Sahee slept in for the first time in a long while. Waking up late, she took her time washing up. With her hair still damp, she sat on the porch, letting the breeze dry it naturally.
Having met her deadline and finally getting some deep sleep, she felt refreshed. Today, she wouldn't have to face any unpleasant people, which only added to her sense of ease.
Time to go clean.
There was no pressure. Today, she only had to clean the madam’s room — a quick and simple task.
Sahee moved at a leisurely pace toward the annex, savoring the relaxed morning. Just as she was about to take off her shoes, an unexpected presence made her pause.
“Miss Yeon Sahee.”
“…”
The soft, low voice made her grip the pillar tightly. Thinking it was a hallucination, she turned her head — only to be met with a shocking sight. The man who should have been at the grave stood there, his shirt unbuttoned.
…No way.
Mrs. Chun’s loud, breathless voice echoed in her ears like a bad memory. “Huff, huff, huff! Whose is it?” But on the stepping stone where shoes were placed, there was only a single pair of neatly arranged men’s shoes. Meanwhile, CEO Jung Taeon was staring down at Sahee intently.
Sahee awkwardly straightened herself and met his gaze. He might have caught a glimpse of her briefly horrified expression.
“Miss Yeon Sahee?”
“Oh, yes, CEO.”
“I need a favor. Do you have a moment?”
Countless scenarios flashed through her mind in an instant. Maybe she had to clean up after last night’s mess, like Mrs. Chun often did. Fetching the woman’s clothes or underwear, disposing of condoms. She’d done it before — it wasn’t anything she couldn’t handle.
“It’s fine.”
“My button came off. Could you sew it back on?”
“Oh.”
Sahee let out a small sigh, her neck briefly flushing with embarrassment over her mistaken assumption. But she quickly composed herself, slipping her foot back into her half-removed shoe.
“Yes. If you take it off and give it to me, I’ll sew it and bring it back.”
Despite her offer, CEO Jung Taeon just looked at her without responding. Leaning on the pillar, Sahee gave him a questioning look.
“I have a video conference in 30 minutes. Can you finish it by then?”
For a moment, his question hung in the air. It was clear where his briefly lowered gaze had landed.
Sahee’s ankle.
What would normally take others about five minutes to walk, took Sahee fifteen. No matter how fast she tried to move, she wouldn’t make it in time.
“Just a moment.”
Thinking there might be a sewing kit somewhere in the annex, Sahee pulled out her phone. She sent a message to her uncle and tried calling Mrs. Chun, but it went straight to voicemail. Sahee lowered her phone, eyes tense.
If she hurried, she might make it. Standing here, hesitating, was only wasting time.
“I’ll be as quick as possible…”
“I’ll go with you.”
“What?”
The man had already made a decisive call. Even as Sahee asked in surprise, he was already putting on his shoes from the stepping stone.
“You can come back alone. How long does it take to get from your room to here, Miss Yeon Sahee?”
“About five minutes…”
“Then that’s fine.”
Without another word, Taeon moved to her side, urging her to lead the way.
The early spring scenery along the stone path blurred in a yellow haze before her eyes. Even as the breeze blew gently, the world felt disorienting, as if spinning. Confusion and tension twisted together.
The wind rustled through the trees. A flock of warblers chirped and fluttered by. Sahee tried to focus on the view ahead.
Yet, the tips of the man’s shoes, occasionally visible in her peripheral vision, kept drawing her attention. Walking together felt like a clumsy three-legged race; her sneakers and his shoes were completely out of sync.
CEO Jung Taeon matched his pace to hers. No matter how fiercely she tried to walk, his stride remained unhurried and casual.
“This way, please.”
At the corner leading to the small sarangchae, Sahee glanced back at Taeon. He followed her wordlessly from behind. The space between them felt like a buffer zone, almost like a reassuring pat on the back.
The small sarangchae was heavy with silence. The bright early spring sunlight lent it some semblance of order, but compared to the grand main building or the annex, it looked like a ghost house. Without introducing anything, Sahee stood on the stepping stone.
Suddenly, Taeon joined her, standing on the stepping stone as well. As she twisted her body to sit on the porch, he asked,
“Shall I help you?”
“It’s fine. I’ll just sit and…”
“Take my hand.”
