DD Ch 22

Min Yeojin received a call from the wife of Hansung Group around noon.

It had been two days since the blind date. Min Yeojin had locked herself in, skipping meals, and even turned away visits from her son Taeon. Despite trying to stay calm, her anger towards her son, who had kicked away such a good match, didn’t subside.

What use was the ritual for Taeon’s well-being when he didn’t want the meal prepared by his parents? With Taeon having to go up to headquarters due to an urgent matter since early morning, she wondered what the point was.

She had planned to remain in seclusion today as well and leave early the next morning. But this call was unexpected even for Min Yeojin.

— I’m sorry, honey.

The voice of the Hansung Group’s wife over the phone was unable to hide her embarrassment. Listening to the flustered voice of Mrs. Hansung, Min Yeojin gave a wry smile.

— Our Jisoo is young. I pressed her because she was gloomy all day yesterday, and I had no idea. I didn’t know she had a boyfriend.

Didn’t know? In arranged marriages among chaebol families, most personal lives were excused if the facade was maintained. However, since Taeon had poked at this issue when he saw Jisoo off, suggesting she might have a boyfriend, it was clear why Mrs. Hansung called Min Yeojin, to avoid any unnecessary rumors about her daughter.

Or perhaps, after explaining with tears in front of her husband why the blind date had failed, she made this call.

— They were about to break up anyway. She couldn’t break up because she was urgently called back home, and she was so sorry about it.

“I was a bit surprised.”

Min Yeojin said bitterly, as if she already knew.

Since they were so apologetic, one should make good use of that guilt. After all, they didn’t know that her son was enjoying himself with his own flower viewing behind their backs.

— Oh, what to do. It wasn’t even serious, just a light-hearted thing, but now she’s devastated because she lost her first love. I feel sorry for you and Taeon, and I’m angry at my daughter. How could she be so foolish?

As Mrs. Hansung’s sighs grew deeper, Min Yeojin’s smile widened. It was fortunate it was just a phone call.

— I’m ashamed.

“No, you’re not. I’m grateful just for your call. I was going to let it go since I thought you didn’t know, but I didn’t feel good about it. I was thinking about how nice it would be if our kids could be together; I felt like a fool.”

— I’m really sorry. She broke up right after she came back. Why drag it on when she was going to break up anyway, missing out on such a good mother-in-law.

“Jisoo must have a weak heart.”

— She’s just a fool. This makes me so upset, or not. If Taeon’s feelings were hurt, please tell him I’m truly sorry.

“Sure, I’ll tell him.”

Min Yeojin just gave a light laugh. Despite the conversation ending, Mrs. Hansung seemed to have more to say.

Since the Hansung Group chairman had five sons, even if her husband was the eldest son and vice-chairman, there must be some anxiety. Both sides wanted to solidify their status with a strong marriage alliance, so it was natural for her to speak at length.

— Honey.

“Hmm?”

— Even after this explanation, it would be hard to arrange another meeting for our kids, right?

Waiting with a calm heart, Min Yeojin let out a troubled sigh.

“Well. As a woman, I understand Jisoo’s feelings, but I’m not sure about my son’s.”

— He must be angry. Of course, I understand. But I’d like them to meet once more to talk it over. Would that be difficult? He isn’t coming to Seoul soon, is he? My child might get sick at this rate. She needs to go back to the U.S., but she’s been locked in her room crying all day, so I don’t know if she can go.

After Taeon had messed up the blind date, her appetite, which had been non-existent, seemed to return. Although she felt a bit annoyed thinking Jisoo had a boyfriend behind that innocent smile, it was a good deal since the Hansung side would come crawling back.

Min Yeojin glanced at the clock on the wall.

Park Jisun was indeed cunning. She had mentioned today was Taeon’s lucky day, and just then, he had to leave for work at headquarters.

“I often find it hard to understand my own child, but…”

After feigning hesitation, Min Yeojin lifted the corners of her mouth.

“I’ll at least try to talk to him for your sake.”

Now, even if Taeon’s blood boiled, love was just a trivial emotional game. If he couldn’t let go of her immediately, she would have to make her let go of him.

