A Child Who Resembles Me [EN]: Chapter 158

Youngmi underwent chemotherapy as scheduled. Despite the arduous process of inserting a tube directly into her blood vessels to administer potent drugs, she endured it well.

The goal was to reduce the leukemia cells in her bone marrow to within 5%, and the test results after treatment showed she achieved complete remission. With such a positive prognosis, she was able to undergo hematopoietic stem cell transplantation [a procedure to replace damaged or diseased bone marrow with healthy stem cells] without other worries.

The whole family kept the fact that Yena’s cord blood was being used a secret. Jung-oh’s family, including Yena, refrained from visiting the hospital because honest and innocent Yena might inadvertently reveal the truth to Youngmi.

Also, everyone was cautious because it wouldn’t be helpful for Youngmi’s recovery if her condition became public knowledge.

Thinking of Youngmi, time flowed anxiously and slowly for her loved ones, but the world outside the window quickly transitioned to the peak of autumn. Even in the city center, trees displayed their vibrant yellow and red foliage, a reminder of the changing season.

Time also flowed steadily and firmly in Jung-oh’s belly. Ji-heon became even more protective of Jung-oh after seeing a video of the baby curled up inside her, kicking its arms and legs.

The members of Production Team 2 at Max Planning were no different. As was the fate of advertising agencies, Production Team 2, which was preparing for another competitive presentation, was constantly concerned that Jung-oh might overwork herself.

After the meeting, Jung-oh got up to clean up, and Assistant Manager Go Eun-ju, who was working at her desk, glanced at her and said nonchalantly.

“Just leave it. I’ll do it after I finish what I’m working on now.”

“No, I’ll do it.”

“Just go. It’s less upsetting for me if you rest.”

It was a blunt expression and a dry tone, but it was full of affection. Jung-oh narrowed her eyes playfully and stretched her lips long, feigning innocence.

“Assistant Manager Go? You love me?”

Eun-ju snorted, as if not feeling it was worth answering, and continued working. Jung-oh was even more amused by Eun-ju’s reaction.

“If this isn’t love, what is it?”

“Oh, you’re so cheesy. Save that for your husband.”

“Assistant Manager Go, I don’t do this to my husband. I only show it to Assistant Manager Go.”

Jung-oh winked and made a finger heart [a Korean gesture of affection], causing Eun-ju to shake her head and shudder.

There were times when she felt disarmed by Jung-oh’s beagle-like charm [referring to Jung-oh’s energetic and playful personality].

*Because of Assistant Manager Lee Jung-oh, my heart, which has been well earthquake-proofed, is shaking wildly.*

Eun-ju was embarrassed by her own change.

Adding to Jung-oh’s mischievous prank, Gi-hoon, who happened to enter the conference room, teased Eun-ju as well.

“Hey, Assistant Manager Go, please accept Assistant Manager Lee’s love.”

“Song Gi-hoon, why don’t you stop it, too?”

Eun-ju glared at Gi-hoon, but Gi-hoon chuckled.

Before Jung-oh came, Gi-hoon found Eun-ju the most unapproachable person in the team. He couldn’t be comfortable with Assistant Manager Go Eun-ju, who diligently performed her duties with an icy cold attitude, without a single warm word or encouragement. He was most afraid of her, even though she was his senior.

But before he knew it, he had built up a strong sense of camaraderie with Go Eun-ju, all thanks to Jung-oh.

“I’ll clean up. Take your time, Assistant Manager Go.”

Gi-hoon’s hands moved diligently. Jung-oh also got up and helped Gi-hoon. The two of them left the conference room, leaving only Go Eun-ju, who was taking care of urgent business.

Closing the conference room door, Gi-hoon said in a low voice.

“Before Assistant Manager Lee came, Assistant Manager Eun-ju was just difficult and scary, but before I knew it, she became really comfortable.”

Eun-ju had changed. Jung-oh agreed and nodded.

After taking a few steps, they heard a rattling sound from somewhere. It was the hallway where the director’s office was clearly visible.

