A Child Who Resembles Me [EN]: Chapter 56

Cough, cough…

“Eek!”

Eun-bi, who was coughing dryly in her sleep because of a parched throat, opened her eyes in horror.

An unfamiliar space. A naked, unfamiliar man beside her.

The man, awakened by Eun-bi’s outburst, sat up, blinked, and asked in a languid voice, “You’re awake?”

“What is this? What, what, what is this?”

“What do you think it is?”

“……”

“You were the one who asked me to hold you.”

The man sighed in disbelief and went into the bathroom.

Eun-bi, startled once again by his lean yet firm muscular back, covered her face with the blanket. She checked her own state under the blanket. She was no different from him.

‘I asked him to hold me? Me?’

She couldn’t believe it. The memory, which she thought had vanished, quickly returned.

Despairing over Jung Ji-heon’s departure on a business trip with Lee Jung-oh, she had gone to a bar alone. And she had met the man there.

Oh my god. She remembered everything from the night before: grabbing the man who said he was going home, crying, and begging him to listen to her.

And even the memory of clinging to him, saying she was lonely…

She had brought a guy she knew nothing about to a hotel just because he had a decent face.

‘What if he’s a gold digger?’

A family of lawyers. Moreover, her father was about to enter politics, so she couldn’t afford to create such a scandal. Eun-bi hurriedly put on her clothes, wanting to escape as quickly as possible.

But as she was searching for her bag after getting dressed, the man came out of the bathroom.

“Aren’t you going to shower?”

“……”

“Then let’s go out for a hangover cure.”

Eun-bi lost her chance to escape.

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

Seung-gyu, who had a heavy expression throughout breakfast, finished preparing for work and said to his wife, Jin-seo.

“Honey, let’s stop sending Do-bin to the Go [a strategy board game] academy now.”

“Huh? Why?”

“He doesn’t even learn Go anyway.”

“What can a seven-year-old learn so seriously? He just likes going. It’s good if he picks up a little from Ye-na.”

“He should do what he likes, why follow what Ye-na likes?”

“Kids are all like that.”

Jin-seo chuckled as she fed Do-yoon.

Do-bin, unaware of what his parents were talking about, sat on the toilet with the door wide open, straining.

Seung-gyu frowned even more and said,

“It’s hard enough on you already, and you’re even more tired taking care of Ye-na.”

“Ye-na’s not having a hard time. Let’s just watch until the end of the month. I’ve already paid for the academy. Do-bin can’t be separated from Ye-na.”

Jin-seo replied as if it were nothing.

At that moment, Do-bin ran over.

“Mom, I wiped well and washed my hands! Okay? Did I do well?”

Do-bin, who had finished his business, showed his clean hands to Jin-seo and acted flippantly.

“Park Do-bin.”

Seung-gyu called Do-bin in a dignified voice.

“You’re not going to the Go academy anymore. Instead, Dad will send you to the soccer class you like.”

“I like the Go academy more than the soccer class.”

“Then tell me what you learned at the Go academy.”

“Black stones and white stones fight!”

“Again.”

“The person who builds more houses wins!”

“Do you know how to build houses?”

“Yeah. Like this.”

Do-bin made a square in the air. Seung-gyu, realizing that his son only knew that much, searched for a Go problem online and showed him the picture. It was a picture where the white stones clearly won.

“Look. Who won this one?”

As expected, Do-bin couldn’t answer.

“Stop Go. Quit it.”

“Then what about Ye-na?”

“Ye-na is Ye-na, and you are you.”

“Can’t I see Ye-na?”

“Park Do-bin.”

“……”

“Your mom is having a hard time taking you and Ye-na to the Go academy. You’re going to have another sibling soon, so you need to be more mature.”

An earthquake of about magnitude 8 occurred in Do-bin’s eyes.

“Stop going to the Go academy. Say goodbye to Ye-na well today.”

Do-bin, his nostrils flaring with excitement, narrowed his eyes and asked Seung-gyu.

“Can Dad break up with Mom?”

“Why would Dad break up with Mom?”

“Then why are you only telling me to break up with Ye-na?”

“……”

“Why are you telling me to do something you can’t do!”

