PTC Chapter 12. Comforting Words

Da-in simply stated the facts about their current situation.

“It’s not wrong. I joined the 100-Day Marriage project, and that’s why I’m staying at your house.”

―Well, I guess you could see it that way. What are you doing now? Are you alone?

Seojun’s tone sounded slightly strange to Da-in. Was it because of the kiss?

“What else would I be doing? I’m about to wash up and go to bed. What are you doing?”

―I’m in the study. I’m going to work a little longer before I go to sleep.

“Okay. Then work hard and go to sleep.”

As Da-in was about to hang up, Seojun called her name urgently.

―Park Da-in.

“Yes?”

Why do I not want to end this call?

Da-in thought.

Park Da-in is still as cold as ever.

Still, she had something to say.

―I’ll make sure you don’t regret signing.

Da-in felt a warmth spread through her heart at Seojun’s unexpected words. While her insides were already in turmoil, these words were definitely comforting.

“Thank you. I’ll work hard and diligently since I’ve already signed.”

―That’s right. You have to work hard and diligently. Day and night.

Because it sounded like he was emphasizing the word “night,” Da-in responded curtly.

“Don’t worry. I always work hard at what I do.”

―Good night, Park Da-in.

“Yeah. Good night.”

The simple “good night” sounded unusually sweet, and for some reason, it made her heart flutter. After the call ended, Da-in lay down and recalled the kiss they had shared that evening. He was her first kiss, her first love.

***

Seojun stared at his phone for a while after hanging up.

“So cold. You’ll always play hard to get with me.”

But why are you, who dumped me, so beautiful? You left me. You left me for another guy. What in the world happened in the meantime? Why did you dump me and then break up with the senior you left me for?

There were so many things he couldn’t understand. Yoo Minho. He knew that Minho was currently working overseas. He wasn’t crazy enough to go find him and ask why they broke up, but he was really curious.

“Would he even answer me if I asked?”

He now had 100 days. So, he wanted to take his time and find out everything he was curious about during that period.

***

The next morning. Another lavish breakfast was spread out on the table. It was a feast prepared by his grandmother and mother, filled with everything considered healthy. At breakfast, Soonnja and Junghee always sat next to Seojun, helping him with his meal.

“Spring greens are starting to come out now. It’s good for your health to eat seasonal foods. Try some of this. The slightly bitter taste is quite good.”

Seeing Soonja pushing a few kinds of greens towards him, Seojun figured his grandmother must have seasoned them.

“You eat too, Grandma.”

“We’re at home, we can eat anytime. You eat up.”

“Yes. Thank you, I’ll enjoy it.”

Always be grateful when you eat, and don’t leave any food behind. 

Perhaps it was thanks to the lessons he’d learned from a young age that he was in such good health. Seojun slowly ate his breakfast, enjoying the slightly bitter gomchwi greens ( korean thistle) and beef radish soup. As the meal neared its end, Soonja, unable to contain her impatience, asked.

“So, when are you bringing your bride-to-be?”

It was an expected question, so Seojun answered calmly.

“This weekend.”

Soonja’s eyes widened at his response.

“Really? There really is a young lady?”

“I told you there was. I’m the one who chose her.”

Despite Seojun’s answer, Soonja seemed unconvinced and wanted to confirm once more.

“So… knowing that it’s a 100-day marriage? She’s still agreeing to it?”

It was a strange marriage by anyone’s standards, so it was understandable that she wouldn’t believe it.

 Why did you even start this….

Seojun thought.

“Yes. Just as I told you before. But, she’ll continue working. Her life shouldn’t be disrupted too much because of a 100-day marriage.”

“That’s true.”

Soonja nodded, but still had a worried expression. Seojun explained Da-in’s conditions for the agreement.

“We agreed to live as if nothing’s going on, without any outward signs. We won’t even tell her family.”

“Will that be possible?”

When Soonja expressed her concern, Junghee nodded in agreement from beside her.

“Yes, I think that’s best. It’s better if she keeps working. It would be a pain for me to be with a 100-day daughter-in-law all day long.”

“Yes. We agreed to act as a couple only from 8 p.m. until I leave for work in the morning. Isn’t that enough?”

