3328c27d99ca6a4b

“Did you get some sleep?”b2e6fa1ca650208f

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“Yes, I slept well. I can assist you all night. Would you like some coffee?”357d53bc4b148838

“Yes.”0c7cc0957f4726d2

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Taeon took 0a47a884ee his place 85b9235a03 in front a51a7bc3d7 of the 2bd2d21274 mountain of 7937a5ab29 documents on c28f65f649 the sofa ddd7913f4c table. At the 7d3d6c8641 same time, c00a9eb11b his gaze d8b2b6d2e6 shifted to 64b725f665 Secretary Kim, 1b399d379f who was 07e6954738 preparing the 0916f8a852 coffee.d35aa68467bd9ac6

The story he had 5a19fc1178 heard from Sahee was 8a8a9638f5 poking at him with a73f8776d9 suspicion.d3beb99fde1119d5

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“Secretary Kim.”f0f8c97521570842

“Yes, CEO.”2cf229107eb4d12e

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“Was it about 500 million won, 20 years ago? The amount Park Jisun took from the Chairman.”0f477029a307f646

Over the noise of the coffee machine, Taeon’s voice carried. Secretary Kim, who was watching the foam gently rise in the coffee cup, turned around with a start.b668982ebbf38526

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Didn’t you say you weren’t interested in that story? With this doubt, Secretary Kim nodded.c14cbf464a239e38

“Yes, that’s correct.”7c87d2c618e088fe

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