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chapter 35
The kitchen looked like a battlefield, with broken dishes and scattered food strewn everywhere. The bright red liquid from the seasonings had stained multiple spots.
“Damn it, this was a limited edition!”
Even in this chaotic scene, Seo Kang-jae murmured to himself, checking his shirt soaked in kimchi juice.
“Are you worried about that pathetic shirt right now? Acting like an idiot is why you’re losing everything, you fool!”
Seeing Geum Seon-ae shouting at the top of her lungs, Seo Jin-bae slammed his thick, toad-like palms onto the table.
“Stop it already! Why are you suddenly acting so vulgar?”
“What? Did you just say vulgar?”
“Yes, vulgar! What on earth are you doing at the dining table? I’m really embarrassed in front of Father!”
Geum Seon-ae didn’t calm down in the slightest. Her voice, which had been restrained in front of Chairman Seo, now rang out freely.
“Who made me like this! It’s all because you failed to act as the head of the family! You should have fully supported Kang-jae so he could do his job as the eldest son!”
“Failed to act as the head? I’m the one who brought you up from nothing to here! Watch your mouth! Where did you learn to act so wildly?!”
“Then what’s the point? What have you ever done just sitting there like a scarecrow! Ah! Huh…! This is all because of your incompetence!”
Seon-ae, swept up in her emotions, let out a sob mixed with anger. Lady Paju and the other household staff cautiously picked up the broken pieces of dishes scattered on the floor.
“That’s enough.”
Do-heon, who had been watching the scene with Yeon-seo, seemed completely disillusioned. As if he could no longer bear it, he grabbed Yeon-seo’s hand and moved to leave.
The sound of the front door closing echoed.
The quiet garden felt like a separate world from the living room. Still, an overwhelming sense of unease gripped Yeon-seo tightly.
“Do you think she’ll be okay? Mother seems extremely agitated…”
Judging from everything Yeon-seo had observed of Geum Seon-ae’s personality, it didn’t seem like she would let this slide easily.
If her heartfelt wish was to place Kang-jae in the position of head, and if she had devoted all her efforts to that one goal, she wouldn’t let Do-heon, who rendered all that effort meaningless, go unchallenged.
Geum Seon-ae was still engaging in unreasonable actions like surveillance and spying. What if she was plotting something even more dreadful behind Do-heon’s back?
What if, in the worst-case scenario, she threatened his life?
“Don’t worry about it.”
Do-heon’s expression remained calm, as if he had already anticipated whatever was about to happen.
“Shall we walk? There are some old restaurants down the street, and they’re quite good.”
Yeon-seo worried about him. Seeing Do-heon speak so gently after such an ordeal was astonishing.
“…Okay, sounds good.”
She smiled faintly, trying not to show her feelings to him. Since he seemed fine, she felt she shouldn’t overreact.
Holding hands, Do-heon walked slowly, gently swinging her hand as if soothing a frightened child.
But who really needed comfort? Yeon-seo gripped his hand tightly, trying to keep up with his long strides.
As they went down to the street, they saw a few sparsely located restaurants.
“Tell me if there’s a place you want to go.”
“Do-heon, you didn’t eat properly earlier either. If there’s something you want—”
“Yeon-seo, you have a talent for needing to be told twice. You said you weren’t feeling well, so pick quickly.”
Yeon-seo felt guilty at the thought of choosing so casually. Yet her stomach still churned from the stress.
Normally, she would have agonized over the menu to accommodate Do-heon’s tastes, but this time she felt drawn to a place she knew she could eat well.
“Let’s go to Pyeongchang-dong Myeonok.”
The thought of other foods made her stomach turn, but imagining the spicy, tangy bibim naengmyeon made her mouth water. Do-heon, who had eaten well at the barley rice place before, would probably be fine with cold noodles.
They entered the restaurant, old enough that even the letters on the sign had faded. Despite it being late evening, a few people were eating inside.
