Chapter 47
“The decision should be up to I-hae. I have no intention of forcing it.”
“Even if it’s just a formal engagement? It’s only to keep the promise to our benefactor anyway, and nothing will really change.”
Benefactor.
At Old Man Oh’s words, Seo I-heum’s gaze fixed on Baek I-hae. More precisely, it brought to mind the man and woman who resembled her face.
Following them, the face of his wife who had passed away first naturally came to mind, and Seo I-heum’s expression darkened.
Old Man Oh, quick to notice what he was thinking, quietly closed his mouth and turned his head away.
“Huh?”
“What.”
“Looks like we’re not the only ones smitten. There are guys approaching Miss I-hae?”
Two men who appeared to be adults were approaching Baek I-hae and saying something to her.
From the way they extended their hands, it seemed they were asking her to join them or for her number.
Seo I-heum watched with indifference. His expression suggested he found their courage admirable for approaching Baek I-hae with those faces.
They didn’t need to intervene; Seo Do-gyeom would handle it on his own.
Seo I-heum was about to tune it out and lie back down when a sharp, irritated shout came from the approaching men.
“Fuck, acting all high and mighty! Parading around with that disgusting back like it’s nothing!”
The booming yell drew the attention of passersby even from afar.
Baek I-hae’s face flushed in an instant. She, who had never been ashamed of her scars, shrank her body for the first time.
The expressions of Seo Do-gyeom and Seo-yeol beside her hardened immediately.
Especially Seo-yeol, who had caused the scars, glared at the men as if he would tear them apart any second.
“Old Man Oh.”
“Yes.”
“Make sure you remember those bastards’ faces clearly.”
Seo I-heum was also staring at the men with sunken eyes.
In the meantime, it had escalated into a fight, but the opponents were no match for Seo Do-gyeom and Seo-yeol, getting beaten pathetically.
Old Man Oh nodded vigorously.
“Yes, I’ll investigate the people around them too. It’d be nice if they’re in an environment where no one cares if they suddenly disappear.”
So we can dispose of them more thoroughly.
Old Man Oh was also grinding his teeth, glaring at the men who had hurt Baek I-hae.
It had been a peaceful moment.
***
They had come to the beach for a rare outing, but the commotion forced them to flee back home.
Fortunately, the ones who got beaten didn’t report it—perhaps out of fear of retaliation, or intimidated by Old Man Oh’s build as he approached later.
Baek I-hae barely calmed her worry that these gangsters might get into trouble because of her.
Hearing the sudden insults had been a bit upsetting, but seeing others get angry on her behalf didn’t feel bad at all.
“Damn it, I should’ve killed those fuckers.”
With Baek I-hae in the middle, Seo Do-gyeom and Seo-yeol sat on either side. Seo Do-gyeom was holding Baek I-hae’s hand while looking out at the scenery.
On the other side, Seo-yeol sniffled, hugging one of Baek I-hae’s arms with a sullen face as he spat out vicious words.
“I’m fine, so don’t say such harsh things. What are you going to do if you’re already using scary words like that at your age?”
“But those things talked shit to you, noona! Your scars, the scars… they’re because of me!”
Both Old Man Oh in the driver’s seat and Seo I-heum in the passenger seat glanced at Baek I-hae’s expression through the rearview mirror at the same time.
Their actions were full of concern that she might be hurt, which actually helped dispel the lingering discomfort from earlier.
Somehow, a laugh escaped her.
“I’m okay. It’d be a lie to say I don’t care at all, but I’ve never regretted helping you.”
I’d do the same thing again if I had to go back.
At her calm continuation, Seo-yeol looked up at Baek I-hae as if entranced. Seeing his eyes brimming with tears, it was clear he was still just a kid.
Baek I-hae smiled softly and brought her hand to the corner of Seo-yeol’s eye. She felt the dampness.
“So don’t worry. If you’re thinking of me, try not to say violent things from now on. I really hate anything violent.”
Screech!
At the same time as Baek I-hae’s words, the car came to a rather abrupt stop.
Seo Do-gyeom and Seo-yeol both extended their arms simultaneously to brace Baek I-hae’s body from lurching forward.
After confirming that Baek I-hae, with her eyes wide in surprise, was unharmed, Seo I-heum ground his teeth and called out Old Man Oh’s name.
“Old Man Oh.”
“I-I’m sorry! Are you and the young masters alright, miss?! I saw the red light too late!”
That wasn’t actually the case.
He muttered under his breath so Baek I-hae wouldn’t hear, but Seo I-heum, who caught it, glared at him.
He was clearly stung by Baek I-hae’s words too, yet he acted shamelessly.
“Be careful, old man! I-hae noona is fragile—if you hit her even lightly, she could die!”
It’s not that bad.
Baek I-hae couldn’t bring herself to say it and pressed her lips shut. Truthfully, any of the four men here seemed like they’d collapse if tapped lightly.
“You’d only snap out of it if you died.”
Seo Do-gyeom glared at Old Man Oh with cold eyes as he spoke.
She couldn’t bring herself to retort to that serious face, something like, “How do you snap out of it if you’re dead, you merciless punk?”
