Chapter 15……
The light crunch of the fried batter and the rich flavor of whole shrimp.
The savory taste of the shrimp and the aroma of garlic, perfectly fried in oil, struck Seung-ah’s nose.
Without hesitation, she skewered another piece of tempura with her fork.
Her mouth watered, and her stomach signaled for her to hurry and send it down.
But just then, Ilbong opened her mouth.
“Teacher Choi, ahhh.”
Right. Since she’d given one to Yujin, of course she should give one to Grandma too.
As soon as Seung-ah held the tempura near, Ilbong playfully accepted it.
Yujin immediately countered.
“Where are your hands? Please use them instead of just your mouth.”
“You brat, why is it okay for you but not for me? Are you her husband or something?”
“There you go again, dragging the conversation to marriage.”
Ilbong sighed dramatically and turned to Seung-ah.
“Do you know how stubborn this grandson of mine is? He rejects every blind date I set up. At parties, he just stands around alone without a partner.”
“That sounds just like Mr. Han Yujin.”
“But you know, Secretary Shim told me earlier—Yujin brought a woman with him today. I wondered who it might be, and look at this! Who would have guessed it’d be such a familiar face.”
That made Seung-ah pause. Did Ilbong really not expect this?
She already knew the truth—Ilbong had been hoping Yujin would quickly find a partner, and lately she had her eye on Seung-ah for the role.
It wouldn’t have been far-fetched for her to think Yujin might bring Seung-ah to a party.
And now, here Seung-ah really was, standing in the hall.
Wasn’t this practically advertising: “Look, we’re doing well together”?
The smile on Ilbong’s face carried more than just the joy of seeing her.
Her expression practically spelled out the words:
“Everything is going according to plan.”
Seung-ah forced a laugh.
“Haha! You’re right. It’s been a long time. I’m truly happy to see you again!”
“Isn’t it? Hahaha.”
“Hahaha!”
It wasn’t just Ilbong’s scheme at play—Yujin clearly had one too.
It wouldn’t be unreasonable to think he brought Seung-ah along just to show her off to Grandma.
“Hahaha!” Even as she laughed, Seung-ah gave Yujin a side-eye glare.
But Yujin just pretended not to notice.
* * *
One by one, Seung-ah recognized the faces of the guests and found herself glancing around more and more.
Gentlemen impeccably dressed in evening suits, women radiating elegance in their gowns.
There were younger people too, but quite a number looked to be in their forties through early seventies.
And many of them were names Seung-ah had seen in the news at least once—the head of a conglomerate, politicians, a university president, a famous novelist, a judge.
Before arriving, she had assumed this would be a gathering of Yujin’s friends.
She had thought it would be a chance to observe what his circle was like, how the children of wealthy families enjoyed parties.
That was how Yujin had explained it to her, after all:
“It’s just a party I’m throwing to celebrate my return to Korea. Nothing serious, just come and enjoy.”
But the moment she had spotted Assemblyman Pildu by the lakeside earlier, she had been puzzled.
Why would a lawmaker be at a young people’s party? And why was Chairman Geum here too?
“This is nothing like a casual, pressure-free event!”
Ilbong, with her flowing silver hair that made her stand out, was graciously nodding to guests, shaking hands, and offering warm hugs with practiced ease.
Every move she made was smooth and natural, brimming with dignity.
Seung-ah, following timidly behind, heard Yujin whisper:
“Let’s head over there.”
They passed the catering table, lined with food, and entered a space filled with tall standing tables.
Around them gathered mostly young men and women.
As soon as Yujin approached, someone shouted:
“Han Yujin!”
The voice was loud enough to draw surrounding eyes. Naturally, after spotting Yujin, their attention shifted to Seung-ah at his side.
Walking with the poise Heryeon had taught her, Seung-ah held her head high beside him.
“Wow, how long has it been? I heard you left your grandma’s company and joined another firm?”
“News travels fast.”
“Yeah, but more importantly—who’s this dazzling lady?”
At once, Seung-ah felt the group’s eyes sweep over her from head to toe.
Her delicate, well-defined features, her long slender neck, and her fair skin glowing under the light.
The gown that bared her collarbones and graceful shoulders emphasized her petite yet full figure.
