Chapter 1 – Young Master (Part 3)

At the reception, the second part of the event, Junhee received a lot of attention. With her kind and pretty appearance, excellent academic record, awards, and calm, gentle personality, people unanimously praised her. The grandmother, not knowing what to do with her wrinkled hands, fidgeted beside her.

The person who made her grandmother most anxious was the curator of the Taesan Museum, the CEO of the sponsoring foundation, and the eldest daughter-in-law of the Taesan family, Song Yeong-joo.

“Really, if I had a daughter as pretty and kind as Junhee, I would have no other wish. But I only have three sons in my house.”

“Oh no, if they take after you, Madam, your sons must all be handsome.”

Her grandmother’s awkward Seoul accent mixed with her dialect. Her honorifics were all over the place. But the grandmother didn’t care about such things. There were so many people gathered that she couldn’t tell who was who, but Song Yeong-joo’s presence was overwhelming.

She was a woman who exuded elegant grace in every gesture and word. Because of Song Yeong-joo’s interest in Junhee, people gathered around Junhee and her grandmother. Her father stood awkwardly behind Junhee, smiling uncomfortably.

Although she was flustered by the sudden attention, her father patted Junhee’s shoulder from behind. His rough, large hand calmed Junhee’s anxious heart.

“It’s not easy to win a grand prize in a competition without any help in the countryside. You have a remarkable granddaughter.”

“Tell us the secret to raising such a smart child.”

“I wish my daughter could achieve things on her own like that.”

Her grandmother’s chest swelled with pride. She stood straighter, lifting her shoulders, and laughed elegantly.

Even the chairman of the Taesan Group approached Junhee, patted her head, and praised her, telling her to study hard and become a great person who would lead Taesan and the country in the future.

With a shy face, Junhee responded, “I’ll do my best.” The awkward answer made the adults around her laugh.

“Yes, our Junhee. Work hard and someday become a great talent for Taesan. Don’t forget my face and come find me, alright?”

Song Yeong-joo’s outstretched hand was very elegant. She seemed more fitting to be called a Queen or an Empress. When they shook hands, the soft touch was different from her grandmother’s. The smooth feeling was fascinating, and Junhee looked down at the woman’s white, long fingers. The sweet floral scent from the woman was pleasant.

Suddenly, she felt a dark gaze from afar. The boy, who had been looking elsewhere, was now staring intently at Junhee.

“Get lost, beggar.”

Her shoulder was pushed. She stumbled and fell to the ground. She was coming back from the restroom alone. The boy’s hand had touched her shoulder, but her head felt numb as if she had been hit with a hammer.

Get lost, beggar. 

The words echoed in her head.

What did he just call me? A beggar? Did he call me a beggar? 

Astonished, she turned her head. The boy was calmly drinking his beverage. Lying on the ground, Junhee blinked up at him.

“What are you looking at, beggar?”

Disgustedly, the boy continued, pouring the leftover juice on the ground. The purple juice seeped into the grass and stained the hem of Junhee’s dress. It fizzed, probably from being a carbonated drink. Junhee stared blankly at the red stain spreading on her dress.

She still couldn’t believe what she had just heard.

A beggar. He called me a beggar. Why? Because I took money from his mother? To buy clothes, pay interest, and study?

After throwing those words, the boy turned away nonchalantly. He bounced a soccer ball as he walked away but suddenly turned back to look at Junhee.

He quickly moved his foot through the air. The ball seemed like it would fly towards Junhee again. She flinched and trembled.

Seeing this, the boy, Choi Dowook of Taesan, smirked.

That was the first smile Junhee saw from Choi Dowook.  It was even more unpleasant and lowly than she had imagined. It was like a sneer.

Watching Choi Dowook’s retreating figure, a hot surge of emotion welled up inside her. She stood up. She ran up to him and pushed him hard on the back.

“You get lost.”

Dowook stumbled for a moment, then turned fiercely towards her. Junhee spoke more fiercely.

“Apologize.”

“For what.”

“For calling me a beggar.”

“Why?”

Why, he asks.

“Why am I a beggar!”

“You are a beggar. Living so damn poor and begging.”

That face filled with mockery was unbearable. She pushed Dowook again with all her might. His body, caught on the soccer ball, fell backwards. As soon as he fell, Choi Dowook got up.

Choi Dowook’s black eyes shone sharply. His hand reached towards Junhee, and Junhee, not to be outdone, stretched both hands high.

***

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry, ma’am. She’s never done anything like this before…”

The grandmother bowed to Song Yeong-joo. Song Yeong-joo just stood in front of her with a troubled face. Looking at the long nail marks on Choi Dowook’s face, she bit her lower lip and quietly sighed. She seemed to be trying to calm her anger that way.

“Junhee. Why on earth did you do that, huh? Why did you do that? Is that how you act when a friend spills a little drink?”

“It’s not because of the drink…”

And he’s not my friend. Not someone like him.

“Then. Then why did you leave such a scar on someone else’s precious son’s face?”

I’m my daddy’s precious princess and grandmother’s only pride in her lifetime.

But… but that boy called me a beggar. He mocked me for living so damn poor and begging.

She couldn’t possibly say those words in front of her dad and grandmother. Her vision blurred with frustration. Her shoulders shook with hiccups.

Her dad bowed his head again with a troubled face.

“Ma’am, please make sure to go to the hospital, and I’ll pay for the medical expenses.”

He bowed deeply, almost as if he was about to kneel, using awkward Seoul dialect. Choi Dowook, receiving the apology behind Song Yeong-joo, still had that annoying expressionless face. He stood there with an arrogant posture as if it was natural for them to apologize, and even yawned as if bored.

Junhee felt wronged. Tears kept welling up in her eyes, but she tried her hardest not to cry. 

Crying means losing. I won’t cry. Not because of some annoying boy like that. What’s the big deal about going to the hospital for such a minor scratch.

She glared at Dowook with wide eyes. He must have found it amusing. Dowook laughed silently. Junhee moved her lips so that only he could see.

Get lost, weakling.

Choi Dowook tilted his head slightly with his characteristic annoying face. He spoke with lip movements like Junhee.

Can’t hear you.

Weakling bastard.

I said I can’t hear you.

I said get lost, idiot.

Choi Dowook’s face subtly contorted at Junhee’s insults. Only then did Junhee turn her head with satisfaction. But there was no way to stop the hot lump rising from deep in her heart.

“I’m truly sorry. I’m sorry, ma’am…”

She tried not to let her tears show by hugging her apologizing father’s waist and burying her face.