Before she could finish, Taeon’s arm appeared in front of her face again. Sahee swallowed, feeling awkward.
“Miss Yeon Sahee.”
“…”
“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t make me look like a heartless person.”
His tone bordered on reprimand. Was it a threat or a gesture of kindness? Time was slipping away.
Either way, there was no avoiding it. Sahee reluctantly placed her hand in his outstretched arm. His arm felt as solid and unyielding as a sturdy old tree.
“Thank you.”
Sahee tried to think of Taeon’s arm as just a pillar as she slipped off her sneakers. As she leaned against him to step onto the porch, Taeon supported her as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Limping slightly, Sahee reached for the doorknob and glanced back. For a brief moment, the sight of her sneakers placed crookedly on the stepping stone and the man removing his shoes beside them made her stomach churn.
“…I’ll go in and get the sewing kit. Please take off your shirt inside.”
“Alright.”
She wasn’t thrilled about letting him into her room, but she had no choice. There was no way she could ask CEO Jung Taeon to wait in one of the neglected, unused rooms.
Closing the door firmly behind her, Sahee quickly scanned the room. Thankfully, she had tidied up a bit after meeting her deadline. She opened a drawer on one side of the room. Inside, an old sewing kit, purchased from a convenience store ages ago, lay haphazardly tucked away.
“You can come in.”
Sahee stepped back as she exited the room. Standing together on the porch, the space felt suddenly cramped. The proximity was close enough for her to feel the weight of his gaze lingering on her face. As soon as she lifted her eyelids, their eyes met.
Why does this keep happening?
Sahee’s eyes flickered briefly with a sense of déjà vu.
“Excuse me.”
With a lopsided smile, Taeon bent down and entered the room.
So casually. So unhesitatingly.
Sahee’s brows furrowed instinctively as she watched the man’s back. What more could she do than imagine shoving him into a dusty, unused room?
Sighing, Sahee sank down onto the porch just as her phone rang.
♬♪♩~
A short piano melody accompanied the vibration. It was a call from the publishing company representative. Sahee glanced nervously at the door before cautiously answering.
“Yes, Director.”
She hadn’t expected a long conversation, but apparently, there was an issue with the file she’d sent early that morning. Sahee frowned, recalling the bleary-eyed hours just before dawn. She had stayed up all night and felt foggy.
“I’m currently occupied with something. I’ll check it within an hour and resend the email.”
“Miss Yeon Sahee.”
Sahee’s head snapped up at the sound of her name. Her eyes blinked slowly.
The man, shirtless, stood at the door. She didn’t know where to look; her eyes trembled slightly. The publishing company representative called her name repeatedly over the phone, but she couldn’t respond.
─ Miss Sahee?
“…Director, I’m sorry. I’ll call you right back.”
The call ended. Sahee reached out, pretending to be unaffected as she took the shirt from Taeon’s outstretched hand. When she accepted the two fallen buttons, their fingertips brushed, and her breath caught.
“…”
Each breath felt unnaturally loud in her ears.
Sahee picked up the sewing kit she had placed on the porch and opened the lid. Her fingers trembled slightly as she picked up the needle, but fortunately, the white thread was already threaded through the eye.
She bit her lip, trying to steady herself. In that brief moment, she realized her lips had gone dry. It was as if people of his rank had a way of making her feel like a stranger in a place she had lived in for over twenty years.
Sahee tied a knot at the end of the doubled thread. As she aligned the buttons and began sewing, CEO Jung Taeon’s body kept flashing before her eyes.
She was so flustered that a fleeting, silly thought crossed her mind — the anatomy department would probably appreciate his physique. At that moment, the needle pierced deeply under her thumbnail.
“Ouch.”
Sahee’s face twisted in pain. She pulled her hand back, but the drop of blood had already stained the white shirt. Hastily, she wrapped her thumb and forced herself to finish sewing, but the bloodstain next to the button was irreversible.
He probably didn’t have a spare shirt, which was why he asked her to sew the button.
Sahee hastily bent her knees and placed her foot on the porch. Grabbing the pillar, she carefully opened the door, only to be confronted with a bare expanse of skin. Startled, she dropped her gaze and apologized.
“I’m sorry. I pricked my finger with the needle, and there’s blood on the shirt…”
“Do you have a job?”