Yujin draped his arm around her shoulders.
“This is my girlfriend, Choi Seung-ah. Treat her well.”
“Treat her well,” really?
It was ridiculous the way he was flaunting her, but oddly enough, she didn’t dislike it.
“Hello, I’m Choi Seung-ah.”
“I’m Sung Ji-hyuk! How could such a beautiful woman only appear now?”
For a while, Seung-ah was introduced around Yujin’s circle. Each of them held notable positions in their fields.
Once the introductions were done, they each had something to say about her.
“So this is the first time Yujin’s brought a partner!”
“Judging by the atmosphere, you two seem really close. Were you hiding her all this time?”
“So, how did you meet?”
“Oh, you know, while I was stepping out of the shower.”
Just remembering that absurd first encounter with Yujin still baffled her. And now, here they were, standing side by side at a place like this.
Shaking off the memory, Seung-ah smiled politely.
“Ah, we met through work.”
“Oooh, then you’re in business? Which family are you from…?”
“Haha, not business—just Mr. Han Yujin’s subordinate. My father was the businessman.”
Before she could think of a suitable answer, Yujin cut in, tapping his friend’s shoulder.
“Why so interested in another man’s girlfriend?”
“Who wouldn’t be? You’ve never brought a woman before.”
“Did you study abroad too? What school?”
Another man asked. Such questions were common at gatherings like this—ways of probing connections and building networks.
With a gentle voice, Seung-ah replied:
“I graduated from Korea University.”
At that, another woman stepped forward.
“Oh, then we’re alumni! I could introduce you to the Korea U alumni gatherings.”
“No, no, she should come to ours. Wouldn’t it be better to attend events with Yujin?”
Apparently, this was the entrepreneurs’ children’s group.
Responding politely to their invitations only seemed to attract more people, until Seung-ah found herself surrounded.
She felt like a pretty doll being made to talk for everyone’s amusement.
Ugh. Her legs ached. Never in her life had she been under such relentless attention.
Just as she started to break into a nervous sweat, Yujin leaned in.
“Go take a breather. Grandma prepared a gift for you—Secretary Shim knows about it.”
“A gift?”
“Go on. I’ve got to entertain my friends.”
“Hehe, then I’ll be back!”
Seung-ah excused herself politely and slipped away.
Secretary Shim, as always, stood like a shadow near Ilbong, so it was easy to find him.
When Seung-ah approached, he bowed politely.
“It’s in the chairman’s study. I’ll bring it to you.”
“I’ll go myself. I’d like to look around the house while I’m at it.”
“Then I’ll guide you.”
“Oh, it’s fine. I can manage on my own. Please take a break.”
Who knew when she’d get another chance to explore Ilbong’s mansion freely?
Besides, opportunities to look around a house this grand didn’t come often.
Hearing this exchange, Ilbong called out nearby:
“Careful not to get lost!”
As if she’d lose her way in a house—even if it was a big one! Grandma sure worried about everything.
* * *
It wasn’t long before Seung-ah got hopelessly lost.
“I’m sure it was this way…”
The mistake had been turning a corner and entering the inner courtyard. The large glass greenhouse was filled with potted plants, and with so many doors around, it was impossible to get her bearings.
Dodging branches that hung taller than her head, she pulled out her phone and sent a message.
Han Yujin, I’m lost.
Despite surely being swamped by party guests, Yujin checked immediately.
But the reply he sent back was annoyingly cheeky.
Try finding a lost-child center.
Was that supposed to be helpful or not? Her lips pouted instinctively.
There’s no center here, only lots of trees.
I’m in the courtyard.
Knew it right away.
See anything distinctive?
A flowering tree.
What does it look like?
White, spiky, like a hedgehog.
That’s a star magnolia.
He understood her vague description instantly, though she had phrased it like a riddle to tease him.
Spotting the plaque beneath the tree that indeed read Star Magnolia, Seung-ah let out an impressed little “Oh.”
Stand facing the magnolia and walk straight to the right.
Okay, but now I see a plant I recognize from playing hwatu cards. Red, small, round flowers.
That’s quince.
How do you know this stuff so well?
Keep going that way. You’ll find a fountain. Exit through the door behind it.
