Chapter 24. Dignity
Chairman Kang came looking for Yooa.
“—Shall I come with you?”
Lee Jun’s voice through the receiver was filled with concern. Though he couldn’t see her, Yooa shook her head firmly.
“Are you going to come with me every time I meet Chairman Kang? We’ll be seeing each other often from now on.”
“—Still…”
“I can find my way there with my eyes closed. Remember? That’s where I grew up until I became an adult.”
Still uneasy, Lee Jun made her promise to contact him immediately if anything happened.
Yooa put on her most formal outfit and entered the study where Chairman Kang was waiting. The scene before her eyes didn’t surprise her.
“……”
Wearing square glasses, Chairman Kang was painting orchids with intense focus on a piece of calligraphy paper held down with a paperweight. The bright sunlight shone directly on his face, but he didn’t waver.
The old Yooa might have bowed her head, thinking she was an uninvited guest. But now, recalling the days when she had lived as the chairman’s granddaughter-in-law, she understood this was simply his way of collecting his thoughts.
“Phew.”
Chairman Kang was a man of action, not words. He preferred silence over empty talk.
Giving him time to speak first, Yooa composed herself and offered a gentle smile.
“Sit down.”
Some thought this demeanor of his was meant to intimidate from the start. Others believed it was a strategic move—to heighten tension and steer negotiations in his favor.
But Yooa knew better. He was someone who clearly separated business and personal matters and valued action over words.
“You look much healthier.”
Chairman Kang couldn’t hide his disappointment, seeing how much more vibrant Yooa looked after the few days he hadn’t visited.
“I got hazelnut coffee with a nice aroma just in case you stopped by.”
“…You did?”
“Yes. Come down whenever you like.”
“I see, so that’s how it was.”
Realizing she wasn’t being polite out of obligation, Chairman Kang’s wrinkled mouth twitched slightly.
The first time he had visited her was out of curiosity, since she had asked to live in an empty lot. But from the second visit on, he kept coming back because the warmth and comfort Yooa offered helped him clear his thoughts.
Eventually, Lee Jun had sternly called him out for it—saying it might make Yooa uncomfortable.
“Did she say she’s uncomfortable? Or are you just assuming?”
“You know she wouldn’t say something like that.”
“So, it’s your guess?”
“Yes. Just like now. You don’t even have to see her to know. You’re pressuring her—and I’m your grandson.”
In truth, Chairman Kang hadn’t visited recently because he’d gone drinking with an old friend, the plant manager in Pyeongtaek, at Lee Jun’s request.
But when Joohee showed up yesterday and asked whether he should help find a more ‘suitable’ match for Lee Jun, his heart grew restless.
In terms of “dignity”—what could Yooa possibly lack?
Even high-ranking executives would sweat nervously when summoned to his study. Overwhelmed by the weight of Chairman Kang’s presence, everyone fumbled and faltered. That included Baek Kyung, Joohee’s so-called husband.
“Are you in good health? I was really worried.”
“Worried about me?”
“You played a huge part in helping me grow up safely. You’re like a real grandfather to me.”
Yooa meant it sincerely.
Though Chairman Kang spoke bluntly and his tone could be sharp, he had once traveled far into the countryside to fetch quality herbal ingredients when Sejin was ill. He had always delivered gifts to Yooa too, knowing that caregivers often bore the brunt of fatigue.
If that didn’t make him a grandfather to her, what did?
“Talking about all that now… you’re making me feel awkward.”
Most people were too scared of him to even speak casually, let alone thank him. Seeing Yooa express gratitude so warmly, the icy expression on his face melted like spring snow.
“You must be tired from the trip to Pyeongtaek. Did you rest well?”
“It’s nothing to speak of. I used to go there like clockwork back in the day.”
With a satisfied smile, Chairman Kang finally explained why he had called her, after telling her about naming Taegyeom Group, building the factory, and meeting the plant manager.
“Lee Jun has changed.”
“……”
Tensed up, Yooa tried hard to keep her mouth shut before blurting out any excuses. Then Chairman Kang smiled and added,
“In a good way. You seem to have a positive influence on him.”
He said he had half-expected it, ever since Lee Jun didn’t refuse when he suggested marriage.
Even when the two were children, Chairman Kang had sensed that Lee Jun liked Yooa.
“Yooa.”
The gentle tone of his voice was full of years gone by. Brushing his wrinkled forehead, Chairman Kang steadied his breath.
“I’ll be on your side.”
“…What?”
Caught off guard, Yooa’s eyes widened. Chairman Kang chuckled at her surprise.
Maybe Lee Jun’s mischievousness came from him.
“Joohee is too greedy. In chasing after small things, she’s missing the bigger picture. She should’ve married someone who could guide her properly.”
Clicking his tongue, weariness clouded Chairman Kang’s eyes.
He told Yooa that he supported their relationship and would try to block any interference from Joohee.
“When you reach my age, all that’s left is family. I’ve had everything I could ever want. Now, I just hope for Lee Jun’s happiness. If my grandson has found joy, how could I, as his grandfather, ruin it?”
“Chairman…”
Chairman Kang felt like he’d finally had a meaningful, dignified conversation with someone after a long while. Filled with warmth, he was reluctant to let Yooa leave.
“Stay for dinner.”
He figured Lee Jun probably knew Yooa was with him. He’d likely get scolded later for keeping her so long, but he wanted an honest conversation about Yooa and his grandson.
That tight feeling in his chest… that breath-stopping weight… perhaps it came from knowing there wasn’t much time left to see his grandson smile.
“Yes, Grandpa.”
Would he get to see the wedding?
Nodding slowly, Chairman Kang told Ms. Kim to prepare dinner for three. Yooa, who had risen from her seat to follow him out of the study, suddenly stopped.
“Grandpa, this…”
Her eyes lingered on one of the boxes atop a lacquered walnut tray.
Chairman Kang turned back, puzzled.
“What about it?”
The boxes, stacked like a tower, contained new prescriptions meant to last several months. Since he didn’t let anyone else handle his medication, Chairman Kang had been taking it himself.
But as Yooa checked the ingredients label on the back of the box, she froze.
“I don’t know if I should say this… but it’s about your health, so I will.”
“…Is something wrong with the medicine?”
Sudden dizziness. Abnormal spikes in recent bloodwork.
Chairman Kang had his suspicions, but hadn’t looked into it—dismissing it out of disbelief.
The medicine had been picked up from the pharmacy by his daughter Joohee, who had even gone with him to the hospital.
“You promised to be on my side. So I need to be honest too.”
Yooa nodded with a deeply apologetic expression.
“There’s an ingredient that clashes with your immunosuppressants. If you keep taking it long term… something that should never happen could happen within months.”
At her words, Chairman Kang gave a dry chuckle and his eyes sharpened.
“What you’re saying is—I’m going to die, right?”
