Even after eating pork hocks to her heart’s content, Hee Ju seemed unsatisfied as she dragged Da Eun outside. It wasn’t that the food was lacking, but rather she had many things to discuss.

Da Eun told Hee Ju, who had an expectant look on her face, exactly as attorney Ji Seung Hyuk had instructed. Although she felt guilty, there was no room for exceptions, so she had no choice.

Surprisingly, Hee Ju readily believed Da Eun’s lie. She even added that she had expected as much. It was truly fortunate.

Hee Ju, who was in high spirits, even called in Jun Won, who was heading home after working overtime. Jun Won, whose under-eye circles seemed darker today, entered the store while letting out a long yawn. Still, he must have shaved, as his usually dark chin looked quite neat.

“You really came.”

Unaware that her pronunciation was slurred, Hee Ju greeted Jun Won with excessive enthusiasm.

“You’re really determined to squeeze me dry, aren’t you?”

While saying this, Da Eun still set out a bowl and chopsticks for Jun Won.

“Where did all the chicken legs go? There’s nothing but dry breast meat.”

“They all went into Gong Hee Ju’s mouth. I ordered more, so it’ll be out soon. By the way, have you been working overtime a lot lately?”

“They keep nitpicking at everything I produce, so there’s no progress on the work.”

Jun Won answered while chewing on the dry chicken breast he had put in his mouth.

“That must be tough.”

Still, Da Eun envied Jun Won. Hee Ju had decided to write fairy tales again, and Jun Won was moving forward, but she felt like she was standing still. Now she even had to wrap up her secretary job.

No, that’s not right. I have money. I can pay for Mom’s surgery, learn everything I’ve wanted to learn, and even study abroad, so I shouldn’t be discouraged.

Da Eun once again steeled her wavering heart.

“I’m going to the bathroom for a bit.”

“Come back quickly.”

Hee Ju stared intently at Da Eun’s back as she went to the bathroom, downing the remaining beer.

Dating with the premise of marrying Cha Yu Kwon. It was strange yet understandable, understandable yet strange. Cha Yu Kwon wasn’t an ordinary man, after all.

Although Da Eun said she was good at self-objectification, Hee Ju thought differently.

Da Eun had low self-esteem. Hee Ju knew well that it was due to her family environment. That’s why she chose a worthless guy like Go Young Hoon as a marriage partner.

For Da Eun, who had been like that, to suddenly be dating the chaebol Cha Yu Kwon, Hee Ju had congratulated her at first, but something didn’t feel right. Then she suddenly remembered something Da Eun had said.

“If I were to make a strange choice, would you oppose it?”

Was this what she meant?

Hee Ju glanced at Jun Won, who was too busy eating to care about such things, then looked away. Just then, her eyes fell on Da Eun’s phone that she had left behind.

Should I do a little test?

After pondering for a moment, Hee Ju picked up Da Eun’s phone. When she entered the pattern that Da Eun hadn’t changed for 10 years, the phone unlocked.

Hee Ju fiddled with the phone for a bit, then quickly put it back in its original place. Just then, Da Eun returned.

“If you’re done eating, let’s head home soon.”

Da Eun urged, gathering Hee Ju’s belongings.

“No, there’s still a spectacle left to see.”

However, the drunk Hee Ju showed no intention of getting up.

“Senior Jun Won and I have to go to work tomorrow, you know?”

Jun Won, also looking tired, nodded. Only Hee Ju didn’t have to go to work tomorrow.

“Ah, Cha Yu Kwon will be here soon.”

Hee Ju stamped her feet, saying there was still an interesting spectacle left to see. At this, Da Eun’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Why is Cha Yu Kwon coming here?”

Jun Won also looked surprised, though he tried not to show it.

“I called him.”

The drunk Hee Ju giggled and pointed at Da Eun’s phone. Da Eun, who was checking her phone messages with an anxious face, chopped the back of Hee Ju’s neck with the side of her hand.

With a thud, Hee Ju collapsed onto the table.

“Stop pretending to be unconscious. I didn’t hit you that hard.”

Hee Ju giggled while lying face-down on the table. Da Eun took her phone and went outside the store.

Jun Won looked down at Hee Ju with disdain.

“Oh my, what should we do about our Kang Jun Won? You’re late again this time.”

“……”

“They’re dating, with marriage in mind.”

Hee Ju, who had been mumbling, closed her eyes tightly. Jun Won quietly chewed on her words.

There was never a chance from the beginning. Because they first met when she was a friend’s girlfriend.

Chang Bum, who was Da Eun’s first boyfriend, cheated on her. Although he comforted her whenever she was having a hard time, in reality, he was the one who most wished for her breakup.

He was disgusted with himself for wishing for Da Eun’s unhappiness, without the courage to either distance himself or get closer.

This time, he was going to confess to Da Eun. In the house he had prepared for her, he wanted to tell her to forget everything and start anew. He had planned to wait until her wounds healed, but as Hee Ju said, it seemed he was late again.

Despite eight years of heartache, he had never been able to cross the line, but Yu Kwon, as if mocking Jun Won, had easily crossed it again this time.

