Chapter 41
41. Not Giving and Not Taking
2023.06.10.
“Eat a lot. I have to go to work.”
Han So-eun’s expression turned sulky at Tae-joon’s urging.
She found Kim Tae-joon detestable for tormenting her to his heart’s content even during the busy morning hours and then nonchalantly eating as if nothing had happened.
Are all men like this? Are they all this vigorous and persistent?
A man whose touch is excessively affectionate but whose strength is incredibly powerful. She knew he was definitely good to her, but he was also a man who wanted so much that it was overwhelming. He was so wonderful, but just as wonderful, he was so annoying.
So-eun pouted, pursed her lips, and picked up her spoon.
Today’s menu was oyster seaweed soup.
“Did the director make this?”
“I don’t have such talent. I just heated up what I ordered.”
“I see.”
“Should I make it for you next time?”
“No. It’s not that, I’m just surprised that the director wakes up early and takes care of breakfast.”
“I made you suffer, so of course I have to take care of you.”
“……”
“I don’t know if this will be good for your health. Eat and eat again. There’s a lot left.”
At Tae-joon’s words, So-eun lowered her head. Come to think of it, the seaweed soup was full of plump oysters.
“……Thank you for the meal.”
For some reason, she felt like she shouldn’t eat heartily, like she would be tormented again if she became full, but So-eun gladly took a spoonful of soup and put it in her mouth.
“It’s delicious.”
As she said it was delicious and raised her head, she saw him staring intently at her while he was eating. When their eyes met, he immediately averted his gaze as if feigning innocence and continued eating.
After finishing her meal, So-eun prepared to go to work. She had packed a lot of luggage, thinking she would be with Tae-joon for two nights and three days, but now she was in a situation where she had to go straight home. It was a shame, but when she thought about what happened last night, she felt a little relieved. However, she was worried about having to carry this luggage to work. Her colleagues would ask if she was going on a trip somewhere.
With a small worry, So-eun went to the living room. Tae-joon, who was already ready, was sitting on the sofa and stood up to take So-eun’s luggage.
“Aren’t you supposed to go straight to the airport?”
“I have to give you a ride. That’s why I brought you here.”
“No, it’s okay. I’ll go alone. I know the way and I can get there quickly. There’s even a bus that goes directly.”
“Still, I can’t let you take the bus with this luggage.”
So-eun said she would go alone, but Tae-joon went ahead without paying attention. So-eun quickly followed and took back her bag.
“No, it’s okay.”
Tae-joon frowned slightly as if he didn’t like So-eun’s reaction.
“I know you’re busy. I think I’ll feel more uncomfortable if my actions disrupt the director’s schedule. And…… I’m also worried about people seeing us.”
After adding a few more reasons, Tae-joon, who had frowned for a moment, checked the time and changed his suggestion.
“Then I’ll take you home. Leave your luggage at home and go to work.”
Tae-joon’s expression still looked displeased, but So-eun thought that was the best she could do and nodded.
The car headed straight to So-eun’s house. The traffic was heavy, so it took quite a while. Tae-joon had to be satisfied with taking So-eun home as he had initially suggested.
“I’m sorry we can’t spend the weekend together.”
Tae-joon, who had moved the luggage to the front door of So-eun’s house, apologized.
“Director, don’t say you’re sorry either.”
So-eun smiled brightly as she looked at Tae-joon.
I like that you’re a man who has everything. I like that I have nothing to give.
Because I can only take care of my own desires.
Love is giving. In Han So-eun’s life, who had lived faithfully by that principle, Kim Tae-joon was a comfortable person. So-eun thought that her relationship with Tae-joon was really good.
“You really don’t have to do anything for me. I have nothing to give to the director either. I can’t give you money or wisdom, and I won’t be helpful in business. Han So……”
So-eun quickly changed her words, about to say ‘other than Han So-eun’.
“Other than this time.”
Not giving and not taking.
That’s why I like it.
A relationship that doesn’t look to the future. A relationship where only the present matters.
The moment So-eun revealed her inner thoughts, his eyes widened and sparkled.
“You’ll be late. Go quickly. Thank you for the ride.”
Worried that she would take up too much time, So-eun immediately said goodbye and sent Tae-joon away. She didn’t hear his reply, but So-eun was proud just to have shown her heart.
Actually, it was a word for herself. Han So-eun, who wants to give everything when she falls in love, hopes to have a healthy love without losing herself anymore. So that even if the day comes when this love ends, only good memories will remain.
So-eun earnestly wished.
\
Tae-joon left So-eun and immediately went on a business trip. K Electronics’ Philippine corporation was located in Laguna Province, a little south of Manila. The flight took five hours, and the time to go through customs at Manila Airport and travel to the factory took another two hours. By the time he arrived at the factory, it was already 6 p.m. local time.
Tae-joon had briefly visited the Philippines 20 years ago with his father. It was when his father had bought the land for K Electronics’ Philippine corporation. His father, who had initially promoted the establishment of the factory, passed away without even laying the cornerstone here, so Tae-joon doesn’t have any special memories here either. It’s just that this was his last trip with his father, so an indelible memory remains slightly in his mind. That’s why he wasn’t happy about this business trip.
Moreover, what Tae-joon had to look into now was a traffic accident involving a local employee. He understood his grandfather and aunt’s desire to make him active externally and build his career, but from Tae-joon’s perspective, it was a bitter business trip in many ways.
Well. Who could guess his heart, which was deliberately drawing out a bitter feeling by dredging up memories from 20 years ago? Even if they somehow found out, he would only be treated like a child.
“Oh, my nephew has come!”
While being guided to the factory by a staff member, someone who recognized Tae-joon from the opposite side spoke in a hearty voice. It was his great-uncle, President Kim Sang-deok.
“How have you been?”