What good would it do to regret after Taeon tears the group apart for Taekun? Eventually, Taeon would thank her.

After ending the call, Min Yeojin stood up with a gentle look in her eyes.

* * *

Click, click.

Sahee took several photos of the kongnamulguk that filled the soup bowl.

Early this morning, before leaving to set up the table for the ritual, Cheoljun had boiled a pot full of this clear soup for the drunkards. Madam Chun had already eaten two bowls and left to help with the ritual, while Sahee was just coming out for a late breakfast-lunch.

After taking the hangover medicine Taeon left and getting a good sleep, her stomach didn’t hurt, but the warm soup felt comforting.

Sahee checked the photos she had just taken. Unlike the hastily taken meal photos she had sent to Taeon before, which clearly showed her reluctance, this time the photos looked quite thoughtful.

Even though she hadn’t been explicitly asked to send photos today, she knew how much he would laugh and how much she would blush with embarrassment upon sending them.

Still.

It was those three words that moved her.

Still, wouldn’t it be enough if he laughed? Even if it was embarrassing, since her feelings were already known, what did it matter? He had come to check on her even in his busy schedule and left medicine; this was nothing.

After these excuses, Sahee sent him the photos. With one touch, the photos flew off, and then she felt restless, flipping her phone over on the table.

Most of the workers had been called for the ritual, so even though it was lunchtime, the dining hall was quiet. For a while, only the sound of Sahee swallowing dryly was clear.

Then, about ten minutes after sending the message, a long vibration covered the table.

* * *

The call wasn’t long.

— Did you just wake up?

She heard the man’s voice, laughing low, as she answered “yes.”

— How’s your stomach?

Thinking about how he was concerned about her stomach after seeing her completely drunk last night, she felt her toes curl up. She couldn’t fathom what kind of mental state she was in when she gave him cherry blossom petals as a grand gift.

— The photos you sent this time are better because you can actually see the food.

Although she had sent them like she was selling something, the previous photos weren’t that bad. She couldn’t help but respond to his relentless teasing.

— I think I know what kind of face you’re making now.

At his confident statement that he now knew her well enough, she frowned, but then—

— I feel like running to see that face you make when you think you’ve been figured out.

After the call ended with his words of wanting to see her, her heart kept beating wildly, making her straighten her back for no reason.

Sahee, who had tied her work apron around her waist, looked back at the canvas. The cold air of the room settled on her neck, and the painting she had left unattended for the day seemed to ask, “What are you going to do?”

Since it was a painting she started with the intention of applying for a study abroad program, it was inevitable. It was a canvas she had set up to distract herself from him by keeping her hands busy.

If it was just for that reason, she could have shut the door, but Sahee returned to the studio. Her declaration during the picnic yesterday was her answer to what she was trying to do.

Sahee told Cheoljun that she wanted to draw properly when she went to Seoul, even without participating in the study abroad program run by Juhwan’s father’s art foundation.

She had always thought her current paintings were good enough, but there seemed to be an unquenchable thirst.

She might not become something immediately, but she wanted to expand her world little by little. On this vast sea-like canvas, everyone stumbles, so it seemed best to start lightly.

Since she had started for whatever reason, she should finish it.

Juhwan’s advice not to take it too seriously helped her a lot in this decision. She was also curious about where she stood among those running towards the same goal.

Sahee stretched her stiff shoulders and pulled the chair she had pushed back. It didn’t take long for her to immerse herself in her work once she sat down.

The unfamiliar voice that woke Sahee from her immersion was:

“Are you here?”

Sahee, who had been bent over, straightened up and turned towards the door. The man’s voice came through the slightly open door again.

“Ms. Sahee?”

Someone was looking for Sahee. She put down the brush she was holding, stood up, and opened the door wide to see who the visitor was.

“Who…”

“Ah, you were here. I was worried you might have been called for the event today.”

Min Yeojin’s personal secretary. The man’s voice was unfamiliar, but the figure in the suit was known to her. Sahee looked beyond him.

