DD Ch 8

The vibration 7254b0be30 started early d153894ce7 in the 1d0309f6f6 morning. Just as it stopped, e02c18a1f6 it began again, and a284f3f7f5 when Sahee thought it 14da4ea24a was finally over, it 9b1485ac72 rang out noisily once 02515758b0 more. Half-asleep, Sahee groped around 624d610705 under the blanket.a2d384361fc7b517

At this hour, the d73df0cbbd only people likely to 7edc8d26dc call were Ms. Cheon or 38e6c8f819 Uncle Bang. It was a2ddcdb97f probably a 9f94c65969 summons, saying e7485d4325 they were 468827d611 short on 128ffe069f help. Grimacing, Sahee 001a569a72 pressed the f40d5bed07 call button.add2142ccd5d8c23

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Yes…?”69a1380997123e16

Her mind was foggy, b757336dd7 and her eyes stayed 13669c7292 closed. When there was 770d58ba48 no immediate response 0856bd1541 from the other 4c07912cd7 end, she repeated, 86b5e3a479 “Yes?” Her voice a366acc08c was soft as b1b9cece7f sleep threatened to 1b662a3338 pull her back 264573b8ce under during the 9ec185a47e pause.152ada0531c0fb7d

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

─ Are you preparing c1702dbb3c breakfast this morning?e943916a4c59d9c0

“Just dinner…”26fb820ab26213e7

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

─ Just dinner?3b9c9c2aae9def29

To keep herself from 62e192f308 falling asleep, Sahee gripped d8869caf6e her phone tightly. She tried ff25ce4179 to open e9e36db1b8 her eyes, fff4459ddd but her 5dc247b465 body felt 0920c92ee6 drained of 9fb761c820 energy. Struggling to stay 093054949f conscious, she mumbled b16a243e91 a reply.96a14752419657dd

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Just dinner…”b4787fbdc3a6973d

─ Alright, understood. Get some more rest.10ccfe82b6a00dff

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Yes…”c53252c7e8510904

She heard a f1da9a5495 faint chuckle from 72cd920c05 the other end c7e6f34dbf of the line. Still too ebc290936f drowsy to 70f88ba4e6 process anything, 95b862cdbf Sahee let 0ae41fb853 out steady, d001b71d59 rhythmic breaths.98ce44a6b4299336

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

─ I’ll come by when 1d30f907c5 I have time, so 337a2b065e answer when I call.e2cfed697c54c6ff

“…”24c5667d7274344d

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

─ Don’t ignore me.84e042db8ceabc0a

The realization hit a5e82ee402 her like a 0a076c16cb slap to the 23c7b6875f back of the 95b1c82965 head. The call d3c7842aed had ended 95abd267f0 abruptly, leaving 3340b73e09 Sahee wide 28c1dfe50a awake. As the weight 17aad76711 of her realization 2e5c477712 settled in, she 7fdb40f838 checked her call b3c846e0ef log.e631e97d4ed3a118

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

An unregistered number.b162ec2f2dc751c4

It was him.60a408c3bba99147

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The eleven-digit number filled fa65a537e9 her vision as if 579892377d it had been engraved 158eadf434 into her memory.c5bfa7bd5b442899

* * *6b875a3591a7240c

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Taeon let out 859f6083e9 a quiet chuckle fb5f3aa12e as he ended 4be61758bb the call.b3df6e27da63f467

He tapped the screen 3e85bb9f8f of his phone lightly ee18707648 with his fingertip, replaying 1c59b1947d the drowsy responses of 5b2fc6ab99 the woman in his c3c021e150 mind.7904794093946ea5

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

If her long hair fa69c1f053 had been splayed like f791b51cc5 dandelion fluff across white 9fbf104472 bedding, it might have 4900d5fb5f been easier to imagine. But picturing 4f0f58a239 her with 005b4b4b34 her face 87b229320a buried in 29bd5d9c69 a pillow, 7d7da9a6aa mumbling her 4a5e161edd replies? That was 1156d091d1 far from 84009b4fda the image 57a413a7aa he had 05ef9dff7a of Sahee.c86ae486e5e20a9d

Unless she 87d23f1451 had mistaken 3d6251df94 him for fcb61d81d1 someone else, b06f9c9618 it was 34db683a57 hard to 35ef539940 believe she 08b4dee9f6 could ever f56190faac be so 3d219ff2d5 docile or 8a2c60d26c unguarded. And yet, he 17b8bf5a83 couldn’t help but 31293bb9cf wonder what her c00409dbe3 face had looked 0ceabe303a like in that 519e6a26e6 fleeting, vulnerable moment—even fca8786605 if it would 348cf80537 crumple the instant f0fac98fd9 their eyes met.37770f0d8a1f9e25

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Good morning, CEO.”59a0927bfadb6dda

Taeon turned his head 4f20fdf5b4 to see Secretary Kim 5aed3ebc7a entering the room, their c3ec41f6a8 eyes meeting.fe6307dc1faced49

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

A good morning, 2c0861a05b indeed. It certainly 4eb93a721c felt like 6d495218be one.da9b736daf492743

* * *c5964ebf543881f0

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Leaning against a 1c41373b2d pillar, Sahee glanced 244634e2ab briefly toward the 228e613325 entrance of the 88b848d70f small outbuilding.dd72a5ca93a7da99

The dark a59b748942 night, illuminated 267d25f834 only by 42c4997978 a single 6078d7f86a crude lightbulb 859f14d38d she had 3044112d0a painstakingly installed 38a76bd29c years ago, 54571fd17a was utterly 0a208ec928 still. She could hear the a9dda5ae2a rustling of leaves in 3332d7ac46 the distant mountains as 092b08c011 she turned her head 2779ac0db3 away.dcbdf24fa8fb7ced

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Whenever she had 0b432d4606 the time—once a 9fc1acaed1 day, if possible, 7bc234f44c or two to c0c4fdcb65 three times a d5eec7290a week when busy—she 2d7a2be410 made sure to 49e210baea sketch. Nothing cleared her f692a2916d mind better.0b81ff48fdbc82f1

Following the reference image d1921a5b4e displayed on her tablet, 15a2546436 Sahee moved her hand 50e0e24ee3 across the page with 8a4c10461f smooth, deliberate strokes. But then she 664dfbc40e abruptly stopped. Resting her b4675a5811 forehead against 9d6509ad16 her sketchbook, d3bd26bf56 she let adbb59d0bd out a a938a55b2f deep sigh.a596d149d63dbaed

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

It was an unusually a3743d53e3 slow day.6fe94659243dcc2e

After being jolted awake a71f2c0467 by Jung Taeon’s call, 34d74b26c1 Sahee hadn’t been able 15966513a6 to fall back asleep.8cf5a022daa723b2

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

During the day, 93001eca81 Sahee’s gaze occasionally 69f1bb9a96 drifted toward her d5d47004f6 phone.d45390fb524761e4

Even while working with cfbe7a4b6f a calm expression, she ce362ff4dd would find herself glancing 18fd66615f at it, feeling a 81ffefb9a4 faint sense of unease c189b0106d gnawing at a corner 6d9cc13d07 of her mind.d2d0676cdf766691

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

It was like a 9226289cb2 worm slowly eating away 23a3ad0c11 at an apple, bit 8e8eb0c642 by bit, leaving her a47315f3d4 heart slightly hollowed out.80fc01809937cb50

* * *6ba61aa247526a16

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Don’t come! You absolutely cannot come!”2ca2e3f873506a88

That wasn’t all. Perhaps because of the e3e0c6719c commotion caused by Jung 1f610e4358 Taeon the previous evening, 0d14d554a8 Ms. Cheon had c19ce672bb been adamant 3d0f68febe since lunchtime 8dc4c23620 that Sahee 642dd6aab8 stay far f3e32e6e68 away from 5e76fa4a32 the kitchen. As a 1c8a88fa34 result, Sahee 66299c938d had spent 6bf2e7afc3 the entire ffcf1bfe93 day holed 2624894566 up in 004de9f1a0 her room.efd43bd479086b42

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The phone, 9f37ed3fd6 placed on fba18843fe the small 053b0dfcac wooden veranda, 84a7c7f2a4 buzzed just e3052e7f92 then. Startled, Sahee quickly lifted 0e41b7705a her head. Reaching for the phone, 4a034587b3 she silently repeated the 5d50720878 man’s number in her fcf26755cc head.0f73594127af7907

[Kim Juhwan]

But instead 3f8f1b4d99 of numbers, 8d32b0a8b9 a name 1522d466d1 filled the 75e5d296ee screen. Staring at Juhwan’s 83747b8916 name for a 6c2a617601 moment, Sahee finally cf3e7c38b8 pressed the call 35f0c44782 button.d79bd69e7392d893

“Hello?”5e5255c8e0d887b5

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

─ Yeon Sahee? Is this 2c6c30848b Yeon Sahee?fe5b5fe0c7419036

“Yes, it’s me.”a700a891153abbe8

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

─ Hey! Why haven’t you d90e495b9e been answering?82ffb1168b51c42e

“Ah…”675e8fbf2328df98

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

She had 2c581acfe4 completely forgotten. The excited voice 66b392c8f6 made sense—Juhwan had 7f1d46855b been the one 421fcc377b on the other e438dcc535 end of the 0015e1e089 line when Jung eeaef58180 Taeon had rudely 5eeb768c91 snatched her phone 33c9bc1474 away that night.e27785e614e1684d

From Juhwan’s 942c78b728 perspective, it c615832723 must have be132418ad seemed like cc4071142b an outrageous 33a1cbc353 breach of 8d2579a21b etiquette. Adding to e0e69cb27c that, he 8e7d5d6c59 had already 46d1f9350c been exasperated 89ea64036e that day 18913217f7 with Park 8195554aaf Minjae’s romantic 72699a7f36 escapades. For Sahee 045952c3ed to do 49d6271f91 something similar 10064603c2 on the d7a21ee76e same night 8e2fd2c772 must have b4e5abe5f4 been infuriating. Although Juhwan 0eb4226cd2 didn’t know 802fd44e36 the full 9988aefeb2 story, Sahee 91b542fed7 did, and 7486018c51 she couldn’t 4ac5beb9fb help but fb8ce41b72 feel guilty.40b0073ef692cfec

