Ch#52
52. A Man Worth His Reputation
In the elevator filled with awkward silence, Do-wan, who was accompanying Kang-woo, spoke to Ha-young.
"Do you remember when I caught you from falling before?"
Ha-young smiled kindly at Do-wan's words.
"Ah, yes. Thank you."
Do-wan continued the conversation since Ha-young responded.
"You always look beautiful no matter when I see you. Do you have a shoot today?"
Ha-young wished Kang-woo would say even a word, but it annoyed her that only the secretary kept talking. Still, with Kang-woo beside her, she forced a smile and replied.
"I have to work hard. I'm under contract with this broadcasting station."
Kang-woo said nothing during the elevator descent. Ha-young, conscious of him once more, added.
"You're so famous, President. They say you're even more handsome than models. Myeongseong Media wouldn't need separate ads if you just advertised..."
At that moment, the elevator reached the first floor, doors opening, and Kang-woo walked out without a word. Do-wan gave a half-hearted greeting, ignoring her words, and followed.
Left alone in an instant, Ha-young fumed irritably.
"What the hell? That guy. He really lives up to his superior reputation."
Ha-young sighed in frustration and closed the elevator doors again. She had no reason to go down to the first floor but had taken the elevator just because of Choi Kang-woo.
Kang-woo had noticed Ha-young deliberately trying to catch his eye. There had been more than one or two women like that. He despised such overt types. Of all people, for her to be Na-eun's half-sister.
"Cinderella's evil stepsisters to a T."
Kang-woo muttered. He thought Han Ha-young was exactly like Cinderella's nasty sisters. From the few investigations he'd done, he could already see how that family operated. The only thing he was curious about was what circumstances led her to raise someone else's child as her own son.
Kyung-hye returned home after a slightly late day at work and saw Kang-hyeok sitting alone at the dining table eating.
"Father's late today? Why are you eating alone?"
"I don't know. No word from him."
"He must be eating out somewhere. That's why he hasn't come back yet. By the way, isn't your side dish a bit meager? You should at least grill some meat. Ma'am."
The housekeeper responded.
"Grill some meat here."
At Kyung-hye's words, the housekeeper cautiously added.
"He said he didn't want any."
Kyung-hye looked at Kang-hyeok at those words.
"Why? The side dishes look plain. Eat something good."
"This is enough. It's more than enough for eating alone."
Despite Kang-hyeok's words, Kyung-hye's thoughts remained the same.
"More than enough? You're my son."
"Mother, it's all delicious. The side dishes are plenty like this."
"Alright."
"Mother should eat too."
"Yes. I'll wash up and come. Ma'am, serve me some rice too."
Kyung-hye felt a subtle fatigue in Kang-hyeok's tone as she looked at him. His expression was calm, but the empty seat at the table somehow left her feeling hollow.
Kang-hyeok slowly picked up his chopsticks, paused, and watched his mother.
Even while heading to wash her hands, Kyung-hye didn't let go of her worry for her son. As the housekeeper began cautiously preparing meat in the kitchen, she turned and added.
"Ma'am, it's better to set a more abundant dinner table. Even if the child's alone, he needs to eat well to gain strength."
Kang-hyeok felt his mother's nagging-like words familiar yet heavier today. He let out a shallow sigh and stared blankly at the side dishes before him. The kimchi, perilla leaves, and stir-fried anchovies on the table felt distant to him.
Kyung-hye washed her hands and returned to see Kang-hyeok still with his chopsticks down. Sitting at her seat, she asked.
"What's on your mind these days? Nothing's more important than eating."
Kang-hyeok gave a slight smile toward his mother and said.
"Just nothing."
Kyung-hye vaguely sensed the worries hidden deep in her son's heart but didn't pry.
"Eat up!"
Kang-hyeok knew his mother was worried, so he picked up his chopsticks without further refusal.
Thus, mother and son sat at the table together after a long time.
"How's work these days?"
At Kyung-hye's question, Kang-hyeok replied slowly.