As if the bloodstain didn’t matter, Taeon took the shirt from her hand and slipped his arms through the sleeves.
The question threw her off. For a moment, her cluttered mind cleared.
“Pardon?”
Taeon didn’t repeat himself. He just tilted his head slightly, his gaze condescending.
Sahee slowly blinked.
Was it her own insecurity that made his tone, as if he couldn’t imagine her having a job, feel so insulting?
She followed the movement of his fingers as he buttoned the shirt and then responded.
“…Yes.”
“What kind?”
Sahee swallowed the rising resentment.
“I’m a writer.”
“A writer. Are you famous?”
Taeon’s tone was as indifferent as if he were asking about the weather. As he spoke, he casually took her hand. Sahee stiffened, instinctively trying to pull away, but it was pointless.
After a brief, futile struggle, he released her hand only after inspecting the reddened fingertip where the needle had pierced her.
Sahee stared at him, a mix of confusion and disbelief swirling in her eyes. The man who had just done such an inexplicable thing waited shamelessly for her response.
Sahee clenched the hand he had held. The tiny wound throbbed beneath her skin.
“Maybe.”
“I’m curious.”
“…You could read it.”
Taeon raised an eyebrow at her hesitant answer and then, as if he had lost interest, turned and exited the room. Sahee stepped back hastily, unable to hide her distaste as she watched him go.
“Thanks for the buttons. My mother won’t be back until evening, so take a break.”
As he passed her with a smirk, Taeon’s eyes clearly caught her displeasure. And he knew there was nothing she could do about it.
Sahee watched his retreating back, imagining herself throwing a punch at him.
Before she knew it, more than thirty minutes had passed.
****
Returning to the annex, Taeon was immediately greeted by Secretary Kim’s thunderous voice. Stumbling in front of his laptop, the secretary complained, clearly under the impression that Taeon had run away. Taeon couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity.
The meeting was delayed. The fifteen-minute delay was blamed on network instability. The executives, who had been visibly irritated on their screens, fell silent at the mention of the local internet connection issues.
After all, rumors were swirling that Chairman Jung had sent Taeon to Yeonghwadang to cover up his eldest grandson, Jung Taejun’s embezzlement. What could they possibly say?
They probably felt pity for him. Cynically amused, Taeon leaned back in his chair, eyes fixed on the meeting screen.
─ The MD91 material for the beverage container, developed in collaboration with Delis, will officially be implemented starting with Majestina in Seoul Forest. Let’s take a look at the interior perspective. The MD91 boasts excellent strength and can easily vary in color, making it ideal for the premium apartments by Jungmoon Construction. It also aligns with our ongoing ESG initiatives…
Taeon scanned the various perspective views, his gaze dull and uninterested.
The meeting had been moved up thanks to his mother, who had begun complaining of a headache early in the morning. Over dinner the previous night, she had sighed dramatically about having to go there again — and by morning, she was too “ill” to make the trip.
“I really wanted to see you, but I’m just too sick.”
Seonnyeo’s attempt to comfort her, holding his mother’s hand and assuring her that their deceased ancestors would appreciate her sincerity, was nothing short of farcical.
Clicking his tongue, Taeon continued to gaze at the screen. Executive Bae, his thinning hair neatly combed, was making pointless suggestions about how the design could be “simpler and more elegant.”
─ Well? Frankly, I don’t think recycled materials belong in our premium apartments. What is recycling? It’s something used, something touched by others. But what does Majestina represent? The highest quality, the highest price… And then we’re talking about recycling? Doesn’t that seem odd?
─ But consumers are increasingly concerned about environmental issues, and Jungmoon Construction’s social responsibility…
─ I understand! I’m not a heartless person! I also shed tears watching documentaries about melting glaciers and homeless polar bears! But why should we use recycled materials in Majestina? That’s what I’m asking.
Taeon found it bizarre that no matter how much these loudmouths ranted, the company somehow kept running.
The presenter, visibly sweating, forced a strained smile. Taeon chuckled softly and tapped his fingers against the desk.
“Executive Bae.”
─ Oh, CEO Jung. You must be having a rough time out there.
“Not as rough as you, Executive Bae. You made a valid point. After all, no matter how much we talk about displaced animals and climate change, people shed a few tears and move on. But when it comes to their own interests, they change their stance as quickly as flipping their hand.”