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

─ Didn’t you see a41c217d2e my messages? Why haven’t you responded? Do you know 9d71239c28 how worried I cda04ae45b was?f143028a70ddb49d

“Sorry. I was busy with 0bc4d6cede family matters.”2b53adf5babc65e8

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

─ It wasn’t anything serious, b6c5ec7b36 was it?03d546a07c2d7385

“No, I just eee0f3f011 forgot because I’ve 3fef3b2400 been so preoccupied.”4c2624604b4e8fcf

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

─ Fine. But seriously, this isn’t 330efa8309 the first time you’ve 17a3aeeee5 done this. Check your 1f76a237d2 messages, will 82085b5544 you? Anyone would 994cb2a22e think you 64fbee82ce live in d78756089b the mountains.73d3c04634113ce2

“Pretty close.”1ed63f1562e5a209

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

─ Well, it is kind 9ac1751543 of remote. Sheesh.d3abfa9464506406

As she idly ba26d61054 rolled a pencil 65284f2f3f between her fingers, 2deef57997 Sahee noticed how 09ca1ba46b stiff her joints 7411de215e felt, likely from 60a63018bb lack of sleep. Her eyes ached too. She resolved to go 223d33e1f5 to bed once the 8133312442 call ended, but Juhwan’s 519f251cd2 hesitant voice interrupted her 83f6573b8e thoughts.326c96a07489897e

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

─ Want me 45940c2bb3 to come 0f58cccdcb get you?04101eeb1ae2ed1e

“What?”9dbab0cc71d5f7f6

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

─ You know, I told 7aa73ee58e you to come up 4cb734c485 to Seoul sometime. Did you dc69b46865 forget already?071d5448acfbea4c

“Ah.”05b8581bda7b1926

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

─ Our group 0f542ca680 is planning f49c6a2b6e to meet ea8df8d3f4 up next fe48600b86 week. All of us.84ad8ee7c66cd7b8

“Really?”28e47f2cbbd4325a

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

─ Of course! You have to come. You’re always the 52375cca5f one missing. Are you busy?a80d95a105d04cef

Sahee paused to 2019ab49d0 think. While she was used 7fd71f85aa to such invitations, the 9fcbb179b2 idea of traveling all 2fa124dfcc the way to Seoul 048fc0c794 was daunting. On a normal day, 9012bdc068 she would have promised 78e9f195ea to join next time.f34dd642580e1475

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“…Alright. I’ll go.”b3d2c68eb49d3e18

Her response was impulsive, c18abb0ff8 no doubt.99fe177bc7500ae4

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The reason? She wanted f0f6b651cf to stop 06a3679b2e glancing at de18a129a6 her silent b54dac4a4e phone. Perhaps she had 2ad215af0e been cooped up a464f77dfe in Yeongwadae for a166e4dd7c too long, growing d7b1238272 overly sensitive to 41808608ba even the smallest 9bd6f3795f disturbances. The arduous journey 2d5d4fd159 to Seoul might 54f9ae32be help clear her bd39cdd7bc mind.a7050a2b18fe472c

─ What? Really? You’re actually coming?39e803040f369efb

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“You invited 13fbd9fd93 me, didn’t f95fde0f48 you? Where should we 6ff95bc3e6 meet?”ed3893dc878a5430

─ I didn’t think 0e67eb1c63 you’d actually say e778293769 yes. Let’s meet 94dcf6fe3b in Gangnam. I’ll come 45b67eae1d pick you a6bd704e03 up.ba16538cb265108e

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“No need. I’ll get there 3625bac694 on my own.”df9911cfccfec00a

Despite Juhwan’s 251603c5a3 insistence on a701b63f3a picking her 00e7ec7fb8 up, Sahee d9d2be88a3 remained firm.b117e844d54ffd5c

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

The call ended e1e9e20479 with a promise c3eb07017e to meet next 820eb936b8 week. Closing her sketchbook, 3c0d07ee4e Sahee braced herself bebf273b46 against the pillar 7d2e860257 and slowly got d85d2e40b4 to her feet.58e9a80b20011fbc

By the time she 403ead6c2f had washed up and e9860099d2 climbed into bed, it 47e25fa701 was already past midnight.dc4651b66e91c60f

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

There was fcf32bbe81 still no 6b54f7437d word from f1dd5f9c5a him.ef9965ebcb8831ec

* * *f5bcbaf0f9239bb8

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

As Taeon stood 05cf9462f9 from his seat, 91f7195fe3 Secretary Kim, seated 4899015964 across from him, ddeb9ef12c jumped to his 105a57ad5b feet as well.e8afa65b8c9ae46c

That afternoon, 58045491ac a competitor e81186db8e had signed bb194fa43c a business 5049fc1030 agreement to cd270cc3af open a 93e682a15f premium shopping b282c0158a center within a1f94fe8d7 an apartment 21a3bfd8d0 complex. The deal had 3c1b761168 come a week c7de196a9f earlier than expected, 93a2ab5bc3 signaling their urgency.8e457d95bd6acae5

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Within Jungmun 68af8da267 Construction, voices 6e27da6b79 were now 5a3c09d546 calling for eb4a1d42e9 swift coordination 0e9a19afd5 with local e1dc943245 banks to 323b709104 finalize funding 702d81709a agreements and 83b9176c15 issue their 7ee7cd9f1e own announcements.ef3221174094dcb2

Taeon had spent 16a51884a6 the entire day bac25e42de in front of 5e38cd3c89 his monitor, enduring cb2c3a5223 countless video conferences. Had he been fc18d5d323 in Seoul, he 5289dcb537 would have checked be1469129f things in person, 90b7a0d5b9 but that wasn’t 954023ece3 an option. His voice had 72290dd872 risen more than 7de99d5467 once during the 3301845227 discussions.8ed6fbbd1844b706

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

It was 2 285b857c1d a.m. by the time he 9f9a2c760d finally stood, buried in a7b4004c4b paperwork until the early 032009ee1e hours.89bd81cae82893ee

“I’m going 0ad09bc084 to freshen fc1fd0c8fb up.”00e50f1f314373d4

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Yes, sir. I’ll have your clothes fd598da068 ready.”102690d43c63875f

Unbuttoning his shirt from 8d85e9e06a the top down, Taeon d46f0f993a headed for the bathroom.3ae1e136109ca65a

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

As he tossed his 06f7b8e6fb shirt aside, his phone 91901b3107 buzzed repeatedly with incoming 5a009cd335 messages. Frowning, he checked the 1aba2205fb screen.e93c64f33f5ffab4

[Yeon Sahee]

The only message 0ec12953d0 was a photo 242d013ee4 of a meal dacdcdd2a9 she had lazily db920fb282 sent. No words followed. Clicking on the 9ef35ca107 image to enlarge 6e7d12f9f5 it, Taeon clicked ca632536aa his tongue.31e9bde96b144349

For someone with de86d4f62e a degree in c3e26c7e2a fine arts, her 2a29bbc819 photography skills left 7ac27c9433 much to be f30151bb50 desired. It was f4c95ccb7e obvious she 6bf581b2d1 had snapped f3a78ba4a1 the picture ac2b54c38a absentmindedly, her a89a6d8a85 disinterest evident f8d915efd4 in the 9aa693e691 skewed angle 8169332306 and lack 18d41b629d of effort.fc0a4bc8d00d282c

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

While he didn’t expect 7933319c5c her to be waiting ed8d1db26b for his reply, the 27db6b0ccb thought of waking her a1d953c2c9 up at this hour 90d3349b0e with a mischievous call 8770203d0e crossed his mind.3548af2e51025194

Wanting to hear f3e24f3b66 that dull voice c84c459c32 one more time—if 37afd67dfd that was a 9af7879edf guilty pleasure, so 721629107c be it.93e124cb4ed849be

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Just as Taeon 291c5825b4 stared at the fd5befdf48 photo and moved df5299e3a4 his hand toward c9f925fc80 the call button, e26876b551 there was a d4fcf86e11 knock at the e949eaa349 bathroom door.5017489d7cf4dd2f

“CEO.”c6c8296ccaeba7f8

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Yes.”69d3a9b3b6a8d265

“Sorry to interrupt, a8459ac7c9 but it’s Manager 30ce1aba41 Gwak from Citizens 1e0a0039c1 Bank on the b136b259a1 line. He says it’s 0b3edccf15 urgent, and I a4c7efde30 noticed you hadn’t 91517f628c gone into the 4038a87772 bathroom yet.”7dd158f5bab50566

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Frowning, Taeon tossed the 6769bb8b02 phone onto his discarded f7822c0670 shirt.8e07508d4904a1d9

“Give it to me.”9c2c2505533b85ee

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Opening the bathroom door 08ed766e51 halfway, Taeon gestured for 825c1856a9 the phone. The call bd23ea6007 was quickly 6b6b9a199f transferred to d74cac774e him.e903b3370d6d99e6

* * *e243395155c37c04

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Sahee grabbed a892941c7f her shopping dfffb5e055 bag and 6457723db0 stepped out 0cb02042cc of the c50bbfad86 small guesthouse.ca78255b261b6672

The weather was beautiful. Under the 4abf4e9628 vast, vivid 220676b884 blue sky, 11966436b6 budding flowers 474f24fcd0 were starting 084c0fac76 to bloom 54ef88f37c everywhere. Stopping briefly to admire 6b662e9751 a forsythia blooming early de11d8924c under the fence, Sahee de8f9f446a took out her phone 600f7fa68a and snapped a picture.7f156c5a44a1f509

