Chapter 47
Pure Love
47.
My Proof
After a long day lost in deep thought, Chairwoman Nam Yun-young visited her husband’s study.
When Yun-young opened the door without knocking and stepped inside, her husband, Kim Woo-seop, spoke with a face that was far from affectionate.
“If you have something to say, do it tomorrow morning.”
“I got a call from Im Su-kwon.”
Kim Woo-seop, who hadn’t welcomed his wife’s appearance, seemed to chew over the three syllables of the name before abruptly snapping his head up. His expression hardened, matching the lackluster look on his wife’s face.
“Why that bastard all of a sudden?”
It was a name he would have been happy never to hear again for the rest of his life.
“What? Does he want money again?”
“If it were just money, I would have given it and been done with it.”
“Then what does that mean?”
Tension clouded the eyes of Kim Woo-seop, a man who lived looking down at the world from its highest peak. It was a look he hadn’t worn in a very long time.
Yun-young exhaled through her nose and checked to make sure the study door was firmly closed. Then, she spoke in a low voice.
“He said he wants to marry his niece off to Seongheon.”
“…?”
“You heard me. He wants his niece and Seongheon to be set up. He wants to bring his own niece into our family.”
Yun-young’s voice rose slightly, tinged with anger at the end of her sentence. Kim Woo-seop stared at his wife with an expression that suggested his thoughts weren’t connecting quickly, then, after a moment, he burst into a loud laugh.
Yun-young narrowed her eyes at the laughter that felt like it was scraping out his insides, wondering what could possibly be so funny.
“Is it funny? Is what I’m saying funny to you right now?”
“Ahaha, hahahaha! I’ve seen some crazy bastards, but this one takes the cake. Haha! Hahahaha!”
“Honey!”
“Do it. We can just do it, what’s the problem?”
“…What did you say?”
Yun-young doubted her ears. But Kim Woo-seop shrugged his shoulders as if the matter were more trivial than she thought.
“Actually, it’s perfect. Executive Director Nam needs to get married soon anyway. What kind of girl is this niece? Is she decent?”
“Are you… out of your mind?”
Yun-young walked up to the desk, stunned by her husband’s attitude, which was vastly different from the reaction she had expected. Kim Woo-seop interlaced his fingers and looked up at his wife.
“Think about it. That bastard is going to follow us for the rest of our lives. He’s a shackle.”
“And yet, what does he think he’ll achieve by putting his niece in our family? He just needs our group’s name. Do you think I don’t know what’s going on in that guy’s head?”
“But how can you involve Seongheon like that? How can you tie us to a family like that!”
“Then what? Do you have a better idea?”
When Kim Woo-seop shot back the question, Yun-young fell silent. She had come to her husband because she couldn’t find a clear answer even after thinking about it all day.
There was no way her husband could provide a different answer either.
After a moment, Yun-young shook her head. No matter how much she thought about it, it was unacceptable.
“No. Absolutely not. I can’t have a man who used to be a mere driver as an in-law. Absolutely not.”
“He’s not just a man who used to be a driver; he’s the grateful person who made you the Chairwoman of Seolyang Group. Get a grip.”
Yun-young bit her lip hard. Kim Woo-seop looked at her with pathetic eyes.
“Your family members prostrate themselves at your every word. Isn’t that your family’s legacy? Those are the principles of that loathsome Domyeongjae. Just push it through and marry them off.”
“Don’t speak so recklessly.”
“Don’t you start with that nonsense. Do you think putting on such a guilt-ridden face now washes away your past sins?”
Kim Woo-seop snorted as he looked at his wife.
“Just live openly admitting it like I do. It’s not like your dead younger brother and his wife are going to come back to life just because you live that way.”
Yun-young squeezed her eyes shut, unable to counter a single word. Thinking that Im Su-kwon’s matter could be covered up in a way that was easier than expected, Kim Woo-seop spoke in a relaxed tone.
“Do as he asks. It’s not a loss for us, and it’s not bad at all. In fact, it’s better. It’s much better than living in anxiety, wondering when that bastard might stir things up.”
