I 06

Chapter 06

“From the Managing Director? How did he know?”

At her grandmother’s words, Chayun came to her senses and spoke urgently.

“H-he happened to be passing by, saw me, and helped me up.”

“Oh my, goodness! Our Managing Director is just so kind-hearted!”

At the mention of Gyobeom, Okchun’s face lit up with delight.

“Just leave it there. Oh, thank you so much.”

“You mean over there?”

“Follow this old woman. Chayun, you go inside and help tear the meat with Gangneung’s wife. Got it?”

*Honestly, Grandmother.* Whenever it came to her senior, she just blindly thought well of him.

Okchun was extremely generous toward Gyobeom. She praised his sturdy build and chiseled features as the “epitome of a magnificent man,” giving him a thumbs up, and went on and on about how despite his high position, he was polite and well-versed in loyalty and compassion.

*Loyalty and compassion, my foot.*

He was nothing more than a capricious and arrogant young master whose attitude toward people changed depending on his mood.

Chayun had no idea why Okchun, who prided herself on having a sharp eye for people, couldn’t see Gyobeom objectively.

But it wasn’t just Okchun—most of the people working at Hyeonhamwon all spoke well of Gyobeom and followed him.

Perhaps the only person he treated carelessly was her.

*What could the reason possibly be?* She tried to think about it, then gave up. It was a question she’d pondered for years but could never find an answer to.

Even if she asked the one who set the question, he wasn’t the kind of person who would give her an answer.

So in the end, her choice was once again resignation.

Her mood sank. At times like this, simple, repetitive labor helped.

“Sigh, let’s just go tear some meat.”

Chayun limped her way toward where Gangneung’s wife was. Thinking how she wished the three days would pass quickly.

—

***

Inside the Daeungjeon hall of Cheongwangsa Temple.

In the center of a massive flower board woven from white chrysanthemums was enshrined a portrait of Chairman Gu Daehan.

The high-ceilinged space was filled with the thick scent of incense and men in black suits.

Those wearing hemp armbands stood neatly to one side, receiving guests. A man in glasses approached Gwangpyo, who stood at the front of the group.

“The Managing Director has arrived.”

At Chief Kang’s whisper, Gwangpyo turned his head toward the entrance.

Gyobeom was walking toward them, leading a group similarly wearing hemp armbands on their left arms, his face expressionless.

“Just in case, make sure that girl doesn’t run into him as much as possible.”

At Gwangpyo’s words, Chief Seok bowed his head and replied softly.

“Yes, understood.”

Chief Seok bowed his head to the approaching Gyobeom and stepped back behind Gwangpyo.

“You’re late.”

“There was a small disturbance.”

Gwangpyo’s brow twitched.

“A disturbance?”

“A vermin who hadn’t sobered up from his drink drew blood from one of the family members.”

At that, the eyes of those surrounding the father and son darkened grimly.

“Drew blood from a family member?”

“Yes. That’s why I’m a bit late—I threw him in the storage shed before coming.”

The Gu family never forgave those who laid a hand on their people.

That was how they protected their pride and secured the loyalty of their followers.

In any case, it was a sufficiently understandable reason for being late, and Gwangpyo nodded.

“If that’s the reason, then fine. Come stand here quickly. We must see Grandfather off.”

“Yes.”

With the two men—both sturdy in build and sharp in gaze—standing side by side in their hemp armbands, the sense of intimidation doubled.

Receiving the condolences of visitors with an expressionless face, Gwangpyo whispered to his son.

“So. Who was that bastard?”

“I’m not sure. He claimed to have been invited to Hyeonhamwon before, but if that were true, there’s no way I wouldn’t know him.”

“Not only disgracing our family, but lying as well.”

Gwangpyo cleared his throat with a displeased *hmm*. The shoulders of those standing nearby stiffened involuntarily.

“You said he’s in the storage shed.”

“Yes.”

“And who was the one disgraced?”

Gyobeom hesitated. But knowing that lying would only make things harder to handle later, he opened his mouth.

“Grandmother Shin’s granddaughter.”

At his son’s words, Gwangpyo’s gaze deepened. A brief silence lingered between the two.

“…That girl, you mean.”

“Yes. It seems Grandmother Shin called for her. That girl is also part of Hyeonhamwon’s family.”

Gwangpyo stared intently at his son’s face as he answered carelessly, as if it were nothing. His gaze was sharp, as if trying to read his son’s true intentions.

Was it a mask, or sincerity?

But like a well-trained beast, not a single emotion could be read from Gyobeom’s pitch-black eyes.

That fact alone was worthy of praise—he had finally become a man who could skillfully conceal his feelings.

“Is that all?”

Gyobeom met his father’s gaze without flinching.

“Do you want something more?”

“That’s something you should know better.”

“Keep your mouth shut when asked a question meant to gauge you.”

As Gwangpyo frowned, Gyobeom raised an eyebrow once.

“Words spoken by Grandfather. I will not answer in order to uphold his dying wish.”

At his son’s words, Gwangpyo let out a soft chuckle.

A person who had approached to offer incense and greet them hesitated, flustered by the sight.

“You’ve grown a lot.”

“I passed my father’s height long ago.”

As Gyobeom shot back, the smile at Gwangpyo’s lips deepened.

“It should be sincere. Otherwise, that girl will be in danger.”

“If she’s part of Hyeonhamwon’s family, she should always be prepared to face danger.”