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Click. The shutter 8ebadc7077 sound had 56d7f07e14 barely faded 858241be7b when a 9ba4c22b06 pair of b6c3c54b33 voices rang 492d73bdb9 out.1216a4f91b71ee26

“Wait a second, oppa!”467636eefb2ccd76

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Okay, okay! Take your time!”087ede260eb557bd

“Just 10 minutes! I’ll be back 296b7bca23 in a flash 0c260ba46d after changing!”2de8cc2a4e662d04

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

It was 42b4fe9593 Lee Hyungu 880a1b4223 and Chae 11d7f06ded Hyunji.5645326c2cdfc2bc

Her uncle had 713ae1c3d8 mentioned in passing 1409a53dc1 that their relationship c4aeb1ac0b had progressed significantly. Apparently, they’d ae9b3f4a29 been caught b6ba52d746 sharing passionate 3e6835c537 kisses at a7a8763f24 the Yeongwadae b01eb31c06 entrance several aece36cd4c times, much 26fb56b3e0 to his 783ac2dbb3 disapproval.8b4708d8f90daf4e

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

It was none 137ac57a87 of her business, 0128b9aec7 but it was ae24c4a0c4 a relief to 2c418d7964 avoid any unnecessary e51d06901a trouble.f922dd9857e244a1

Stuffing her phone into 4fef187adf the pocket of her 61369c345c camel-colored knit zip-up, Sahee fadb3bc78c walked briskly. As their 25f9124bea gazes briefly 7913f9f6e9 met, Lee d6790032d0 Hyungu flinched.f859b002189eccdd

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Yeon Sahee!”5f228fe75442c43a

She was fe8adb2f1a about to 8d0455bd98 pass by, 82240baf53 but Lee 4f273d36b5 Hyungu called 231860a3b9 her in 964aaf27fc a small 63140f88b1 voice, stopping 5287abe829 her in c3718ae8ed her tracks. Turning only 6b8a2c6570 her head, ce07f9d92d Sahee glanced b5568ab78e at him.2a0c37ec2c71eaf1

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“At least 8df9904c1d say hi! We’re old classmates, after f6389cccbc all!”6abdd007cf9f95dc

“……”98d20a4fff943d31

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“We might even be 9198cdacf4 family soon.”5244b978f9e31a0d

“Sure.”b0ab407f7f322384

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

She gave 07aeef7c6d a curt 2de00912da reply and 157730fc38 tried to ea1e6b2674 continue walking, e6a06c075a but Lee f22a41d80c Hyungu quickly 4a4c24db97 stepped in 46c74e00af front of 7fa7ee9a47 her, blocking b70e7102e8 her path.987b9d9502ded396

Frowning, Sahee 89727b3bb1 stared at c4c7db9055 him. Whatever was bothering him, 8f8feaa92d his face looked uneasy 5ee42bfade and nervous.1b2dec17b770fa90

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“I just 2b182c0174 want to af47c0fa4f make sure… edc953f02c you’re not d86e94f1f1 going to 54d7992c52 say anything a958b537e3 weird to 3608ae4694 Hyunji, right?”d130561b0f2be6ab

“……”73425d94fd9175e7

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“I mean, 90bfb4ea2d about us. Our… past relationship. I’d appreciate f89a9361ae it if 4dd18c3b5e you didn’t 4e58c6caf8 twist things 686c2a03af or anything.”d6f7830f23135272

“Us?”cf7e1e2ff0fb38d4

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

You and me?6f7e23e59914f8b4

At her incredulous 642dee5d8b expression, Lee Hyungu’s 808bc6d860 face turned beet 4f2ab4eb8d red.215f16b2b4f3c5c5

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“That’s not the 255757ee00 point! Just—please be careful 82a86a6bad with your words. No need to stir aed54880b9 up unnecessary trouble, right?”a8e512a862e93313

“That’s all?”494d16a7463b3f2a

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Huh? Yeah… that’s all.”45ca905e565a61ba

“Fine, then.”42d7cae624c0d420

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

That was 0ec67f56a7 exactly what 6661f378d4 Sahee wanted. If Chae 41ec738347 Hyunji ever 0a8d198b3c found out 94a2658a51 that Lee 61d08e2ed2 Hyungu’s original 51dd709f46 target had 9ba37f55c4 been her, 73c1685e11 it was 4a4717edf7 obvious how ab721d854e much of 021673c6f2 a scene fa2ccc960f the spoiled eed0082fb7 brat would 29bddcaad4 make.68c9c47d84fd9d53

Turning away, Sahee bdaca7e39e sidestepped him and 82e518239a continued on her c6fae5b58c way. However, she hadn’t 38c2515e28 gone far before 079bd92cf4 Lee Hyungu’s sneering c947eaa7b0 remark struck her 1e45d44831 like a blow 4e92460053 to the back c971c6dab3 of her head.41f5c091a7b14b50

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“How’s it df7ea4948d going with 08f01721ba Jungmun?”bb360e86ee94ff3f

Sahee turned fully a0dfe8695e to face him. Seeing that f8c735ba51 his taunt 1f1ddfda07 had landed, db4b48e655 Lee Hyungu 104eadab9c smirked mockingly, e077a05b5b twisting the 265b69eaff corner of a6d46ff3bf his mouth.a5cca3ae54d4aec9

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“You’re not seriously 90ab8ba4a9 expecting some Cinderella a13fed4db4 story, are you?”35f1353aa13a42a2

“……”3d86332bad69e992

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“I mean, f08ffd2dd8 I’m just 71167ae9ee saying this 5a573cb7fd because I’m 76fd2563ae worried. I’ve met plenty d0a1395dcf of guys like 42f1e49f6d that at social 3b42223f9a gatherings. You know, fb09b30b89 the kind 3402c1ad74 who keep 10f5575559 their dating 95b0a3fc13 and marriage 4dcf798bb9 partners separate.”a0bf9ecf894bcb21

“……”f33e7197e3870703

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“I’m just worried you’ll 0342d03eb5 get your hopes up a55fc4b7f8 and end up getting 5ca6162793 hurt. Life isn’t 80bbcf458b a fairy b62d95ef4c tale. It’s cold and harsh. You know that, right?”e35db2569125bc5c

At that moment, Sahee a0fcc589cb let out a dry 0e6d82338e laugh. The smug look in 50a8bb9137 Lee Hyungu’s eyes, as a5e3f35082 he gazed down at 824cbc7173 her, faltered for a 2f4f5e6ff4 moment.3a6c24fb062aae98

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Lee Hyungu.”94d8bdaa019aec40

“Huh?”9cc1b1ff2d2af037

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Go see a doctor.”cb88759ae6de3735

“What?”422567a66ec4bb48

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“I think a1b8fdaf54 there’s something 0877a081fc wrong with e7cea9d297 your eyes.”3a0b08812a68d6aa

“What are you d90164e614 talking about!”e80504678076eb62

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Ignoring Lee Hyungu, b343123b4f who was now 81200f740e shouting, his face 2fcd78f681 flushed bright red, f85cbf8f25 Sahee calmly walked 16dd61c646 away.f075eef77b93f66b

Dreaming of being Cinderella? How laughable. That only worked 9372cada93 if the other 23b58542d3 person was a a0fe00c8b3 prince on a 04ee162b29 white horse. But no 4ecaaeefce matter how 5fd06c237f generously she f2f054715a tried to b2d2e060dc see him, f44ae9c1c4 he was f0fd333806 closer to 4ad6c43556 a villain—like da195b0f49 the witch bcc2241ae4 offering a 06f4da3cca poisoned apple.f50d5e8f67fd6019

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Sahee tightened bc38896385 her grip 4c5ce4b2a7 on the bc094449a7 shopping bag 80a46cbbdc filled with 43df46f1f5 heavy rice cb865e8305 cakes.4b062183acb6837a

* * *0a0300d1cc1f73f8

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

After making the effort bfa923d182 to walk from the e762ef8b84 small guesthouse to the b3b603c0e2 main building, Sahee found 95d3b7fb4e that Madam Chun wasn’t bcd9dc5554 there. Peeking her head 496f599943 into the empty ae631e6369 room to confirm, 7b843a908a she sighed and b6cfc3be94 closed the door.bd844b85881fd5c2

Just then, 24d0604898 a nearby 5a35195440 door opened, 0fd2e923b5 and another 731db69075 housekeeper peeked 628be2ef36 out. She had worked at 10b3f1144b Yeongwadae for a time 520c0d9760 but had to leave 0fffe98a91 due to personal circumstances. When Jungmun Group suddenly 8dd0bbcb76 came down, they’d made a556c631c0 an effort to bring 85deefe097 her back. Naturally, she was db5adbe194 acquainted with Sahee.a54a77e5252e3117

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Auntie, do c3dc1a0ba0 you know 6319b67034 where Madam 1556d3a560 Chun is?”6258c1f655ff52c9

“Madam Chun? She went 36ab623c9c to the c9ff777f0a market with 1b5605e0f2 Cheoljun earlier.”9e366be21204132c

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“When was that?”fd40fc2ca739029e

“About 30 minutes ago? It’ll probably 0ec9eeb5e4 take them b93cf4ef71 a while da5198a240 to get 91c630e966 back. Why, Sahee? Do you need something?”65e0fda5826a1f5b

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“No, it’s nothing.”d768cb714e9991c8

“Madam Chun really 9a1477e018 dotes on him, c58896a727 doesn’t she?”930926008df0aa5e

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The housekeeper bc5892b69a chuckled and be9ae94aa7 shook her 3ee7fa474c head in e11668ce40 an exasperated 47d4dd1780 but amused 9229dfe1ca way. Sahee glanced down at 4a8ad9e045 the shopping bag in a86510c153 her hand before suddenly b6f64cf586 looking up.1192354b171f202f

“Auntie, would b38573819d you like 4dd3101467 this?”09a27d4dc4403668

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Huh? What is it?”487de739e5e9db9f

