Chapter 19. Investment for the Future  

As Byeonghun was being nudged forward by Lee Hyun, he kept glancing wistfully in the direction where Han Yerin was.

“Ah, I still have something to say to Yerin…”

“It’s too late.”

“I know that.”

“Yerin is quite tired today.”

As the door slammed shut and Yerin disappeared, Lee Hyun quickly wiped the smile off his face that had pretended to be friendly.

“Let’s go down.”

His cool voice was so cold that it felt like they had to leave immediately.

“Uh, I was just about to go down anyway.”

“Mr. Han, but since when did we become so close?”

“Huh?”

“You’ve been speaking informally to me for a while now. Should I do the same?”

“Oh. I’m sorry.”

Byeonghun raised one hand to scratch the back of his head.

He had tried to act like an adult since Lee Hyun was dating his daughter, but it wasn’t easy, considering who Lee Hyun was.

In the meantime, they arrived at the first floor.

Seeing the luxury foreign car parked in front of the villa, Byeonghun’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Could that car be yours?”

“…”

“Is it?”

It was one of only two cars of its kind in the country, and even seeing one in person was rare.

Instead of answering Byeonghun’s question, Lee Hyun pressed the smart key.

Beep—

The moment the lights turned on in that enormous vehicle, Byeonghun’s mouth dropped open.

‘Where on earth did Han Yerin find such an impressive guy?’

Thinking that the best thing his daughter had done since she was born was dating Lee Hyun, Byeonghun chuckled.

He had thought that Lee Hyun was a narrow-minded brat when he pointed out how short his responses were.

But after seeing this expensive car, his attitude changed instantly.

He was truly a big deal.

“By the way, are you really planning to take me home?”

“Yes.”

Lee Hyun left a short reply and got into the car first.

Feeling slightly awkward, Byeonghun cautiously approached and opened the passenger door.

The interior of the car was luxuriously designed to the point of making his eyes widen.

He couldn’t help but wonder where his daughter had found such a remarkable man, how long they had been dating, and so many other things.

As Lee Hyun smoothly started the car, Byeonghun opened his mouth.

“So, about my Yerin and—”

“Mr. Han, you’re not planning to come by again tomorrow, are you?”

Lee Hyun’s sharp tone made Byeonghun answer without hesitation.

“No, no, of course not. Haha, how could I keep visiting my grown daughter like this? Isn’t that right? Hahaha.”

Then he quickly shut his mouth.

‘Ah, that’s not what I meant to say.’

That wasn’t the answer he wanted to give.

But every time he stood in front of Lee Hyun, he felt so nervous that he was being manipulated into saying what Lee Hyun wanted.

It was truly maddening.

Lee Hyun maintained a blank expression, focusing only on the road ahead.

“I heard somewhere that you have a good business idea, Mr. Han.”

At Lee Hyun’s words, Byeonghun’s head snapped around.

“Of course, I do! If I just had the funds, it’s the kind of idea that could shock the world…”

“But you have nowhere to get the investment?” 

“Yes, that’s right.”

Byeonghun’s eyes sparkled in the darkness.

In fact, he had come to see Yerin hoping to get a little money.

But now, he had a feeling that he could charm a much bigger fish without even needing to open Yerin’s small wallet.

Byeonghun was about to explain the business idea he currently had.

However, it was quickly drowned out by Lee Hyun’s low voice.

“I’d like to see the business plan.”

“Are you serious about that?”

“Yes.”

Byeonghun beamed with joy.

He hadn’t even had to step in to say anything awkward; Lee Hyun had brought up wanting to see the business plan first.

He thought that Lee Hyun must be deeply in love with his daughter, Yerin, and put on a serious expression.

Though Lee Hyun couldn’t see it, as the car was enveloped in darkness.

“Ho ho. I’ll have to find some time for this.”

Of course, he had plenty of time.

But he didn’t want to seem too eager from the start, so he pretended to be busy in front of someone who seemed busier than anyone else.

While driving down the main road, Lee Hyun pulled over to a side lane where they could stop briefly.

“I hope you won’t come to visit Yerin unannounced while I’m reviewing the business plan next time.”

“Oh, of course! That’s how it should be.”

It wasn’t as if he had gone to see Yerin because he missed her.

The purpose of his visit was to squeeze out a little more money.

If he could secure an investment, he would be willing to comply with a hundred more requests like this from Lee Hyun.

“And no more bothering her with calls either…”

“Oh, I won’t. I won’t.”

If he could open a bigger wallet without bothering Yerin, why would he cling to a daughter who didn’t even welcome him?

Lee Hyun spoke with a blank expression toward Byeonghun, who had answered so straightforwardly.

“It’s nice that we understand each other. But I think you have many questions about our relationship, Mr. Han.”

