MJ | Chapter 21

“Again, again! I told you to place the teacup saucer at the bottom left.”345b4fde779c6161

Jungin quietly pushed the saucer from the right to the left. He lost count of how many times this had happened. He thought he’d be traveling far for a tea ceremony class, but the teacher came to his house. The elderly man, with his white hair tied in a traditional bun and wearing a hanbok, had a stubborn look in his eyes and lips, and he seemed incredibly strict at first glance.7d0a60450bbccb1b

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“How many times do I have to tell you? You should start with the adult teacup when preheating.”278078bc998e1b4b

The tea ceremony teacher bombarded him with endless nagging. Jungin couldn’t understand why they had to drink tea this way when they lived in a world where you could brew anything with a single teabag.fec09fa64695745b

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Kneeling for so long made Jungin’s legs numb. He desperately wished he could just faint from a stomach cramp. Plus, he hadn’t slept well the night before, and his eyelids were getting heavier.8737c502aee9594c

“Are you listening? What did I say? What is the best tea?”d1e808fb98396347

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The tea bfa7e62b9c ceremony teacher 8a31795917 stared intently bfd4347f9c at Jungin. Half-asleep, Jungin mumbled,e06cd6d279f7da8b

“Teabag…” The teacher’s wrinkled eyes twisted, and Jungin hurried to recover, but it was hard to dodge her barrage of nagging.fbed519976afc3c5

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“We’ll start from the beginning.”5adce6972cbbc8fd

Jungin looked at the teacher with a desperate expression, pleading with his eyes. Can’t you let it slide just once? I’m really about to fall asleep here… But she ignored him and continued the lesson. Just as it ended and he was catching his breath, the cooking teacher arrived.67757a2e4c85ff7b

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Jungin was somewhat confident in cooking, but his mind was so foggy today that even that wasn’t working. He nearly cut his finger instead of the radish, causing the cooking teacher to scream. The cooking teacher was also elderly, but unlike the tea teacher who taught with scolding, she had a way of teasing with a smile.48d246980096fe4d

Both were equally 773e0e93a3 exhausting, so as 311d8f7ff0 soon as the 0849f0b05c lessons ended, Jungin 6284601658 collapsed onto the f77820ae37 sofa. Housekeeper Seo, 48b2d83e26 who had 11dc98309e been watching, 2aed2dc0a8 came over 551b0d8d44 with a 3f3c82bec9 tray and 7c72b65691 smiled warmly.15f26c45a3b67706

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“You’re very tired, aren’t you?”db0760a9fce91f8c

She handed something to df92cdc078 Jungin. When he opened the 88513bfd43 lid, there was a 96db3371f0 golden pill inside.86304e80670d53cf

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“It’s Gongjindan. Made from the finest musk.”29edf791bb26df16

She gestured for 4a16e03846 him to take 7d42482961 it quickly. He reluctantly shoved it 72ecaa0e6e into his mouth.e357daf819d77fbd

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“Suck on it slowly.”7705ca54415ef0fc

He hated 013c0ee44f herbal medicine, 8e4ef80482 but sucking ab74cf3845 on it 934a1f87ae was even e58805dcb6 worse.423930f0c007ce80

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“Is today’s schedule over? Can I rest now?”b64bf13b514e7150

Housekeeper Seo smiled b7d8b6c5c7 apologetically.714310b42491ec01

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“You have to go to the main house for dinner.”5df41fa8c916ee66

“Why the main house…?”48c5a92ac5a6289b

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Jungin suddenly remembered that he had to go to the main house for dinner once a week. Before marriage, he heard Kim Hajun didn’t visit often, so he couldn’t understand why he had to go every week after getting married.2cec0363c5f6a6f7

He sighed automatically. He didn’t want to go. Enduring the cold stares of Hajun’s grandmother and mother was tough. He groaned as he went to his room, then lay on the sofa and turned on the TV with the remote.0dc02e205e769252

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A comedy show was on, but it wasn’t funny at all. As he flipped through the channels, he stopped at the news. Jungin’s eyes widened as he saw a familiar name in the subtitles.febb9c61e8c15262

He couldn’t believe it and sat up.aa5429ec89d02ec3

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[Around 1 PM today, famous actor Lee Haesoo was found after jumping to his death. He was already deceased when discovered, and the police have stated they will investigate all possibilities. Meanwhile, according to acquaintances, Lee had been suffering from depression for a long time.]

