Chapter 31
‘Why make someone surprised like that…’
Is this a confession, by any chance? Isn’t it too fast?
Of course, Mr. Taehan is tall, has a masculine face, and has a smile that couldn’t be softer, and his body is well-proportioned enough to be a model, but… still…
I was thinking about all those things for 3 seconds, but it was just my misunderstanding. I suddenly feel disappointed.
Yoo Se-ah pouted slightly and put down the teacup she was holding.
‘…But what do I want to do in the first place?’
The way he blocked the speeding car and reached out his hand with a calm smile that day.
It’s a sight that comes to mind several times before falling asleep these days.
At first, I thought it was gratitude for my benefactor.
But… now I don’t know.
Not only did I want to repay him, but I also wanted to meet him more and get to know him.
‘…I see. I was meeting him because I liked him.’
Apart from liking him, I feel comfortable when I’m with Kang Taehan.
Last year, a drama in which Yoo Se-ah played a significant role became a big hit, and she quickly established herself as a famous actress.
She was definitely in a situation where she was worried about her monthly rent until last month, but suddenly all kinds of interview and broadcast appearance offers flooded in.
As luck would have it, the works she appeared in after that were also hit after hit.
Thanks to this, her recognition and income went up, but…
She was rather bewildered by the changes around her.
The company’s attitude, which had almost neglected her, changed, and her manager also changed.
The way people around her treated her changed completely.
At the broadcasting station, on the filming set…
Even the friends who had endured the unknown life with her.
The name of actress Yoo Se-ah, in a short period of less than a few months, devoured the life she had lived so far.
Of course, that’s a process that any celebrity would go through, and someone might say it’s a complaint from someone who has too much.
But… it’s also true that a loneliness that couldn’t be filled settled in a corner of her heart.
But while she was with Kang Taehan, something was different.
I don’t know if this expression is correct, but…
That loneliness is gradually disappearing, and instead, something warm and tingling is filling that empty space.
Is it because he didn’t recognize actress Yoo Se-ah at first, or is it because of the strange atmosphere that I can’t understand?
Either way, I want to get to know Kang Taehan a little more now.
That was her true intention.
‘Wait, then what is this situation…’
While she was organizing her thoughts, a look of embarrassment flashed across Yoo Se-ah’s face.
Kang Taehan and she are just meeting and eating, drinking tea without any justification.
Then wouldn’t this already be called a date!
It was true that she felt comfortable with Kang Taehan and wanted to know more about him, but Yoo Se-ah wondered if it was okay to progress this fast.
“Why?”
“Oh, it’s nothing.”
The moment she made eye contact with Kang Taehan, Yoo Se-ah pretended to be calm.
Unaware that her ears were already red.
“Um… ahem. Mr. Taehan.”
“Yes?”
“Then would you like to go see a musical with me tomorrow? I received two tickets from an acquaintance, and I don’t have anyone to go with.”
Of course it was a lie, but she thought that if she wanted to get it, she could get it somehow.
“Musical?”
“Yes. And… since you said you’d buy me dinner earlier, it would be perfect if you bought me dinner after watching the musical.”
A natural after-date suggestion that fits perfectly!
Yoo Se-ah was proud of herself.
Looking at the lines she just said, who would think she’s a woman who has never been in a relationship?
It was as if she was a dating expert, no, a dating master who had gone through all sorts of hardships.
“I can’t tomorrow.”
However, Kang Taehan’s answer was a clean refusal.
A look of embarrassment appeared on Yoo Se-ah’s face, who was making a seductive expression that didn’t suit her.
“Wh, why!”
You said you liked meeting me!
They say men are liars, is this what they mean?
“Tomorrow is your day off!”
Yoo Se-ah didn’t miss the fact that he had said in passing that he had Wednesdays and Thursdays off.
She asked in a voice as bewildered as she was.
“I already have an appointment.”
“…An appointment?”
Kang Taehan smiled lightly.
“Yes. I’m going to play golf with my father.”
