Your Former Wife - Chapter 48

The innermost part of Gyeongwonjae, the inner quarters.

Han Seo Yeon was looking down at the janggi board with a serious expression.

“Hmm. Where did the person playing janggi go? It seems we’re taking too much time.”

At that, Do Jun Seok, sitting across from Han Seo Yeon, spoke impatiently.

Despite Do Jun Seok’s urging, Han Seo Yeon carefully examined the board before placing a piece in an unexpected position.

Do Jun Seok stared at Han Seo Yeon with widened eyes for a moment. Then, shortly after, he mocked Han Seo Yeon’s move.

“It seems I’ll win this game after all.”

Do Jun Seok, his mood at its peak, didn’t stop there and teased Han Seo Yeon once more.

“You’re not going to ask for another chance, saying it was a mistake, are you?”

Han Seo Yeon, who had been pondering her next move, looked up at Do Jun Seok’s words.

“It was an intentional move.”

And she answered with a faint smile. Thinking it was Han Seo Yeon’s bluff, Do Jun Seok moved his piece to capture her cannon with his right horse.

It was as good as taking it for free due to Han Seo Yeon’s mistake. While Do Jun Seok was smiling triumphantly, Han Seo Yeon, who had been closely observing the board, made her next move.

“…!”

Do Jun Seok was startled. Han Seo Yeon had used her right cannon to place it in a position where she could capture his chariot.

He had been pleased to take the cannon for free, but now he was about to give up his chariot for nothing.

Could it be that giving up the cannon wasn’t a mistake but a calculated move? Do Jun Seok boiled with anger, feeling as if he had been cheated rather than beaten fair and square.

“This is a trick, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it is. A trick I won’t be able to use twice. Indeed, it’s a trick.”

“Since you admit it so readily, I assume you’ll agree this game is void.”

As Do Jun Seok tried to reset the pieces, Han Seo Yeon firmly shook her head.

“No. A loss is still a loss. You can continue playing if you don’t want to give up.”

“Huh…”

“Take your time to think. Unlike your grandfather, I’ll wait patiently for you.”

“My, what an impudent thing. You never lose an argument, do you?”

“What will you do? Give up now? Or continue playing?”

“I’ve lost. I’ve lost!”

Han Seo Yeon smiled at Do Jun Seok’s declaration of surrender and began to tidy up the pieces. Do Jun Seok was truly dumbfounded.

At the audacity of his granddaughter-in-law, who dared to play such a deceptive game against him, the head of the Han Kyung Group, and then shamelessly insist that a loss was a loss.

“Let’s play one more time.”

Thinking he couldn’t possibly lose if they played without tricks, Do Jun Seok suggested another game.

“Of course, sir.”

Han Seo Yeon nodded, as if to say it wouldn’t be difficult at all. And so, the match began. Having admitted that her previous strategy was a trick, Han Seo Yeon played by the book this time, as if to say she wouldn’t use underhanded moves twice.

‘Without any dirty tricks, there’s no way I could lose to such a youngster.’

And as he thought, the match ended in an easy victory for Do Jun Seok.

“I’ve lost.”

Han Seo Yeon graciously accepted defeat. Feeling somewhat elated, Do Jun Seok suggested with a broad smile.

“It’s one-all. How about we play one last game to determine the winner?”

And so began their final match. Befitting a final game, the outcome wasn’t easily decided. When one thought they were winning, the other would launch an attack, and when one thought they were losing, a path to victory would appear.

Perhaps because it was such an intense game, Do Jun Seok found himself fully immersed in the game itself for the first time in a long while. He couldn’t remember when he had last enjoyed himself this much.

However, the match came to an abrupt end.

And not because of Han Seo Yeon’s clever move, but due to his own mistake. Hoping that perhaps she hadn’t noticed his error, Do Jun Seok looked at Han Seo Yeon, who annoyingly stared back at him as if to ask if he really meant to make that move.

The game had been so exciting up until now that Do Jun Seok felt it would be a shame to end it so anticlimactically.

“That was a mistake. Let me take it back.”

Finally, he swallowed his pride and spoke. Han Seo Yeon, who had been calmly studying the board, looked up at Do Jun Seok for a moment before slowly shaking her head.

“No. Mistakes are part of one’s skill too.”

Do Jun Seok felt as if he had been struck from behind by Han Seo Yeon’s response.

Who would have imagined that his much younger granddaughter-in-law would dare to refuse a request from the head of the Han Kyung Group? Do Jun Seok found Han Seo Yeon’s behavior incredibly impudent, not only rejecting his request but also lecturing him that mistakes were part of one’s skill.

“Would you take it back if I gave you some pocket money?”

“I don’t need pocket money.”

“You’re saying you don’t need it without even hearing how much I’d give?”

“Are you planning to buy me a building or something?”

Do Jun Seok’s face lit up with interest at Han Seo Yeon’s bold statement. He spoke with a stern expression.

“Look at this. I thought you were a timid girl without greed, but it turns out you’re the embodiment of desire. You want a building for a mere janggi bet?”