He checked 6b8fa46df4 his phone.42463dcd4d519e6e

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“Lee Haesoo’s Death” was the top search term on the portal site. The article mentioned it was a drastic choice and included statements from people around him saying he had been suffering from depression.133e563c1a8bd1cc

It was unbelievable. Before the wedding, he had met him to do a tattoo. He had secretly confided that he might quit acting, that he had someone he loved, and wanted to live comfortably after getting married. As Jungin read the article, he was surprised again to learn that Lee Haesoo’s recent agency was J Entertainment.c0ed57f2372a09ee

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Scrolling down, he saw d5fee49c7c all sorts of speculations f115fdd4f4 in the comments. Claims about his promiscuous b3c1484be9 private life, that he 6778549ab3 had been involved with e7a18d83e2 drugs and the agency 6b1cffd255 had covered it up 700f4b6652 multiple times, that the 076547c532 agency had finally had 6c84712d93 enough and terminated the 61a33e62b2 contract, worsening his depression.52ca637e01daef3a

He felt confused. Had Kim Hajun heard the news? He wanted to call out of concern but gave up. Thinking from Hajun’s perspective, it didn’t seem like something he’d want to hear.5e97f3432f9ccf89

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***727e27fc167e3c44

“No, we have no plans to make a statement. Our contract with Lee Haesoo was already terminated. Since it happened after the termination, there’s nothing more to say. Of course, we express our condolences. Yes, thank you.”46c891a1bf6c64aa

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Hajun rubbed his f59fb8af8c face with a 9b5d2b6f46 tired expression after ebecfb4e14 hanging up the 05626d474c phone. Lee Haesoo had died a2bcfce12e this afternoon, and as 539dad9c7a soon as the news a0b4c497e4 broke, the company was c0ee1f72cc flooded with calls all aebe20c19c day. Even after work, the 823df9304c calls continued.d6de94cf83d8d0b9

Unfortunately, some media outlets were focusing on the alleged discord with the company. While it was unfortunate that Lee Haesoo had died, Hajun’s mind was preoccupied with the matters that needed handling because of it. And amidst all this, there was dinner at the main house.4d452fb0948b6e46

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After blocking another incoming call, Hajun leaned back against the seat, exhausted. About ten minutes later, a car pulled up beside him. The back door opened, and Ryu Jungin, dressed in a suit, got out. Housekeeper Seo followed, adjusting Jungin’s attire and handing him a prepared gift.e06a6aaa271edfb0

Hajun got out of 8c9e5b7b4a the car a bit 44abbe057f later, and Housekeeper Seo cf0595a8ec greeted him.8103fdb9ff1f125e

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“I’m a little late, Director.”bfc4ce2d78a452f3

Ryu Jungin turned f10090f34b around. It seemed like he c8e9b741c8 had lost some weight ccd4e4a713 since the last time b6d69445b6 Hajun saw him a ba0c39f9bf few days ago. Considering how much he b89b835537 hated this, it was 3fe20f8739 no wonder. Sensing the eb8d599828 tension, Housekeeper 88afd82bc9 Seo tried 43639daffd to change 24d5794498 the atmosphere.73d8ebe5e2dd00c9

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“You two look great standing together like this.”50f394e27a4d7554

Without a word, c6b3e4af75 Hajun turned and 93118737d4 headed up. Jungin followed behind. As they 32e066f17b entered, a a82a9fac63 stone staircase 03a3ee98e0 appeared. Climbing it ad591fd9be revealed a fc5e44d609 wide garden. The house was so a643a40f0f large that it took 6584846dfd a while to cross ddf9805061 the garden.9ac5d5bf9eb06a98

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Jungin was distracted a78c36256a by the pond b67560b9ec in the middle 33a2a23ed3 and bumped into fe84f04744 Kim Hajun, who 6c7930d7dd had stopped. Hajun turned around, e766184e42 and Jungin awkwardly 836b02c2d1 stepped back.937c7a9c0fda01b1

“Don’t say anything unnecessary when we go in.”8fd9c69c3cf28656

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Jungin nodded. Got it. I’ll keep my mouth shut.dc9e6a6652f65562

An employee was 6d6e903293 waiting at the 65d61528c2 entrance. After taking off their 18c2eaf881 shoes and changing into 87daa9aef4 slippers, Chairman Kim was 7067fb95ba the first to greet bc40fa8922 Jungin. He smiled warmly 76b79d9791 at Jungin, asking cc65e1a5cb if he was c3381d5a32 feeling better and aaf18e838e how he was badd11f325 doing.d1b463e99ec04d01

