“Yeah, the owner of that house is a really famous writer. So, they needed a manager. I have to manage schedules, do research, and… um… I also write! They even promised to publish my writing as a book!”

Why did lies come out so smoothly? Nevertheless, Youngsoon was looking at her daughter with eyes full of suspicion.

“What are you talking about? A manager and they promised to publish your book?”

“Well, um… I mean, I’m a manager and a sub-writer. I even signed a contract. They pay 2 million won for two hours, and if I work more, they promised additional bonuses. And I can work however I want, without any interference. It’s so comfortable. Besides, you know I like drawing, right? There are really cool drawings there. I spend all my time looking at those drawings…”
“What kind of drawings do you like? You like cartoons. Always giggling while looking at characters that look unrealistic.”

“They have those kinds of cartoons at that house!”

“What? The landlord is a cartoonist, not a novelist?”

“Huh? Oh, no, it’s not like that. Anyway, when my book comes out, I’ll sign it and give it to Mom first.”

It was unclear how much of her daughter’s words were true. Judging by the tone of her speech, it didn’t seem like a lie, but a manager and a sub-writer… It sounded like a story pulled out of thin air.

“Sooyoung, I have no idea what you’re talking about. Are you saying the landlord is a writer, and you are a sub-writer and manager?”

“That’s right.”

“So, what exactly do you do in that house?”

“I told you, right? I schedule, do research, and write.”

More precisely, feed, put to sleep, take for a walk, occasionally trim the hair, but she couldn’t say that. As if confirming once again, Sunyoung asked.

“Isn’t it cleaning?”

“Huh? Uh…”

“Then who does the cleaning in that house? Aunt used to do it, but not anymore.”

Knowing her mother’s persistence well, Sooyoung’s mind spun around without focus.

“I… I do it myself. Last time, I went and did it. But I’m not good at it, so the landlord did it directly. I just eat.”

Eating too.

Sunyoung stared at her daughter’s face for a moment, then suddenly handed her own phone.

“Why?”

“Enter the landlord’s phone number here. Mom needs to meet her once. To see if she’s a trustworthy person. And to find out exactly what you do.”

“Mom! Am I a child?”

“You’re not a child, that’s why! How can a grown woman not distinguish right from wrong and wander around? Aren’t you worried, Mom? You like writing, so Mom likes publishing books too. However, there are so many scammers these days. What if they’re just using your precious daughter to boast about having a daughter who publishes a book? What will you do?”

“It’s not like that. Mom… I feel embarrassed…”

“That’s why I’m telling you to get a proper job at a real company!”

Feeling overwhelmed by the story like a whirlwind, Sooyoung sighed.

“So, you’re saying that your mother will call me?”

Jihyun asked, nodding repeatedly at Sooyoung’s call.

Yes. I’m sorry, but could you please tell her that I’m not a housemaid, but a manager and sub-writer for Seol Woojin? My mom keeps telling me to get a job at a company…

“Yes. I understand. Don’t worry. I’ll explain it well.”

Yes. I’m really sorry. Ah, it’s so embarrassing…

As Sooyoung spoke with a dejected voice, Jihyun responded with a smile.

“Don’t mention it. Both Woojin and I owe Sooyoung a lot. I can do anything you want. So, if you ever need help or have any inconvenience, please feel free to call anytime. Got it?”

Yes. Thank you so much.
Even after Sooyoung hung up the phone, Jihyun couldn’t put down his cell phone for a while. A manager… Even though she had thought that being a housemaid didn’t quite fit, there was no more appropriate title than this.

Whose idea was it?

Yeonseo, who was having breakfast across from him, looked at her husband with curious eyes.

“Is it Miss Sooyoung?”

“Yeah.”

“Why?”

“It seems like her mother is worried. She’ll probably call me. So, tell her I’m not a housemaid but a manager.”

“A manager for the young master?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh! That’s good!”

Yeonseo clapped her hands in approval.

“Honestly, it’s not just about being a housemaid. How much better did you become because of Miss Sooyoung?”

“Does Miss Sooyoung have an interest in Woojin?”

“Sure.”

Yeonseo’s firm response made Jihyun uneasy. Looking at her husband’s suspicious gaze, Yeonseo widened her big eyes even more and said.

“Mr. Jihyun, don’t you trust me?”

“No, it’s just that you’re so sure…”

“Because it’s true? I should have watched the next episode at this time. Ah, it’s a shame. I wonder what happened afterward…”

“The next episode? Are you talking about a drama?”

“No, Miss Sooyoung asked if the young master was our friend, right? But he said he wasn’t. So when Miss Sooyoung asked what kind of relationship they had, the young master just went into his room.”

“When?”

“When the young master hurt his hand.”

“Oh, really? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“The young master was in pain and confused at the time. And since then, I’ve been busy, and you’ve been busy too…”

“What’s the next episode?”

“It seemed like watching some youth drama. When you watch a drama, the male lead leaves, and the female lead becomes sad. It seemed like that. But who would have expected the young master to break the glass with his fist. I was really shocked. The young master’s temper is not ordinary. Miss Jihyun, have you ever broken glass with your fist?”

“No, it hurts my hand.”

“That’s right. Usually, people avoid doing things that they expect will hurt. Isn’t it like that? Only in dramas. But the young master…”

Yeonseo shook her head with a trembling motion. Neither Woojin nor Jihyun knew why he suddenly did that. They could only guess that he did it because he saw his situation as pessimistic, just like before.

Nevertheless, anyway, Yeonseo, Jihyun, and even Dr. Kang Hyungmin were relieved that he didn’t try to take his own life.

Watching Sooyoung chewing with an unpleasant sound, Woojin asked with a slightly annoyed tone.

“What’s going on?”

“What? What do you mean?”

Sooyoung, who had been lost in thought about when her mother would call Jihyun, snapped back to reality at Woojin’s words and asked.

“You’re lost in thought.”

“Seol Woojin, you’re really like a ghost. How did you know?”

“Why so?”

“My mother was wondering when you’ll call me. She’ll probably call you. Tell her that you’re not a housemaid but a manager.”

“A manager for the young master?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh, that’s good!”

Sooyoung approved with clapping hands.
At Sooyoung’s words, Woojin’s pumpkin-colored eyes shook slightly. He, who had been silent for a moment, asked quietly.

“You’ve been coming secretly all this time?”

“Yes. My mother thought I was preparing for employment at the library.”

To her, who came here every day without being able to say anything to her mother, Woojin felt an unfamiliar emotion.

“So, what did you say?”

“I said I’m a manager, just like Seol Woojin said… and also a sub-writer…”

“A sub-writer?”

“Yes. Because the landlord is a writer, I manage the schedule, find materials, and write. He said he would even publish my book.”

Sooyoung spoke cautiously, watching Woojin’s reaction. To her surprise, Woojin, who she thought would scoff, accepted the words with a serious expression.

“Do that.”

“Yes? What do you mean?”

“Manage my schedule, find materials, and write. If it’s good, tell Seol Jihyun and ask to publish it.”

“Really?”

“Seol Jihyun runs a publishing company. He’ll publish my book through Seol Jihyun’s publishing company.”

“An… anonymously?”

“I’m quite famous under a pseudonym.”

“What’s the pseudonym?”

“The name I use these days is Seol Yong.”

Woojin’s expression as he said this was utterly indifferent.