He hesitated for a moment.

“Let’s get married. I’ll consider that child as my own. I’ll cherish and treasure you and the child.”

What would her reaction be when he said that?

This decision came after a day of serious contemplation since hearing from Lajin that she was pregnant.

He had loved Lajin for a long time. It was sincere and serious.

Therefore, he resolved to love and cherish her child as his own.

He couldn’t easily say it because he was afraid that it might irreversibly change his relationship with Lajin.

She spoke first during his silence.

“Oppa, may I speak first?”

“Huh? Oh, sure.”

“Could I use the safe house you mentioned before?”

Sunwoo’s eyes widened.

Apart from his confession to Lajin, he had also intended to make the same proposal.

“Grandfather mentioned that. There’s a place designated as a safe house that used to be in use, but now it’s not. Despite being near Seoul, its location is so discreet that it doesn’t even appear on the map.”

“Such a place exists?”

“Isn’t it fascinating? He said that only you know its location, and he was so reluctant to reveal it, no matter how much I urged him. He said it was dangerous, and how dare I ask him about it directly made me even more dangerous.”

As soon as he heard that Jaehun had come down as Yeonjun, Sunwoo thought of the safe house.

If Lajin couldn’t go overseas, it seemed like the only way to escape the radar of Geonyeong Group in South Korea.

“That’s strange. I was about to talk about that too.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. It seems risky for Yeonjun to stay longer. Jaehun knows that you were the last person he met when you were in Seoul. So, I thought he might have come down to find us.”

“H-How?”

“It seems like he visited the old house in Guhae-dong where you stayed. I guess someone who saw us that day told Jaehun about it.”

Lajin became anxious. She didn’t know when Jaehun might show up, so she needed to leave Yeonjun as soon as possible.

“Lajin, calm down. Breathe slowly. It’s not good for the baby if you’re too worried. Okay?”

Sunwoo comforted Lajin, whose complexion had turned pale in an instant.

Upon hearing the word “baby,” she obediently followed his advice and breathed slowly.

“I’ll try to inquire as soon as possible, so don’t worry too much.”

“What about your work?”

“Grandfather isn’t looking for an on-site secretary, so you can handle your work online. Meetings can be done through video calls.”

“I’m so thankful, and I’m sorry. I don’t know what to do. I’ll cover the expenses while staying at the safe house, and I’ll manage the facilities with my own funds.”

Upon hearing this, Sunwoo hardened his expression.

“Lajin, you don’t need to do that. This is entirely something I want to do.”

“Even so, I can’t stay for free. It would make me feel too uncomfortable. Of course, to Mr. Yi or you, it might not be a significant amount, but still, I’d appreciate it if you accepted it.”

Lajin was always like this. The moment she felt close, she drew a clear and distinct line. Very clear and definite.

Under normal circumstances, she would have stopped here according to her intentions.

But today, Sunwoo came to her with the determination to cross that line.

“Lajin.”

In an unusual atmosphere, she unconsciously swallowed her breath and straightened up.

“I have something to say.”

Somehow, she felt that she shouldn’t listen to Sunwoo’s words.

“Oppa, wait a moment.”

“No, Lajin. Listen to me first.”

Unlike usual times when he always yielded and considered, Sunwoo did not step back this time.

“I’ve been listening to your story and thinking deeply about it all day. I’ve contemplated it deeply and made a careful decision.”

“What…?”

“I want to be by your side. As a man.”

Her surprised eyes widened.
“I’ve liked you for a long time. Since our university days. My eyes have always followed you, but we’ve never crossed paths. You’ve always been chasing Jaehun.”

Upon Sunwoo’s sudden confession, it felt like she had been hit on the back of her head with a hammer, and her head tingled.

She had thought that the reason he was kind to her was purely because of his innate nature.

It made sense; he had always been kind not only to her but to everyone. He had never appealed romantically to anyone.

Although she had felt a bit strange lately, she dismissed it as a futile feeling. After learning about the child, she hadn’t thought about Sunwoo at all.

Looking at her surprised and stiffened expression, Sunwoo gave a faint smile.

“You seem quite surprised.”

“Ah… yes, honestly.”

“I thought I expressed it in my own way. You’re the only one I’ve contacted first.”

“But, Oppa, you’ve interacted and communicated with many people.”

“Yeah, but I’ve never contacted them first. They all approached me.”

She had no idea.

“Honestly, I’m not interested in other people’s circumstances or emotions.”

Even with this statement, Lajin was extremely surprised.

Sunwoo always seemed to see through other people’s situations. If someone asked about someone else, he never claimed not to know. Many people at the alumni association thanked him for helping them.