Min Yeojin, looking somewhat gaunt and still with a cold aura, was watching Sahee with a faint smile.

“…Madam.”

“Ms. Sahee, do you have some time?”

For a moment, a bad premonition came with the throbbing in her left ankle.

* * *

Taeon stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray and lit another one. Secretary Kim, standing beside him, quickly took out a lighter, but Taeon was faster in refusing.

Click, Taeon opened his Zippo lighter and lit the cigarette. As he exhaled deeply, a long green wind blew over the reservoir where his gaze was fixed.

Soon, Taeon’s brow furrowed. As soon as he thought about Director Seo, who had told him the truth with a troubled face, a fierce curse escaped his lips.

When Taeon arrived at the reservoir, the agreed meeting place, Director Seo had already reached the parking lot. After looking around, Director Seo got out of the car and immediately bowed his head when he sat next to Taeon.

“CEO, I think I should ask for your understanding in advance. If you called me regarding the incident with Manager Jung Taejun, I’m afraid I won’t be much help.”

“Let’s relax a bit, it’s not about that.”

That bastard’s name was last mentioned when he went up to Seoul.

Taeon chuckled with self-mockery, and Director Seo seemed quite taken aback. It appeared he was certain that Taeon had come looking for something to use against Jung Taejun.

“If that’s not the case…”

“20 years ago, why was 500 million won delivered to Yeonghwadang?”

He didn’t even bother with preliminaries. It wasn’t the time to ask about trivial matters like employee affairs. After the long night and the long journey to get here, Taeon had waited long enough.

When he first heard about it, he had scoffed, thinking Park Jisun had pulled every trick to extort money from Chairman Jeong over the years.

However, Director Seo’s face, confronted with the question, suggested it wasn’t just that. A man who had worked in the chairman’s secretariat for over thirty years, handling money transfers countless times, now looked troubled and silent.

“It wasn’t just about giving money to Yeonghwadang, was it?”

“If it’s because of someone involved with Manager Taejun’s issue, why bring up this matter suddenly…”

“Director Seo, how many times do I have to say it’s not that? Let’s just say it’s my personal curiosity. And it really is.”

Director Seo looked at Taeon with eyes trying to gauge the truth.

At that moment, Taeon couldn’t even muster a smile due to his patience running thin. Perhaps because he already felt like he had received an answer from looking into Director Seo’s eyes.

“To be honest, I found it hard to believe myself. I thought I had seen all sorts of unsavory things while in the chairman’s secretariat, but this was a first. So, how should I put this…”

“Speak.”

“I heard that Park Jisun’s second granddaughter, Chae Hyunji, almost drowned her older sister. It wasn’t just kids playing around; there was a witness.”

“Did you silence the witness with 500 million won?”

“…Yes.”

Taeon flicked the ash off his cigarette.

Staring at the cigarette smoke rising from his lips, he thought of Sahee. The woman who had been soaked in shame when they met again after a long winter, yet acted as if nothing had happened.

There were countless moments when Sahee wanted to hide her ankle, but the first face that came to mind was hers. Had she stood there in such a state all that time?

Not knowing if it was regret or anger that surged within him, Taeon laughed briefly.

“Secretary Kim.”

“Yes?”

“Our players, the investigation by the prosecution is soon, isn’t it?”

“Ah, yes. In about a week, there will be media coverage. It’s already considered a done deal in various communities since they were excluded from the lineup, so the embargo is practically useless.”

“And the second granddaughter from Yeonghwadang was also excluded.”

“…Yes, that’s right.”

Taeon extinguished his cigarette with a lazy flick.

“Let’s go to Myeonghyunjae. I need to see the chairman.”

“CEO, may I ask what you’re thinking, if I may?”

“Why? Afraid I’ll cause trouble?”

“…That’s not it.”

“It is.”

“I apologize.”

“I won’t take away your rice bowl, so don’t worry. Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

Taeon chuckled. As he was about to leave, he remembered something and stopped.

“Contact President Park Joong-hoo. Tell him I’ll come to learn some baseball soon.”

The man who had desperately begged for his survival. The long-time franchise star of Jeongmun Dragons.