‘Chairwoman. Think of it as securing a hostage and set a date. My niece is well-educated and smart. You’ll like her when you see her.’
Her husband said the exact same thing as Im Su-kwon, word for word. Yun-young clenched her small fists and let out a long breath.
“And I’m begging you, don’t act like you’ve repented or like you’re in pain. Your hypocrisy is enough to make me sick.”
“If you’re so disgusted, go turn yourself in now. You don’t even have the courage for that, so what’s the point?”
It was a denunciation she couldn’t deny. It was also a piece of hellish advice, delivered from one murderer to another.
It was the time when the shop owner, who had been busy preparing snacks, was rubbing his back and thinking only of closing up the shop.
- 3 -
Seongheon and Yeonwoo were the only customers at their table today, but he felt too exhausted to take any more.
Standing before the hard-of-hearing owner, Seongheon pulled out his wallet as if to signal he was paying. Yeonwoo gave a loud greeting from behind, saying she had eaten well.
“Thank you for the meal! It was so delicious!”
“Aye, aye. Get home safe.”
The owner, who caught the gist of the greeting, waved his hand as if to tell them to please just leave quickly. As Yeonwoo opened the door and stepped out first, Seongheon opened his wallet.
Without even asking for the total, Seongheon pulled out three checks. They were one-million-won bills.
“How is your back?”
“What?”
“Your back.”
When Seongheon pointed toward his back with his eyes, the owner slowly rubbed his own waist.
“I’ll have to close the shop soon. I can’t keep doing this.”
“You’ve been doing just fine all this time.”
“What are you saying?”
“Take this.”
When Seongheon handed over the bills, the owner took them.
“If you give me something like this, how am I supposed to give you change?”
“When have you ever given me change? You’re acting like this is the first time.”
“What?”
When the owner narrowed his eyes and asked back, Seongheon raised his hand as if to say it was fine. This place, which he had started frequenting because it was his uncle’s favorite spot, was a place Seongheon visited occasionally when he wanted to find peace of mind.
It was a treasure of a place that recreated the flavors of Domyeongjae with miraculous accuracy.
“Close the shop for a few days and rest. Don’t overdo it.”
The owner replied as he tucked the checks into his inner pants pocket.
“I’ve already bought the groceries, so I have to open tomorrow.”
“I’m telling you to take it easy. If you close the shop for good because it’s too hard, I’m going to claim all the change I haven’t received until now.”
“What?”
Tucking his wallet away, Seongheon looked at the owner.
“Be honest. You can hear me just fine, can’t you. I see now you only answer when you want to.”
“What? Speak up. Are you making fun of a deaf person?”
When the owner strained his eyelids to look up, Seongheon chuckled.
As Seongheon turned to leave, saying he was heading out, the owner slowly followed him out carrying a tray.
“What brings you here with a woman? Are you going to marry her?”
Seongheon, holding the doorknob, looked at the owner. To the owner’s question about marriage to a couple on their first day, Seongheon simply nodded.
Detailed explanations were a hassle. He wouldn’t hear them anyway.
“Right. Live well.”
“We haven’t… gotten married yet.”
“Don’t fight.”
“I’ll see you again. Thanks to you, I ate well.”
Seongheon greeted him as he pushed the door open.
Day one today, a fresh couple, a man and a woman of marriageable age who looked to someone else like a couple about to be wed.
Seongheon walked over to stand beside Yeonwoo. When Yeonwoo gave a faint laugh as if her racing mind were acting up, Seongheon tapped her shoulder, telling her to get it together.
“Get it together. You have to come with me now.”
“Where to?”
“My place is fine, or a hotel wouldn’t be bad either.”
Yeonwoo looked at Seongheon with a face that looked like she’d suddenly sobered up.
‘If Ji Yeonwoo-ssi comes to me now, it means you have to stay with me today!’
Yeonwoo forced herself to swallow, her mouth feeling dry. She had hoped that drinking might give her a bit of bold courage, but she didn’t have the temperament to become bold after just a few drinks.
“Do you hate both options?”
“It’s, it’s not that I hate them.”
