After having tea, each of them went back home. Though Taeho Min and Duyong Jang wanted to discuss their research seriously, Mrs. Kong dragged Taeho by the hand out the door.

“Let’s take a walk together. I want to see outside. As we have moved to the countryside, let’s have a walk sometimes,” she said.

“Sounds good,” he replied.

With a lingering attachment, he followed her outside. Suji went with them, as expected.

“This is the kind of life that I have been dreaming about.”

With a hearty laugh, he laughed, “Hahaha. This is not a big deal.”

“Well, a woman’s dream is not that great, believe it or not. Reading books, basking in the sun after housework, and taking a walk with the family is all a woman wants. Of course, there are others who do want much more than that,” said Mrs. Kong.

Suji felt happy. She was happy that her family could take a walk together like this, but what pleased her all the more was her mother’s smile.

“Daddy, you didn’t forget your promise to take a family trip, did you?” asked Suji.

“Of course not. Now that you mention it, how about traveling this week? Don’t you think traveling these days is much better than during the summer when it’s crowded?”

“I would love any place or any time you prefer,” said Mrs. Kong.

“Me too. Any time when you can take time off,” seconded Suji.

Taeho quickly arranged a family trip on the spot. As they had not taken a family trip in a long time, he planned four nights and five days’ trip.

“Okay, then. Let’s leave this coming Thursday afternoon and arrive at the destination next Monday evening. In that case, you can take vacation leave on Friday and Monday, Suji. Where did you have in mind?”

Mrs. Kong and Suji didn’t care about that at all. What really mattered to them was not the place, but how much personal time Taeho would share with his family.

“You don’t have to overdo yourself, honey. Why don’t we visit your hometown over the weekend? I’d like to see the sea around Anmyon Island,” said Mr. Kong.

Taeho’s hometown is Seosan in the south Chungchong province where Anmyon is located.

“Good idea! Then, let’s start on Friday and arrive there on Sunday.”

“Sure. Let me make the travel schedule,” said Suji spiritedly.

Thursday evening, Suji drew up her family trip schedule. According to her plan, they were supposed to stay at Taesho’s home in Anmyon Island the first day and stay at a local inn there on the second day.

It seemed as if it was a great travel plan.

Suji received a call from Hyunwoo when she was done with drawing up the trip plan.

“What’s up, Hyunwoo?”

“What are you doing this weekend? Shall we travel to the port of Sorae for sashimi?”

Her ears immediately got tempted the moment she heard it. Though it was precious for her to have a family trip, she felt it much more precious to date with Hyunwoo, but she could not accept it immediately as a woman.

“Why are you suddenly planning to travel to Sorae?”

“Well, I want to have a date with you, of course. Actually, I reserved this coming Saturday for a date with you. Why don’t we go shopping and watch a movie?”

She was all smiles from ear to ear. She had nothing like a family trip in her mind.

“Alright. Let me give it a thought.”

After the call, she went down to the living room downstairs, where her parents were watching TV side by side.

Walking down the stairs, she said, “Have a great trip this weekend!”

“Why? Are you not joining us?”

Both of them opened their eyes wider at her unexpected remark.

“Come to think of it, I know you haven’t had a trip together in a long time. Let me join you next time.”

“Come on, Suji!” said Mrs. Kong, trying to dissuade her, but Suji was already adamant about her decision.

“In fact, I have got a very important appointment. As I have drawn the plan for you, you can just go ahead with your travel.”

“Well, if you have an important plan, there is nothing I can do, Suji,” said Mrs. Kong.

They stopped persuading her anymore.

On Saturday, Hyunwoo drove a mid-size sedan downtown to pick up Suji. Actually, he rented it for the date.

Strange enough Suji told him to keep their date secret with an additional note that they should meet at a place downtown rather than leaving from their adjacent houses.

Hyunwoo arrived at the appointed place in advance, which was only two kilometers away from their houses.

A little later, Suji arrived and quickly got into his sedan.

Today of all days, she was dressed up in colorful clothes as if she was determined to show off.

Hyunwoo got carried away in her charm from the moment she got out of the taxi and got into his car.

At that moment, he conjured up the image of Yu Zuung. In particular, he remembered what she had said while they were driving to Incheon International Airport; it kept ringing in his ears.