With some grease, he could still be useful. It was about time to decide whether Park Joong-hoo should go back to his hometown to open an academy.

At that moment of decision, a fierce spark ignited within him.

Taeon closed and opened the Zippo lighter’s lid habitually, clack, clack, to contain the flame, then turned around.

* * *

“Please sit, Madam.”

Sahee set out a small folding chair in front of Min Yeojin and, while untying her apron, invited her to sit.

“You were working. I knew you were an artist, but I didn’t know you did this kind of work. I’m not interrupting, am I?”

“No, it’s fine. Would you like something to drink?”

“I’ve already had something. It’s fine. Please, sit comfortably, Sahee.”

Sahee took off her apron, placed it on a low display cabinet, and sat down.

Meanwhile, Min Yeojin casually looked around Sahee’s studio, then examined the painting she had been working on with interest. For some reason, Sahee felt like she was standing naked in front of Min Yeojin.

“Your style is unique.”

“Ah, it’s still in the beginning stages. It’s not even worth calling a style yet.”

“Why. Even just looking at the paintings here, they’re wonderful. I’m curious about what kind of work it will become when finished.”

Sahee briefly clenched her hands together on her thighs.

Even just looking at Min Yeojin’s lowered eyelashes as she examined the canvas made her feel tense, but when Min Yeojin turned her head and looked at Sahee with a friendly smile, the tension increased.

A sinister premonition still simmered at the base of her throat. There could only be one reason Min Yeojin would visit her, no matter how she thought about it.

“I actually read the book you wrote.”

“Oh, how did you…”

“I liked the content. It was touching and had a lesson. Especially, the illustrations were cute and charming. Did you draw them all?”

“…Yes, that’s right. Thank you. You’re too kind.”

“Kind? I heard it’s been proudly placed on the best-seller shelf in the children’s section of major bookstores for years. I didn’t realize I was meeting a best-selling author. I thought you were just passing time here since the goddess didn’t mention anything special.”

Her soft, clear voice was like a flower with hidden thorns.

Seeing Sahee’s stiff face, which didn’t seem to relax even with the compliment, Min Yeojin smiled brightly.

“Could you draw one for me?”

“Huh?”

“Is it too much to ask? It’s sudden, isn’t it?”

“Oh, no. I’ll draw one for you. Just a moment.”

No request could be more sudden than your visit.

Sahee stood up. Limping, she walked to the cabinet, opened the sliding door, and took out a thick sheet of white paper, a smooth wooden board to back it, and a pencil. She then returned to her seat.

As Sahee settled, Min Yeojin posed, sitting slightly to the side. Her posture with a straight back was elegant, and the smooth smile at the corner of her lips made time seem irrelevant in its beauty.

“Would this pose work?”

“Yes, that’s fine.”

“Please, take care of it.”

Sahee nodded briefly and began drawing the first line. If it had been any other day, she would have finished quickly, but now she was putting her heart into it. She filled the white paper with Min Yeojin’s face as if paying homage to the lines she had drawn thousands, tens of thousands of times.

Carefully, meticulously. She was anxious about making any mistake. Her desire to impress was like teetering on tiptoes to reach a high wall.

“Madam.”

Sahee turned the completed drawing towards Min Yeojin.

Min Yeojin only gave it a brief glance before lifting her head to meet Sahee’s eyes again.

“It’s pretty. Do I really look like this?”

“…You’re beautiful.”

“Sahee.”

“Yes?”

“Thank you.”

“No, it’s nothing.”

“No, thank you for playing with our Taeon.”

Sahee’s face, which had been wearing an awkward smile, fell into a helpless silence at that moment.

Min Yeojin, with a satisfied look, took the drawing from Sahee’s hands. Her eyes, examining the sketch at arm’s length, seemed somewhat bored.

“Guns, knives, robots… It feels like just yesterday when he played with those. Maybe because I’m his mother, I think he’s outgrown such things, but seeing him play with pretty dolls still feels strange.”

“…”

“Oh, don’t take it the wrong way. I think of you as someone Taeon is just playing with for a while. You wouldn’t take it seriously, would you?”

