NLFSD Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Where did you go, BBG.

As Lee Jiwoon was glancing around looking for Seo Taecheon, Ki Hyunjin approached and spoke to him.

“Jiwoon-ah. We were heading in the same direction, right?”

“That’s right. I mean… we were… uh…”

It was still the same neighborhood, but he had moved to the other side of the river. Since it hadn’t been long since he’d moved in with Seo Taecheon, Lee Jiwoon instinctively recalled his old address and replied accordingly.

“I parked my car in the company parking lot. I’ll give you a ride.”

“Oh, you really don’t have to. I’m fine.”

He was worried that if he said, “I don’t live there anymore,” questions like why he moved and when he changed his residence without telling anyone would follow. Lee Jiwoon figured he’d politely decline and get a ride with Seo Taecheon instead.

“It’s not a big deal to give you a lift. Don’t feel burdened, just get in.”

“I’m really fine though…”

Ki Hyunjin gently smiled and placed a hand on Lee Jiwoon’s shoulder. Lee Jiwoon was quite troubled. But seriously, where did that BBG disappear to?!

“Assistant Manager Lee Jiwoon.”

Just then, he heard someone calling him. When he turned his head, Seo Taecheon was parked in the lane closest to the sidewalk, rolling down his window.

“Director! Have a safe trip home!”

“Great job today! Please get home safely!”

All the employees greeted him in unison. Seo Taecheon accepted their greetings, then looked at Lee Jiwoon.

“Ah, then I’ll be off now.”

“Why, Jiwoon?”

“Uh… I’m going the same way as the Director. We already made plans! I’m sorry!”

Pushing through the crowd, Lee Jiwoon ran over. Employees tilted their heads as they saw him dash over and climb into Seo Taecheon’s car.

“Assistant Manager Lee is going home with the Director?”

“Uh… yeah. Were they close?”

“Maybe they got closer during the sports day? Ah, I’m jealous. I want to go home with the Director too!”

One female employee clasped her hands together, eyes shimmering.

“Me too! I wanted to talk to him during the sports day but I failed!”

“Same here!”

Meanwhile, Assistant Manager Min Hyekyung witnessed the whole scene from a distance.

Rejecting Ki Hyunjin, but then frantically running to ride with the Director? What’s this. Could it be what I’m thinking…?

She fiddled with the frame of her glasses, deep in thought.

As always, Mondays are the worst. They’re busy and chaotic, yet at the same time feel dull and tiresome.

At 5 p.m., while blankly typing Excel formulas and yawning nonstop, Lee Jiwoon’s phone buzzed.

Who could it be.

He opened his phone absentmindedly and instantly made a shocked expression like a character at the end of a morning drama. That was because he was in a situation just like one of those drama characters.

Mr. Lee Jiwoon, I’d like to meet with you.

I’m the person who is Taecheon’s mother.

“Gasp.”

Is this what people mean when they say…

?!

Lee Jiwoon’s heart pounded. Though it was a bit startling, he couldn’t lie—it was also kind of exciting. When else would something like this ever happen in his life?

Hello. I’m available today.

He replied, and soon another message came through.

Come to the lobby cafe at OO Hotel. Don’t let Taecheon know.

“Wow… this is real.”

These scenes always take place in hotel cafes—of course they do.

He had heard bits from Seo Taecheon. His mother and father had divorced when they were young, and his mother, a former actress, lived in the U.S.

A quick search brought up plenty of results since she was a public figure.

Gasp. They look exactly alike. The image search results showed a strikingly beautiful woman with sharp features—Seo Taecheon’s mother—and her facial features were identical to his. In other words, she looked intense.

What do I do. What if she says something harsh to me?! I’m scared… but also kind of excited.

Lee Jiwoon messaged Seo Taecheon that he wouldn’t be able to go home together today, and the moment it hit 6 p.m., he left work. He immediately got into a taxi and headed to OO Hotel.

As he entered the lobby, a cafe playing refined jazz music came into view. He straightened his clothes and calmly stepped inside. In the center, a middle-aged woman with unmistakably elegant and glamorous beauty was seated.

Their eyes met right away, and Seo Taecheon’s mother pierced him with her gaze. Lee Jiwoon walked to the table, bowed, and sat across from her.

“Sorry for keeping you waiting. There was a lot of traffic…”

“Mr. Lee Jiwoon. I’ll get straight to the point.”

Clack. She abruptly placed a white envelope on the table. Lee Jiwoon’s eyes nearly popped out.

This is straight out of a cliché. It’s actually a money envelope…!

