Side Story 30. An Unexpected Help (1/2)

Seol Jihu was deeply shocked that Seol Jinhee had followed him. He understood to some extent why she did what she did but still felt bitter.

One thing he learned from all this was that Seol Jinhee still didn’t fully trust him. He needed to prove himself to her.

Seol Jihu ended up going on a tour across the country.

In the meantime, Kim Hannah’s abilities shone clear. Each time they visited a factory or office in Daejeon, Gumi, and Daegu, Seol Jihu actually had to work. She handled everything with just one phone call, and he witnessed how meticulous she was with her work.

Kim Hannah also ordered her men to track Seol Jinhee’s every move. To be honest, every time she was briefed on Seol Jinhee’s whereabouts, Seol Jihu became increasingly frightened.

It was the morning of the second day that the unexpected change took place.

They were in Busan and checking the goods when suddenly Kim Hannah’s phone rang. Seol Jinhee watched them for two hours but finally left, her men said.

But Kim Hannah did not let her guard down. She waited until Seol Jinhee got on the highway and then let out a long-held sigh.

“Jeez. What is wrong with your sister? She’s like the reincarnation of Descartes.”

Kim Hannah clicked her tongue.

“I thought she was the type to just blindly follow her instincts, but she’s more patient than I thought. She takes her enemy by surprise, but once she’s shown herself, she hides again and lies low…. That’s the most difficult type to deal with.”

Kim Hannah praised Seol Jinhee.

Seol Jihu said nothing.

Kim Hannah glanced at Seol Jihu and suggested that, although his sister might have left, they should grab lunch at a nearby place, just to be safe.

Seol Jihu followed her without any objection but barely ate.

Toward sundown, the duo set off on their way back to Seoul.

Seol Jihu was quiet throughout the ride. Kim Hannah tried to strike up a conversation, but he barely said a word in response. Most of the time, he just nodded. She couldn’t tell whether he was lost in thought or plain sad.

“Your sister must have trusted you a lot.”

“She did, a long time ago.”

“The higher the trust, the greater the sense of betrayal. Still… this is nothing compared to what you did to her.”

Kim Hannah consoled Seol Jihu.

“And, technically speaking, you are deceiving your sister.”

Seol Jihu’s eyes narrowed.

“Deceiving? It’s not like I’m doing anything illegal.”

“You’re right. You saved a world. No one is going to criticize you for that. But let’s be honest. It’s true that you quit gambling, but it’s not like you’re actually an employee at our company.”

“….”

“I know her type well. She wants to believe you, but she can’t because you’ve disappointed her too many times. She’ll translate even the slightest discrepancies between your words and your behavior into grounds for suspicion. I’m sure she’s feeling confused by all of this.”

“You’re saying I should be more understanding?”

“Understanding? Well… I mean, you gave her a reason to doubt you. I think this is something you have to endure.”

Seol Jihu flinched at Kim Hannah’s honesty.

“Or you could try to relieve your sister’s suspicion.”

“How?”

“I think you should consider telling her about there.”

“She’s looking for a job, isn't she? Now that all the bugs are gone, what could be a better place to work than there?” Kim Hannah added, hoping to persuade Seol Jihu.

Seol Jihu scoffed.

“You must really like my sister.”

“Oh, you noticed?”

Kim Hannah laughed.

“She reminds me of myself in my younger days. Anyway, I suggest you pay attention to my advice. If your sister is truly like me, she will never trust you again as she did in the past. And that’s not by her choice. She’s just that kind of a person.”

Kim Hannah emphasized again. Suddenly, her phone vibrated. The call was from one of Kim Hannah’s men to inform her that Seol Jinhee had arrived home.

“You were still tracking her?”

“Yeah, just to be sure. You want me to stop?”

“I do. Everything’s over now.”

“Well, sure, if that’s what you want.”

Kim Hannah continued as she turned the steering wheel.

“But we still have to go back to the office. Don’t go home right away just because you think she’s gone. Wait a few hours. Okay?”

Seol Jihu nodded without objecting.

*

Once back in the office, Seol Jihu waited for a few hours before leaving as Kim Hannah advised.

It was already past seven o'clock when he arrived at SY Apartment. Wearing the same suit he wore when he left this morning, Seol Jihu ran into a man and a woman—his neighbors, Kim Soohyun and Goh Yeonju—in front of Building 101.

“Oh? Good evening, Jihu.”

Goh Yeonju recognized Seol Jihu and greeted him with a smile.

“…Ah, yes, good evening.”

Seol Jihu replied a little late. His head was a jumble of thoughts, and the constant feeling of being on edge had left him restless.

“Did you just get back from work?”

Kim Soohyun asked with a kind smile.

“Well, yes.”

Seol Jihu smiled weakly.

Kim Soohyun tilted his head. He asked carefully, his eyes scanning Seol Jihu from head to toe.

“Is something wrong? Your face is pale.”

“No, I’m fine. It’s just that….”

Seol Jihu forced a smile and turned his head away. Kim Soohyun’s gaze was starting to make him feel uncomfortable. He felt as if the Martial God could see through him and read his mind.

It was then.

Right as the elevator arrived, Seol Jihu felt his phone vibrate in his hand.

“Huh?”

His eyes widened.

“Why is she…?”

The name on the screen was Seol Jinhee.

Perplexed, Seol Jihu nevertheless picked up the call.

“Jinhee?”

—Hey, Oppa. It’s me.

The word ‘oppa’ sounded awkward, coming off her tongue.

—Are you still at work?

“Hm? Why do you ask?”

—About yesterday… I think I crossed the line.

“Oh….”

—I wasn’t myself yesterday. I’ve had some time to reflect on what I did, and I feel embarrassed by it.

Seol Jinhee continued.

—I feel like I should apologize. I’d like to drop by if you’re still at work. Is that okay?

“Ah, you don’t have to worry about that. I already took care of everything. And I’m home right now. I got off work a little while ago.”

—Really? But I still think I should apologize.

“It’s alright. You don’t have to come. Just don’t make the same mistake next time.”

—Okay, if you think that’s for the best… but I still feel bad. I prepared some gifts as a token of apology. Can you at least accept that?

“Gifts?”

—It’s nothing fancy. If you don’t want me to visit your colleagues, maybe you could pass these over to them for me?

“I… I guess I could….”

—You said you got off work?

“Y-Yeah.”

—Good. I’ll head over to your place right now. I’m just gonna drop the gifts off and leave.

“What?”

—See you soon.

The call ended abruptly.

‘Ah.’

Seol Jihu realized he’d just made a mistake. His family didn’t know he had moved, and he just dug his own grave, trying to keep his sister away from the company.