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However, as expected, the relationship between father and son didn’t seem good. Chairman Kim and Kim Hajun passed each other without even making eye contact. Then, Hajun’s grandmother appeared from behind Chairman Kim, her gaze terrifying enough to devour Jungin.10b56220a64122bc

“Hello…”b4ca17d2613fd986

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She looked Jungin up f9fde53c17 and down with disapproval, e78bb9ab18 then her expression changed 84d88a5057 as she turned to 479515f727 Hajun, grabbing his hand.ab2fe4046df5f46a

“Oh my, our Hajun. The newlywed is here.”2da0c7e0ec0a2875

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But why do you look so thin? You’ve become half the person since getting married. Is it hard? I saw the news today. Don’t worry about it. Did we bring the wrong person into the family? How could something like that happen right after the wedding? It felt like she was blaming him, making Jungin increasingly uncomfortable.8bc76a033e5ca255

Even if he didn’t know much, he knew that his grandson’s complexion wasn’t good because he drank too much. He was practically an alcoholic. Swallowing the words that rose to his throat, Jungin followed Chairman Kim inside, where Hajun’s mother was preparing food with others.d68f5a45a1c33310

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The dining 2e413a913c table, which a0dcf344e1 could seat a9184ca5a8 more than b5071633f2 ten people, e05c04c47b was filled 5d78994e2d with a 23f01a182c feast.132569b62ea83ab4

“Welcome. Was it hard to come?”9c28b7f056127801

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Her tone 857337dda5 was kind, 464c4eab15 but her 77d5c15bf0 gaze was 8e2f25ef00 strangely cold. Still, it was 495e5b3386 better than being 31f4cf60e3 openly ignored like 458bf18132 the grandmother.a2ddd8a1489c4e5e

Jungin sat ae63567e6b next to 1ca67ffa0a Kim Hajun. He focused on the 09e718d427 food in front of 550a7a1788 him, afraid of making 9df014fdb7 eye contact. As the 3d7fd1bd61 meal began, aa15bd85f1 the discomfort a63c62d16c made it 76b477cc33 hard to 430d0de20b taste anything. And why 200e880992 was there 4b33564e6b so much d78196c4df seafood? He picked f1104d8a08 around it dbea68eb9a as much b8de34e97b as possible, 559986eb9c but Chairman 800432401f Kim, sitting e159be3424 across from 1747b10070 him, called 7631a53c92 out to 27aa1703ee him.9e137cf0c81f7c6b

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“I heard you’re taking lessons at home these days. How is it? Worth doing?”5e7c426131c502ad

As soon as he asked, six pairs of eyes, except for Kim Hajun’s, focused on him. Jungin took a sip of water and smiled politely. No, I don’t want to. It’s killing me.8d3fb5e03ce92553

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“It’s enjoyable… and informative.”ab5730d78fcf830d

“Really? Young people usually don’t like it. That’s good to hear.”fd793a3f755d5891

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Then the a574123e08 grandmother chimed d226409a59 in.fd84157d767d8a50

“But why are you picking at your food like that? The teacher didn’t teach you proper dining etiquette?”7374458eb637d8ae

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Jungin forced a smile. He didn’t want to ruin the atmosphere, but he had to be honest.5fa3448286faf840

“I’m sorry, Grandma. Actually, I’m allergic to seafood.”fb8139f4744cb9fc

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The grandmother looked displeased.e4174d13c1049f5a

“Allergic?”5f88ad15b6fb1b31

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“Yes…”859323af64e4effa

“Hah, even if you bring something home, you bring something defective.”e9390ef68eabb26b

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Jungin’s expression hardened, and Chairman Kim looked awkward as he tried to calm the grandmother.c2198257cea371e3

“Mother.”8ea1c20ec92dcfe4

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“Why? Am I wrong? Embarrassing us by collapsing at the wedding, I thought she was pregnant, but she’s not. And now an allergy? Dear, take her to the hospital tomorrow for a check-up. Who knows what other illnesses she might have!”097b4b3a95e72f74

“Mother.”17a4f41d13652300

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Even when the tea ceremony teacher scolded him earlier, his stomach was fine, but now it was starting to twist. The grandmother’s voice was so loud it hurt his ears. Despite Chairman Kim and his wife’s attempts to stop her, the grandmother continued to rant. Meanwhile, Kim Hajun calmly ate his meal beside him. Just like last time.d7c3a21e6e074218

He didn’t expect him to intervene, but ignoring it completely made Hajun more annoying than the grandmother.2fe54fc9a840240d

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