You’re not married yet.

They say you never know the relationship between a man and a woman until they enter the wedding place.

Who knows you will have become my sweetheart by next spring?

Hyunwoo felt Yu Zuung’s stunning beauty put Suji’s appearance in the shade more and more, but at the same time, he felt more and more that Suji was lovely.

Though Yu Zuung was more beautiful than Suji, he found himself drawn to Suji. He wanted to defend Suji strongly with the logic that looks weren’t everything to him.

Rather he wanted to shout to the world at the top of his voice that Suji was more beautiful than any other woman. Though Yu Zuung made him feel a moment of excitement and thrill, there was a sort of relaxation and pleasure he could find only with Suji.

Though he didn’t like Suji’s occasional tantrums, he now felt even that was lovable.

As time went by, he would gradually get accustomed to Yu Zuung’s beauty. By then, her shortcomings that he had failed to notice would come out, which would certainly make Suji more lovely and attractive to him.

Yea, looks aren’t everything. Even now, Suji is so beautiful to me.

When he was looking at her, thinking like that, Suji gently tapped him on the shoulder.

“Hyunwoo, what are you thinking?”

“Uh? No, no.”

Coming to his senses suddenly, Hyunwoo uttered. And he asked her what he really wanted to ask since a while ago.

“By the way, it seems like your parents don’t want us to date, right? Is that the reason why you’re meeting me secretly like this?”

Suji explained to him the situation, “In fact, my family was supposed to go on a trip today, but I excused myself, citing an important appointment with someone. How much regret would they feel if they knew I was not joining them for a date with someone?”

“Oh, I see. When are your parents setting out on the trip?”

“Yesterday. They’re going to come back tomorrow. You have to keep it to yourself, okay? You didn’t tell your parents you’re going on a date with me today, right?”

“No,” said Hyunwoo, shaking his head.

And at the same time, his eyes twinkled because he knew that her house was vacant tonight.

She would be sleeping alone in that large house tonight. She did yesterday, and would probably tonight.

For some reason, Hyunwoo felt a bit strange.

“Weren’t you scared last night when you slept alone?”

“Just a little bit. So, I slept with the light turned on the whole night. Hohoho.”

Hyunwoo’s heart pounded suddenly. He held back talking to her, Can I stay with you through the night?

Obviously, she felt something weird about his behavior at that moment.

“Hyunwoo, I guess you must have lustful thoughts about me, right?” she asked, leering at him.

Instantly, Hyunwoo wanted to reply in the negative, but he felt such thoughts were far from abnormal.

“You must be a ghost! How did you find it out?” said Hyunwoo jokingly.

“Oh, my god! Anyway, all men are like wolves.”

“Well, a wolf is like a guard that protects a woman from a fox. If you need a guard, let me know anytime.”

“No, thanks. Let’s get started quickly!”

Hyunwoo gave her a broad smile, suggesting that he just cracked a joke. Deep inside, however, he started having lascivious thoughts about her.

Yea, today is the golden chance to make her mine. She might want it very much, too.

Hyunwoo didn’t want to miss the chance. He wanted to keep her as long as he could.

The more he thought about it, the more he felt confident with redoubled courage.

Yes, let me make a historic night with her.

They had sashimi at a restaurant in Sorae, took a walk together, and went shopping in a cheerful mood. Come to think of it, he had not bought her a gift yet, so he wanted to buy her a terrific gift this time.

“I feel so good tonight. Let me buy you anything you want today.”

“Really? Can I buy something expensive one?”

“Of course. I don’t take back what I have promised.”

“Wow! What a lark!”

Suji began to look at the items here and there, thinking hard about which one to buy, but her choice was a bit disappointing to Hyunwoo. Though he wanted to give her an expensive gift, she just looked around cheap women’s clothing shop.

Of course, a full dress there was around 200,000 won, but it was way below what Hyunwoo expected.

Hyunwoo dragged her by the hand, saying, “Suji, let’s move to an expensive clothing store. I really want to buy you a great gift today.”

“Oh, no! I don’t like expensive stuff anyway. I just like things like this,” she said, dissuading him.

The more she insisted, he felt she was all the more attractive.

He was glad to know that she didn’t like name-brand products and that she was considerate enough not to give him any financial burden.