A Child Who Resembles Me [EN]: Chapter 98

98. Lovesickness

Jae-kwang developed a habit: looking at his granddaughter’s picture and sighing from time to time during work.

‘I didn’t know my two sons were this cute,’ he mused. ‘Is it because she’s a granddaughter, or because she’s a girl? Or just because she’s originally pretty? Or is it because I can’t contact her easily?’

“I told him so many times not to make me wait too long and proceed quickly.”

After parting ways at the genetics lab, Jae-kwang felt resentment towards Ji-heon as a week passed. He was regretting the past, specifically that day when he went for the paternity test. He should have made it clear that day, told him to bring Ye-na and Ye-na’s mother within a week.

“I should have at least exchanged phone numbers.”

In fact, he had confirmed Ye-na’s phone number through back channels [unofficial or secretive means]. But since he didn’t exchange numbers formally, he couldn’t contact her directly.

It was obvious that he would be scolded by his son again if he called rashly. Not being able to contact her even though he knew the number was also a torment.

In the beginning, he waited for contact, but as time passed, he felt bursts of anger. His chest felt stuffy and his stomach churned.

‘That guy Jung Ji-heon. Even after becoming a father, he doesn’t even think about understanding his father’s heart, an unfilial son [a son who doesn’t respect or obey his parents].’

“I’m so well-regarded at the company. My sons treat me like I’m a joke.”

He couldn’t call Ji-heon and pour out his anger, and he resented his situation of quietly complaining to his executive secretary.

“Find out what he’s doing. How busy is he that he doesn’t even have time to contact me?”

Unable to bear it any longer, Jae-kwang instructed his executive secretary.

A short time later, the executive secretary returned with the information he had gathered.

“Chairman, Director Jung Ji-heon is at work after coming to the office. But…”

“But?”

“It seems there’s been some trouble between Director Jung Ji-heon and Assistant Manager Lee Jung-oh…”

* * * * * * * *

Starting with the BJ’s [Broadcast Jockey, a live streamer] revelation that Jung-oh was his mistress, various stories circulated on the internet overnight.

Of course, most users didn’t believe the BJ’s confession. But some wrote fan fiction to suit their tastes and attacked Jung-oh based on their beliefs. It was a disturbance to create a disturbance.

Guk-soon told her to be patient since the restaurant was settled. If she remained patient and still, the people who were trying to cause trouble would eventually tire and leave. So Jung-oh didn’t show any more emotion.

And so, the next morning, at Max Planning Production Team 2:

“Good luck, Assistant Manager Lee,” Eun-joo said, giving Jung-oh words of encouragement. While sending her support, she had her usual haughty expression.

“When an evil person falls, they don’t just fall. They grab someone’s hair and fall.”

Before Jung-oh could ask if she knew about what happened last night, Eun-joo’s opinions flowed out.

“But Team Leader Chae Eun-bi has a lot of maids here and there. It’s good that there are many people who fight for her instead. Those people are also pathetic. They don’t even know they’re falling together.”

It’s good to have people who tell you to be patient and not to worry, but it’s also a great comfort to have people who curse on your behalf. Jung-oh felt relieved, as if scratching an itch, by the words Eun-joo gave her with a calm expression.

‘That’s right. I have to endure and persevere,’ she steeled her heart and sat down at her desk when the phone rang.

“Yes. This is Lee Jung-oh from Production Team 2.”

[This is Jung Jae-kwang.]

Jung-oh was speechless at the voice coming from the receiver.

[Can you come to Ji-heon’s office now? I’d like to talk to you.]

While Jung-oh was frozen in surprise, a calm voice continued from the other side. It was a soft voice that seemed to be coaxing Jung-oh, which didn’t suit the image of the stern chairman.

Ji-heon had never told her that the chairman would be visiting the company. It seemed like a sudden visit.

After answering and hanging up the phone, Jung-oh immediately got up and headed to Ji-heon’s office. As she reached the office door with stiff steps due to tension, the secretary opened the door for her.

As Jung-oh went inside, Jae-kwang also got up from his seat. Ji-heon was nowhere to be seen. The fact that Ji-heon wasn’t there made her feel even more hopeless.

“Chairman, hello.”

“Yes. Sit down.”

Jae-kwang nodded at the stiff greeting and pointed to the sofa. After Jung-oh sat down, Jae-kwang sat down again opposite her.

In the silence, Jae-kwang spoke first.

“I…”

“…”

“I’m lovesick.”

Jung-oh flinched and raised her head at Jae-kwang’s incomprehensible confession. While she was hesitating about how to respond, Jae-kwang fortunately spoke again first.

“I wonder when I’ll hear from my granddaughter. Will she call today? Will she call tomorrow? When tomorrow comes, will she call today…? It’s already been a week since I’ve been like this.”

It was a complaint, a confession of lovesickness for his granddaughter, a sorrow for the indefinite wait.

Hearing the inner thoughts of the chairman of a large corporation, who had felt so distant, made her feel somehow familiar. The tense muscles relaxed a little, but it wasn’t a situation where she could laugh. Jung-oh sincerely apologized.

“…I’m sorry.”

“No, I didn’t say that to receive an apology.”

“…”

“I heard my son had a fake relationship, something like that.”

Jae-kwang waved his hand and brought up another topic. It seemed that Ji-heon had confessed his past mistakes, but Jung-oh couldn’t answer comfortably about this either. It wasn’t right to talk about it in detail without Ji-heon present.

Jae-kwang coaxed her.

“Speak comfortably. I’ve already confirmed most of it.”

“…Yes. That’s what I heard.”

“And that’s why he’s being held hostage by Chae Eun-bi now.”

