Episode 8
Among the photos spread out on the table, Tae-jung picked out a few.
“I’m thinking I should change my career.”
While drinking beer, Jae-guk held one of the photos Tae-jung had taken. The atmosphere in the picture radiated warmth—as if they were truly a loving couple. Jae-guk couldn’t help but be impressed.
“Didn’t I take this well?”
“It’s average.”
“At this level? Come on. What more do you want from a photo?”
“You didn’t capture how good Ji-won looks in real life.”
“You bastard.”
Jae-guk frowned deeply. Tae-jung, who used to show zero interest in women, suddenly announced one day that he had found his first love.
Jae-guk and Tae-jung had been classmates from middle school through college. So naturally, they knew everything about each other’s personal lives.
As far as Jae-guk knew, Tae-jung was someone who hardly showed any interest in other living beings besides himself. And now, he was talking about a first love?
It turned out that Tae-jung had met this girl while he was living in the U.S., and she had suddenly disappeared without a word. Hearing that Tae-jung had been searching for her ever since had felt like a lightning strike to Jae-guk’s head.
His best friend was a hopeless romantic.
He had decided to help this loyal friend in love, but he hadn’t expected it would involve sneaking around and taking secret photos like this.
For the past few days, Jae-guk had been tailing them in a darkly tinted black sedan, doing a “non-stalking” kind of stalking. His body was aching all over from the effort.
“We’ve got the pictures, so can we stop this nonsense now?”
“You can keep going if you want.”
“I don’t make a habit of spying on other people’s relationships, thanks.”
Jae-guk gathered the photos Tae-jung had picked out—he planned to show them later to Tae-jung’s grandfather, Chairman Moon Beom-shin.
“Isn’t your grandfather suspicious?”
“I’m a great actor. Not everyone can pull off being a double agent, you know?”
Jae-guk spoke as if demanding recognition for his efforts.
A few months ago, Chairman Moon had called for him. Wanting to know what his grandson was up to, he had asked Jae-guk to report back on Tae-jung’s actions.
Promised a hefty reward, Jae-guk had immediately confessed to Tae-jung that he had become the chairman’s informant.
And so, Seo Jae-guk became the Moon family’s double agent.
Stretching out his stiff body, Jae-guk gestured to Tae-jung.
“Let’s hit the sauna.”
“I have to go see my grandfather.”
“Already?”
“You should get ready too.”
Tae-jung slipped back into his suit jacket and left the house first.
The mansion looked like a luxury resort in Southeast Asia.
Flanked by trees on both sides, the setting was serene. A soft breeze carried the sweet scent of gardenias.
His father had personally planted those gardenias for his mother, who had loved the flowers.
It had been nearly 20 years since the sudden traffic accident took both their lives.
“Ha…”
Tae-jung ran a hand over his dry face.
After losing his parents, he had descended into a dark place. He had stopped eating and would wander barefoot through the estate gardens in the middle of the night.
Once Chairman Moon realized his grandson was mentally unwell, he sent Tae-jung to a small American town known for a child psychologist.
But the one who truly healed Tae-jung wasn’t the doctor.
It was Ji-won, with her silly jokes and carefree charm.
“The chairman is waiting for you.”
A calm baritone voice pulled Tae-jung out of his thoughts.
It was Kim Seung-hwan, who had worked as the family butler for 30 years. With a steadfast personality, he rarely showed emotion. But in front of Tae-jung, he loosened up and spoke more freely.
Thanks to that, Tae-jung was always informed of his grandfather’s intentions before meeting him—just like now.
“He’ll probably ask you to choose a candidate from the matchmaking list. He seems quite determined today.”
“Did anyone catch your eye, Mr. Kim?”
“Well…”
Kim tilted his head thoughtfully and glanced at Tae-jung’s face.
“There was the daughter of BK Savings Bank. Maybe because I recognized her, I noticed her more.”
“Ah-ra’s like a little sister to me.”
“Still, better than a complete stranger, isn’t it?”
“I’m already seeing someone.”
“Are you serious?”
Kim’s eyes went wide at the unexpected news. He fidgeted with his glasses, clearly surprised.
“I know it sounds odd.”
“You just never show it. Everyone else, if they’re dating someone, it’s in the news. But you’ve never had anything like that. That’s why I’m shocked.”
“You know her too.”
“I do?”
Nodding, Tae-jung headed toward the pavilion where Chairman Moon was waiting.
Surrounded by ornamental trees, the pavilion overlooked a lotus pond. Large petals remained hidden in the lotus buds scattered across the water.
Chairman Moon sat at the center, leisurely fanning himself.
“Chairman, Executive Director Moon Tae-jung has arrived.”
At Kim’s words, the chairman raised his head.
His eyes curved into a smile at the sight of his tall, handsome grandson.
“If you were here, you should’ve come right away. I heard your car got here a while ago. What took so long?”
“I was admiring the trees.”
“Yeah? They look good, don’t they?”
“Yes, sir.”
Tae-jung climbed into the pavilion and sat in front of his grandfather. As Kim had predicted, photos and profiles were laid out on the table.
Chairman Moon had carefully selected them—top-notch candidates for matchmaking. He spread the photos out in a neat line.
“Pick the girl you like.”
Tae-jung skimmed through the photos and read the profiles.
They were daughters of prestigious families. Among them was Bin Ah-ra, the daughter of BK Savings Bank, whom Kim had mentioned. When Tae-jung’s eyes landed on her picture, the chairman gave a subtle smile.
“You like this one?”
“No, sir.”
“Then which one?”
“Grandfather.”
“What?”
Tae-jung suddenly knelt down, and the chairman’s brows furrowed.
He took a sip of water, waiting for Tae-jung to speak.
“I don’t want to go on any blind dates.”
“Why not? After Ki-jung gets married this fall, it’s your turn. You said you weren’t thinking about marriage, but a man needs a partner. I’m not saying you have to marry immediately. Just go out, have a meal, see a movie. If it feels right, then take it seriously. Understand?”
“I’m seeing someone.”
“Seeing someone? What did you just say?”
Chairman Moon’s eyes nearly popped out at Tae-jung’s declaration.
Unlike his other grandsons, Tae-jung had never once been involved in any romantic scandals. The chairman wondered if he had heard wrong.
“I’ve met someone I want to marry.”
“Marry?”
“Yes.”
Tae-jung nodded, then added as he met his grandfather’s narrowing gaze,
“She’s an ordinary woman. She works hard and lives simply.”
“Ordinary? Hardworking?”
Chairman Moon slowly scratched his chin in thought. If it had been one of his other grandsons, he would’ve been thrilled.
But Tae-jung was different.
Orphaned at a young age, Tae-jung needed a wife with a strong, supportive family background. That was always the top requirement when selecting his match.
An ordinary woman wouldn’t do.
He shook his head.
“Tae-jung.”
“Yes, Grandfather.”
“You say you’re seeing someone, so I’ll let it go for today. But let’s talk more next time.”
“Understood.”
Chairman Moon waved his hand, dismissing him.
As if expecting this outcome, Tae-jung stood without hesitation.
After Tae-jung left, Chairman Moon sat in the pavilion, staring out at the pond. Then he called for the butler.
“Call Seo Attorney.”
“You mean Attorney Seo Jae-guk?”
“He probably knows something. Call him and tell him to come immediately.”
“Yes, Chairman.”
Kim Seung-hwan promptly dialed Seo Jae-guk. When he received confirmation that he’d be arriving soon, Chairman Moon ran his eyes over the matchmaking photos spread out across the table.
To be continued…