Her voice, light in tone, seemed to command that this was how it should be.

“Enjoy yourself while it lasts. Have your fun, and when it’s over, just put everything back in its place. I was worried this month might be too boring for our son, but it’s good to see he’s not.”

“…”

“You understand what I mean, right? I thought I made my intentions clear on the day of the blind date, but it seems you didn’t get it.”

With an audacious, presumptuous look that seemed to say, “How dare you, Sahee, think of Jung Taeon?” she stared coldly at Sahee.

The moment she felt like she was falling under that gaze, Sahee couldn’t say anything.

Min Yeojin relaxed her expression. Her eyes now smiled kindly, as if to say she would be generous as long as Sahee ended things with Taeon.

Even in this situation, Sahee foolishly thought those eyes resembled Taeon’s. They were so alike to his eyes when he spoke sweetly, even when saying hateful things.

It was then that Min Yeojin took out a thick white envelope from her bag.

“I’m too obvious, aren’t I?”

Still, she smiled as if there was nothing she could do about it. She placed the envelope in Sahee’s hand and patted the back of her hand as if to say, don’t refuse.

“Don’t be too obvious, Sahee. Don’t say you won’t take it or can’t. I didn’t put too much in because I thought you might be too scared to accept it if I did. It’s not a large sum. If you keep seeing this, I think the cost for my psychiatric treatment might exceed this.”

You understand, right?

Min Yeojin looked into Sahee’s eyes as if seeking agreement.

“Think of it as payment for the drawing.”

Those eyes, so like his, made her feel strangely degraded with words that once made her tremble.

“For a best-selling author like you, it’s too little, really. It’s almost embarrassing for me.”

Min Yeojin’s hand, gripping Sahee’s tightly, showed thick veins.

“…I’m sorry.”

At that moment, Sahee pulled her hand away with all her might. The white envelope fell to the floor, and Min Yeojin’s face turned icy cold.

“I’m serious.”

“…”

“Madam, I seriously like the CEO.”

“…Hmm.”

“Even though I understand what you’re saying, I can’t accept this money. I’m truly sorry.”

Min Yeojin let out a regretful groan. She then chuckled and shrugged her shoulders as if she was disappointed she couldn’t persuade Sahee.

“Right? It’s better to make a fortune through marriage than to accept a few pennies like this. Smart move.”

“It’s not like that. I know I’m lacking, but…”

“Yes, Sahee, you’re lacking. Very much so.”

Min Yeojin’s voice, cutting off Sahee’s words, was firm.

“But even if you were ordinary, it wouldn’t work. Even if you were far beyond ordinary, in my eyes, you’d still be lacking. Because for my son, marriage is ultimately an extension of business.”

“…”

“I really wish Sahee were from a family that matched our level. Then I could proudly announce a love marriage and distribute press releases everywhere. But you’re not. You’re Park Jisun’s granddaughter. And also…”

Sahee’s eyes trembled slightly.

Min Yeojin’s gaze, which hadn’t finished her sentence, landed on Sahee’s ankle. Sahee easily guessed what would come next.

“Haah.”

Letting out a deep sigh, Min Yeojin seemed to have made a decision. Her eyes were icy, as if to ensure Sahee would never dare to covet anything again from this moment.

“Sahee, do you still not understand what it means for Taeon to be with you?”

“…”

“It means the CEO wants to live like Sahee, half-disabled.”

Half-disabled. Or rather, foot-disabled.

Sahee slowly closed and then opened her eyes. While habitually trying to maintain a nonchalant expression, her cheeks ached.

Even as her vision blurred and everything seemed unreal, the meaning of Min Yeojin’s words was clear. She was saying that Sahee was dragging him into deep misfortune.

“While everyone else is using their in-laws to speed along the highway, they want Taeon to limp along.”

“…”

“Seems like an exaggeration? No, for Taeon, marrying someone like you is no different from becoming crippled in one leg. Do you want Taeon to live like you, limping through life? Is that your love and sincerity?”

