CHAPTER 4 – Yangpyeong (Part 1)

It was after 9 pm when she arrived in Yangpyeong. As she opened the car door and stepped out, she was hit with a rush of crisp air from Yangpyeong that was so different from Seoul. The smell of the mountains at night. Although the house in Yangpyeong didn’t evoke the feeling of a warm home, this scent often brought back memories.

“Have you arrived, Seo-yeon?”

She heard her stepmother’s voice as she opened the gate and stepped out into the yard.

“Yes. I’m late.”

Seo-yeon’s stepmother, Seong Mi-seon, was fifteen years older than Seo-yeon, too young to be called “mother.” She seemed more like a younger aunt or a cousin. She was the first woman her father brought home after her mother’s death, after a series of casual relationships.

Her father, who constantly sought new women, had finally settled for a young, obedient, beautiful woman from a good family. Sometime later, the woman ten years younger than her father and fifteen years older than herself became her stepmother and gave birth to her younger brother, Kyuhyun.

“Have you had dinner?”

“I’ve eaten.”

Although she only had two cups of coffee, she wasn’t hungry. Despite being in a relatively good relationship considering their roles as stepmother and stepdaughter, she didn’t feel like engaging in trivial conversations while eating the food prepared for her.

“How’s Grandma?”

“Same as usual. Some days she asks who you are, other days she calls you by name.”

Her grandmother has dementia. She showed symptoms of memory loss, starting about a year ago. Recently, she occasionally looked at her stepmother and called her by her birth mother’s name.

“Who’s here?”

Her grandmother, who was sitting in the living room watching TV, turned around and asked. Seo-yeon replied as she took off her shoes.

“Seo-yeon is here.”

“Seo-yeon?”

Grandma’s cloudy eyes took a long look at her. They were filled with questions about who Seo-yeon was. She thinks about who she is for a moment, then looks away as if she’s lost interest.

“Seo-yeon, Yoon Seo-yeon. Yoon Sangcheol’s daughter, Yoon Seo-yeon.” 

“I know, Seo-yeon.”

The old woman replied irritably, then turned her attention back to the TV. Grandma’s figure, sitting turned away, seemed pitifully small. Every time Seo-yeon saw her, her heart sank a little more.

Looking back on her childhood, Seo-yeon’s memories barely included her father. In the family drawings young Seo-yeon drew, there was only her grandmother, mother, and herself, showing how vague her father’s presence was.

In fact, before her grandfather died, her father only lived in the family home when she was a baby. After his death, her father had to work in the provinces until Seo-yeon was in high school, and the only time he came to the main house was for holidays and grandfather’s ceremonies.

It was a common story. Short-lived relationships. A child born by mistake. An unwanted marriage. An arranged married life. A husband who never traveled from the provinces, using work as an excuse.

Yet, her mother, who had a strong sense of responsibility, worked tirelessly in his place throughout her life. Enduring a loveless marriage, she took care of her difficult mother-in-law for her whole life, while looking after the child she gave birth to.

Seo-yeon’s grandmother, who was unhappy with her new daughter-in-law, had been quite hard on her mother at first. She told her that she shouldn’t have given birth to a daughter and that the grandma had said many times that she wished Seo-yeon had been a son.

However, gradually she grew fond of her and later boasted loudly that she had the best daughter-in-law, that she didn’t envy anyone with ten sons, and that despite the family line being broken, what could they do about it?

For Seo-yeon, who lost her mother early, Grandma was the only true family left. Although seeing her father wasn’t something she particularly enjoyed, she often visited Yangpyeong because of her grandma.

“She’ll be okay again soon.”

At Mi-seon’s words, Seo-yeon smiled briefly and asked.

“Yeah. Where’s dad?”

“He’s on the phone. He’ll be out in a moment.”

The study door opened, and Yoon Sangcheol emerged. Despite being 54 years old, he still had an unruffled appearance. Tall stature, a well-maintained physique that seemed lean, his skin glowing, and his face as handsome as an actor’s.

Yoon Sangcheol was well aware of the advantages of his appearance and was more meticulous about his upkeep than anyone else. She must have heard countless times how lucky she was to have a young and handsome father in her youth.

“Seo-yeon is here.”

“Hello, Father. Chairman Hwang sends his regards.”

Seo-yeon timed it perfectly as she handed over the hotel voucher. Though it was just a piece of paper, there was also a classy card with Chairman Hwang’s New Year’s greetings. Mi-seon’s face lit up with delight, and a smile crept onto Sangcheol’s lips.

It wasn’t because they liked sleeping in a hotel for free. It’s because it reaffirms that Seo-yeon is still in Chairman Hwang’s circle, still receiving favors and affection.

“Why did you bring all this? Oh, my, isn’t this really precious? You’ve really raised your daughter well.”

Mi-seon is good at making her father feel good.

“It’s all thanks to Father. I’m just passing on the message.”

Seo-yeon smiled, she was a master at lying.

After the series of flattery, Seo-yeon looked around the living room and said,

“Where’s Haewon? You said it’s her birthday tomorrow.”

Seo-yeon asked innocently as she held up a cake. From the second floor, Haewon came trotting down the stairs.

Yes, the protagonist appears at the end.

“Haewon, hurry along. Your sister brought you a cake.”

Seo-yeon smiled proudly as she presented the cake.