Chapter 28
The Villain’s
Pure Love
28.
Things the World Doesn’t Know
“You look like you’ve been crying. And quite a lot, at that.”
She had no retort to offer. Yeonwoo kept her gaze fixed on the ground, her lips trembling.
The tears that had burst forth, scraping through her insides, were not the kind to settle calmly. She couldn’t go back to how she looked before the breakdown. It was difficult even to keep her eyes open without conscious effort, and as time passed, her eyelids felt increasingly tender and sore.
Having spent hours weeping with every ounce of strength she possessed, she could only imagine what a sight she must be. Her lips were likely chapped and her eyes swollen enough to evoke pity in anyone who saw her.
Yeonwoo was desperate to avoid his gaze. Recalling Manager Mun’s strict instructions to remain silent about what had happened, she kept her mouth shut even tighter.
Since she had encountered Cha Yunseok in his office, she thought Seongheon might ask questions related to him. If he did, how should she respond? She would have to casually brush it off, saying they were just an ordinary boss and secretary.
“I know your name, and I know your age.”
However, unexpected words flowed from his lips.
“I was wondering what more I needed to know about Ji Yeonwoo-ssi, and I think I know now.”
…A gust of wind swept past.
Sshhh— The wild grass, left to grow at its own whim, swayed in the wind, creating a lonely atmosphere.
When the wind brushed against her pupils, where tears had been seething just moments ago, it felt stinging. Yeonwoo helplessly closed and opened her eyes. Her disheveled hair danced wildly, but she left it be.
“I doubt you’d give me an answer even if I asked why you were crying.”
Ah. Since he was curious, should she try to make up a lie and answer?
“And even if I heard it, it would obviously be a lie.”
The thought bloomed and was instantly crushed. Yeonwoo swallowed hard, startled by the feeling that he was looking right through her. She couldn’t bring herself to lift her head, loathing the idea of showing him her bloated face, and because of that, even a simple word was difficult to utter.
Should she say she got scolded by Manager Mun? That her feelings were hurt because of that? Would he believe her then?
Her lips twitched, but she eventually gave up. No matter what excuse she made, Seongheon was bound to see through it as a lie, and she certainly didn’t have the talent to cover it up.
“Something just happened that left me a bit distraught. It’s a private matter. Please pretend you didn’t see anything.”
“I’ve already seen everything, so what exactly am I supposed to pretend I didn’t see?”
“Even employees have a right to privacy. There are circumstances one doesn’t want discovered.”
“Then you shouldn’t have made a face like that.”
“You’re standing there looking half-dead, as if you’d collapse if I so much as tapped you. What am I supposed to miss, and what am I supposed to ignore…?”
Ha… Seongheon couldn’t finish his sentence and let out a bitter sigh. He clenched his jaw tight, swallowing the words that threatened to spill out next.
A moment ago, the instant the thought crossed his mind that one wouldn’t look like that from just a couple of tears, he had nearly lost his temper. A nauseating sensation surged up from his toes, feeling as though it would dry up his very blood.
But whether he lost his temper or his blood ran dry, it had nothing to do with her. He couldn’t be another boss who relentlessly pried into her life when she had clearly been tormented by her former boss, Cha Yunseok.
“…Driving me crazy.”
He couldn’t do this, and he couldn’t do that—it was truly maddening. He was afraid of appearing the same as Cha Yunseok, afraid that he might become a threat to her.
Even seeing her in this state, he could do nothing but let out repeated sighs of indignation.
…The wind brushed against her feet. The sunset light filled the space between them.
“Life… is difficult.”
In the meantime, her voice, weakened to its limit, drifted down. It was a voice laced with self-derision.
“I don’t know why living is so hard. I feel like I’ve worked hard in my own way, and it’s not like I lived with some grand dream.”
“I think I’ve lived my life wrong. I just… had that thought. That in the end, it’s all my fault, that I lived incorrectly.”
Yeonwoo, who was clutching a broom worn smooth by someone’s hands, muttered to herself and let out a small laugh. She felt hollow at the thought that she had reached the very edge of the abyss, ultimately turning everything into her own fault.
“I suddenly had that thought, so I think I was a bit depressed. There are days like that. Where you lose energy for no reason, feel lethargic, and don’t want to think about anyth—”
“Indeed. It is difficult every time. But even so, would Ji Yeonwoo-ssi’s life be as difficult as mine?”
The lament of a man who could do nothing for fear of making her tremble with fear began. Yeonwoo nodded as if in acknowledgement.
“Yes. I imagine it would be harder for you, Vice President. Since you run such a large business.”
No. My life has become difficult because of you.
If I said that, you would probably shrink away.
“It seems you’ve understood me in a way completely different from my intention, but I suppose I can’t stop you. Interpret it however you like.”
The sun dipped all at once, faded, and then disappeared.
Just as the sunset, which seemed to burn red, was being enveloped by blue light, the wind that she thought had left for good circled back and swept across the courtyard of Unseondang.