Executive Bae’s authoritative expression faltered slightly, unsure if Taeon was agreeing with him or mocking him. Taeon’s smile remained casual.
He hoped Executive Bae would realize that the value of overseas investments gained through ESG management far outweighed the inflated costs of entertainment and luxury amenities.
“Let’s have the PR team push this issue aggressively. Highlighting the collaboration with architect Berkel would be a good approach.”
─ Understood. Let’s proceed with the meeting.
The discussion dragged on, filled with more tedious exchanges.
Leaning back in his chair, Taeon’s attention drifted. His gaze fell on a small crimson dot on the screen. The memory of Sahee’s distressed expression, her eyes wavering as she looked at the bloodstain on the shirt, flashed through his mind.
A writer, huh.
Taeon’s long fingers, knuckles prominent, reached for his phone. He typed “Yeon Sahee” into the search bar, and a brief profile with a blank photo appeared.
Yeon Sahee ┃Children’s Book Author, Illustrator Born 19XX. Education: Bachelor’s in Western Painting from S University. Awards: Grand Prize at the 23rd Children’s Publishing Culture Awards.
A good university.
Given her impressive award history, she had every right to answer “Maybe” when asked if she was famous.
“You could read it.”
And that cold, detached voice. Her response to his low-grade joke had been icily cutting.
Taeon scrolled down to her notable works.
“Sommyeonji.”
Clicking on the book cover with its cutesy title, the first thing that jumped out was the line:
“Suitable for ages 4 and up!”
Taeon’s brows furrowed, and a sharp laugh escaped him. The sudden burst of amusement caused the new presenter to falter, his lips moving without producing sound.
─ CEO? Is there a problem…?
“No, continue.”
Taeon tossed the phone onto the desk and crossed his legs, resuming his lazy posture.
The presenter, visibly tense, continued explaining the economic benefits the new partnership with Delis would bring to Jungmoon Construction.
Occasionally, Taeon scratched his chin, listening to the monotonous voice crackling through the speakers. But his mind kept drifting to Sahee. Was she trying to say that he, a man who never considered anyone else’s feelings, was no different from a four-year-old child?
She had kept her composure, but her displeasure had been palpable. The problem was that there were too many possible reasons for it.
Taeon recalled a photo in her room. A younger Yeon Sahee, smiling brightly among friends, her eyes crinkled with laughter. A curly-haired girl in a paint-stained apron. The mischievous boy beside her was familiar.
“Kim Juhwan!”
“I’m leaving! Love you!”
She had said she didn’t have a boyfriend in the prayer room. Maybe she was secretly dating or just flirting.
But when he had held the hand of the woman pricked by the needle, he thought it didn’t matter. In that brief moment, he had decided that it wouldn’t be a bad thing if she had a boyfriend — it would keep things from getting too serious.
“You could read it.”
A solemn rebuke, given while she was clearly trying to avoid him. But how unfortunate. Taeon still didn’t care about her feelings. And he still found it amusing.
****
Knock, knock.
“It’s Sahee.”
After a light knock, she was given permission to enter. As she opened the door, Mrs. Chun, who had been lying down, groaned and slowly sat up.
“Please stay lying down. I won’t be long.”
“Why are you here?”
“I’m going to the post office. Do you need anything?”
“No, I’m fine.”
“Think about it.”
Sahee pulled a chair closer to the bedside and glanced around the small, tidy room. Despite the curtains being drawn, leaving the room dim even during the day, it was meticulously neat.
Sahee gathered the torn medicine packets scattered across the nightstand and dropped them into the nearby trash can. She shook the stainless steel water bottle — it was still heavy, recently filled.
“How about some honey rice cakes?”
Mrs. Chun had lost a lot of weight recently, her face gaunt and drawn. Mentioning her favorite honey rice cakes brought a brief spark of life to her otherwise dull eyes.
“My throat is so scratchy that I can’t swallow anything.”
“Why did you make such a fuss over Jungmoon Group? I’ll buy some and bring them back. Eat them whenever you feel up to it.”
“The madam is a good person.”
Sahee let out a soft laugh. Mrs. Chun narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
Yeon Sahee rarely cried but often masked her feelings with self-deprecating humor. Some found her laughter unsettling, and Mrs. Chun was no exception.
“Is everything alright?”