After hesitating, Yeonwoo cast her gaze down toward the ground. Seongheon looked down at her intently, as if observing her.
“I… I think I should head home today.”
“Home? Then are we going to your house? I don’t mind.”
“Ah, no! That’s not it!”
Yeonwoo launched into a long explanation, telling him to listen carefully. She had left her place in a mess when she went down to Domyeongjae. It was a monthly rental, so she had to stop by the real estate office early tomorrow to put the place on the market, and she wanted to pack her things.
She had a lot to do. Truly.
“My place is small, so it’s a bit much to invite the Vice President… Uh, first, I need to tidy up the mess properly…”
“I don’t know what I’m supposed to think of a lover who changes their word from the very first day.”
“Ugh, I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I’ve been wanting to tell you for a while, but I missed the timing.”
Her face, which had been flushed red from the alcohol, turned pale as if she were terrified. Seongheon looked at her eyes, which were still wandering the ground, and chuckled.
- 5 -
Well, from Ji Yeonwoo’s perspective, things would be moving fast.
“Fine, alright. For a reason you just scrambled to come up with, it’s justifiable enough to be considered.”
“Wow, thank you so much.”
Yeonwoo thanked him with a look of admiration. Even though she was just going to her own home, it was a moment where she felt naturally grateful.
“Then how about I drop you off?”
“Oh, what? No, no, there are so many taxis.”
Seongheon arched an eyebrow. It seemed her lover was still quite difficult for her to deal with.
Looking at Yeonwoo, who even refused his offer to drive her home, Seongheon leaned down and peered closely at her face.
“Are you playing hard to get, or just pushing me away?”
I’m just going home…
“Exactly. You’re driving me crazy again!”
This time, looking at her face as it turned pale, Seongheon straightened his back. Then, he ruffled her hair as if stroking a child’s head.
“Fine. I’ll let you off. Since it’s the first day.”
Since he hadn’t expected Yeonwoo to just follow him blindly, Seongheon made up his mind to see her off. He was certain that she must have summoned an incredible amount of courage just to come this far today.
“…Ah.”
The only thing he was concerned about was.
“Will you be alright?”
“Yes? About what?”
“I’m worried you’ll be scared being alone.”
At Seongheon’s words, Yeonwoo seemed to think for a moment before lifting her head. Then, she gave a more languid smile than usual and spoke in a clear voice.
“I’m fine. I’ve gotten much better.”
“Because I’m not fine. I feel like I should stand guard.”
“I have to overcome it. I’m not a child.”
“Exactly. You’re not a child, so I don’t know why you won’t listen and why you’re causing me such heartache.”
“……”
“It doesn’t look like you have any intention of being a lover who listens well.”
“You don’t have to state the obvious.”
At Seongheon’s words, Yeonwoo bowed her head and laughed. Then, she slowly lifted her gaze and met his.
“I’ll call you if I’m scared.”
Before he felt the urge to hold onto her, Seongheon tilted his chin, telling her to call a taxi. At that, Yeonwoo pulled out her phone, opened a taxi app, and quickly reserved a vehicle.
- 6 -
As the taxi sped toward them with the word ‘Reserved’ glowing, Seongheon let out a low sigh. He didn’t like Korean services at all, where everything was unnecessarily fast.
The taxi came to a stop, and Seongheon opened the back door. Yeonwoo, about to get in, stood facing Seongheon.
“I’ll go and get everything sorted out.”
“Alright. See you tomorrow.”
“And, please be my proof every now and then.”
Seongheon looked at her without a word.
Ji Yeonwoo-ssi is living well.
“Proof that I am overcoming everything and living well by the Vice President’s side.”
I will be that proof for you.
It pierced his chest far more loudly and intensely than any voice shouted at the top of one’s lungs.
At her sudden words, Seongheon couldn’t offer any particular reply and just watched her.
Yeonwoo, who tucked her body into the taxi as if hiding, smiled awkwardly and waved.
As the taxi carrying her moved away, Seongheon’s heart pounded wildly.
Day one of being a couple; it was the moment something harmful, something that could never be removed, was driven into Nam Seongheon’s quiet heart.
