Living with an Ex-Husband - Chapter 24: Perfect Timing

Chapter 24: Perfect Timing

As soon as she ended her call with Woo-sung, Eunchae grabbed the company jacket with the Seongwon EDP logo and hurried out of the café.

“Huff… huff…”

Her breath came in ragged gasps, like the sound of metal scraping, as she sprinted toward the company building. She ran so fast that she nearly stumbled over her own feet.

She burst through the front door and headed straight for the “Research and Development Team Leader’s Office”. Without hesitation, she threw open the door.

“Oppa!”

Overwhelmed with shock and excitement, Eunchae found herself calling Woo-sung “oppa” as she pushed her way inside.

“What happened? Who… Who’s investing? How much… are they investing…?”

Eunchae asked questions without even catching her breath, causing Woo-sung and Vice President Lee Ki-sung, who had been running the company in her father’s place, to look at her in amazement.

“First, calm down and catch your breath. You look like you’re about to pass out,”

Woo-sung said with a hearty laugh and handed her a glass of water.

“Thank you, Oppa—I mean, Team Leader. I just got so excited…”

As Eunchae took a sip and tried to steady her breathing, Lee Ki-sung gave her a warm, understanding smile.

“If she’s this happy, who can blame her? I’m still in a bit of shock myself,” Woo-sung added.

“But who is it?”

Eunchae asked, her eyes wide and eager. It felt as if she had been hanging on the edge of a cliff and now a lifeline had suddenly appeared from the sky.

All bank loans have been blocked. This may be their last chance.

“JCH Investment, a foreign private equity fund,” Woo-sung explained.

“JCH Investment?”

Eunchae tilted her head in confusion; it was a name she did not recognize.

“Yeah, I looked into them, and they’re quite solid. Surprisingly transparent for a private equity fund,” Woo-sung added.

“Really?”

Eunchae’s face lit up with hope at the information. They had to be extremely cautious, as rushing to accept investments could backfire and possibly lead to the company being taken over.

“They seem to have made a significant investment in electric vehicles recently. That’s probably why they’re now turning their attention to the battery sector.”

“Talk about perfect timing.”

“We got lucky,”

Woo-sung agreed.

Woo-sung agreed with Eunchae, his usual gentle smile spreading across his face. He was as grateful and relieved about this investment as she was, especially when he saw how happy it made her, which lightened his heart even more.

When Woo-sung heard about Eunchae’s divorce while he was in Switzerland, he saw it as a reward for his patience. Even though he knew that she was going through a difficult time, he couldn’t help but feel happy that an opportunity seemed to be opening up for him.

Knowing Eunchae’s personality, he was sure she wouldn’t meet another man or get married again soon. With that in mind, he finished his studies and returned to Korea at the beginning of the year to join Seongwon EDP.

At that time, it was just after Yoon Jung-ik’s downfall, so Eunchae had tried to convince Woo-sung to join the company.

Given the fragile state of the company, as it faced disaster, and she felt that his experience and qualifications were too valuable to be wasted in such an uncertain environment.

Woo-sung agreed with Eunchae, his gentle smile appearing once again. He was just as thankful and relieved about the investment as she was. Seeing how happy Eunchae was made him feel a bit lighter as well.

Woo-sung had even lowered his salary to convince Eunchae. He had to stay by her side, believing that she would eventually accept his feelings.

“They’re hoping to have a formal meeting sometime next week. The representative is coming to Korea and wants to meet in person,” Woo-sung said.

“Really? Then we should meet them,”

Eunchae replied, her eyes sparkling with a liveliness that hadn’t been there in a long time.

“Got it. I’ll let JCH Investment know that any time works for us.”

“Yes.”

Eunchae nodded enthusiastically, finally calming her excitement. She then shifted her tone, ready to discuss things seriously.

“Did they mention any specific investment amount?”

“They hinted at a full investment, but we’ll know for sure during the meeting,” Lee Ki-sung replied.

Eunchae let out a nervous sigh. If JCH Investment decided to invest the full amount, it would be the best possible outcome. However, she reminded herself not to get her hopes up too high, as it could lead to disappointment.

In the worst-case scenario, if they could at least get some immediate funding, she would bow her head a dozen times if necessary. If they asked her to, she’d even get down on her knees to make it happen.

“For now, could you subtly let the research team know? It might lift their spirits a bit,” Eunchae suggested.

Woo-sung smiled at Eunchae’s request.

“Will do. They’ve been quietly worrying that the research might get shut down these days.”

“Of course they would be. Think about all the effort and passion they’ve poured into this project. You can’t even put a price on that,” Eunchae replied.

She fully understood the researchers’ fears and was deeply grateful for their hard work. More than ever, she was determined to secure this investment.

“Why don’t you head home early today? You’ve been working nonstop to secure funding. You too, Vice President.”

“What have I done? It’s been Director Yoon and Team Leader Kim who have been doing all the hard work,” Vice President Lee Ki-sung said modestly.

Vice President Lee Ki-sung credited all the hard work to Eunchae and Woo-sung.

“Not at all. You’ve always been the one to keep us grounded and guide us, Vice President. We’re truly grateful,” Eunchae said, expressing her heartfelt thanks to their steadfast pillar of support.

“Well, let’s just say we’ve all been each other’s strength,” Lee Ki-sung concluded warmly.

Eunchae and Woo-sung nodded and smiled, sharing a sense of camaraderie.

“Alright, everyone, let’s head back to our respective departments, wrap things up, and call it an early day,” Lee Ki-sung suggested.