Just die, like the torrential rain that fell on the face that fought so hard to live, Min Yeojin shouted in anger. For a moment, it felt like pain and sorrow flooded her mouth, overwhelming her body.

It had been 20 years since she survived that fierce current, yet why did she still feel like she was suffocating, as if still in the river?

Why did she feel like she was floating even while standing on solid ground? Why did she stumble as if lost in a maze? Why, after surviving and coming back, did she have to endure a life filled with nothing but insults?

Sahee looked at Min Yeojin with empty eyes. Min Yeojin now seemed genuinely exasperated, breathing heavily.

“Can you live while ruining the life of the man you love? Why can’t you understand when I’m speaking so plainly that it comes to this?”

“…”

“Answer me. Say you’ll end it with Taeon. I need to hear that before I leave.”

Min Yeojin approached and gripped Sahee’s shoulder tightly.

Sahee, momentarily grimacing from the grip, shook off Min Yeojin’s hand with a laugh. Min Yeojin’s face contorted instantly.

“Answer me!”

Ignoring her, Sahee stood up. But the moment her foot touched the ground, her ankle hurt as if it would tear.

Ah, so I am foot-disabled.

Stumbling, she managed to stand by holding onto a chair. Sahee looked up at Min Yeojin with a face twisted in pain for a moment.

“…”

Perhaps feeling pity, Min Yeojin hesitated. Cold sweat ran down Sahee’s back, but she didn’t want to show her wretched face any further. The image of Min Yeojin watching her despair with eyes so like his was still vivid.

Her pale, bloodshot eyes turned towards Min Yeojin.

“Please leave.”

“…”

“I’ll end it with your great son…”

“…”

“Please leave.”

“…You’ve taken the money. Keep your promise.”

Min Yeojin seemed to hesitate for a moment before briskly leaving the room. Her footsteps faded quickly, as if she too didn’t want to be there.

Once the unwanted guest had left, Sahee slid down to the floor. The drawing of Min Yeojin lay on the ground, looking pathetic. A dry, empty laugh burst out as she remembered how earnestly she had worried about it, feeling shameful.

Finally, tears came from the sorrow of begging for love in such a way. Without even thinking to wipe away the tears streaming down her cheeks, she bowed her head. Sahee cried out in long, anguished sobs, her head buried in her knees.

It was unfair.

She had just been sucked into misfortune momentarily, yet she kept being treated as someone born into it.

Sometimes, where she stood had sunlight, wind, and flowers, but to someone else, it was just a ruin.

“Ugh…”

Her ankle hurt again. So, Sahee cried a little louder.

* * *

She tore up the drawing of Min Yeojin and stashed the money away in the cabinet. Then, she washed her face with cold water and continued her work as if nothing had happened.

She had to send the painting to the art foundation in a week, so she had no choice. Even the sorrow she had cried out to the world was just a half-day luxury.

Moving. Right, moving. She should look into it tomorrow.

Mumbling to herself, she left the studio. It was already a quiet night. Sahee glanced towards the entrance before quickly moving to her room. Only when she was buried in her blanket did she feel some comfort.

Sahee stared blankly at the wall until her phone vibrated. She picked it up.

[Jung Taeon]

Staring at his name for a moment, Sahee tucked the phone under her pillow, turned to her side, and curled up. Just then, fatigue overwhelmed her, and she closed her eyes as if melting into sleep.

The porch creaked. When the door opened, cold air rushed in. Soon, one side of the mattress sank, and a firm body embraced her from behind.

The moment his cold body touched her neck, Sahee flinched, her shoulders trembling.

“Did I wake you?”

The large hand from behind slid over her hand, squeezing between her fingers tightly. Remembering the day’s events, her body stiffened.

Sahee slowly pulled her hand away and turned her body. Taeon, with a low laugh, pulled her waist towards him and kissed her cheek.

“Mm.”

“What did you do today? Eat, and then?”

“I drew.”

It was good that it was a dark night. In this deep darkness, she could hide her tear-stained face. Her hoarse voice could be attributed to sleepiness.

“And me?”

“What about you?”

