A Child Who Resembles Me [EN]: Chapter 59

59. A Fun Story Because It’s You

Children’s Day, Christmas, and birthdays.

For a child, these days are the most special of the 365 days in a year. Among them, birthdays are undoubtedly the best.

And to think, this 아저씨 [ajusshi, a Korean term for ‘mister’ or ‘uncle,’ often used to address older men] ruined my birthday.

예나 [Yena]’s eyes widened with a sense of betrayal beyond words.

“Mom, change companies.”

지헌 [Jiheon] felt like he was suffocating.

I didn’t know! I really didn’t know!

But recalling the memories of that day, he had nothing to say.

조시내 [Jo Shinae]’s scheme, not her fault, had caused 정오 [Jeongo] to work late that day. Besides, 정오 [Jeongo] had pleaded with 지헌 [Jiheon] several times that day.

But even when 지헌 [Jiheon] asked why she was trying to go home early, she didn’t answer. She had hidden the existence of her child, so of course, she couldn’t answer.

지헌 [Jiheon] was seized by pointless jealousy and held her back.

Why can’t humans turn back time? If he could turn back time, he would go back to that day and tell her to go home immediately and celebrate her daughter’s birthday.

지헌 [Jiheon] anxiously looked at 정오 [Jeongo]. 정오 [Jeongo] was smiling with the most comfortable expression in the world.

The daughter was glaring, and the mother was smiling deeply, making him even more uneasy. It felt like the two women had put him on a cutting board and were deciding whether to cook him this way or that.

지헌 [Jiheon] couldn’t say it directly, but he sent 정오 [Jeongo] a signal with desperate eyes, asking her to help him. Reading his gaze, 정오 [Jeongo] persuaded 예나 [Yena].

“예나 [Yena], Mom can’t quit her job right away. Mom needs to earn money, too.”

“Then change before my next birthday.”

However, 예나 [Yena]’s stubbornness is second to none.

“I see,”

정오 [Jeongo] said to 지헌 [Jiheon] with a smile.

She didn’t seem to have any more intention of persuading 예나 [Yena]. 지헌 [Jiheon] felt her smile was heartless.

My heart is pounding.

How did this relationship start, only to face opposition from her daughter?

“예나 [Yena], wait here. 아저씨 [Ajusshi] will bring the car.”

“Mom, let’s just walk,”

예나 [Yena] said, ignoring 지헌 [Jiheon]’s words and holding her mother’s hand tightly. Unable to stop 예나 [Yena], 지헌 [Jiheon] left the car in the parking lot and followed 예나 [Yena] closely.

“예나 [Yena], 아저씨 [Ajusshi] was wrong.”

“Liar. You’ll do it again.”

“No, I won’t do it again.”

“Then will you not make our mom work late anymore?”

“……At least, I won’t give her work. If something happens to 예나 [Yena], I’ll tell her to go right away.”

“……”

“……예나 [Yena], do you want to play 바둑 [baduk, a strategy board game similar to Go] with 아저씨 [Ajusshi]?”

예나 [Yena] tightly closed her mouth and turned her head away from 지헌 [Jiheon].

The child was more difficult than 이정오 [Lee Jeongo]. He had never appeased an angry child; no, he had never had such a long conversation with a child.

This time, 정오 [Jeongo] stepped in.

“예나 [Yena], 아저씨 [Ajusshi] bought you a present, too.”

However, 예나 [Yena] glared at her mother, ready to return the koala doll she had put in her bag.

정오 [Jeongo] swallowed hard at 예나 [Yena]’s determined expression.

This level of stubbornness must be 정지헌 [Jeong Jiheon]’s genes, right?

정오 [Jeongo] quickly changed her words to appease 예나 [Yena].

“아저씨 [Ajusshi] didn’t know. If he had known, he would have let Mom go home early. Our 예나 [Yena] understands, right?”

“But 예나 [Yena]’s seventh birthday only comes once.”

