Chapter 49:
Seonghan’s lips trembled as he tried to hold back tears, his face taut with emotion.
Nearby, the innocent laughter of children roasting marshmallows around a campfire echoed. Yua didn’t want to draw attention or ruin the mood.
Just by looking at Yua’s troubled expression, Lee Jun moved on his own.
“Let’s go inside and talk.”
Bundled in a jumper, scarf, gloves, and with hot packs in every pocket, Yua waddled into the event tent. Once the staff quietly gave them space, Lee Jun stood behind her, arms crossed.
“Please sit down, Assistant Manager Hong.”
“No, it’s okay.”
It was uncomfortable for her with her superior standing right there. Noticing she was trying to read his mood, she smiled brightly and urged him again.
“Come on. My neck is starting to hurt.”
Lee Jun wanted to let Yua rest quickly, but seeing Seonghan made his heart heavy as well.
He still couldn’t forget how Seonghan had run down in a panic, claiming a child had been kidnapped and that Yua had disappeared.
When Lee Jun arrived after receiving the call, he insisted that the event continue.
“The child’s father is also missing? Secretary Kim, check the participant list. See if anyone is unaccounted for. We’ll take action afterward.”
A hasty decision could endanger more people. As the sun slowly set, Lee Jun’s anxiety grew.
He had to summon patience, even though every part of him wanted to run ahead faster than anyone.
“Everyone’s accounted for. No one is missing — including the children.”
Could someone have entered the campsite unnoticed?
Relieved to hear the children were safe, Lee Jun quickly tried to assess the abnormal situation.
The event had to go on. Yua wanted the families to leave with only happy memories. Even if the participants found out, it would do no good. Worse, if they tried to help and got lost or injured, it would be an even bigger problem.
“I’ll go. Secretary Kim, coordinate with the other teams and keep this from the participants.”
He didn’t even wait for Secretary Kim to bring his jumper. Lee Jun grabbed a flashlight and walkie-talkie and entered the forest with the safety team.
The higher they went, the more useless their phones became.
Lee Jun received a report over the radio: someone had made a sudden vehicle move. Thinking Yua might be in that vehicle, he ran so frantically it was an experience he never wanted to relive.
“You worked hard too, Assistant Manager Hong. Please sit.”
Following Yua’s wishes, Lee Jun pushed a chair toward her.
If it were him, he might have scolded her for carelessly acting on a hunch and leaving her partner alone in that kind of situation.
But Yua had told Lee Jun beforehand — it wasn’t anyone’s fault.
“No one was hurt, and we found Yua, so I’d like to keep this quiet. Do you feel the same way?”
“Yes, Executive Director.”
Seonghan lowered his eyes as he saw Yua’s red cheeks and scratches. Her lips moved as if to say “sorry,” but Yua shook her head.
“How about we have dinner together next week?”
“Sorry?”
“You promised. To have a meal together. In a way, we were on the same team, weren’t we? I know how much you worked and how brave you were to help find the child. Thank you.”
As she listed the ways he had supported her — pulling her up by the hand, telling her to stay behind for safety — Seonghan sniffled, deeply moved. Then, overcome with emotion, he hugged Yua tightly.
“…You’d better let go, Assistant Manager Hong.”
Even though he was boiling inside, Lee Jun gave only a quiet warning, afraid Yua would be startled by a loud voice.
“Assistant Manager Hong.”
When Seonghan suggested she join Grip Company, saying they were on the same team, Yua burst into laughter.
“Yoon Yua.”
Arms crossed, Lee Jun frowned, debating whether to grab Seonghan by the collar and pull him back. But as he stepped forward, Yua wiped away a tear with her finger and looked up at him.
“You too, Lee Jun. Let’s all have lunch — you, me, Assistant Manager Hong, and his girlfriend.”
“What?”
The queasy feeling in his stomach at the idea of Seonghan having a girlfriend unexpectedly disappeared. Yua’s teasing expression suggested she knew exactly what had been bothering him.
Lee Jun exhaled deeply.
Would a day ever come when he could win against Yoon Yua?
“Okay? We’re all having lunch together?”
As Yua extended her pinky for a promise and gently shook it, Lee Jun nodded as if entranced.
“Sure.”
To his surprise, it was Seonghan who looked the happiest at Lee Jun’s reply. He looked like he wanted to tell his girlfriend right away, his excitement barely contained.
“I…”
“…”
“I’ll devote my life to Grip Company. I’ll spread Executive Director Lee’s brilliance and Yua’s bravery and wisdom far and wide.”
Though Seonghan was serious, Yua waved her hands in alarm. She strongly insisted it was too much, her voice firm as she tried to tone him down.
Flustered, Yua tugged on her pinky still linked with Lee Jun’s and signaled with her eyes — do something. Lee Jun barely held back a laugh as he opened his mouth.
“Assistant Manager Hong.”
“Yes, Executive Director?”
“It’s a good idea, but… I’d rather you didn’t.”
At Lee Jun’s reluctant tone, Seonghan blinked his reddened eyes in confusion. He clearly didn’t understand why Lee Jun was discouraging him if it was a “good idea.”
Lee Jun stroked his jaw thoughtfully and added:
“If Yoon Yua gets any more followers, it’ll be a problem for me.”
*
So no one would notice, Yua was getting an IV drip in Lee Jun’s car.
The doctor had prescribed ointment and said she just needed rest in a warm place. But when Lee Jun insisted her arm looked completely pale, the doctor reluctantly set up an IV.
He left, looking a bit overwhelmed, saying he hadn’t expected someone like Lee Jun — whom he’d known since Chairman Kang’s days — to be so dramatic.
“It’s going to take two hours. You should rest too, Lee Jun.”
Sitting side by side in the back seat, Yua turned her head toward him. His face had been serious ever since he heard from the doctor that the inside of her mouth was injured.
“Let me see.”
He gently cupped her chin and examined her mouth, then sighed deeply.
She had a jumper over her shoulders, a blanket on her lap, and the heater running — it was warm to the point of being stifling. Yet under Lee Jun’s cold stare, sweat ran down her back.
“Are… you mad?”
“If you were me, would you be okay with this?”
After seeing Yua safely arrive at the campsite, Seong Ji-hye had driven off without a word. Her expression had been so twisted, the staff hadn’t dared to stop her from leaving.
Maybe that’s why Lee Jun wouldn’t leave Yua’s side for even a moment.
“Because I acted on my own?”
“No.”
“Then why?”
“Because I want to kiss you, but I can’t.”
Yua leaned in, her lips just inches away, claiming they could kiss now. But Lee Jun only smiled faintly.
“You think I’d be satisfied with just that? What I want with you is deeper than this.”
He patted his knee, inviting her to sit. Eyes wide, Yua gestured at the IV.
But Lee Jun didn’t seem fazed in the least. He adjusted his posture and leaned toward her.
“Didn’t you hear what the doctor said?”
“What?”
“You need to rest in a warm place.”
Yua, with nowhere else to retreat, looked at him like a startled rabbit. Lee Jun stopped then and spoke without moving, so she could choose to come into his arms herself.
“Come here, Yua.”
