Chapter 14

"Hyung*, what's this plant?"

[TL/N : Hyung - It's a term used by a younger male to address an older male like 'brother/bro'.]

Seong Tae asked, noticing the potted plant on Woo Hyun's desk as he came up to report.

"A cactus."

Woo Hyun replied absentmindedly without turning his eyes away from the monitor.

"I have eyes too. I know it's a cactus when I see it. Why are you suddenly growing a cactus? When did you buy it? Why only one? If you're buying them, you should get one for me and the accounting team too!"

Seong Tae retorted, pouting as if it were an absurd idea.

"I received it."

"From whom? Your date mate that you've been seeing recently?"

"Yeah."

"You're still seeing her?"

Seong Tae asked, surprised. It had already been over a week since Woo Hyun got a date mate.

"Yeah."

Woo Hyun's reply was so curt that it was almost off-putting, but Seon Tae, accustomed to such answers from him, didn't give up and continued to speak.

"Hyung, that's strange."

Seong Tae tilted his head, peering at the cactus. Woo Hyun, too bothered to even give a short answer, didn't reply at all. Just then, the phone on his desk vibrated continuously. Reluctantly, Woo Hyun looked down at the screen and frowned.

"Hyung, isn't that your mother calling?"

"I see it. You can go now."

"Uh, good luck."

Seong Tae, not wanting to witness Woo Hyun radiating a dark aura, disappeared as if he'd been waiting for the cue. The phone kept ringing until Seong Tae left. Woo Hyun brought the phone to his ear.

"Yes."

-Son? You know Seo Eun is coming home today, right?

Despite the sweet voice coming through the phone, Woo Hyun's narrowed brows didn't relax. His mother's calls were mostly about his marriage. Even with Woo Hyun expressing no intention of getting married, his mother's stubbornness wouldn't yield. She couldn't understand why her perfectly healthy son wasn't married.

"What does her return have to do with me that you're calling about this?"

Even with Woo Hyun's icy voice, which would make most people back away, his mother remained undeterred.

-Seo Eun isn't the same as she was before studying abroad. I saw pictures, and she's so beautiful.

"I'm busy. I'm hanging up."

-Son, son!

Despite the desperate voice coming through the phone, Woo Hyun mercilessly hung up. Knowing his mother would call again, Woo Hyun even removed his phone battery in advance.

Seo Eun. Just hearing the name made Woo Hyun's head throb. Since childhood, Seo Eun, who constantly said, 'I'm going to marry Oppa,' persistently tormented every woman Woo Hyun dated. Her parents, unable to bear it any longer, forcibly sent Seo Eun to study abroad, which quieted things down for a while. Now, that same Seo Eun was back. Moreover, his own parents were fueling Seo Eun's persistence, firmly mistaken that she was the only woman who could marry their son.

Woo Hyun leaned back in his chair, resting the back of his head on the headrest. What should he do? These interpersonal relationship issues were more perplexing than work matters. After a moment of thought, Woo Hyun recalled Da Hee. Da Hee possessed a cold personality. Therefore, she was the only woman who wouldn't succumb to Seo Eun's attacks. He had even subtly mentioned this possibility to Da Hee, just in case. However, if he did that, his parents would learn about Da Hee's existence. Woo Hyun pondered which option would be less tragic but couldn't come to a conclusion.

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Miel's Translations