A Child Who Resembles Me [EN]: Chapter 162

162. Late Formal Greetings

A few months ago, before the hypnotherapy, Jiheon had asked Jeongo what she was curious about regarding Jiheon from seven years ago.

Jeongo immediately mentioned a few things. She was curious why he hadn’t introduced her to any friends seven years ago and why he disliked her drinking.

Jiheon, remembering that conversation, told her the truth.

Being new to dating, Jiheon was overwhelmed by Jeongo’s beauty. He cherished Lee Jeongo so much that he hesitated to even hold her hand in the early stages of their relationship. He was well aware of the extent of his own desires.

He knew that if he held her hand, he would want to hug her, and if he hugged her, he would want to kiss her. And he knew he would crave more than that.

That’s why he also prevented her from drinking. The incident in Melbourne was the trigger.

When he last met Jeongo in Melbourne, they ended up drinking together. It was a type of alcohol she hadn’t had before, so Jeongo quickly became intoxicated, and Jiheon found her appearance incredibly adorable. It was a fear he was experiencing for the first time. He became nervous that he might make a mistake with her.

So, he couldn’t get any closer in Melbourne and parted ways with regret. Jiheon left his contact information as they said goodbye. He emphasized several times to contact him when she returned to Korea.

After that, it was just waiting and regret. Why didn’t she contact him? Why hadn’t he made a definite promise with her? He couldn’t put down his silent phone even at night.

As the time for her return to Korea approached, he became even more sensitive. His irritability would melt away at just one call from her.

After a long wait, he reunited with Jeongo in Seoul. At that time, Jiheon made a firm resolution in his heart. He would never let her go again.

The reason he didn’t let her drink was after that. Because she was too pretty. He was afraid he would make a mistake, and also that other guys with ulterior motives would approach her.

The reason he didn’t introduce her to friends was similar. He couldn’t rashly introduce her to anyone, thinking that all men would fall for Jeongo. It hadn’t been long since he became close to Seunggyu, and after being discharged from the military, they didn’t meet often, so he didn’t introduce them.

Also, he preferred spending time alone with Jeongo rather than meeting with others. Jiheon was so deeply in love with Jeongo that he couldn’t escape.

Lee Jeongo from seven years ago was truly lovely. Having grown up receiving plenty of love from her mother, Jeongo’s actions and words were always overflowing with love. She also knew that she was someone worthy of being loved. He envied and adored that bright energy.

Of course, he still loves her to tears now.

Jeongo screamed and hugged Jiheon’s neck, forgetting that it was the dawn when the world was asleep.

“Do you remember how you confessed to me? What did you say?”

“……Don’t talk about that.”

He’s embarrassed, so it’s real. He really remembers everything!

Wow!

“But Jeongo, it’s dawn now…….”

“What’s all the commotion at the crack of dawn? Did you win the lottery?”

Eventually, Jeongo’s commotion woke Guksun. Guksun came out of her room and stared at the two with sleepy eyes.

“It’s not that, Mother.”

Jiheon tried to pull Jeongo’s arm away, but Jeongo didn’t let go.

“Mom! Oppa’s [term of endearment for an older brother or male friend] memories are back!”

Jeongo shouted in an excited voice. Guksun’s half-open eyes widened.

Yena also rubbed her eyes and came out of her room.

“Mommy…….”

She usually wakes up early, but it wasn’t time yet. Yena grumbled, having woken up because it was too noisy. Jeongo spoke loudly to Yena as well.

“Yena! Daddy’s memories are back!”

“Huh? Really?”

Not fully understanding the desperate pain of losing memories, and not grasping the weight of the words that his memories had returned, Yena quickly changed her expression at the sight of her mother’s joy.

“Wow! His memories are back!”

If Mom is happy, I’m happy too!

Yena was as happy as if she had found a cherished toy she had been searching for for days. Following her mother.

“Hooray! He’s back!”

Yena, who had been spinning around holding her mother’s hands, raised her arms high and hugged Jiheon.

“Daddy! Hooray!”

Jiheon lifted Yena up and hugged her.