Byeonghun laughed.

“Wouldn’t it be better to ask me than Yerin?”

That was true.

If Yerin heard his questions, she would undoubtedly think of him as a materialistic father.

Nodding vigorously, Byeonghun saw Lee Hyun unlock the car door.

“For now, let’s call it a day. If the opportunity arises, I’ll tell you about my relationship with Yerin next time.”

“Yes, thank you for driving me all the way here.”

Though he was dropped off on a strange road somewhat far from where he lived, that wasn’t what mattered right now.

Byeonghun got out of Lee Hyun’s car and stood there, grinning until he left, waving goodbye.

“What kind of stroke of luck is this?”

He had already guessed that Lee Hyun was extremely wealthy just by looking at the clothes he wore and the car he drove.

But to think that someone who wasn’t even married yet, just dating his girlfriend, would go so far as to invest in her father’s business—he truly had money to spare.

“Yeah, our Yerin must take after me in looks, so she’s somewhat presentable.”

Byeonghun straightened his narrow shoulders and walked down the night road, feeling elated.

A few strands of his remaining hair fluttered in the wind.

“I’m really curious about where those two met.”

Even though he couldn’t meet Yerin directly or get in touch with her, it didn’t matter much.

He could just ask that rich guy, who was completely smitten with his daughter, for the trivial details.

***

At the same time, Secretary Choi was driving Nari’s car instead.

“I’m really fine, Secretary Choi.”

Since she hadn’t been drinking, she could have driven herself just fine.

But perhaps due to Lee Hyun’s orders, Secretary Choi insisted on driving.

“No. If the Director finds out that I sent the you off alone, I’ll really be in big trouble.”

“I can keep it a secret.”

Despite Nari’s words, Secretary Choi didn’t budge.

Thinking that she was truly incorrigible, Nari decided to relax her mind.

“I heard that once Yerin gets used to her work, you’ll step back from your duties, Secretary Choi?”

“Oh, did you two talk about that as well?”

At those words, Nari felt a bit flustered and awkwardly smiled.

She had hidden the fact that she was close to Yerin, pretending they had only recently met for business, and here she was making such a blunder in front of Lee Hyun.

Nari tried hard to appear nonchalant and cheerfully spoke.

“Yes. I got quite close to Secretary Han Yerin during our meal today.”

“You two seem to get along very well.”

“We’re the same age and have a lot in common, so we decided to be friends.”

Since they were best friends who talked almost every day, it felt better to say they had become close now.

Fortunately, Secretary Choi didn’t seem to suspect anything.

“I heard from Secretary Han that the Director is quite a kind person…”

“Really? The Director is kind?”

Secretary Choi looked surprised, as if she had heard something she shouldn’t have.

As the traffic light changed, she gradually slowed down the car and turned her body towards Nari.

“That can’t be true.”

“Is that so?”

‘Ah, was that something I shouldn’t have mentioned?’

Worried that her chatter might get back to Lee Hyun, Nari felt tense.

She kept clenching and unclenching her hands resting on her lap, prompting Secretary Choi to tilt her head and turn her face back.

“It seems that Secretary Han hasn’t been working with the Director for very long.”

“That could be it.”

Secretary Choi looked as though he had much more to say.

“I’ve known the Director since we were young, and I’ve watched him closely.”

“Pardon?”

“He has never acted kindly toward anyone, not even once.”

“Oh, really?”

“Of course, that doesn’t mean he’s a bad person, but… how should I put it? He does have a cold side.”

Hearing that, Nari was convinced.

The reason the man, who was cold to everyone, acted kindly toward Yerin was clear.

‘He seems to be completely smitten with Yerin.’

From what Nari had gathered during their conversation today, it seemed Yerin didn’t dislike Lee Hyun either.

‘They look quite good together.’

She couldn’t interfere in their relationship, but even from a distance, they seemed to match well, which made her feel a bit regretful.

“I tend to drive carefully, so it might take a while to get to your house. You don’t have any urgent plans, do you?”

Secretary Choi drove smoothly, continuously considering Nari’s comfort.

That consideration was quite impressive.

“No, not at all. I was actually thinking of having a drink with Secretary Han, but Director Lee took her away.”

“Would you like to have that drink with me instead?”

“Pardon?”

Nari nodded at Secretary Choi’s suggestion.

“Sounds good. There’s a quiet pub near my house. Shall we go there?”

***

Lee Hyun loosened his tie, feeling a bit suffocated while driving with one hand.

He had never cared about others’ affairs until now.

But today was an exception.

Whenever he faced Byeonghun, Yerin looked quite intimidated.

It was obvious that their father-daughter relationship was anything but ordinary.

So he wanted to avoid having the two of them meet at all costs.

“I’m the only one who should be shaking Han Yerin.”