Husband Role - Episode 19

“There will be a lot of internal resistance. Especially since I belong to SD Heavy Industries.”

 

Jung-hyuk replied with a stiff face.

 

“What does it matter where you work? The fact that you are the eldest grandson of this family remains unchanged.”

 

“Will the foundation’s board of directors think so too?”

 

“Those guys will welcome it with open arms. Just look at the media. They’ve been raving about the achievements you’ve made in Saudi Arabia.”

 

Just a few months ago, the industry was buzzing for a while due to SD Heavy Industries’ unusual success story.

 

Il-sung felt a little disappointed that Jung-hyuk had kept his promise and left the religious order.

 

But that incident made him change his mind.

 

He had a sudden realization that he shouldn’t be stubborn like an old man in the back room.

 

His grandson’s achievements soon became Il-sung’s pride.

 

“You’re young and capable, and you’ll be the future of Hocheon. Who would dare to oppose you unless they’re crazy?”

 

Il-sung continued in a loud voice, as if imagining it was outrageous.

 

“Who can do as well as you? You, Jung-hyuk, have always shown the maximum ability within the situations presented by this grandfather.”

 

“Grandfather.”

 

Jung-hyuk, feeling it like external pressure, called out to Il-sung with emphasis.

 

“The founder’s word is law.”

 

“…So, you mean I should quit SD?”

 

Jung-hyuk joining SD was like a reward for his past obedience to Il-sung. He had no desire for the Hocheon Foundation, and only wanted to stay as far away as possible.

 

But recognition was necessary.

 

Therefore, he moved according to family tradition. It was because he couldn’t be an ungrateful person.

 

After finishing three years of teaching, which was no different from military service, he was granted the authority to choose his future for the first time.

 

Jung-hyuk left the teaching profession without hesitation. After finishing his studies again, he joined the company he wanted.

 

What he wanted was not great. He just wanted to walk the right path without anyone’s expectations or contempt. He was achieving it one by one.

 

The fact that he was promoted at a rapid pace compared to his slightly late entry into the company, and that a groundbreaking personnel decision was made, was also one of the results he had achieved.

 

He had barely made it this far. People easily praised him, but the journey was never beautiful.

 

“You rascal.”

 

Il-sung continued, as if frustrated.

 

“You’re still an outside director, so why would you quit? For now, it’s unrelated to management, so focus on your work.”

 

If that was the case, it wasn’t a bad deal for Jung-hyuk either. No, he couldn’t help but admit that it was a truly enticing offer.

 

But Jung-hyuk’s heart was heavy. He didn’t want to live off Hocheon’s money. That was like wearing shackles in another sense.

 

“Jung-hyuk.”

 

As if reading Jung-hyuk’s mind, Il-sung spoke in a softer voice.

 

“Remember those who spoke harshly to you.”

 

At one time, he felt guilty just for being born into this world. He was the result of illegitimacy, and that label didn’t easily fall off. Perhaps it was still valid to this day.

 

“The world is always conclusive. The conclusion of your biological father is you, and the conclusion of the parents who took you in is also you.”

 

“I understand what you mean.”

 

“Work hard and climb up.”

 

Il-sung said once more, “You have to prove yourself.”

 

“…”

 

He had been proving himself throughout his life. Since separating from the Hocheon Foundation, he had been able to live a little more freely.

 

He had been so busy that he had never slept more than 4 hours a day for several years, but he felt like he was living.

 

It was because he could live only as ‘Yoon Jung-hyuk’ without any modifiers.

 

“I’m behind you.”

 

Il-sung said in a firm tone.

 

Ironically, it was the way of the world that recognition followed hard work, and power followed recognition.

 

Everything was still unfamiliar to Eun-seol. Unfamiliar things also come with some discomfort.

 

The master bedroom without her husband. Instead of the bed she couldn’t get used to, she sat with her chin resting on the vanity.

 

A vanity.

 

It was like something that only adults owned to Eun-seol. The ring placed on it was the same.

 

Inside the wine-colored case, the diamond ring embedded in the black velvet sparkled vividly along the cut.

 

“…Pretty.”

 

It was like a dream. Getting out of that house and coming here too. Becoming a married woman too.

 

Then the door opened quietly.

 

Turning her head at the sound, Jung-hyuk was entering. His eyes were a little darker, perhaps because he was tired.

 

“You’re here.”

 

Jung-hyuk chuckled at Eun-seol’s greeting. Eun-seol blushed at his question of whether she would greet him every time she saw him.

 

It was amazing.

 

It felt like the large master bedroom was filled with his appearance alone. A strange warmth also circulated, and at the same time, the unfamiliar space felt cozy.

 

The real married life starting today.

 

Her heart was pounding. She had to get used to it, but it seemed like it would take quite a while to do so.

 

“Not sleeping.”

 

Jung-hyuk, who came up and stood facing her, asked. Eun-seol’s heart felt lost in front of Jung-hyuk’s unique scent and hot gaze.

 

Eun-seol quickly covered the ring case and answered, pretending to be calm.

 

“I couldn’t sleep.”

 

Then she put the ring case in the drawer below. She was going to keep it safe.

 

Jung-hyuk, who was quietly looking down at it, tilted his head to the side.

 

“The ring. Don’t you like it?”

 

Eun-seol looked up at Jung-hyuk blankly. Why would he think that?

 

“I like it. So much.”

 

Jung-hyuk frowned slightly at Eun-seol’s answer.

 

“Really. It’s pretty. So, so much.”