On Wednesday, Yu Kwon reluctantly set foot in Hyanglimjae. Today, he felt even more reluctant to attend and wandered around the garden. Memories with his father lingered everywhere. Time in Hyanglimjae had stopped since then. There were no new memories to overlay.

As he entered the main building, a waiting employee greeted him. Yu Kwon immediately moved to the dining room. Yong Hee greeted Yu Kwon instead of Myung Il.

“Oh my. Father said he has something important to discuss privately with our husband, so they’ll have dinner separately.”

Yong Hee spoke as if she was pleased. At this, Yu Kwon’s brow furrowed noticeably.

“Then I’ll come back another time.”

The reason for enduring the ordeal at Hyanglimjae every Wednesday was because of Myung Il anyway. If he wasn’t there, there was no need to put on this childish act.

“Sit down. Let’s have a cozy meal with your aunt, just the two of us.”

Yong Hee commanded in an authoritative manner. It was a very natural attitude for someone who had never bowed to others in her entire life.

“Sure, why not.”

Unexpectedly, Yu Kwon accepted Yong Hee’s proposal. As he sat across from her, anger that he thought had burned to ashes flickered in his chest.

“Now that your father is gone, who will protect you here?”

That’s what Yong Hee, who had lost her brother, had said to Yu Kwon, who had lost his parents.

“I heard rumors that you’re busy dating.”

“Yeah, well.”

Yu Kwon answered nonchalantly, as if he had no intention of hiding it.

Well, look at that.

Yong Hee’s eyes narrowed.

A tense atmosphere flowed. The employee, as if accustomed to this kind of atmosphere, placed plates of steak in front of Yong Hee and Yu Kwon with an expressionless face.

“Please enjoy your meal.”

The employee bowed slightly and quickly retreated. Even looking at the well-cooked steak, Yu Kwon felt no appetite. Nevertheless, he cut the steak into pieces and put it in his mouth.

Unable to taste, the tough texture was more pronounced. He wanted to spit it out immediately, but exercising patience, he chewed and swallowed. The fact that he couldn’t taste was a secret even from Da Eun, let alone the Myung Il family. The only person who knew was Yu Kwon’s attending physician.

“By the way, does the food suit your taste?”

“Yes, it’s delicious.”

Although the sharp gaze bothered him, Yu Kwon continued eating without any particular reaction.

“I’ve finished eating.”

Yu Kwon, who had been eating in an elegant posture without any flaws, put down his utensils.

“Alright, go and rest.”

Yong Hee, who had been picking at her food, responded halfheartedly. As Yu Kwon bowed lightly and retreated, Yong Hee glanced at his back and slowly rose.

After Yu Kwon had completely left the dining room, Yong Hee sat in the seat where he had been sitting. She cut the half-eaten steak, put it in her mouth to chew, then spat it out with a ‘ptui’. A salty taste, as if salt had been poured in, hit her tongue. She rinsed her mouth with the water handed by the employee.

“Clear this away quickly and set a new table.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

The employees moved quickly at Yong Hee’s command.

“It seems he really can’t taste.”

Yong Hee murmured as she wiped her mouth with a napkin. She had ordered the employee in advance to match Yu Kwon’s arrival time. To serve a steak soaked in salt.

It was possible because the fastidious Manager Oak was absent. Manager Oak, the longest-serving and most old-fashioned among the Hyanglimjae staff, backed by Myung Il’s trust, would have flatly refused Yong Hee’s proposal and immediately reported the fact to Myung Il.

Yu Kwon used to have a sensitive palate like Myung Il. Because of that, he had appeared on a broadcast with Myung Il when he was young.

Myung Il particularly doted on Yu Kwon, saying he resembled himself more than his own children. Myung Il’s affection for Yu Kwon wouldn’t diminish just because he had lost his sense of taste.

However, she had to gather anything that could become a weakness. Unlike his father Yong Hyun, Yu Kwon had a cruel and harsh side. If she let her guard down, she might suffer a big blow.

By the time the meal was fully set, Myung Il appeared with Yong Hee’s husband, Kim Seo Cheon.

“What about Yu Kwon? I heard he left earlier, is he not here yet?”

“He said he had an urgent matter to attend to and left.”

“I see. Let’s eat.”

Yong Hee calmly told the lie.

She vowed to remove all obstacles and get Myung Il in her grasp. She quietly sharpened her knife for that day, whenever it might come.

After leaving Hyanglimjae, Yu Kwon returned to the company. And he quickly handled the remaining work.

“Shall I take you home?”

“Yes.”

Yu Kwon answered Jung Woo’s question casually and closed his eyes, leaning back in the rear seat.

“You like her, don’t you? Song Da Eun.”

Jung Woo’s words came back to him. What must his expression have been like when he heard those words? It must have been a foolish expression. A sneer played around his lips.

“But does it really look that way?”

Yu Kwon didn’t let the passing thought slip away and deliberately asked.

“What do you mean?”

As Yu Kwon didn’t give any hints, Jung Woo thought to himself for a while and then chuckled. He had found the answer.

“Ah, you mean about Song Da Eun?”

“…Yes.”

“You do like her.”

Jung Woo said as if it was obvious. This time with even more certainty.