Chapter 40. What About Your Heart?
“What are you talking about—geez.”
Taeseong exaggeratedly widened his eyes.
“I was just watching in case she got hurt. If she gets injured, it becomes a hassle for me.”
“But your lips curved exactly like a graph.” – Hyuk
Hyuk made a U-shape with his hands.
“I mean, come on. Isn’t it funny how she laughs so hard just from playing in water? That’s all…”
Hyuk’s eyes sparkled beneath his glasses.
“Do you even know what jeong is, you cold-hearted jerk? It’s just affection. Ever heard of the jeong that even Choco Pies talk about?”
“That kind of jeong, friend, is the scariest thing.”
Taeseong brushed off Hyuk’s hand just as:
“Hey! Ju Taeseong! Get in here too!”
“….”
“Gijun oppa, you too!”
The moment Haeyoung called Gijun, Taeseong moved without thinking.
Watching it all, Hyuk muttered:
“Idiot.”
Taeseong turned back.
“Hyuk! You too!”
“Nope.”
So Taeseong stomped over, lifted Hyuk, and tossed him into the deep water.
“Put me down!”
“Not a chance.”
Then, as Hyuk scooped up water to get revenge, Taeseong lifted Haeyoung like a human shield.
“Ack!”
“Ju Taeseong!” – shouted both Hyuk and Haeyoung.
From that moment on, it was chaos. Everyone splashed everyone.
Taeseong, of course, aimed most of his attacks at Gijun.
After the short but intense water fight, everyone returned to the villa.
Showered and refreshed, they gathered in the living room.
They discussed their afternoon plans:
Gijun would read,
Taeseong and Hyuk would play badminton,
Haeyoung and Cha Kyung would go take photos.
They shared their plans and ate the lunch packed by Mrs. Jincheon.
“I’ll clean up with the caretaker. You guys go have fun.” – Gijun
“Really?”
“Of course. I brought you here to rest.”
“Thanks, oppa! I’ll head out, then!”
Haeyoung cheerfully dragged Cha Kyung with her.
“You too, Taeseong and Hyuk. You need to de-stress too.” – Gijun
As they headed out, Hyuk grabbed the badminton rackets and said:
“He’s only four years older than us, but it feels like eight. Even as a guy, I think he’s super cool. I bet girls love him.”
Hearing this, Taeseong pouted.
“What about me? Am I not cool?”
“…What?” – Hyuk
“…Forget it.”
Even Taeseong felt uneasy hearing Hyuk, who normally didn’t care about people, praise Gijun.
Meanwhile, Haeyoung and Cha Kyung entered the nearby village and stopped under a big tree.
“This spot looks perfect, Cha Kyung.”
Since learning about Cha Kyung’s dream of becoming an actress, Haeyoung had promised to take her profile photo.
Ever since Taeseong gave her a camera, Haeyoung had taken a liking to photography—mostly landscapes—but she wanted to try portraits too.
“I’m fine… It’s just a dream. I don’t really plan to become an actress.”
“No way! You never know what could happen. If you want something, go for it—stay positive!” – Haeyoung
“Be confident, Moon Cha Kyung!”
“Even if it doesn’t work out, the photos will still be there. I might be an amateur, but I’ll take them with care. They’ll be special.”
“And if you actually get accepted somewhere using these photos, even better. Let’s just do it, okay?”
Eventually, Cha Kyung smiled and stood under the tree.
As she posed, she casually asked:
“Hey, Haeyoung.”
“Yeah?”
“That guy, Gijun oppa… he seems to treat you really special. The vibe felt strange.”
“Huh? No, nothing like that. It’s just because of Grandpa and Taeseong.”
But Cha Kyung didn’t look convinced.
“But Taeseong… he likes you, right?”
“Huh…?”
“Sorry. I know you’re married. That’s a weird question.”
Trying to laugh it off, Haeyoung said lightly:
“Nah, it’s not like that. I married him for my grandma, and he did it for his grandpa. We’re only married on paper—just friends.”
“Still… whenever he looks at you, he’s always smiling.”
Haeyoung smiled bitterly.
“If he really liked me… he wouldn’t smile all the time.”
“He’d look uncertain sometimes. Just like I do when I look at him.”
So that can’t be proof that he likes me.
Besides, I already know he likes someone else.
“Once we become adults and can make our own decisions, we’re getting divorced.”
“What?” – Cha Kyung
“It’s a secret, okay? Only Taeseong and I know.”
Haeyoung smiled as if it was no big deal, but her bright eyes had lost their light.
“Alright, let’s take the photos now.”
“…Yeah.”
That look on Haeyoung’s face was too sad… so Cha Kyung couldn’t ask the question she really wanted to.
What about your heart?
Don’t you like him too?
That evening, they gathered again for dinner.
It was a barbecue, prepared in advance by Gijun and the caretaker.
He brought a big plate of grilled meat and served everyone:
Hyuk,
Cha Kyung,
Haeyoung…
“Wow! Oppa, you even grill meat perfectly!”
Haeyoung’s eyes sparkled as she looked at the glossy, evenly cooked meat.
“I grilled a lot at college retreats—for juniors and classmates.” – Gijun
“No wonder you’re so good at it!” – Haeyoung
Meanwhile, Gijun also gave meat to Taeseong, who looked at his plate blankly.
He then glanced at Haeyoung’s plate.
“…Why is mine just full of fatty pieces?”
As Gijun turned to return to the grill, Taeseong complained.
Gijun glanced at his plate and replied:
“Oops.”
He clearly didn’t sound sorry at all.
Taeseong’s eyebrows twitched.
