Translator: Nox

Chapter 50

Pure Love

50. The Closer We Get

It was around three in the morning when Yeonwoo finally rose from Seongheon’s bed. The nights at Domyeongjae, when everyone was deep in sleep, were darker than at any other time.

As Yeonwoo moved awkwardly to reach for her clothes, Seongheon sat up as well. He watched her back as she dressed, then reached out an arm to pull her by the waist.

“Who exactly is this night shift for? Is it for Manager Mun?”

“I wish you’d stay the night.”

“I can’t. I really have to go.”

He knew perfectly well it was because of him, yet he brought up the innocent Manager Mun regardless. At his words, Yeonwoo pulled her belt tight and tied it into a bow.

He tried to interfere with her dressing in various ways, but Yeonwoo eventually managed to get her uniform on properly. Because her lower thighs felt weak, she stood up the rest of the way with a strained posture.

When her face involuntarily tightened with a slight frown, Seongheon stared at her intently. It must be difficult for her. It would be uncomfortable to walk.

He truly wanted to lay her back down and have her sleep by his side, but he knew the more he insisted, the more difficult it would be for her. He sat there as the master of Domyeongjae, yet this was a stiflingly old-fashioned place where he couldn’t even excuse a new employee from a single night shift.

“It’s okay. I don’t want to skip work by lying.”

“But you’re in pain. That wouldn’t be a lie.”

“…….”

“Just say you’re hurting and rest. Tell them you ache all over.”

Stung by the truth, Yeonwoo kept her eyes downcast as she moved. She felt that her gait wasn’t normal, but she walked as upright as possible, fearing Seongheon might notice.

Watching Yeonwoo walk with her back straighter than usual, Seongheon let out a soft breath. When she picked up the tray she had brought before entering Unseondang, Seongheon stood up while tying the belt of his robe.

“I’ll be going now.”

“Are you angry, by any chance?”

Yeonwoo’s stiff expression and the way she avoided his eyes weighed on his mind.

Only moments ago, she had been in his arms with an expression she had surely never shown anyone else, her eyes hazy and soft.

“What is it? At least tell me something before you go.”

Anxious, he caught her arm. Yeonwoo, who had been walking with the tray, came to a halt.

Seongheon swallowed hard, wondering if he had made a mistake.

Yes, this probably wasn’t pleasant for her—having to sneak out for a dawn shift after spending such a blatant amount of time together.

Had he made her feel miserable? Was her walk out into the night cold and lonely?

“Ji Yeonwoo-ssi.”

“It’s, well, it’s nothing else.”

As he called her name in his anxious state, Yeonwoo’s lips moved slightly.

“I’m just a little embarrassed.”

“Now that the lights are on, it’s… a bit difficult to look you straight in the eye, Vice President.”

“……Ah.”

A soft exclamation escaped Seongheon’s teeth. Yeonwoo, who had been gripping the tray and staring at the floor as if searching for a place to rest her eyes, turned her body slightly to bid him farwell.

She looked so composed now that it was hard to believe those moments of being unraveled and completely undone had been anything but a dream.

“I’ll be going now. It’s late, so please try to get some sleep…”

“This secret relationship… do we really have to do it?”

Seongheon embraced her from behind.

Doing as she wished felt like it would drive him crazy, yet doing as he wished felt like it would drive her crazy.

“I want to blurt it out before even a day passes. I’m already going crazy from the frustration.”

There was one fact he hadn’t realized, deceived by her stoic expression: she was already flushed deep red from the nape of her neck to her earlobes.

“How about we just tell Manager Mun and spend the rest of our time comfortably? Consider it a favor to save a man’s life.”

Save me.

“I… I really have to go now. I’m leaving. Good night.”

At Yeonwoo’s words, which zapped his fighting spirit, Seongheon released his arms. Yeonwoo bowed slightly once more and offered her greeting.

It was maddening to watch her walk away with an unsteady gait while carrying that tray. As Seongheon stood there, unable to do anything but watch, Yeonwoo looked back after a moment.

“Um…”

“Go ahead.”

It felt as though his breath hitched at her every reaction.

“From now on, please speak comfortably to me. I think that would be better.”

“Ah, yes. I mean… no, I’ll let that happen naturally.”

“Yes. I’m really going now.”

“Don’t overdo it. Understood?”

“Yes.”

“Listen to me. I’m being serious.”

“Yes. Good night.”

Once Yeonwoo left Unseondang, Seongheon looked up at the ceiling and exhaled a long sigh. When he opened the small window by the bedside, the sound of footsteps crunching on the sandy soil was fading into the distance.

…….

Seongheon let out a hollow laugh, wondering how he was supposed to handle this situation—one where he felt like he was losing his mind even with his eyes wide open, something he’d never experienced before.

“It’s not even a swamp; it’s just a straight road to madness.”

Every minute, every second, he was sinking deeper into Ji Yeonwoo.

It was no different from a human addiction.

“Are you sick somewhere?”

“Pardon?”

Morning dawned. Eunja, who had arrived for work, scanned the dazed Yeonwoo and immediately asked if she felt unwell.

Startled, Yeonwoo shook her head vigorously. At that, Eunja turned away indifferently, saying it was fine as long as she wasn’t sick.

