Three days after arriving in Vietnam, Sun Woo and Yong Gi were completely exhausted, more by the irritating people than the hot weather.

On Monday morning, the two went directly to the ordering party but were turned away at the door. In the afternoon, they attempted to contact a high-ranking government official they had met through Congressman Kang San Ho’s introduction. But he too only made excuses and refused to meet.

It wasn’t until Wednesday morning that Sun Woo was finally able to face the contract parties. But they were shameless.

“We didn’t formally contract with K1 Construction, did we?”

“Even a preliminary contract is a contract. You must know that breaking a contract without reason is legally disadvantageous, right?”

Sun Woo protested in perfect Vietnamese, but they just sneered.

“There is a reason. If Congressman Kang San Ho no longer has faith in K1 Construction, how can we have faith?”

Sun Woo felt curses rising in his throat. How could one discuss business with parties who abandon contracts between companies for such reasons!

Further discussion seemed like a waste of time. Regrettably, he judged that they would have to take the loss and give up on this deal.

As Sun Woo and Yong Gi were about to leave the building, someone called out to them from behind. Sun Woo remembered him as the secretary of the high-ranking government official he had met the day before yesterday.

“Could I have a word with you?”

Yong Gi, after exchanging a brief glance with Sun Woo, headed to a corner of the lobby with the man. Throughout the conversation, a sly smile lingered on the man’s face, but Yong Gi’s expression was serious.

When Yong Gi approached after finishing the conversation, Sun Woo quietly asked.

“Are they demanding a bribe?”

“It was said in roundabout terms, but that’s the conclusion.”

Sun Woo wrinkled his face in annoyance.

Even if they gave kickbacks to the official who sent that guy, his superiors, and the person in charge at the ordering party, it would still be a profitable deal considering the scale of the order.

From a business perspective, it wasn’t a bad deal. But at that moment, Sun Woo recalled In Young’s words.

“There’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world. It seems the time has come to pay the price for the easy path we’ve taken.”

If he chose the easy path this time too, someday he would have to pay the price for this as well.

At that moment, Sun Woo suddenly thought of Green’s face.

The day he impulsively kissed her while walking along the Han River, he realized. Regardless of Park Chan Wook’s intentions, he loved what he was doing now.

He also decided that even if his status as an illegitimate child was exposed to the world, he wouldn’t flee to politics.

Han Green, if only she would stay by his side, Sun Woo would gladly be a salaried worker at K1 for life. Because he believed it was also a blessed life to be able to be with the person he liked and do his best at the work he loved.

So he couldn’t just quietly return to Korea because the Vietnam contract had fallen through. Because he hadn’t given his best effort yet.

Sun Woo, who had been deeply lost in thought until they arrived at their lodgings, turned to Yong Gi and gave a firm instruction.

“Director Ahn, book us on the first flight to Bangkok tomorrow.”

“What? Yes…”

Before Yong Gi could ask for a reason, Sun Woo was already on the phone with his secretary Na Mi Ran in Korea.

“This is Jin Sun Woo. Please call the head of the Thailand Tourism Authority right away. Tell them K1 Construction’s Jin Sun Woo is on a business trip and would like to pay a brief courtesy visit. Also mention that I’ll be in Thailand until the weekend, so the timing can be adjusted to the director’s convenience. …Yes, please let me know once it’s arranged.”

As soon as he hung up, Sun Woo turned to Yong Gi and said,

“We’re redirecting everything we prepared for Vietnam to Chiang Mai, Thailand. Let’s try to persuade the head of the Thailand Tourism Authority.”

Yong Gi quickly envisioned Sun Woo’s plan.

The relatively cool Chiang Mai was Thailand’s second city, with beautiful nature and its own culture and traditions.

A complex development incorporating golf courses, hotels, and shopping towns was the area Sun Woo’s Development Business Division was most confident in.

With direct flights between Incheon Airport and Chiang Mai Airport, the business potential was sufficient.

“Will the head of the Thailand Tourism Authority meet with us?”

“Didn’t we work well with him four years ago on the Bangkok urban redevelopment project? Since the results were good, he’ll meet with us at least once.”

“Ah, the person in charge back then is now the head of the Tourism Authority?”

Yong Gi slapped his palm with his fist. Sun Woo gave a mischievous smile.

“What are you doing? Hurry up and open your laptop. We need to prepare a proposal.”

“Damn it. Let me catch my breath!”

Despite grumbling, Yong Gi mechanically opened the PPT file. It was important to adapt the plan optimized for Vietnam to fit the local conditions in Chiang Mai.

“Given the huge popularity of Korean Wave in Thailand, let’s create a Korean Wave street in the center of the shopping town.”

As Sun Woo spewed out modifications while confirming facts, Yong Gi’s fingers flew over the keyboard, not wanting to miss a single word.