Do-bin shouted.

It was only yesterday that he had promised her, whom he liked, that he would attend the Go academy for the rest of his life and always be by her side. Breaking a promise that should be engraved in his heart for a lifetime in just one day was not a gentleman’s thing to do.

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

The filming crew, who left the hotel early in the morning, quickly wrapped up their schedule in Australia and arrived at the airport.

Ji-heon and the filming crew had different flights, so they had to part ways at the airport.

“Everyone, thank you for your hard work. See you in Seoul.”

Ji-heon greeted the filming crew and looked at Jung-oh, who was standing at the end. Jung-oh had not come to his room since leaving early this morning. There were no separate text messages either.

The previous night, filled with joy, had disappeared, leaving only a memory like the aurora of a single night. Looking at her expression, he had an uneasy feeling that they had returned to the beginning.

In any case, he couldn’t take the lead in something she was extremely cautious about. Ji-heon also brushed past her and boarded his flight first.

After parting with Ji-heon, Jung-oh hesitated.

Early this morning, Jung-oh had left Ji-heon’s room without a word. She was ashamed of having secretly read the text messages he exchanged with his mother, and she felt sorry because he was so kind.

He must have been upset that she left the room without a word. She felt like she should contact him, even briefly.

– I’m sorry I left earlier. Have a safe trip.

Jung-oh sent a short text message and sighed deeply.

The reality was daunting, but she couldn’t sit still for long.

Now that she knew the truth, her direction was set. She had to prepare to fight his mother.

She had to drag him away from Jang Young-mi and bring him to Lee Jung-oh’s side.

Jang Young-mi had manipulated more than just that phone call to cover up the past. She was sure there was something more.

‘I wish I could find even a small clue.’

She had to stay by his side tenaciously.

She had to encourage him to constantly recall past memories and learn more about his mother.

Jung-oh sent another text message.

– See you in Seoul. I’ll contact you.

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

After a 14-hour journey, including the layover, Jung-oh arrived in Korea.

Her body felt stiff, but her heart was filled with life at the thought of meeting Ye-na.

After going through customs together, Deputy Manager Park Young-gwang said to Jung-oh.

“Deputy Lee, you’ve worked really hard. I’ll give you a ride. Let’s go together.”

“No, thank you. I can take the airport bus. It drops me off near my house, so it’s convenient.”

Jung-oh added a little lie, hoping that Park Young-gwang, who had worked the hardest, would go home and rest quickly.

“Oh, really? Okay. Then go home and get some rest. See you the day after tomorrow!”

“Yes. Please drive carefully, Deputy Manager. Thank you for your hard work.”

Jung-oh greeted Young-gwang and walked to the bus stop. But a man approached her without a sound and snatched her suitcase.

It was Jung Ji-heon.

Jung-oh asked in surprise.

“Why are you here?”

“You said let’s meet.”

“I said let’s meet in Seoul. This is Incheon [city where the main airport is located].”

He didn’t answer and strode ahead. Even though he was pulling her suitcase, he walked much faster than Jung-oh. Jung-oh chased after him and reached out her arm.

“Give me the bag. I’ll take it.”

“Just hurry up and come. Unless you want to be caught by someone.”

At his words, Jung-oh was surprised and lowered her head.

Ji-heon, who had arrived at the airport earlier, waited for Jung-oh.

He knew which flight she was returning on, so all he had to do was match the time. Fortunately, he was able to find Jung-oh without being caught by Deputy Manager Park Young-gwang. He was glad that Jung-oh didn’t get a ride in Deputy Manager Park Young-gwang’s car.

Returning to Korea alone, he had many thoughts.

Why did she touch my phone?

Because I’m insecure? Because I’m not trustworthy? Because I seem too easy and frivolous?

Did she want to check if I have many women or if I’m still in contact with Chae Eun-bi?

If that was the reason, he would rather welcome it. A little bit of obsession had a way of making him feel good. He was also obsessing over her in an unusual way.

He rationally thought that he was no different from her, who had secretly looked at his phone, or himself, who had asked Seung-gyu to investigate her, and he calmed down.