She had no choice but to answer one word, but it felt like an interrogation was continuing, so Jung-oh quickly asked.

“Yes. Chairman, but where is Director Jung Ji-heon now?”

“Director, my foot.”

Jae-kwang scoffed as if he was displeased and pointed to the corner of the office.

“He’s over there, that guy.”

“…”

“In the thinking chair.”

It was a place that wasn’t noticeable because a long bookshelf was blocking it. Ji-heon was sitting in a small chair facing the wall in that corner. His gray top, matching the wall, hid him like camouflage.

‘Is he a chameleon?’

Jung-oh barely suppressed the absurd laughter that was about to burst out.

“I told him to reflect and think a little.”

A man over thirty being punished by his father because of a fake relationship.

“So, let’s not worry about him and talk.”

Ji-heon didn’t budge despite Jung-oh and Jae-kwang’s glances and gestures. He deserved it, but he also looked a bit pitiful.

“Our Yena’s mother must have been very upset that her child is in that state.”

“Yes, a bit.”

“Right? I knew it.”

Only then did her energy fully return. She felt like she could comfortably share her true feelings in the conference room.

It was unfortunate for Ji-heon, but Jung-oh was very grateful to Jae-kwang. The slight resentment that had remained even after Ji-heon approached her first, and after Yena’s paternity test results came out, melted away.

“I raised my son wrong. I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s okay.”

“He’ll be like that until Yena’s mother forgives him.”

“Yes. I feel completely relieved now. But I would appreciate it if Ji-heon sincerely apologized to me for what happened.”

Jae-kwang turned his head and said to Ji-heon.

“Did you hear that?”

“Yes.”

“Come here and apologize quickly.”

Ji-heon got up from his seat and approached Jung-oh.

“I’m sorry.”

“Again, with sincerity.”

As soon as Ji-heon apologized, Jae-kwang pointed it out sharply. Ji-heon apologized again without complaining.

“I am sorry.”

“Be more specific about what you’re sorry for.”

“I’m sorry for causing a misunderstanding for so long by having a fake relationship with Chae Eun-bi. I’m also sorry for letting Lee Jung-oh be falsely accused of being my mistress.”

“What are you going to do now?”

Ji-heon answered Jae-kwang’s question, looking Jung-oh in the eye. The whole process was ridiculous, but these people were so serious that it was even more absurd. Jung-oh struggled to hold back her laughter as she responded to Ji-heon’s apology.

“Yes, I’m completely relieved.”

Jung-oh replied.

Satisfied. She felt refreshed.

“Is there anything else you’re upset about?”

“No, there isn’t. Then, Chairman, may I leave now? I have a meeting scheduled in the morning.”

It was also fortunate that she could quickly escape from this situation because of her next schedule.

“Okay, okay. Let’s meet again.”

Jung-oh left the office with Jae-kwang’s satisfactory farewell.

After Jung-oh left, Jae-kwang let out a long sigh in the now quiet office.

“She calls me Chairman.”

Jae-kwang wanted to blame his son for the disappointment he felt because of the title. Jae-kwang, with narrowed eyes towards Ji-heon, expressed his dissatisfaction.

“Honestly, I’m very disappointed. I made it so obvious that day, but what’s so difficult about showing me the child that you didn’t even show your face for a week? Do I have to create a reason like this to come and find you?”

But this dark-haired guy doesn’t even think about repenting and confronts him in the same way.

“Father, too.”

“What about me?”

“Shouldn’t you have been persuading Mother all this time?”

“Why is your mother like that?”

“Mother came to the company. She said she wouldn’t accept Jung-oh and would only raise the child.”

Hard lines formed on Jae-kwang’s forehead. Because they didn’t talk at home, he didn’t even know that had happened.

“Father didn’t really care much, did he? You noticed that there was conflict between Mother and Jung-oh that day, but you never spoke directly to Mother, did you?”

Jae-kwang’s voice shrank inward at Ji-heon’s criticism.

“…Your mother doesn’t tell me those things.”

“Honestly, the two of you don’t talk to each other, do you?”

“When would I have time to talk? More than half the year is spent on business trips.”

“And yet you want to see Yena.”

Jae-kwang pressed his lips tightly. The excuse of not having time was actually a selfish excuse.

Jae-kwang always put work first and family matters last. He had never even said a warm word to his wife. He was naturally uninterested in his wife’s trivial stories.

“With your mother… I don’t know what we like.”

Before he knew it, his mind had become so fixed that it couldn’t react to anything other than work.

In the meantime, an invisible wall had formed between him and his wife.

Moreover, Young-mi was very angry about the paternity test issue. After Young-mi shouted at him once for making a fool of her, Jae-kwang hadn’t been able to talk to Young-mi.

“…I’ll talk to her.”

Jae-kwang admitted his indifference and said he would try to correct it.

“Don’t you know what Chae Eun-bi is doing now?”

“She’s been absent without leave for two weeks. She’s been neglecting her work even before that.”

Jae-kwang sighed in vain.

“You may not know it well, but your mother liked Eun-bi a lot. Eun-bi was good at it as much as that. Even when you didn’t come home for months, Eun-bi came to the house and kept your mother company.”

“She just found the target well.”

“I was just grateful to that child, but the lack of communication created this mess…”

Jae-kwang also admitted that he had been quite deceived. A family without strong bonds each had its weaknesses.

What should I do now? Even that BJ [Broadcast Jockey, or streamer] or whatever is stirring things up.

Jae-kwang, who had been silent for a long time lost in thought, finally opened his mouth again.

“Why don’t we just reveal everything?”

He was also a person with as cool and decisive decision-making skills as his son.