The Season I Loved You Without You - Chapter 30

CHAPTER 30

Sedans lined up in front of the black gate of a mansion surrounded by gray brick walls in Baekhyun-dong. Pine trees and gardeners were scattered around the well-maintained spacious garden. The circular fountain, not operational in winter, had its lights on, only the water rippling.

The two-story mansion visible upon entering deeply from the gate resembled a European-style mansion that could be found in Beverly Hills, with two pillars at the entrance. Above the arch-shaped windows, terraces on the second floor, and pointed roofs were visible. All the interior lights were on, illuminating even the garden.

The interior decoration was also perfectly Western, with stairs leading up from the central hall, and on either side of the hall were spacious reception rooms, a dining room, and a kitchen.

Relatives and family members of MMK’s current leader, Chairman Moon Joo-pyeong, gathered at his mansion for his ninetieth birthday. There were Moon Ji-hyuk and Jo Yoon-young, along with Yun Seung-ok.

The protagonist of the party had not yet appeared, and there were finger foods and substitutes for meals on the tables. Ji-hyuk drank champagne with an expressionless face and looked around the spacious reception room.

‘Old man’s taste is quite elegant. He keeps talking about frugality while living in such a house.’

Cream-colored marble floors, high ceilings with domes, crystal chandeliers, and ornate family photo frames hung on the walls.

It was a picture of Chairman Moon Joo-pyeong and his children. Among the large extended family of seven sons and two daughters, Ji-hyuk’s father was the youngest of the seven sons. The known cause of death was a long-standing chronic illness, but in reality, it was a fatal injury from drug addiction, really. Ji-hyuk chuckled.

Indeed, the chronic illness he had was a constant pain for Moon Joo-pyeong. Whether that led him to become a wastrel, Ji-hyuk wasn’t sure. Ji-hyuk had no particular feelings about his father’s death. He hadn’t seen him much as a child, and he didn’t need to see him when he grew up.

There were occasional memories of Seung-ok crying while holding onto his father’s story when he was a child, but he only realized after becoming an adult that it wasn’t because of love.

He had two half-brothers and one older sister. Two ex-wives. The second wife divorced after having Seung-ok, if it wasn’t for Ji-hyuk, there might not have been a third wife. A son who received the Chairman’s love despite lacking abilities. Ji-hyuk chuckled, mocking the lower education.

Approximately sixty or so people, including the children of Chairman Moon’s children, chatted. The smell of people mixed with the subtle fragrance indoors made him nauseous. How much longer should one keep up this facade? He put down the already empty glass and picked up a new one.

He saw Yoon-young chatting happily with others over there. It was her first time here, yet she seemed to adapt better than anyone else. A few years ago, there was Han Go-yeo in this place.

Go-yeo sat quietly beside him, sipping her drink with indifference towards the people around her. She chuckled at his unusual joke, and that pleased him. Leaving this place full of hypocrisy and pretense and just spending time with her was all he could think of.

Seung-ok made an effort to appear more sophisticated than anyone else today. She was the daughter-in-law welcoming her father-in-law’s birthday, dressed more calmly than usual, with a subtle smile. However, her gaze scrutinized people more keenly than anyone else.

The child of Moon Joo-pyeong’s first son, who is now the CEO of MMK Construction, and Moon Joo-pyeong’s first grandson, Se-hyuk was the managing director of MMK Construction. Despite having a solid background and many things laid out for him since childhood, the general opinion was that he lacked capabilities compared to Ji-hyuk. He was safe and could fit in anywhere.

Ji-hyuk was more special among Moon Joo-pyeong’s ordinary grandchildren like a thorn sticking out of his pocket. If Moon Joo-pyeong gave him a bit more attention, he would find it easier to fit into that position. But even if he died, the outcome wouldn’t change. With Yoon-young here, it was a perfect scenario.

“Sister-in-law.”

As Seo Eun-mi, the wife of the CEO of MMK Construction, approached, Seung-ok gave her a picturesque smile.

“It’s been a while.”

“Yeah. By the way, the lady Ji-hyuk is marrying, is she okay?”

Seung-ok looked proudly at Yoon-young, who was nearby, at Eun-mi’s glance.

“Yes.”

Eun-mi nodded, scanning Yoon-young from afar.

“They say she’s the daughter of Assemblyman Jo Hee-chang, but she seems far from worthy of our family. Is she okay?”

“Don’t say such things. Yoon-young is a fine lady. She’s incomparable to Ji-hyuk’s ex-wife.”

Whether it was arrogance to think she was okay despite knowing she wasn’t better than Seung-ok or if she genuinely believed she was okay just by looking at the person, it was hard to tell. Eun-mi looked at Seung-ok with a puzzled expression, then smiled again.

When today’s protagonist, Chairman Moon Joo-pyeong, entered the reception room, the commotion subsided. Despite being 90 years old, he maintained an upright posture, and his eyes, full of vitality, still revealed his leadership within the group.

Joo-pyeong smiled contentedly as he looked around his descendants. He proposed a toast and shared stories of familial bonds, strengthening the family ties. He genuinely appreciated the gifts given by his great-grandchildren.