"I'm handling branch affairs mostly online. Meetings are replaced with video calls."
"That's possible in this day and age. Still, I like that you're in Korea."
Kyung-hye smiled and picked up her chopsticks.
"Really? It doesn't seem like it at all."
Kyung-hye frowned slightly and looked at Kang-hyeok. Her eyes were firm and resolute. Under the soft lighting over the table, her face darkened. Kang-hyeok averted his mother's gaze, lowering his eyes to his plate. In that moment, a quiet tension lingered over the table.
Kyung-hye sighed, set down her chopsticks, and leaned toward Kang-hyeok as she spoke.
"What do you mean? Why would I not like having my son in Korea?"
Her voice carried a stronger resonance than usual.
Kang-hyeok nodded without smiling.
"Well, not that you dislike it. I just wonder if there's anything particularly good for you, Mom. You're always so calm."
His voice was quiet, but the emotions within rang heavily.
"That's just my personality. I've always been like that."
Kyung-hye picked up her chopsticks again and spoke slowly.
She glanced briefly at Kang-hyeok. A flicker of hurt passed her eyes but vanished quickly.
"I called you because I hope Min-ho recovers soon, and I think your relationship with him can't stay like this."
Kang-hyeok paused momentarily. Her words stung his heart. Amid her consistent strictness, he felt a faint sincerity.
"I'm trying. I even prepared a gift for Min-ho today."
"A gift for Min-ho?"
"Yes. Teacher Han Na-eun said so. Since it's Christmas, even if he doesn't see your face, preparing a gift will let Min-ho know his dad is always thinking of him."
"Teacher Han Na-eun gave good advice."
Kyung-hye picked at her side dishes with her chopsticks. Her fingertips were always calm, like her personality.
Kyung-hye smiled deeply for a moment at Kang-hyeok's words but soon composed herself and nodded. The dishes on the table sparkled under the light.
Kang-hyeok slowly put rice in his mouth, gauging his mother's attitude. The texture of the grains felt heavy. He set down his chopsticks again and fell into thought.
"I'm glad you're thinking of Min-ho like that."
Kyung-hye spoke in a slightly softer tone.
"Yes. I'm glad Min-ho met such a good teacher."
"A father's presence is so important to a child. In my eyes, she's the most perceptive woman around me. Her heart is good too."
Kang-hyeok readily agreed. Then Kyung-hye suddenly lifted her head sharply and asked.
"What do you think of Teacher Han Na-eun?"
"Pardon? As a woman?"
"Yes? You've been saying something since last time."
"Look at her as a woman once."
"Yes. Teacher Han Na-eun falls short of our family in many ways. Even for remarriage, someone like you could marry any unmarried young lady. But our eldest grandson is important too, right? So I'm saying, think about whether Teacher Han Na-eun, who can take good care of Min-ho and is decent in many ways, would make a good remarriage partner for you."
Kang-hyeok set down his chopsticks and let out a hollow laugh.
"Mother makes everything sound so easy. Do you think that's possible?"
At Kang-hyeok's words, Kyung-hye looked up.
"Since Teacher Han Na-eun has a son too, she could raise both kids well, or if Ji-ho's dad takes Ji-ho, that'd be good too."
Kang-hyeok felt fatigued by Kyung-hye's words. Even if he had feelings for Na-eun, he didn't like his mother interfering.
"You're jumping too far ahead. This is someone else's life. It feels uncomfortable hearing you judge it so freely."
Kyung-hye sighed at Kang-hyeok's words.
"Why say it like that? Wouldn't it be good for everyone? That's how I thought of it. For you, isn't the best thing a woman who can take care of Min-ho like that? Plus, her looks are fine, her heart is upright... The only handicap is that she has a child attached..."
At the word "handicap," Kang-hyeok cut off Kyung-hye.
"Mother. By that logic, I have Min-ho attached too."
Kyung-hye took Kang-hyeok's words as defending Na-eun, meaning he already had feelings for her.
"You like her too. That's why you're defending Teacher Han Na-eun."
