Chapter 41. Something Left Behind
Pyeongchang-daek was more grateful than troubled to be in a position to do Yooa a favor.
<Okay. On the day the Director calls you to the house, I’ll go and carefully listen to what’s said.>
<Just don’t make it obvious. Just note who was present and what the topic of conversation was.>
Knowing the future was more of a burden than a blessing. One small twist could lead to unforeseen consequences.
Everything had changed rapidly after returning.
Though Yooa hadn’t hoped for it, she was thankful her relationship with Lee Jun had improved. Experiencing the words and actions she’d never heard or seen from him before allowed her to embrace the whole of him.
It felt like her marriage, once full of misunderstanding, was finally being rewarded. Ever since he told her that his loneliness mirrored her own, Yooa no longer felt alone.
Because now, whatever happened, Lee Jun would be by her side.
✦
“Camping?”
“Yeah.”
“Is there any reason I have to go?”
“You don’t want to?”
“I mean… I’m camping every day. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow too.”
The season had changed once again. It was time to bring out the coat Lee Jun had bought for her in the summer.
When Yooa said she wanted to eat marshmallows, Lee Jun unhesitatingly skewered soft, fluffy ones onto a long stick.
Wearing a dress shirt and disposable gloves, he grilled them seriously, making sure not to burn them. Yooa stared at his focused face.
“It needs a little more roasting.”
Noticing her gaze, Lee Jun quickly said she shouldn’t eat it yet and worked even faster. Yooa rested her chin on her arms and leaned forward to catch his attention.
“Look at me.”
“Let me finish roasting this. Fire control is key. Just a little carelessness and it’ll burn.”
As he explained how unhealthy burnt food was, Yooa silenced him with a kiss.
With a soft smooch, she pulled back and giggled. Caught off guard, Lee Jun let out a helpless laugh—but by then, the marshmallow had turned pitch-black.
“I thought you said you’d roast it perfectly?”
“And whose fault is that?”
Lee Jun tossed the inedible skewer into the firewood and brushed off his hands. Then he began skewering a new marshmallow.
“You saying it’s my fault?”
“If you hadn’t kissed me, you’d be eating a sweet marshmallow by now.”
As he insisted on assigning blame, Yooa shrugged casually.
“Oh well. Then I’ll compensate you.”
“With what?”
“You said you wanted to go camping. I’ll come with you.”
She’d actually planned to say yes from the start. But when he began begging like a child, it reminded her of Sejin’s face, so she let it drag on a bit.
As Lee Jun had announced at the product showcase, customers who bought a camping car would receive a Grip Company tent on a first-come-first-served basis. And for viewers who entered during the livestream, selected families could join a trial camping trip to experience both the tent and the vehicle.
He was confident that once people tried it, they’d fall for the charm of camping—and sales would naturally follow.
Though confident in the product, Lee Jun still looked a bit anxious as the trial trip approached.
“You might feel really uncomfortable. By now, almost anyone would recognize your face.”
The influencer involved in the crosswalk accident had also been invited and wanted to greet Yooa personally, which would bring even more attention.
The winners’ group chat expressed strong desire for Yooa’s participation, and after some discussion, even the marketing team supported it.
“I get shy around strangers. So just stick close to me the whole time. Then it’ll be fine.”
“Alright.”
This time, a perfectly roasted marshmallow was handed to Yooa.
She asked for another right away, and as she eagerly bit into it, Lee Jun gently wiped her lips and smiled brightly.
He wondered—would a child who resembled Yooa one day eat marshmallows with them, stumbling around on tiny legs?
He hoped that day would come soon. Watching her hair flutter in the wind, he tucked it behind her ear.
✦
A week before the trip, Yooa suggested they hold a video call with all the participants.
<We should break the ice early. Otherwise, it’ll be awkward when we meet. At least the adults can get familiar and greet each other. Maybe we can even brainstorm some good ideas. What do you think?>
<Have I ever said no to anything you suggest? But… will it be okay?>
<What do you mean?>
<Not all the participants may come with good intentions. There might be competitors in disguise—or even undercover reporters.>
Though Lee Jun was worried, Yooa felt excited as they left for Grip Company together. Just the thought of being around fellow camping enthusiasts thrilled her.
Most of all, since families would attend, she’d get to see children—and that alone made her smile.
“Nervous?”
“Not at all. I’m actually really looking forward to it.”
“Yeah, it shows. You haven’t stopped smiling.”
“Waking up and seeing your face first, then sipping the coffee you bought me on the way to work… there’s nothing to envy in the world.”
Hearing her say she was happy, Lee Jun nodded.
What would it feel like to truly live together under one roof?
As he sipped his coffee, he occasionally glanced sideways to watch her look out the window.
He couldn’t ask for anything more.
“What time’s the video call?”
As they sat in the executive office together, Lee Jun caught her wrist as she stood to leave.
“10 o’clock. Just one family member needs to attend. We’ll share the meeting notes anyway, but I want to hear if anyone has good ideas.”
“You can suggest something too.”
“Like what?”
When he said “marshmallows,” Yooa rolled her eyes.
She insisted she really had to go, and tried to shake off his hand—but instead, he pulled her into his arms.
“…I don’t want to let you go.”
Unfortunately, he had a meeting with an international outdoor company at 11:30. After months of negotiation, a senior manager had flown in to inspect the camper van in person and was ready to sign the contract.
“Let’s each do what we do best.”
“What we do best?”
Yooa stood on tiptoe and whispered in his ear, cautious not to be overheard by his secretary.
“You need to make lots of money.”
With a playful tone, she added they needed to buy a house, a car, and even hold a wedding.
Hearing such a joke from someone was unimaginable—unless it was Yooa.
As she felt his grip loosen, Yooa quickly dashed out the door, afraid he might catch her again.
“You really are a fox, Yoon Yooa.”
Though this office was where he spent more time than home, now that she’d left, he felt a wave of loneliness.
He was surprised by how quickly he missed her, when—
The door creaked open again, and Yooa peeked her face back in.
“Did you forget something?”
“Yes.”
Delighted to see her again, Lee Jun walked toward the door in a few long strides. When he offered to bring whatever she forgot, Yooa glanced behind her, then reached out.
“I forgot Kang Lee Jun.”
Apparently reassured that the secretaries weren’t watching, she grabbed his collar and pulled him into a kiss.
Blushing, she said she couldn’t bear to leave and had come back just to see him.
“I’ll come pick up Kang Lee Jun later, so stay here after work, okay?”
Yooa probably thought she had fooled the secretaries—but Lee Jun had clearly seen everything reflected in the glass cabinet behind his computer.
Secretary Kim was blushing all the way up his neck as he pretended to stare at the monitor. Secretaries Yoon and Gong were no different, typing furiously as if on cue.
It was obvious—they were all reacting to the same thing.
Pretending not to have seen any of it, Lee Jun quietly closed the door and muttered to himself.
“Yoon Yooa, you’re seriously going to drive me crazy.”
