Episode 1
‘Has it been two years?’
Exiting Incheon Airport, Tae joo tilted his stiff neck, eliciting a loud crack. At the same time, the dial tone on his phone abruptly stopped.
“…Hello.”
“Are you sleeping?”
“…Kang Tae joo? Weren’t you supposed to be on a plane? Wait, what time is it— You crazy bastard! Did you call me the moment you landed? What, just to nag?” (“nag” means to repeatedly criticize, complain, or urge someone).
“I figured you’d be lazing around. Anyway, how’s the production prep going?”
“Working on it! Just check the workflow. Everything’s been uploaded.”
Workaholic. Slave driver. I’ll report you to the labor office, you tyrannical boss—blah blah blah.
Ignoring Seokjin’s loud grumbling, Tae joo opened the work-sharing app nonchalantly.
“Welcome back, young master.”
Someone blocked his path. It was Executive Director Choi, who served as a close aide to Tae joo’s grandfather, Chairman Kang.
“That loud voice… It must be my son,”
Choi remarked, his words silencing the complaints from the speakerphone. Tae joo shrugged and tucked his phone into his jacket.
“Why’d you bother coming out here? You’re not exactly young anymore.”
“Young? I’m still in my prime.”
When Tae joo swatted away the hand reaching for his suitcase and chided him, Choi laughed, his eyes crinkling.
“I came to see your precious face. You only visit Korea when it’s time to renew your visa. Seems like you enjoy your life in New York.”
“Yeah. Turns out I’m made for the unemployed life.”
“I’ve heard rumors about your profitable investments in startup brands in SoHo.”
Of course, Tae joo thought, letting out a dry laugh while pressing his left shoulder.
No way would Chairman Kang leave him alone. It meant his every move had been monitored.
“Where’d you hear such rumors, Mr. Choi? Seokjin?”
“Hardly. I don’t know what honey you’ve fed my son, but he’s like a slippery eel. Annoying little punk, even if he’s my kid.”
“Very expensive honey. It’s breaking my back.”
Choi looked at Tae joo with pride.
Though Tae joo tried to downplay it, the businesses he invested in had all gone public in the U.S., earning him hundreds of billions in investment profits over the years. His skills as a businessman showed he had inherited his grandfather’s bloodline. The problem was his lack of interest in succeeding him.
“Young master, please keep looking out for my son.”
“As long as you keep my activities from reaching the Chairman.”
“Hmm, young master, that’s…”
“If you’re going to keep spying on me, why not just lock me up? It’d be more efficient.”
“Lock you up? The Chairman cares deeply for you.”
“Another round of that care, and I might not survive. Anyway, you must have a reason for being here. Is it urgent? Did he fall seriously ill or something?”
Tae joo tried to recall the last time he had seen his grandfather. Four years ago? Maybe longer? It was hard to remember.
They were family in name only.
“It’s nothing like that. You’ll find out when you arrive.”
Refusing would only result in endless pestering.
Tae joo relented, and Choi, smiling warmly, opened the backseat door.
As Tae joo glanced inside, he froze.
“…What the—?”
It felt like he had seen something he shouldn’t have. Narrowing his eyes, he looked again.
There was no mistake. A girl in a school uniform was sitting there.
“What’s this? I don’t have a school uniform fetish.”
He tried to make a sarcastic joke, but his smile stiffened.
Wait.
Leaning in closer, Tae joo got a good look at the girl’s face. Her features came into view as the shadow lifted.
“…Yoon Seol?”
“Yes, it’s me. Long time no see, teacher.”
The girl smiled, her lips moving delicately.
Tae joo’s expression darkened.
How could he forget that Yoon Seol?
Four years ago, his grandfather had foisted the girl on him.[“Teach her for a while. Help her study, and I won’t meddle in your life anymore.”]
The deal was too tempting to refuse. So, for six months, he played the unwanted role of tutor. Once it was over, he no longer needed to see his grandfather, so he didn’t regret it.
She was the girl his grandfather doted on so much that he’d trade Tae joo’s freedom for her education.
“Have you been well, teacher?”
“Don’t call me that. We only spent six months together. But, Yoon Seol, why are you here?”
“Because I heard you were coming back to Korea.”
And what does that have to do with you? Tae joo wanted to ask, but the blaring car horn behind him prompted him to get in.
“Let’s head to the main house,” said Choi, who had already taken the driver’s seat.
Tae joo glanced at Yoon Seol out of the corner of his eye. Her school uniform—a gray skirt, a navy cardigan, and a blouse with a ribbon—stood out.
She was still a student.
Not that it mattered to him.
Or so he thought.
“Marry her.”
“What?”
Setting his teacup down, Tae joo blinked in disbelief.
Chairman Kang, seated upright on a golden cushion, didn’t waver.
“Marry Seol.”
He even repeated himself for clarity.
Tae joo turned his head sharply.
Yoon Seol, apparently aware of the arrangement, remained quiet, sitting stiffly as if she were part of the furniture.
When their eyes met, she shyly tucked her hair behind her ear.
Her school uniform took on a new, unsettling meaning.
“…Yoon Seol.”
“Yes, teacher?”
“How old are you?”
“Nineteen… well, almost twenty?”
“Ha.”
Tae joo sighed, feeling an urgent craving for nicotine.
“Marrying a kid? Have you lost your mind? Go see a doctor.”
“She’ll graduate soon. After the ceremony, you’ll marry right away,” the Chairman declared.
Tae joo laughed bitterly.
“Yoon Seol, what’s in it for you? Or did he threaten you?”
“No, it’s nothing like that.”
Chairman Kang’s voice hardened.
“You’re nearly thirty. It’s time to settle down.”
Tae joo stood, his expression cold.
“I didn’t hear any of this. I don’t have to follow your orders anymore.”
He stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
But halfway down the hall, he stopped, raking his fingers through his hair.
“Damn it.”
Turning back, he opened the door.
“Yoon Seol. What are you doing? Let’s go.”
Hearing his command, she immediately jumped to her feet.
