episode_0082

“Don’t worry. Because I also have that much sense.”

In the first place, the contract was just a means to completely control Yeon Myeong-ha, who could not go anywhere. I have no intention of making any threats or gaining unfair advantage through it.

And when I think about the way Yeon Myeong-ha treats me these days, I feel like the meaning of the contract in the first place has faded considerably.

“Thank goodness. We are now extremely intimately connected, but if someone who doesn’t know the inside story finds out, they could greatly misunderstand you.”

“Senior. But please stop touching the tie. How many times has it been already? Because it was tied well. And what’s the use of covering your face with something like this in the first place? ”

“, stay still… ! Of course, I do it because it is useful… ! If you stay clean, your parents will look at you kindly… !”

I couldn’t bear it any longer and asked, but instead of feeling pity, they criticized me with a hostile attitude.

I keep feeling like the focus of the conversation is off somewhere.

It was only after tying and untying the knot two or three times that he was finally able to free me.

He still looked somewhat dissatisfied, but he couldn’t bear it any longer, so he refused.

And compassion’s questions continue until the end.

“But the in-laws… No, what are your parents like? ?”

“Si… I beg your pardon? I couldn’t hear you because you were slurring your words.”

“Oh, it’s nothing!! Just wondering what your parents are like… ”

I just asked, but he went on a rampage as if he had been harassed.

“Why is that… ”

“There is no particular reason… It’s better to just prepare in advance… ”

“… ”

My sunny mind becomes a little gloomy, as if it is raining.

I don’t know what preparations you’re talking about, but there’s definitely no day for Yeon Myeong-ha to see my parents.

Of course, this sadness is entirely mine. There is absolutely no reason or need to pass the burden on to Yeon Myeong-ha.

Her question was motivated by pure curiosity, not malice.

But even so, I felt it was necessary to tell the truth. I just glossed over it for no reason. There’s no guarantee that the same story won’t come up again next time…

I opened my mouth as if nothing had happened as best as I could.

“There is no need to worry about such things.”

“Why, why… ? Maybe you don’t like me… ”

“It’s not like that. They both passed away a long time ago.”

“What… ?”

“My father died when I was very young and I have no memory of it, and my mother died two years ago during an attack by demons.”

As he finished speaking, his pupils, colored with bright red particles, widened. He murmured, as if he remembered something belatedly.

“Well, then… I owe my life to Sa Jae-hyuk… ”

“That’s right. I also almost lost my life in the aftermath of that incident. The people who took me in were the commander and the sisters from the unit.”

“Ah, I see… I… This… sorry… ”

Compassionately, he suddenly felt so intimidated that he couldn’t speak properly. He trembled as if he had made a big mistake and kept looking at me.

“It’s okay.”

“That… I didn’t mean to do that on purpose… ”

I am thankful that you feel sorry. However, rather than that, I hoped that only the facts would be recognized mechanically.

I didn’t want the gloomy mood to continue, so I turned the conversation to another direction.

“You really don’t have to worry. By the way, what kind of people are your parents?”

“… My father is blunt, but he has a deep heart and a keen interest in learning. My mother is strict, but she has a dignity to match.”

After a moment of pity, he answered. It seems like a slightly dark hint has passed by.

I have already heard from the principal that the Yeon family is notorious for having broken character for generations. This was the result of a mixture of innate arrogance and mental contamination.

Among those who felt pity, he was particularly unusual. I was worried that the parents’ temperaments might not be any different, but listening to what they said, I guess it wasn’t that bad…

“Is that so? They seem like good people.”

“Yes. So you don’t have to worry at all. I’m sure he will greatly appreciate your help in helping me. Ah, it looks like it arrived quickly… ”

I turned my head to look out the window, following Yeon Myeong-ha.

As I left the city and passed through a winding mountain road, a panoramic view spread out in all directions. A huge mansion appeared in the distance.

The main building of the mansion was a building that blended traditional and modern styles together. Around the main gate were built small buildings that appeared to be warehouses or various living facilities.

And when the car stops in front of the huge iron gate and the driver opens the door, the people lined up along the aisle, bowing their heads and welcoming the young lady in a grand manner.

“… ”

I couldn’t keep my mouth shut at the sight that continued throughout. If I hadn’t been wearing a mask, everyone would have noticed this funny behavior.

I was definitely aware of the fact that there were people living in a different world from me. However, the sense of reality you feel when you witness it in person is shocking on a different level.