“Wait a minute.”

Eunja turned back again to look at Yeonwoo.

“What’s that on your neck? Did you get hurt?”

“Oh, this?”

Yeonwoo toyed with the bandage she had applied to her neck. It was a mark he had left, which she hadn’t discovered until morning, despite her frantic departure from Unseondang at dawn.

She had been horrified when she found it and rushed to put on a bandage. It was chilling to think what might have happened if she hadn’t noticed.

“A… a bug bit me. It was itchy.”

“Aigoo, there are so many bugs, aren’t there? It’s different from Seoul. Since there are so many, don’t leave the doors open carelessly.”

“Yes. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Eunja, easily believing Yeonwoo’s excuse, turned away again.

Whew. Yeonwoo let out an unconscious sigh of relief. As she was moving about busily, Seongheon, finished with his morning preparations, entered the Main Hall and immediately locked eyes with her.

“Yes.”

“You’re here, Vice President.”

As Eunja greeted him, Yeonwoo followed suit with a subtle greeting. Seongheon looked away and set down his briefcase.

“You have to eat. I’ve set the table, so come this way.”

Seongheon followed Eunja into the main dining room. He wasn’t in the mood for breakfast, but if he wanted to see Yeonwoo’s face for even a second longer, he had to sit in that chair.

With a face more cold and detached than anyone else’s, Seongheon sat down, and Eunja brought out a bowl of hot soup.

“The clams were quite plump, and the broth came out nice and milky.”

Eunja explained the soup, but the words didn’t register. With all his senses pinned on Yeonwoo, Seongheon picked up his spoon out of habit.

As Seongheon began to eat very slowly, Eunja and Yeonwoo stood side by side. While Manager Mun was away for a moment, Eunja, who hated silence, began to talk to Yeonwoo again.

From Seongheon’s perspective, it was something to be grateful for.

“Is your neck still itchy?”

“Pardon? My neck?”

When Yeonwoo asked in surprise, Eunja pointed to her neck. Seongheon stole a glance at Yeonwoo.

“You said a bug bit you. Did you apply any medicine? Mountain bugs are quite venomous. They fester so easily.”

“Ah, yes. Yes. I applied medicine.”

“It needs air to heal quickly. How is it going to heal with a bandage stuck on it like that? It’ll just be stifling.”

Seongheon looked at Yeonwoo once more. Eunja then looked at Seongheon and pointed to Yeonwoo as if explaining their conversation.

“She said a bug bit her on the neck. I was asking if she put medicine on it. I’ll stop talking now, so please enjoy your meal, Vice President.”

“A bug bit you?”

When Seongheon asked in a nonchalant voice, Yeonwoo opened her mouth hesitantly.

“Ah, yes. A little…”

He seemed to know everything.

“It doesn’t sting?”

“No. It’s… alright.”

When Seongheon asked again, Yeonwoo’s voice trailed off. At that, Eunja nudged Yeonwoo’s arm and nagged her as if giving a lesson.

“Why are you answering like that when the Vice President is asking? You should do it properly. Say, ‘Yes, I applied the medicine well, and I put the bandage on firmly.’ You have to speak smartly like that.”

As Eunja spoke instructively, Yeonwoo merely nodded with a look that said she would surely do so next time. She could only hope for this uncomfortable and awkward situation to end.

Seongheon let out a smirk at this absurd scene. He wondered how surprised she must have been to find the mark in the mirror, and how much she must have cursed him internally while sticking that bandage on to hide it.

Maybe next time I should leave one somewhere she can’t hide. Where would be good?

“Oh, Vice President, you’ve already started eating.”

It was then. Manager Mun, who had finished a phone call and entered the room, spotted Seongheon and approached with quick steps.

While tucking his phone into his apron pocket, Manager Mun delivered unexpected news to Seongheon.

“Vice President. A call just came from the Great House.”

The Great House. It referred to the home of his aunt, Chairwoman Nam Yun-young.

Seongheon looked up, setting his spoon down. Manager Mun checked his watch and continued.

“The Chairwoman is coming to Domyeongjae today.”

“Today?”

“Yes.”

“For what reason?”

“I wasn’t told that much.”

Seongheon looked at Manager Mun, who had no further information despite having just finished a call. Yeonwoo, standing behind Manager Mun, naturally caught his eye. Seongheon looked at Yeonwoo as if he were looking at Manager Mun, then lowered his gaze again.

“Understood for now.”

“Yes, Vice President.”

Seongheon continued his meal in silence. Not long after, he set his spoon down for good.

For Chairwoman Nam Yun-young to visit Domyeongjae without a specific event…

“Vice President. Won’t you eat a bit more?”

“I don’t have much of an appetite. I enjoyed the meal.”

It was something that had never happened since she took office as Chairwoman.

Seongheon stood up. The reason his aunt was visiting Domyeongjae was likely because of him, and he felt he knew why without even asking.

“Contact Hyeonuk and tell him to come to Domyeongjae. Tell him to be here before my aunt looks for him.”

“Yes, Vice President.”

Leaving behind Yeonwoo, his lover of three days, Seongheon set off for work.

A few hours later, a sedan carrying Chairwoman Nam Yun-young arrived at Domyeongjae.