BSMF | 13

~Chapter 13~

Woo-geon came home instead of staying at school.

His mind was too cluttered to continue any research.

Part of it was because of the new letter from Yohwa waiting on his desk, but more than that, it was the woman who simply wouldn’t leave his thoughts.

Finally stepping under the eaves, Woo-geon looked at his drenched body.

His shirt, pants, even the insides of his shoes were soaked.

“Sigh…”

He couldn’t help but let out a long sigh at how he looked—like a wet mouse completely soaked in water.

‘I’ll probably hear a scolding if anyone sees me like this.’

At that moment, the very person who would scold him appeared from inside the house.

Her body was plump, and her face warm and welcoming.

It was Sun-shim, the head housemaid who had worked in this household the longest.

But now, her usual warmth was replaced with a gaze full of reproach.

“Good heavens! What on earth happened?!”

Her voice, thick with a strong Gyeongnam accent, exploded into a flurry of scolding.

“Where have you been wandering without an umbrella in the rain?”

“I was coming from school when it suddenly poured.”

“You’re completely soaked. I thought you’d be buried under butterflies and come back—now you’ll catch a cold for sure!”

Despite the harsh words, Woo-geon just smiled dryly.

“What are you standing there for? Hurry inside!”

Sun-shim looked at him disapprovingly and ushered him indoors.

She hurriedly brought out towels and began patting him dry.

“Start wiping here first. I’ll heat the water quickly.”

Once she left, steam began seeping from the bathroom.

Woo-geon began patting himself with the towel, shaking off the water.

With every motion, droplets fell to the floor, and his soaked clothes clung to his skin even more.

One towel couldn’t absorb this much water.

“Look at this state of yours…”

Resigning himself, he just sat there until Sun-shim returned.

“The water’s heated. Go ahead and soak yourself.”

“Thanks.”

“I’ll prepare dinner, so eat right after you wash up.”

Sun-shim closed the door behind her.

The soaked clothes that had clung to his muscles slowly fell to the floor.

Finally unclothed, Woo-geon stepped into the hot water.

The water, swallowing his feet and gradually his strong torso, enveloped him.

Only then did he realize how cold his body had been.

“Ah…”

A groan of relief escaped him as fatigue washed over his body.

He leaned back and closed his eyes.

The steady drip of water calmed his noisy mind.

The tension and chill that had stiffened his muscles began to loosen, and gradually, thoughts began surfacing.

Unfinished papers and research tasks.

The details of the current operation, newly sent through Yohwa, along with recent suspicious activity around them that required extreme caution.

And… Baek So-hye.

“…”

Through his half-closed eyelids, his dark eyes focused.

Amid the steam fogging his mind, only So-hye’s face remained clear.

‘Did she get home safely?’

He hadn’t been able to see her home today.

Perhaps he should have waited with her until the rain stopped.

Leaving her with nothing but a single jacket, no umbrella, nagged at him.

After a brief thought, he shook his head.

‘She’s not a child; she’ll manage.’

He closed his eyes again, resting his head in the bath for a moment.

“Ah… this is maddening.”

Sitting up, Woo-geon ran his wet hands through his hair.

Today’s events kept replaying in his mind.

Even going to the cafe wasn’t enough—he had gotten swept up in the moment and even scheduled another meeting.

No matter how he thought about it, he couldn’t make sense of his own actions.

Had it been another time, he wouldn’t even have gone to the cafe, let alone made another appointment.

‘And in front of Wang Hak-je… too.’

No matter how many times he replayed it, regret resurfaced anew.

At least the next appointment had been excused as work; otherwise, it might have been fully exposed.

His wavering heart—or the part that might already be leaning toward her.

His eyes finally returned to the present, filled with mounting questions.

After meeting Wook-young, he knew he had to detach himself from So-hye.

He had vowed it.

Then why had every resolution crumbled the moment he met her?

Today made all the detours to the cafe seem meaningless.

Why had he even considered meeting her again?

“…Am I okay with putting her in danger?”

Or… was it that her presence was too significant for him to even consider that?

He had never been so unsettled by a woman before, so the entire situation felt unfamiliar and uncomfortable.

Like being caught in the eye of a storm.

Brushing water from his face, he stood, letting it cascade to the floor like a waterfall.

He stared at it for a moment, then slowly dried himself with a towel.

‘If only thoughts of her could pour out like this and vanish completely…’

Getting soaked and then, at some point, disappearing cleanly.

Then his heart wouldn’t feel so tangled.

Woo-geon felt afraid—of the fact that she shook him so deeply.

Of the fact that he was so drawn to her.

“I… shouldn’t have desires.”

So that, when I leave, I have no regrets.

So that a single life of mine isn’t wasted.

He stared blankly at the mirror.

Through the fogged glass, he traced a gap with his hand, revealing just his face.

Within it was a man who seemed unhappily trapped in his own thoughts.

“Please, have a seat.”

Stepping into the kitchen with Lin-jin, Hak-je personally pulled out a chair for So-hye.

“Oh, thank you.”

So-hye awkwardly sat, her eyes widening at the sight of the spread before her.

The table was laden with a feast.

She hadn’t eaten breakfast or lunch properly, and just looking at the dishes made her stomach rumble.

Hak-je smiled apologetically.

“If I could, I would have prepared even better dishes, but circumstances didn’t allow it. Please forgive the shortcomings.”

“No, this is more than enough! Anything more would be too much.”

“Even the best I could provide wouldn’t compare to what you’ve done in saving Lin-jin.”