“What did you think I did?”

Taeon laughed as if amused and climbed over her, kissing each of her fingers one by one.

The man’s face, seen from where she lay in the mud, was blurry in the darkness. Would the time they spent at rock bottom eventually become just another memory?

She had dreamed of walking hand in hand with him in the sunlight. However, they were too different to walk together in broad daylight. Unless he slowed down for her, they couldn’t even walk side by side.

If she had known it would come to this, she would have shared less of her sad stories and more of the happy ones. She would have shared her misfortune moderately and smiled brightly.

Was it too late? Like with her, she hoped there was at least a bit of light in this moment for him to remember. If not, at least some brief warmth.

Sahee reached out to embrace Taeon’s shoulders. As their eyes met, she kissed him hungrily, pulling him down onto her, swaying with his lead.

She asked him to hurt her.

Eventually, tears burst out, and he kissed them away. As she bit his lips, she let out a sloppy confession amidst the messy saliva and hot breath.

She said she liked him. That she, daringly, liked him.

* * *

Taeon sat on the mattress, looking at Sahee, who had fallen into a deep sleep.

He gently touched her swollen eyelids, and she only grimaced. Even when he tapped her cheeks to wake her, it was useless.

Instead, she turned her back to him as if telling him not to bother her. It was the punishment he received for complying with her request to hurt her like a madman.

Even on their first night when she barely endured him, her breathing was like the chirping of a small bird, echoing around her room.

Taeon looked around her room.

This was your room. The room where you spent your childhood. He could easily picture her as a child with rosy, chubby cheeks, but then he would feel an indescribable emotion.

He hoped she had laughed a lot. Even if she was sad or lonely, he hoped she often smiled with clear eyes.

However, Taeon knew. Contrary to his hopes, she probably didn’t laugh much. She would have cried because she was in pain, because she was lonely, because she was miserable, or because she was wretched. She became something she didn’t want to be, a mess.

He remembered when he first entered this room. The room of a woman who seemed uncomfortable even with his presence was cluttered with art supplies in a somewhat chaotic order, which made him laugh.

Back then, only your smiling face in the photos bothered him. He didn’t know what kind of marvel it was.

Taeon gently kissed Sahee’s round back of the head. Her breathing, which he watched, was now faint, as if it could stop at any moment.

“If Sahee’s acting asleep, she should get better at it by now.”

Sahee’s shoulders twitched at that moment. She glanced at him with one eye. Her puffy eyes blinked at him.

Taeon reached out to carefully close her eyes. Her swollen eyelids shut.

“Sleep more. You can listen while you sleep.”

“…”

“I have some business to take care of, so I have to go up a little earlier than planned. In three days.”

“…”

“So today is a date. Tomorrow too. Let’s do that.”

Sahee nodded slightly. Taeon found it cute and chuckled.

His fingertips brushed the corners of her eyes, as if wiping away the tears she might have shed throughout her life in sorrow.

Taeon stayed by her side until she fell asleep again.

Perhaps because of his presence, the woman who seemed to struggle to sleep finally fell into a steady breathing pattern after he repeatedly stroked her hair in the silence.

Click. After closing the door, Taeon took out a lighter and cigarettes from his jacket. As he lit up and inhaled deeply, the cool menthol scent filled his head, clearing away the chaotic thoughts.

Yesterday, Taeon had gone to Seoul to meet Chairman Jeong privately. He had a broad smile on his face.

“I came to greet you upon my return.”

In the study at Myeonghyunjae, Chairman Jeong Kuk-cheol, sitting with a backdrop of dense bamboo forest through the large window, looked as if he had aged significantly during the two months since they last met.

Coughing, his wrinkled face frowned at Taeon’s late greeting but seemed unable to add more since he was the one who had sent him abroad.

“Sit down.”

Even though his voice was weak as if he might collapse, his will was firm. Taeon helped the chairman, who was in a wheelchair, to the prime seat on the sofa and sat beside him.

After some meaningless pleasantries and business updates, they got to the point.

“I heard you’ve been looking after Yeonghwadang again.”

“So what if I did?”

