#22
“But how did you really know where to find us? Don’t tell me… you had someone following me?”
Eunsol had survived the dangerous situation thanks to Hyun-oh’s emergency intervention. He had sliced through those annoying people as easily as cutting radishes.
Once she felt relieved, the next thought that popped into Kang Ye-ryeong’s mind was how Hyun-oh had known where she and Eunsol were located.
He hadn’t contacted her. Hyun-oh had appeared with impeccable timing. Almost as if someone watching the situation nearby had informed him.
“Don’t completely trust the people around you. That’s something my mother often told me.”
Instead of directly answering Ye-ryeong’s question, Hyun-oh mentioned something she used to tell him. It was as good as confirming it.
“I’ve raised quite the tiger cub, haven’t I?”
But Ye-ryeong’s face showed no sign of displeasure. On the contrary, she nodded with a satisfied smile.
Hyun-oh shifted his gaze from Ye-ryeong to look down at the figure fidgeting in his arms.
Fortunately, the trembling had subsided. Instead, Eunsol kept moving his body restlessly. The movements weren’t large—he just squirmed slightly as if uncomfortable with his body being in contact with Hyun-oh’s.
“We’re going to the hospital, so try to get some rest.”
Hyun-oh hadn’t known Eunsol for very long. But he knew that Eunsol was fundamentally a person with a weak constitution.
After being scared to the point where he couldn’t breathe, it wouldn’t be strange if he passed out at any moment. Hyun-oh was bothered that Eunsol seemed unable to rest comfortably because of him.
It was then that the face that had been hidden by the suit jacket peeked out. Small hands pulled down the fabric that had been covering his face.
“Um… please put me down…”
Eunsol whispered in a timid voice, unable to properly meet Hyun-oh’s eyes. His fingers fidgeted with the suit fabric, betraying his discomfort.
After a moment’s consideration, Hyun-oh gently set Eunsol down. He was prepared to catch him if he stumbled, but although Eunsol looked weak, he stood firmly.
“…I thought I might be too heavy for you.”
“…”
“Did I just hear what I think I heard?”
Hyun-oh had thought Eunsol wanted to be put down because he was uncomfortable. But what he actually said was absurd. Unlike the silent Hyun-oh, Ye-ryeong expressed her honest feelings without restraint.
“Hey, if you’re heavy, then Hyun-oh wouldn’t even be able to lift me.”
Not only was there a significant height difference between Eunsol and Hyun-oh, but their build was also vastly different. Hyun-oh had an inherently large frame and exercised regularly.
Ye-ryeong could say with confidence that Eunsol’s weight wouldn’t even be half of the dumbbells Hyun-oh lifted.
As she got older, weight gain had become an issue, making diet her primary concern. It was ridiculous that someone who looked even thinner than her was worried about being heavy.
“You’re not heavy at all, so just let me carry you. You look like you can barely walk.”
Hyun-oh took a step toward Eunsol. Eunsol stepped back exactly the same distance. Hyun-oh’s eyebrows raised slightly.
“Lee Eunsol.”
He moved toward Eunsol once more. The result was the same. Despite staggering, Eunsol somehow maintained the previous distance between them.
Initially, he had grabbed Hyun-oh’s sleeve so tightly it wrinkled. Now that he was feeling better, he seemed to be pushing Hyun-oh away. Feeling strangely displeased, Hyun-oh was about to reach out toward Eunsol when—
“What are you two doing?”
Ye-ryeong stepped between them. She was concerned that Eunsol’s breathing might become irregular again. She thought they needed to get him admitted to the hospital for a thorough examination and rest.
“If you don’t want Hyun-oh to carry you, shall I give you a piggyback ride?”
“…Pardon?”
“I’m stronger than I look.”
Eunsol’s expression froze awkwardly as Ye-ryeong struck a bodybuilder pose. Despite the somewhat comical pose, the fact that it was Ye-ryeong made it look elegant. The more he got to know her, the more unique his mother-in-law seemed.
In the midst of the confusing situation, he felt calmer thanks to her.
“Let’s just go. Mother, you can… support Lee Eunsol. No piggyback rides.”
Hyun-oh offered a compromise, concerned that they’d continue to waste time here. They had already created enough gossip fodder. If other customers visited the shop and saw this scene, it would likely cause more troublesome situations.
“Is that what you want, sweetie?”
Ye-ryeong extended her hand to Eunsol with an exaggerated gesture, as if escorting a partner at a party.
The employees in the hallway turned their attention to Eunsol.
