A child who looks like me

Jin-seo took great care of Jung-oh and Ye-na, who were both shocked by the earlier incident.

Somehow, Jung-oh ended up getting a ride in Jin-seo’s car to Guksun Baekban.

“Thank you for bringing us here. Since you’ve come all this way, why don’t you join us for dinner?”

“Oh, really? Thank you.”

Jin-seo cheerfully accepted Jung-oh’s invitation.

Ye-na was the first to open the restaurant door.

“Grandma!”

“Oh my, my puppy!”

Guksun opened her arms wide to embrace her granddaughter.

Her face was filled with joy, and tears were welling up in her eyes. After receiving Jung-oh’s message, Guksun had been anxiously worried.

“Did my puppy get hurt at all?”

“No!”

“Thank goodness we found you so quickly. What would we have done if we lost this beautiful girl…”

Guksun rubbed her cheek against Ye-na’s.

“Mom, this is Do-bin’s mother, a friend from Ye-na’s academy. She helped us find Ye-na today.”

“Hello, ma’am.”

As Guksun was hugging Ye-na, she stood up upon Jung-oh’s introduction.

“Oh! Thank you. Thank you so much.”

Guksun took Jin-seo’s hands in both of hers, shaking them while bowing her head again, causing Jin-seo to feel a bit flustered and bow her head as well.

“Our Ye-na mentioned Do-bin. It’s so nice to see you!”

“What did Ye-na say about Do-bin?”

Do-bin chimed in during Guksun’s greeting.

“So you’re Do-bin?”

Guksun looked at Do-bin adorably and patted his head.

“Do-bin said you’re his friend.”

A smile blossomed on Do-bin’s face. He was pleased to learn that the usually aloof and indifferent Ye-na referred to him as a friend, no matter how he expressed himself.

Soon, a hearty dinner was served.

Guksun pushed two tables together and brought out various side dishes.

“Let’s eat deliciously. Thank you.”

“I hope it suits the kids’ tastes.”

It was a good opportunity for Do-bin to score points with Ye-na’s grandmother. He took a big spoonful of rice, something he would never do at home.

Jin-seo watched Do-bin with a warm smile and said to Guksun,

“My mother ran a business nearby as well. She did it for a long time.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Do you know the Jin-seo Flower Shop? It was located straight down the market intersection six years ago.”

“I know, I know! You were the daughter of that shop? Now that you mention it, I think I’ve seen you before!”

“I feel the same way. From the moment I stepped into the restaurant, I felt like I knew you well.”

“How is your mother?”

“She’s well. She’s currently wrapping up her work and has gone to the countryside to farm with my dad.”

“I see. Back then, you two were such a sweet couple. Ah, what a coincidence, what a coincidence. It’s nice to meet you. Your son and daughter look so bright.”

While the two women continued their conversation, Jung-oh was deep in thought.

Should I tell the police? Would they believe me if I did?

She couldn’t dismiss the note found in Ye-na’s kindergarten bag as mere coincidence. However, it felt too hasty to ask for police help, adding weight to her suspicions.

If she explained the note, it could reveal her connection to Jung Ji-heon, potentially putting Ye-na in danger.

In any case, the police had said they would track down the suspicious woman who had taken Ye-na, so for now, she had to trust them and wait.

‘That note and the Seonhyun Group logo could just be a joke or coincidence. It’s entirely possible.’

Also, the note wasn’t a threat; it was simply a statement of fact, so there was no need to be scared.

Let’s not be tense and think calmly about the future.

Jung-oh quietly reassured herself.

Jin-seo was respectful towards Guksun and warm to Jung-oh.

She didn’t even ask Jung-oh what Ye-na’s father did for a living. That alone made Jung-oh think of Jin-seo as a good person.

“I wanted to implement systematic parenting, but it hasn’t gone as planned. I’ve read a lot of books and watched many parenting shows. I’ve gathered a lot of information in my head, but applying it in real life is a different story. During those times, I feel really helpless.”

While watching the children play, Jin-seo opened up about her current worries.

“Do you work right now?”

“Yes.”

“That’s impressive. Really.”

“…”

“The academy teacher praises Ye-na so much. You work so well and raise such smart kids. You’re amazing.”

I’m just doing what I like. Raising two kids seems much harder. Jin-seo’s compliments made Jung-oh feel a bit awkward.

“But I wouldn’t know what to do if something like today happens again. I ran out of the company when I heard that my child was missing.”

“Of course. That’s understandable. So, Ye-na’s mother…”

As if it were a lengthy conversation, Jin-seo lowered her voice for a moment.

“What if I pick her up after the academy? No, I could even pick up Ye-na along with Do-bin after his kindergarten. The Kkokkoori Kindergarten and the Sonamu Kindergarten are close by, right?”

“Ah…”

“Then they can play at my place until you finish at the restaurant, and I’ll drop them off after.”

“…”

“I’ll feed them and take pictures to send you in between. Actually, I used to be a nutritionist. I’m confident I can provide balanced nutrition for the kids.”

When Jung-oh hesitated again, Jin-seo’s expression darkened.

“I’m not asking for anything in return. …The truth is, Do-bin likes Ye-na. Whenever Ye-na is mentioned, he becomes more mature. I just want them to spend time together, reading and playing. I feel bad for being so transparent, but I think Do-bin can learn a lot from being around Ye-na…”

Jin-seo sincerely shared her feelings.

“I understand that after what happened today, it’s hard to trust people right away. Especially since she’s a daughter and not a son…”

“No. It’s not like that. Ye-na mentioned Do-bin too. I trust you. It’s not that I don’t believe you; I just worry that it might be hard for you…”

“No, it’s not hard at all.”

