Chapter 25…..
Seong Ji-hyeok. A 32-year-old man with a bright future ahead.
He was Yujin’s close friend and also the head of the legal team at Hanul Group.
Still reeling from the aftermath of a heavy drinking session the day before, he felt like his head was about to split in two.
Since it was the weekend, he should have been at home nursing a hangover, but here he was, at Yujin’s house.
Ji-hyeok, his eyes clouded with hangover, glanced at Yujin sitting across from him.
Unlike Ji-hyeok’s messy hair, Yujin looked flawless today, as always.
Pressing down the unruly strands of his hair, Ji-hyeok spoke:
“So, you’re saying that after maintaining a one-year engagement period, you’re going to transfer this mansion you own to Choi Seung-ah? Is that it?”
That was why Ji-hyeok had been summoned. His presence was required to witness and formalize the contract between Yujin and Seung-ah.
“And this whole thing is happening because the chairman keeps nagging you about marriage, right?”
“That’s right.”
Ji-hyeok couldn’t believe someone could say such ridiculous things with such a straight face.
He fanned the absurd contract in his hands.
“Look at this. You want me to notarize a contract that deceives our honorable chairman?”
Yujin simply nodded, as if to say, so what?
What nonsense is he talking about without even drinking!
“Are you in your right mind? If the chairman finds out…! Gah!”
Cough! Cough! Ji-hyeok, choking on his own spit, clutched his mouth as he coughed.
Seung-ah, sitting beside Yujin, handed him a glass of water.
“Th-thank you… cough! cough!”
Ji-hyeok gulped down the water and continued speaking.
“Phew. Just thinking about the chairman makes it hard to breathe. You make someone as soft-hearted as me do this?”
“What’s the big deal? Why make such a fuss?”
“Do you even know how delicately I have to walk the line between you and the chairman?”
To have to deal with such things even on a golden weekend.
Ji-hyeok tapped the contract irritably.
“Who do you think helped cover your secret trip to the U.S. five years ago, hiding it from the chairman’s eyes and ears?”
Yujin tilted his head and replied:
“That would be you.”
“And last year, when you came back to Korea, you didn’t attend the matchmaking meeting, claiming you had a hangover from drinking with me all night, right?”
“Yeah. Thanks to you, I avoided it well.”
“Look at that shameless face! Always pulling stuff like that!”
Ji-hyeok exclaimed to Seung-ah, venting his frustration.
She watched the conversation between Ji-hyeok and Yujin with fascination, as if enjoying an exciting movie.
“I got called in by the chairman back then and got a good scolding. It was so embarrassing in front of the secretarial staff. Thinking about it even brings tears to my eyes. Sniff sniff!”
Seung-ah said, laughing like a gentle breeze.
“Oh my, it seems your grandmother was really angry. You’ve had a hard time.”
“Seung-ah, your words are comforting. I’ve noticed your voice is also lovely…”
Ji-hyeok reached out to hold Seung-ah’s hand, but Yujin slapped his hand away.
“Where do you think you’re touching?”
Well, that was unexpected.
He thought that since this was a necessary contractual relationship, Yujin wouldn’t care, but apparently, he did.
Ji-hyeok rested his chin on his hand with a hmph.
When he first heard about the contract, he assumed Yujin was treating Seung-ah purely as a business partner.
Although Yujin seemed to live freely, he was actually extremely methodical and meticulous.
“But… there’s a bit of tension… something warmer than that.”
Whether Seung-ah noticed it or not, Yujin’s gaze lingered on her every time she smiled. Yujin, who never cared what others did, was behaving differently…
Seeing Yujin watch others smile like that felt new even to Ji-hyeok, who had been Yujin’s friend for a long time.
He glanced left and right, alternately looking at Seung-ah and Yujin.
“Look at this. Even before the contract, he’s being careful? If the chairman sees you like this…”
“You had it coming for walking the line between my grandmother and me. Who tattle-taled about my secret return to Korea back then?”
Yujin clicked his tongue as if exasperated.
“And every time, you meddled in the matchmaking meetings. You reported to my grandmother what I like and dislike.”
Clears throat.
Ji-hyeok coughed awkwardly.
Yujin leaned back in his chair, arms crossed.
