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Chapter 16
The clothes were so oversized that every step Yeonsu took was cumbersome.
The guest room happened to be at the very end of the hallway. Even that short stretch felt long because of the awkward clothes.
When she finally reached the living room, it was completely empty. Yeonsu turned her head and looked around. She needed to find Jinhyuk quickly to locate her clothes; only then could she change and leave the house. Yet he was nowhere in sight.
She couldn’t just wander freely in the executive Jinhyuk’s house. Frustration welled up again.
A seemingly proper-looking perverted executive.
Avoiding a pervert was best, but the situation had gone completely haywire, and she had no idea what to do. A sigh escaped her lips.
Then, the door clicked open, and someone entered.
“Jinhyuk, what are you doing? Not answering calls…”
A man’s discontented voice filled the room. The layout placed the living room directly opposite the entrance, so his gaze immediately met Yeonsu’s awkwardly standing form. Her cheeks flushed, and her pupils shook with unease.
The visitor must have been close to Jinhyuk if he could enter so comfortably.
“Hello?”
Yeonsu offered a strained smile and greeted him first. Standing in a man’s house at night wearing his clothes was bound to invite misunderstandings. The man’s eyes widened, and he cast a suggestive glance at her, making sweat bead on her forehead.
“I’m… the one Jinhyuk’s grandfather appointed.”
Yeonsu’s eyes widened. If he was Jinhyuk’s grandfather… indeed, this was Do Jumyeong, chairman of Haenam Construction.
“Hello, Chairman. Marketing Team, Ha Yeonsu.”
Yeonsu bowed 90 degrees, flustered. Do Jumyeong narrowed his brows, then walked to the sofa and took the seat of honor. Yeonsu felt helpless—being caught in such a ridiculous situation by the chairman himself could easily lead to disaster.
“You’re Ha Yeonsu, right? Sit down.”
His unexpectedly gentle tone felt like a storm before the calm to Yeonsu.
“I’m sorry, Chairman.”
She lowered herself onto the sofa, apologizing immediately.
“Don’t worry. I’ll present a strong-willed woman born in December to the grandfather, so you needn’t be concerned.”
Do Jumyeong recalled Jinhyuk’s confident words. The woman Jinhyuk had mentioned was clearly Yeonsu.
“No need to apologize. That could naturally happen.”
Do Jumyeong’s calm, almost indulgent response surprised Yeonsu. She had expected anger, or for him to demand compensation—after all, appearances could be misleading, but this reaction was unexpectedly kind.
“As you heard from Jinhyuk, I’m indebted for today. I’ll be careful to avoid any unpleasant incidents.”
Yeonsu bowed formally, making sure to convey proper etiquette.
“Does Jinhyuk treat you well?”
“Excuse me?”
Yeonsu blinked at the unexpected question.
“I wondered if he, as your subordinate, might act harshly, emphasizing his company rank.”
“Not at all. He treats me very well, supports me, and I learn a lot from him.”
Yeonsu waved her hands, speaking earnestly. She suspected the chairman wanted to know Jinhyuk’s image within the company.
“He is highly capable and takes care of his staff, so everyone likes him.”
Do Jumyeong listened intently, his expression meaningful as he asked again:
“Do you like him a lot too, Ha Yeonsu?”
“Of course. I like and respect him very much.”
Do Jumyeong’s curiosity, sparked by Jinhyuk’s secrecy about relationships, seemed satisfied.
“What’s your birthdate?”
“I’m 27, born January 18.”
“What does your name mean?”
“My parents named me so I could live pure and clear, like the flowing waters of a stream.”
“So the ‘Yeon’ uses the water character, right?”
Yeonsu exhaled awkwardly, recognizing that this line of questioning echoed what Jinhyuk had previously asked. Though unsettled, she pushed her anxiety aside.
Do Jumyeong smiled, apparently pleased.
At that moment, Jinhyuk appeared from the terrace. Seeing him beside Yeonsu surprised Do Jumyeong. He hadn’t noticed the chairman’s visit, thanks to the thick blackout curtains and soundproof glass.
“What is happening at this hour without notice?”
Jinhyuk asked casually, sitting next to Yeonsu. She was flustered by his insistence on sitting so close despite the wide space.
“I just came to see what the grandson was up to,” Do Jumyeong said with a laugh.
It wasn’t entirely true—he likely came because of the divination reading. He must have run into Yeonsu by chance, and judging by his bright expression, he had misunderstood something.
“You’ve seen enough, so it’s time to go. To live long, you need rest, right?”
Do Jumyeong rose without a trace of annoyance.
“Good night, Ha Yeonsu. Even if Jinhyuk has bad sleeping habits, bear with him a little.”
“Grandfather, aren’t you leaving?”
Jinhyuk’s gaze darkened, but Do Jumyeong chuckled.
After leaving, the house returned to silence. The cool air-conditioning contrasted with the muggy night outside. Yeonsu’s mind was a tangled mess. The ripple effect from Do Jumyeong’s visit left her unsure what to say first.
“Drink this. It’s rooibos tea. Helps relieve stress and promotes sleep.”
Jinhyuk offered her the tea, masking his true thoughts. But Yeonsu did not reach for it.
‘Sleep aid… Did he put something in it?’
From the beginning, she had felt uneasy about his help. Meeting Do Jumyeong only strengthened her suspicion. The bathroom setup, the hidden clothes—it all fit a suspicious pattern.
Jinhyuk must have noticed her doubtful gaze.
“You’re curious about something, right? Ask me. I’ll answer everything.”
He leaned back, calm outwardly, though his mind raced with strategies for handling the situation.
“First…”
Yeonsu slowly opened her mouth, carefully choosing her words.
“I know what you want from me. I’m not interested, and this is a crime.”
Her resolute words made Jinhyuk tilt his head, clearly troubled.