After Chairman Han’s death, Hyun-oh had emerged as the primary figure to take over and lead TH Group. As if it had been a lie that he’d been living quietly, he was now stepping forward to obtain what he wanted. Even so, very few people had actually seen Hyun-oh in person, despite the abundant rumors.
Unlike Hyun-oh, Ye-ryeong had been well-known to the public even when Chairman Han was alive. With her glamorous appearance and stylish clothing, she attracted public attention almost as much as a celebrity.
Meanwhile, Hyun-oh, who was secretly considered the top bachelor in the chaebol world, had gotten married. His partner was also someone as little-known as Hyun-oh himself.
Furthermore, a special incident had occurred today. There was enough to fuel the employees’ curiosity about Eunsol.
“Th-thank you…”
Eunsol had no choice but to take Ye-ryeong’s hand. He wanted to walk alone, but as he became conscious of the employees’ stares, his muscles tensed up.
To be honest, he wanted to ask Hyun-oh to carry him again. Even though his heart was beating unnaturally fast, Hyun-oh’s embrace had been so comfortable that he wanted to stay in it.
“Madam, your car is ready.”
An employee who had received instructions from Manager Kim Myungjun cautiously approached Ye-ryeong. After nodding, Ye-ryeong turned to look at Hyun-oh, who was walking silently behind them.
“What did you drive here?”
“I drove myself.”
“Really? It’s unusual for you not to bring Manager Kim.”
“Manager Kim is still in America.”
“I heard things weren’t going well over there, so I guess it’s still ongoing.”
Hyun-oh didn’t respond to that comment. His firmly pressed lips indicated he didn’t want to discuss the subject any further.
Ye-ryeong shrugged nonchalantly and headed toward the parking lot.
“Madam, you’re here.”
“Give me the car keys.”
Eunsol quietly observed. The chauffeur who had driven Ye-ryeong’s car to the shop looked confused.
“That’ll be all for today. I want to drive myself for once. At this rate, my hard-earned license will end up just sitting in a drawer.”
“…Understood.”
The chauffeur seemed like he wanted to say more but quickly realized that Ye-ryeong wouldn’t listen anyway.
He bowed deeply and handed her the car keys. Taking the keys, Ye-ryeong let go of Eunsol’s hand and waved.
“You two haven’t seen each other in a while, so catch up. I’m going to get a massage since I’m already out. My shoulders are stiff after getting all worked up, so I need to relax them.”
Eunsol’s eyelids fluttered rapidly. He had assumed Ye-ryeong would stay with them. While it was nice to see Hyun-oh after a long time, it was equally awkward.
There was also the mistake he had made before they parted. Hyun-oh was certainly still angry with him. And today of all days, he had embarrassed himself by collapsing in front of family members.
“Han Hyun-oh. Take my little bird to the hospital. I’ll call ahead. You know which hospital to take him to, right?”
“I’ll handle it.”
“I see. You’re all grown up now and not even listening to your mother anymore.”
Ye-ryeong gave Hyun-oh a prim glance before approaching Eunsol. She couldn’t help but smile at how Eunsol remained still when she approached, unlike when he had backed away from Hyun-oh.
“We’ll have the date we missed today another time. Okay?”
“…Yes.”
Today, Eunsol had been able to reduce some of his discomfort around Ye-ryeong. The atmosphere that had relaxed since the car ride had improved even more after she actively stepped in to protect him.
“Lee Eunsol.”
Hyun-oh lightly grabbed Eunsol’s arm. Ye-ryeong’s eyes flashed with interest as she watched her son displaying something close to jealousy without even realizing it. However, she couldn’t keep watching. For the couple’s relationship to progress, they needed time alone together.
“The nuisance will now disappear.”
Ye-ryeong headed toward her parked car. Eunsol bowed deeply toward her retreating figure.
“You don’t need to bow so deeply.”
“Ah, sor—”
The apology that was about to leave his lips instinctively curled back in. Hyun-oh released Eunsol’s arm and walked toward his own car, parked about two spaces away from Ye-ryeong’s.
“Get in.”
Hyun-oh opened the passenger door and gestured inside with a nod of his chin. Eunsol quickly walked over, punching his trembling thighs with his fists.
After confirming that Eunsol was seated, Hyun-oh closed the door. As the door shut, Eunsol’s body stiffened.
His hands resting on his knees curled up like someone who had committed a crime.
The driver’s door opened, and Hyun-oh’s unique scent subtly flowed in. As he recognized the fresh fragrance, he recalled the moment when Hyun-oh had held him and emanated sharp pheromones toward Yoo Hye-jin and Manager Lee Joo-young.
Though it had just happened, the memory seemed as hazy as recalling a distant past.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
