CHAPTER 27 – To an absurd extent (Part 1)

Pulling up in front of Seoyeon’s main house in Yangpyeong, Sehyun banged his head on the steering wheel, conflicted for a moment. 

Should I be shameless for the sake of the future, for the sake of true love, or should I refrain from visiting her home out of consideration for the past brief relationship with my former lover?

He felt a sense of fear when he thought about the recorded conversation where Haewon, who once loved him, demanded to break up. If Vice President Yoon Sangcheol found out about the recorded file, knowing it involved not just anyone but Seoyeon’s half-sister, it wouldn’t be taken lightly.

Still, when he thought about whether Seoyeon would or could do that, the answer was no. The Seoyeon he knew had a strong sense of pride. Someone like her wouldn’t want her family to know that her sister stole his boyfriend.

Haewon wouldn’t do that to me since he loved me. The problem is Seoyeon, who is rejecting me because her pride and heart are seriously wounded…….

Sehyun, with his head against the steering wheel, closed his eyes and thought deeply, then lifted his head with a sigh.

Still, it was New Year’s Day, and if he was going to be the son-in-law in the future, wouldn’t it be the right thing to greet his future father-in-law? And most of all, he desperately needs the family’s help right now.

He hadn’t even told his father about the breakup. During the Lunar New Year gathering with relatives, his father had joked about discussing the auspicious date for the engagement ceremony and said they would send wedding invitations soon.

If he were to tell them about the breakup… He shuddered at the thought of lightning striking him.

Okay, I’ve made up my mind.

Sehyun looked back at the premium Hanwoo beef set and high-quality wine in the back seat. To melt Seoyeon’s stubborn heart, he first needed to win over the people around her. Just like him, Seoyeon wasn’t in a position to be free from her parents’ interference in her marriage.

“Well, let’s give it a try.”

Exiting the car, Sehyun straightened his suit jacket forcefully, then opened the back seat door and lifted two bottles of wine and a large box of beef onto his hands.

“Good afternoon. Af→, Af↗, Af↘.”

Trying different intonations of the greeting, he crossed the small path to the house. Although he wasn’t one to easily get nervous, facing the black gate made him quite tense. After turning his head around and taking a deep breath, he tried again.

“Good afternoon. I am Lee Sehyun.”

Alright, now to press the bell. Phew.

Sehyun set down the beef box on one side and reached out his hand, hoping Haewon wasn’t at home, he pressed the doorbell. A short chime echoed through the house. Shortly after, the sound of the intercom opening reached his ears.

“Hello. This is Sehyun.”

Sehyun leaned his face into the intercom lens, showing his confident smile along with the wine he held in his hand.

— Oh my.

A surprised voice came from inside the intercom.

— Dear, Sehyun is here.

A woman’s voice echoed from the intercom. 

— Who?

A faint man’s voice asked, then a reply came:

“It’s Sehyun, the one who was engaged to Seoyeon.”

— Let me pull myself together. Please come in.

With the voice getting closer, the door made a creaking sound as it opened. 

Now, this is the real crucial moment. 

Sehyun clenched his fist, cheering himself on.

***

As the landing announcement came through, Dojun placed the documents he was holding on his lap. The view of Gimpo Airport could be seen through the airplane window. As the plane landed, Dojun switched his phone off airplane mode. He headed towards immigration, checking the flood of messages.

“Driver Kim will be waiting at Gate 4. Chairman will be disappointed to see you.”

Walking alongside Dojun, Secretary Kang said. Striding quickly, Dojun replied to him.

“We shouldn’t stir up trouble that can’t be resolved.”

This business trip was to finalize the discussion with Busan City regarding whether Hanseong Hotel would take over a tourism hotel that had been left abandoned due to bankruptcy and suspended construction.

The Busan branch of Hanseong B&B had given them a hard time at the land acquisition stage, and they had tried to adjust the conditions several times, only to eventually give up on acquiring the land and shift to purchasing the existing building.

After several days of long meetings with unfavorable conditions, Dojun came back with the intention of buying the business.