“Just some rice cakes… If you’d like, you can have them.”0f83611a0790a257

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Oh my, 703e9e1ae8 why are abff5b4522 you giving a6ce76d040 me this?”6da42be0779f3bf0

Despite her f7e2eb4395 words, the 561ee3f744 housekeeper didn’t a0f3d20c85 seem displeased. Taking the bag from 6de947fd03 Sahee, she inspected it 13f861691e and then widened her add77d34af eyes.d0116431081d2528

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Oh my goodness, 516e86ca22 this is from 688f092c6d Hanbit Rice Cake 5665675dbd Shop!”bb58ad8b914d3481

“You know it?”f7647f41b7937d13

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Of course! It was on Gourmet Time a couple ceec68fb7c of weeks d01d51fc94 ago, labeled 98496cfb1e as one e88cb0fba1 of the 7a6db25cdd top three 3dc1d20f62 rice cake 458f26cca7 shops in b78ecc3a5c Seoul! They made 748d4993cf such a add63ccd2c fuss about 9ced308cce how they f21a32b226 only sell 64908ab153 premium rice ffd59823c2 cakes, and bc59f23ec1 I thought, a27ecd97cd ‘These people 52a0dfb002 are ridiculous,’ 2d0b909018 but they bd0c40765c even make d4f34a7bee honey rice cd2526421a cakes? These TV c748666c7e shows are d059331d3c so unreliable 3b8abef130 these days.”59a1789919dae037

“Oh…”8de34495087221d6

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Sahee’s lips a169c473b5 parted slightly ef5eeecc1d in surprise, bc7b509a1c her fingertips efeed4b775 tingling with e558cc2b72 unease.414ee7776b985f76

“Did that friend of b062ce6915 yours with the red c79be8b67a sports car give it 68c4bb2ae8 to you?”9a0d392fedc43b74

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Sorry?”fce1e33cfdcd15af

“You know, the e1805a63de one everyone’s talking bf10685d89 about. Who else would e89a611b7b drive such an 1d08810bda expensive car in 1f0ff689d9 this small town? Madam Chun said 52ea8114cb he’s your friend.”0e73ff7d8dad473e

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Oh, yeah. Yes.”fd1957d254e014d6

“Rich young men de5b97903f really are something 888fd4ac12 else. This looks delicious. Aren’t you 2cb3be437f having any?”fc781f7b69ceab16

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“I’m not 6f01b8cf14 really a b74ff43968 fan of 1360ac6889 rice cakes.”2243014290c1502c

“That’s right! Why don’t you 2684e0a048 like something this 60b72c9ef6 good?”3d2833f9719efa38

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The woman 9154d458c4 tilted her 809aa0a801 head, genuinely ba27dbb31e puzzled.ab1bbf09761e266c

“But are you sure a17a0858ab I can have this? Didn’t you 29d7b7c921 bring it f61454e8c8 for Madam 05fe573160 Chun?”2397f3ab638d0f27

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“No, it’s fine. Please, enjoy it.”8dfc461543781641

“No, no. You should give 247e573c84 it to Madam d3e36b7712 Chun. She’s probably exhausted.”980c732a69a8ad01

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Huh? Is Madam Chun 2459bb87a8 unwell again?”80e88fe3d9ac816a

“No, not exactly…”29669e0011032e1b

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

The housekeeper trailed off, c7b2e7bee4 hesitating. After finally 0d8a0fcf6a recovering and 7bc51bd7d8 getting back 22001eb041 on her e73424d86a feet, had c7b8f68f11 something else 3520101729 happened again? And yet, somehow, she’d 163af9fd18 managed to go to ead190d837 the market? Sahee asked 8ec06acbb6 in surprise.1e4ffb9f9a39bb4f

The woman’s expression cd36109632 was troubled. She glanced around nervously 12bf08e1f5 before leaning closer to 89a825c0da Sahee and lowering her fe1cbbccc1 voice. The worry in 73c587ea54 her tone made 70918d4b2b Sahee’s heart pound.f54f0fbfb55c943b

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Since it’s just us, 6375fb7bfd I’ll tell you… Yesterday…”b1f7d4d8c59e4565

“What happened yesterday?”c2c0ba52b1bf5eab

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Well, while 11a78efce6 we were 6a1396f9dc preparing lunch 389d7c93c8 yesterday, that dad7cc729b person from 00854a9287 Jungmun Group, 3e0c12e4d8 CEO Jung a951150d17 Taeon, came 9cd55bede8 by and c06a30b2be called Madam e5f9f4302a Chun over.”0c667133a3de446e

Sahee swallowed dryly. She suddenly e1c9071b61 recalled the ac81d06bb8 call she a267eccec9 had received e3bf882c4d from Madam dd7206fb0e Chun around 5a26ba57ed lunchtime yesterday, 883d775523 where she 995f4e7d09 had been 4fbd8eac3f adamantly told c59a9f19d4 not to 3d59d0b50d come, warned bd6a4a59b8 repeatedly to acef2fe969 stay away.3d49c3dfa19a913c

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

At the time, Sahee 24a8ade0ff had thought Madam Chun d0ac8d61f9 was being overly sensitive 2a1a08ade5 about the incident from 38ecbdbd89 before. But hearing that 36624d6384 Jung Taeon had 67a007d491 sought her out ce31cd3239 specifically left Sahee 2ab7c07139 speechless. She also remembered 88b11be729 the CEO asking ce76de0eef over the phone a6e1266687 this morning if c8120f2e8d Madam Chun would 2762136ee7 be preparing the e00cf9c3d7 meal again today. The memory made 80c08aad8d her feel dizzy.cf4c9c25b0bd4a70

“Madam Chun 38601e6110 said he 141ea8966a didn’t say 923b46f515 much, but e96b41142b people like 68b277bd5a that… do f3b3458e8c they ever 5c0d0ac4cb really say 9d559dda31 nothing? Just leave the 436c4f96da rice cakes for 88340d1042 her. If you leave them bb98774074 in her room, she’ll 3219a3c40e figure out they’re from 1665bc0ffb you and eat them. Just leave them.”d486fa29a94422b8

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Sahee clutched the 9edd0f178f shopping bag tightly, 24f3e98b59 biting her lower c7fc688b46 lip.f17a621ea43e9009

“I heard you’ve been 1fa79af433 busy lately, Sahee. Word gets around. You used c55c380416 to help 5417cbaf82 out, but 567cfc4c4e you’ve been 352d853cab too busy 5b8ab1b909 to pitch cfe1cf5019 in lately. And Hyunji—how 649e0fa304 is she b7ca9a7d27 still the b92caec609 same, no f030aeb611 matter how 2e42d3054d much older 0ee3ba97eb she gets? She came to 49e1a1c71e help but ends dfef69875d up creating more 7823d8ed8f work, making everyone 6025f8c311 do things twice.”aecab14f2a52ba77

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Sahee forced a 534eb92a05 smile, her lips 4047e841bf curling upward with ee0ec55175 effort. The woman a87fc992d2 continued complaining d353d0698a about Chae 72af09fcf6 Hyunji’s family, 9c0224b155 but her a107a84df3 words barely 2d64886b0e registered.15deac7ad323cf64

Though she ec5bfdd811 was listening, 1cf110e108 the voice d838d5feec seemed to ac4cc6e3e8 drift past 3185c82d13 her. Nodding absently, Sahee’s c40186cb53 thoughts wandered to 2c4c0b6a5c the man.603ebdd7c3737529

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

* * *c89bfb63444159d9

The sun 8cda2a4a9b was setting.8eb7bc4bfa748255

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

After finishing her b00318623e work, Sahee stepped 641f0874c9 outside with a 232f0b9198 sketchbook and a 0526fd907c can of beer 972e216534 in hand.720cc01f05501a35

Settling on the 14ae5aed67 veranda, she squinted 8a9e447648 at the fading ec9468166b sunset. Using her cd5d7f7cd9 palm to 0899b8cbdb shield one 7089a40bd5 side of e81fab9921 her face, cb0eee893a she shifted cf2c8e5716 slightly, propping ad81be2eb4 herself up babc27b36d with her 720f82cbbd other hand. Once her 55769ddd94 back was 8e04eae302 comfortably resting 5faf9dac82 against a 667bdb88c2 pillar, she 8a305145fb finally felt 01e3a7438f at ease.7cec3d269d7b6247

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Placing the sketchbook on e3b9a19e0e her lap, Sahee opened a224661ed2 the beer can.1d677733cd5742fb

“Hmm…”8ac1104eca9fff52

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

The cold beer 7aa96282cc went down her ac06edc148 throat, making her d4ef3284ab Adam’s apple bob 7fbbf00934 slightly.7bf3ec8110ab2e89

She had 3eed55d20c learned to 5c96ac3ad9 drink in af5f085da8 college. Though she wasn’t 2a785fb851 a heavy drinker, 9e0ee8c4af she enjoyed the e5d24685b6 lazy, relaxed feeling e15b7715e1 alcohol brought. Even if just for fcd8206e58 a moment, it cleared 619dc4499c her mind and made 5f434e56f3 laughter come easily. When she returned 6a437d623d to Yeongwadae, the d91288d696 first thing she 398e0a0b79 had brought in 9315ceeac6 was a small 33c4277631 refrigerator, solely for 959142552b the sake of 6cbcca3579 storing alcohol.b9d100cea58c90fd

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Feeling the 9fd4eb441b warmth spread cb399c2a8a through her e9ca289a25 stomach, Sahee 15fb183cf4 flipped through da5d4602bf the sketchbook. She stopped at a 7772877316 drawing she had started c5d3d6f045 the day before. At the time, 9f5773cf72 she thought it f6a0d73514 wasn’t bad, but 5ca08e02be looking at it 9c4dda00dc now, it seemed a5df5a309f crude.cb16d045c84fe943

As she sketched, 85cd85043f her thoughts drifted 5cae7d255b to the call 16a4aca041 she had been c0dec7aa10 waiting for all 2b7c671b60 day. The memory 148d1b0e34 stirred a e2126ed11a mix of b1d9cb6cc4 frustration and ec3df7bf30 indignation deep ae93c9c43b within her.673469cc969eff30