 

Jung-hyuk looked at Eun-seol, who was emphasizing it repeatedly, with disbelieving eyes.

 

“But why aren’t you wearing it?”

 

“Yes?”

 

Eun-seol asked back. Then Jung-hyuk raised his hand. The wedding ring was shining on his ring finger.

 

“It’s a promise.”

 

“Ah! It’s just that, I want to wear it. ”

 

“Want to.”

 

He repeated, as if catching her words.

 

“Because it’s precious. I’m worried about what to do if I accidentally scratch it. I think I’ll be so upset then.”

 

Eun-seol answered in a gloomy voice, as if she was sad just imagining it.

 

Jung-hyuk reached out, saying, “I see.” Eun-seol hesitated for a moment, then slowly took his hand. She was stood up by the man’s strength.

 

“Let’s sleep.”

 

“Ah…?”

 

“Don’t open your mouth.”

 

Eun-seol, startled, quickly closed her mouth tightly.

 

He said, narrowing his sharp eyes.

 

“There won’t be anything you’re expecting.”

 

“I, I wasn’t expecting anything!”

 

Eun-seol strongly denied and followed Jung-hyuk. Jung-hyuk, who was lying on the bed first, patted his outstretched arm.

 

“Come here, Eun-seol.”

 

Eun-seol, who was hesitating, soon went into his arms and hugged him gently.

 

It was the arms she had always slept in since the first night. Really, really big, heavy, and warm arms made up of Jung-hyuk’s scent.

 

Eun-seol, who closed her eyes, smiled, “Heh…”

 

Jung-hyuk stroked her hair until she fell asleep. It was the first night in their new home.

 

‘I’ll try to come up on Friday evening.’

 

Those were the words left by Jung-hyuk, who was wearing a fitted suit and had his hair neatly combed back.

 

Eun-seol had to spend the weekdays without him after saying, “Please be careful on your way.”

 

For several days, she followed Kyung-ha around like a baby duckling.

 

Since there were four servants, there was no housework to do separately. However, she was motivated to learn something.

 

About marriage. About living with her in-laws.

 

Eun-seol didn’t know anything. There was no one to teach her either.

 

“I’ve never had any bride lessons separately. Instead, if my mother teaches me, I’ll work hard so you won’t be disappointed.”

 

Eun-seol said in a solemn voice.

 

Kyung-ha looked at Eun-seol with a pitiful yet admirable gaze.

 

Despite her firm determination, she seemed to have endured a lot of hardship.

 

There was less than five years difference between Seol-gi and Eun-seol’s ages. If you only looked at their faces, you could say they were the same age.

 

What made that child an adult?

 

Kyung-ha suddenly became curious about that.

 

“I’m grateful just for your heart. But I feel like getting to know each other is more valuable than passing on the secret of pickled vegetables that has been passed down for generations. What do you think?”

 

“…I like it.”

 

“Okay, then.”

 

Kyung-ha called someone to bring refreshments.

 

It was a rainy Wednesday. The two talked like people who had known each other for a long time. Their voices continued in a comfortable atmosphere, as if the sound of rain hitting the window was like music.

 

Kyung-ha didn’t talk about things that could be rude to Eun-seol, or ask one-sided questions. If she had any questions, she would first talk about her own things, so that Eun-seol could naturally answer as well.

 

Was that why? Perhaps it was something that could be her weakness, but Eun-seol was able to talk about an episode somewhat honestly.

 

It was the story after the death of both parents, which everyone knew.

 

“…So that’s why you went to medical school.”

 

Eun-seol looked at Kyung-ha with grateful eyes as she added that her parents would be proud of her in heaven.

 

Perhaps she had been hoping for it all along. For anyone to say something like Kyung-ha.

 

“So, what do you want to do in the future? Are you thinking about it?”

 

It must have been a question about her career path.

 

“Ah… Yes.”

 

Eun-seol answered in a hesitant voice. That’s how she felt. It was like becoming a person who had fallen into lethargy, answering someone who asked about hope that there was none.

 

“In my opinion…”

 

Kyung-ha naturally called herself ‘Mom’. Eun-seol nodded quietly at the pleasant sound.

 

“I hope that you, Eun-seol, don’t limit yourself just because you’re married.”

 

It was an unexpected story.

 

Like she had often heard, she thought that once she got married, that was the end of it.

 

Eun-seol felt bitter about it, but on the other hand, she felt relieved. It was because the end was soon complacency.

 

“Of course, if you want, a life as a full-time housewife would be fine too. It’s not only difficult, but it’s also a noble thing that someone has to do. However, if I give you advice based on my experience.”

 

Ah, is this that ‘back in my day’ thing? Kyung-ha laughed. Eun-seol also smiled slightly.

 

“Taking care of ‘me’ is the most important thing. There has to be ‘me’ in order for there to be a next.”

 

“Is it too grand?” she asked once more with an embarrassed face.

 

Eun-seol shook her head.

 

She suddenly became embarrassed in front of such warm encouragement.

 

A pathetic heart collapses and realizes in front of the voice of a true adult.

 

“I’ll be back after using the restroom for a moment.”

 

Eun-seol said, covering her reddened eyes.

 

“Okay.”

 

The doorbell rang the moment she stepped away from her seat and entered the restroom. Eun-seol quickly turned on the faucet.

 

Swish—.

 

She didn’t know if tears were coming out, but it took a while to wash her face because her eyes kept stinging.

 

A little while later, as she was wiping her wet face with a towel, a firm yet sharp voice was heard.

 

“Where is she? That bizarre girl who ruined the dress on the wedding day!”