“…Aha.”
You have to keep your appointments with your parents.
Yoo Se-ah quickly regained her composure at the word “father” and sat up straight again.
She naturally changed the subject to hide her awkwardness.
“By the way, Mr. Taehan, do you know how to play golf?”
“No. It’s my first time. My father is also a beginner, so we’re going to learn together this time.”
“Oh. You seem to be close to your father.”
After finishing her words, Yoo Se-ah poured her fourth cup of tea.
At that moment, a good idea flashed through her mind.
‘I’ve been feeling like I’m being swayed by Mr. Taehan…’
What if she could teach Mr. Taehan how to play golf?
She can be on the offensive for the first time!
It would be a very good idea if it could be done.
However, there was one minor problem.
‘I wish I had learned how to play golf…’
A situation where she had a plan but no ability to execute it.
She had been to a golf course because of filming, but she had never actually played golf, so Yoo Se-ah was disappointed.
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“Wow! Student Taehan! It’s been a long time!”
A golf driving range located on the outskirts of Daejeon.
As he entered the office, a familiar face rose from his seat with a bright smile.
It was Jo Wonho, whom he had met on Gyeryongsan.
“It’s been a while, President Jo.”
Kang Taehan, who had briefly thought about how to address him, naturally added the word “President.”
Jo Wonho smiled and patted him on the shoulder.
“Why are you being so stiff and calling me President? Just…”
Hyung, Ajusshi, Mr. Wonho… Several titles came to mind, but none of them fit.
Jo Wonho made an awkward expression.
“President is the most appropriate.”
“I guess so, right?”
The two burst into awkward laughter.
Kang Taehan glanced around and placed the paper bag he was holding on the table.
Jo Wonho waved his hand, disgusted.
“Oh, come on! Why did you bring this?”
“I can’t come empty-handed.”
“You don’t have to… But what is this?”
He didn’t expect a gift. He was sincere.
However, it is human nature to be curious when you receive one.
Jo Wonho, who had already taken out a rather large glass bottle from the paper bag, asked Kang Taehan.
“It seems to contain some herbs… Is it alcohol?”
“It’s not alcohol, it’s bellflower root honey. It tastes quite sweet and… it’s very good for fatigue recovery and energy replenishment.”
“…Really?”
Energy for a man doesn’t just mean physical strength.
When Kang Taehan lightly raised his thumb, both corners of Jo Wonho’s mouth went up.
“Hehe, thank you. But how do I eat this?”
“It’s nothing special. Just dissolve it in hot water like honey water. You can eat the bellflower root as it is… Shall I make you a cup as a demonstration?”
“Oh, no, the guest shouldn’t do that. Just sit down. I’ll… Oh, welcome!”
At that moment, one more person entered the office.
A middle-aged man with gray hair.
It was his father, Kang Hoyeon, who had parked the car. While Kang Taehan greeted him first, Kang Hoyeon said,
“Nice to meet you. My name is Jo Wonho.”
“My name is Kang Hoyeon. I don’t know if this is rude or not. My son kept insisting on coming even though I said it was okay.”
“Oh, no! It’s okay. I was the one who asked you to come play golf in the first place. I would have been disappointed if you hadn’t come. Hahaha.”
Why don’t you sit here and talk?
Jo Wonho said, pointing to the chair across from him.
He was used to dealing with people and was good at naturally leading the conversation.
“But how did you end up with my son…”
“I don’t know if you’ve heard, but student Taehan is an outstanding friend. He saved my friend’s life. On that rough hill in Gyeryongsan, he just, like this, threw himself…”
“Huh, really?”
Thanks to Jo Wonho, the conversation flowed smoothly between the two.
Kang Taehan, who was watching from the side, quietly got up from his seat.
‘Where’s the electric kettle?’
It seems like his father is enjoying the conversation.
Then, instead of joining the conversation, he decided to make bellflower root tea and bring it out, as he had said he would demonstrate.