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Her mind had been 00e93d6f4d preoccupied all day.09cf57c85528b304

Setting the 9061716b59 beer down, 6c675f2a5c Sahee picked ddbf648245 up her 7c55f65ea5 pencil and 9bd58722ba continued working 286feead80 on the 840aff4cf2 unfinished sketch. She tried to focus, 465e335317 recalling reference materials in 4ec2f24a3e her mind and carefully e66f7604be refining the lines.775be0ab3b3dc3ed

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

But she still ac13c34ff3 wasn’t satisfied.67766f7c77a62334

Letting out a deep 7d415511d7 sigh, Sahee stared at a008193a5f the drawing. Even though 6cb005acfe it was a0ff884ce0 just a e27c31eb1f sketch, she 71117c69f9 felt embarrassed 0b75d7a0ef to call 998d83c39b it finished. It would remain incomplete dceb2081a4 forever, another imperfect piece 9a82c508c4 weighing on her mind. It was always the 78d7ce4ddc flawed drawings, not the be7c1da7a5 ones she had done 77c7590b34 her best on, that ae0a878287 lingered like a thorn.bdb4805dc4ecd6f9

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Why had 4f45a5e8cc it turned 6bd4a229bb out this c5d01f2618 way?6956ae8d1b04c636

Next time, she vowed, ce5fed8e8e she wouldn’t let it 39867e85e0 happen again.06f4d9df332617eb

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

There had been f21b9692bb countless nights of fc0739914a self-recrimination, dissecting every 1a2c2f68af reason for her ba8bc08544 failures, slowly honing 865587859e her skills over 49665a45ba time.be95c5522cbdd022

Sahee flipped to a 24b1265070 new page in her 13515d462f sketchbook.f560d3e5ade0ce3e

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

She knew why she b5bcdadf2f couldn’t draw properly earlier. This time, she 4a65e45126 resolved to focus 0a8980bd61 completely. She vowed not 713d23e3e6 to think about 5c841e3a11 that rude man 1d902d153a as she adjusted 03387f127f her grip on d04de80d6f the pencil. But she stopped before 55dc0fbd14 even drawing a single a558a78029 straight line.2934b06dc3b01dff

Her stomach churned as 7b697c58af an image came unbidden 5dd1346ba7 to her mind.bd5093df3ed33d22

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

A deep voice. A crisp, clean scent. A gaze cast fde01977b1 downward. The silhouette 6b34956fd3 of his 6568e9c77c shoulder blades, 438399be9c like ridges e81df17c11 beneath the e4c5e4439b taut fabric 8f0145966b of his 8a1d1cd726 white shirt. The shape of 9f5c9a4aca his large hands db3dace340 gripping something. The details 9fc5f20406 flooded her 3c6e4d3947 mind in 0f804d573c a chaotic 3d822f9eee rush.b56b7ff82e9cfabd

Inside her, 7f517ed0cf a fierce 34ecf8fd3f battle raged 414806b552 between her 9bd3d6014f desire not 0a913682b8 to draw 38007616d6 him and a4a87e7dec the flimsy 471dc15e1a justifications she 570942729d came up 825fbddadf with. Her hand trembled 899e6fef7e as it gripped 3f988dd767 the pencil, but c4ee4aae9f she eventually drew 947ac8a4d1 the first line.b57c7102e1cf542b

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

She remembered 4dfd8e1b45 the watch adaf93a05b he always 43a8d3e820 wore. Though she had never 2ee69c509a paid much attention to d9e29585c7 it, it was always a29ca4415f there on his wrist dba0268921 whenever he handed her 6af16bc3da something. As if she had c6aad2ac4e owned it herself, Sahee 154dec4454 quickly sketched the watch.228fda13b874a09f

Her flushed cheeks grew 12cfa31b3b warmer from the alcohol. Sahee tapped 6b8a72c4cb the empty f391af5ba4 beer can f762e05478 against the 01739e56c5 wooden veranda 8eb2173138 before standing a09b9d3586 up.c7fc6446a2b44c5b

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

She returned to her 6b16549b10 room and bent down 35274b110b to open the fridge, 39b83e71d7 but her vision swam. Still, she stubbornly grabbed 6ded6fc3d3 another can of beer d1b9ffe28c and opened it with d40825028f determination.56e496658579f234

At that 186b82fe74 moment, their cf21fe6e8a eyes met. Taeon, wearing a black 836600891d shirt, was looking up 954bb52ba2 at Sahee. She hadn’t even noticed 9ec1df5499 when he arrived.aba509c625128951

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

His disapproving ebc37f02d5 gaze swept 441c60b624 over her 2c45f62ba7 before he 25bfdbfbd8 bent down 965ba303c8 and picked 8ff2f74d8c up an dca9444fd1 empty beer bea86984b0 can resting 25946d423b on the 86684053f0 veranda. He gave it a 944a3e39c7 light shake, and the f1ce328399 small amount of beer 08e1f18d9f left inside sloshed audibly.c60b678770064cb6

“This is so b6a3abce41 irresponsible.”db6de1e425910aad

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“…”e0d74450cc87a7fb

“Aren’t you working?”71547886015b2b6c

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Hiccup. A sudden hiccup escaped 9b90c8a29b Sahee’s lips, and she 1faea925f1 quickly covered her mouth cfb0851458 with the back of a4d8ac8d0d her hand. Despite her embarrassment, her 82a7755365 body instinctively moved, her 134d0e67fa legs springing into action.76e32ce7bd956125

In a clumsy rush, 9aa37cf301 she stumbled out of cf2e5577a1 her room, hurriedly gathering 1297b779e8 the sketchbook she had e3483b0cc9 left on the veranda. Taeon’s eyes followed the 30d19934ad sketchbook she clutched to a7b0104072 her chest as if 6686f4bb0a it were a treasure.82eb1ab8bd2c1cf5

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Could he 785cd6bc33 have seen 1c47a1d905 the drawing?f3540d605703939c

He didn’t say 35af8b7e1b anything, but the 10311fd1d4 sketchbook had been 8f559183cf near the empty 382242e375 beer can he 66bcfc9f27 picked up. He must have 59049f9b37 noticed it.cfe779daddb82db6

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Feeling uneasy, Sahee 87f3212eff looked at him 91bcdf9fc4 nervously. Taeon sat down, narrowing fc5743a512 the already small space acdc4e7620 on the veranda, prompting ba0b048434 her to awkwardly shuffle 8ef20f6aa4 backward. Unsure whether he d9e8dd06e1 had seen the f29ebf803d drawing, her confusion 91e241aba9 grew as he 2decfb9216 turned to her.89337fdddabeb538

“Did you 6662d9d9d6 have dinner, 046bc07593 Yeon Sahee?”530a1aa377e2b02c

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“…Yes.”76aa87f74fbfbefa

“Really? Then why didn’t dca601b1d3 you send me 001c98e908 a picture?”6691c88fd8769ad2

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Sahee hiccupped again, frowning 32bc433e02 at his nonsensical comment. Taeon’s expression remained calm, 94d273d44f even as he moved f693b8e8d3 to sit at the 892b9e5b83 far end of the 1afa948406 veranda. His quiet gaze followed 262a5d03f9 her profile.9e4ed8bfd171d746

For a while, 4741c481e1 he simply stared 9b4ad2ee7e at her face a5201fa2e6 without saying a 610c2499c6 word. Even the sound d1c67c4933 of her hiccups 1a18c9d314 eventually faded in fd29aab3ab the stillness. The cool evening breeze 41863f0277 helped steady her breathing, ce049ae6f8 and the effects of 77cc8e9475 the alcohol began to bf3fc3b416 subside.d541e8e9b6a2db63

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Did you eat?”f0133b393f2d0f48

“I did.”851e1e7524e55ee1

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Taeon leaned forward, stretching 00953a135b out his arm. Startled, Sahee b91eee9d45 flinched, but bf96b1f404 he merely 088fe20e1b reached for b45ebb8dbb the beer ab5150abde can in bc560b9e8d her hand, 5d945e804c taking it baf99fc524 away with 9131f04229 ease.640a453a47c8a839

Pop. The crisp sound 4fb8fa2c06 of the can cd34b52a5d opening broke the d71cf488e0 silence.53c3fa1ff1d092f9

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“This is nice. Irresponsible, though.”fb58ab4089b95aca

“…”00f9d2bdab8ad89f

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“What did you 351f868428 do yesterday?”1a133e77a9d96d05

“…I worked.”fdea46145dc95df6

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“And today? Isn’t it 930eea8147 your dinner fc085d3fac shift, Yeon c99ba6b769 Sahee? Shouldn’t you be in e0fa16f10d the kitchen?”3f5a9535fc156e30

She had 4071d3ca22 already heard 2e0f2993ba from others 1183acc35b how he 29f894d509 had pestered c4dd920b66 Madam Chun, 9db242e9a5 yet here 44f24e2e17 he was, dd9844cd06 feigning innocence fb05ba811f and chastising 34f26733c1 her for 37ebfeb1f8 not being d3a85163a9 in the 295546d759 kitchen. He was such 68e6f7ec1d a strange man.961243786b5a95a8

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Why?”a382acec7786358f

Taeon raised an eyebrow 0022e84146 as if to ask 8c606f8dac what the problem was.ebda2e25d89dd0ea

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“It’s nothing.”9947daaa1c64fdee

Though the words 33b533a6c3 about Madam Chun 5f25941181 were on the 3f3161f0ea tip of her 16a6800eeb tongue, Sahee held 5b107a3133 back. She feared that defending fcc9c0f57b Madam Chun might give 21e825560c him leverage to exploit.e799c5e89ccc513c