Tears welled up in 예나 [Yena]’s eyes.

“Why do you only take 아저씨 [Ajusshi]’s side, Mom? Your daughter is 예나 [Yena], not 아저씨 [Ajusshi], so why are you only scolding 예나 [Yena]?”

Waaaaah!

Overwhelmed with sadness, 예나 [Yena] burst into tears again.

정오 [Jeongo] and 지헌 [Jiheon] were both at a loss. 지헌 [Jiheon] froze, not knowing what to do, and 정오 [Jeongo] reached out and hugged 예나 [Yena].

He’s so good at 바둑 [baduk] that he’s a genius, but at times like this, he’s just a seven-year-old.

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

승규 [Seunggyu] also came home early from work because his father-in-law and mother-in-law had come.

As soon as he opened the front door, 도빈 [Dohbin] ran out and hugged 승규 [Seunggyu].

“Dad!”

Yesterday, he was so angry that he seemed like he would cut ties with his father, but in just one day, his face was completely relaxed.

“Did 도빈 [Dohbin] have a good time at 바둑 [baduk]?”

“Yes!”

“What did you learn today?”

“바둑 [baduk]!”

Right. You can’t expect too much from a seven-year-old. It’s enough if he’s healthy.

Soon after, 진서 [Jinseo] also came out of the kitchen. The house was quieter than he expected, so 승규 [Seunggyu] asked.

“Where are Mom and Dad?”

“They went to buy toys with 도윤 [Doyun].”

승규 [Seunggyu] sighed, knowing how much 도윤 [Doyun] must have begged his grandparents to buy him toys. 진서 [Jinseo]’s expression was simply bright.

진서 [Jinseo] followed 승규 [Seunggyu] into the room as he went to change his clothes. Her face looked like she was itching to say something.

승규 [Seunggyu] seemed to know why 진서 [Jinseo]’s expression was so good, so he spoke first.

“You saw 지헌 [Jiheon] and 이정오 [Lee Jeongo]?”

“Yeah, I saw them. But those two are strange.”

“Why? What is it?”

“They look too good together. It’s weird.”

The wife already had the image of the two at the wedding. 승규 [Seunggyu] chuckled at 진서 [Jinseo]’s full smile.

“What good is it if they look good together? 예나 [Yena] doesn’t like it.”

“Huh? I thought 예나 [Yena] liked 지헌 [Jiheon] too?”

“After he left, 예나 [Yena] told 지헌 [Jiheon] that she wouldn’t see him again.”

승규 [Seunggyu] shared the latest updated information. 진서 [Jinseo]’s eyes widened.

“Why? What happened?”

“지헌 [Jiheon] made 이정오 [Lee Jeongo] work late before.”

“She works late often, though.”

“That day was 예나 [Yena]’s birthday.”

“Ah!”

진서 [Jinseo] opened her mouth wide and clapped her hands. 진서 [Jinseo] also remembered that day clearly.

“That makes sense. 예나 [Yena] cried a lot that day because her mom didn’t come.”

After hearing the story, 진서 [Jinseo] felt sorry for 지헌 [Jiheon].

“Oh dear. Why did 지헌 [Jiheon] do that? He should have been better normally. You be careful too. You never know what might happen, what kind of relationship might come along. Be good to everyone.”

“Anyway, I’m glad I talked about it. I feel relieved that the two of them will take care of it. It’s surprisingly fun to see 지헌 [Jiheon] being so anxious.”

“See? I told you it was a good thing.”

The couple, who had recovered their marital harmony in just one day, smiled at each other.

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

예나 [Yena]’s eyes were red as she entered 국순백반 [Guksundekban, likely the name of a restaurant]. Seeing 예나 [Yena] like that, 국순 [Guksun] ran over.

“Why is our puppy like this? Did you get scolded by your mom?”

“Grandma.”

