TYW Ch 2.2

He developed faster than his peers. His voice change began right when he was twelve years old. After that, he grew more than 10 cm every year, causing him to often feel pain in his knees and shoulders, a memory that was still vivid in his mind.

Attention from the opposite sex was never absent in his life, but the starting point when that attention became excessive seemed to begin then.

He received so much attention from women that he was sick of it. Beautiful girls constantly asked him out, and because it was so common, he always chose the more beautiful among the beautiful. His choices in the opposite sex were vast, and compared to his peers, he excelled in everything, from physique to other abilities, making him always at the top.

Therefore, whether with men or women, he never had trouble getting along. Especially with fellow men who usually had average abilities, he always felt above them. In a life full of satisfaction, he was always at the top in everything—appearance, physical ability, will, and education level.

That’s why for Woogeon, life always felt easy. He had everything he wanted, nothing was unattainable, and even when discarding unnecessary things, he never felt regret.

“Hey, you jerk. You’re treated like a young man because you live in this era, in the past, you’d just be a lowly kid. If I’m a jerk, you’re a jerk too. Do you understand, huh? Just consider yourself lucky to be born in this good era.”

Above me, there is no one higher than the sky, and below my feet, everyone bows down. However, my grandfather is the only one after the sky. The one who always belittles him is his grandfather.

Perhaps, even though he was just a commoner, he was a commoner beloved by the noble lady, only given white rice and delicious meat. Life was so bright, enjoyable, and without a bit of worry.

“You’re like this because you don’t know what’s valuable. Shouldn’t there be something truly valuable in life, right?”

Should something like that really exist for life to feel meaningful? Without such things, this life is already meaningful enough.

Lovers or sleeping partners have changed many times. There’s no reason to bother adjusting to them. If he ever got married, he planned to place himself at the highest value and find a woman who was equal to him.

For example, like Jin Norang, the daughter of former Prime Minister Jin Seongjung, or Ra Moeun, the daughter of Ra Hancheol, who once served as the Head of the Civil Secretariat, or even an international marriage wouldn’t be a problem for him.

If he didn’t get married, he planned to have fun to his heart’s content and eventually live with a woman who had an equal social standing.

Until about two weeks ago. The more he thought about it, the funnier it felt. The girl was so petite but had a rather firm attitude. When her face turned red with anger, she looked like a small animal fluffing its fur to intimidate. It only made him want to laugh.

It was truly absurd. Who would have thought someone like Lee Woogeon could be like this?

As he got older, his taste in women became clearer: height between 167 cm to 175 cm, very attractive appearance, large breasts, and of course, liking sex. Because his height reached 191 cm, he didn’t even glance at shorter women.

Petite women never caught his attention, it even felt like seeing a creature from another dimension. After passing adolescence, petite women felt like underdeveloped children, making him reluctant to approach. He even felt dirty, like a pedophile, just by imagining it. There was no sexual desire whatsoever, and if there was, it only aroused disgust.

Therefore, meeting Yeon Rieul, who was petite, childish, and he hadn’t even slept with— only had two meals together—was a first for him. The more he thought about it, the funnier it felt.

***

The woman kept showing dissatisfied expressions. He didn’t know what made her so upset, that little girl. She just ate in silence. Because she once said she liked doenjang-jjigae (soybean paste stew), Woogeon ordered a dish that included doenjang-jjigae. He suddenly realized, usually, women talked a lot during dates. Meanwhile, he himself rarely opened his mouth.

Woogeon stared at her for a long time while wiping his hands again with a wet tissue. Truly a petite woman. Just looking at her made him feel overwhelmed. Her face was small, her hands were small too. Everything was so small and fragile. Her small white face with rather proportional features felt a bit funny but also admirable.

“Why are you so small?”

The woman stared with surprised eyes, her eyebrows furrowing again. Didn’t know if he was complaining? How could he marry such a small woman who looked like a teenage girl? Even when holding the woman’s elbow, he was often startled. Without applying any pressure, it felt like the woman’s body could break so easily, making him very careful every time he touched her.

The woman lowered her gaze, then whispered softly.

“Because my growth stopped here, that’s why I’m small. But, why are you so big,Woogeon?”

Her tone sounded annoyed as she scooped rice and ate it heartily.

Woogeon smiled.

“Because I eat well and have good genes.”

“Oh, very good, huh. I may be small, but I’m well-rounded, you know!”

Woogeon laughed loudly.

