Wishing for Salvation (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 14
Madam Ko arrived at work at her usual time and tilted her head in confusion upon seeing the open bedroom door.
“Director? What are you doing here?”
Kang Hyun, who had invaded the kitchen that should have been bustling with activity, dumped the heavy shopping bags onto the island countertop.
“If there’s something you’d like to eat, just say so! Why did you buy so much?”
“This.”
Madam Ko, flustered, rolled her eyes before taking the note Kang Hyun handed her.
It listed Seo Yoon’s favorite foods—jotted down in a sudden thought after a sleepless night with bloodshot eyes.
“It’ll be hard to prepare all at once, so do it gradually. Season very lightly. No spicy food. Her stomach isn’t well, so please avoid strong seasonings.”
“Yes? Yes, I understand. I’ll do just that.”
They say sudden changes in a person often signal trouble. Kang Hyun, moving through the house with an unusually neat appearance, felt unfamiliar.
“Well, eating the exact same meal every single day—that’s what’s strange.”
Madam Ko, thinking Kang Hyun’s stomach probably couldn’t take it anymore, quickly tied on her apron.
[Let’s have lunch together.]After sending a message to Ji An, Kang Hyun paced nervously near the front door.
Why aren’t you here yet?
He checked his watch by shaking his wrist every five minutes. He suddenly regretted having told her she could come and go freely.
Finally, the door lock clicked with a soft clack.
Afraid his long wait would show, Kang Hyun hastily turned around and fussed unnecessarily with his clothing.
At the same time, he firmly suppressed the corners of his lips from curling upward.
“Director?”
When Ji An came right up to him, his heart pounded so violently in his chest that he struggled to speak.
“Are you going out again today?”
He wanted to hug her. Despite his resolution from yesterday, a strong impulse surged within him.
“No.”
“Then why are you standing out here?”
“Because I wanted to.”
“Oh… I shouldn’t have asked something so pointless.”
Her grumpy reply was so endearing that he wanted to hug her again.
Suppressing a sigh, Kang Hyun shoved his hands deep into his pants pockets to stop them from reaching out on their own.
“About lunch—”
“I’m sorry. I already ate before leaving home. You should’ve messaged earlier.”
“I see.”
There’s dinner, and tomorrow too. It’s just a meal—what’s the big deal?
He hadn’t even realized how much he’d hoped for it until his chest suddenly ached and his throat stung.
Things were completely different now compared to when he’d thought of Seo Ji An merely as Seo Yoon’s twin.
She was the part of himself raised beside him—someone who had been more than a lover. Merely watching her from afar was far from easy.
But he had to do it anyway.
“Huh?”
Ji An, who had sat across from Kang Hyun to keep him company, blinked in astonishment.
The usually simple dining table was now crowded with new dishes.
“The director suddenly got a whim and said he wants to eat something different.”
Madam Ko fussed excitedly. The fragrant scent of mugwort wafted from the clam soup she’d just cooked—her skills showing after a long while.
“That’s a good idea.”
“Let’s eat together tomorrow. I don’t want to keep making you sit alone, so don’t feel pressured.”
“Yes, I will.”
“Oh my, then I’ll prepare beef soup tomorrow.”
Clear beef soup packed generously with beef—one of the dishes detailed on the menu.
“Really? I absolutely love that! The kind with lots of beef.”
Kang Hyun’s slightly gloomy expression brightened. Of course, it was such a subtle change no one else would’ve noticed.
“Um, Director… could I leave work just one day earlier tomorrow?”
“What’s the matter?”
“My dad works at a construction site. He got a little hurt yesterday and was hospitalized. It’s really upsetting.”
Since today was also the day she’d secretly done a DNA test and learned she was adopted, she felt inexplicably guilty.
As Ji An’s brow furrowed, Kang Hyun mirrored the same expression.
“You look… well.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, your mood? You always looked completely empty before, but today… something feels different.”
Perhaps finding Han Seo Yoon’s blood relatives had given her some clarity.
“Are you happy, Seo Ji An?”
“Huh?”
Happiness—out of nowhere?
Could it be… again?
