Chapter 3 – The Pine Tree and the Orchid (Part 1)

“Please sign here.”

Out of nowhere, a large pine bonsai, the kind you might see in the center of an exhibition hall, was delivered to Soo-yeon’s studio. Fortunately, she used a place with high ceilings and ample space as her studio; otherwise, there would have been no place for it.

Soo-yeon initially responded that she hadn’t ordered it, but then she saw Hee-tae’s name on the sender’s label and frowned. The price of pine trees varies widely, but given the size and unique shape of this one, it was unlikely to be cheap. After the delivery person left, Soo-yeon opened the card he had left behind.

[Since you left the bouquet in my car while having s*x, I’m sending you something you can’t throw away.]

What would people think if they saw such vulgar words written on a gift card? It was too big and heavy to dispose of, and it felt awkward to request the delivery man to take it back. The delivery man was drenched in sweat from just moving it for a short time. Soo-yeon was momentarily captivated by the imposing pine tree that seemed to resemble Hee-tae, then continued reading the card.

[Think of it as me and take good care of it. The thick trunk does resemble my c**k, doesn’t it?]

Soo-yeon quickly closed the card with a smack, as if swatting a fly. It wasn’t worth reading any further. She considered throwing the pine tree out, but couldn’t muster the strength to lift it. The massive tree taking up one side of her studio resembled its giver. Soo-yeon took out her phone and sent a message to Hee-tae.

[I can’t accept this.]

[If you return it, I’ll send two more, so keep that in mind.]

Hee-tae’s shameless reply came back. The thought of him sending two more of something that already took up so much space gave her a headache. She had no idea how he had even found out her studio address. Complaining about his audacity would only lead to more annoying responses. Staring at the unmovable tree, Soo-yeon sent another message.

[It’s expensive.]

[ At this rate, someone might think you’re a loan shark. You’re so obsessed with money. ]

Hee-tae’s reply sounded incredulous. Soo-yeon didn’t want to discuss the price of a gift, but this was undoubtedly exorbitant. While she could gratefully accept a bouquet as a congratulatory gift for an exhibition, she couldn’t accept a bonsai worth several refrigerators. Moreover, Soo-yeon, who had gotten used to giving during her past relationship, found receiving such a gift unfamiliar and uncomfortable. It was uncomfortable to receive anything from anyone, as it felt like she had to return the favor.

[After seeing your exhibition, I thought something like this suited you better than flowers.]

Soo-yeon clutched her forehead after reading Hee-tae’s follow-up message. This wasn’t a mocking comment about her foolishness. It was his genuine sentiment. This made her even more unsure of how to respond, so she just stared at the message. His uncomfortable and intrusive kindness seemed to be invading her. When Soo-yeon looked up, the large pine tree was staring back at her with an undeniable presence.

***

“Show your face more often. I might forget what you look like.”

Soo-yeon was dragged out to a golf field under the scorching sun. It was a spot her father, President Chae, had forced her into, wanting to show off his daughter like a trophy. Soo-yeon half-heartedly responded with “Yes” to those who acknowledged her. The thought of having to sit uncomfortably with strangers she’d never met made her want to leave immediately. She had lived her life going with the flow, but now it seemed she had developed a rebellious streak, even having argued with a gangster-like man.

“What do you think of my son, Soo-yeon?”

Soo-yeon froze at the topic suddenly thrown at her. She hadn’t gone around announcing her breakup with Min-jun. However, due to President Chae’s attempts to use her marriage for business purposes, the breakup had become an established fact. Soo-yeon didn’t feel the need to add to the rumors. The breakup that President Chae had so eagerly wished for had come true. But this wasn’t something she wanted to hear.

“My son isn’t bad, is he?”

The son, whom he described as “not bad,” was an eight-year-older divorced man with two children. It was also publicly known that the reason for the divorce was his infidelity. Instead of trying to dissuade her, people began to evaluate Soo-yeon, saying she wasn’t bad either. Listening to their half-hearted comments about her long-term relationship, Soo-yeon was speechless. They were equating a man who divorced due to infidelity with a woman who had broken up after a long-term relationship. A middle-aged man added with a laugh,

“People with similar wounds should be together. Don’t take it too sensitively.”