At the ambiguous reply—neither confirming nor denying whether his feelings for Chayun had been completely erased—Gwangpyo shrugged.

“Right, you’re correct. She must be prepared to face whatever danger comes.”

Even with the implication that Chayun might face some unknown danger, Gyobeom’s gaze showed not a trace of wavering.

“You’re doing well. You’ll have to do even better going forward.”

“Please receive the visitors.”

Only then did Gwangpyo shift his gaze to the man who had been hesitating while looking at them.

But in his mind, he was thinking of something else.

He needed to test it.

Whether his son still had feelings for that girl, or not.

—

***

Chayun took off her rubber gloves and also removed the cotton gloves she’d been wearing underneath.

Then the bandaged palms of her hands were revealed.

“…”

Staring down at them, Chayun unconsciously turned her head toward the window.

Other than the man guarding the gate leading this way, no one else was in sight.

After Yongcheol had threatened Chayun, men in black suits had been posted throughout Cheongwangsa Temple, keeping watch on all sides.

Fortunately, no one had picked a fight with her since that day.

That was only natural. In the domain of the Gu Group, and at the chairman’s funeral no less, the only person who would cause a disturbance was Yongcheol, who hadn’t sobered up from the previous day’s drinking.

Chayun didn’t know what had become of Yongcheol after he was dragged to the storage shed.

But one thing was certain.

That man would never be able to live a normal life anywhere within the reach of the Gu Group’s influence.

Not just socially, but perhaps… physically as well.

The Gu family never left alone those who challenged their authority.

Well, whatever happened to Yongcheol, Chayun had no interest whatsoever. She didn’t need to worry—they would have taken care of the aftermath for sure.

The person she was interested in was the man who must have given the order to ensure that aftermath was thoroughly handled.

*’I’ll see you again,’ he said, and then.*

For three full days, Gyobeom hadn’t shown so much as the tip of his nose.

During that time, she’d occasionally glanced around while working, hoping to catch a glimpse of him, but it was all in vain.

A man who exuded such an overwhelming presence no matter where he was placed couldn’t possibly go unnoticed if he were nearby.

Moreover, today was Chairman Gu Daehan’s funeral procession. There was no way Gyobeom would still be staying at Cheongwangsa Temple.

*How long am I going to keep this up? How long?*

Chayun shook her head vigorously.

She hated herself for still being swayed by a single word from Gyobeom.

…Hadn’t Grandmother said it? That he might get married soon.

“Marriage…”

Would she be able to give up completely once Gyobeom got married?

Her heart feeling restless, she untied her apron, folded it neatly over the chair, and changed out of her black hanbok into the clothes she’d originally come in.

Everyone from Hyeonhamwon, including the kitchen staff, had gone to attend Chairman Gu Daehan’s funeral procession, so Chayun was alone here. She’d volunteered to take care of the cleanup.

—

“Right, dear. I’d normally say we should all go to the Chairman’s funeral, but… early this year, Grandma got a fortune reading that said it’s bad for you to go to funeral homes. Before you go home, buy some salt at the supermarket and sprinkle it in front of your door, and once you’re inside, place three red beans by the entrance. Got it?”

“Yes, I’ll do that.”

“Don’t just brush off Grandma’s words—you have to do it. Got it?”

“I got it.”

—

In any case, she was glad she didn’t have to go to the funeral procession.

She just wanted to go home, collapse on her bed, and rest. Then her tangled mind would finally settle down.

Slinging her bag over her shoulder, Chayun gave a short bow to the man standing at the entrance, offered a brief silent prayer in front of Daeungjeon, and headed toward the temple gate.

*Just walking here took several minutes. This really is a huge temple.* Thinking this, she was heading toward her car parked in the lot when someone called out to her from behind.

“Chayun.”

As soon as she turned around, her eyes went wide.

“Senior?”

The moment their eyes met, a man with a warm smile walked toward her with steady steps.

“Long time no see. It’s been two months, right?”

The man was Min Suho.

A friend of Gyobeom’s from high school and university, he was also another senior of Chayun’s.

In contrast to Gyobeom, who had a dark, beast-like intensity about everything, Suho had lighter hair and eye color and always wore a gentle smile.

If Gyobeom was one who ruled the night, Suho was a person like morning sunlight.

Ever since their school days, he’d taken care of her like a younger sister, paying close attention to her—a person she was grateful for.

Suho’s background was also formidable.

His grandfather was the Prime Minister, his father was a sitting member of the National Assembly, and his mother was a representative Korean fashion designer and the CEO of the global brand “iRiS.”

Min Suho himself was a successful interior designer, a celebrity who occasionally appeared on television.

But whether during school days or now, he was consistently polite and humble. In a different way from Gyobeom, he was a very popular person.

“What brings you here? I heard you went on a business trip to New York.”

“I came to pay my respects, and I returned home this morning.”

“Ah…”

Chayun made an awkward expression. *Right. Of course he came to pay respects at the funeral home. What was I thinking.*

About half of her soul must have been stolen away by Gyobeom, leaving her not in her right mind.

“But I seem to be too late.”

“Everyone’s gone to the funeral procession.”

“Chayun, you didn’t go?”

“Ah, I hurt my leg a bit. I didn’t want to be a bother…”

“You hurt your leg?”

Before Chayun could finish her sentence, Suho reacted and closed the distance to her in a swift motion.