A Child Who Resembles Me [EN]: Chapter 91

Jaekwang turned to Yena.

“I’m your grandfather. Your dad’s dad. Understand?”

“Uh, but…”

Yena, looking thoughtful, hesitated and called to her mom, who was standing nearby.

“Mom, isn’t this the grandpa who was standing in front of the academy on Monday?”

Startled by the term ‘this grandpa,’ Jeong-oh quickly covered Yena’s mouth.

Jaekwang was also taken aback by the child’s perceptiveness. She was so sharp!

Jeong-oh looked embarrassed, but Jaekwang burst out laughing.

*She’s really smart. Definitely my granddaughter.*

“Yes, Grandpa came to see you.”

The grandfather’s heart swelled with pride, but Jiheon’s expression darkened.

“Father, you went to see Yena? Even to her academy?”

He was unhappy that his father had gone to Yena’s academy, and so persistently.

*His father was being reckless. What if he scared the child?*

“I didn’t go inside. I just saw her passing by in front of the building.”

“You just happened to be passing by there?”

“Yes. A chance encounter.”

His father’s answer sounded like an excuse. Jiheon knew his family’s tendencies, including his own. They would lie without hesitation for personal gain. That was the biggest difference between them and Jeong-oh’s family.

Jaekwang, also upset, raised his voice slightly.

“I didn’t even acknowledge her, and I didn’t talk to her!”

*I just looked at her. Just looked!*

However, Jiheon’s stern expression made Jaekwang want to escape.

“I have to go. I’m busy.”

He really was busy. He had squeezed time out of his packed schedule to see the child.

“We’ll meet again soon, right?”

Having given up on his son for the moment, Jaekwang smiled kindly at Jeong-oh, planning to win over his future daughter-in-law and bond with his granddaughter. He patted Yena approvingly.

“Yena, see you again. Do you remember your grandfather?”

It was still difficult for him to be friendly towards his son.

“Don’t make me wait too long, and make progress quickly.”

Kind to his future daughter-in-law, affectionate to his granddaughter, and strict to his son – Jaekwang showed a customized response to each person before leaving. Jiheon examined Jeong-oh’s expression.

“My father isn’t usually like that. He’s a very scary person.”

*Why was it?* Jiheon felt strangely sulky at Jeong-oh’s admiring gaze towards Jaekwang.

“He left smiling like a nice old man, but in reality, he probably thoroughly investigated Lee Jeong-oh and Lee Yena. That’s why he went to the academy.”

“…”

“So don’t trust him too much. And don’t like him too much either.”

“You’re talking about your father like he’s a stranger.”

“My father isn’t a family man. I’ve only met him a handful of times in 33 years.”

Jeong-oh recalled what she had heard from Jiheon seven years ago. He had said similar things back then. It was amazing that even though he had lost his memory, his feelings about his father were the same now as they were then.

“Still, we should be grateful. He believed in you and readily cooperated with the absurd paternity test.”

“That’s true.”

Jiheon reluctantly agreed.

* * * * * * *

Eun-yeop waited for a call from the genetic research center. He received a call quite late. The employee sounded anxious as he explained what had happened.

[I did everything as you said. The client’s name was Jeong Jiheon, and the other person being tested was anonymous. I switched the anonymous client’s blood as you instructed. I succeeded, but it seems they conducted another test in addition to that. That test came back as a match.]

“Another test?”

[The client had someone else conduct another paternity test. They used the fact that paternity tests can be done anonymously.]

Eun-yeop shouted.

“You should have watched carefully and stopped it!”

[How could I have known and stopped it when they requested the test anonymously? Do you think their name was written on their hair or something?]

The employee retorted. Eun-yeop covered his forehead.

He hadn’t expected Jeong Jiheon to do this. He thought that if the second test failed, he would try a third time. He didn’t expect him to involve a third party in a task that was supposed to be done in secret.

Since he thought from his own perspective, Eun-yeop, who didn’t trust others, couldn’t understand Jiheon’s feelings. He had prematurely concluded that Jiheon’s feelings for Jeong-oh were shallow.

There was one fact that Chae Eun-yeop had been firmly misunderstanding: the premise that Lee Jeong-oh had approached Jeong Jiheon first. The hypothesis itself was wrong. Eun-yeop had failed to consider that Jiheon was clinging to Jeong-oh even more desperately.

The Jeong Jiheon that Chae Eun-yeop had seen was someone who couldn’t get along well with anyone, didn’t give his heart to anyone, didn’t reveal his inner thoughts, looked down on everyone except himself, and whose pride was all that mattered. At least for 7 years, that’s how it was.

He didn’t think that such a cold-blooded guy would defend so passionately.

He also didn’t think that he would sincerely cherish a child who seemed to have fallen from the sky after rolling around somewhere for 7 years. It was a miscalculation from the start.

[Do you have any idea how difficult this has made things for me? The client filed a complaint saying the test was wrong. Anyway, I did as you told me, so you have to help me with my divorce lawsuit as promised. I’ll be expecting it.]

The employee hung up. The work failed, and he was left to handle the difficult aftermath. It was Eun-yeop’s complete defeat.

* * * * * * *

The three, having parted ways with Jaekwang, went to Guksun’s restaurant for an early dinner. Guksun set the table early because Jiheon had to return to work and work late. Yena sat on Jiheon’s lap again.

Yena asked Jiheon, receiving side dishes like a baby bird.

“But if Mom is Mom and Dad is Dad, aren’t Mom and Dad a couple?”