Tae-joon greeted him politely.
A question mark arose in his head. President Kim Sang-deok would soon become the vice chairman of K Electronics, and someday he would inherit his grandfather’s position and become the chairman, so it was strange that such a valuable person was even concerned about the issues of the Philippine corporation. On the other hand, he thought that perhaps he was being nominated as the next vice chairman because he was such a meticulous person.
“If I had known you were coming all the way here, I would have stayed in Korea.”
Tae-joon was thinking the same thing. If he had known that President Kim Sang-deok would be directly involved, he wouldn’t have come all the way here. He would probably be full of anticipation, thinking about where to go with So-eun right now.
“Our Seok-hwa’s younger sibling is really trying hard to introduce you to the media.”
Even though he hadn’t called any reporters, Sang-deok sarcastically commented on Tae-joon coming all the way here. It wasn’t surprising because Sang-deok’s usual attitude was somewhat aggressive.
“I have no desire for articles. I came because it’s work.”
“What are you going to do with that handsome face? You could be a face for the company.”
Tae-joon simply showed a refined smile. Sang-deok kindly introduced Tae-joon to the employee next to him.
“Albero. This friend is Kim Tae-joon, the head of the central headquarters of K Electronic Service in Korea. He is the chairman’s direct grandson. He’s a novice executive who’s not yet familiar with the work, so please give him special consideration.”
Sang-deok’s words were conveyed to Albero through interpretation. Albero politely greeted him.
“Hello. I am Albero, a lawyer at the Philippine corporation.”
“I am Kim Tae-joon from K Electronic Service. I have been informed about what happened to the employees. I am sorry. I’m sure it’s been difficult for you too, lawyer.”
When Tae-joon replied to Albero’s greeting in English, Albero was delighted as if he could finally breathe.
“You speak English well!”
“I studied in the United States for a long time. I also have quite a bit of experience coordinating disputes while working on corporate projects for other companies in the United States.”
“Oh. That’s a relief. I hope you can give the Philippine corporation some good ideas. It’s not easy to persuade the bereaved families.”
“I hope I can be of help. First of all, I need to hear the bereaved families’ perspectives directly.”
The conversation flowed smoothly. President Kim Sang-deok next to him suddenly became a mere backdrop.
\
A sunny Saturday noon.
Yang Hee-wook and Hyun-ji waited for Hyun-ji’s parents at the airport.
Hee-wook, who had even gotten a new suit for today, was stiff all over and kept clearing his throat. Hyun-ji giggled at his uncharacteristically nervous appearance.
After waiting for about ten minutes, the doors of the arrival hall opened and a middle-aged couple who looked affectionate appeared.
“Mom! Dad!”
Hyun-ji waved her hand loudly. Hyun-ji’s father, who spotted her, came over with a bright smile and raised his hands in the air.
“Our daughter!”
With a heart full of joy at seeing her after a long time, Hyun-ji’s father and Hyun-ji hugged tightly. Hyun-ji’s mother, who was standing next to him, patted Hyun-ji’s back.
“Mom. I missed you.”
After finishing her hug with her father, Hyun-ji turned around and hugged her mother affectionately.
“If you missed me, you should have contacted me more often.”
Hyun-ji’s mother stroked Hyun-ji’s back and nagged. Both of them had an image similar to Hyun-ji. He also liked that they seemed refined. Hee-wook was pleased even amidst his nervousness at the sight of the perfect family. He was confident that this family would enhance his own dignity.
Then, Hyun-ji’s father turned his head and looked at Hee-wook, and Hee-wook greeted him.
“Hello, Father-in-law and Mother-in-law! My name is Yang Hee-wook.”
“Hahaha. Nice to meet you. I’m Hyun-ji’s father.”
Hyun-ji’s father laughed heartily at Hee-wook’s loud greeting.
“Our Hyun-ji boasted so much that you were good-looking, and you are indeed very handsome. I hear you’re also very capable?”
“It’s all thanks to Hyun-ji seeing me in a good light.”
Hee-wook replied awkwardly. Hee-wook was a little relieved because his father-in-law’s reaction wasn’t bad.
“Father, I have prepared a Korean set menu. It’s a restaurant not far from here. Is that alright?”
“That’s great. I missed Korean food so much. Are we meeting the in-laws there?”
“Yes. Then I’ll take you in my car. Let’s go.”
Hee-wook confidently took the lead.
*
Madam Kim Mal-hee, who had arrived at the restaurant before Hee-wook and Hyun-ji, kept drinking water because her lips were constantly drying out. She was more nervous about the meeting between families than she had expected.
A few days ago, Hyun-ji had said something to Mal-hee. It was a request not to tell Hee-wook in advance about her father contributing to the house price.
“Please don’t tell Hee-wook. I don’t want Hee-wook to worry or struggle. If I tell you and you tell Hee-wook, Hee-wook is such a filial son that he’ll just say he’ll live in a 300 or 400 million won house. But I don’t want that. You don’t want that either, do you? You don’t want your son to suffer in a small house.”
She meant that she didn’t want a 300 or 400 million won house. Mal-hee wasn’t stupid enough not to understand that. Mal-hee muttered, ‘That’s right,’ and nodded her head.
If she contributes 500 million won, the in-laws will add another 500 million won, so she has to scrape together every penny she can. And they’re giving her a house under her son’s name. She had no idea how to raise the money, but Mal-hee’s eyes were constantly shining.
“But since you already have a house, you’ll be able to get a lot of loans, and you have savings, so you’ll be fine, right?”
“Of course. It’s enough. I have plenty.”
“Yes. Then I’ll trust you, Mother. I’ll send you on a trip abroad after the wedding. So you have to get healthier soon!”
Hyun-ji encouraged Mal-hee firmly. It had only been a few days ago.
