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chapter 17
Creak, slam!
Just then, the sound of a door opening and closing came from behind. Yeon-seo half-turned to check, then quickly stood up and bowed her head.
“What are you doing here? You even skipped breakfast….”
It was Kang-jae. He strode out with both hands shoved into his pockets.
“…I just wanted to walk in the garden a little.”
Yeon-seo hesitated before answering in a quiet voice.
“Ah, you were looking at the flowers. What’s this one again… ‘Day lily,’ right? The flower that only blooms for a day.”
She hadn’t expected the heir of a chaebol family to take interest in flowers that you’d usually only find growing in the wild. It was unexpected.
“Yes, that’s right. In the West they call it day lily, and in Korea it’s called wonchuri.”
“They’re blooming so beautifully, but to think they’ll wither by evening—it feels like such a waste. There’s another meaning to it besides forgetting one’s worries, isn’t there?”
“Yes, it’s also called uinamcho—the flower said to help one bear sons.”
“Ah, uinamcho.”
The two stood silently for a while, gazing at the flowers.
“You heard it, right? What Lady Geum said in the kitchen.”
Before long, Kang-jae glanced behind them and whispered. Yeon-seo quietly nodded.
“Well, it’s understandable that Mother would be upset. Teaching someone like me—who knows nothing about the company—and then seating me as an executive. Even I think it’s excessive treatment.”
“Hmm, I don’t think so. You don’t need to belittle yourself. You’re more than capable, sister-in-law.”
Kang-jae looked at Yeon-seo with gentle eyes.
She instinctively stepped back, trying to maintain distance and proper courtesy. After all, being close to the son whom Geum Sun-ae adored to death could only spell trouble.
“Thank you.”
But Kang-jae paid no mind, instead stepping closer as he asked:
“Um, soon there’ll be a party celebrating my return to Korea. Would you come? I’d like to invite you….”
He trailed off, watching Yeon-seo’s reaction.
“A homecoming party? Isn’t that for you and your friends?”
Just hearing it made her uneasy.
A party of that kind would likely gather the children of powerful families from politics and business—it felt like a heavy and intimidating place.
Sensing her hesitation, Kang-jae added:
“Don’t feel too burdened. It’s a lot more casual than you think. I’d like to introduce you as part of the Seo family. Quite a few people are curious. Do-heon will be there too. I’ll tell you the date and place later.”
He was speaking so sincerely, she couldn’t bring herself to refuse. And since Do-heon would also be attending, she had no reason to avoid it.
“Yes, I’ll go.”
Besides, whatever her personal feelings about Do-heon, he and Kang-jae were half-brothers. To refuse such kindness from her husband’s younger brother would seem impolite.
“Hm, this will be your first time at such a place, right? It’ll be an interesting experience. It’s like a social gathering in this world.”
“Ah… yes.”
“I’ll gift you a special outfit for it—something that suits you perfectly.”
Flustered by the excess of kindness, Yeon-seo quickly waved her hands.
“Oh no, that’s not necessary. Do-heon has already given me many dresses….”
“I want to, since I’m inviting you. And I also feel bad for missing my brother’s wedding.”
Kang-jae’s gaze didn’t quite meet hers. His eyes seemed oddly unfocused, like his vision was misaligned.
Yeon-seo studied his pale face carefully, wondering if perhaps it was his health that wasn’t good.
“Come on, let’s go inside. You’ve only just recovered—you shouldn’t fall ill again.”
He placed a hand on her shoulder and gently steered her back toward the house. Was it normal for a man to show this much favor to his younger brother’s wife? Having lived estranged from even his only brother for so long, it was hard to grasp his true intentions.
Yeon-seo followed him into Myeongseonjae.
Sun-ae was sitting on the sofa, resting.
“You two were in the garden together?”
It clearly bothered her to see Yeon-seo close to her beloved son. Perhaps because she’d just quarreled with Chairman Seo, her eyes gleamed sharp and cold.
Sensing this, Yeon-seo immediately moved a little farther from Kang-jae.
“Yes, I just stepped out for some air. My brother-in-law came out too, so we talked a bit.”
Sun-ae’s eyes sank lower.
