Chapter 40
A Villain’s
Pure Love
The Summons to Unseondang
It was just as Seongheon was finishing his final meeting of the day. After taking a call from the main office, he lowered his phone and stared at it blankly.
Since Yeonwoo didn’t have a phone, it was inconvenient. He felt like just hearing her voice for a moment would give him strength.
Should I take this chance to give her one as a gift? No, would that be too burdensome?
Wrestling with the thought, Seongheon let out a hollow laugh and set the phone down. It was absurd to think there was ever a time he hesitated because he was weighing someone else’s circumstances.
That morning, he had received word that a search and seizure had been conducted at Namsong Industrial Development. Soon after, his uncle, President Nam Taejin, called. Seongheon answered with an expression that said he had been expecting this.
“I’m on the line. Please, speak.”
He asked for the business at hand immediately upon answering.
— Vice President Nam. What is this? Namsong Industrial Development.
President Nam’s voice, having received the report late, was quite stiff. Judging by the use of the title ‘Vice President Nam,’ he seemed angry.
Seongheon opened a file and spoke as he flipped through the documents.
“The company was a mess internally. I cleaned it up.”
— That’s not what I’m asking. Whether someone else’s company is a mess or not, why do we care?
Before he could answer, President Nam added more.
— It’s enough if the subcontractor does the work they were assigned and finishes it well. Why on earth are we bringing up that company’s internal affairs and leading the charge with a prosecution complaint? Without a single word of consultation.
“…….”
— What are you trying to do? They’re a pipeline company, so this is urgent. Do you know how much the loss will be if the construction stops now?
“How much is it?”
— What?
“I’m asking if you’ve calculated it. Exactly how much the damages amount to.”
When Seongheon asked back, slowly lifting his eyelids, President Nam stopped talking. Of course. There’s no way he knows.
“There will be no delay in construction. I’ve already commissioned Byeokun Industries, who we worked with a few times last year; they said they could start immediately, so the verbal coordination is finished. The contract is scheduled to be finalized tomorrow.”
— Is that so? You rascal, then you should have said so sooner.
“I was going to call you.”
— When! After everything already blew up?
“Now. I was going to do it right now.”
— ……Is that so?
The voice softened instantly. Seongheon tapped the corner of his desk and looked up.
— Your aunt called me. She was asking this and that, but what do I know? I just ended up taking a earful of abuse.
“That’s the price for pushing your work onto your nephew. Please accept it.”
— Anyway, just how much of a mess is Namsong Industrial Development for you to act like this? Is there any business out there that doesn’t have a little dust when you shake it? Usually, you just turn a blind eye and move on. What subcontractor would want to work with us if they’re that scared?
“I made it an issue because it was worth making an issue of. I shook them down because they were worth shaking down. The construction isn’t being delayed. Isn’t that enough?”
— Ji Yeonwoo? Who is Ji Yeonwoo?
The fingertips Seongheon had been using to tap the desk stopped. His brow furrowed, wondering if Lawyer Sin—who specialized in reporting—had mentioned that far.
— I heard she’s a Domyeongjae employee.
“Did you meet Lawyer Sin?”
— Your aunt met Lawyer Sin, not me. Your aunt was asking about her.
A heavy breath escaped him despite himself.
— Who is she? Is she the problem?
“Namsong Industrial Development is the problem. How many more times do I have to say it, President?”
When Seongheon asked in a low, cutting voice, President Nam made some bustling noises before speaking again.
— Fine. We’ll receive the report on the rest through the proper procedures. Since you say there’s no problem for now, that’s that.
Is it over? Seongheon closed his eyes tightly.
— That aside, you need to come to Seoul. Your aunt wants to have a meal, so make some time and come up.
“Sometime soon.”
— When is ‘soon’? After the rainy season ends, the leaves fall, and the first snow comes? Then?
“Don’t nag me. If you nag, it only makes me want to keep you waiting longer.”
— Ugh, that temper of yours. Anyway, come up during the week. Don’t go looking for trouble when you know what your aunt’s personality is like.
The call cut off abruptly. As the contents of the entire conversation faded from his mind, only one question his uncle had asked remained vivid.
Ji Yeonwoo? Who is Ji Yeonwoo?
Your aunt was asking?
A long time ago, his aunt Nam Yunyoung had taken in and raised Seongheon after he lost his parents. While there was nothing lacking in a chaebol household, it couldn’t be denied that she had done her best to ensure that Seongheon—who had lost parental affection early on—didn’t go astray.
Chairwoman Nam Yunyoung had never once raised her voice to scold Seongheon while he was growing up. She had never properly reprimanded him or sternly driven him. She was a kind, affectionate aunt only to Seongheon, and it was only later that Seongheon learned how cold and ruthless she was to the outside world.
Perhaps that was why. Seongheon lived with a heart that was always grateful to his aunt and uncle, but strangely, it was difficult to harbor emotions beyond that.
No matter how much he thought about it, he felt it was because of his own prickly personality. He told himself it was due to his foul character—living without being able to give his affection or settle his heart anywhere, never having nurtured even a bit of warmth.
Ji Yeonwoo? Who is Ji Yeonwoo?
Suddenly, he imagined Yeonwoo standing before his aunt. Ridiculously, the thought that they didn’t fit in the same frame at all made a hollow breath escape him.
But if he continued this bizarre and absurd pure love, the day would come when Ji Yeonwoo and his aunt would face each other. Someday. Inevitably.
“……You crazy bastard.”
