MWM Chapter 8

The chairman’s rare appearance at the company sent a wave of tension through the morning.

Too old to commute daily, she typically received reports at home, but on days of major events or pressing issues, she never failed to show up.

Today, with the announcement of the SMR new business project in Qatar, was one such day.

The executives gathered early in the main conference room to greet Sunok. One might expect age to bring frailty and clouded judgment, relegating her to the sidelines, but Sunok seemed to grow sharper with each appearance, keeping the staff perpetually on edge.

The meeting, conducted as a briefing, stretched past noon before wrapping up.

“Well done.”

Leaving the conference room, Sunok looked at Jinha, who was by her side, with a satisfied expression.

“You clearly prepared thoroughly. Everything was seamless, not a single hitch. Keep this up, and we’ll see significant results.”

Sunok spared no praise for her grandson, who’d been pulling late nights.

Having called him to headquarters and put him to the test, she was delighted to see him exceed expectations. Her excitement stemmed from seeing him as a loyal ally to protect Jigu, a sentiment tied to her broader hopes.

“Thank you for the kind words.”

“Heading straight there, right?”

Pointing to the car waiting on the first floor, Sunok’s question made Jinha pause. Her suggestion to leave together, marking her rare office visit, carried weight.

She’d mentioned it last night, and he’d agreed, but truthfully, he wasn’t keen.

“There’s still a matter I haven’t reviewed.”

“Is it urgent?”

Sunok usually backed off when he cited work, but today was different. Her follow-up question signaled her resolve.

“I told Haena you’d leave early, and she’s already waiting at home. It’s just a family meal. Is work that pressing?”

‘Family.’

The word from his grandmother’s lips stuck like grit. She likely meant Haena as his future wife, but it grated.

“No. It can wait until tomorrow.”

Jinha complies without objection, following Sunok’s wishes.

“Let’s get moving.”

“Yes.”

As he resumed walking, Jinha’s thoughts lingered on one point.

He didn’t want to go home. Because of someone. Someone he didn’t want to face.

He’d even stayed out overnight, using late work as an excuse.

Jinha recalled Baek Soyi, armed with an innocent face.

When he’d crossed paths with her at dawn or late at night, he’d passed her like she was invisible. Each time, her clear, unwavering gaze left an afterimage.

For a day or two, Baek Soyi sent those looks, then gave up.

Whenever she saw Jinha, she automatically lowered her head, and those round eyes vanished from view.

‘Audacious girl.’

“We need to pay more attention to Jigu.”

Sunok’s grumbling, as the car sped along, snapped Jinha out of his thoughts.

“He causes trouble the moment I let my guard down. I swear that boy will be the death of me.”

Sighs punctuated her words as she stared out the window.

Jinha listened, responding with a simple “Yes.” Eight out of ten of Sunok’s complaints were about Jigu—a routine part of life, nothing surprising.

“Since we put Soyi on him, his grades improved, and I thought he’d turned a corner. But today, he left school early again.”

“Another headache excuse? Or maybe stomach issues. It was just a month ago he threw a fit about diarrhea.”

“I couldn’t force a sick kid to stay, so I let it slide. But what do I do? He says he’s studying in a reading room now, but how can I trust him? When will he grow up? Oh, Lord.”

Suddenly, Sunok clasped her hands, muttering prayers as if speaking in tongues. Jigu’s name spilled from her wrinkled lips repeatedly.

‘Have mercy on our Jigu, protect our Jigu, guide our Jigu.’

Amid the flood of our Jigu, Jinha turned to the window.

The same signs, same trees, same buildings…

The long, tedious prayer stopped only when his voice cut in.

“Chairman, I’ll step out for a moment.”

“Step out? From the car?”

“Go ahead. I’ll handle something and follow.”

Sunok raised an eyebrow at Jinha’s request to stop before reaching Seonamjae. Glancing out the window curiously, she burst into hearty laughter. Her gaze had landed on a flower shop.

“Alright. A man doing big things should know how to win a woman’s heart.”

Her words, misreading his intent, carried a knowing undertone.

“Pick something pretty, it doesn’t matter the type. What’s the flower? It’s the heart like a flower that counts. Right?”

Facing Sunok’s eager expectation, Jinha offered neither agreement nor denial, just a quiet smile.

***

Sunok arrived just past 3pm Haena’s face lit up with delight as she greeted her.

“Hwejangnim! You’re here now? I’ve been waiting forever. I missed you so much.”

Her coy voice dripped with charm as she linked arms. Haena’s radiant innocence was angelic.

“Soyi, let’s get dinner ready. Make braised short ribs with the Hanwoo that came in yesterday. Tender, melt-in-your-mouth. You know how Haena likes it.”

At Sunok’s order to prepare the meal, Soyi nodded and set to work.

Before heading to the kitchen, she stopped by the parlor. She cleared away the three untouched drinks.

As she poured the melted iced coffee down the sink, her thoughts stalled on one thing.

Not resentment toward Haena for doubling her work. The image of Kong Jinha, expected to arrive soon, consumed her mind.

A long breath slipped past her lips unbidden.

Seeing only Sunok at Seonamjae, it seemed Jinha wouldn’t show.

‘Haena struck out again’, Soyi thought, when—

“Oppa!”

A high-pitched voice echoed from the living room.

“You’re here now?”

Soyi deftly placed the glass on the drying rack.

She grabbed a towel to wipe her hands. Without a change in expression, she opened the fridge.

She reached for the short ribs, but her clenched fist wouldn’t unclench.

***

In less than an hour, the kitchen brimmed with appetizing dishes. As the table filled, the three took their seats.

Soyi approached with three freshly cooked bowls of rice.

One for Sunok’s place, one for Haena’s, and one for Jinha’s.

The closer she got to him, the softer her steps. She held her breath, not wanting even a faint sound to betray her.

As she set down the final bowl, preparing to slip away, their eyes collided.

Caught by his blatant stare, Soyi swallowed her breath.

“Don’t enter without permission.”

His warning seemed etched in his cold pupils. She spoke softly.

“I’ll go.”

A subtle vow to vanish without being told.

Soyi retreated to the kitchen.

Thinking to prepareSungnyung¹, she set a pot on the stove. Snippets of conversation drifted from the dining table.

“Haena, try this too.”

“Yes, Hwejangnim.”

“But Haena, why aren’t you eating?”

Sunok, piling food on Haena’s plate, frowned with concern as Haena merely poked at it.

“Now that I think about it, I don’t recall you ever eating heartily here. Is the food not to your taste? I had them make your favorites.”

“I’m so grateful for your care, Hwejangnim. I tried to eat, but it’s not going down well. Honestly, I have a weak stomach.”

“Weak stomach? What do you mean?”

“I don’t know if it’s okay to say this at the table…”

“It’s fine. Speak freely.”

“There was a hair in my watercress soup today.”

The abrupt complaint drew all eyes to Soyi.

“A hair?”

Sunok emphasized the word, her brow furrowing.

Soyi, pausing her work, looked at Haena, who sat like a victim.

Her words carried a double meaning.

The focus wasn’t just “hair” but “today.” She implied this wasn’t the first time, deliberately exposed a pattern.

A sharp glint flickered in Haena’s smiling eyes. Meeting that cruel gaze, Soyi bit her lip, but the standoff was brief.

Jinha’s stares weighed on her, stifling any response.

He watched Soyi for a long moment. Silently eating, he slowly set down his chopsticks. After a pause, he spoke.

“Probably your hair.”