“Yes.”
“Why are you going to the post office?”
“I have some documents to send to the publisher. I’ll be back soon. Get some rest.”
Sahee smoothed the wrinkled blanket and stood up. Mrs. Chun turned her head completely to face her, eyes searching.
“I heard Hyunji’s family is coming soon. Did you know?”
“Really?”
Sahee’s response was feigned ignorance. Her family visited Yeonghwadang once a year, but this time, their visit overlapped with Jungmoon Group’s.
It wouldn’t make much difference since her family wouldn’t step foot in the shabby small sarangchae, but with Jungmoon Group around, it felt more exhausting.
Mrs. Chun reached out and took Sahee’s hand.
“I’ll get better soon… Sahee, you should stay with your friends in Seoul. You have many friends from college, don’t you?”
“No way. I’m not that kind of person.”
Sahee chuckled, gently removing Mrs. Chun’s hand and tucking it firmly under the blanket. Mrs. Chun’s narrowed eyes remained fixed on her.
“Is it funny?”
“Just rest. Don’t push yourself. Seeing you glare at me like this, it seems you’ll recover soon.”
That’s a relief.
Sahee turned off the lamp on the nightstand and headed for the door. Behind her, Mrs. Chun muttered weakly, “That girl is pretending to be strong again.”
Thanks to that, Sahee could smile more naturally as she closed the door.
****
A village bus that comes every forty minutes from Yeonghwadang could take you to the city.
Sahee returned from the post office and the rice cake shop, holding a black plastic bag stuffed with rice cakes. News of Mrs. Chun’s illness had already spread, and the rice cake shop owner had given her more as a service than she had actually purchased. She even received taffy, a rare item for that shop.
Sahee walked slowly toward Yeonghwadang. Even though she had only run errands, the long walk made it nearly evening. If not for the lengthening days of spring, she would have been walking in the dark.
When spring fully arrived, the cherry blossoms would bloom.
The soft pink cherry blossoms along the empty road were the only things Sahee truly loved about Yeonghwadang.
It might be the last spring.
Sahee traced her fingertips over the rough bark of the cherry blossom trees, still bare. She could have enjoyed a little more peace if not for the unwelcome guest waiting at the end of the road.
Someone rose to their feet as she approached. Sahee’s expression hardened, and she stopped.
“Sahee!”
Lee Hyungu stood in front of Yeonghwadang, wearing a navy suit and a red tie, holding a bouquet of about fifty red roses.
His smile was overdone, eyes shining with an exaggerated sense of sentiment as if he’d been waiting a long time.
Sahee resumed walking. When she reached Lee Hyungu, she acted as though she hadn’t seen or heard him, stepping past him without a word. She opened the gate and continued on her way.
“Yeon Sahee!”
After a brief pause, Lee Hyungu called her again. As she turned toward the small sarangchae, the heavy plastic bag reminded her of Mrs. Chun.
“Hey, Yeon Sahee. Why are you ignoring me?”
At that moment, Lee Hyungu stepped in front of her, frowning.
Sahee cursed her broken ankle the most at moments like this. No matter how fast she tried to walk, she couldn’t outpace someone who ran to block her. No matter how many times she tried to step aside, he would always intercept her.
The helplessness only deepened her anger.
Sahee sighed lightly and looked up.
“What?”
“What do you mean, what…?”
“If you have something to say, just say it and go.”
“I came to see you.”
Lee Hyungu shoved the bouquet in front of her as if she couldn’t see it. Sahee stared at the bouquet, her expression blank. The strong scent of roses made her feel nauseous.
Anyway, she had what she needed — taffy and a plastic bag. If she felt sick, she could use the bag. If she felt vindictive, she could give him the taffy.
Sahee straightened her back, her expression indifferent.
“Fine. We didn’t make any plans… Where are you coming from?”
“…”
“I have something to say. Can we talk over there?”
“Say it here.”
“Are you busy?”
“Yes.”
“Still doing that job? Illustrations, right?”
“Yes.”
Sahee didn’t bother hiding her annoyance. Lee Hyungu’s face briefly twisted, but he quickly regained his composure.
Sahee suddenly recalled the vicious whispers she’d heard behind the fence.
