CEB - 13

Chapter 13: The Report on Love

Min-hyuk prepared himself to listen carefully to the conditions Dan-jung was about to present. If she demanded money, he was ready to provide any amount she asked for.

“And I’d like you to document these conditions in writing as evidence.”

“Let’s hear the conditions first.”

“I want to continue working as a hotelier even after we’re married. It’s been my lifelong dream.”

“No problem. You can do whatever you wish, Miss Choi.”

“And…”

“And?”

“Love me.”

“…”

“I don’t want to marry without love. I don’t want to live as a show-marriage couple either. Living happily with my husband is also part of my dream.”

“But I already told you—I can’t feel emotions.”

Min-hyuk was perplexed by her request. Though he had come to recognize feelings of excitement around Dan-jung, it was only because Hyun had explained it to him. He hadn’t understood why his heart raced or why his gaze kept drifting toward her—he had only been bothered by the headaches that accompanied these sensations.

Love? Was that even possible for someone like him?

Min-hyuk hesitated, unable to give an immediate response. But somewhere deep inside, he thought that if anyone could make love possible, it might be Dan-jung. If he could learn excitement, then perhaps love wasn’t impossible either.

And truthfully, this possibility was why marrying Dan-jung was essential for him. Yet, at this moment, he still didn’t understand what love truly meant.

If he had understood love, he probably wouldn’t have ended things with Hye-mi.

“How did you come to understand excitement, then?”

“As I said, a friend helped me understand.”

“Then I’ll teach you how to love. If you were able to learn excitement, isn’t it possible to learn love too?”

“Hmm… That’s not wrong.”

“So you agree?”

“Alright. Starting today, I’ll try to love you, Miss Choi. But how does one go about loving someone?”

Min-hyuk resolved to actively learn about love for the first time.

“What?”

“I’ve decided to love you starting today, so I’ll follow your instructions and try my best.”

“What do you mean by…”

Dan-jung was utterly baffled by Min-hyuk’s directness. She had asked him to love her and offered to teach him, but being questioned so bluntly left her unsure how to respond.

“Well, love can’t be defined in a single sentence, and it’s hard to explain when you ask like that…”

“Then prepare a report on how to love as soon as possible.”

With that, Min-hyuk abruptly stood up. Lunchtime had long passed, and he needed to return to the office.

“A report? What kind of…”

“It can be in the form of a research paper or a proposal—whatever works.”

“Hahaha. Alright, a report… or a proposal…”

Dan-jung couldn’t help but chuckle at Min-hyuk’s words. Never before had a man asked her to create a report on how to love.

“You mentioned wanting written documentation of our agreement earlier, so include that in the report.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Dan-jung realized from Min-hyuk’s serious tone that this was no joke. She really had to write a report on love.

“Oh! What’s your phone number, Miss Choi?”

Min-hyuk paused at the door and turned back.

It felt inappropriate to keep showing up unannounced, and since they would soon be married, he figured it was necessary to exchange numbers.

“My number is 010-1234-9876.”

“One moment.”

Min-hyuk pulled out his phone, entered Dan-jung’s number, and pressed call. Her phone rang immediately.

“That’s my number.”

“I’ll save it.”

“When do you start work today?”

“I’m on the night shift, so I’ll head in around 9 PM.”

“I’ll pick you up at 9.”

“No, that’s not necessary. The bus is quick.”

“To maintain my position as president, I must marry you. Finding someone else now would be difficult, so ensuring your safety is my top priority.”

“But I’ve been working night shifts without issue since I started at the hotel, so there’s no need to worry.”

Dan-jung responded with a slightly sour expression.

He didn’t need to sound so businesslike. Just moments ago, he had boldly declared he would try to love her, yet here he was speaking in such a rigid manner. Couldn’t he simply say he was worried about her?

Though she knew Min-hyuk couldn’t feel emotions, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment.

“There’s no guarantee that man from yesterday won’t come back.”

“Huh? Who?”

In fact, Dan-jung had completely forgotten about Won-soon’s visit the previous day, overwhelmed by her encounter with Hye-mi.

“Oh~ Won-soon? He won’t come back. He doesn’t have the backbone for it.”

“…Then I’ll see you at 9.”

Min-hyuk, clearly unwilling to argue further, finished his statement and stepped outside.

Is he worried about me? Still, he’s so self-centered. I’ll have to teach him how to love properly.