Amidst the joy and overwhelming emotions, he felt tears welling up. Now that he had regained what he had lost, his child’s existence felt even more precious. The same went for Guksun, who was watching him from a distance with a proud look. After a long, long time, it felt like a miracle that he had become a member of this family.

* * * * * *

Time passed, and they were now in Jiheon’s office.

“Try again. Keep going.”

Jeongo kept urging Jiheon to speak, to say anything he remembered from seven years ago.

“It’s really amazing. How can you suddenly remember things like that?”

“When I woke up from sleep, my head was clear as if it were a lie.”

Jiheon was also amazed by his memory, which was as clear as a well-polished glass window. It was as if his memories had been in a time capsule, as Jeongo had once said. Unharmed, intact memories.

“But it probably didn’t come to you suddenly. It’s probably the result of Lee Jeongo’s persistent watch over you.”

He had no choice but to give all the credit to Jeongo. Everything was thanks to the miracle that Lee Jeongo had brought.

Jeongo smiled at her husband’s sweet words. But she paused as Jiheon tilted his head and approached, as if his words were meant to win his wife’s favor.

‘I came here to hear stories, not to engage in PDA [Public Display of Affection]…….’

Jeongo’s purpose in following him to the office was clear, but she couldn’t resist her husband’s perfection. Recalling her younger self from seven years ago, when she was more innocent and naive, the excitement blocked other thoughts.

Like the cleanly returned memories, the excitement was untainted.

Jeongo’s lips slightly reached out to meet his.

Knock knock.

Bang.

“Friend! What’s wrong?”

However, at the crucial moment, Seunggyu opened the door and came in. He opened the door abruptly, as if something very urgent had happened.

Huh.

Jeongo quickly pushed Jiheon away and moved away from him.

But Seunggyu had already caught them in the act. Seunggyu looked around and asked.

“Should I come back later?”

“Yeah.”

Jiheon told him to come back later, but.

“No! Come quickly!”

Jeongo’s face turned red as she immediately got up from her seat.

“Then have a good time!”

“Why would I have a good time with him!”

Jiheon retorted as Jeongo fled as if running away. Jeongo quickly ran away, barely listening to his words. The arrow turned to Seunggyu.

Seunggyu, who had interrupted the couple’s good time, mumbled, looking around.

“Sorry, but you called me.”

Only then did Jiheon remember why Seunggyu had come. He had sent a text message to Seunggyu in the morning. Asking if he was coming to work today. Saying he had something to say.

He had stimulated Seunggyu, who always showed great interest and became impatient when he heard that he had something to say. Seunggyu rushed over as soon as he got to work.

Jiheon revealed the truth to Seunggyu.

“My memories are back.”

A dry delivery of the facts, in contrast to the sweetness he had given Jeongo.

That alone made Seunggyu look dazed.

“……Huh?”

“My memories from seven years ago are back.”

“……Those runaway memories are back?”

“Yeah.”

“The memories of going to the army, meeting me in the army, and going to Australia are all back?”

“Yeah.”

“Do you remember me lending you the canteen cap in the army?”

“Yeah. I remember you bragging about it for a month. Even though you had two because you inherited them from a senior soldier.”

“You, you, son of a……!”

Seunggyu shouted with a strained voice and hugged Jiheon tightly. Jiheon felt good when Jeongo hugged him, but he felt a little awkward when Seunggyu hugged him, and he flared his nostrils. Seunggyu was moved and slightly sobbed while hugging Jiheon.

“Are you crying?”

“…….”

“Are you crying? Like a man.”

“What, man? Don’t men have feelings?”

Seunggyu took his arms off Jiheon and turned to the side, wiping his eyes with his sleeve.

“Damn it, you bad guy…… Congratulations. You bad guy…….”

“…….”

“Because of you. Huh? Because of you! ……How sad I was.”

“…….”

“We were really close in the army, and I cherished you so much! I was treated like a con artist and a thief by that bastard Chae Eunyeop, and you were wary of a great friend like me because of that bastard. How sad do you think I was! Huh? Damn it…….”