She doesn’t have a decent job. Is she a children’s book author or an illustrator? What’s there to see besides Yeon Sahee’s body? Have you tried it? Soon enough. How dare she act high and mighty in front of her husband.
The deeply ingrained contempt was hard to shake. Usually, it felt like just a shadow, but now, it felt like a bottomless chasm.
“Since you’re busy, I’ll get straight to the point.”
Lee Hyungu gritted his teeth, as if frustrated by the situation. Instead of picking a fight, he held out the bouquet.
“Let’s get married, Yeon Sahee.”
“…”
“I’m not saying this lightly. I really want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Should she be grateful he didn’t get down on one knee? Sahee stared at the bouquet with a flat expression before raising her gaze to meet his. Her voice was devoid of emotion.
“How much am I worth?”
“What?”
“How much am I worth to you?”
“Are you asking how much I can give you if we get married? You know I work at my father’s company, right? I get six million won a month from my father’s company. I could give you at least two million a month. And when I inherit the company, I’ll get more… But how much do you earn to ask me this? Do you have any savings?”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Then what do you mean?”
“I’m asking how much you’re willing to pay to act like you own someone else’s life.”
“…”
Lee Hyungu’s mouth snapped shut. His face flushed red, then pale. His voice trembled with emotion.
“Your grandmother said I was a good match!”
“Really?”
“Yes! She said she would arrange a meeting, but since we already know each other, it would be nice to just date and get married without bothering the elders! You don’t realize it yet, but my conditions are rare. My father runs a business, so he can bring people to Yeonghwadang.”
“Why don’t you just marry my grandmother instead?”
“Yeon Sahee!”
“What.”
Lee Hyungu let out a heavy sigh, one arm planted on his waist as he puffed out his chest, trying to look resolute.
“How long do you think you can keep acting like you’re something special?”
“If I’m not special, should I marry you just because you say so?”
“…”
“To me, you’re just a short, ugly classmate. Nothing more, nothing less.”
“What? You, crazy—”
It was almost funny — a curse following a proposal. A proposal that had been framed as sincere, a desire to spend a life together, yet was so hollow it crumbled with the slightest touch.
Sahee turned to walk away. After just a few steps, a rough hand clamped around her wrist. The grip was too tight, sending a sharp jolt of pain up her arm.
Sahee winced and turned around. Lee Hyungu’s eyes blazed.
“Let go.”
“I can’t. Come with me. You should’ve listened when I was being nice.”
“Let go!”
Lee Hyungu yanked her hard, pulling her off balance. Sahee stumbled, her bad ankle twisting beneath her. He didn’t care if she fell, didn’t care how hard he gripped her.
Gritting her teeth, Sahee limped, trying to keep her footing. It would almost be less humiliating to drop to the ground than to be dragged around like this.
“Miss Yeon Sahee.”
A low, unhurried voice.
Lee Hyungu flinched and looked over his shoulder.
The grip on Sahee’s wrist loosened, and her knees gave way, crumbling like a sandcastle in the surf. As she sank to the ground, she looked up and saw CEO Jung Taeon approaching, his expression cold and unreadable.
He looked nothing like a savior.
“…Sahee, do you know this person?”
Lee Hyungu’s bravado wavered, his eyes darting between Sahee and Taeon. How quickly he shrank back after being so aggressive. Sahee let out a bitter, humorless laugh.
“Did you buy it?”
Taeon’s voice was even, as if nothing had happened. He reached down and picked up the black plastic bag that had been thrown to the ground.
Sahee unconsciously curled her fingers, brushing the dirt, as she met Taeon’s gaze.
“That’s right.”
He didn’t bother checking the contents. There was nothing in there for him anyway. Instead, his eyes lingered on her face, almost as if he were studying her expression.
Taeon straightened, his movements smooth, and finally acknowledged Lee Hyungu, who was trying to puff himself up again.
“A peddler selling cheap flowers comes and goes freely. It says a lot about Yeonghwadang’s standards.”
“…I-I’m not a peddler!”
“I’ll buy that.”
Before Lee Hyungu could stammer out another word, Taeon’s gaze dropped to the bouquet. He reached into his wallet and pulled out two one-million-won checks, handing them to Lee Hyungu as if tossing spare change to a beggar.
Lee Hyungu’s hand closed around the checks, his mouth opening and closing, words failing him.
“Get up.”