“Well-rounded in what way? I don’t know, so please explain—”

The woman fell silent, her eyes blinking confusedly. After a moment, she braced herself to look at Woogeon.

“Well—I can live well. I’ve never been considered to have a bad personality, I’m friendly and good at working. I learn quickly and get along easily with other people. Besides, even though I dropped out of college, I did go to college.”

Woogeon smiled wider.

“Just because you went to college, you consider yourself mature?”

“I’m an adult, you know!”

“You know how to talk interestingly, huh.”

Woogeon’s deep laughter made the woman’s cheeks flush with embarrassment. Funnily enough, even though her body was thin, her cheeks looked plump. It made her even more attractive to Woogeon.

“So, I’m a baby, huh?”

“You’re older and more educated than me, so of course, you’re more mature.”

“What do you mean by ‘more mature’?”

“Don’t twist my words.”

The woman’s annoyed expression amused Woogeon even more. He didn’t understand why he was so attracted to the woman in front of him. Even the way she got annoyed at trivial things, her soft eyes that sparkled sharply when angry, all of it made him want to tease her. And what was more troublesome, he really enjoyed the woman’s responses.

The petite woman deftly held chopsticks with her small hands, eating neatly and orderly. Woogeon pushed his thoughts aside for a moment.

“I want to find the benefits of marriage.”

The woman looked momentarily surprised.

“I’m a businessman. I hope there are benefits for me and for you. A marriage based on pity is the worst thing for me.”

“I… I’m sorry.”

“You don’t need to apologize, Yeon Rieul. The problem lies with grandpa. But, I don’t know you well myself. I want to get to know you slowly, but I’m a hasty man. Both in work and relationships, I like to analyze quickly. Only then can I invest. If something or someone has no investment value, I don’t want to touch it.”

“I don’t know how to prove my worth. It’s too difficult.”

“At least, if you can show your potential, it would be very helpful.”

The woman swallowed nervously.

“Are we going to eat something that tastes like toothpaste for dessert?”

“It’s called mint chocolate latte.”

“It still tastes like toothpaste to me.”

“Mint chocolate latte is its name. Don’t randomly say toothpaste!”

The woman grumbled with a pout, while Woogeon just smirked.

***

Heading to the ‘Camerata’ cafe in Paju Heyri. The place was suitable for a casual date with high ceilings and some glass roof sections that allowed a view of the sky. The biggest advantage of this place was the music played through clean and comfortable vacuum speakers. The interior design also suited Woogeon’s taste, so he often came here alone when he had free time. The drinks that had been ordered in advance were ready. Woogeon paid the entrance fee and took his drinks at once.

They sat side by side in parallel seats.

“Don’t they take direct orders here?” the woman asked.

“I come here often, so I order before arriving. Drink up, the toothpaste drink, I mean, the mint chocolate latte.”

The woman pursed her lips, clearly uncomfortable that Woogeon kept mocking her favorite drink by calling it toothpaste flavor. But it was precisely because of that sulky expression that Woogeon wanted to keep teasing her.

“This place is indeed a cafe for listening to music.”

“Almost like that.”

Because it was still morning, the cafe atmosphere was very quiet. Woogeon sipped his hot Americano.

“I’ve been thinking about it… It seems I’m not worthy of marrying a man as great as Woogeon. You’re an extraordinary man, making me greedy to have you, but maybe I should talk to grandpa again.”

“You want to kick me out of that house?”

“Excuse me? What do you mean?”

“If you talk to grandpa, do you think he’ll just give up and find another man for you?”

“I don’t have any advantages at all, huh?”

“You have many. I’m not ashamed of myself.”

“Interesting. Then why do you feel unworthy of marrying me?”

“I…I didn’t grow up in a good family. Actually… grandpa often beat grandma until her bones broke. And grandma, even though her face was damaged, still protected me so I wouldn’t get hurt.”

Woogeon fell silent, listening seriously.

“My mother and father died in a mass shooting while shopping at a supermarket. I went to a public school where students often used drugs, marijuana, and even had sex secretly in the gym or other hidden places.”

Woogeon was surprised to hear the word “sex” come out of the mouth of this seemingly innocent woman.

“My grandmother worked as a building cleaner, while I was a babysitter on weekdays, served at a restaurant at night, and worked at a supermarket and cafeteria on weekends.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

Accompanied by soft classical music, the woman looked at Woogeon for a long time before her gaze shifted to the painting on the wall behind him.

“Your advantages, not your difficult life story. What makes you not ashamed of yourself.”

“I… I’m beautiful.”

Woogeon almost choked on his drink hearing her answer.