“Yesterday, I even made you talk to Oh Chae-rin. Did you really hope it would go well?”
“No, no! That was unavoidable! I know you hate Chae-rin, so there’s no way I’d do that!”
As he spoke, Ji-hyeok glanced at Seung-ah, worried she might take offense. But instead, she looked curious.
Ji-hyeok rubbed his head, feeling a slight headache. His hair was messed up despite his effort to calm down, but he busied himself with excuses.
“Normally, I’d never lend my phone. I was a bit tipsy… and Chae-rin clung to me while others were glancing over.”
“You still seem a little drunk. Want a hangover cure? Or should we quickly review the contract?”
“Ugh…”
Ji-hyeok stopped observing them and picked up the contract.
Since it was drafted with Yujin and Seung-ah’s agreement, the content was clear, and he saw nothing to amend.
“It’s not the contract I’m worried about… it’s that guy.”
But he couldn’t mention that to Yujin right now.
Ji-hyeok placed the contract on the table.
“Alright! Let’s do it. Yujin is willing to risk his position as head of the legal team for your friendship.”
After both signed, Ji-hyeok pressed his seal firmly on the contract one last time.
By lunchtime, enjoying the warm air, the three began eating in the garden.
Seung-ah quickly found Ji-hyeok to be an amusing person and spoke to him comfortably.
“Yujin, you must always be smiling with a friend like Seong Ji-hyeok. You two have completely different personalities.”
Yujin closed his eyes gently.
“Different, maybe. But when I’m with him, I can’t assert myself. Everything he says is exaggerated or filled with failed humor.”
“He does it to bring joy to others. Yujin, do you understand a clown’s heart?”
Ji-hyeok lowered his head and continued.
“Looks like I’ll have to become the clown for this lovey-dovey couple. Lucky you two! I’m jealous, lonely!”
“Jealous? It’s just a contractual relationship.”
Yujin’s words drew a glance from Ji-hyeok.
“Just a contract, yet you take care of Seung-ah like that?”
“What care? I… what did I do?”
“You pull out chairs for her, place her favorite foods in front of her one by one. And look, you have to sit so close on a big table?”
At that, Seung-ah quickly moved her knee away from Yujin.
Ji-hyeok raised his left hand dramatically.
“I bet my ring that this won’t end as a mere contract!”
“Is it valuable?”
A simple ring rested on his pinky finger.
“It was a prize at our company’s sports event! The chairman liked seeing me wear it. I won’t take it off until I retire.”
“That’s a lie.”
Before Seung-ah could be fooled, Yujin interjected.
“It’s a ring he shared with his ex. Despite appearances, he hasn’t forgotten his first love.”
“Despite appearances!”
Seung-ah laughed softly in admiration.
“Seong Ji-hyeok, you’re more of a hopeless romantic than you seem. Not that you look like a playboy, of course.”
“I think I have the right look, don’t I?”
“You have the kind of handsome face that probably made many women cry.”
“Right? Seung-ah, you’ve got good taste!”
Ji-hyeok smiled with satisfaction and took a big bite of risotto.
As Seung-ah ate oil pasta, she put down her fork.
“I got something on my hands. I’ll wash them.”
As she got up, Ji-hyeok seized the opportunity to speak quickly.
“Yujin, try to be good to Choi Seung-ah.”
Yujin immediately frowned. He already guessed what Ji-hyeok was about to say.
Still, Ji-hyeok had to say what he believed needed saying.
“I know you’re averse to marriage. I’ve seen your parents too.”
Having been friends since Yujin was tiny, Ji-hyeok knew his family’s situation inside out.
Young Yujin, his heart blackened by his parents’ conflicts, had left painful memories even for Ji-hyeok, who shared in his sorrow.
“But there are happy couples in the world too.”
Yujin waved his hand slightly, dismissing him.
“Enough. Just eat.”
“Seung-ah, she seems like a good person. You should seize the opportunity when it comes.”
Finishing his words, Ji-hyeok shoveled food into his mouth.
“Opportunity… what opportunity…”
Yujin murmured, sipping water.
Ji-hyeok let out a small, amused laugh.
“At least he doesn’t deny she’s a good person.”