As if the matter were settled, Taeon turned away from Lee Hyungu and extended his hand to Sahee. His hand was clean, pale, untouched by dirt.
After a brief, tense hesitation, Sahee reached out and took his hand.
****
“Did you come to see Sahee?”
Lee Hyungu was still staring blankly in the direction where Taeon and Sahee had disappeared when a sharp, commanding voice cut through the air.
Park Jisun stood there, dressed in a striking blue hanbok, her gaze as sharp as a knife.
“Oh, grandmother.”
Park Jisun’s eyes narrowed, glinting with cold, steely clarity. Lee Hyungu flinched, forcing a sheepish smile.
“Why didn’t you go to the sarangchae?”
“I just happened to run into her here. Sahee seemed busy with work, so I was just about to leave.”
Ha ha… His forced laugh fell flat. Park Jisun didn’t even blink. Her gaze dropped to the bouquet still clutched in Lee Hyungu’s hand.
Lee Hyungu awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck.
“She doesn’t open up easily.”
“It’s alright. I just need to try harder. They say there’s no tree that won’t fall after being struck ten times.”
Lee Hyungu quickly closed the distance between them, his smile stretched too wide, too forced. Park Jisun remained impassive.
“You’re going to help, right?”
“Help with what?”
“With my marriage to Sahee. Could you say something to her?”
“Mrs. Yoon said you could handle it without needing to arrange anything.”
“Oh, that…”
Does my mother really think I’d beg a shaman to let my son marry that girl? If she were a decent girl, maybe! But she’s jobless and limps around!
Recalling his mother’s shrill, angry voice, Lee Hyungu clenched his teeth. Park Jisun arched a brow, waiting for him to speak. He swallowed, forcing a strained smile.
“I guess I’m just not good enough. I’ll have to visit Sahee more often.”
“No.”
“Pardon?”
“We have guests at Yeonghwadang, so it would be best if you refrain from visiting for a while. You can meet Sahee separately.”
Guests.
Lee Hyungu replayed the recent encounter over and over in his mind.
The connection between Yeonghwadang and Jungmoon Group was well-known in the neighborhood, but he never expected to see a man he’d only seen on the news suddenly appear before him. Nor did he expect that man to take Sahee away, hand in hand.
“Young people can’t develop feelings just by meeting at home,” Park Jisun said, her tone flat.
“That’s true. But Sahee is very busy.”
He couldn’t admit that she had blocked his calls and messages. As he hesitated, Park Jisun clicked her tongue, her eyes sharp and discerning.
“I’m not saying you can’t come at all. Just for a while.”
“Yes! I’ll try harder.”
“Alright. I’m going inside now.”
“Yes! I’ll see you again, grandmother!”
Park Jisun nodded curtly and turned away.
Lee Hyungu clenched his jaw, the two one-million-won checks crumpled in his hand. The image of Sahee and that man walking away together burned in his mind.
The high-and-mighty Yeon Sahee, who had glared at him with murder in her eyes when he grabbed her wrist, had looked like a meek lamb holding that man’s hand.
So, Yeon Sahee, you’re a hypocrite too. Have you already slept with him?
Considering how Park Jisun would do anything for Jungmoon Group, it wouldn’t be surprising if she had already offered herself. Being told not to come for a while was as good as a declaration.
Stupid. Even if she does, she’ll only end up as a mistress to Jungmoon Group.
Lee Hyungu ground his teeth, cursing under his breath, trying to smother the gnawing anxiety clawing at him. When CEO Jung Taeon had briefly looked back, his eyes cold and unreadable, it had been a warning.
****
It would have been less humiliating if he had just dragged her away.
Sahee anxiously watched Taeon, who was still holding her hand. They were walking together, step by step, as if they were on a casual stroll. Anyone who saw them would easily misunderstand.
The madam was supposed to return in the evening, but who knew? Sahee tightened her grip on Taeon’s hand as she caught sight of the small sarangchae in the corner of her vision.
Taeon came to a stop and looked at Sahee.
“…We’re here.”
At her words, Taeon’s brows furrowed slightly, as if he didn’t understand. Then, a soft, amused chuckle slipped from his lips.
Taking advantage of that moment, Sahee let go of his hand. It slipped away easily, as if it had never held her at all.
“Thank you for what you did earlier.”