Sensing that a sad remark might slip out, Ji An narrowed her eyes sharply.
“It’s not like I’m about to say something stupid like, ‘I’m miserable, so I envy you.’”
“Do you really want me to answer? It’s a little awkward saying this in front of you, Director.”
She wasn’t bold enough to talk about happiness while standing right before someone for whom unhappiness was a daily reality.
“It’s fine.”
“Of course, I’m happy. I’ve landed such a great job, and I have parents who love me deeply. I caused them so much worry and pain before—now I’m grateful for every single day.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“What is?”
“That at least one of the two sitting face-to-face is happy.”
“But you said you wouldn’t say anything sad.”
“This isn’t sad. It just means it’s better than both of us being unhappy.”
Afraid swallowing more food might choke him, Kang Hyun finished his meal and drank cold water to wash away the surging desires bubbling up inside.
“Is your father alone at the hospital?”
“Yes. My mom’s at work too.”
“I should go, then—to the hospital.”
“I’ll head there right after work.”
“Let’s go together.”
“Why? Why would you?”
“Hospital visit. I should show some care for my only subordinate. Besides, you’re great company.”
Ji An let out a tiny, skeptical snort through her nose and nodded.
“You don’t have to go out of your way like this. I’d have gone to see Han Seo Yoon anyway. Even though we’ve never met… we’re still twins, after all.”
“Yes, that’s a good point too.”
Thanks to her offering a reasonable excuse, he now had a little more justification to be close to her.
“Just don’t mention anything about twins or DNA tests, okay?”
“I’m not that clueless.”
The parents of the late Seo Ji An—he needed to verify whether they’d knowingly accepted Seo Yoon.
If they didn’t even know their daughter had died, that would be a serious problem too.
To properly protect Seo Yoon, he had to quickly uncover who was behind the accident.
Ji An, who’d gone down to the parking lot ahead of Kang Hyun to wait for him, absently parted her lips.
She’d thought this before—he looked somehow different when dressed properly, almost like someone from another world.
If not for being Han Seo Yoon’s twin, they probably would’ve never crossed paths in their lives.
“Get in.”
Ji An, who’d been staring blankly at the long strides his legs made, suddenly snapped out of it and climbed into the passenger seat.
With his bangs neatly swept back, his slightly slanted eyebrows stood out distinctly.
His sharply angled eyes gave him an intense, piercing look.
“Do you wear baby powder perfume?”
Today, especially, the cozy and sweet scent tickled her nose strongly.
“It’s Seo Yoon’s.”
“Oh… right.”
So that’s why she’d been told not to enter Kang Hyun’s bedroom wearing strong perfumes.
She hadn’t realized it then, overwhelmed as she’d been—but she thought she remembered the same scent in his room on her first day too.
From one to a hundred, it’s all about Han Seo Yoon.
What an incredible love.
Having never experienced it herself—or even if she had, not remembering—she’d always wondered what that feeling was like.
Even when immersed in dramas and movies, she’d questioned whether anyone could truly go that far for love.
But after seeing Tae Kang Hyun, it seemed dramas were nothing in comparison.
After all, his lover could never return. Wouldn’t it be better to start a new life?
“Did I ever have a boyfriend?”
Lost in thought, Ji An muttered without realizing it.
“What?”
“Nothing, nothing.”
Her parents and friends alike kept silent about her life four years ago, so she knew very little about herself.
“Your father’s favorite—food or fruit?”
“A gift box of juice would be enough.”
“Then let’s get a fruit basket as well.”
In the past, he might have just tossed an envelope of cash.
Thinking he wouldn’t have realized any of this if he hadn’t lost Seo Yoon, his self-loathing grew even heavier.
The six-bed ward was quite noisy. It was an unfamiliar space Kang Hyun had never stepped into before.
“Dad!”
“Oh dear, here comes Miss Seo! And who’s this tall, handsome man? Your boyfriend?”
The woman in the next bed, who’d quickly grown friendly, chuckled and clapped her hands.
“He’s my boss.”
“Bosses become older brothers and then husbands!”
“Auntie, really! I’ll close the curtain!”