Jiheon answered.

“Not yet.”

“Why not?”

“We haven’t gotten married yet.”

“Why haven’t you?”

“We don’t have time. But we will soon.”

Jiheon was happy that his daughter was saying what he wanted first.

“When would you like Mom and Dad to get married?”

“On Saturday.”

“Why would you like it to be on Saturday?”

“Because it’s a day when Yena doesn’t go to daycare and academy.”

Jiheon smiled contentedly, and Jeong-oh sighed deeply.

“Yena, marriage isn’t something you can just whip up in a few days. When you get married later, Mom will say no if you try to rush things. You can’t just do marriage carelessly, okay?”

“Okay.”

Whether she understood or was just answering, Yena’s response was cheerful.

“Let’s register our marriage first. Let’s do it tomorrow. We can sort out the rest one by one.”

As the topic of marriage came up, Jiheon talked about the next steps.

“First of all, the house issue is the most urgent. We’ll need to move to a bigger house if we’re going to live together. I was hoping we could all live at my place for now, how about it?”

“Mom might be uncomfortable with a high place.”

Jeong-oh said carefully. Yena spoke cheerfully again.

“Then Dad can come to our house!”

“Should I do that then?”

Jiheon chimed in. Guksun came out of the kitchen and said bitterly, having overheard their conversation.

“Why would Dad live there? Leaving Dad’s big house behind.”

“Mother, I’m fine. I can live together anytime, anywhere.”

“Still, prepare slowly. Our house is too small, and it’s inconvenient because there’s only one bathroom.”

Guksun’s advice was sharp.

“Set some rules. For now, live as you have been before moving. That’s easier for me and easier for you guys too.”

The situation was quickly resolved with Guksun’s rules.

Of course, even if Jiheon were to live with Guksun and Jeong-oh in Jeong-oh’s house right away, Guksun, Jeong-oh, and Yena wouldn’t be greatly inconvenienced. It would just be like adding one more spoon to the table [adding one more person to feed].

However, it might feel overwhelming to Jiheon, who has always had everything he needed.

A room that’s too small to stretch out in, household items that get in the way, only one bathroom… Jiheon has never experienced any of that. Guksun took on the role of giving tough love, considering Jiheon’s position.

As she was about to marry off her daughter, the mother was troubled. She couldn’t match Jiheon’s family’s circumstances, so the dowry and gifts wouldn’t be up to their standards. Guksun kept feeling sorry for her daughter.

While Yena went to the bathroom after finishing dinner, and Jeong-oh took Yena out of the restaurant, Guksun said to Jiheon.

“You can take Jeong-oh and Yena.”

“Yes?”

“Yena’s dad’s house is big, right? I’m saying you can take our Jeong-oh and Yena and live happily together.”

“Mother, if you say that…”

“That side is the real family. I was just a temporary family.”

Guksun’s voice, as she yielded her happiness, was firm, but there was also an unavoidable sense of loneliness. Guksun deliberately smiled at Jiheon, trying not to reveal all of her inner thoughts.

“I couldn’t raise her that way, so I hoped that at least our Jeong-oh, or the child that our Jeong-oh gave birth to, would have a complete family, and finally, my dream is coming true.”

“You’re not a temporary family, Mother.”

Jiheon replied politely.

“Before I got close to Jeong-oh, Jeong-oh said that you and she were soulmates.”

“…”

“For a long time, you must have been Jeong-oh’s best friend. Her only support.”

If he confessed that he himself had never felt the love of a complete family, would she believe him?

If he told her that all the images of the family he wanted to resemble and blend into were being shown by her, would she pity him?

Rather, Jiheon felt a little ashamed because his own heart, his family’s heart, seemed so barren and poor.

“She probably will be in the future too. Jeong-oh.”

“…”

“And now, she will be for me too.”

Guksun’s eyes, which always maintained coolness, were warmly wet.

“You have to stay by her side, Mother.”

* * * * * * *

The next morning.

Jiheon, as always, stopped by Jeong-oh’s house to take Yena to daycare and went to work with Jeong-oh.

Having been apart overnight, Yena acted spoiled towards Jiheon before getting on the daycare bus. It was a day that started with emotion and excitement. Jiheon greeted the secretary guarding the front of his office with a pleasant greeting.

“Good morning.”

However, the secretary’s expression was not very bright.

“Director, your mother is waiting for you.”

Youngmi was waiting for Jiheon in his office. Jiheon opened the office door with a stiff face.

“What brings you here again?”

At the unfriendly greeting, Youngmi looked at Jiheon with eyes full of resentment, but soon, she sighed as if resigned.

“Mom was worried all night.”

Youngmi’s eyes were wet, but to Jiheon, that look didn’t feel as warm as Guksun’s eyes.

As expected, Youngmi’s decision was harsh.

“Just bring the child. Mom will raise the child. I’ll make sure she gets a good education and lives without envy, Mom will.”

“Mother.”

“I can’t tie you to that family. Cinderella is still Cinderella [referring to the fairy tale, implying Jeong-oh is of a lower social status].”

Youngmi’s voice rose as if she was bursting with resentment, but the two were in Jiheon’s company. Thinking of her reputation, Youngmi soon lowered her voice.

“I can’t marry you off like that, like selling you off cheaply. Mom can never do that.”

But that heartless claim remained the same.

“I’m doing this because I cherish you. Because I love you. Someday you’ll understand Mom’s heart. How much my heart is breaking.”

Jiheon faced his mother’s tears for the first time in a long time.