Chapter – 09
Forsythias bloomed all around the university buildings, encircling them like a fence.
A faint smile appeared on Si-heon’s lips as he gazed at the sight through the window. They’re yellow and chick-like. They look just like Jung Da-yeon.
I wonder if Peanut is doing well at school.
The university, which had been in session for quite some time now, was bustling with students. Thinking of Da-yeon somewhere among them, Si-heon gave a wry smile and brushed his hand over his lips.
Once again, he had found himself thinking about Jung Da-yeon. Why did that tiny little thing keep popping into his mind?
It was probably because of the photo of her that Jung Da-yeon had slipped into his wallet.
Unfortunately, it was a photo with her face clearly visible, so he couldn’t just throw it away anywhere.
As a result, he had to carry it around, and every time he took out his wallet to pay for something, the photo caught his eye and bothered him more than he cared to admit.
That’s right. The reason I thought of Jung Da-yeon just because I saw some forsythias is probably because of that.
Fortunately, Da-yeon seemed to be doing well.
He had visited the place where she worked several times since then, but she didn’t seem to have made any mistakes or gotten herself into trouble.
She was quick to adapt and sensible, so once this matter was settled, there would be no reason for him to worry about her anymore.
Si-heon was tapping his knee with his fingertips when—
“Um… are you listening to me?”
A voice calling out to him came from across the table. When he turned his head, the head of Korea University’s College of Medicine was looking at him with his head tilted in confusion.
“I heard you.”
Si-heon nodded as though nothing had happened.
“As you requested, we did inform the student as well. But, frankly, this is the first time we’ve ever had a private individual—especially a third party with no legal relationship to the student—cover a student’s entire tuition. We also don’t want to create any possibility of problems on our end…”
The department head adjusted his glasses as he spoke. Looking at him, Si-heon naturally placed his interlaced hands on his lap.
“Private individual? This is a scholarship established by the company for a promising student, Professor. You said yourself that Jung Da-yeon’s entrance exam results were more than sufficient to qualify her for a scholarship.”
“That is true, but…”
“The terms are simple. Please bill our company for all tuition and any other fees required by the university for Jung Da-yeon, who is enrolled in the College of Medicine.”
His voice was clear and decisive.
“Hmm…”
“…And do not disclose to Jung Da-yeon in any way why this scholarship was established. Those are the only two conditions.”
There was nothing in the arrangement that would cause any problems for the university.
“If additional paperwork is required, we’ll take care of all of it on our end. Other than that, there won’t be anything for you to worry about, nor anything that could become a problem.”
It was a straightforward arrangement.
There was absolute confidence in the man’s voice—a powerful certainty that he could take care of anything and everything the university might need.
The department head was inwardly astonished. He had dealt with countless people over the years, but this was the first time he’d met someone who seemed to have absolutely no loose ends.
“Let’s do that, then. It’s not an offer we have any reason to refuse, either.”
“Then I look forward to working with you.”
He took out his business card, placed it on the table, gave a slight bow, and stood up.
As the department head examined the card he had left behind, a strange light appeared in his eyes.
“An executive director at Samjeong Pharmaceutical…”
He had no idea what Jung Da-yeon had done or where she’d met him, but it seemed she had somehow managed to find herself an incredible tall benefactor.
After leaving the dean’s office, Si-heon slowly walked across campus.
On the branches of the trees in March, finally free from winter, fresh buds were beginning to sprout. The cheerful chatter of students returning to school sounded pleasant as well.
Peanut must be somewhere around here taking a class right now.
If he wanted to, he could easily call Da-yeon out and see her. But Si-heon had no intention of doing so. He didn’t want an unnecessary meeting to give the girl false hope.
In truth, it was something he was doing for himself as well. If a relationship wasn’t going to happen, he shouldn’t give her even a glimmer of hope in the first place.
That would be better for both him and Da-yeon.
Even though he’d failed at that several times already.
Having steeled his resolve, Si-heon walked among the students passing by when someone suddenly approached from behind and threw her arms around him, bumping into him in the process.
Frowning, he turned around. His narrowed eyes caught sight of the round crown of someone’s head.
Long, straight hair fell all the way to her lower back, and the premature scent of peaches brushed against the tip of his nose.
Even though he couldn’t see her face, he had a pretty good idea who had run up and hugged him.
“…Jung Da-yeon?”
“Hehe. How did you know?”
At the sound of her name, Da-yeon peeked her head up and smiled. Si-heon sighed when he saw her.
I was trying not to see her. Where did she come from this time?