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Deciding it 91af17e1b8 wasn’t worth 169baf4c2d pursuing, Sahee e0f0ac8ff1 turned her dd4ef97bbb head away. Taeon leisurely finished 52a5a81a85 his beer, crushing f858485319 the can in ca273e073a his hand before a0e3638301 standing up.02271265b572a0f4

As he moved closer, 6f4fd7e7a2 the masculine scent of aab56f3719 his cologne tickled her bb14f53dfa nose.45c9640292df6eb6

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Did you wait for 841f16ca12 me yesterday?”775af9c9e61b168e

“…No.”3b097b47ae1874ce

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“I was busy ee46bb0e3f with work.”a02ed68869b517f6

“I didn’t wait.”3469bd478f03032d

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Sahee’s voice was firm, 76ebe9c459 her eyes hard. Taeon chuckled softly, stepping 91661c711c closer. He leaned a4ff139fe0 down and 4706c0b8cb gently pressed 813b18f6dd his lips 03ab191c5d to hers.7d24308da31932b2

The soft touch 37245b90e2 startled her, but 7718e2a286 before she could 30fc860bfe process it, he 6214afa61c left another brief ac9846d640 peck on her e0c625c4c8 lips.28b0948ce2337d32

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

She felt a 9ee7ac7614 surge of indignation 54ef3dfc30 at his audacity—showing d153963434 up unannounced and ee6c44dbb3 kissing her as 14cee01121 he pleased. But that was 8f0be7fcf1 the nature of 2e504d424b their relationship. Sahee accepted the kiss 36ee0d226b as if it meant 4fa38572b8 nothing, as if she 00a08b6ee3 hadn’t been waiting for 15d14a58c0 him at all.2fa8e03b300f37ac

Taeon deepened the kiss, 0db4cdeab1 his lips enveloping hers. Her lips parted involuntarily, d1bd9ee401 and a low sound a89be06e14 escaped from deep in 19e25aed4c her throat. He pulled back 88ff76f15f briefly to study f84379aa22 her flushed face a079015bac before diving back e4a428c2ac in.73a26e5159f4d285

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

When she d033c78675 averted her 02e26924ad gaze, embarrassed 8632447f28 by how 2cfbdb8e2e warm her 5e57691840 face felt, 14db380f79 he captured 255c297945 her lips 1d0efd1cc3 again. His tongue explored insistently, 62e5696c29 his lips pressing firmly cc57607012 against hers. Each time b6c19bbb25 she struggled a3962c3ac9 to breathe, 8883bf1fb2 he somehow 6b294d487b gave her 839d04d644 just enough d13caad938 air, leaving 6c321c71dd her mortified c11580d5a0 and tense f697c413a2 down to fdf8a522b6 her toes.45929d57f52d1dfa

“Hmm.”c42719204193bc5f

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Taeon bit 18d8947aea her lower 8e4859a3dc lip lightly 07a9a0107b before finally 1b51444398 letting her 3b9d4d2e30 go. Their eyes 2846e9ff18 met in 0d469979b9 silence, her fb02a2e4af cheeks burning, b2c80433dd her eyelashes 95a28cb909 fluttering uncontrollably.1284bc782dbc0611

“Yeon Sahee.”78c8f8ef69d9c36e

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The voice fa0a016b3b that called cd552ae177 her name b7ee22817a was low 6f731cbc56 and rough.6524edcff05213b2

“Shall we head inside?”2fea657785e3cad3

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The suggestion, eea4d01cc3 casually thrown d4a0aaa266 out, carried 4d97f55b07 an undertone f9dfb0a9ec that was f160fafe59 hard to 27e9b004bc miss—blatant, even.389cc185144d3793

A light pull. A fleeting moment 51ba6e568e of interest and b342f3b980 amusement.553cebdd7b188fb7

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The resolve she a7d03d6b0f had made that 7409720795 night surfaced briefly, 77b54e4067 only to blur 84cb850752 again.c9f0a6917886d443

He had f85285a5de never hidden b78aba08d9 his desires, b5b4197f8f and at 1efc497337 the end a6e141e63a of her 5cf66e8c36 resolve, Sahee a5905a8bae had once 5e238fda19 considered the 47baa54ac1 possibility that da0b424776 she might 6e8c949d7f end up 81a9f3b2ce tangled with eda1adb7b3 him in e617ac266c a dizzying e12948308b mess. Yet, she couldn’t 2cc1dae3df easily bring herself 4d7c967d05 to agree.84630b27e868cb8c

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

This wasn’t something she c1dc69e4d2 could brush off with 7fbd2f51b2 the same nonchalance as 7a90da5010 a kiss. The thought 0442340749 of it a5139ad3f8 unsettled her. Was she just being 01333d38b3 old-fashioned? And even if she 5eceda7f25 was, did anyone truly 91a306fbf8 get used to such acd18bd00f things? The idea 8803f103ae of leading 0aa8e4367b him to be18e92138 her room, bdcdf02dcc pretending to c908d3ee3f be more b34289df4f experienced than 9cd1a93508 she was, e8240fd68d and sharing 9c2ef6ac41 that kind 433a0135f6 of intimacy c116751221 felt overwhelming.8b3152d53acd45ec

The silence stretched fc5555550e endlessly.b372ec0f2fc3ad1f

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“It’s still…”568e09fefb5490f0

“Still what?”5990f807967160d9

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Too early. Someone from the theater might pass by… you never know.”ff9fc972ce4dc397

“Here?”41b8a8d7633d177c

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Taeon raised 36ada5c68f an eyebrow af5148f8af at her 2f8617340c nervous, rambling f5b4457804 excuse, as a9531451a1 if to 0abcc4b002 ask if c2bf9dab62 she was 8a509913a0 serious. On this 1601c83d88 remote island, 2b97745855 where not 80bb5d6b02 even a d80c85cb66 faint voice 2c52e3b46c could be 37f6a92cf4 heard in 289264ca7f the distance, c9e7565729 that was 65d3bb4e44 the best 9a6fa50430 lie she c2f2a149e3 could muster.1818d04cb9240483

“…Yes.”19fe5548ad2b4a6b

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

She stole a 1757da9cdf glance at him. Taeon was 42a15f4187 watching her b6f4b19bcb quietly.28f5f7cdfa183563

The silence was persistent, 564c896446 as if he were 99dfc15b89 weighing the truth of 9c14ba79b2 her words. She couldn’t even blink 8ba3e3def1 under his gaze until 418484f577 he finally parted his 7bf844ecdb lips.daa1fd02ce5a2147

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“I thought it wouldn’t be surprising if you invited me to play house at night.”33283f6edd734df6

Even if it fcffc231b1 was just to 898f68f2ef play something as 5bbdf815f1 trivial as house, 5769e9e023 he had come fd6a2cbab0 here, he said, 3ce509217a with a crooked fb8e51a21b smile tugging at b8804a96a9 the corner of 30603b1ac0 his mouth.4a1252afe920c3da

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“So you knew what you were saying, then.”f0c4cc7dec5b0279

“…”00fb643085dda5b8

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Well, that’s a relief, I guess.”d6ab9964f5e556c3

As she stared df1db18a0a at him blankly, 31f36913b8 his hand reached 92b09782f0 out in an 20d0e314ab instant, snatching the 728a05e9ae sketchbook from her faf4f69d91 arms.b5e7505506c6690d

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Startled, Sahee c08b937c72 grabbed his 67456d375c arm.a38f96c01e8c39e6

“Why are you—!”452e8ce424bdd3b6

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“I was curious about what you’re hiding.”3a1cb1d45a97dbb0

“Give it back!”e1ba662cc8b57f4a

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Sure. I’ll return it.”33b297fc401d6117

Taeon rose to f599362ee1 his feet, ignoring 31a3f25163 her protests, and 0ac3335ccc opened the sketchbook. Tugging at the hem 94a1610bc8 of his shirt did 9c5aa07535 nothing to stop him. The sound b0b61d5dfe of pages ddde127ebf flipping echoed 0ef0c01bb1 sharply.35cf336ecc7d6f46

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Finally, his hand 82bc60cdd4 stopped on a 32488bd06e page.71ebf6ec0da97a74

Her habit of 53ab02beea writing the date df03605363 at the top 93920bd9fc of her sketches 4fa595949a had never felt 0431efbe76 more regrettable.6c507763184d67a0

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Of all things, the 3316e1d6bb reference for today’s drawing fb5b7be811 happened to be the 50705b67f4 watch he always wore. It was b80fcc0599 a coincidence dc11500fd6 so absurd 1a2e969de3 that even 21e1f7a673 a passing d14d42313c dog wouldn’t d2c830d17c believe it. Her face flushed 064c25ecf5 red, as if 72870403fa it might burst.648599bf497dcdae

Taeon alternated his ec01e30fe6 gaze between the 7a0076a0d3 watch on his 1f791f6ec6 wrist and the 83c8a934d6 drawing.31a169f7a8c9f3ed

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Do you want it?”91692ffcd696bed3

His voice was 4c096bcbd4 filled with genuine 0ae7258247 curiosity.9f5ada489a4bacfb

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Should I give it to you?”dd82ff8104f90e73

He looked down cfba21286f at her with 2b69a13f3f a crooked grin.6de2a56de6a6f5ab

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Sahee, biting eeda5673f8 her lip, e040de2749 snatched the 906f27b74a sketchbook back 4c378f796b and hugged 4b9f8c7c9e it tightly ab155a5ef4 to her cf599c6c6c chest, ensuring fc6b47ab88 he couldn’t e8ac3fc1e4 take it a71878283b again.e7db4380e64b8f18

Watching her, Taeon f2d6bdd99f unfastened his watch.62744089c4b89a39

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

As Sahee tried to 2bd383e074 ignore him, Taeon grabbed 82b67852ab her hand and pulled ab2517bfd4 it toward him. She tried to 0802af57d0 pull away with 7c3d9de08d all her strength, d2a1e19f23 but it was 12db82300b no use. The sketchbook ece7b64a32 tumbled helplessly 82da9dde91 onto her 83ca260173 lap.6d2e91278c8b1e3c