“Wherever I go, people always compliment me on my beauty. The popular kids at school approached me, and I often got attention in the Korean community. I have a good personality, I’m sociable, and smart enough that people like me. I’m friendly.”

Woogeon smiled thinly, sipping his fragrant Americano again.

“I’m also hardworking. I used to study well. Even when I dropped out of college, the professors tried hard to keep me from leaving.”

“You yourself are a valuable asset.”

“Yes, I can live well anywhere.”

“Never thought about doing something specific in life?”

The woman paused, listening to the clear music from the vacuum speakers. Then she smiled thinly.

“To live one day longer than my grandmother.”

“If possible, I’d like to give my remaining 40 years of life to my grandmother. But that’s not possible. And now, I want to give my remaining life to your grandfather… but I can’t. It makes me sad. I wish he could live longer.”

“Life isn’t always interesting, is it?”

“You think so too, Woogeon?”

“Do you think life is easy for me?”

“If a man like you who can do anything finds life uninteresting, I wonder who really enjoys life?”

The woman sipped her mint chocolate latte with a gloomy face, but after a few sips, her eyes sparkled again.

“Delicious—”

She whispered softly. At that moment, Woogeon took out a box from the shopping bag he was carrying.

“I heard proposals are important to women—” Woogeon opened the box, revealing a diamond ring that sparkled like a crown. He put the mug down from the woman’s hand and took her small, white left hand.

The woman’s hand trembled slightly. “What you said earlier, about life just being born and living it, that’s interesting.”

The woman chuckled, as if in disbelief.

“Remember when you talked about ‘rich people’?”

“Rich people?”

“You said you wanted to be able to drink mint chocolate latte every day.”

“Toothpaste flavor.”

The woman frowned, looking at Woogeon annoyed. Woogeon smiled mischievously.

“I’ll buy you as much mint chocolate latte as you want, for the rest of your life.”

He sipped his hot Americano again, letting the bitter taste warm his throat.

***

Rieul felt stunned. However, she thought it was a bit romantic. To be bought mint chocolate latte for a lifetime until you’re bored? Like a scene in a beautiful movie. She was surprised to see a large diamond ring encircling her left ring finger. A diamond that big reminded her of the ring Michael once bought for her grandmother’s birthday.

“I have one question—”

The man walked while looking at the leaves of the trees that were starting to turn yellow. The shadow of the man’s large body looked twice as big. The clear blue sky and cool breeze blowing across the wide field cleared his mind.

“Have you had sex?”

Rieul looked at the man in surprise.

‘Damn, all men are the same.’

The man unlocked the car door with the remote while continuing to walk. When Rieul approached the passenger seat, the man opened the automatic door first and looked down at her.

“A hundred times—Satisfied?”

Rieul said sarcastically as she sat in the passenger seat. The man just smiled satisfactorily at her answer.

“Very good.”

***

Woogeon was busy again, working non-stop. Entering work early in the morning at 8 am, followed by continuous overtime every day. Of course, after that, meeting the woman was impossible. However, the woman’s figure kept popping into his mind from time to time, as if slipping in and making him wonder.

When asked what her advantages were that she wasn’t ashamed of, she simply answered that she was beautiful.

‘Beautiful, huh?’

While staring at the monitor, Woogeon shook his head. He leaned back in his chair, slowly closing his eyes, trying to clearly remember the woman’s face. Her light olive-brown hair and light brown irises, similar to her hair color, immediately came to mind. Perhaps because of her mixed heritage, the melanin pigment in her body seemed low. A calm and plain color. Her skin layer was thin, so the fine blood vessels were faintly visible under her skin. However, the natural blush on her cheeks gave a healthy impression that looked quite attractive.

Woogeon chuckled softly, feeling strange for thinking about the woman this much. She was indeed beautiful, but not the type that attracted him. If he were physically attracted, he probably wouldn’t even let the woman out of his bed. Because he wasn’t aroused, for Woogeon, the woman was just that.

His mother once said that before marriage, a person needs to feel the flutter of love. She even suggested that Woogeon live in the Hannamdong house until the wedding.

“But, Mom, if she’s not attractive, will that feeling arise by living there?”

The weekend came again like an endless Mobius loop—Today a date with Rieul, going home tomorrow. His mother’s voice sounded cheerful, as if enjoying something.

“Very happy, huh?”

“Of course.”

“Why?”

While staring at the monitor, Woogeon observed the rapidly fluctuating stock graph of a Korean electronics company, then received a sales report of cell phones dominating the European market in the second half of this year.