The simplicity of the leader and his older sisters was almost no different from that of ordinary people, and in a cradle where uniform uniforms and meritocracy were the ideals, the students’ origins were naturally diluted.

Suddenly, the contents of a children’s book I read when I was young came to mind. The scene unfolding before my eyes does not seem to be much different from the lives of the western prince and princess who live quietly in the palace.

I mean, I’ve come into contact with this kind of person. I think I know why the leader tried so hard to send me to the cradle…

Unlike me, compassion reigns supreme in the landscape so naturally. I move forward confidently among those with their heads bowed.

However, the expression maintained a subtle sensitivity throughout.

He tilted his head slightly, looking around with sympathetic, questioning eyes. And when she sees a servant taking the lead in greeting her, her suspicions deepen.

“Welcome, lady. Welcome back to your hometown after a long time.”

“… It’s a face I’ve never seen before. Was there a personnel change while I was away?”

“That’s right. My predecessor retired due to old age, so I took over as manager two years ago. By order of the head of the family, many of the employees were replaced with new faces. Even though I am weak, I will do my best to fight for the enemy.”

“What are the buildings around? It wasn’t arranged like that before. It seems like a few more things I haven’t seen before have been added.”

“There were some changes to the layout while renovating old facilities. I’ll give you a leisurely explanation later, so let’s go inside with you first.”

“… is it. okay. Hey, let’s go.”

His face still looked suspicious, but he nodded in sympathy. I followed her into the mansion.

“Senior. It seems you have been back home longer than expected.”

“This area has a high particle density due to the topography, so it is an area where many wild spirits live. But they say that could be the reason why mental contamination is accelerated… So after entering the cradle, I never returned and stayed in a mansion in the center of the capital… ”

“Is that so? Was it effective?”

“… at all. If it weren’t for you, I probably wouldn’t have even thought about coming back this time. No, rather than that, he was still alive… ”

After hearing my question, Yeon Sang-ha whispered softly and shook her head.

“But no matter what, I didn’t know it would change like this… Suddenly, there is a large-scale personnel change due to renovation… ”

At first, I didn’t think much of it, but looking at Yeon Gyeon-ha’s attitude, I felt like I too felt a strange atmosphere.

The glances may seem like they are trying to examine the other person, or they may seem like people who have something to hide.

Of course, I have nothing to say about the solemnity and exclusive atmosphere unique to a prestigious family that I have never experienced… Then, there’s no need to look at Yeon Myeong-ha like that, right?

Not only is he a member of the same family, but he is also someone who must be treated in the future.

As I walked with that thought in mind, I eventually reached the high stairs in front of the front door. And from above, someone’s cold voice that does not fit the illusion at all is heard.

“It’s been a long time.”

“I’ve been there, mother. Nothing special has happened so far, right?”

Yeon Myeong-ha bowed her head upward in a dignified manner.

At the end of the stairs stood a woman wearing an elegant dressing gown.

Although she looked quite old, she still retained her considerable beauty, perhaps thanks to good care.

However, is it my mistake to think that her attitude toward her daughter, who has returned home after a long time, seems too harsh and indifferent.

The sense of stability that is usually associated with the word ‘hostess of a prestigious family’ does not feel particularly special.

His gaze is nervous, and his face shows signs of fatigue and tension.

“Why is there such a big deal? You look really good too.”

“I… But what about your father… ?”

“He’s in the lab. As always. Isn’t it time to know without asking?”

“Is that so… ”

As the woman’s bright voice reached his ears, Yeon Myeong-ha muttered, unable to hide his disappointment.

“But I heard that a customer would come… This is quite unexpected.”

However, the woman did not stop there and began to show her nervous temperament to me as well.

“Didn’t I say that the more you are outside, the more careful you behave? But as if that wasn’t enough, they recklessly brought a man from outside the house into the house. Even that on the face… Oh my god, where are the etiquette… ”

“Mother. I told you in a letter. He is not an outsider, he is my junior. I’m wearing a face mask for a reason. And he is a recommended student at Black Lotus.”

When Yeon Myeong-ha blocked my path and protested to the woman, she looked at me with slightly surprised eyes and muttered.

“… Of black lotus? Then, the rumor… ”

“That’s right. If it weren’t for this junior, I wouldn’t have been able to receive the Gold Star Military Service Medal… ”

The woman who had been standing above me belatedly came down the stairs and made eye contact with me.

The pitiful gaze disappeared, but he still blurted out a word in a blunt voice.

“… nice to meet you. My name is Kang Ja-kyung, the mistress of Jeokhwa.”