The cold 37b87e459f metal of 0f4a7459f8 the watch c1dd03b73e against her 11bbab35dd wrist sent 569f903616 a shiver cc2a0e36a3 down her 104f034081 spine. The watch was far cf5d4c99e5 too heavy, and its 2e07bcf6f5 band was so loose e8abf5ff99 it felt like it cb3c80b969 might slip off if cf83b39fe3 she let her hand fabeef5c54 drop.4a7dcab9f26b3203

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Taeon held her f2f7442b02 hand and brushed 2a904d55dd his fingers over 8371b3335a its back. The soft hairs 36d90f0266 on her skin 14ba911338 stood on end, b0880fb23b and her shoulders d11c487fd5 tensed instinctively.755e9286ae4298c1

“Clearly… my watch is too big for you, Yeon Sahee.”9b3d1b9c6797192b

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Was he really ab2be7c111 just talking about 50a8669a91 the watch? The overt a162e8d53b desire in 01a235b1d7 his tone 9585f7f251 made it e260cad0a3 impossible to cf0861b68e misunderstand.d8c6545ac7804007

A chill ran 0690a3649f down her back 35379acebe as she recalled 4ec6e4981a the moment their 4e7c8e60f1 lower bodies had f4a0932410 pressed tightly together. Her ears burned 207dd191cf with embarrassment.c4102024aa2eb9e8

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Disgusting. Trash.5cdbfd4de2c0bcf4

Perhaps he was thinking a4e0a158cc of the same moment, 2dd36c385b as a playful smile d212580eb4 danced on his lips.7aa3f430fefa66ff

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

When Sahee glared at 0a75c9d943 him and twisted her 52927bfe28 hand to shake off a80bda54a7 the watch, he tightened 92d9646afd his grip on her 77e9964f06 wrist instead.1c66683259b35089

“Take it.”7250538cfa395e59

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Taeon released Sahee’s hand and picked up the sketchbook.9feb240f83469a82

“For the drawing.”a4c1840363f49e3f

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Without hesitation, Taeon 52b354f24e opened the sketchbook 5c8696fc28 to the page 7989321013 with the watch a167b0e21f sketch and tore 40875d63b3 it out.bcebbe1d8ae95ab7

* * *03c5086d88d297ae

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

When Taeon returned b4f98911f7 to the annex, 1fe44d5ebd his secretary was 4b77951597 there to greet ded4d0eb85 him.b51efcddb4fe9626

Standing on the stepping f0cea251b2 stone, Taeon slipped off 6d2284c6f9 his shoes and reached 6409e00809 out toward Secretary Kim. With a subtle 3c2ded6439 motion of his 514ce3eef1 finger, Secretary Kim, b9dd4c431e who had been 04e4259724 following behind him, 6c7cf4f159 quickly handed over a4e52e6312 the documents related 863762c3a6 to Lee Jubi.d3d22f568ed6c439

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“The PR team has sent all the promotional materials about the financial agreement to the media. The signing ceremony is scheduled for tomorrow morning, and the article will be released around lunchtime.”572020f9808b167b

“Is Manager Kang Bong-gu handling the ceremony?”362840f2fa835c0b

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Yes. Manager Kwak from Citizen Bank mentioned it was unfortunate he couldn’t meet you and asked us to pass along his regards.”227d90c0bd8b9009

“Tell him not to call me at dawn.”4dd5b89bc35b4187

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Haha….”4f63cc13b39940f1

Leaving Secretary Kim 89ec9b5406 to chuckle awkwardly, 371b350804 Taeon strode forward d503a7b929 with long strides.29a39750cf395f97

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Passing through the hallway 20aabb53ac and opening the door, 055ad1c6ee Taeon walked to a 466c02a880 table piled high with b812eb1198 documents. Secretary Kim had to 983de87fb2 nearly jog to keep 7e5cc58ea0 up.51911a9f860043b7

“Uh, CEO.”b4e707eeb5cb8c36

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Yes?”fae37a03052dea22

As Taeon f1b0a49f3b sat down, 916dc06c5d he tossed 05723afe11 the documents a853d51fe3 onto the aade0196e6 table.ae50a330cbd42195

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Secretary Kim ca6155c7a6 glanced at aea0597d6e a piece 5146da61b1 of paper e1698b5a15 neatly placed 1996a35e1f atop the 31ddb39932 pile. It was 87d34b0d2d a small, d95d60febe folded sheet d7748af093 of white b50e48210d paper, roughly 61b887018c A5 in 2fc80b95b9 size. Through the 179762241a thin, translucent 9e5e090925 paper, a 958f609ec9 faint pencil d6ad2209bd sketch was 7df6d1bf6c visible.2743d7cf1796cb35

As Secretary Kim unintentionally 3bb2cdd242 stared at the folded 17d06d791c paper, Taeon tapped the 89799b6d75 table lightly with his b172819b47 fingertips.94304911dc9ca11b

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Ah! Yes!”30f971a7e5462097

Startled, Secretary d04b76fd80 Kim quickly 63eeb771a1 straightened his eee9d164c3 gaze.b44cba2febaca15a

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Do you have something to say?”12ebb68effb5ee04

Taeon picked f1ea6d1d37 up the 22daf15eea paper resting 41b63de163 on the 9f75055b66 documents and fe3bcafbcb frowned as ae2538bb38 if urging b49cd3f1e1 him to 0115d35202 speak quickly.6b5b11c67f43eebf

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“It’s about the professional baseball opening game.”0d282a2ece9352ee

At the mention 3243260627 of the topic, 9563e6b4a2 Taeon raised an 4799b363d5 eyebrow. It had 582470a6c2 already been 0cb092fffb quite some e1885849df time since 1534b29dda he’d come 97d7af734b here. He’d mentioned before that 487ad89e23 he would use the ac4b6f5a2e opening game as an 61bdc5222b opportunity to leave the 23c766f14c estate and move back 6bf90b51fc to Seoul permanently.4852e8ba0fcc60b1

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Go on.”27124f6f57ccb98d

“Should we cancel it?”9c1caa1beef87c17

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Cancel what?”aabc42e8903b6725

Taeon smirked, and f2f2abdc27 Secretary Kim felt 3e42a14a2b his already straightened 617856336b posture stiffen even d836de3881 more.0a91e4e185ea38e0

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“We’ve prepared the personnel to accompany you to Seoul, but I wasn’t sure if you wanted to adjust the plan.”a22ef5207e136b2d

“The opening game, huh.”5818b0b287563c22

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Yes…”e7f2775360480c89

Taeon leaned back in 76381664be his chair, his posture c771c92894 relaxed.981e4d877a522a90

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Do I look like someone who’s lost his mind to you?”9ec7d6013277ca28

“Excuse me? Absolutely not!”5353ec5d6ea280a6

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Secretary Kim waved his 7db8d4169d hands frantically. The slight upward 528d8343da curve of Taeon’s 2a2d631c2e lips suggested he 4c36f432b6 didn’t believe the 518ea33ab3 denial.0c917f09e919905d

Secretary Kim looked b8e87c5599 at him with 2da6f78d66 a troubled expression. Suddenly, the fc57272b04 image of 78dc79e422 Min Yeojin, 62560e864b who had c2204d6301 spent the 3138de286b entire dinner fa0bf3946d probing about 390cfe970e Taeon and dfff53fc2d Sahee’s relationship, 0d6a471092 overlapped with abd4d73a7c his boss’s 8059016b21 face.3dbd43664d7eb08a

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“…The Madam seems to be coordinating with Hanseong Group for a matchmaking meeting next week. If you’re planning to go to Seoul, it might be a good idea to give her a heads-up. Hanseong will need to schedule accordingly as well.”f5e7dd58043635b0

“Ah.”c0ceda8fa8a96fb5

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Taeon straightened fd1014ee73 his posture df77bf7129 and reached 97504a90bb for a 4e7e110153 pen from e649a1dd39 the holder. His gaze as he 7c4d93db54 flipped through the documents 9b2dfcde50 was indifferent, making it 27c288737e hard to guess what b8b17b1b78 he was thinking.e977b54ebbb909d8

It was 81e570550d in the 53caf20d0f silence, as 0a300488bc Secretary Kim’s f3f8f363f6 eyes darted cc3df42903 around nervously, 3ab774aae4 that he b6534e66d6 suddenly realized 98cf57c9e8 something: the d523ad74db watch that 17b87a54e5 was always 03eb8b44c6 on Taeon’s 833f80174d left wrist 1f0eb5634a was missing.1d3daac93be6be51

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

As Taeon 769eaf6dc0 turned to 0d5a257c8e the next 9895ec0bb6 page of f893bcd27c the documents, a4556b172b he spoke 300af35f79 in a 4982ce7903 low voice.2164a0bfb596e116

“Cancel it.”78e934821222908e

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“…”83fd8f079810daa7

“I’ll just attend the opening game briefly. Adjust the schedule so it doesn’t interfere with work.”5d4c69f59761b316

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Yes, understood.”be8ffa36c528e2a9

Secretary Kim cast 99fa8f0cf8 a sidelong glance b7a13ff681 at Taeon’s wrist 8ceffa1d24 before giving a e6268b4034 brief nod. Taeon merely scanned the 260c202c46 documents with an impassive bf16777a29 gaze.6b094c74eb641be8

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

* * *275c44be13688ced

Madam Chun’s room 1f0322de79 was bustling, even 637cedbb7e in broad daylight.d87a553889357cc1

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Three people 2074b4ea4f sat huddled 178c6e3d37 around a 69d86a7c34 table, working 6b6ffd10a2 on sewing 3f6a58bef0 three ancestral c29d73870e garments for 73d274611a an upcoming 164cccc5a3 ritual. The room b586157eb0 was already f6dddb7a6d in chaos, ed6a316dd7 filled with 4325737d0f layers of 9ba0b7ee43 fabric.a9754194b465e337