A self-mocking voice leaked out for a moment. The fact that he was already imagining a distant future with Yeonwoo was so pathetic it was almost disastrous.
Look at the scale of these dreams for someone who’s been dumped. It’s truly absurd.
“Vice President.”
It was then. The door opened and his secretary entered. Seongheon put on his glasses as if to erase his idle thoughts.
“What is it?”
“Lawyer Sin Jongmun has contacted us.”
At the mention of Lawyer Sin, Seongheon’s gaze lifted as if reacting instinctively.
“He says the interrogation of suspects Cha Gilwook, President of Namsong Industrial Development, and Vice President Cha Yunseok has ended, and arrest warrants were issued immediately.”
Seongheon nodded slightly.
“I see. I’ll speak with him directly for the rest.”
“Yes, Vice President.”
It was the historic moment when Cha Yunseok’s life was falling apart.
Night fell, and Yeonwoo was on duty.
The staff at the main hall had all gone home, and Yeonwoo passed the time staying in a small room attached to the building.
A few hours ago, after going to the market with Manager Mun, Yeonwoo had been fiddling with a new cell phone. The latest model, now fully activated, felt strange and awkward, making her feel as if she were holding someone else’s property the whole time.
She stared blankly at the phone, which was essentially a blank slate with only about half a dozen numbers saved, including her mother’s, Manager Mun’s, and Eunja’s. Since she hadn’t had the slightest intention of getting a phone, it was practically an impulsive purchase.
She tapped on the empty photo gallery and looked into the messenger app, which had no chat history because she hadn’t linked it to her old phone. She tried taking a selfie for no reason, but seeing her face cast in shadows under the incandescent light, she didn’t like it at all and deleted it immediately.
She had to stay awake until five in the morning when Manager Mun would come to work, and amidst the silence, Yeonwoo couldn’t overcome the creeping fatigue and leaned to the side. Lying diagonally with her body curled like a shrimp, she continued to fiddle only with her phone.
Before she knew it, it was one in the morning. In Domyeongjae, where an inky darkness had settled, only the faint chirping of insects pierced through the stillness.
It was then.
When the old landline phone in the room rang, a startled Yeonwoo sat up. Though she had been on duty for many days now, this was the first time the phone had ever rung.
Ring. Ring. Watching the quite analog bell chime, Yeonwoo approached and picked up the receiver. Checking the time, she opened her lips as she had been taught.
“Yes. This is the main hall.”
1:15 AM.
— I’m a bit thirsty.
His voice came through the receiver.
— A cup of tea, please.
“Yes. I understand, Vice President.”
Yeonwoo answered as if possessed and lowered the receiver.
Late at night. This was the first summons to Unseondang.
Having received the call, Yeonwoo opened the duty log. After checking the instructions Manager Mun had written on the first page several times, she left the room.
She put water in the electric kettle. she took out a tea bag of Indian Chai, which Seongheon occasionally looked for. It was a tea based on Rooibos mixed with various spices like cinnamon and cloves, a scent that felt uniquely unfamiliar to Yeonwoo.
The water boiled quickly. She poured the water from the electric kettle, which had bubbled up and automatically turned off, into a teapot and picked up the tray. There wasn’t much else to take, but after scanning the tray several times, Yeonwoo left the main hall.
Her breathing was as heavy as if she had started a hundred-meter dash. She felt she had to get there before the water cooled, but her steps weren’t as fast as her heart desired. With a worried expression, fearing she might drop the tray, she walked cautiously and arrived at Unseondang.
She stood still and looked at the closed doors of Unseondang. The single pair of Seongheon’s shoes placed neatly on the stepping stone seemed to make her breath even shorter.
Setting the tray down for a moment, she opened the door. Then, picking up the tray again, she took off her shoes. Quietly stepping onto the wooden floor and entering, Yeonwoo looked around. Where could he be?
After hesitating for a moment, she turned toward the study where she always met Seongheon. Fearing she might drop the tray, she couldn’t knock and instead spoke up.
“Excuse me, Vice President. I’ve brought the tea.”
She didn’t quite like her voice, which trembled like a bleating sheep. Telling herself to stay calm, wondering why a late-night errand should make her heart race so much, she composed herself several times.
However, there was no sign of presence from inside—
“Vice President. I’ve brought the tea.”
She spoke once more, but there was no response from the study. After a moment, a sound of movement was heard, and Yeonwoo turned her head toward the source.
When Seongheon emerged from an area with a small reception room attached, Yeonwoo adjusted her direction and walked toward him. Instinctively extending the tray further forward, she tried to explain that she had come to bring this.
Seongheon, who had been standing still waiting for her to approach, tilted his head slightly as Yeonwoo stopped in front of him.
“I’ve brought the tea, Vice President.”
She behaved awkwardly, repeating the same words over and over.
He was not in his usual attire. Seongheon, wearing a soft robe that looked as if it would slide off at a touch, had a natural appearance with his bangs—which were always neatly swept back—covering his forehead.
In her surprise, she only pushed the tray further forward. Then, Seongheon stepped closer and reached his arm out as if overlapping his upper body with hers. Because he approached so suddenly, Yeonwoo squeezed her eyes shut, and unable to do anything with the tray she was holding, she only put strength into her fingertips.
“I’d like to drink it inside.”
Seongheon grabbed the doorknob of the space behind Yeonwoo. Feeling the gap in the door open with a creak, Yeonwoo slowly opened her eyes.
“Let’s go in.”
She already knew it was his bedroom.