Unlike the previous breeze that merely swayed the wild grass, the wind signaling the start of the night was quite cold and strong. Below, the hem of Yeonwoo’s skirt fluttered, and above, petals living on thick branches fell in a flurry.
…A rain of flowers poured down.
Though brief, it fell heavily enough to obscure her vision, scattering chaotically across the yard.
Yeonwoo slowly closed and opened her eyes. The blue darkness, the hundreds of white blossoms, and the figure of Seongheon standing tall in the midst of it all suited the moment better than any other.
“Ji Yeonwoo-ssi.”
His voice from nearby sounded distant, making her feel as though her exhausted body and mind were dreaming.
- 3 -
“Ji Yeonwoo-ssi is living well. You have lived well, and you will live better than anyone else.”
“………”
“I will be the proof of that.”
…It was a strange thing.
It wasn’t as if he said that knowing anything.
It wasn’t as if this man would protect her, nor was she going to lean on him.
For what reason, then, did her heart, which had been in turmoil all this time, begin to settle?
Whenever she stood before this man.
As if nothing had happened. As if nothing would happen.
“Try to believe me, even if you feel deceived. I’ll be certain proof.”
In his words of comfort—the kind she thought no one could give her, the kind no one seemed willing to give—she found true peace.
Yeonwoo mustered the courage to look at Seongheon for the first time. As if trying to decipher the story written by the dried tear tracks, his gaze lingered on her face for a long time.
After a moment, Seongheon slowly raised his arm and reached out. At that, Yeonwoo instinctively hunched her shoulders and squeezed her eyes shut, gripping the broom tightly, not knowing where his hand might land.
But no matter how much time passed, there was no sensation of touch—thinking it might have been a needless worry, she cautiously opened her eyes—
And saw Seongheon stepping back, having very carefully removed a petal stuck to her long hair.
Holding the small blossom, he opened his lips.
「I’m asking for your heart, but you won’t give it to me.」
“It seems there’s nothing I can do for Ji Yeonwoo-ssi, so please head in. I’ll take care of the ventilation.”
“No. It’s my job. After I finish the rest of the sweeping…”
「Wait, was it? Did I ask for your chest?」
“Go on. Wash your face, or look at your favorite Yeosongsan to calm your mind.”
Seongheon took the broom Yeonwoo was holding.
“I should head in as well. I have work to do.”
“Yes, Vice President. Thank you for your hard work today. And… thank you. For your kind words.”
“No. I should be the one to thank you.”
Seongheon finished with a slight bow.
His mind, which had been hazy and complicated all day, was now clearly organized.
“Thank you, Ji Yeonwoo-ssi. For turning my hesitation into a resolution.”
By deciding to become deeply involved in her life and making a fuss over it, he had reached a settlement with himself.
Entering his study with only his jacket removed, Seongheon sat down and called his chief secretary at the main office. Before the signal could drop twice, the secretary answered.
“Are you busy?”
— Yes, Vice President. This is Manager Yeom.
— Not at all.
Out of habit, Seongheon put on his glasses and opened his laptop. As the screen quickly flickered to life, he immediately opened the Namsong Industrial Development file.
“I need some information on Namsong Industrial Development.”
— Yes, Vice President. I’ll send it over right away.
“No. I already have the information you have. Not that kind of official data, something else.”
— By something else, you mean…
As Manager Yeom’s voice trailed off in a question, Seongheon leaned back in his chair.
“I’m curious about a person. I want to check what kind of human being he is.”
— Are you referring to President Cha Gilwook?
“No. His son.”
— Do you mean Executive Vice President Cha Yunseok?
“That’s the one.”
Seongheon, who had been talking while leaning back, suddenly stood up. He immediately left his desk and began opening the tightly shut doors one by one to ventilate the room.
From Seongheon’s perspective, ventilation was something he could afford to skip for a day, but since he had taken over Yeonwoo’s task, he felt compelled to do it.
“I’m a bit interested in his personal background. I want to know what he’s been up to.”
— Understood, Vice President.
“How long will it take?”
— One hour should be sufficient.
“Good work.”
Seongheon finished the ventilation by opening the last small window. Leaving every single window wide open, Seongheon chuckled as if proud of having finished his homework.
Then he looked down at his phone after the call ended.
「Wait, was it? Did I ask for your chest?」
Recalling Cha Yunseok’s face as he smirked at the end of what he called a crude joke, Seongheon gripped his phone tightly and returned to his seat.
He stared intently at the ‘Namsong Industrial Development’ documents on his laptop screen. Then, he tilted his head back and gazed at the ceiling.
Life… is difficult.
He went back to the moment he first saw Yeonwoo. That morning, in that rain, at that bus stop. That helpless, detached aura she had, showing no reaction even after seeing her clothes and sneakers covered in muddy water.
How could I have known back then? That you, fallen into deep despair, had fled here just to survive.
As he stacked his anger like a growing savings account, his heart cooled even further. His thoughts became more cold-blooded, and his mental state became concise, as if only the essence of his indignation remained.
The secretary, who said it would take an hour, called back in just thirty minutes. Seongheon picked up the phone.