As mentioned earlier, making tea was not that difficult.
Just like making citron tea, just add bellflower root honey to hot water and stir.
Three cups of bellflower root tea were made in an instant.
Kang Taehan put the mugs on a tray and went back to his seat.
“Oh, I forgot to bring out the tea.”
“It’s okay.”
“Oh… Then I’ll drink it gratefully.”
Jo Wonho picked up a mug with a smile.
For a moment, an interesting expression crossed his face.
The sweet and bitter aroma that spread subtly hit his taste buds.
“…Oh.”
The moment he took a sip carefully so as not to burn his lips.
A small exclamation came out of his mouth.
Most herbal teas are terribly bitter, even though they are good for health, or even if they contain honey, the sweetness and bitterness often clash.
But this was a little different.
It’s like the honey has properly absorbed the essence of the bellflower root.
The two flavors blended well, creating a harmonious taste that was both sweet and deep.
“Wow, this is great! Did you make this, hyungnim?”
The age difference between Kang Hoyeon and Jo Wonho is quite large.
Jo Wonho, who had already exchanged names and changed his title to hyungnim.
Meanwhile, Kang Hoyeon also had an expression that seemed to be impressed by the taste of the tea.
“No. I think Taehan made it.”
“Wow… You have a great son, hyungnim. To be honest, when my father called and said he wanted to play golf, I was touched. There aren’t many kids like that these days.”
“…I do have a good son. He grew up well.”
The conversation naturally flowed into praising his son.
Kang Taehan listened quietly to their conversation and then spoke softly.
“…Aren’t you going to play golf?”
Kang Taehan was embarrassed to be listening to his own praises so blatantly.
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To be honest, when Kang Taehan contacted Jo Wonho, he didn’t have high expectations.
Even if they knew each other, they only met once on the mountain, and even if he had saved his friend, there are plenty of people who would just say thank you and end the relationship even if he had saved them, not their friend.
‘But this is beyond my expectations…’
Kang Taehan looked at his father swinging a golf club next to him.
Next to him, Jo Wonho was clapping.
“Ah, hyungnim! Every time you swing, I can see your skills improving. You have some talent, don’t you?”
“I, is that so? Hahaha.”
“Try using the 7 iron for now, and once you get the hang of it, try swinging the wood.”
The golf club president is completely attached and giving 1:1 lessons.
No, it feels more like a friend who came to play together than an instructor.
Kang Taehan couldn’t help but admire Jo Wonho’s crazy friendliness, even though he had vaguely guessed it when he saw him on the mountain.
‘Thank you so much.’
When Kang Taehan first contacted him, Jo Wonho readily agreed and told him to go to the driving range when learning for the first time, giving him the address of this place.
He was already grateful for this, but he even came to the driving range with them and is kindly teaching his father from beginning to end.
However, it seemed that Jo Wonho himself was enjoying this a little.
After all, it’s fun to teach beginners and watch them.
“I’m glad you’re having fun.”
His father also seems to be enjoying it very much.
Golf is golf, but it’s even more exciting to have someone to talk to while exercising.
Meanwhile, Kang Taehan put down his golf club and sat on a bench.
Of course he still has strength left…
After hitting the ball a few times, he had already grasped the techniques and fundamental principles of this sport called golf.
It’s probably very different from the golf techniques he would learn formally…
The functional part of hitting the ball to the desired point is already possible as it is.
‘But it’s also strange for a guy who’s here for the first time to be too good.’
If he starts hitting the ball well from the beginning, Jo Wonho will probably make a fuss and admire him.
He could clearly picture it.
But is there any need to draw attention like that?
Kang Taehan’s honest feeling was that he wanted his father to be the main character today.
Because it was his father, not himself, who wanted to play golf.
‘The goal has already been achieved.’
His father’s expression as he swung the golf club looked noticeably brighter.
How long has it been since his father had a hobby besides cooking?
A happy smile appeared on Kang Taehan’s lips as he watched him.