“And what could you two possibly have to talk about? You’ve barely even met.”
Kang-jae cut in, brushing off his mother’s words.
“There were day lilies blooming outside. Sister-in-law was looking at them. You taught her about that flower when she first came here, remember? You said that when you look at them, it feels like all the hardships of the world melt away….”
A ripple passed through Sun-ae’s eyes. Perhaps it was because the words came from her cherished son—or maybe because there was some special story tied to the flower.
Yeon-seo watched Sun-ae’s face shift moment by moment.
“Did I say that? I can’t quite remember.”
“Mother, you can’t be losing your memory already. You may look like you’re in your forties, but still….”
“Oh, you rascal.”
It was clear Sun-ae had a soft spot for Kang-jae. The anger lingering in her gaze melted away into gentleness almost instantly.
While the two talked, Yeon-seo bowed politely and quietly slipped away.
In the afternoon, the personal shopper who had once visited her at the hotel arrived at Myeongseonjae.
Yeon-seo recalled that Do-heon had mentioned he’d send clothes for her to wear at the company through the shopper.
Sun-ae, watching from the living room, rolled her eyes. She seemed displeased with everything.
Yeon-seo led the shopper into the bedroom. Inside the couple’s room, there was a separate walk-in closet.
“This outfit is from the French brand Demainche, created as an homage to the First Lady. Since you’ll soon be representing the Seo family’s image, and white suits you very well, I thought it was perfect. Only three pieces were brought into Korea.”
The shopper’s polished explanation continued. Yeon-seo, unable to reject meaningless chatter, just listened silently.
“Would you like to try it on? If anything needs tailoring, we can request it.”
Yeon-seo ran her fingers over the smooth silk two-piece.
“How much would something like this cost?”
Even though she already had plenty of clothes gifted by Do-heon, she couldn’t help but be curious.
The shopper answered with practiced politeness, though a smile tugged at her lips.
“Seventy-five million won.”
No matter how many times she heard such figures, she could never get used to them.
Even as she enjoyed luxuries only the privileged few ever touched, it brought her no joy. She thought she was getting accustomed to it, but deep inside, she still felt out of place.
“So in total, this must be worth several billion won.”
“This time, it was just over seven billion. And he decided it all in one go. Ah, this two-piece—he spent quite some time looking at it. Said it would look perfect on you. You have such a serene aura, we were all excited to see it on you.”
But Yeon-seo didn’t light up at the compliment.
Though she had entered this world, she couldn’t help but feel the distance at times. She couldn’t shake the thought that she didn’t truly belong here.
“Would you like to try it on then?”
“No, I’ll try it on later. You may go now.”
Yeon-seo smiled faintly and turned her eyes away from the clothes. The shopper hung the garments neatly in the closet, bowed, and said:
“Then I’ll take my leave, madam.”
That word—madam—felt strangely hollow.
After all, she was only a temporary presence in this house. Until Seo Do-heon secured complete power, she was merely a part to be used.
The thought left a bitter taste in her mouth.
Feeling thirsty, Yeon-seo stepped into the kitchen for a glass of water. The household staff seemed to have gone out.
But Sun-ae was still there, sitting on the living room sofa, her expression unreadable.
“Looks like you’re enjoying yourself.”
Just as Yeon-seo was about to return to her room with the water, Sun-ae’s voice called her to a halt.
She froze, then turned slowly. Sun-ae rose from the sofa, arms crossed, and approached.
“How does it feel, wearing clothes you’d never have touched in your entire life? Do-heon seems to be treating you very well….”
Yeon-seo pressed her dry lips together. It was as if Sun-ae had read the very thought she’d just had. Her words pierced sharply.
“…It’s more than I deserve.”
“Ha.”
One of Sun-ae’s brows arched.
“You and Kang-jae both—how exactly have you been wrapping these men around your finger? When Do-heon first brought you in, a girl with no background, I knew there was something off….”
“I haven’t manipulated anyone, Mother.”
“Really, now.”
Clicking her tongue, Sun-ae placed her hands on her hips.
“Do you have any idea how many decades I spent trying to win over Chairman Seo, that stubborn old man? And then some nobody like you just rolls in out of nowhere and….”