He was still frustrated because Lee Jung-oh’s real purpose was unclear, and he didn’t know what she wanted from him, but he couldn’t give up on her.

The answer was already there.

Ji-heon, who had loaded Jung-oh’s luggage into the parked car, immediately started the car. As he drove to Seoul, he said what he wanted without hesitation.

“Tell me everything you told Song Ki-hoon.”

Settle Song Ki-hoon first.

“I don’t like that Song Ki-hoon knows more about Lee Jung-oh than I do.”

Jung-oh just sat there with her mouth shut. She seemed to have a lot to say, but since she was sitting still, the only way was to provoke her.

“And, talking about past lovers and trying to provoke me with that is bad. That’s why you didn’t have a boyfriend.”

As expected, she glared at him.

He could feel the unspoken pressure of ‘Then what are you?’ Ji-heon smoothly continued.

“I’m just a very understanding man.”

She suddenly sighed. He didn’t know if it meant she couldn’t agree with his joke or if she had other worries. After a while, a small voice was heard.

“……Can’t I talk about it?”

“……”

“I’m still going to talk about it. I want to.”

He felt a little upset at her grumbling.

She wants to talk about her ex-boyfriend?

He had asked Seung-gyu to investigate, but he didn’t really want to know about her ex-boyfriend. He just wanted to confirm if that ex-boyfriend was still bothering her.

……He was a little curious if he was better looking than him, but other than that, there was nothing.

“I’m going to bother you every time you talk about it?”

“I still want to.”

She even pouted her lips and mumbled like she was whining. He couldn’t tell if it was a flirtation or a high-level harassment. Her small voice tickled his skin, making his breath a little heavy.

She’s already got me hooked, is she trying to make me lose my mind even more? This woman is not ordinary after all.

After letting some time pass, she changed the subject and asked.

“What do you think your family will say if they find out about me? For example, your mother or father……”

This time, her voice was very cautious.

He thought he could guess what she was worried about this time. Ji-heon spoke firmly on a topic he was confident in.

“I’m going to tell my mother.”

“……Why?”

“Because there’s a possibility that Chae Eun-bi will say it first. It’s better for her to hear it from me than from Chae Eun-bi.”

“……”

“I’m not going to let anyone touch Lee Jung-oh. You don’t have to worry about that.”

“How can I believe that?”

He wanted to give her definite trust, but as soon as Ji-heon finished speaking, she retorted sharply.

Surprised by the sudden increase in her voice, he turned his head to look at her. Jung-oh immediately regretted thinking that she had shown too much.

He replied gently.

“If you can’t believe it, you’ll just have to watch.”

He was saying he would show it with his actions.

Even so, Jung-oh couldn’t rest assured.

She could trust him, but she could never trust his mother. She wanted to grab him and ask.

‘Is it your mother or me?’

If your mother and I are on opposite sides of the world, where will you go?

But for some reason, she felt like she would lose, so she couldn’t bring herself to ask the question.

If you want to hold my hand, you might have to turn your back on your mother, is that okay?

After much deliberation, Jung-oh asked Ji-heon.

“Can you not tell her about me? To your mother.”

“I told you, Chae Eun-bi might say it first.”

“Then you can just stop Chae Eun-bi from talking too.”

“……”

“Can you do it?”

“……”

“Can’t you do it?”

“Let me think about it.”

Ji-heon smiled, tilting one corner of his lips. He was someone who could make good use of the opportunity called a request.

He reached out his right hand and stroked her cheek. As he tucked her hair behind her ear and touched her earlobe, she tilted her head as if it tickled.

Unable to bear it, she grabbed his right hand, kissed the back of his hand, and placed it carefully on the center console.

Squeak.

In the end, Ji-heon stopped the car on the side of the road.

Jung-oh was terrified by his imposing figure as he released his seatbelt and approached. His eyes were filled with the same passionate light as the night before.

“Ah, no.”

“Why is it okay for you but not for me?”

“No. Only, only what I do is okay. Not you.”

Only me. Not you.

It was her who said that, not him.

Words enough to provoke his temper.

He wasn’t a fool who would accept such a sly conclusion.

He lowered his head and tasted her lips. Only then did he feel the fatigue of the journey fade away.