VSSSP 01

Chapter 1

Six months earlier.

“Hello. I’m Seo Ihyeon, a garden designer from Sua-tteul.”

Looking into the intercom, Ihyeon offered a modest, unexaggerated smile.

“I’m a friend of Choi Junyoung.”

Only after she added that did she hear the metallic click and the gate swung open.

Taking a short breath, Ihyeon stepped inside.

She crossed the smooth marble floor and climbed the stairs that led to the garden. It was so vast that it couldn’t be taken in at a single glance.

“Wow.”

The exclamation slipped out before she could stop it.

From the house hidden deep within the expansive garden, someone was walking toward her.

It seemed to be the caretaker Junyoung had mentioned. With his right leg in a cast, he hurried forward on crutches.

Ihyeon quickened her pace and bowed politely.

“Hello.”

“You said you came to see the garden?”

“Yes. I’m a garden designer.”

As if meeting a client, Ihyeon handed him her business card.

The caretaker slipped it into his pocket and let out a quiet chuckle.

“Junyoung insisted so earnestly.”

He paused, catching his breath.

In that brief moment, Ihyeon bowed again.

“I’m sorry for causing trouble. I’ll take a quick look and leave.”

“Oh no. I didn’t say that for you to apologize.”

He waved his hand dismissively, then studied her face.

“You look just like your mother.”

Caught off guard, Ihyeon’s eyes widened.

“You knew my mother?”

“Of course. I watched over this house every day when the late madam built it. Even when she was designing the garden.”

Ihyeon’s heart began to pound.

“She was so passionate. As her daughter, you must have wanted to see the garden she created. I understand.”

The caretaker smiled warmly, wrinkles forming at the corners of his eyes. Ihyeon’s gaze drifted past him to the garden beyond.

It was early spring, winter’s chill not yet fully gone. Aside from the evergreens, the trees stood bare without a single leaf. And yet, perhaps because of the careful touch they’d received, everything looked orderly and well kept.

“The garden looks healthy. You’ve taken good care of it.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

“Plants can feel sincere care.”

“Your mother said the exact same thing.”

The caretaker laughed heartily.

“I should be guiding you, but as you can see…”

He lifted his crutch slightly. Judging by the clean bandages wrapped around his cast, the injury seemed recent.

“I hope you recover quickly. Eat lots of good food so the bone heals well.”

He smiled kindly at her words.

“Seo Ihyeon, was it?”

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry, but would you mind looking around on your own?”

“Of course, sir. Please don’t worry about me.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

Overwhelmed by his natural kindness, Ihyeon didn’t know where to put herself.

“I should be the one thanking you. I’m truly grateful you’re letting me see the garden.”

“Go ahead, then. I have something to take care of inside.”

Leaning on his crutches, the caretaker made his way back toward the distant house beyond the wide garden.

Seeing how far he must have walked on his injured leg, Ihyeon felt guilty. Even so, he had never lost his gentle smile. He hadn’t spoken down to her either.

Moved by his sincerity, her impression of the unknown homeowner improved as well.

No—simply being allowed inside was enough for her to already like the owner.

“With a house like this… they must be incredibly wealthy. If Junyoung knows them…”

Her thoughts drifted in a simple direction.

When Junyoung had first mentioned the house, he hadn’t said exactly who the owner was—only that it was someone he knew well.

Considering that Junyoung’s family owned a hotel conglomerate, the owner of this house must be just as affluent.

“Whoever it is… I’m jealous. This house… I want it. I really do.”

The truth slipped out before she could stop it. She found herself dreaming foolishly of living in the house that held the garden her mother had designed.

“Ah… Let’s not covet what I can’t have.”

Shaking off the useless thought, Ihyeon stepped deeper into the garden.

Looking over the still-sproutless grounds, she murmured softly.

