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nSuji was fully dressed in hiking clothes, wearing hiking boots and an alpine cap. It looked as if she was determined to climb with him the moment she left home.

nBut Hyunwoo shook his head, “I trek along the unbeaten path in the mountain, so it will be hard for you to follow me. And you should take care of your mother out here.”

n“Well, I see there are no dangerous routes here, and I’m very good at climbing. Actually I’ve climbed all the famous mountains across the country,” replied Suji.

nNonetheless, he didn’t allow her to come with him. Of course, she might be a great mountaineer, but the problem was there were only two of them in the mountain. The old men as well as his parents kew well which mountain path Hyunwoo is going to take. How would they think of them if Hyunwoo climbed the mountain with such a beautiful woman? If they were a couple known, it wouldn’t matter. Otherwise, it would invite misunderstanding.

nGrinning at her, Hyunwoo whispered to her in a low voice, “If you’re going to marry me, follow me. If you’re not, don’t. I don’t want to be misunderstood.”

nOnly then did Suji’s expression turn into one of understanding. Her blush suggested that she was imagining both of them staying in the mountain.

nLeaving her behind like that, Hyunwoo began climbing the mountain. This time he found a wild ginseng with four stems. Although it was still sunny, with Chusok holiday around the corner, Hyunwoo felt the wind was chilly and even more so on the mountain.

nThough such a chilly wind didn’t matter to Hyunwoo, the old men as well as Hyunwoo’s parents and Suji’s mother might catch a cold if exposed to cold wind, which might lead to a serious illness.

nHyunwoo came down from the mountain earlier than usual that day.

nHe could hear loud laughter bursting from the seniors there. When he approached, Mrs. Kong didn’t feel awkward any more and mingled well with them. Suji alone was having a hard time, running little errands for them.

nWhen Hyunwoo joined them, the old men felt it regrettable he came back early.

n“Why did you come down so early today?”

n“It’s only 4pm.”

n“Well, the wind is chilly, You might catch a cold,” replied Hyunwoo.

nHyunwoo quickly cleaned the place and headed home. By the time they arrived at Hyunwoo’s house, it was getting dark.

nToday, Hyunwoo hosted them for dinner at his house. He had to chance to treat them when he was living in an apartment, but since he moved to the country house, he brought them to his house for dinner often.

nContrary to their expectation, Suji’s mother displayed diligence though she was physically uncomfortable. Suji followed her with an uneasy look. Hyunwoo’s mother and Hyunwoo continuously tried to dissuade her from doing so, but she insisted.

nSuji let out a sigh at that, but Hyunwoo came to her and lightly tapped her shoulder with his slyly, saying, “Why are you sighing like that?”

nSuji smiled at him briefly and then pouted her lips, “Because of mom. She is so stubborn like that.”

n“Well, I think she is better than a weak-willed person. And come to think of it, she seems to enjoy doing that.”

n“You’re right. Before she was sick, she did lots of voluntary activities.”

n“Oh, did she? Great.”

n“She is now physically uncomfortable as you see,” said Suji with a sigh again.

n“I think it’s better for the mind to be at ease than the body. Don’t make your mom uncomfortable by sighing like that. Try massaging her legs in the evening in appreciation of what she did today and your mother will be doubly happy.”

n“Do you think so? Hohoho,” said Suji with a bright smile this time.

nAs soon as they had dinner, Hyunwoo’s mother wrapped the leftovers in foil and handed some to everyone including Suji’s mother. Watching her generously wrapping them, Hyunmin, her helper, seemed to be nervous, but she grinned at him and said, “We’re using old ingredients anyway. We can use new ingredients by emptying the old ones now.”

nHyunwoo gave the seniors as well as Suji and her mother a ride back home and tomorrow’s schedule.

n“Tomorrow, we’re going to an alternative school instead of a picnic. As we leave at 10 am tomorrow, please wait for me in advance if you want to join.”

nThen, Suji’s mother cautiously asked, “Which alternative school are you talking about?”

n“It’s called the School of Dream. It’s near Dongansan University. They’re going to have an exhibition at the campus.”

n“Oh my god…”

n“Really?”

nHyunwoo’s mention of Dongansan University surprised Suji and her mother at the moment.

n“Why’re you so much surprised?”

n“Not really. My husband works there.”

n“Oh, that’s good. If he doesn’t have any appointments, he might come out to see the exhibition.”

nWhen Hyunwoo noticed the embarrassed expression on their faces, and he felt there might be some hidden story behind them.

nHyunwoo quickly changed the topic, saying, “If he is busy, he doesn’t have to come, of course. Give me a call tomorrow morning, Suji.”

n“Got it.”

nHyunwoo dropped Suji and her mother off in front of their apartment last.

nSuji’s mother expressed thanks to Hyunwoo continuously, “Thanks so much for today.”

n“You’re very welcome. If you want to go to an outing like this, please go ahead and call. Looks like the old men like you very much.”