After Min-hyuk left, Dan-jung stared at the closed door, tilting her head as she muttered to herself. A mischievous smile slowly spread across her face.

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Ding dong. After parting ways with Dan-jung, Hye-mi rang the doorbell of Min-hee’s house, Min-hyuk’s younger sister.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me, Hye-mi.”

The fortress-like gate clicked open, and as Hye-mi entered, Min-hee crossed the garden to greet her. Min-hee’s home, Min-hyuk’s family estate, rivaled any chaebol mansion in size. The entire house exuded the calm warmth reminiscent of their mother, Oh Yeon-joo.

“How long has it been?”

“It’s been over a year since you visited Paris last spring.”

“I missed you.”

Min-hee embraced Hye-mi warmly. The two were childhood friends who had attended middle and high school together, always inseparable. Hye-mi had met and fallen for Min-hyuk through countless visits to Min-hee’s house.

Even though her relationship with Min-hyuk had ended, Hye-mi didn’t want to sever ties with Min-hee.

“Is Mother home? Is she inside?”

“She’s been preparing all sorts of things since morning, knowing you were coming.”

“Wow~ I’ve been craving your mom’s cooking. Even more than my own mom’s while I was in Paris.”

As they entered the house, the air was filled with the aroma of delicious food.

“Mother~ I’m here.”

“Hye-mi, welcome. Are you hungry? Come eat first.”

Yeon-joo emerged from the kitchen to greet Hye-mi. Having known her for years, Yeon-joo treated Hye-mi like a daughter.

When Hye-mi began dating Min-hyuk four years ago, Yeon-joo had genuinely rejoiced. Hye-mi seemed like the perfect match—top-tier bride material who complemented Min-hyuk well. However, relationships are unpredictable, and just three months later, Hye-mi had broken up with Min-hyuk and left for study abroad.

“Are you done with your studies abroad? Are you back for good?”

“Yes, I’m sorry for worrying you.”

Hye-mi regretted her actions from four years ago. She had let go of the chance to become part of this warm family, consumed by the despair of feeling unloved by Min-hyuk. Over time, instead of forgetting him, her longing only grew stronger, and her regret deepened.

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“Did you meet Brother?”

Min-hee, who had been itching to ask during dinner, finally spoke up as soon as they finished eating. Truthfully, she had invited Hye-mi over precisely to discuss this. Knowing how much Hye-mi had struggled during her time abroad, Min-hee hoped they could reconcile.

She had even arranged a matchmaking meeting between Hye-mi and Min-hyuk, thinking it better to accept someone familiar like Hye-mi rather than an unknown woman. Rumors circulating about Min-hyuk made finding a suitable match nearly impossible.

“Yes, we finalized launching a new brand at Le Soleil Hotel.”

“Great! Then we need to hurry with wedding preparations.”

Min-hee grew anxious, knowing Min-hyuk had only a week left before their father’s ultimatum expired.

“Well… actually, things didn’t go well with Senior. He seems worried I’ll leave again. It’s my fault—I shouldn’t have let him go back then.”

Tears began to well up in Hye-mi’s eyes as she spoke.

“He only has a week left! What are you going to do?”

Min-hee exploded in frustration. Min-hyuk’s marriage was crucial to the family’s future, and she couldn’t stay calm.

“So, Mother, could you talk to Senior?”

“Me?”

Hye-mi wiped away her tears and appealed to Yeon-joo for help.

“He seems desperate and might marry just anyone.”

“Anyone? What do you mean?”

“He’s apparently proposed to a hotel front desk employee.”

“What?! How could that happen? Marriage is about families uniting!”

“I agree. The hotel matters, but Senior’s life is important too.”

“Why did Father leave such a ridiculous will? Finding a spouse in three months is impossible!”

“Min-hee~.”

Yeon-joo gently called her daughter’s name, trying to calm her down.

“I’m sorry. I got carried away.”

“Your father must have agonized over this decision. He wouldn’t have done it without reason.”

Though Yeon-joo consoled Min-hee, she too resented her late husband’s will. Especially after hearing rumors labeling Min-hyuk as a psychopath and impotent, she felt her heart sink. These rumors were likely orchestrated by Seo-ho to sabotage Min-hyuk’s marriage and secure the presidency for himself.

Still, despite her resentment, Yeon-joo understood her husband’s intentions. He likely wanted Min-hyuk, who couldn’t feel emotions, to have someone by his side—even if the relationship was tied by money.