예나 [Yena] looked even sadder when 국순 [Guksun] recognized her and hugged her grandmother.

Only after 국순 [Guksun] patted her a few times did 예나 [Yena] calm down and eat.

After closing the store and doing the dishes, 정오 [Jeongo] told 국순 [Guksun] what had happened today.

“Remember the 아저씨 [Ajusshi] who played 바둑 [baduk] with 예나 [Yena] when she went to 도빈 [Dohbin]’s house?”

“Yes, that handsome young man.”

“Yeah, that young man is the director of my company.”

“Really?”

국순 [Guksun]’s face lit up for a moment, as if she had a good impression of 지헌 [Jiheon].

“But why? Why did 예나 [Yena] cry?”

“That director made me work late. She was upset that I worked late even on her birthday.”

“Ah. That director is *that* director?”

Only then did 국순 [Guksun]’s face darken. 국순 [Guksun] snorted and said coldly.

“I thought he was polite and handsome, but I don’t like him either. Anyone who torments my daughter.”

정오 [Jeongo] watched 국순 [Guksun]’s reaction.

지헌 [Jiheon], what should we do? He’s already on Mom’s bad side before even meeting her.

This is why people should live with a kind heart.

“It was because of work. There’s nothing we can do. Mom, anyway, our 예나 [Yena] is a 바둑 [baduk] prodigy.”

정오 [Jeongo], who had subtly defended 지헌 [Jiheon], immediately changed the subject.

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

The next day.

As soon as 지헌 [Jiheon] arrived at work, he called 정오 [Jeongo].

“Is 예나 [Yena] still angry?”

“Pfft.”

정오 [Jeongo], who had brought various materials, thinking he was looking for overseas business trip-related documents, burst out laughing at his first words.

“Don’t laugh.”

지헌 [Jiheon] said with a serious face.

Last night, 지헌 [Jiheon] couldn’t sleep.

The woman who had been messing with his head every night was 이정오 [Lee Jeongo], but yesterday it became 이예나 [Lee Yena].

Yesterday, 예나 [Yena] burst into tears in the street, and eventually, she told 아저씨 [Ajusshi] to go away, so 지헌 [Jiheon] had to turn back. He couldn’t make the child cry anymore, so he had no choice.

Somehow, he had become a man hated by the daughter of the woman he liked.

He had dreamed of an ideal scene where he would become close to 예나 [Yena] and make 이정오 [Lee Jeongo] helpless, but it was better to go back to before he told 예나 [Yena].

정오 [Jeongo] said calmly, as if talking about someone else.

“I guess we can’t meet then.”

“Don’t even say that.”

Feeling anxious that 정오 [Jeongo] might just leave, 지헌 [Jiheon] brought her further inside and made her sit on the sofa.

“I’ll just sit here for five minutes and leave.”

She smiled as if she was bestowing him with five minutes, granting him generosity. 지헌 [Jiheon] checked the time without realizing it.

Until now, nothing had ever gone against his will. He had lived thinking that even if things didn’t go his way, he could just give up. His life had been so easy, but he never knew he would crave something that didn’t go his way so much.

이정오 [Lee Jeongo] is perfect, like she was made for me. No, she’s more than just right for me; she’s a woman who constantly stimulates me. My body reacts to every look, voice, gesture, and hand movement of yours, but you have someone more important than me.

He felt it was ridiculous to be jealous of a kid. But he couldn’t hate the kid who had a face that looked exactly like 이정오 [Lee Jeongo].

“Is 예나 [Yena] still telling you to change companies?”

정오 [Jeongo] nodded silently. 지헌 [Jiheon] sighed deeply and leaned back on the sofa.

정오 [Jeongo] was amused to have discovered 지헌 [Jiheon]’s cute side.

“Our 예나 [Yena] is pretty, right?”

“She’s pretty. I’ve never seen such a pretty child. But that’s not the point……”

“She’s quite stubborn, just like who she resembles, right? I didn’t pass on the stubbornness.”