Gi-hoon quickly took half a step away from Jung-oh to create some distance. It was thanks to Director Jung Ji-heon, who would suddenly appear like Hong Gil-dong [a Korean folk hero known for his stealth and unpredictable appearances] and glare at Gi-hoon whenever he was talking to Jung-oh in a friendly manner, that he had become so perceptive.

As expected, Ji-heon appeared again this time.

“Director, hello.”

Gi-hoon, who was already half a step away from Jung-oh, greeted him stiffly, looking nervous.

“Assistant Manager, I’ll go return the equipment quickly.”

As if anticipating that he would hear other harsh words from Ji-heon, Gi-hoon immediately fled the scene. He ran away before Jung-oh could stop him.

Ji-heon took the seat next to Jung-oh as if it were natural and walked side by side. Jung-oh lowered her eyelids and looked at Ji-heon with a nonchalant expression before asking a question.

“Are you really not going to work properly?”

“I’m working now.”

“The headquarters or Seryun Foods have much more important work than here. Father has asked you to come several times, but are you going to stay here?”

A few weeks ago, Jae-gwang had expressed his concerns to Jung-oh. He said that Ji-heon would never listen to his father. He wanted to see him working diligently at the group headquarters or at Seryun Foods before he retired, or at least he thought he would do well if he worked properly, but he was frustrated because he didn’t show up often.

Jung-oh respected Ji-heon’s desire to maintain a work-life balance. However, she thought that Ji-heon should be wary of relying solely on his wealth and becoming an unmotivated or complacent manager.

Ji-heon replied languidly to Jung-oh’s pointed question.

“I like Max Planning, though?”

“Do you really like Max Planning?”

“Really, I do.”

“Then what if I change jobs?”

“Why would you change jobs? You’re my wife, you have to stay in the Seryun Group. Where else would you go?”

“There’s no such rule. I have to go where I can develop my skills.”

Ji-heon’s eyebrows furrowed at Jung-oh’s cold declaration.

“What if I quit the company? Huh? Jung Ji-heon.”

“…I’d have to go too.”

“What?”

“I’d have to follow you.”

“You said you liked Max Planning.”

“I was talking about liking advertising agencies.”

“Then what if I said I was going to transfer to Seryun Foods?”

“Then I’d start liking Seryun Foods too.”

*I’ll follow you forever.*

His true feelings were transparently readable.

*What a leech.*

Jung-oh, who was speechless at Ji-heon’s answer, stopped walking and wagged her index finger at Ji-heon.

“Don’t even think about following me around, do something you can do independently. Create your own achievements. Got it?”

Jung-oh, wagging her finger wildly, turned around and left Ji-heon. Ji-heon was left feeling upset.

*Doesn’t the motivation for a person to work necessarily have to be the work itself? It doesn’t have to be about fame and success. Do I necessarily have to create my achievements without you? I can’t be whole without you.*

The thoughts that Ji-heon couldn’t tell Jung-oh swirled around in his mind all day long.

“Dad!”

The child approached Ji-heon, who was sulking at home. Seeing the child approaching with a bright face, his expression relaxed for a moment.

Yena, who sat on her father’s lap as if it were natural, asked.

“Dad, do you know what day Sunday is?”

“What day is it?”

“It’s Dad’s birthday.”

*Ah.* Ji-heon’s mouth dropped open as he counted the days in his head. He had been keeping track of Lee Jung-oh’s schedule and the company’s schedule, but he almost missed his own birthday.

He hadn’t remembered celebrating his birthday for several years. It was a day that passed by with a congratulatory call from his mother and a small gift from Seung-gyu.

“Dad, is there a gift you want from Yena?”

“Hmm. Yena’s kiss?”

“Not that!”

Yena shook her head. It seemed like Yena already had a gift prepared. But he couldn’t guess the gift hidden in her determined expression.

Yena, who had been wearing a triumphant smile for a while, opened her mouth again.

“Dad, you love Yena the most, right?”

“Of course. Of course, I do.”

“Then I’ll play with Dad on Dad’s birthday.”

“How are you going to play with Dad?”

“I’ll go camping with you. Would that be okay?”

*Huh.*

As expected, the child wanted something. Ji-heon desperately held back the laughter that was about to burst out of his lips.

“Dad, you’re so happy, right?”

“Yes. I’m so happy.”

“I knew it.”

