II - 61

Suk-tae felt like he was about to explode with anger.

He blamed everything on I-ryeong—this entire mess seemed to stem from her, and it made his blood boil.

“Rather, wasn’t it you, Senior, who threw the first punch? And then fell over by yourself?”

“What, what are you saying? Do you even know who I am? Are you trying to ruin our business relationship?”

Suk-tae glared at Hyuk-joon, who seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the situation with a smirk.

“You’re treating IK Trading lightly, aren’t you? I’ll need to schedule a meeting with the CEO of First Apparel tomorrow.”

“Are, are you insane? What nonsense is this!”

The CEO of First Apparel was Hana’s uncle. Suk-tae trembled as he glanced nervously at his wife.

“Damn it.”

He muttered curses under his breath.

I-ryeong quietly observed the unfolding scene. Occasionally, her eyes met Suk-tae’s, but she remained completely unfazed.

In the past, she would have been too timid to say a word, swallowing her frustration in silence. But now, things were different.

To be honest, she didn’t fully understand I-jun’s intentions. If he had given her a heads-up, the shock might have been less intense. This sudden reunion stirred up a whirlwind of complicated emotions within her.

However, the warmth of his hand calmed her racing heart significantly. She wasn’t alone anymore—they were together now.

A brief silence settled over the police station as an officer who had visited the scene returned and began reporting to his superior. Everyone’s attention shifted toward them.

“Why are you worrying so much? Nothing will happen, so stop worrying.”

“But still...”

“You’re too kind for your own good. Nothing happened to your husband. If there had been trouble, I would’ve called a lawyer instead of you, right?”

I-jun pulled over a chair and seated I-ryeong. Then, kneeling before her, he took her hands in his.

“That’s why I stepped back.”

The couple continued to hold each other’s hands tightly.

The location didn’t matter. They were realizing how precious and important it was to simply be together, no matter where they were.

“Alright. I won’t worry, just like you said. Now, please stand up.”

“Are you sure you won’t worry?”

“I hate seeing my man kneel in front of others. Stop it. Get up already.”

I-ryeong gently slipped her hand out of his grasp.

“Only show me that side when we’re alone.”

“Our wife turns out to be quite greedy, doesn’t she? Alright, I’ll get up.”

“Thank you.”

She tousled his hair affectionately, as if petting a well-behaved puppy.

I-jun couldn’t help but smile weakly at the warmth of her touch. If they weren’t in the police station—if no one else was watching—he would have hugged her tightly, feeling overwhelmed with happiness.

“Hey, are you really the I-jun I know?”

“No idea.”

“Wow, seriously. Look how shocked I am—my jaw won’t close.”

Hyuk-joon playfully patted I-jun’s shoulder, teasing him.

Though he had known I-jun for a long time, he had never seen him so relaxed, especially not smiling like this in front of a woman.

“Crazy bastards. What’s so funny that you’re grinning like idiots?”

Suk-tae gnashed his teeth, glaring at I-jun and Hyuk-joon.

As time passed, not only his face but also his shoulders, waist, and entire body began to ache. It seemed he had landed hard on his shoulder when he fell, absorbing the full impact of the rigid floor.

Already humiliated in front of everyone, the pain only added fuel to his irritation. Seeing I-ryeong living well twisted his insides further, leaving him desperate to vent his frustration somewhere—or risk losing his mind.

“Mr. Seo I-jun?”

An officer called out while flipping through documents.

“Our officers confirmed that while there was no CCTV inside the venue, eyewitnesses stated that the accused fell on their own. You’re free to go.”

This aligned perfectly with I-jun’s consistent statement.

Though there was no CCTV inside, dozens of witnesses gave identical accounts: Suk-tae, drunk and swinging a whiskey bottle, had caused a commotion and fallen on his own.

“If the case gets transferred to the police station, will I need to appear?”

“As a witness, we’ll contact you using the information you provided. You can ask the investigator then.”

The officer handed I-jun his business card, instructing him to call if he had further questions.

As I-jun prepared to leave with I-ryeong, Suk-tae’s loud voice stopped them in their tracks.

“Accused? Are you calling me the accused here? That bastard hit me!”

“Quiet! If you continue causing trouble, you’ll be detained for public disturbance under the influence!”

“Damn it!”

At the mention of detention, Suk-tae bowed his head, seething.

I-jun comforted his startled wife and led her outside by the hand.

“Wait a moment.”

Just then, Hana approached the couple from behind and stopped them.

“Contact me using this phone.”

“Huh?”

Hana forcefully placed an old cellphone into I-ryeong’s bewildered hands.

“Uh, what is this?”

“No one else knows about this phone except me. So when I call, make sure you answer. No matter what.”

Before I-ryeong could respond, Hana turned and walked back into the police station.