Reading his mind, 정오 [Jeongo] cleverly added to his words. 지헌 [Jiheon] narrowed his eyes and threatened.

“If you’re going to talk about that bastard, you better not.”

*That* bastard. There’s only one person 정지헌 [Jeong Jiheon] calls *that* bastard.

이정오 [Lee Jeongo]’s ex-boyfriend. 예나 [Yena]’s biological father.

Hiding her empty heart, 정오 [Jeongo] continued.

If you regain your memories, then that will be another beginning in its own way.

You’ll face a strong fate.

But please.

“Anywhere, somehow… Even in a barren land where flowers don’t seem to bloom, pretty flowers can bloom.”

“……”

“Even if that person and I were so insignificant, something brilliant could still come out.”

Please remember. Our 예나 [Yena] is so pretty.

“Aren’t you talking too nicely?”

But unlike her wishes, he only complained.

“And don’t say *that person*, say *that bastard*. What kind of person is he?”

He doesn’t even know who *that* bastard is, but he doesn’t want to treat him like a person.

We have a long way to go, 정지헌 [Jeong Jiheon].

While 정오 [Jeongo] was disappointed, 지헌 [Jiheon] had a slightly different thought.

If she had a lot locked up in her heart and wanted to talk about it, if she felt like she couldn’t bear it without pouring her heart out to someone, then it would be okay for her to pour it all out to him.

“If you want to talk about *that* bastard so much, don’t say good things, just curse him.”

He wanted her to pour it all out and completely forget *that* bastard.

With such a generous heart, 지헌 [Jiheon] added a request.

Pfft.

But she burst out laughing again. 지헌 [Jiheon] couldn’t understand why she was doing that.

“That bastard.”

At least then she accepted 지헌 [Jiheon]’s advice and used the word ‘that bastard’ instead of ‘that person.’ His bubbling stomach seemed to feel a little better.

“Now that I think about it, he was a bit of a pervert.”

“Crazy bastard. I knew it.”

“Still, don’t say that. He’s our 예나 [Yena]’s dad.”

“If he’s a bastard who hasn’t shown up until now, then that says it all.”

Pfft.

Why do you keep laughing?

지헌 [Jiheon] became a little dizzy from her provocation, giving both a whip and a carrot.

“If that bastard ever comes looking, be sure to contact me.”

“Why?”

“Why do you ask? I need to teach him a lesson.”

“How are you going to teach him a lesson?”

“I need to make sure he never comes back.”

“……”

“Can I break everything in sight?”

“Why are you asking me that?”

“I’ll take that as permission.”

“But he’s strong.”

“I’m stronger.”

Right. You and you fight. That would be interesting to watch.

He would never know that 정오 [Jeongo] was thinking that.

“Still, I’m grateful. I can’t help it. He made 예나 [Yena].”

“Besides making 예나 [Yena], what did that bastard do as a father?”

“That’s everything. It’s the most important thing.”

His heart became heavy with her calm words.

He had filled his heart with one person, but he felt empty somewhere.

The sadness of feeling like you are everything to me, but I can only be a part of you; the sadness of feeling like you will be in unrequited love with one woman for the rest of your life.

Why am I so helpless to such a cruel woman?

He strode closer to her and swallowed her hateful but lovely lips in one gulp.

A stinging sigh escaped through the slightly opened gap, as if she was in a bit of pain. His mouth was sweet, and his head was tingling, as if he had swallowed a few spoonfuls of sugar.

The desire born of jealousy had quite a long aftertaste, and soon five minutes had passed. No, ten minutes.

“I understand a little now,”

He said, looking at her after taking his lips off her.

“Are you doing this on purpose? You knew I would do this.”

“No. I’m not.”

Her whole face turned red, and she said with her lips glistening.

“No, you’re not. I clearly said that I would torment you if you talked about that bastard.”

He was only confident in tormenting her.