Soonja sighed and nodded.

“Yes, yes. It’s enough. It’s enough. With that, we can eat dinner and breakfast together, sleep together, and we can just greet her and spend the 100 days.”

Finally, Soonja seemed excited and spoke with a smile.

“I should visit the Shaman today.” 

Seojun spoke preemptively.

“If she refuses, I won’t go through with the marriage.”

“Oh, she won’t refuse. I’m just going to see what’s good, to see good things.” 

Seojun thought that his grandmother was incorrigible but didn’t say anything more. The fact that Da-in would be living in this house for 100 days felt unbelievable even to him.

***

Soonja sat before the shaman, Cheon Bosal, awaiting her pronouncements. Cheon Bosal, now quite elderly, had hands wrinkled with age.

“Good, good. A truly noble person. Truly noble. I don’t know how such a person could enter this family. It’s all worked out now. Long life for generations to come, the family business will prosper. A noble person, the noblest.”

Soonja’s face brightened at Cheon Bosal’s words. She’d only mentioned that Seojun was bringing a young lady over, and Cheon Bosal was already repeating the phrase “noble person.”

“Is she really that good?”

“Of course. Your grandson is bringing home the right person.”

Hearing this, Soonja leaned closer and asked, “So, will our Seojun continue the family line?”

“Continue the family line? He’ll have many descendants!”

“Oh my! So this 100-day daughter-in-law is truly someone special?” 

“Good, good… but…”

It was always like this. Good news, but always with a “but.”

“It’s almost too good to be true. That’s the problem.”

“What do you mean?”

Soonja looked at Cheon Bosal with worry in her eyes. Cheon Bosal tilted her head and said, “I’m worried they might like each other too much and not get divorced.” 

Soonja’s face paled. This was someone they were bringing in solely for Seojun to continue the family line, without even a proper meeting. She was never meant to be a true daughter-in-law.

“That can’t happen.”

“Exactly. So, I’ll write you a talisman. Put it under their bed. But not right away. They need to develop feelings for each other first. That way, they’ll… consummate the marriage properly. And that’s how the bad luck will be dispelled. Come back to me just before the 100 days are up. I’ll tell you what to do next.” 

“Oh dear.”

Taking off her magnifying glass, Cheon Bosal said, “Well? You need to leave your offering.” 

“Of course, Bosal.” 

Soonja placed the offering and went outside. As soon as she left, Cheon Bosal lay down and muttered.

“I don’t understand any of this anymore… I must be getting old. Well, she’s just a 100-day daughter-in-law, so it’s fine if she just stays for a while and then leaves… Hmm. I wonder if I made this whole thing too complicated.”

***

Two days after submitting her resume, Da-in received a call from Modern Living’s design team.

―You applied for the experienced designer position, Park Da-in, correct?

“Yes, that’s right.”

―Congratulations! You’ve been specially selected through a recommendation. Would you be able to start on Monday?

“Yes, I can.”

―Then we’ll see you on Monday.

Da-in hung up and jumped for joy. She was finally going to be a designer again. At her previous company, they said she had the potential to become a team leader if it hadn’t gone bankrupt. Da-in pulled out her design portfolio and looked through it again.

“Auntie!”

“Oh, our Sol is here?”

“Auntie, eat this.”

Sol offered her a small chocolate cookie. The chocolate had melted and covered Sol’s hands, but the gesture of bringing it to her aunt was so endearing that Da-in took a bite. The bittersweet chocolate spread in her mouth.

“Sol, can you stay with Grandma when Auntie goes somewhere?”

Sol nodded. Her chubby cheeks jiggled adorably, and Da-in kissed her cheek with a loud smack.

“Of course you can. You can do anything. You’re so pretty.”

It was unclear whether Sol understood everything her aunt was saying, but she nodded to whatever Da-in said, as if agreeing she could do anything. Da-in hugged her tightly, finding her niece incredibly cute.

“Auntie will read you a book today.”

As Da-in read to Sol, her phone rang. These days, it was Kang Seojun calling every night. She was starting to get used to answering these calls, even though she knew it had an expiration date.