I-ryeong stood frozen, clutching the outdated phone, and looked up at I-jun.

“This must be the phone she treasured so much. It’s ancient.”

“I-jun...”

Unsure of what to do, she called out to her husband.

“There must be a reason. Keep it with you.”

I-jun reassured her.

It wasn’t ordinary for Hana to follow them outside just to force the phone into I-ryeong’s hands. After all, Hana had always harbored nothing but malice toward her.

“If anything strange happens or she contacts you, tell me immediately.”

“Okay...”

With I-jun’s decisive response, I-ryeong placed the old cellphone into her bag.

Without a word, the couple naturally held hands.

“I came by taxi. I was so shaken I couldn’t drive.”

“I startled you too much. I’m sorry.”

They chatted softly as they left the police station parking lot.

“That bastard Kang Suk-tae—I should have hit him properly. Just look at his face!”

Still seething with unresolved anger, I-ryeong stopped in her tracks and stomped her feet in frustration.

Her expression turned sorrowful as she looked at I-jun, clearly irritated.

“Do you know you’re overprotective of me?”

I-jun secretly felt pleased. Today, I-ryeong was revealing her feelings without any filter, which felt refreshingly new.

“Tsk, do you know how much I adore this face? Even I handle it carefully. How could I let anyone damage it? It makes me so mad, truly. I’m upset.”

She gently caressed his face as if handling a precious work of art.

“Your touch has already healed me.”

“How can that be?”

“It’s here. Right here, in front of the adorable Cha Eun-ryeong.”

I-ryeong didn’t mind his teasing.

Though the anger she had felt upon entering the police station hadn’t completely dissipated, she felt good enough to momentarily forget it. His playful banter was proof that he was opening up to her.

“How can someone who isn’t even married survive such heartbreak?”

Behind the couple, Hyuk-joon stood clicking his tongue disapprovingly.

I-ryeong belatedly realized he was there and quickly covered her mouth with both hands.

Oops. What had just happened?

Embarrassed by her behavior in front of others, she felt her cheeks grow hotter, the warmth transferring to her palms.

“Hey, Seo I-jun. You owe me one, got it?”

“Thank you.”

I-jun blinked his large eyes and pulled I-ryeong close by the waist, whispering softly for only her to hear, “It’s okay.”

“It’s okay.”

Those three simple words carried immense power—enough to calm her wildly beating heart in an instant.

It was something her mother-in-law, CEO Lee Jung-ae, had once said to her. Though it may have been an offhand comment, it had given I-ryeong strength.

And now, her son I-jun had said the same thing.

“You have wonderful parents.”

“Huh? I didn’t catch that.”

He missed her words while talking to Hyuk-joon.

Why didn’t that bother her?

“It’s nothing. Just saying, the night air feels warm.”

I-ryeong chuckled softly and gently clasped his hand resting on her waist. She let her steps flow naturally as they walked.

“How did you know there was no CCTV there? Did you check beforehand and reserve the place?”

“It was a coincidence. Who would investigate something like that and book a place accordingly?”

I-jun acted as if it were no big deal.

“Both seniors and juniors alike took my side without hesitation. Kang Suk-tae must have had a questionable reputation. He’s surrounded by enemies, all of them.”

Hyuk-joon shook his head and recounted the details.

While the police were called and the two were absent, Hyuk-joon persuaded their alumni to side with I-jun.

He rallied public opinion by pointing out how disgraceful Suk-tae had looked and suggesting that Suk-tae had deliberately provoked I-jun into a fight.

The seniors, juniors, and classmates unanimously sided with the well-regarded I-jun.

“People should live clean lives, like me.”

“Hey, Park Hyuk-joon. Watch your words. You’re holding back because I-ryeong is here, but you have no right to talk like that, kid. Why were you exiled again?”

Hearing her name from her husband’s lips felt sweeter than any serenade.

“Ah, Seo I-jun. So this is how it’s going to be, huh? Sister-in-law, this guy here—”

“If you’re going to say nonsense, just leave.”

To I-ryeong, the two bickering like this seemed like the antics of close friends.

It was fascinating how I-jun, who always carried himself with dignity in front of her, reverted to his youthful self around his friend.

“Hey, look—the noodle shop is open. Buy me a bowl of noodles. I did a lot today, didn’t I? Right, sister-in-law?”

Hyuk-joon pointed to a noodle shop whose signboard lights were still on.

“Let’s eat something simple there tonight, and next time, I’ll invite you over. We’ll treat you properly.”

“Why are you inviting him? No, don’t do that.”

I-jun made no effort to hide his displeasure.

He couldn’t tolerate outsiders entering their sanctuary. He already disliked Team Leader Han coming and going to the annex under the pretext of security.