“Nice to meet you. My name is Yoo Jin-hyeon.”

“You are a recommended student of Black Lotus. Have you ever heard of Geukrye Bio? It’s a small pharmaceutical company run by my parents’ family.”

I don’t know her last name, but I’ve heard of the name Aurora Bio. It is not a small company as they say, but one of the largest conglomerates.

Eritin and Leksa, which were useful in the southern part of the country, were also made here.

“How do you not know? I receive a lot of help on a regular basis.”

The woman nodded slightly, feeling a little relieved.

“Our Geukkwang Bio also maintains a good relationship with S&C of Black Lotus. Welcome. Then, have a nice time.”

The woman finished what she had to say and disappeared in an instant at a brisk pace.

He didn’t talk to his daughter or even look at her again.

Yeon Myeong-ha, who was standing there in vain, smiled helplessly when our eyes met.

“… Sorry. Are you very surprised… ?”

“It’s okay. Even more senior… ”

“You’re not that kind of person, but I guess you’re a little unwell today.”

Even though she said that, her face was also filled with disappointment.

I wasn’t particularly expecting a welcome, but I also never expected it to be such a dreary atmosphere.

I guess what Yeon Yeon-ha said earlier about her parents was speaking much better than they actually were.

Even though their child has gone through a life-threatening crisis and has even made a great achievement that will bring glory to the family, there is no interest in him at all.

I don’t know what the research is about, but does it make sense that the head of the family’s daughter returned to her parents’ home after two years and didn’t even see her face?

My mom praised me even when I caught a frog.

Even though he was now free from the mental pollution of pity and his complexion had improved considerably, the woman didn’t even mention it at all.

Is this really the relationship between parents and children?

“… Still, he’s a good person. I also received treatment for mental contamination through my mother’s connections.”

“Is that so… ”

“Yes. Maybe tomorrow you will be able to greet me with a little more smile. Let’s go first. I’m hungry… ?”

As the sun was already setting when we arrived, we were guided by the steward and moved to the banquet hall to have dinner.

However, it was only the two of us who participated in the meal. Her family didn’t even reveal where they were or what they were doing.

Thanks to this, the wide table felt unusually empty.

A sumptuous dinner was prepared that was incomparable to anything eaten in the cradle, let alone a military meal, but perhaps due to the atmosphere, the taste was not particularly outstanding.

It tastes worse than the protein bar I shared with my sisters on the battlefield.

I tried not to show any sympathy, but a tremor of emotion that I could not hide slowly leaked out of my eyes.

“… How does it taste?”

“It’s really delicious. This is my first time eating something like this in my life.”

As if he was trying to relieve his agitation through me, he seemed even more sympathetic and repeatedly thrust a plate in front of me.

“Yeah, really? I’m glad. Try this too. And this too… If it’s uncomfortable to eat, I’ll add thorns… ”

“… I will eat it myself. Senior, please eat it quickly.”

“I don’t have much of an appetite today… Eat a lot too… ”

It’s extremely embarrassing for me too.

However, since Yeon Myeong-ha smiled brightly at the made-up sentiment, I had no intention of stopping him.

I suppressed my bad feelings and put in as much as I could from her.

“… I think I’ll probably be able to see my father by tomorrow evening. They said he would be out of the lab by then. And I’m going back the day after tomorrow morning.”

The meal, which I didn’t even know what I was eating, was finally over, and we sat down in a pity room and talked for a while.

“Is that so? So what should I do with my mentoring experience documents? ?”

“You don’t have to worry about that. I will compile and provide appropriate materials. All you have to do is stay with me and come back… ”

“… Okay.”

Somehow, I had no choice but to respond to that earnest cry.

As darkness fell outside the window, one of the employees came up to Yeon Myeong-ha and spoke in a quiet voice.

“Lady. Now it is time to wash your hands and go to bed.”

“Already like that… ? Okay.”

He made a pitiful and regretful expression and stood up.

The steward from earlier comes closer to where I am sitting.

“Now, I will guide you to your room. Please follow me this way.”

“Okay.”

I followed his words and stood up.

But a thought passes through my head for a moment.

If this is the case, how will Yeon Yeon-ha sleep?

When I turned my head, my eyes met with Yeon Myeong-ha, as if we were thinking the same thing.

After hesitating for a moment, she opened her mouth and barely conveyed the meaning to me.

‘I’ll stay and leave before midnight.’

‘Don’t lock the door, leave it open.’

Then he lowered his head, turned around, and disappeared across the hallway, following the employee.