PEN Vol 3 Ch. 9

The war against the Guhmsung faction was progressing smoothly. A month ago, the hitman tortured by Moon Sunhyuk and Gu Haewoong revealed the whereabouts of Kang Chulmyung, Lee Hwanbae’s right-hand man. Following that lead, Seok Yoonhyung immediately headed to Incheon and took Kang Chulmyung’s life.

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Once Kang Chulmyung, who had controlled Incheon’s Chinatown—a gateway for ethnic Korean-Chinese smugglers near the port—was eliminated, small gangs not yet absorbed by the Guhmsung faction began to run rampant, turning Incheon into a chaotic mess.

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Enraged by the disorder, Lee Hwanbae, who had been using Incheon port to smuggle drugs, launched attacks on DG’s underground businesses. However, Seok Yoonhyung had already made thorough preparations, so Lee Hwanbae’s raids merely resulted in him exposing his own location.

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Thanks to the reverse pursuit by the disposal team, Lee Hwanbae’s identity, which had been hidden in the shadows, was revealed, and now Seok Yoonhyung was hunting him down. It seemed that peace in Seoul’s underworld was not far off.

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As the pursuit of the Guhmsung faction continued, spring passed, and summer arrived. At the end of May, standing at the entrance of summer, Cheon Sejoo was on his way to Ehwagak. Today was not a scheduled meeting with Kim Hyunkyung, and unlike usual, Sejin wasn’t in the passenger seat. But he was still headed to meet her.

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It had all happened two hours earlier.

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It wasn’t as if they usually spoke on the phone, but on that Monday—an ordinary workday—Han Jiwon had called him. Since it was a day when Ehwagak was open for business, he hurried to answer the call, wondering what had happened, only to hear some rather unpleasant news.

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It was that Kwon Sejin’s mother, Kim Hyunkyung, had collapsed at work two days ago. However, even though they offered to take her to the hospital on her day off, she seemed to have no intention of listening. Since it didn’t seem like it was just a simple case of anemia, Han Jiwon reached out to Cheon Sejoo for help.

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Upon hearing that Han Jiwon had called Chron Sejoo, Kim Hyunkyung had specifically asked her not to tell Sejin. With that, Cheon Sejoo had driven off on his own. When he arrived at Ehwagak, despite it being early evening, the place was overflowing with people. Unlike the quiet rest days on Wednesdays, even the back road was filled with cars as Cheon Sejoo passed through and headed toward the staff parking lot.

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After parking his car in a corner and stepped out, a cool breeze, unlike the city’s, swept over his whole body. Perhaps because they were up in the mountains, it felt as though summer had yet to arrive at Ehwagak.

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Walking across the round gravel road, the sound of crunching stones echoed in his ears. Cheon Sejoo took in that pleasant sound as he headed toward the staff dormitory. Opening the door, which was always unlocked, he saw Kim Hyunkyung leaning against the sofa.

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She looked noticeably thinner than the last time he had seen her as if she was indeed unwell. Unlike the elegant and noble first impression she had given off, now she appeared sharper and more sensitive, just like Sejin. Kim Hyunkyung had her eyes closed, not noticing Cheon Sejoo’s arrival. She sat there, absentmindedly massaging her hand with the other, looking weary. After watching her for a moment, Cheon Sejoo called out softly.

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“Ms. Kim Hyunkyung.”

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At the gentle sound of his voice, Kim Hyunkyung’s eyes snapped open. Sitting up straight, she smiled at him. Her sharp expression disappeared, and her smile, once again refined and elegant, was so beautiful it could leave anyone in awe.

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Cheon Sejoo returned her greeting and walked further into the living room, taking a seat opposite her. As soon as he sat down, Kim Hyunkyung let out a sigh and spoke. Contrary to the impression that she might beat around the bush and talk indirectly, she was rather direct in her words and went straight to the point.

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“I don’t know what Manager Han told you, but you’ve come all this way for nothing, Mr. Cheon. I’m perfectly fine. Really, I’m strong as a horse!”

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Sejin and Kim Hyunkyung were very much alike. So, despite appearances, she too was strong, unyielding, and tough, just like Sejin.

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With a feigned show of flexing her non-existent muscles, she emphasized her point. Cheon Sejoo chuckled quietly and relayed what he had heard from Han Jiwon.

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“I heard you collapsed while working.”