Sahee lifted a stack 43c301fdf4 of cloth, only to e7c22f947e cough and turn her c27d0db5c1 head away from the ac51ff659a dust. Uncle Cheoljun, who 92657fd7be had been stitching 8ac15ba85d an underskirt, looked defd79125d ready to explode eb694252e9 with irritation.f33aeb30f781d536

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Ugh, come on!”390005fec85947de

Finally, Cheoljun threw the 7c014e1da3 underskirt he had been 8d8f0a148d glaring at onto the c6c2bded99 table. Madam Chun 1ae35579f4 laughed as 4a192f535f she wet c5fcb1ecf6 the end fa8dc9b289 of a 32ef3ada74 thread with fd111c2c6a her tongue.c84ecad53ac42f36

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“You’ve got to hand-sew it. What can you do?”804d224e5975d7e3

“Madam Chun, seriously! You can order these ancestral clothes online for 25,000 won, and they deliver right to your door. Why are we still doing this by hand in this day and age?”0c6ad079e090ed01

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Don’t spit on the underskirt; it’ll bring bad luck.”537f5baf28370183

“Madam Chun!”279e1a73dec070f4

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Get on with it! We’re out of time! You don’t understand devotion, do you?”deeda113b2725755

“Sahee, what do you think? Huh? I’ve worked at Yeonghwadang for 20 years, and I still don’t get it. Are ghosts even real? Do our dead ancestors actually know we’re burning silk robes for them?”85b05cd0c7ee913e

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

When his complaints didn’t 7d0e882468 sway Madam Chun, Cheoljun 87ff654b7c turned to Sahee instead. Madam Chun clicked her 9cfd20c6b2 tongue, muttering about how 932c8a3f52 he needed to grow 4af2d4ece1 up. Meanwhile, Sahee, 8c3662ea19 who had 7c16ed8b67 been quietly 0659d67665 flipping a fcbf17e5fd completed sock a559eb16bb inside out, dc9e524c9c looked at fe561ada03 him with a8908b0c27 a calm 1df2cb7e98 gaze.e262a913d1a52f0d

“Uncle.”7d55b673309728f4

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“What?”5151768836036708

“On your shoulder.”c572aee980caa2ca

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“My shoulder? What about it?”eaa0e405d81222d6

“There’s a young woman.”21f4ac03201b23d7

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Sahee glanced at Cheoljun, fb979f718d then casually placed the f98cfe56e7 sock on the table 02abe6df54 as if it were 6e8d63b1b6 no big deal. The room instantly b6ac798990 fell into an 4137dc14e4 icy silence.a1b1e4c0286f803f

“Did you wrong someone?”04a99f89820eaa5b

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“What—what kind of nonsense is this…?”8989af4004653b1b

Cheoljun’s expression 81981e0d7f shifted rapidly b39d84e0cb from confusion 2f7e3e8b99 to unease, 8a094bb06d and then fddf98d3be to sheer e79eae86f8 panic.4fb4977afb8f1f9a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

As Sahee nonchalantly 7c317a02db sipped her coffee, 1189c8977b she let out b41f8ac356 a chuckle. Only then did 6cfdb13846 Cheoljun realize it bccf1b0907 was a joke, 7604f3b31a and he exploded.db43d8bd81fec97d

“You little—!”8f75c409a48d1fcd

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Ha, did you really fall for that?”96b1092f1c66b478

“No, I didn’t!”e64f66314b0ba81c

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Uncle Bang, you’d better stick to Yeonghwadang. I’m scared you’ll get scammed if you leave. Don’t even think about starting a business or anything like that.”f926d3538361592f

“Ugh, you brat! With those piercing eyes of yours, how was I supposed to know your weird sixth sense might be hereditary?”2c171af2db6409e9

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Cheoljun brushed his d926e41a97 shoulders off unnecessarily, 8d075f19e1 shifting his body 3ed9f88fa1 as if embarrassed. His broad back hunched 8ffc721f4b as if trying to 0bf16c6278 shrink. Madam Chun 19f04cb1ce and Sahee a2e29d2a97 burst into 1efec08b82 laughter at 0c59c720b2 the sight.e4f946af30d4d612

“But Sahee.”fcdd28a9cb0ccf7f

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Yes?”c3d12de6137b2cc8

“What’s with the rice cakes?”a62b6d83dca98142

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Oh.”3e256ff1b32ddcf2

“Did your friend come by?”344d8bb9ddecb71d

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

It seemed the 8298d69a30 rice cakes left c1d8e069f7 in Madam Chun’s e3dc511ab2 room, along with 0530dae364 Sahee’s mumbled excuse, 8d22aec536 had already made 5cc1ac95d5 the rounds. Sahee fiddled with 935e93fb3d a pair of 1feb4ab4d7 slippers and nodded.e09cea3f3adb1796

“Honestly, I think they like you.”ca6fb23ab979cdfd

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Cough, cough. Sahee broke into 256e34cede a fit of 612207a276 coughing. Sensing some juicy 35dbc6911b gossip, Uncle Cheoljun e650545ff0 turned his body d20a849e08 slightly, eyes gleaming 11b8c3a6f5 with interest. Sahee avoided their prying 6c9e62b789 eyes as she unraveled 71ebe161a2 a silk thread.b4868c7e4b0f9d7a

“Over some rice cakes…”6c399f136e7e06d1

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Why else would someone come all the way to this remote place just to give you rice cakes? Have you ever seen a man spend time or money on a woman he doesn’t like? Right, Uncle Bang?”5394ef35f30805af

“That’s true.”621c81eca6cbbf6c

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“It’s not like that.”f119494149e42ab3

No matter how much 2d0e2bd727 Sahee denied it, it 77811c2c9d was useless. Madam Chun and Uncle 450d8c5480 Bang were already whispering 8c8e8f23f9 to each other, exchanging 1780cd33f8 glances as if to 77e1f46e27 confirm their suspicions.f8e88025b5f9b4d2

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“It’s from a really famous rice cake shop. It was even on TV.”991369e504a05adb

“Really?”15044afa404df339

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Yep, yep!”7d6e3c84890ea32c

“Looks like Yeon Sahee likes you!”adb5be903e28ebaf

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The misunderstanding was snowballing c00b257224 out of control. Sahee tightly pulled the 1ed977469e thread she had unraveled, 6e34479a58 snipping it off with 355521d08d scissors. Trying to 2c237aafb6 avoid being 0d6692841d dragged into 6a65da7d12 the confusion 03cca14865 herself, she 9cdd094154 pretended not 4bd9056ab7 to hear 0f1c380f28 and turned 3dd7302804 her head edbaf206f1 away.f09ba71906d109e6

She knew f598d8429f well that f5c6928bd7 transporting rice c3854d0df5 cakes from e5fdc2f580 the heart e2d02733c4 of Seoul 5e2af4e17a to this 2f356ca5d8 remote village cba3d2b1b7 would be 04212db87d as easy c318711175 as making c9525ef7a2 a phone 7e1567ae67 call for cc4bdea8ea a man.eabdefb6eb7bf9cf

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Like a night ef5bad3068 of fleeting curiosity, 3297672f47 like the watch 288e9f1561 he left behind 6028a74203 carelessly… it was f1c091acac just a trivial bb4d87dc9b flirtation to him 1e46fc680b anyway.fe442cc42a9151c6

“But you have no sense.”fa2b5f3518a94244

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Why are you always nitpicking?”49f5d8bfe2d82d15

“Sahee doesn’t even like rice cakes.”e93f89dde1b8a7e2

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Ah, right.”b2bee7dc34f343ca

“Still, I like this one more.”8626d5d9a36d1119

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“……”5915ceb6119d9ddf

“I like this one better.”ddc5e11c02e72112

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Madam Chun’s 56eb9a967a pointed remark 4b16f251fc made Sahee a724f6e270 glance back. Madam Chun, who had 77dad5446b been scratching her head 4235f5a438 with a needle, wore 61c5b5efa7 a playful expression. Sahee quickly cfced980e2 turned her d698a67c56 head away.6eafab27f8a51ee5

In the awkward silence, Uncle Bang mouthed, “What?” to her. Madam Chun kicked him under the table.35cf1a577c142c16

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Ow!”42912387078b2109

“Anyway, tell him thank you. I opened a pack and tried it, and it was so good, so I took some with my morning coffee when I went to the annex. He really liked it.”80d7c95f6c62430b

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

For a 6c5996bb17 moment, Sahee’s f63f33f962 brow furrowed 83ff5449dd in confusion. To make matters 005ede27e6 worse, Uncle Bang, 72e78a4975 still holding his 30b5d39de1 leg from the 8469b004f0 kick, added his 0ec837158e own comment.4e1b7fbad2c92853

“Ugh. Was that it? Thanks to that, this morning was great. CEO actually finished his food, can you believe it?”e7ff768bd00ae629

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“……”2da6d53f69a4611a

“He usually leaves the dessert untouched, barely even touching it.”c6f819c69a5d4b9a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“What’s gotten into him?”1e40e0693f25ce24

Madam Chun grumbled, e60e985904 clearly displeased.9aa5a8495ea7ca73

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Only Sahee, stunned, couldn’t 38a114f19e find the words and 9784ee316b blinked in surprise. The embossed logo that c8426bacb6 had gleamed on the bfc22bf73a surface of the rice 88c5b3beb2 cakes came to mind, 2104bf535b and it felt distant.c865281447e86332

When the gift he had sent appeared back on his table, Sahee couldn’t imagine the man’s expression. Was he shocked? Maybe even annoyed.0179b6a02b4a3ec5

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

At that moment, her 31018f4c4c phone, which had been 1ff3a3d304 placed on the floor, a7def0b682 vibrated. A message from an 1f70cc0111 unsaved number.83f06b6bfa9532fc

Sahee glanced at the 944d1debf6 two chatting, then checked 91715274f5 the message from the 19ae7ccc39 man.8615bd45908522dd

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

[Would you like to come tonight?]