“Chairman, I wish you would stop looking after Yeonghwadang.”

At Taeon’s words, the chairman’s face, marked with age spots, contorted. Taeon handed him the documents he had brought in an envelope.

These were part of the report Taeon had investigated with his father, Jeong Seong-gwan, regarding the scale of funds Chairman Jeong had laundered through Yeonghwadang.

This slush fund would soon be used to protect his cousin Jung Taejun’s inheritance rights. Given the debt from the Chae Hyunji incident, Park Jisun would continue to serve as an active money laundering agent, making the request to stop the patronage of Yeonghwadang a sufficiently justified cause.

“Is this a threat? Did your father send you to threaten this old man?”

“Hardly. We’re just expressing our disappointment.”

“That’s not what I meant. Park Jisun’s granddaughter, Park Jisun. Do you not know how much Yeonghwadang helped us when Jeongmun was in trouble?”

“I heard there was an incident 20 years ago related to Chae Hyunji.”

“How far do you know! Haah…”

“If it happened twice, it would be easier a third time. Both my father and I are worried that more misconduct might occur, and Chae Hyunji might splash mud on you and Jeongmun.”

As Chairman Jeong exhaled a deep sigh, his eyes briefly wavered.

Of course, this was a unilateral action without his father’s consent. Well, considering how often his mother said he resembled his father in a frightening way, it didn’t matter.

It was then that Taeon flicked off the ash and chuckled. There was a clatter from not far away, causing Taeon to frown.

Turning his head, he saw one of the doors connected to the porch, not properly closed, rattling in the wind. Taeon glanced at the room where Sahee was sleeping soundly. He clicked his tongue, got up, and crossed the porch with long strides. Just as he was about to close the door properly, the logo on a document envelope visible through the slightly open door caught his eye.

Taeon looked back at the door where Sahee was sleeping. Moving the cigarette to the side of his mouth, he then swung the door open. The smell of oil paint rushed in, accompanied by a strange sense of déjà vu.

At the edge of his vision was the document she once received and hugged from Kim Juhwan. The same document envelope that was on her desk the day he first embraced her.

Like fate, exactly the third time.

He remembered it was something called Art Foundation Reception.

* * *

Today, Min Yeojin was returning to Seoul.

She was with Park Jisun, who was going to beg for 2.5 billion won in cash from Chairman Jeong of Jeongmun Group.

Sahee, who had come to the main house to see Madam Chun, looked from afar at Park Jisun, dressed in a light-colored hanbok, different from usual, and remembered Min Yeojin’s voice.

“Have your fun, and when it’s over, just put everything back in its place.”

Did she mean to enjoy her time with Taeon without worrying, since she would be going back? Considering Taeon was supposed to go up in three days, just two more days. It was an extraordinary act of tolerance.

Sahee glanced at Uncle Cheoljun, who was busy messaging his girlfriend. Noticing her gaze, he leaned towards her and whispered.

“It’s convenient with these thieves attending to the goddess.”

At his words, Sahee chuckled.

Cheoljun was right. Even Lee Hyungu had come early in the morning, causing a commotion. Inside the main house, Madam Chun, along with Chae Yoon-bok, was likely internally screaming while carrying out Park Jisun’s luggage.

Sahee looked at Lee Misook, Chae Hyunji, and Lee Hyungu, who clung to Park Jisun’s side.

“Mom, you’re just staying overnight, right?”

“Yes.”

“Thank goodness. Really, thank goodness. Everything will be sorted out by tomorrow. I’m so sorry, Mom.”

“Enough. Anyway, your husband will pay back all the money, even if it means breaking his bones.”

While Lee Misook’s voice was tender as she sighed with relief, Park Jisun drew a cold line with her face. Lee Misook bit her lower lip, feeling somewhat awkward.

Ignoring this, Park Jisun turned to Lee Hyungu and Chae Hyunji, standing like sinners beside her.

“You two are going to submit your marriage registration today.”

“Ah, yes! That’s right!”

“Grandma, thank you so much. I’m sorry. I’ll live well with Hyungu Oppa.”