“Because everything is going well.”

His mother’s words, which sounded so precise, narrowed Woogeon’s eyes. It seemed there would be a business trip to Europe this weekend.

“I thought Mom had prepared another bride candidate.”

“That’s not important. It’s a bit of a shame, but Rieul is also a very intelligent and extraordinary child. Despite losing her parents at a young age due to a terrorist attack and losing her grandmother to illness, she remained strong and had a strong will. For a 22-year-old girl, she is very mature and tough.”

At that moment, Manager Jung knocked on the door and peeked in. Woogeon simply gestured that he was on the phone, causing Jung to immediately back away understandingly.

“Even though her childhood was difficult, she is still very charming. Her smile is so sincere, and there are many feelings in that smile. I really like her. She is honest, has good morals, is diligent, healthy, and has no flaws. I really admire Rieul who has such a sincere smile. She knows how valuable family is.”

“That much admiration?”

“Do you think she has flaws?”

“Many, but the most annoying is her family background.”

“You’re really a bad kid.”

“I was born that way. I can’t deny grandpa’s genes.”

“Your father is indeed fiery, but his character is still straight. I don’t understand why you are like this. As if you aren’t my and your father’s child, but came from who knows where.”

Woogeon chuckled lowly.

“You should call Rieul.”

“Okay, Mom.”

After hanging up, Woogeon remembered his mother’s background, who was a descendant of independence fighters from a noble family. Both of his parents, who grew up in turbulent times, had a skeptical view of business and company management. Nevertheless, they met and married. His father was indeed a business major graduate but fell in love with his mother, who at the time was the head of the philosophy department, an older and brave woman.

Now, his father serves as the vice chairman of Korea Electronics, while both of his parents are more active in social charity activities. As a descendant of independence fighters, his mother was always interested in social activities, and his grandfather supported it because it had a positive impact on the company’s image. The activities of the Korea Electronics Foundation also brought good social influence.

Therefore, accepting a woman with a background like Rieul’s shouldn’t be a problem for those accustomed to the principle of no arrogance.

Another knock sounded. It was Manager Jung Eunseop.

***

Ra Moeun

[I just finished a meeting with the finance team discussing support funds for foundation activities.]

[Can you spare some time?]

Just having finished the meeting and about to head to the headquarters of the Korea Electronics visual display business division in Yongin, it crossed his mind that he should call the woman, but there was no time.

Ra Moeun

[I’ll wait for you at the lobby cafe.]

Woogeon happened to be in the elevator. He went down to the lobby and headed to the cafe there.

Ra Moeun. The woman his mother had her eye on was Ra Moeun. Even though he had no intention of marrying yet, Moeun was quite a good match for Woogeon. For example, in bed.

Upon seeing Woogeon, Moeun smiled. Moeun was the type of woman Woogeon liked. She was an attractive career woman, older but not burdensome, with a height of 173 cm. Her body was tall and slender like a model, with beautiful curves.

Just like Woogeon’s classic ideal.

“Woogeon—”

“Are you alright? Sorry for not calling, I was very busy.”

Woogeon sat on the sofa chair, crossing his long legs.

“Is Chairman doing well?”

“That old man has a strong mind. He said he only had six months left to live, but it seems it could be longer if nothing worsens.”

“You’re speaking too coldly—”

Moeun laughed softly like a mature woman. That was what Woogeon liked. Her calm demeanor and the lack of awkwardness when they were together.

“Sorry.” Woogeon smiled thinly.

“Why do you keep apologizing, Woogeon? That’s not your style—”

“Because something has felt off from the beginning. Your mother likes me a lot.”

Woogeon just stared silently at the street lit by the evening light outside the large window.

“Woogeon—”

“Yes?”

“Do you like her?”

Woogeon laughed shortly, surprised.

“We’ve only known each other for a short time, there’s no way I’d like her already.”

“If you’re interested, you usually sleep with her right away.”

Woogeon laughed dryly, without meaning. Moeun laughed along.

“What’s so funny?”

“Why does your laughter sound empty?”

“I don’t know. She’s not my type, too innocent. She said she’s had sex over a hundred times, but her face is too clean.”

“Short, huh?”

“Very.”

Moeun bit her lower lip.

“Why? Don’t bite your lip, it’ll get damaged.”

“I suddenly feel annoyed.”

“Why?” Woogeon laughed again.

“When I think about how hard I’ve tried to get your attention all this time.”

“You were born beautiful, you can get any man you want.”