Ji-hyuk observed them from a distance as if they were strangers unrelated to him. An engagement announcement was scheduled for after today. The reason for agreeing to an engagement, which he wasn’t doing well in lately, was Seung-ok’s wish. It was a desire to appear even more formal and perfect than his first marriage.

What is he gaining by going this far? He suddenly thought.

If he can hold on to this position until Yun Seung-ok is brought down, can he then be with Han Go-yeo?

Thinking of the last time he saw Go-yeo at the department store, he was overwhelmed with sudden fatigue and emptiness. After watching Joo-pyeong, Seung-ok, and Yoon-young having a conversation, he left the place.

He passed through the opposite side of the reception hall and went out into the garden. There was a sofa and a table under a circular canopy in front of an outdoor fireplace. Sitting on the sofa, he watched the flickering flames.

As footsteps approached, he turned his head to see Jung-hyuk, one of his many cousins. Jung-hyuk regarded Ji-hyuk more highly than his half-brothers. Despite lacking any real achievements, he was still clinging to MMK Energy with nothing but greed.

“You’re remarrying.” 

Jung-hyuk said, expecting a response, but Ji-hyuk remained silent, chuckling.

“Then can I have Han Go-yeo?”

The bastard, should he kill him? But Ji-hyuk didn’t succumb to the petty provocation. He pulled out a cigarette from his pocket, feeling irritated.

“She’s not just a pushover. She doesn’t just give herself to anyone.”

Ji-hyuk approached Jung-hyuk, chuckling at the nonsense. He leaned in intimidatingly, making him flinch, and then as if saying he was nothing, he tapped his forehead with his finger.

“Do you think someone like you could be just ‘anyone’ to Han Go-yeo?”

Finding his own words amusing, Ji-hyuk chuckled.

“She wouldn’t give it to a guy like you. She grew up like a princess, her stomach’s delicate.”

Ironically, Jung-hyuk, who had provoked him, became more excited and his face twisted in anger. In Ji-hyuk’s contempt-filled eyes, Jung-hyuk finally grabbed him by the collar.

“You filthy bastard. Son of an adulterous woman.”

It wasn’t surprising to hear such words by now. He had heard them so many times, and it didn’t make a dent.

“Worse than you for sleeping with your cousin’s ex-wife?”

Teasing him gently, his lazy expression and meandering tone made people go crazy. Jung-hyuk threw a punch, and Ji-hyuk took it. His body fell, hitting the table, and there was a loud noise. Unable to control his anger, Jung-hyuk straddled Ji-hyuk and began to pummel him wildly. Ji-hyuk took every hit without flinching.

“What the hell are you doing now?”

People rushed over at the loud noise, pulling Jung-hyuk away. He shouted and cursed as they dragged him off. Yoon-young ran over through the crowd and supported Ji-hyuk. Blood gathered at the corner of his mouth. Ji-hyuk casually spat out a blood clot on the ground and stood up. He pushed Yoon-young’s hand away, buttoned up his suit, and adjusted his disheveled clothes.

Joo-pyeong heard about the commotion and called for Ji-hyuk. Jung-hyuk couldn’t stay there and was sent away. As Ji-hyuk entered Joo-pyeong’s study, he looked at his imposing figure.

“Why did you do that on someone else’s birthday?”

Joo-pyeong looked at Ji-hyuk’s silence.

“Is it because grown adults like to show off their strength to each other?”

“I’m sorry.”

“It seems you got beaten up. Why?”

“It’s not something worth mentioning.”

Joo-pyeong wondered why Ji-hyuk had chosen to resolve his anger with violence rather than talking it out.

“Why? Don’t you like the idea of remarriage?” 

Ji-hyuk raised an eyebrow but showed no other reaction.

“You fool. You chose the wrong side, thinking you’d avoid a hit.”

Where else had he chosen the wrong side? Ji-hyuk barely suppressed a smirk.

“Hold on a little longer. You’re a very solid foundation. Jo Hee-chang’s daughter isn’t bad either. She might even become the president one day.”

Ah. He wanted to respond with a bitter smile, but Ji-hyuk just remained silent. As he left the study, he completely loosened his tie.

Facing today and tomorrow felt burdensome enough without talking about the distant future. Was letting go of Han Go-yeo the solution to all his problems? Would everything be resolved then? Everyone spoke as if it were as simple as flipping a switch on and off, but he just couldn’t figure out how. He chuckled to himself.

Seung-ok and Yoon-young approached Ji-hyuk from the other reception room. Seung-ok grabbed Ji-hyuk’s face and said worriedly.

“Moon Jung-hyuk, that crazy guy! How could he mess up your face like this?”

“Shouldn’t we go to the hospital? Mr. Ji-hyuk, do you have any other injuries?” 

Yoon-young asked, concern evident in her voice.

Ji-hyuk chuckled, shaking his head. Oh, really. Were these two genuine? Watching their usual drama was so boring it made him sick, but this felt oddly real, and he burst out laughing. As Ji-hyuk laughed oddly, he left the two talking behind and left the place.

As Ji-hyuk got into the back seat of the car, he instructed the driver to head to Hannam-dong. As the car moved quietly, Ji-hyuk closed his eyes.

He just wanted to see Han-Go-yeo. That seemed like it would make everything okay.