“If the chairman is too eager, the vice chairman can take over the process again.”

Acquiring the tourism hotel was one thing, but how to manage it afterward would be the key. In a month, Dojun would be stepping away from Hanseong Hotel’s management. It’s better to cleanly give up than have unnecessary accountability issues arise.

As he exited the gate, he saw a car with hazard lights approaching. As Driver Kim was about to get out to open the rear door, Dojun immediately got into the backseat.

“Let’s head straight to the headquarters.”

Due to the extended schedule, the staff departed first, only Dojun and Secretary Kang stayed an extra day. They were heading directly to Chairman Hwang, who would be waiting for the report on the Busan business trip.

As they drove out of the airport, Dojun opened his phone and skimmed through the reported documents in his inbox. In the front seat, Secretary Kang, also checking something on his phone, called out to Dojun.

“CEO, I’ve updated the report on the matter regarding Mr. Lee Sehyun that you mentioned before.”

Without responding, Dojun opened the file that Secretary Kang handed over. He glanced through the history, background, family matters, and engagement with Yoon Seoyeon. Below that, a line was added about a meeting being scheduled for the following month.

Clicking on the newly attached address, Sehyun’s SNS account appeared.

[Having a good time with wine.]

#NewYear #Yangpyeong #VicePresidentYoonSangcheol #Respect #Mentor #Regret #Longing #Effort #AreYouWatching #Family #Happiness #Sincerity #Love #SonInLawLove #AsExpected #MotherInLaw

There was a photo of him clinking wine glasses with Vice President Yoon. Quickly flipping through the attached photos, Dojun saw a cheese and fruit platter and a photo of the living room view in Yangpyeong.

Dojun continued scrolling through. There was a photo of a large bouquet of flowers with a caption saying “On the way to her.”

[At the company sports day. A coffee during overtime. With Chef Kang.]

Skimming through the posts with an abundance of hashtags, Dojun closed the window with an expressionless face.

As he tried to put the phone back in his pocket, it vibrated and a message popped up.

[I’m finishing late today. How about seeing each other tomorrow evening?]

It was from Seoyeon. A slight smile tugged at the corners of Dojun’s mouth as he clicked on the message and replied.

[Seeing each other today and tomorrow sounds good.]

There was no response from the other side. 

Must be busy.

He sighed. Dojun typed again.

[Do you want to go home together?]

[I have a personal shopping session with a client today. It won’t be over until 8:00].

Dojun considered replying, “Let’s meet after.”, then realized something and closed the message. A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he typed Seoyeon’s name and pressed the call button.

— Yes, CEO. It’s Yoon Seoyeon.”

Secretary Kang glanced at Dojun as he heard Seoyeon’s voice. Dojun dismissively waved his hand, then spoke to Seoyeon.

“I was thinking of dropping by the store this evening, and I was wondering if you’d be free, Ms. Yoon.”

— Ah… I have a client who needs assistance with shopping tonight.”

“That’s fine, I don’t expect to finish early anyway.”

— If it’s okay after 8, shall I make a reservation?”

“Sure, that would be great.”

— Do you mind if I ask what you’re coming down for?

“Nothing much. I was just thinking about picking out a gift for the chairman.”

— Alright, understood. I’ll prepare and contact you later.”

“See you later then.”

After ending the call, Dojun calmly put his phone away. Looking out the car window at the passing scenery, he said to Secretary Kang,

“Continue following up on Mr. Lee Sehyun.”

“Yes, CEO.”

“And what about Hwang Minjun?”

“We’re still following up with the vice president and his fiancee. No unusual updates yet. The ex-girlfriend of Executive Hwang went to the OB-GYN and hasn’t contacted him since receiving the payment.”

Dojun nodded lightly, concluding the conversation. Leaning his head against the headrest, his phone buzzed again.

[Are you really coming to pick out the chairman’s gift?]

Dojun smiled. He thought for a moment about how to respond, then decided not to answer and put his phone back in his pocket. He hoped Seoyeon would remain curious throughout.