Chapter 10
“M-Minju, I think… that’s probably right.”
Kang Ran-hee’s uncertain answer caused Woo-min’s expression to harden.
It was just yesterday that Kang I-wan had gone to see his grandfather. Even if he had been hated and kicked out, the timing was too abrupt.
On top of that, I-wan had been in charge of a trading company that had recorded the highest performance of the first half of the year, and there hadn’t been even a hint of any scandal or incident serious enough to make Chairman Kang furious.
Who was Kang I-wan, after all?
Not only was he highly competent, but he understood his grandfather’s temperament better than anyone and was skilled in navigating relationships. And yet, he had suddenly been demoted?
The more Woo-min thought about it, the more suspicious it seemed.
“I’ll be going up first.”
“Why? Aren’t you going to eat more?”
As Woo-min rose from his seat, Kang Ran-hee grabbed his arm.
“I’ve had plenty, Mother.”
“Alright then. I’ll bring you some herbal tea in the study later. Just rest.”
“Yes, Mother. Thank you. Please enjoy your meal.”
“He’s my son, but isn’t he just so amazing? Don’t you think, dear?”
Kang Ran-hee smiled contentedly as she watched her son leave the dining room. Just having him around made her feel strong and happy.
“Of course. He’s my son, after all.”
Han Jae-seop also nodded in pride with a satisfied smile.
“By the way, shall we have a celebration party today? To commemorate Kang I-wan’s demotion?”
“Sounds great!”
The couple burst into gleeful laughter, perfectly in sync.
Meanwhile, upstairs in his room, Woo-min paced nervously, brushing his fingers across his lips. Something felt very off.
After a moment, he called his chief secretary, Seo Dae-yong.
“Yes, Executive Director.”
After several rings, a polite voice finally answered.
“I heard Executive Director Kang I-wan has been transferred to a rural area. Do you know anything about this?”
“We heard about it this afternoon and are currently looking into it.”
Hearing that there was nothing to report yet, Woo-min walked over to the window.
Fantasia—the luxurious high-rise apartment built by Sunin Construction. The night view of the city from here was simply breathtaking.
Thanks to the success of Fantasia, Woo-min had solidified his position—and at the same time, lost Kang I-wan.
Gazing at the city lights twinkling like a Christmas tree, Woo-min gave instructions.
“Assign someone to keep an eye on Kang I-wan and report every detail. Be careful not to get caught like last time.”
“Yes, Executive Director.”
Even before Secretary Seo finished his response, Woo-min ended the call. Leaning against the window, his eyes were darker and gloomier than the night sea.
*
“What is this?”
On-yu asked as she looked between the documents on the annex table and I-wan’s face.
“It’s a sort of preliminary contract.”
I-wan replied as he gulped down water and digestive medicine.
Mrs. Nam had prepared a grand dinner—piled rice, various side dishes, and even a whole chicken stew.
It was overwhelming for someone like I-wan, who usually ate small portions. The old saying “feed even the one you hate” came to mind.
He had planned to eat less, but stopped when Mrs. Nam said:
“You can deduct the food cost from the lodging fee. I wouldn’t be shameless enough to charge a guest for meals.”
Her expression clearly showed disapproval and her tone was blunt, but there was no malice in her actions. Muttering complaints, she even tore off a drumstick and placed it on I-wan’s plate.
The result of such unexpected hospitality was overeating.
Thinking it would be rude not to finish it, I-wan forced himself to eat the whole bowl of rice. Now he had to urgently take digestive medicine.
“Read it, and if anything seems strange or you have questions, ask.”
He rubbed his stomach as he added. On-yu flipped through the documents.
The contents were simple.
If the winning ticket was found by July 14, she must unconditionally sell the house and the peach orchard to Kang I-wan for 2 billion won. And she must not mention the theme park to any villagers until he brought it up first.
“I’ll give you 200 million as a down payment.”
“You’re trying to silence me with money?”
On-yu chuckled as she pointed to the penalty clause—it was ten times the amount.
“Better safe than sorry.”
I-wan nodded slightly, not denying it, and On-yu stared at him.
‘Kang I-wan of Sunin Group? I heard he’s a competent and ruthless man. They say he’s so good at his job and meticulous that Chairman Kang trusts him completely.’
She had suspected from their first meeting, but Kang I-wan was not to be taken lightly. What she found out through her peers about his career and character was on another level.
Trying to outsmart this kind of man was pointless. On-yu decided to go along with the contract.
Besides, 200 million won was a huge amount for her current situation.
“Alright, fine.”
She picked up the pen.
I-wan carefully watched her fingers as she smoothly signed.
The faint nail polish marks from a few days ago were completely gone. Her nails were short and unpainted.
After signing, On-yu reviewed the contract again.
A slight smile formed on I-wan’s lips. The way she rubbed her nose bridge while concentrating looked cute to him.
“That’s about it, then.”
As she capped the pen and looked up, I-wan’s gaze naturally moved away.
“What will you tell the villagers about me?”
“Do I need to say anything?”
“People in the same village should exchange greetings.”
When he asked if it was necessary, On-yu dodged the question as if she didn’t understand.
“Well, even if you don’t want to, it’s bound to happen.”
With a meaningful smile, she observed his expression and asked,
“Are you feeling unwell?”
He had been rubbing his chest and frowning—it looked like something was bothering him.
“Oh… I just overate.”
“There really was a lot of food. And chicken stew on top of that.”
Recalling the feast, On-yu laughed sheepishly. Even if her grandmother didn’t welcome I-wan, she treated him properly as a guest.
“You could’ve left some. Did you force yourself to finish it?”
“I thought she’d hate me if I didn’t.”
I-wan gave a half-joking chuckle.
‘Maybe I should take another pill.’
As he received the documents from On-yu and murmured to himself, she stood up.
“I don’t have acupuncture needles, but let’s try something.”
Approaching quickly, On-yu said, “Just a moment,” and grabbed his right hand.
Caught off guard, I-wan’s eyes widened. He had no time to react before she took his hand.
“If you press here… it helps a bit.”
She pressed firmly between the bones connecting his thumb and index finger. Startled, I-wan twitched. Her touch sent an electric tingle through him.
“Does it hurt? You must really have indigestion.”
On-yu mistook his reaction for pain and loosened her pressure.
“From now on, I’ll serve your food myself.”
She took his left hand and massaged it. Blue veins popped up on the back of his hand.
“My grandma takes meals very seriously. She believes food is the key to strength.”
But I-wan wasn’t hearing a word. He just stared at her chattering lips.
Each time her delicate fingers massaged his hand, the pressure in his chest lifted, tickling him. Yet his whole body tensed.
Damn it.
I-wan frowned subtly, swallowing the curse forming in his mouth.
He wasn’t some lecherous creep who got excited just from being touched by a woman. Why did a kind gesture feel so seductive?
What disturbed him the most was the sweet scent coming from On-yu.
Even more intense than in the peach orchard or fresh after a shower—her fragrance now overwhelmed his senses.
‘Wow, his hands are huge and firm.’
On-yu admired his hands internally. His fingers were long, delicate, yet solid at each joint.
But then she accidentally pressed too hard.
“Whew…!”
“Oh! Sorry.”
As I-wan sucked in a sharp breath and furrowed his brows, On-yu quickly let go and apologized.
“Looks like acupressure has its limits. I’ll go get the medicine.”
“No.”
Just as she moved to get it, I-wan grabbed her hand.
“Keep going. I think this works better than the medicine.”