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“That was just because I felt a little dizzy. It happens to everyone at some point. Plus, I have orthostatic hypotension, so sometimes if I stand up too quickly after sitting for a long time, I get a bit light-headed. Really, I’m fine, Mr. Cheon.”

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Kim Hyunkyung seemed exasperated, as though she couldn’t understand why she needed to convince this man that she was fine. At her words, which were tinged with a sigh, Cheon Sejoo tilted his head and asked.

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“Then why did you tell us not to tell Sejin? If this happens so often, wouldn’t Kwon Sejin already know?”

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“Are you questioning me right now?”

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Although it seemed odd for Chun Sejoo to be pressing her, it was a matter he couldn’t help but find strange. If it were a regular illness as Kim Hyunkyung claimed, there would be no reason to hide it from Sejin. Yet, she repeatedly insisted that Han Jiwon not tell him, making Cheon Sejoo suspect she wasn’t telling the entire truth.

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Kim Hyunkyung eventually laughed in disbelief and began to talk about her son.

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“You’ve gotten to know him by now, haven’t you? My Sejin… even though he’s my son, his personality is a bit… Let’s just say he’s a bit much. If he found out I’d fainted, he’d raise a fuss and drag me to the hospital for all sorts of tests. You know how he worries about my health too much, right? Even if it’s just orthostatic hypotension, he’d get upset and say there could be another reason, throwing a fit… I mean, making a huge scene. How could I possibly tell him? When I collapsed, I felt better after resting and drinking some water. Why would I bother Sejin with something like that? He’s studying hard so I don’t want to distract him.”

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Kim Hyunkyung was aware that Sejin was focused on his studies under Cheon Sejoo’s guidance. At first, she had laughed at the absurd idea of Kwon Sejin solving workbooks, but now she was so concerned about disrupting him that she kept her own condition hidden. Listening quietly, Cheon Sejoo smiled.

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But if it had been nothing more than a brief fainting, Han Jiwon wouldn’t have contacted him. Many workers often faint from exhaustion, and Han Jiwon wasn’t one to overreact to minor issues.

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“The manager mentioned you’ve been having stomach pains recently. She also said you’ve been eating less, too.”

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“Well, that’s…”

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Caught off guard by the fact that Han Jiwon knew about her stomach pains, Kim Hyunkyung trailed off and fell silent. A wrinkle formed in her otherwise smooth brow. As expected, something didn’t add up. Cheon Sejoo kept his gaze on her as if waiting for an explanation. Kim Hyunkyung, unable to avoid it any longer, sighed in defeat, her shoulders slumping as she shook her head.

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“Mr. Cheon, the truth is… Ha…”

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Blushing slightly, she smiled sheepishly. Rubbing her face awkwardly, Kim Hyunkyung spoke in a low voice, as if she were revealing a hidden secret.

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“I’m on a diet right now.”

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“……”

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One of Cheon Sejoo’s eyebrows raised. His eyes calmly scanned Kim Hyunkyung up and down. There wasn’t a single part of her that seemed like it needed dieting. Her body was so slim, without any excess fat, that Cheon Sejoo felt like he could easily lift her with one hand, and she looked like she might weigh around 30kg. Of course, considering Sejin, who looked like he weighed 45kg but turned out to be 58kg, she probably weighed just under 50kg. But still, she was way too skinny.

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“So, um, one of the employees working in the kitchen… Ah, really. Do I even need to explain this? But if I don’t say anything, you’ll tell Sejin, won’t you?”

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Kim Hyunkyung looked troubled as she began speaking. However, upon meeting Cheon Sejoo’s firm, unwavering gaze, she eventually resigned herself to continue.

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“There’s… an employee in the kitchen that I like. So, I’ve been dieting, trying to make a good impression. The stomach pain I felt is because I’m the type who never loses weight no matter what I eat, so I rushed to adjust my diet, and that caused my stomach to ache. It’s not that there’s anything wrong, like the manager might think, it’s just because of this.”

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A man she likes? She’s dieting to impress him?

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A faint smile formed on Cheon Sejoo’s lips, and Kim Hyunkyung, noticing his reaction, added in a quieter voice, embarrassed.

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“I know it’s not the right time or situation to be doing something like this, given that I’m here to work off my debts. But he’s a really good person, and I don’t want to miss this chance. Moreover, if I finish paying off my debt, there’s a chance I could get recommended as a permanent employee here, so I see it as a good opportunity as well. It’s not like I’m planning to jump into anything serious right away, but… what can I do? I just want to look pretty.”