Soo-yeon had never been married, nor had she ever cheated while raising two children. She couldn’t understand what similar wounds she shared with a man who had committed infidelity. His attempt to cover his son’s significant flaws with her was beyond shameless. Though wrapped in elegant language, the rotten stench of his true intentions was evident.

If his son was so great, he should keep him forever instead of trying to find a daughter-in-law to serve him. They were just looking for a compliant daughter-in-law to take care of their precious son.

“I’d love to have a daughter-in-law like Soo-yeon. It’s no wonder President Chae treasures her so much. She’s capable, diligent, and devoted.”

The words that followed, meant to compliment her, were nothing more than elegant ridicule. They hinted at wanting a daughter-in-law who was famous but submissive. Soo-yeon realized that she was being openly mocked. It felt like she was finally understanding that living as a subordinate in relationships made others see her that way too.

“Unfortunately, I’m not that diligent or dedicated. I couldn’t even tolerate infidelity.”

Soo-yeon cut through the mocking atmosphere directed at her with a steady voice. The middle-aged man who had recommended his son, divorced due to infidelity, turned pale at her words. Those who had been evaluating her also cleared their throats and started looking around nervously. It was proof that they saw Soo-yeon, capable and dedicated, as a fool who couldn’t express her opinions. They had prodded her, thinking she was easy, only to be taken aback by her unexpected retaliation.

“I’m talking about myself.”

Soo-yeon added briefly in front of the gazes directed at her. This, however, was essentially confirming that she had reversed the mockery they had pushed onto her about the man with children.

The frozen atmosphere showed no signs of thawing. When they were bullying Soo-yeon together, they seemed ready to find President Chae and question her impudence. Eventually, a middle-aged man, his face turning red and purple, started off with a condescending “How dare you…” Soo-yeon was bracing herself for the scolding directed at her, but a hand suddenly appeared from behind and snatched her golf club away.

“Long time no see, everyone.”

The man who leisurely took her golf club greeted them with a smile. The moment Soo-yeon saw Jang Hee-tae’s face, a mix of complicated emotions surged within her. She could handle them all by herself. She had planned to respond just like she would to President Chae’s low-quality blind date attempts and leave. However, when Hee-tae approached her with a smile, she felt the strength drain from her upright posture.

“Did you wait for me?”

He was the man who had humiliated her with arrogant words and tried to make her shed tears. She had never waited for such a man, but his stance next to her, as if taking her side, made her feel as if she had been waiting for him. The middle-aged man momentarily forgot his anger and let out a frustrated sigh mixed with irritation, then sneered.

“Oh, so Chae Soo-yeon has switched over to this side.”

“Ah, you just found out? How unfortunate that the news reached you so late.”

Hee-tae spoke with a furrowed brow, as if expressing regret. Although his tone was polite, it only made his words sound more mocking. Soo-yeon couldn’t bring herself to deny his words as he spoke as if they were lovers, even though their relationship was only brushing against each other’s skin. If she were to deny it, it would make them seem like a couple embarrassed about being on the verge of a relationship. Hee-tae glanced at Soo-yeon and added with a mischievous smile.

“But Chae Soo-yeon hasn’t switched sides, as you can see, it’s one-sided.”

“Well, she’s popular because she’s capable. I wanted to introduce my son to her,  but ah, the way she talks is so scary.”

The middle-aged man began to mock again, laughing even after hearing Hee-tae’s words. He dismissed the idea that a gangster’s interest in her was anything more than fleeting, and he didn’t hesitate to mention wanting to introduce his son to her. The others, who had been frozen in silence, joined in, laughing at how fierce she was earlier. The middle-aged man clicked his tongue and said,

“I praised her a bit, and she doesn’t know her place, talking back to her elders like that. It’s tough to have a strong-willed daughter-in-law.”

“Oh, you must not know. A man who uses ‘strong-willed’ as an insult to a woman isn’t worth a damn.”

“W-What? What are you saying right now…”

“You want a capable daughter-in-law, but you also want her to shut up and meekly listen to everything you say.”