Chapter 34
34. I Shot That Man
Today's filming here was for the travel channel. An amusement park where families could enjoy a nearby outing
After finishing her lines, Hayoung spotted the huge monkey balloon and muttered,
"Who buys such a massive monkey balloon like that?"
"Good work."
"Good work, everyone."
As Hayoung turned to leave the set with her greetings, she glanced back once more at the tall man holding the monkey balloon.
"Huh?"
It was that man. The CEO of Myeongseong Media. The one who hadn't even glanced at her back then.
He didn't seem like the type to fit in at an amusement park, so what was he doing here holding such a big monkey balloon?
And next to him was none other than Naeun. With Jiho and some boy she didn't know. The four of them together like a family
"Oh my, Naeun. You came to the amusement park?"
Hayoung suddenly appeared and greeted her, startling Naeun completely.
"Sis!"
"Oh, our Jiho's grown so much. It's your auntie."
Jiho greeted her then.
"Hello, Auntie."
His face glowed with a refined cuteness. She knew Naeun would raise him well, but she hadn't expected him to turn out this pretty.
"Last time I saw him was about six months ago?"
Hayoung deliberately greeted only Naeun and ignored Kangwoo beside her. She figured he wouldn't even remember her since he hadn't made eye contact back then.
But that was Hayoung's miscalculation. Kangwoo already knew who she was.
"Who is this? I don't think we've met."
She asked Naeun as if requesting an introduction. Naeun thought for a moment and said,
"He's the uncle of the child I'm tutoring."
How could that fool introduce him like that? She should have said he's the CEO of Myeongseong Media. And that she was an MC at Myeongseong Media.
In the end, Hayoung finally recognized him and greeted Kangwoo casually.
"Oh. Now that I look, aren't you the CEO of Myeongseong Media? Hello, CEO. Nice to meet you. I'm Han Hayoung, MC at Myeongseong Media's
Kangwoo replied curtly to her friendly greeting, as if they were close sisters.
"I know. Han Hayoung-ssi. We met at the party last time, but you don't seem to remember me."
"Ah."
was the first program the channel was preparing. And Hayoung was the MC for the broadcast.
had been the first program the channel was preparing. And Hayoung was the MC for the broadcast.
group at the amusement park was shocking. Hayoung headed straight to Naeun.
Hayoung was momentarily speechless and looked at Jiho.
She thought pretending not to know and approaching would be better. She should introduce herself properly as Han Hayoung, MC at the channel. Hayoung found Naeun annoying for not introducing her properly.
first program. I'm Naeun's sister."
"Oh, CEO. I must have forgotten for a moment."
"That can happen. Let's go, Minho. They're probably waiting up ahead. Finish your talk."
As Kangwoo walked away with Minho, showing no interest, Hayoung snapped irritably.
"Why can't you introduce people properly?"
"What are you talking about?"
"You should have introduced me as a celebrity from the start."
"He already knew who you were, Sis."
"Still. Anyway, why are you four here?"
"I tutor that child after work as a part-time job!"
"You tutor after work?"
"Yes! Every day, we live together!"
Naeun squeezed her eyes shut at Jiho's sudden outburst. She'd never told the child not to mention it to his aunt, and she didn't think it was right to do so. But she hadn't expected to get caught like this.
"What? What does that mean?"
Naeun looked at Jiho and said,
"Jiho, go to Minho. Mom will come soon."
"Okay."
They weren't far apart, so Jiho ran off calling for Minho. Naeun quickly clarified Jiho's words to avoid misunderstanding.
"He says we live together because we see each other every day."
Hayoung tilted her head at Naeun's explanation.
"He says you live together because you see each other every day? Does that make sense?"
Naeun said firmly to the skeptical Hayoung,
"That's how five-year-olds are. You wouldn't know since you haven't raised one, Sis."
Hayoung, dressed flashily from head to toe in high heels, towered over Naeun, who had to look up slightly uncomfortably.
"So, are you here for filming, Sis?"
Naeun asked, scanning Hayoung. Hayoung nodded as if it were natural, a relaxed smile on her face.
"Yeah. As always."
Hayoung eyed Naeun's plain outfit and sneakers with interest.
Naeun sighed faintly and glanced once more at Hayoung's perfectly styled appearance.
"You look perfect from head to toe, Sis. All designer brands."
A hint of bitterness mixed into Naeun's voice.
Hayoung swept her hair back proudly and nodded.
Hayoung smiled triumphantly, meeting Naeun's gaze head-on.
"But you moved, right?"
Naeun shook her head in disbelief.
"You ask fast. It's been a while since I moved."
She added coldly,
"Mom visited a while ago too. Aren't you curious about Jiho? Not even one phone call?"
Hayoung shrugged nonchalantly with a smile even at those words.
"Why would an aunt fuss over her nephew that much?"
Naeun felt suffocated by Hayoung's brazen indifference. It really seemed like Hayoung had completely forgotten Jiho was her own child.
Incredulity welled in Naeun's eyes as she looked at Hayoung. 'Really... could she?'
She muttered inwardly, trying to hide her emotions. How could she forget such a lovable child—her own flesh and blood?
Naeun felt hurt, as if she herself had been abandoned.
"So, how's the new place? Not as good as before?"
"House prices in Seoul are all up. Rent too. Things are tough."
"Tough, but you came here to play?"
"Yeah. Tough, but still came to play. The family I tutor for asked me to watch the kid on the weekend too."
"Then why's the CEO here? I'd want to tutor if it means that."
"Right. Of course you're interested in the CEO. What woman in Korea wouldn't be into a guy like that?"
"You're interested in our CEO?"
At Hayoung's words, Naeun suddenly felt shabby. Even the glamorous Han Hayoung was interested in Choi Kangwoo. So that night they spent together probably wasn't anything special to him either.
"You're a single mom with a kid. You're not harboring other feelings for the CEO, are you?"
"Did you forget whose child Jiho is?"
"Jiho's your kid. You've said so from the start. Or..."
"Right. You wanted to send him to an orphanage. Your own child that you gave birth to."
Hayoung's face suddenly paled.
"What are you saying? What child did I give birth to? I'm Jiho's aunt."
"Can't you at least be honest in front of me?"
How could she be so shameless? She knew, heaven knew.
"Honest? I am being honest. He's your child. Legally yours, and you've raised him since birth."
"Right. Jiho is my son. So don't ever show interest in him your whole life, Sis."
"You and the CEO aren't really anything special, right? Then that kid would be the eldest grandson of Myeongseong Group? I heard the oldest son is at an overseas branch. Divorced and left, so too hard to raise the kid alone—left him at the main house."
"Stay away from Minho."
"The CEO must adore his nephew. Coming here together."
"What do I know? Probably."
Hayoung looked closely at Naeun and said,
"I'm interested in the CEO. Planning to get close. Perfect—you're tutoring his nephew, so help push me in."
"Sure. I'll push you—right off a cliff. Don't expect anything else from me."
As she turned to leave, Hayoung grabbed her desperately.
"I'll give you money. One million won?"
In the old days, she'd have turned for the cash. But now, earning far more, she felt proud of herself.
"No thanks. Am I a beggar? You live lavishly decked in designer brands as a celebrity. I'm going—the kids are waiting."
She walked off without looking back. Meeting her sister soured her mood completely.
"Jiho, come here. Give Mom a hug."
Jiho came toddling over, and Naeun knelt to hug him tightly.
Jiho is my son. Yeah, that's enough.