Yena smiled, feeling proud of herself for coming up with such an amazing gift.

“Thank you. My daughter.”

“It’s nothing. But Dad, you have to get ready for camping soon.”

“What do I need to prepare for camping?”

“I don’t know. Ask Uncle Dobin.”

After saying what she had to say, Yena got off Ji-heon’s lap and went to her room.

Ji-heon smiled again and picked up his cell phone. He had never been camping before, so he was at a loss as to what to prepare, but he was relieved that his daughter had wisely suggested a solution.

[Oh, what’s up.]

When he called Seung-gyu, he heard his friend’s tired voice and Do-yoon’s crying nearby. It seemed like he was in the middle of childcare.

Ji-heon quickly told him what he needed.

“I’m going camping this Saturday. What do I need to prepare?”

[Did you book a campsite?]

“No.”

[Then you can’t go. This Saturday, the campsites will be all booked.]

“Already?”

[Already? You have to book at least a month in advance. This is the best time of year, so where would there be any spots left?]

Ji-heon’s vision went dark at Seung-gyu’s answer. Ji-heon, who had been imagining setting up a palace-like tent at the campsite and grilling meat with Yena, was devastated.

Seung-gyu offered Ji-heon a clever idea.

[Why don’t you come with us to Jin-seo’s parents’ house? The air is good there, and the yard is huge, so it’s great for setting up a tent and playing. We do that often.]

“No, but Yena will be expecting it.”

[There are mountains, rice paddies, and the sea. It’s better than most campsites there. You can practice there and then prepare properly next time.]

“……”

[Hey. Camping requires practice. Don’t take it lightly. There’s a lot to prepare and a lot to study. Especially if you’re a dad taking kids! A dad can’t be clueless at the campsite. You have to be the pride of your children.]

Seung-gyu, a three-year camping veteran, carefully explained to Ji-heon why he should go to Jin-seo’s parents’ house.

“…… Ha, okay. Then can I impose on you?”

[What’s there to impose? Everyone will be happy.]

“Okay. Then let’s go together. Thank you.”

[What are friends for? Then I’m busy, so I’ll hang up.]

Just before Seung-gyu pressed the end call button, he seemed to be saying something to Dobin next to him. He heard Dobin’s voice cheering so loudly that the phone was ringing. Ji-heon felt like he had been tricked into a contract that wasn’t part of Seung-gyu’s scheme.

.*. *. *. *. *. *.

Time passed, and it was Saturday morning at the hospital ward.

Youngmi, who had received a hematopoietic stem cell transplant and started treatment, had been receiving a series of injections all along. The doctor encouraged her, saying that the donor’s hematopoietic stem cells were a good match for the patient and that engraftment [the process of the transplanted stem cells growing and producing new blood cells] was going well.

“They say I’ll be able to leave the hospital in a few days.”

Jae-gwang said, opening the curtains in the hospital room. Until a few days ago, she felt nauseous when she saw sunlight, but her condition had improved a lot.

Jae-gwang asked his wife, who was now able to smile in the sunlight.

“How are you feeling today?”

“Not bad.”

“Will you be able to see the children?”

“I have to see them. Tomorrow is Ji-heon’s birthday.”

Youngmi was accurately counting the days even while lying down. Tomorrow is her son’s birthday. It was a day she could never forget.

“I didn’t have to suffer as much because the donor appeared quickly, so our son could celebrate his birthday.”

“Can I see the donor’s face? I’d like to give them a gift.”

“You can. I know them.”

Jae-gwang readily replied when Youngmi showed interest. It was time to tell the truth.

“…Who is it?”

Youngmi’s voice trembled as she asked.

In fact, there were times when she wondered if the donor had appeared so quickly because of Ji-heon. Was the donor her son after all? There were times when he turned away coldly, saying he would never see his mother again, but was that what it was? Tears welled up in Youngmi’s throat as she waited for Jae-gwang’s answer.

“It’s Yena. Your granddaughter Yena.”

However, Jae-gwang’s answer was unexpected. It wasn’t Ji-heon.

Youngmi blinked, wondering if she had misheard. Her blinking eyes quickly became wet.

“You were saved by your granddaughter.”