Blushing, Ji An hurriedly pulled the curtain shut. Knowing Kang Hyun’s situation, she couldn’t easily let that joke slide.
“I’m sorry, Director.”
“It’s fine.”
“What are you doing bringing him along with all this chaos?”
“No, I insisted on coming. I’m Tae Kang Hyun.”
“I’m Seo Do Cheol. I’m glad my daughter works under someone decent like you.”
“You should have a drink with Secretary Seo sometime.”
Kang Hyun placed a large fruit basket overflowing with tropical fruits and a box of juice onto the small bedside chair.
“Ji An, get some cold drinks from the fridge for them.”
“Yes!”
“We leave Ji An in your care. She’s quite spoiled at home, so I’m worried. She has practically no experience with social life—how is she at work?”
“She’s doing well—diligent, cheerful, and always smiling. Thank you.”
“Oh, thank us? We should be thanking you! She must still have a lot to learn.”
“She’ll do even better going forward.”
Just before Seo Do Cheol could say, “We leave her in your care,” Kang Hyun quickly corrected himself and gave a faint smile.
“Here, have some.”
Ordinary small talk flowed comfortably until Ji An finished the aloe juice she’d brought out.
Do Cheol showed no sign of recognizing him at all, nor did he seem to be raising Seo Yoon in place of his own daughter.
It was an affection so genuine it couldn’t be faked unless one were a seasoned actor.
Leaning against the hallway wall, Kang Hyun watched Ji An close the ward door with a complicated look as she waved energetically.
This peace remaining undisturbed seemed beneficial in many ways.
“How about moving to a private room? You’ll likely stay another ten days or so—it’s too hectic here.”
“But payday hasn’t come yet. Our finances are tight.”
“I’ll cover it.”
“No, it’s really okay.”
“Consider it staff welfare. If your personal matters interfere with work, it inconveniences me.”
She was tempted by the employee welfare logic, but couldn’t help but let out a dry chuckle at his last remark.
“Director, I don’t even have any duties right now. It’s impossible for me to be interfering.”
“You will soon.”
“Really? Am I starting work now?”
Her breath hitched, and her chest swelled so much it refused to settle.
“Remember to breathe.”
Only then, as if she’d just shouted “wrong!”, did her shoulders finally slump.
Kang Hyun nearly died trying to suppress the smile threatening to burst out. She looked just like Seo Yoon used to in elementary or middle school.
“You finally feel like a real employee now.”
“You’ll probably miss having me at home. But I won’t hire another secretary, so you can relax.”
To protect someone, one needed power. He had to reclaim everything he’d once cast away in horror at his past self.
This time, entirely for Seo Yoon.
“Go back in now. We should arrange the room transfer too.”
“Thank you! I’ll come in early tomorrow!”
He wanted to ask her to dinner. Even though they’d be together every day, he knew he’d still feel that familiar emptiness each time.
As if she, who had left without hesitation, were still lingering behind.
Kang Hyun stood in that spot a moment longer before slowly walking away.
Seo Yoon.
This time, I’ll stand behind you—so you can fly toward the life you want, smiling all the way.
Male lead is a Love-Obsessed Merman
When he discovers she has gone, he risks everything to pursue her on land, enduring agonizing pain to transform his tail into human legs…
One-line summary: Male lead chases female lead. The male lead’s love is a bit sick, an invincible love brain.
Synopsis
During a voyage at sea, Jiang Yang accidentally captures a merman.
Servant: I heard that mermen are fierce and brutal.
Jiang Yang looks at the merman obediently rubbing her palm like a puppy: “You call this fierce and brutal?”
Servant: I heard that mermen have no human nature.
Jiang Yang looks at the merman with wet puppy eyes, obsessively calling her ‘A Yang’ like a childish infant: “You call this having no human nature?”
With great difficulty, she releases the merman back into the sea and returns to shore.
Who would have thought that in less than half a month, the merman, who should have been freely wandering in the South China Sea, would shed his scales, endure the pain of losing his tail, transform into human legs, and come ashore to find her?
He kneels at her feet, rubbing her palm, with merman tears rolling down: “A Yang, don’t abandon me.”
_____
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