Jiheon’s heart softened at Seunggyu’s complaints. He hadn’t expected this much, but it felt like he had been confirmed that he had a friend who had cherished him all along.

“I’m sorry.”

“Yeah! You should be sorry.”

Seunggyu, with a red nose, answered gruffly and then asked again. This time, it was a worried voice.

“Are they really all back? The army memories aren’t that good, are you okay? You’re not going to have dreams about enlisting every day now, are you?”

“I had those dreams occasionally even before. With imagination.”

“Damn it…….”

Seunggyu hugged Jiheon again, overwhelmed by something.

“Don’t ever forget me again. Got it?”

Jiheon was reminded of Jeongo at Seunggyu’s plea. The day Jiheon found out that Yena was his daughter, Jeongo had said something like that too. Telling him not to forget her.

Because of his amnesia, the precious people around him had become desperate for memories. He felt sorry and heartbroken about that.

“I got it.”

“Do people know? That your memories are back.”

“No. Only my family knows. There’s no need to make a fuss about it.”

“…….”

“I’m only telling you.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re my…… precious friend.”

Jiheon said, hiding his curling fingers behind his back. He had never said such a thing before, so a smile awkwardly flowed out.

But Seunggyu patted Jiheon on the back as if he was satisfied.

“You rascal! You’ve finally come to your senses!”

Jiheon was taken aback by Seunggyu’s overflowing affection, and he felt sorry that he couldn’t react the same way, but he decided to think that everything was a good thing anyway.

* * * * * *

Another week passed.

Youngmi had successfully completed her hospital stay of over a month and was discharged. She would still need to undergo a few more tests, and she might need to undergo a second round of chemotherapy if necessary, but in any case, her prognosis was good for now.

The thought of having to receive treatment again made her dizzy, but it was a time when Youngmi was able to realize the preciousness of life, the preciousness of family, and the preciousness of a good heart.

On the weekend, Jiheon’s family decided to visit Youngmi and Jaekwang’s house. Since Guksun was also coming, it was like having a formal meeting between the families late.

Before visiting, Jiheon sent a text message to Jaekwang. It was a request in preparation for any possible situation.

– Don’t say anything weird to Jeongo. Don’t say anything weird to my mother-in-law either. Don’t say anything weird to Yena either.

‘How strange does he think we are?’

He was worried that his parents might be rude in the presence of his mother-in-law, but he was disappointed that his son didn’t seem to know his parents’ hearts well.

Well, he had spent half his life as the head of a company, so he must have hurt his employees many times without even realizing it. Guksun was not just an employee of the same company, but a respected in-law, so he thought he should be careful not to act as usual.

Soon, an employee informed them that Jiheon’s family had arrived at the mansion.

Jaekwang went to Youngmi’s room.

“Honey, our in-laws have arrived. Let’s go.”

Youngmi, who had been sitting on the bed, got up silently. When Jaekwang supported her from the side, Youngmi pushed him away weakly with her hand, saying she was okay.

The front door opened, and Jiheon’s family entered the mansion.

The first one to make a sound was Yena.

“Grandpa!”

“Our princess is here!”

He couldn’t be happier when his granddaughter ran up to him with her arms open. Jaekwang picked up his approaching granddaughter.

“Grandpa, candy!”

Yena took this opportunity to shout out her request right away. She had been scolded by her mom not to bother her grandfather, but she didn’t remember.

“Okay. Let’s go. Let’s go.”

Jaekwang, who wanted to do anything for his granddaughter, answered in a voice that was just happy and excited.

But the atmosphere next to him was calm and subdued.

“Mother, how have you been.”

Jeongo stepped forward and bowed to Youngmi.

Youngmi’s body, which had become emaciated from her long hospital stay, was trembling faintly. She looked so precarious as if she would collapse at any moment, so Jeongo’s hand naturally reached out to Youngmi.

The moment Jeongo tried to grab Youngmi.

As if her legs had given out, Youngmi’s knees sank to the floor.

“I’m sorry.”

“…….”

“……I have no face to show.”

Youngmi said in a trembling, tearful voice.