While he was mentally contemplating how to teach her a lesson, feeling quite indignant, she surprisingly gave the opposite answer.

“I never said I’d accept it. I don’t want it even if you offer me a building.”

Now Do Jun Seok regretted not offering the pocket money first.

“Are you really going to be like this?”

“…”

“Just let me take back that one move.”

“No.”

“Who did you take after to be so stubborn?”

As the two were arguing like this for a while, there was a sound from outside the door.

“Chairman. The refreshments are ready.”

“Come in.”

As soon as Do Jun Seok gave permission, the sliding door opened and two servants entered.

They each placed a plate of colorful snacks and a teacup at Han Seo Yeon and Do Jun Seok’s seats.

As Han Seo Yeon was enjoying the aroma while sipping from the steaming teacup, Do Jun Seok asked.

“Where and from whom did you learn to play janggi?”

“…”

“It must have been quite boring for a young person to enjoy, right?”

At his question, Han Seo Yeon fell into thought. It was when she had been frequenting the hospital where Do Jun Seok was admitted, sitting in a chair to apply pressure to his hands as he complained of still feeling stuffy.

‘No need to come from tomorrow.’

‘Is my coming here uncomfortable for you?’

‘I’m telling you not to waste your time. You won’t get any leftovers even if you visit like this. I can’t give you a penny unless you cut ties with your family.’

‘I’m not coming here expecting anything.’

Do Jun Seok responded spitefully to Han Seo Yeon’s answer.

‘I’m sure you’re not.’

But it was easy to tell that he didn’t mean it. Han Seo Yeon diligently moved her hands, regardless of Do Jun Seok’s spiteful words. After watching her silently for a while, Do Jun Seok’s gaze turned towards the window.

‘It’s boring.’

‘…’

‘I know I don’t have many days left, so what’s the point of treatment? I’ve lived intensely until now, so I have no regrets or lingering attachments. I just wish this pain would end soon.’

Han Seo Yeon’s expression hardened at Do Jun Seok’s words.

‘Why are you saying such weak things?’

‘I’m just so bored being hospitalized.’

Do Jun Seok’s face looked infinitely lonely as he answered like that.

‘What can I do to help you?’

‘It would be fun to play a game of janggi.’

‘I’m sorry. I don’t know how to play janggi.’

At Han Seo Yeon’s words, Do Jun Seok responded with a slightly disappointed expression.

‘I see. That’s alright.’

Han Seo Yeon told the chief of staff who assisted Do Jun Seok about what had happened today and even suggested that it would be good to find someone to play janggi with the chairman.

Unfortunately, the next day, Do Jun Seok’s condition worsened and he was moved to the ICU, making visits impossible, and he passed away without being able to play the game of janggi he had wanted.

“I learned by myself from books and the internet a while ago.”

She never knew that what she had learned out of guilt and regret for her grandfather would be so useful today.

“You taught yourself? Well, well, it seems you’re quite clever despite appearances!”

Han Seo Yeon smiled, happy that she could play janggi with Do Jun Seok, even if it was late. Do Jun Seok smiled back at her smile.

She usually didn’t smile or talk much, so he hadn’t noticed, but looking at her face closely now, she was a striking beauty. Was this why his grandson, who he thought would live alone forever, had said he wanted to get married first?

“We’ve had some delicious snacks, and a fair amount of time has passed. Now, answer me. What would it take for me to take back that one move? Hm? Tell me.”

Do Jun Seok asked with a bright expression. He was prepared to gift her not just one building, but two, if she wanted, for energizing him after so long.

At first he had felt indignant, but now he was looking forward to what outrageous answer Han Seo Yeon might give. Han Seo Yeon didn’t seem surprised, as if she had expected such a response.

“Will you grant anything I ask?”

As expected. It seemed she had no intention of being satisfied with just a bit of pocket money. However, Do Jun Seok didn’t particularly dislike her for it.

Rather, he thought that only someone with such grand aspirations and honesty about their desires could keep his willful grandson in check.

“Yes. Tell me anything.”

As he answered, Han Seo Yeon’s expression changed. It became more serious, and her tightly closed lips even showed a hint of solemnity. Just as he was feeling quite expectant about what answer she might give.

“I’d like you to have a comprehensive medical examination, sir.”

Do Jun Seok’s brow furrowed at Han Seo Yeon’s utterly unexpected answer.

“Is that all you wish for?”

“Yes, it is.”

“You keep harping on about health checkups. Do I look that weak to you?”

“If you want to play betting janggi with me for a long time, you need to be healthy.”

Do Jun Seok looked Han Seo Yeon up and down as if looking at a naive granddaughter, then shouted as if to tell her to come to her senses.

“You’ve just missed the chance to become instantly rich, you fool.”

But whatever she was thinking, Han Seo Yeon’s attitude remained firm. There was no wavering. It seemed as if there was no one in this world who could break her stubbornness.

“Alright.”

“…!”

“I’ll do it. I promise. Now will you let me take back that move?”

Han Seo Yeon nodded with a bright smile.