Along with the shock, a subtle excitement bubbled up inside him. So this kind of day has come even to me, an ordinary nobody. The day I get tangled in the sticky power struggles of a chaebol family.

Lee Jiwoon sneaked a glance at Seo Taecheon’s mother. She wore a proud, piercing look in her eyes.

“Take this money,”

“And break up with the Director?”

When Lee Jiwoon completed her sentence, she looked momentarily flustered.

“Huh? Oh. Yes. I’m giving this to you as a request to stay away from my son and never see him again.”

Wow… it’s exactly the lines I expected.

Lee Jiwoon was impressed inside, keeping a dazed expression on his face.

By the way, how much money is in this envelope?

Since dramas never actually disclose the amount, Lee Jiwoon was honestly very curious.

He kept stealing glances at the envelope, licking his lips, which led Choi Younghee to seriously misunderstand.

He’s all fidgety. Being told to break up with Taecheon must feel like the world is ending to him.

Choi Younghee was very angry about the fact that her son got married without even telling her. She had found out while filing some documents, and the shock was not minor.

Seo Taecheon had always talked about being a lifelong bachelor, so she was planning to slowly coax him into a strategic marriage later. Who would’ve known he was hiding a pumpkin seed in his back pocket?

You must’ve seduced Taecheon…! With that handsome face and those pretty, sly eyes—you’re exactly the type alphas like. On top of that, your family background is humble—clearly you were after money. Since you work in the same company, it must’ve been easy.

She came to this hasty conclusion after looking at the ID photo of Lee Jiwoon obtained through a private investigator.

And so, setting aside her extremely busy work at the art museum, she flew to Korea, full of anger, to break apart the omega who didn’t match her son’s class.

With the money in that envelope, he could probably buy a house in Seoul—will he take the bait and disappear? Hmm.

As she pondered, a staff member approached and asked for their order. Madam Choi replied briefly.

“I’ll have a coffee.”

“Would you like it hot? Or would you prefer it iced?”

“Ma’am. Could we have the mango shaved ice instead?”

Lee Jiwoon suddenly interjected.

“Mango… shaved ice?”

Choi Younghee furrowed her brows.

The reason Lee Jiwoon said that was because he was afraid the moment she ordered coffee, it might end up flying into his face. After all, a coffee splash was a staple scene in dramas.

But as it turned out, Choi Younghee’s favorite fruit was mango. And this very place was well known for its seasonal summer mango shaved ice. She hadn’t had anyone to go with anyway—maybe now was the time?

A conflict stirred inside her. No matter how tempting it was, eating mango shaved ice with the very person she was trying to convince to break up with her son felt like a bizarre image.

However, the hotel’s mango shaved ice had such a stellar reputation that word had spread all the way to America. Since it had been a while since she last came to Korea and she didn’t know when she’d be back, Choi Younghee was sorely tempted.

After a long moment of inner struggle, Choi Younghee spoke.

“I’ll have the mango shaved ice instead of coffee.”

“Understood.”

After the staff left, Lee Jiwoon placed the envelope he’d received earlier back on the table.

“I’ll return this.”

“What?”

“I don’t need it.”

He had already thoroughly experienced the drama cliché—sampling it, savoring it, enjoying it. To him, the envelope had already served its purpose. Besides, accepting money from the mother of someone you’re going to break up with would only create trouble later. Things could get messy if the divorce supervisor ever found out.

“So let’s just eat mango shaved ice and go home today.”

As Lee Jiwoon smiled, Choi Younghee folded her arms and looked him up and down.

Is this kid a fox? Is he saying that money’s not enough, or does he actually love Taecheon?

While Choi Younghee was lost in confusion, the mango shaved ice was served. It was topped generously with fresh mango, and its appetizing look was striking. For her—someone who would leap out of bed for mangoes—it was like a dream come true.

“Hmm, do you mind if I take a picture first?”

“Of course. I’m going to take one too.”

Click. Click.

After taking turns photographing the dessert, the two picked up their spoons. Then they both dove into the shaved ice with equal enthusiasm.

“Mmm. This is so delicious.”

Choi Younghee marveled at the mango’s fresh yet sweet flavor. Every time the refreshing taste brushed his tongue, Lee Jiwoon felt as if he were staring at a tropical Southeast Asian sea.

“Should we get another one?”

“Sure!”

“One more mango shaved ice, please.”

“Yes, right away.”

The staff member taking their order looked slightly flustered. Just a little while ago, the atmosphere between them had been icy, yet now they were all smiles. Wasn’t that lady trying to hand this omega an envelope and telling him to break up with her son? And now they were practically buried in a bowl of shaved ice together…?

The ways of people truly were hard to understand.