Chapter 180:

Those were the only words he managed to utter, squeezed out with great difficulty.

With no way to escape the piercing gaze of Lee-yeon’s cheek that he wanted to caress recklessly, Kwon Chae-woo found himself at a loss for where to direct his own gaze.

She appeared stiff and rigid, as if ready to step back or push away.

If he were to recall his own actions, such treatment would be well-deserved, but Kwon Chae-woo couldn’t suppress her uneasiness and grabbed her wrist.

Lee-yeon’s eyes, which once cried out for love, now seemed dry and devoid of any familiarity as if looking at a stranger. It had only been a month since they parted ways, at most, yet it felt as if his place within Lee-yeon had vanished, making Kwon Chae-woo feel uncomfortably miserable.

Despite physically being in motion, it felt more like a mirage from this side.

Sweat trickled down his face.

“You should have stayed on Hwaido Island and never left that place.”

“….”

“Just why the hell are you in this―” The restrained voice trembled faintly.

“Why are you here, of all places!”

It was a fierce burst of anger, fragmented into multiple threads. Kwon Chae-woo, seemingly caught in a state of horror, let out a forceful exhale. Behind his outwardly composed gaze, there were swirling whirlwinds of inexplicable emotions.

“Do you even know where you’ve stepped your foot without any fear?”

“….”

“You can’t be here. If you stay here without knowing anything…”

A sudden dizziness swept over him, perhaps due to the overwhelming heat that surged up to his head.

Even the assumption of her, who had lived a simple life touching nothing but trees, entering the Kwon household sent a chill down his spine. In this land soaked with the blood of countless people, her presence, plump and innocent, left no room for relaxation.

“For the time being, until things are settled, you can’t be here.”

Kwon Chae-woo tightly closed and opened his eyes, forcefully pressing down on Lee-yeon’s shoulders. His gaze was filled with rejection and denial, pouring down like a torrential rain.

“Leave, go back.”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Then, Lee-yeon, who had flinched for a moment, firmly exerted strength in her gentle eyes and swiftly brushed away the man’s hand. It was barely even ticklish, at best, but amusingly, Kwon Chae-woo staggered.

The unfamiliar gaze, meeting his eyes for the first time, once again scratched at the depths of his soul.

“Since it’s bothersome, you can hear the explanation from Mr. Kwon Ki-seok.”

“…What?”

“He’s my employer.”

“….”

“I heard a brief explanation on the way here. He said you’re the youngest master of this house.”

…What on earth is she talking about?

“He warned me to be careful because you’re the most ill-tempered person in this house. Although I don’t think we’ll have any direct encounters, I still ask for your consideration.”

Kwon Chae-woo furrowed his brow, trying to understand the words she was uttering, but it still sounded like a jest coming from a misaligned channel.

As he half-heartedly stared at her lips, his mind in a daze, Lee-yeon’s greeting, which completely overturned his thoughts, resounded.

“I’m So Lee-yeon, the arborist who will be in charge of managing this house’s garden for a month.”

“…!”

His mind snapped back to attention due to her introduction that turned his insides upside down. He instinctively closed his jaw and as he unraveled her words, a flame ignited inside his eyes.

When she casually extended her hand, a wild laughter burst out from Kwon Chae-woo.

She wasn’t the shy and easily startled woman she used to be. When it came to trees, she was assertive and strict.

As her emotionless face suddenly appeared, an indescribable hunger surged through him, as if hitting rock bottom.

Kwon Chae-woo wanted to crush the small, delicate hand that was being extended towards him. His esophagus felt like it was burning, even though he hadn’t taken a puff of a cigarette. He clenched his fist and firmly grasped her hand.

“No, not that.”

“What?”

“My hat.”

“…”

“Please give me my hat.”

Lee-yeon, who slipped out of his grasp with a slight wriggle, once again toyed with her palm.

“It’s something I treasure.”

In response, Kwon Chae-woo tightly crumpled the hat he was holding. Lee-yeon jumped and slapped his hand, then forcefully yanked the flattened, limp hat from his grip.

She lowered her head, gently tucking the recovered straw hat under her arm. Her determined steps and resolute posture, turning away without hesitation, made Kwon Chae-woo look pitifully feeble.

“…”

Lee-yeon, it’s me. I’m back. I am your Chae-woo.Those pitiful words were threatening to burst forth. I remember everything. Why can’t you recognize me? The man’s eyes grew cold.

However, as he stood still, Lee-yeon grew increasingly distant.

There were numerous reasons why he should stop here, why he must stop, but Kwon Chae-woo swiftly caught up with the distance that had opened. He forcefully turned Lee-yeon around.

“…Where are you going?”

Lee-yeon grimaced lightly, her shoulder in pain from being held.

“Why are you so insistent on finding somewhere to go?”

“I moved in today and I’m preparing to work.”

“Stop it. Just stop.”

Kwon Chae-woo impatiently wiped his face.

“This is my house, and I have no desire to see you wandering around aimlessly every day.”

In an instant, Lee Yeon’s eyes turned strangely sharp as she boldly confronted him.

“Who do you think you are!”

“…!”

“You’re younger than me, you little…!”

Lee Yeon quickly ran away, then abruptly stopped in surprise, walked slowly for a moment, and then engaged in a strange sprint, rapidly distancing herself.

Kwon Chae-woo felt a throbbing sensation on his cheek, leaving him numb. It wasn’t an apparition, but it seemed as if he had been possessed by a ghost.