Even though spring hadn’t fully arrived, her hand felt warm. After being yanked by Lee Hyungu and then held by Taeon, her skin still tingled with residual heat.
Sahee tried to shake off the strange, sinking feeling that had lodged itself in her chest. She glanced at the plastic bag that CEO Jung Taeon still held.
“Can I have that back now…”
“There are a lot of men.”
“…”
“Men who say they love you, men who want to marry you.”
His ambiguous words felt like a sharp blade slicing through the air. Each word dropped heavily, leaving a sting that lingered.
Sahee’s eyes fluttered shut for a brief moment before she reopened them, trying to understand what he meant. CEO Jung Taeon watched her with a detached expression.
“Pardon?”
At Sahee’s question, a slight, almost mocking smile lifted the corners of Taeon’s mouth. But his eyes remained cold, as if something about the situation genuinely annoyed him.
He had helped her — and now he was showing displeasure. It was impossible to read him. But if he considered his earlier actions as nothing more than a charitable intervention, it would make sense. He’d only stepped in because she was being dragged away in broad daylight. Nothing more.
Sahee lowered her gaze, her tone as polite and neutral as she could manage.
“I’m sorry if I caused a disturbance.”
“If you have someone you’re dating, you could just explain that.”
“…”
“Unless you intend to lead people on.”
The thinly veiled accusation made Sahee’s cheeks flush hot. It was a low blow, especially after what he’d just witnessed.
“If I had someone…”
She was about to retort, to tell him that she would have said so if there was someone, but her words faltered.
The man’s comment about having someone who loved her brought back the memory of Juhwan shouting that he loved her — right in front of CEO Jung Taeon.
It was a cry she had buried deep. Juhwan loved everything and everyone. He was a hopeless romantic who could say “I love you” to a dandelion on the roadside as easily as he said it to Sahee.
“…As you saw, that person is reckless. And that friend is just a college classmate, not someone I’m dating. He’s naturally playful and says ‘I love you’ to anyone.”
Even as she spoke, her throat tightened. It felt as if she were making excuses to a lover who had caught her red-handed. But why was she explaining herself to CEO Jung Taeon? Even if she had led people on, what did it matter to him?
Sahee bit her lower lip, the rest of her words sticking to the back of her tongue.
She stared at him for a long moment. Taeon’s eyes remained inscrutable, and then, as if breaking the tension, he chuckled softly. His next words were delivered with a slow, easy smile that felt almost friendly.
“You seem to have more to say. Go ahead.”
“No, I don’t.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Thank you again for today. If you could return my belongings, I’ll be on my way.”
Even though his relaxed, almost lazy demeanor twisted her insides, Sahee kept her expression neutral out of instinct.
She shouldn’t get close to this man.
Even though they hadn’t met many times, every interaction with him left her mentally drained. Her back tensed, her nerves frayed, and she often found herself at a loss for what to do. Before falling asleep, her muscles would ache from her ankle up to her thigh.
Was it because he was a distinguished guest at Yeonghwadang?
Because he was a man with power from Jungmoon?
No. It was because he seemed to be made of pure arrogance — a kind that crushed people without effort.
She didn’t want to think any deeper or exhaust herself further. That was the conclusion she settled on. Sahee bowed slightly and reached for the plastic bag.
But before she could touch it, CEO Jung Taeon casually swung the arm holding the bag behind his back. The blatant obstruction caught her off guard, but Taeon remained perfectly calm.
“Need help?”
His question, delivered with that infuriatingly serene tone, sounded like a magnanimous offer of assistance.
“You said he was reckless.”
“…Why?”
“I came here to cleanse my body and mind, but if dirty things like today keep happening, it would be troublesome for me.”
Taeon smiled, his hand reaching out to lightly brush the dirt off her hand.
The gesture felt almost gentle, but it carried the weight of condescension. He looked more like a thug issuing a threat than a CEO. The way he treated even a speck of dirt on his pristine hand as an offense was almost comical.
“Don’t you not believe in such things?”
“Say you’re dating me.”
“…”
“Or that we’re getting closer. You can end it at an appropriate time.”
Sahee’s eyes wavered, her mind momentarily blank. It felt as though someone had poured ice-cold water over her head, sending a shock of clarity through her — only to hit her on the back of the head, leaving her disoriented.