*****

While Sun Woo was running around Thailand, Green visited the K1 Construction headquarters with her hands full of food.

The secretary Na Mi Ran and team members of the Development Business Division on the 24th floor were half dazed by the enormous work instructions flying in from Thailand.

“Young lady, what brings you here?”

Secretary Na Mi Ran, who spotted Green in a bright yellow flared dress like a yellow daffodil, greeted her warmly.

“You must be working hard. Please eat these while you work.”

Green placed various sandwiches, rolls, and fresh fruit juices on the table. Everyone was delighted by the appetizing snacks that appeared at 4:30 PM, the hungriest time.

“The division head called today and asked me to take care of you on his behalf. And this too.”

Green handed Sun Woo’s personal card to Secretary Na Mi Ran. As Secretary Na took the card without knowing why, Green explained with a smile.

“He said to treat everyone to Korean beef for dinner tonight with this card. With no limit.”

“Wow! Korean beef! Korean beef! We love you, Division Head!”

Green was happy to see everyone cheering. Yes, Korean beef is love.

She took the remaining bag of bread and went to the vice chairman’s office. In Young’s secretary welcomed her warmly.

“Is the vice chairman inside?”

“Yes, she’s waiting for you.”

After knocking and entering the office, In Young, who was looking at documents at her desk, took off her glasses and looked at Green.

“Welcome. I was a bit surprised when you said you were coming suddenly.”

“Sun Woo asked me to bring you some red bean bread that you like. Please eat this while you work.”

“Sun Woo did?”

In Young looked alternately at Green and the bread bag, as if surprised. Green quickly put the bread bag down on the table, feeling like she was disturbing her busy mother-in-law.

“You must be busy, so I’ll be going now. Please take care of your health while working. Don’t overdo it.”

As Green bowed and turned to leave, In Young stopped her.

“Would you like to eat together?”

“Is that okay? I’d love to.”

Watching Green approach without a single refusal and spread the bread on the table, In Young was momentarily taken aback.

‘With mountains of work to do, why did I hold this child back?’

But seeing her place two red bean breads in front of her and ask the secretary to bring two glasses of milk, In Young thought that taking a short break wouldn’t hurt.

“This bakery name is unfamiliar.”

Green had brought two types of red bean bread – one from In Young’s regular bakery and another from an unfamiliar bakery.

“I have a friend who’s a self-proclaimed bread enthusiast, and she says this bakery’s red bean bread is better than your regular place. Please try it and judge for yourself.”

In Young ate the familiar red bean bread first. It was indeed delicious. After cleansing her palate with milk for a fair assessment, she tasted the bread from the unfamiliar bakery.

For a moment, her brow furrowed in truth.

“This is definitely more delicious.”

“Really? Wow, as expected of bread enthusiast Hannah!”

Green smiled proudly as she munched on her red bean bread. Then she pushed all the new red bean bread towards In Young.

In Young chuckled, finding Green both cute and quirky.

“Is the studio opening preparation going well?”

“Yes, I’ve acquired new lenses and a computer for Photoshop. I’m deeply indebted to grandfather. I’ll work hard, I promise.”

Seeing In Young nod silently, Green carefully opened her mouth.

“When you’re done with this busy work, would it be alright if I took photos of grandfather and you?”

“Photos? Why?”

“I saw an article about you two before, and I thought the photos were a bit lacking. Instead of stiff photos like ID pictures, I thought it would be good to use photos that better showcase your charisma and charm. How about taking various promotional photos while we’re at it?”

“…That’s not a bad idea.”

Green, who had worried that In Young might flatly refuse, beamed at her positive response. She was overjoyed to be able to express her gratitude in this way.

On the other hand, she also hoped that this photo shoot would be an opportunity for Sun Woo and In Young to become a little closer.

Sun Woo, who called In Young ‘Vice Chairman’ instead of mother and whose attitude towards her was excessively rigid.

It seemed to be because he wasn’t In Young’s biological son, but from what Green had experienced so far, In Young was fair even to her, an inadequate daughter-in-law.

Although it wasn’t very noticeable when dealing with Sun Woo, there was definitely a warm undercurrent.

It seemed unlikely that she would hate Sun Woo for being an illegitimate child and make him call her ‘Vice Chairman’.

It seemed more plausible that Sun Woo was failing to recognize In Young’s true feelings due to his complex about being an illegitimate child.

‘Mother and Sun Woo need to talk.’

Green’s mind was spinning rapidly, trying to figure out what she could do for her beloved Sun Woo.

*****

Even on Saturday evening, the lights were bright in Green’s studio.

At Sun Woo’s request, she had visited K1 headquarters and distributed promotional flyers, leaving the official studio website preparation in a mess.

Green was feeling anxious, planning to open on Monday come what may.

At that moment, Sun Woo called. Green’s face lit up.