Si-heon removed Da-yeon’s arms from around his waist and asked,
“Where were you? I didn’t see you while I was walking.”
Da-yeon, separated from him, smacked her lips in disappointment before answering.
“I was on my way to the library, but then I saw you, Teacher. I ran all the way from over there.”
Da-yeon pointed toward a building in the distance. Following her finger and checking its location, Si-heon furrowed his brow.
“You spotted me from that far away?”
Da-yeon spread both index fingers beside her head and grinned.
“I’ve got a Teacher radar, you know. No matter where you are, I can always find you.”
Half of what she said was a joke, but the other half was completely serious.
On her way there, she’d happened to overhear some female students excitedly talking about an incredibly handsome man in a suit who was on campus.
She’d thought there was no way it could be him, but on the off chance that it was, she had turned around—and there was Teacher’s face, right in front of her eyes.
Honestly, even Da-yeon herself was impressed by her ability. He had been so far away that it should have been difficult even to make out his features, yet somehow she’d recognized Si-heon’s face.
But how could she possibly miss that handsome face?
He was so tall, with legs long enough to put a model’s to shame, that he stood out even from a distance.
Feeling her heart flutter at the sight of her teacher, Da-yeon slipped her arm through his.
“You really came to see me this time, right? To see how I’m doing at school and whether I’m doing well?”
A subtle expectation shone in Da-yeon’s eyes. A part of her even wondered whether the good-luck charm she’d tucked into her wallet had really worked.
But Si-heon’s defenses were quite formidable.
He twisted his body and smoothly slipped his arm free from hers.
“It’s not like that.”
The arm she’d been holding disappeared in an instant, and disappointment washed over her.
But Da-yeon quickly pulled herself together.
Don’t get discouraged. I decided to win him over slowly, like clothes getting wet in a drizzle.
She walked quietly beside him, even though he didn’t spare her a glance.
Her lips kept twitching into a smile as though she were in an exceptionally good mood. Then, looking slightly embarrassed, she told Si-heon her news.
“I have some good news.”
“Good news?”
“I was selected for a scholarship. They said it’s based on my entrance exam results…”
“A scholarship?”
“Yes! So I’ll be able to get my tuition covered for a whole six years.”
Da-yeon couldn’t stop grinning.
“…Really?”
It was something he already knew. But Si-heon pretended not to know and responded in an indifferent voice.
“I never expected something this good to happen. I think it’s thanks to you, Teacher.”
“Hehe.”
Da-yeon lowered her head and laughed, both embarrassed and happy.
“I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I was really worried about tuition.”
“Yeah. That’s good. Congratulations.”
“So, speaking of which… Teacher, could you have lunch with me?”
Da-yeon carefully asked, watching his reaction.
“Lunch?”
“I haven’t eaten a single thing today.”
She said it with a smile, as though she were joking, but she was telling the truth.
Between her difficult major classes and several part-time jobs, there were plenty of days when she couldn’t even manage one proper meal.
At home, where she had to constantly watch her father’s mood, she usually barely got enough sleep before heading back out again. The fatigue she couldn’t hide was plainly visible on her face.
Seeing how gaunt Da-yeon looked, Si-heon seemed to hesitate for a moment.
But she vaguely realized that his hesitation wouldn’t last long.
Her teacher always seemed cold and detached, but when it really mattered, he was the kind of person who couldn’t easily turn his back on someone.
“I heard there’s a really good place nearby that serves bean sprout soup with rice. I’m seriously starving, Teacher.”
Da-yeon put a hand on her stomach and made a face as though she were about to die.
After she kept pestering him, Si-heon, who hadn’t budged until then, finally took a step forward.
Is he going to eat with me?
A delighted smile was just beginning to spread across Da-yeon’s lips when—
“Cha Si-heon? You’re Cha Si-heon, right?”
Someone who had appeared out of nowhere called out to him.
When Da-yeon turned her head, she saw a woman smiling at her teacher, her striking eyes curved into crescents.
She was the kind of woman whose appearance immediately caught your attention.
She was tall and dressed in a sophisticated two-piece outfit. Her long, luxurious hair fell in thick waves, and she had a voluptuous figure as well.
Seeing the woman speaking to Si-heon, Da-yeon slowly blinked.
Does Teacher know her?
Then Da-yeon’s gaze shifted toward Si-heon, and she saw a faint smile on his face.
“It’s been a long time, Han Ji-woo.”
The two spoke to each other naturally, as though they were quite close.
Da-yeon’s lips slowly stiffened.
For some reason, she had a bad feeling that having lunch with Teacher today was going to be difficult after all.