“Yes!” they both replied in unison.

Woo-sung and Eunchae stood up in response to Vice President Lee Ki-sung’s suggestion.

“Eunchae, since we’re in a good mood today, how about a beer? I’ll come over to your place after work,” Woo-sung suggested as Eunchae was about to leave the office.

“Oh, sorry, Oppa. Maybe next time. My place is a mess, and since I’m leaving early, I thought I’d do some cleaning. I also need to do some grocery shopping,” she replied politely but firmly.

It was a kind yet resolute refusal. Woo-sung laughed awkwardly, conceding to her decision.

“Is that so? Well, I guess there’s no helping it. Let’s have that drink another time then.”

“Sure, I’ll be on my way now,” Eunchae said before leaving.

Eunchae greeted Woo-sung and calmly walked out of the office.

“Take your time with her. Even though she doesn’t show it, Eunchae is still struggling with the wounds from her divorce,” Ki-sung said, offering comfort and advice to the dejected Woo-sung.

“She divorced because her husband cheated on her. Do you think she can easily open her heart to another man? Especially with her personality. So, be patient. Women are drawn to men who stay by their side with steadfastness.”

“Yes, Vice President,”

Woo-sung replied with a calm smile. He had gotten used to Eunchae’s rejections and emotional walls. Ki-sung’s advice to heart, he decided to continue waiting for her.

“I’m heading out too.”

“Yes, take care,”

Woo-sung replied, bowing slightly to Ki-sung. Swallowing a sigh of frustration, he then sent an email to JCH Investment confirming their availability for the meeting.

***

As Eunchae walked home, she looked around, her eyes reflecting a sense of wonder and unfamiliarity, as if she were seeing the world for the first time.

“Wow…”

Exclamations of awe continued to escape her lips.

“I never realized how much spring had come into full bloom.”

Eunchae paused her steps to take in the sight of the cherry blossom trees lining the street.

It felt different from watching them through the window of Seong-ah’s café. The scene of pink petals carried by the wind, showering down like rain, was utterly mesmerizing.

She recalled the saying that if you catch a falling cherry blossom petal, your wish will come true. Reaching out her hand, she waited for a petal to fall into her palm.

Just like she once did… on Yunjungno.

About a year into their marriage, Eunchae and Lee Joon went out for dinner and then took an evening stroll along Yunjungno to admire the cherry blossoms.

Back then, just like now, she extended her arm, waiting for a cherry blossom petal to fall into her palm.

“What are you doing?”

Lee Joon had asked bluntly, watching her stand there with her arm stretched out.

“They say if you catch a falling cherry blossom petal, your wish will come true,” she explained.

“What?”

He let out a dry laugh, crossing his arms with a hint of disdain.

“So? What are you wishing for?”

He asked as if daring her to reveal it. Eunchae responded with a graceful smile.

“That Lee Joon and I… will get along well.”

The marriage had been more difficult and lonely than she had expected. It wasn’t Madam Kang’s harsh treatment that was hardest to bear, but Lee Joon’s indifference.

Even that dinner out had happened only because Eunchae had begged and pleaded until he finally made time for it.

“Are we not getting along well?”

Lee Joon’s voice was as flat and detached as his gaze, deflecting the question. Eunchae hesitated, unsure of how to respond.

His expression, calm and indifferent as always, strangely gave the impression that he was displeased, perhaps even annoyed.

“Exactly. Since there’s no problem, I’m just wishing that we continue… getting along like this.”

Eunchae lied with a clear smile. When Lee Joon remained silent, she forced herself to smile even brighter. Only then did his strangely tense expression seem to relax.

At that moment, a cherry blossom petal fluttered down like a butterfly, barely grazing the tip of Eunchae’s outstretched fingers.

“Oh…”

Feeling disappointed, Eunchae stared blankly at the flower petal that had landed on the toe of her shoe. Lee Joon sighed in exasperation as if he could no longer bear the situation and grabbed her hand.

“Stop wasting time on pointless things and just walk. I agreed to a walk, and here you are wasting time on some ridiculous superstition.”

“It’s not a superstition…”

Eunchae muttered, pouting her lips, but Lee Joon ignored her. He interlaced his fingers with hers and walked forward, eyes fixed straight ahead. Despite his dismissive tone, the simple gesture made her smile.

It was the first time that Lee Joon held her hand so tightly. He often had her hand at public events for publicity, but that was the first time he held her hand and walked with her when it was just the two.

Eunchae had wanted nothing more than to walk all the way home from Yunjungno, just so she could hold Lee Joon’s hand a little longer.

‘Why am I suddenly reminiscing…’

She muttered to herself with a self-mocking tone, her eyes wavering with emptiness. Whether it was love or hate, she thought she had emptied herself of all feelings related to Lee Joon. However, at moments like this, memories of his face and the times they had shared would suddenly come back to her.

With a bitter sigh, she was about to lower her hand when a cherry blossom petal gently landed on her palm.

“Oh?”

Eunchae’s eyes widened as she carefully picked up the delicate petal resting on her hand.

“Is today a lucky day or what?”

A bright smile spread across her face, her eyes curving into crescent moons. She felt light-hearted, and laughter bubbled up as if only good things were happening today.

“Where should I keep this?”

She muttered to herself as she dug through the eco-bag slung over her shoulder. Finally, she found her wallet and carefully placed the petal inside.

As soon as she had secured the petal, a strange feeling came over her. She looked around, a feeling of unease creeping in. It felt as if someone was watching her, a lingering gaze that followed her like a shadow.