“The daylilies will sprout soon here. Those must be hydrangeas. Over there—peonies, and next to them lilies…”

She entered the arched rose tunnel. Roses had been her mother’s favorite flower. In the gentle breeze, it felt as though she could sense her mother’s breath.

Closing her eyes, Ihyeon whispered as if confessing to her.

“Mom… I’m getting married… I think I’m happy.”

Exhaling softly, she walked on.

The wind blew, and wind chimes scattered throughout the garden swayed, producing clear, delicate sounds.

To the melody played by the wind, Ihyeon closed her eyes.

Her lips curved gently upward, yet strangely, warmth gathered at the corners of her eyes. Tears slid down her cheeks.

Mukyeong climbed the stairs that connected the garage to the garden.

He stepped out of his car and ascended the final stone steps. As he reached the top, a gust of wind blew.

Clink, clink.

The wind chimes rang out across the garden.

“Annoying.”

He had told them to take them down, yet they were still there. With the headache that had persisted for days, the added chime made it feel as though his entire head was shaking.

When the wind ceased, so did the ringing.

Pressing his fingers against his temple, Mukyeong stepped onto the last stone stair.

“Ah…”

The wind rose again, and the chimes rang loudly.

And beneath them stood a stranger.

Whether she was feeling the wind or savoring the clamor of the chimes, he couldn’t tell.

She was smiling.

No—she was crying.

Clear tears streamed from her closed eyes, trailing down her cheeks.

When the wind stilled and the chimes fell silent, the curve of her lips straightened.

Then another strong gust blew, tossing her hair, and the chimes rang out once more. Her lips curved again.

It was a smile that drew the eye.

And yet tears continued to flow, slipping down her neck.

A woman smiling happily while crying.

Her sudden presence in his garden stirred in Mukyeong an emotion he couldn’t quite name.

Then came the thought—who was this woman in his garden?

He stepped forward again.

At that moment, her phone vibrated in her hand. She opened her eyes—and their gazes met.

The wind blew, the chimes rang wildly.

Time hadn’t stopped, yet the density of the air felt altered.

Their unbroken gaze only faltered when her phone, which had briefly stopped, began ringing again.

She looked down and turned away to answer.

“Hey, Junyoung. I just got in.”

“My secretary hyung will be there soon… which means the homeowner will arrive shortly.”

Ihyeon turned her head.

So that man must be the secretary.

Since the secretary had already arrived, she wanted to thank the homeowner in person. And perhaps ask if she might visit again someday.

Now that she had seen the garden her mother designed, she wanted to see it in all four seasons.

With a faint smile, she said into the phone,

“You said the homeowner will be here soon. Then I’ll greet them before I leave.”

“No, no! Just greet my secretary hyung and leave right away. The homeowner doesn’t like strangers.”

Junyoung’s voice was urgent.

Even if he knew the homeowner well, perhaps it would put him in a difficult position if she met him directly.

She couldn’t trouble a friend who had already done so much for her.

Realizing that the man she had just locked eyes with was the secretary, Ihyeon hurried.

“I’ll call you later.”

Without waiting for a reply, she hung up.

Approaching the man, she bowed politely.

“You’re the homeowner’s secretary, right?”

At her overly courteous tone, he gave a small, unconscious nod.

Out of habit, Ihyeon reached for her card holder—then froze.

She had given her last business card to the caretaker earlier.

Feeling awkward introducing herself without one, she lifted the corners of her lips.

“Hello, I’m Seo Ihyeon.”

He studied her for a long moment before asking in a flat voice,

“The person you just spoke to—was that Choi Junyoung?”

“Yes. I’m the friend Junyoung mentioned.”

His head moved slowly in a nod.

Then he looked at her again.

Secretary, she had thought—but his gaze was sharp. Strong, defined features. A height that required her to tilt her head far back to meet his eyes. And an overwhelming presence.

Without realizing it, Ihyeon held her breath as she stared up at him.

One of his brows lifted slightly.

“By the way…”

“Yes?”

“Have you been crying?”