“I’ve liked you for a long time.”

“Really? I didn’t know. You’re too nice to everyone. Trust me, it’s hard to hide feelings for someone you like.”

Woogeon stared at Moeun for a long time. Her face looked fragile, as if she was about to cry.

“I’m sad.”

“Don’t be sad because of someone like me.”

“I’m not that cold, Woogeon.”

“That’s right. You’re sensitive and gentle.”

“I feel like I’m going crazy now.”

“That’s why I apologize. I have to go now.” Woogeon straightened his body and prepared to get up.

“Woogeon.”

“Yes, I know my name is Woogeon.”

Moeun laughed, though she felt strange. “You know I love you, right?”

“Thank you. Don’t stop working. You’re a very talented director.”

“No, maybe I’ll quit because I hate you.”

“I’m leaving.”

Woogeon gave a brief greeting and left. The evening sunlight bathed the street warmly. A staff member opened the car door for him. After sitting in the back seat, Manager Jung prepared to report the schedule in Yongin, but Woogeon suddenly remembered a woman. He raised his hand, stopping the report, and took out his phone to call her.

—Hello, this is Yeon Rieul—

“Do you remember our dinner tonight?”

The car started moving on Gangnam, heading for the highway.

—Yes, I’ll get ready so I’m not late.

“I might be a little late. We’re meeting at 8 PM. You can eat first, we’ll drink together later.”

—Let’s eat together.

“I might have to eat with the staff on location.”

—Then take your time.

Because the woman didn’t talk much, Woogeon ran out of words.

—I’ll hang up then.

“Are you always this passive when you date?”

—Huh?

“I mean, always this passive.”

—It depends on who it is.

“Then what kind of person am I to you?”

“Since you’re not answering, I get it. I’m just a man you’re not interested in. Alright, see you later—”

***

‘I’ve never dated before.’

Rieul told a man that she had had sex a hundred times, but in reality, she has never had sex. She trembled when she said that she had had sex a hundred times. In the United States, children have sex for the first time when they reach the legal age.

In addition, the Seattle tent village where she lived had no ethical education or sexual ideas, so even teenagers locked their tents, or in dark places, caught warehouses and had sex with groups. Rieul just didn’t like it because she looked like a dirty animal.

The boys teased her, but she refused stubbornly. The sarcastic girls said it was the noble Asia, and sometimes they were almost sexually assaulted several times. She wanted to know what sex never said. She never had any experience. Imagine how boring the woman was.

Rieul’s weapons—

She was very embarrassed when she said that she knew for sure that she was a man who was not interested outside the phone.

Rieul already liked Lee Woogeon, and as soon as she met him, she really liked him. It was not clear.

‘I fell in love at first sight.’

Rieul got up from her study room sofa and knocked on the bedroom door, cooling her flushed cheeks with the back of her hand.

***

Rieul left earlier than the promised time and arrived first at the lounge bar, waiting for the man. The place was very beautiful, with a night view of the glittering Samsung Station and COEX intersection. Rieul looked in admiration at the sparkling night view of the Samsung Station intersection, feeling amazed. As amazing as the night view in Seattle.

That’s when she was startled by the sound of the chair in front of her being pulled out.

“What are you looking at that you’re daydreaming so much?”

“Ah, you’ve arrived?”

“What were you thinking about that you were so fascinated?”

“The view is as beautiful as Seattle, so I was amazed.”

Rieul replied with a small smile, her cheeks slightly flushed. The man sat across from her casually, crossing his legs as usual.

“What drink do you like?”

“Martini with olives, please.”

“I can drink martini, apparently. Martini with olives, and make mine as usual, on the rocks.”

After the man ordered, the bartender bowed politely and walked away. Rieul held back a laugh that almost escaped.

“Why are you laughing?”

“I was just imitating a scene from a movie.”

The man frowned slightly, giving a wry smile that made him look very charming.

“Do you know the Marvel movie? Iron Man?”

“Who doesn’t?”

“In it, Gwyneth Paltrow once said to Robert Downey Jr., ‘Martini with lots of olives, please.’ Then Robert Downey Jr. said to the bartender, ‘Five… no, six.’ It felt cool, like a high-class person. So I wanted to say that too.”

“Very funny.”

His calm smile was so captivating that Rieul swallowed unconsciously.

“Do you like olives?” Woogeon asked.

“Very much! Especially green olives. I like their distinctive slightly creamy taste.”

“Besides that, what do you like? Besides that toothpaste flavor.”

***