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Cheon Sejoo remained silent. After hearing Kim Hyunkyung’s explanation, he finally understood the situation.

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She couldn’t have discussed this with her son, Sejin, given his strained relationship with his father, as bringing up romance might not have been well-received. And since her potential love interest was a coworker, she couldn’t confide in her manager, Han Jiwon, either. Thus, she found herself confiding in Cheon Sejoo, someone completely unrelated to the situation.

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Realizing this, Cheon Sejoo thought how awkward this must be for Kim Hyunkyung. However, Cheon Sejoo had no intention of ending the conversation there.

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With a slight frown, he fixed his gaze on Kim Hyunkyung. He knew well how sensitive women could be about their weight. But was it really necessary to go to the extent of starving herself to the point of suffering stomach pain just to lose a bit of weight?

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Was that truly so important?

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He couldn’t understand it at all. In Cheon Sejoo’s eyes, Kim Hyunkyung was already beautiful just as she was.

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“You’re beautiful as you are.”

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“…What?”

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Without thinking, Cheon Sejoo immediatetly complimented her. Kim Hyunkyung eyes widened, her mouth slightly agape as if she couldn’t believe what she’d just heard. Cheon Sejoo continued, offering his opinion.

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“You don’t need to diet. You’re more than beautiful enough as you are. And if that man only likes you because you lose weight, I don’t think Sejin would approve of him either.”

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“Ha….”

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Since he had come here without Sejin’s knowledge, Cheon Sejoo couldn’t help but consider things from Sejin’s perspective even more. Hearing Cheon Sejoo’s serious tone, Kim Hyunkyung couldn’t help but chuckle at first, then soon burst into a bright laugh, her cheeks flushed with a soft, rosy glow as if flattered to have been called “beautiful.”

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“I never imagined I’d hear something like that from you, Mr. Cheon. I guess I’ll have to keep it a secret from the manager.”

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Kim Hyunkyung said, wiping the tears from her eyes after laughing for a while. Her tone seemed like a lighthearted joke about how she also knew Han Jiwon have feelings for Cheon Sejoo. Cheon Sejoo silently listened to her words, his lips curving into a smile. After organizing his thoughts, he looked at Kim Hyunkyung and spoke.

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“I’ll also keep what I heard today a secret from Sejin. So, make sure you eat properly and take it easy on the dieting. If I hear about you collapsing again, I won’t hesitate to tell Sejin next time.”

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“Oh, I can already hear Sejin scolding me for this. Alright, Mr. Cheon. I’ll keep your words in mind.”

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“I’ll see you next Wednesday, then.”

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Luckily, it didn’t seem like there was anything too serious to worry about.

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Sejin had never spoken much about his father, but Cheon Sejoo already knew enough to understand what kind of man he was—a gambler who left his wife and child with a pile of debts. He didn’t need an explanation to know that Sejin’s father was a worthless and pathetic person. If, instead of such a person, someone more responsible and hardworking man were to become Sejin’s new stepfather, it would actually be a good thing for him.

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Though Kim Hyunkyung seemed embarrassed about liking someone in her current situation, Cheon Sejoo thought it wasn’t a bad development. Ehwagak had great benefits and provided a stable working environment for its employees, making it a place where not just anyone could work as a full-time employee. If she could secure such a position through that man’s recommendation, it would ensure a stable future for both her and Sejin.

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Cheon Sejoo accompanied Kim Hyunkyung out of the dormitory. After bidding her farewell as she walked back to Ehwagak to return to work, following the stone-paved path, Cheon Sejoo leisurely smoked a cigarette in the parking lot. Instead of getting into his car, however, he walked back toward Ehwagak.

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Avoiding the busy employees, he made his way to the kitchen and peered through a small window that opened toward the storage area. Among the busy workers cooking, none seemed as young as Kim Hyunkyung. The head chef of Ehwagak, a man in his early 50s, had worked at a five-star hotel for over 20 years before joining here, so there was a noticeable age gap between him and Kim Hyunkyung.

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Cheon Sejoo watched as Kim Hyunkyung chatted with the head chef, both of them smiling as they spoke, then quickly left. Though it was hard to judge someone by appearance alone, the man didn’t seem like a bad person. However, Cheon Sejoo knew that appearances could be deceiving. He himself didn’t look like a killer on the outside, after all. Deciding that he should do some background checking on the man, he headed back to the parking lot.

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