‘Is it just my imagination, or are they getting more overprotective?’
It must be because women were precious in this household.
Baek I-hae decided to think of it simply.
“Come to think of it, have you guys made any plans for what to do during vacation? If you want tutoring or anything like that, I-hae, just let me know anytime.”
Unlike his sons, the words were considerate of Baek I-hae, who was serious about studying, and she shook her head.
She knew it wasn’t a family short on money, but she didn’t want to owe them that much.
“It’s fine, I can study on my own. If I fall behind, I’ll let you know then!”
“Alright, tell me anytime.”
“Yes! And since I’ll be working a part-time job, I won’t have time for tutoring anyway.”
“…A part-time job?”
Seo I-heum paused for a moment before asking again. He seemed to doubt if he’d heard wrong.
Everyone in the car felt the same, but Baek I-hae nodded with a bright smile.
As mentioned before, she was quick to pick up on things.
“Yes! A part-time job!”
She just pretended not to notice.
“Absolutely not.”
As expected, the opposition to the part-time job was fervent. She’d anticipated some resistance, like with the swimsuit, but…
No, this seemed even more resolute now.
The atmosphere sank in an instant, and Old Man Oh glanced around nervously, gripping the steering wheel tightly.
“Why not?”
“If there’s something you want to buy, I’ll buy it for you. If there’s something you want to do separately, I’ll send you the money. So why bother earning it yourself?”
Seo I-heum seemed somehow wounded in his pride.
Baek I-hae glanced at the back of his head, and Seo-yeol asked her with a flustered face.
“Noona, why suddenly a part-time job? If it’s awkward to tell Dad, tell me! I have a lot of money saved up!”
Who would take a kid’s pocket money?
Truthfully, given the allowance Baek I-hae was receiving now, Seo-yeol’s savings probably amounted to quite a bit too.
Still, she hadn’t expected this much opposition.
“It’s at a friend’s father’s company—just simple assistant work! I want to get a taste of working life early and earn my own money. It’s not hard work, so don’t worry!”
Even as Baek I-hae poured out the words she’d prepared, the men’s faces showed no sign of relaxing.
Seo I-heum seemed worried about making her suffer unnecessarily, Seo-yeol just looked puzzled as to why she’d do something so pointless.
And Seo Do-gyeom.
“Which friend?”
He was pressuring Baek I-hae from an entirely different angle.
‘Should I say Ye Eun-seol?’
In her imagination, Ye Eun-seol was desperately shaking her head and pleading. Baek I-hae felt the same.
The atmosphere was already against it, and if it was an introduction from a male friend, the opposition would be even stronger—it was obvious.
“Uh, Jang Seul-gi—you know her, right? The one who called me out to the hallway on the last day of school! She said she wanted to get closer to me.”
“She wants to get closer, but why introduce a part-time job?”
It was an unusually sensible question from Seo Do-gyeom.
“She said she’s doing it too, so we should do it together. Earn money together and eat something delicious after! It’s my first female friend, so I want to go…”
But Baek I-hae, who was no longer afraid of the likes of Seo Do-gyeom, said it nonchalantly. Even she thought her attitude was shameless.
Still, she could see Seo Do-gyeom’s expression softening at her words.
“Really?”
Seo I-heum was the same. They seemed to judge that Baek I-hae’s pleading was because of Jang Seul-gi, not the money.
Baek I-hae didn’t bother correcting the misunderstanding.
‘I should really meet up with Seul-gi after the part-time job ends later.’
That way, her conscience would prick less.
Baek I-hae was even thinking shamelessly now. In that way, she got Seo I-heum’s permission and Seo Do-gyeom’s silent approval.
***
Several days passed like that.
When she texted Ye Eun-seol about it, he was thrilled, saying he’d just gotten permission from his father too.
The part-time hours weren’t long. It was simple assistant work from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Things like copying documents or working on Excel.
-Don’t worry, since you’re a student, they won’t give you anything difficult.
Ye Eun-seol advised her like that and texted her the location to report to. He also said he’d mention her in advance, so they could meet after work.
‘It was a lie, but now that I’m actually here, it feels like real adult working life—I’m nervous.’
Baek I-hae stood in front of the large building with a tense face.
Dressed in a white T-shirt and black slacks to look as neat as possible, her reflection showed in the glass window.
When she went inside and approached the receptionist, they handed her a name tag with a red strap, as if they’d been informed.
Baek I-hae’s cheeks flushed with excitement. It felt just like experiencing the adult life she admired at that age.
“This way. Once you go in, the staff member who was informed will be there.”
The receptionist was businesslike but polite, not looking down on her even though she was a student, and guided Baek I-hae courteously.
After confirming the receptionist had gone back the way they came, Baek I-hae took a deep breath. Looking down at the name tag with her face on it, she smiled faintly and opened the door.
“Hello…!”
She had no idea in her wildest dreams that such an unexpected person would be there.
The other person seemed to recognize Baek I-hae too, frozen in surprise.
[The leader of the Baek faction, Baek Yeong, recognizes Baek I-hae and is flustered.]
Baek Yeong, whom she hadn’t seen in a long time, was still the owner of a beautiful appearance.