He gently put his arm around Lin-jin’s shoulders.

Despite the age difference and her discomfort, it was clear he cared deeply for his younger sibling.

It was touching and somewhat enviable.

“What a strange coincidence… to meet you again like this, So-hye.”

So-hye nodded.

“Yes… I didn’t expect to see you again either.”

“If coincidence happens three times, it’s fate. That must be what this is for you and me.”

Hak-je winked playfully, his tone light and teasing rather than serious.

So-hye couldn’t help but smile, and they began eating.

The Korean dishes were beautifully prepared, vibrant in color, aroma, and taste.

Each bite was flavorful, unlike ordinary food.

“Does it suit your taste?”

“It’s amazing. I’ve never had anything this delicious.”

“Good. There’s plenty, so eat as much as you like.”

After a hearty meal, they had dessert and tea.

Even though she felt full, the delicately made rice cakes and traditional sweets disappeared easily.

‘When will I get to enjoy something like this again?’

So-hye smiled awkwardly, but happily ate the crisp sweets.

Suddenly, Lin-jin, who had been sitting next to Hak-je, got up, circled the table, and sat beside So-hye.

She held onto So-hye’s sleeve tightly, staring at her intently.

Hak-je laughed softly.

“Looks like Lin-jin really likes you.”

“Me?”

“She’s not the kind of child to open her heart to strangers easily… I’ve never seen this before.”

So-hye’s heart warmed, and she smiled brightly at Lin-jin.

Hak-je, watching quietly, spoke in a low voice.

“So-hye, would you… be willing to become Lin-jin’s new caretaker?”

“A caretaker?”

The unexpected proposal left So-hye stunned.

Hak-je looked at Lin-jin with affection.

“The current nanny will be dismissed today anyway.”

Cold words, contrasting his expression.

Even with Zheng behind him, Hak-je showed no hesitation.

He had no intention of keeping an untrustworthy nanny, and having So-hye as Lin-jin’s caretaker would keep her close.

Two birds with one stone.

The offer was beneficial for Hak-je, and likely for So-hye too.

“I will provide generous compensation. It will be far better than working as a dancer at the cafe.”

“And what about Madam Zheng?”

“She cannot be trusted with Lin-jin.”

So-hye’s eyes wavered.

She had seen Hak-je’s other, harsher side when they first met in front of the hospital.

“Lin-jin seems to follow you well; you’d be a suitable new caretaker.”

“N-no! Wait. Even so, this is too sudden. Changing her caretaker like this…”

So-hye looked helplessly between Zheng and Hak-je.

The nanny had lost the child, but it was an accident. Being dismissed so abruptly seemed harsh.

So-hye knew she had cared for Lin-jin attentively, speaking in Chinese and sign language, making her more than just a household worker.

A sudden separation would be harsh on Lin-jin.

Lin-jin’s anxious eyes showed she sensed something serious was being discussed.

“I know I may be overstepping… but…”

So-hye hesitated, then spoke cautiously.

“I hope Madam Zheng is given another chance.”

Hak-je raised an eyebrow.

A flash of displeasure crossed his usually smiling face.

So-hye swallowed hard, determined to help both Zheng and Lin-jin.

“Please think of what’s best for Lin-jin, rather than just venting your anger.”

“If it’s not for Lin-jin, then what is it for?”

“Let her not realize the separation.”

At her age, So-hye had experienced enough loss herself.

She understood how painful a sudden goodbye would be for a child like Lin-jin.

Lin-jin’s dark, tightly shut eyes showed she was similarly reserved.

So-hye straightened her posture slightly.

“Lin-jin doesn’t know Korean or Japanese, only Chinese, sign language, and Chinese characters, right?”

“That’s… correct.”

“Finding someone who can teach her Chinese and sign language in Joseon will be difficult.”

“….”

“And Lin-jin seems attached to you.”

Hak-je looked at Lin-jin, speaking in Chinese.

“The nanny is leaving today. What will you do?”

Lin-jin quickly signed back:

-“No. Brother, hold me. Otherwise I’ll follow the nanny. I don’t want her gone.”

Zheng let out a short cry.

So-hye realized that Lin-jin wanted to keep her current nanny.

The crouched Zheng muttered “Thank you, miss” repeatedly.

Hak-je sighed heavily.

He didn’t seem pleased, but didn’t oppose Lin-jin’s wish.

After a tense silence, he spoke.

“Very well.”

He made a new proposal.

“You said Lin-jin should not realize the separation, correct?”

“Ah… yes.”

“Then, So-hye, you will help with that.”

“Me?”

Hak-je looked at her intently.

“You will be Lin-jin’s educational caretaker once a week.”

“A caretaker? I’ve never taken care of a child before…”

“You won’t be asked to do much. Just spend time with Lin-jin, play, teach whatever you can. Simple communication can be done in Chinese characters, the rest Zheng will guide you.”

So-hye, receiving this unexpected offer, could only part her lips in surprise.

“That… I’ll do my best, if needed.”

“Thank you for your answer.”

Hak-je smiled warmly and extended his hand.

Their handshake was firm yet gentle.

“I look forward to working with you.”

“Me too… I look forward to it.”

A subtle unease crept into So-hye, but she forced a smile.

It felt as though something quiet, yet swift, was approaching her.

The chapter captures Woo-geon’s inner turmoil over So-hye, the soothing bath scene reflecting his conflicted emotions, and So-hye being asked to become Lin-jin’s caretaker, cementing her connection with the child and Hak-je’s household.