“The menu…”
As soon as they sat, Do-heon asked what she wanted to eat. Though neither of them had eaten properly, he seemed eager to ensure Yeon-seo was fed.
The menu was sparse, listing only a few naengmyeon options. Yeon-seo hesitated for a moment.
“I’ll have bibim naengmyeon.”
“Two bibim naengmyeon, please.”
Once the waiter left, Do-heon, watching her closely with his arms crossed, said,
“This is the first time, isn’t it? That you’ve expressed a clear desire for something to eat.”
“Is that so?”
Her stomach still unsettled, she didn’t care much what she ate.
“Even though I didn’t have an appetite, I feel like I could eat naengmyeon.”
“Well, it’s tasty in hot weather.”
She sipped cold water from her glass.
“It feels like a nice day, but I worry we’re eating naengmyeon because of me. You should be having something better.”
“No, thinking about it, summer is ending and I haven’t had naengmyeon even once. This is fine.”
“Come to think of it, summer’s already ending.”
It had been spring when she first met him… Two seasons had already passed, and autumn was coming. Do-heon would safely receive his company shares, and by the time the leaves changed, things between them would be over.
“Yes. So much has happened in such a short time.”
“That’s true.”
Do-heon seemed briefly lost in thought.
At that moment, a lady in a green apron stopped her serving cart.
“The naengmyeon’s here.”
The bibim naengmyeon shimmered in stainless steel bowls in front of them.
Yeon-seo’s eyes sparkled, and after her first bite, she couldn’t stop.
“This is so delicious…”
She ate with her cheeks full, savoring it. Other foods were unbearable to even imagine, but for bibim naengmyeon, she could eat two bowls.
Do-heon watched her quietly, eating slowly himself.
After finishing, they left the restaurant and decided to take a slow walk around the neighborhood to aid digestion.
Walking slowly along the streets, they reached the main road, softly lit by shop lights.
One store particularly caught Yeon-seo’s eye.
“Wait here for a moment. I need to go somewhere briefly…”
“I’ll come with you.”
“It’ll be just a moment….”
She ran to a shop with an ivory-colored awning. On it was the name “Sawol Flower Shop.”
“Welcome…”
“I’d like a bouquet, please.”
Breathless, Yeon-seo spoke before the owner could finish greeting her. The shopkeeper smiled brightly.
“What flowers would you like in it?”
Yeon-seo scanned the flowers carefully, fixating on one type.
“Lycoris has come out.”
“Oh, you know lycoris!”
“Could you include gentian, lycoris, eucalyptus, and lisianthus?”
“Sure, I’ll make it beautifully. Just a moment.”
Fortunately, the florist was skilled, so Do-heon didn’t have to wait long.
Watching the bouquet being carefully arranged, her heart raced. She wanted to give it to Do-heon.
She had barely managed to give him a meal; she wanted to give him something else. More importantly, she sincerely wanted to celebrate his success, which had gone unacknowledged by Geum Seon-ae, Kang-jae, and his father.
“Do you like it?”
Yeon-seo smiled faintly when the owner showed her the bouquet in a clear shopping bag.
“Yes. It’s beautiful.”
Hurrying out, she ran to Do-heon, who remained in place, showing no sign of impatience.
“Sorry I’m late!”
“…A bouquet?”
“It’s for you, Do-heon. I really wanted to celebrate you.”
She awkwardly smiled, presenting the flowers, their colors blooming vibrantly.
He blinked in surprise.
For a man like Do-heon, who could get anything he wanted easily, she had worried if he would even appreciate a single bouquet.
What if he looked indifferent, as if she had wasted her precious time?
‘I hope he likes it…’
A brief silence followed.
Perhaps because it was still before the change of seasons, the cool breeze lightly ruffled her hair. He muttered softly, still staring at the bouquet.
“Thank you. For celebrating me.”
Do-heon took the bouquet in his arms. Despite being well-arranged, the flowers that had filled Yeon-seo’s chest seemed small in his hands.
Still, Yeon-seo beamed. She was happy. This was probably the first time she had done something for Do-heon.