As Jung-oh expressed her concern for Jin-seo, she waved her hands frantically.

“Then how about this? Just try it for a day as I asked. Just one day.”

Her eyes sparkled again. There was something heart-wrenchingly earnest about her friendly voice.

“I’ll make sure they don’t fight and I’ll do my best to ensure Ye-na doesn’t feel left out.”

Jung-oh felt a tightness in her chest.

How wonderful to ask for help in taking care of a child.

Could there be anyone more grateful than this?

***

The next morning.

It was a morning that could not be taken lightly.

Given that such a big incident happened yesterday, today, the daycare teacher and the Go academy instructor would likely pay a bit more attention, but there was still no room for complacency.

As Jeong-oh prepared for Ye-na’s daycare, she reminded her several times.

“Ye-na, you can’t talk to just anyone, okay?”

“Okay!”

Ye-na’s response was confident. Still, her mother couldn’t easily relax.

“Even if someone offers you something delicious, you shouldn’t go with them, alright?”

“Okay!”

“If you don’t like something, you have to say you don’t like it. Can you do that?”

“Okay!”

“Are you going to say you understand and then not listen again?”

“Okay! No, no!”

Her mechanical replies confirmed her mother’s concerns.

“Ye-na, if a stranger comes up to you saying they hurt their arm and need help with their stuff, what will you do?”

“I’ll help them!”

It was clear that asking children to be cautious was an uphill battle. If an adult with bad intentions lured a child using all kinds of tricks, the child would be helpless.

Adults are not free from the world’s temptations, so how much more would innocent children be vulnerable? There was nothing to do but protect them well.

Amidst her worries, Ye-na, having sweet-talked her grandmother into getting an ice cube, bit down on it near Jeong-oh’s ear.

“What are you doing, Ye-na?”

“ASMR.”

It was a sound she only shared with people she liked.

Jeong-oh pulled Ye-na closer and sat her down to give her a serious talk.

“Ye-na, it’s wrong for an adult to ask a child for help. You don’t have to help strangers, alright?”

“Okay!”

“Do you understand what Mom is saying?”

“Okay!”

After being so startled yesterday, her daughter was remarkably brave today.

She wanted to protect that innocent cheerfulness. That was Jeong-oh’s true feeling.

.*. *. *. *. *. *.

Since she had unexpectedly left work early yesterday, Jeong-oh had to work even harder today.

Arriving at work early, Jeong-oh set down her things and, on her way to the restroom, noticed Ji-heon’s secretary.

The secretary greeted Jeong-oh first.

“Good morning, Assistant Manager.”

“Hello, Aera.”

“Have you seen the Director?”

“Pardon?”

“I left a note. Didn’t you see it?”

“Oh… I didn’t see it. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. Director Jeong Ji-heon has been looking for you since yesterday. You should go see him now. He’s in his office.”

“Okay, thank you.”

After exchanging pleasantries with the secretary, Jeong-oh suddenly realized she had completely forgotten about Ji-heon.

She had pushed aside her thoughts of him yesterday, preoccupied with worries about Ye-na.

Although her concerns for Ye-na were ultimately connected to Ji-heon, she hadn’t allowed herself to be confused by the meaning behind his every action.

She had even forgotten that he was waiting for her in his office.

‘If he waited a long time, he might be upset.’

It was unfortunate, and while she couldn’t make an expression like a guilty sinner, she felt a pang of regret.

Jeong-oh headed straight to Ji-heon’s office.

Knocking softly, she waited for a response, but there was no sound from inside. Reluctantly, she stepped inside.

“Um…”

Trying to appear cautious, she quietly called out, but then immediately closed her mouth.

Ji-heon was asleep. In fact, he was sprawled out on the sofa.

Jeong-oh hesitated, wondering if she should quietly leave, but then she paused and carefully stepped closer.

Did he have a lot of work? Was he really tired?

She had thought he had changed completely, but his sleeping form remained the same.

Thick eyebrows, a sharp nose without any curve, a distinct philtrum, and a well-defined mouth.

Above all, without his sharply critical words and piercing gaze, he didn’t seem cold. She even felt a pang of sympathy.

A person who didn’t even know what he had lost, someone very pitiable.

Thinking of her beautifully grown Ye-na, she felt even sorrier for him for not being able to witness those years.

‘Can I show our Ye-na to you?’

You’ve changed so much, haven’t you?

You’re trying to live a new life now, right?

You’re about to get married to your girlfriend, aren’t you?

Thinking of the faintest risk made her want to completely shut her heart, but she couldn’t.

She had to be sure who was threatening her daughter.

‘Is your mother behind you?’

What does your mother know? Does she know about Ye-na too?

Can your aides be trusted?

She needed to dig deeper into this man’s associates.

And about him as well…

Seeing his gently closed eyes made her heart soften again. The temptation to poke around stirred inside her.

But he was no longer someone she could mess with.

She couldn’t break his life for her own desires.

Still, she wanted him to meet Ye-na.

“Jeong Ji-heon. I don’t know how our lives will unfold, but wait. Just wait a little longer.”

Until I find out who the culprit is.

First, I need to understand his surroundings and ensure Ye-na’s safety.

Everything comes after that.

“One day, I will definitely make you meet our Ye-na.”

Although she had made a firm resolution, her already softened heart turned liquid. A single tear fell onto his face. Jeong-oh was startled and hurriedly wiped the tear away with the back of her hand.

“Don’t cry. Lee Jeong-oh.

No one can wipe your tears away.

You have to solve this yourself.”

With a solemn determination, Jeong-oh turned around.

But then…

“Where are you going?”

His heavy voice grabbed Jeong-oh’s ankle like a shackle.

“Where are you going after all this?”

He was awake.