n“Hoho. Thanks.”

nHyunwoo drove the minivan back home.

n“Hyunwoo seems to have a very warm character.”

n“You bet. He’s pretty well-known as a fine person at the company,” said Suji.

nSomehow Suji felt good as if she was praised when someone praised him like that, and her mother seemed to have noticed it, too, but that made her feel uneasy for fear Suji might love him.

nAt last, she said, “You should know this, Suji. A man is not necessarily a good candidate as your bridegroom just because he is kind-hearted. In my mind, he might be a good person but as your bridegroom, Sangho Oh seems to be a better fit.”

n“Oh my god. I’m not interested in either of them,” said Suji, grumbling.

nSuji wanted to show her Hyunwoo’s true character, namely his good character and competence.

nSuddenly, it came to her mind that she was thinking about something strange.

nWhy am I so anxious to show her Hyunwoo’s true character?

nCome to think of it, she felt unusually good whenever Hyunwoo was praised and felt bad when someone appraised him badly. She felt she must have some special feelings toward him.

nSmiling to herself, she thought, I think I haven’t dated anyone for too long.

nWatching her daughter quietly, she felt that Suji was thinking about Hyunwoo. Though Suji said she was not interested in him, obviously she was.

nI think I have find out more about Hyunwoo, Suji’s mother thought to herself.

nSuddenly, she recalled the card Sangho gave her. She also gave her card to him.

nThey all work at the same office, according to Sangho. Let me call him to find more about Hyunwoo then.

n“Mom, what are you thinking about?” asked Suji.

n“Uh? Nothing. What did you ask?”

n“Are you going to the alternative school tomorrow?”

n“Oh, alternative school? Sure, I’ll. Hohoho,” replied she, who seemed happy, just looking at her daughter’s face.

n***

n“Please don’t tickle me like that!”

nA bar hostess started whining, twisting around.

nSangho liked that kind of charming whining, and he liked the hostess’s appearance.

nShe said she was a college student, but looked like a high school girl, and her body was lean but plump enough to attract Sangho. Above all, she acted charming with lots of smiles. Sometimes, she put out an air of ingenuous beauty, which Sangho liked. Minhye was intellectual but icy somehow, so he felt this kind of woman was much better.

nSangho aggressively began touching her body. Releasing his hold on her bosom, he tried to get between her thighs after touching her waist. She twisted her body all the more, but her eyes were full of excitement.

n“Are you going to turn me on again?” said the hostess.

n“Shall we have sex again?”

n“Wow. You’re too energetic. Can you do it twice without stopping?”

n“I think I can do it with you.”

nSangho used his hands to turn her on before having sex with her again. The hostess initially whined but soon gave way, allowing him to have his way with her body to him while moaning.

nAt that moment, his phone buzzed spoiling his pleasure.

n“Don’t pick up the phone, honey,” said the hostess.

n“Shall I?” said Sangho, reaching for his phone. He was going to throw it after checking the caller, but the caller was Suji’s mother, and Sangho pushed her off his lap to pick up the phone.

nHe put his finger on his lips, telling the hostess to shut up.

n“This is an important call, so be quiet.”

nSangho answered the phone in a cheerful voice, as if he was at home.

nMrs. Kong, Suji’s mother, seemed to have a very good opinion of Sangho. Exchanging greetings with him, she tried to promote Suji again as if she wished they could be a good couple.

nSangho chimed in with her, saying “You’re right. I’ve been in Korea for about two years, and Suji is the best woman that I’ve ever seen.”

nShe seemed very satisfied to hear that. Then she mentioned Hyunwoo.

nSangho felt the reason she called him was because of Hyunwoo.

n“What kind of person is he? Do you know what kind of relationship he has with Suji?”

nSangho’s lip slightly curled back. In fact, he wanted to make Suji his girlfriend but started to feel Hyunwoo was a stumbling block before he knew it. He even felt Suji was interested in Hyunwoo.

nAnd come to think of it, Hyunwoo was a stumbling block to him in everything, including his promotion and Minhye Park. And now he emerged as an obstacle to winning Suji’s heart. He didn’t want to lose her to Hyunwoo, and he felt he could easily win her heart if he tried.

nFortunately, Suji’s mother was on his side. That would make things easier, he thought.

n“Oh, are you asking about Hyunwoo? He is a very good person. Very sociable and very good character, but I wish he was less greedy about women.”

n“Greedy about women?”

n“Oops! I just don’t know why I’m saying this to you. Please forget what I have told you now. I am not the type of person to slander others by nature.”

n“Oh, please tell me about him. As mother of Suji, I’m qualified to hear as you know.”

nMrs. Kong persuaded him earnestly, saying she wanted to find out more about Hyunwoo on behalf of Suji.

nSangho hesitated until he felt it was the right time to talk. And then he opened his mouth, pretending not to resist,

n“Then you should keep it to yourself. I really don’t want to talk about

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