Chapter Fifty-Four: Farewell, Xuan Zhenxuan

In this awkward moment, Jin Samsun hadn’t imagined that after a night’s sleep, she’d wake up in Hyun Jinhyun’s home. Seeing the pale, slender girl outside the door, she didn’t know what to say; her limbs felt stiff with embarrassment.

Memories of the previous day slowly resurfaced, and she suddenly felt a sense of panic.

Yesterday, she had kissed Hyun Jinhyun. They played piano together in the house, and then, lost in the moment, their emotions got the better of them.

It was precisely because of this that her guilt deepened.

Yoo Heejin felt suffocated, as if everything around her was mocking her predicament.

“Who is it?” Hyun Jinhyun, drying himself off as he stepped out of the bathroom, assumed it was his mother at the door. Since Jin Samsun had already met her, he thought it best to let her misunderstand; at least that way he wouldn’t be pressured into another blind date.

But instead, he saw Yoo Heejin.

At first, his expression softened, but then memories of Yoo Heejin’s sudden departure years ago came rushing back. He pulled Jin Samsun close, wrapping his arm around her in a show of intimacy, and slammed the door.

The moment the door closed, Yoo Heejin seemed to lose all strength, crouching down to cry.

She wept silently, afraid that loud sobs would make the two people inside laugh at her.

But in truth, neither of those inside the door felt much better.

After seeing Yoo Heejin, Hyun Jinhyun’s expression remained dark and brooding. Jin Samsun wanted to speak but didn’t dare. They had broken up long ago, he had kissed her just yesterday, yet now he acted angry—what did he take her for? The sad part was, she realized she had fallen for this ill-tempered man.

“You really are too much,” Jin Samsun said, sounding hurt as she looked at his turned back. “You used me to drive her away, which means you still love her. Yet you kissed me yesterday, even though you’re still in love with her.”

“Don’t say any more,” Hyun Jinhyun replied coldly.

He couldn’t admit his feelings; he couldn’t let go of Yoo Heejin, yet he found himself drawn to Jin Samsun as well.

Jin Samsun glanced at him, deeply disappointed. “I’m going to work.”

They had only kissed last night, nothing more. Now, she was almost grateful they hadn't gone further. Still, as she left, an inexplicable sense of loss filled her heart.

—

Yoo Heejin left Hyun Jinhyun’s house, but she had nowhere to go. She didn’t want to return to Ariyeong’s place in this state, not wishing her friends to see her so desolate. Maybe…it was time to go back to America and start her life anew.

As she walked, she remembered meeting Seo Yijeong the day before. He had said he opened a pottery studio on Cheongdam-dong’s main street.

With nothing better to do, she decided to visit.

It was still early; the street was full of hurrying office workers. Dressed in cropped jeans, a t-shirt, and high heels, Yoo Heejin strolled leisurely, her pace unusually relaxed amid the morning rush.

Most shops in Cheongdam-dong weren’t open yet, so the street was quiet. She recalled Seo Yijeong mentioning his store was in one of the alleys and called “Memory.” She searched for a while, even asking three people, before finally finding the shop tucked behind a small cherry blossom tree.

The pottery studio wasn’t small, but its plain wooden façade was easy to overlook. From a distance, it looked more like a furniture or curtain shop. Nestled between nearby galleries, it exuded a low-key charm.

Yoo Heejin pushed open the door, the crisp sound of wind chimes catching Seo Yijeong’s attention. He turned, disappointment flashing across his face before he quickly recovered and smiled warmly.

“You’re here. Have a seat.”

He didn’t ask why she’d come, only said ‘you’re here’—so familiar, so friendly. Yoo Heejin smiled, set her bag on the sofa, and began to admire his work.

Seo Yijeong was wiping down pottery pieces in the glass cabinet. Seeing her interest, he introduced each item, treating them like treasures, his eyes bright with enthusiasm. Yoo Heejin listened attentively, nodding from time to time.

They stood close together; Seo Yijeong noticed her eyes were a little swollen and paused.

She forced a smile. “I went to see him this morning. They’re still together.”

Since they’d both run into Hyun Jinhyun and Jin Samsun last night, he knew exactly whom she meant.

He couldn’t offer comfort—some pains are only made worse by words.

“You haven’t had breakfast, have you? I’ll make you some tea.”

Yoo Heejin nodded; she was indeed hungry.

Seo Yijeong disappeared into the kitchen. Yoo Heejin guessed he probably lived here.

Soon, he returned carrying a tray, dressed in a pale yellow shirt and brown casual pants. With a warm smile, he looked gentle and kind.

Such a person must be very gentle, Yoo Heejin thought.

“If you keep being this charming, aren’t you afraid I’ll fall for you?” she teased, half-joking, half-compliment.

Seo Yijeong chuckled. “You won’t.”

“Why not?”

“Because, like me, you’re someone who loves deeply and for a long time.”

They enjoyed a cozy breakfast together. Seo Yijeong soon had to return to work, while Yoo Heejin browsed magazines in his shop and booked her flight for three days later.

There was no reason for her to stay any longer; now she only wanted to leave, though her heart still ached with reluctance and unanswered questions.

But—

Just before noon, Yoo Heejin received a call from Mrs. Noh, Hyun Jinhyun’s mother.

Back in high school, Mrs. Noh had supported Yoo Heejin’s relationship with her son. Yoo Heejin visited their home often, even cooking together with Mrs. Noh, who once said she regarded her as a daughter. Now, all it took was a health issue for Mrs. Noh to shun her completely.

Mrs. Noh asked to meet. Yoo Heejin hadn’t intended to go, but since she’d be leaving Seoul soon, she decided it was best to settle things.

Seo Yijeong was busy with his work, hands covered in clay, when she told him she was leaving. Holding up his messy hands, he said goodbye, but Yoo Heejin suddenly asked, “Can you do me a favor? I’m leaving soon anyway.”

“What is it?”

“Pretend to be my boyfriend.”

—

Yoo Heejin arrived to find Mrs. Noh staring blankly at a cup of hot tea. Only when the chair opposite her was pulled out did she startle and look up. Seeing Yoo Heejin, she felt a pang of guilt, her face wearing an apologetic smile. “You’re here. How’s your health?”

“I’m fine,” Yoo Heejin replied.

Yoo Heejin had always been gentle, rarely losing her temper, always smiling. But today, there was only distance and politeness, none of the warmth from before.

“You’ve seen Jinhyun, haven’t you?” Mrs. Noh seemed anxious, making Yoo Heejin uncertain.

“Yes. He seems to be seeing someone now.”

Mrs. Noh hurried to explain, “No, no, that’s not true. He’s lying to you.”

Lying? Yoo Heejin almost laughed. After what she’d seen, Hyun Jinhyun’s feelings hadn’t seemed false.

“Yes. To avoid more blind dates, he learned of Jin Samsun’s financial troubles and offered her fifty million won to save her family’s house, in exchange for pretending to date.”

She couldn’t deny that hearing this brought her some happiness.

But Mrs. Noh’s next words made her want to laugh.

“Jinhyun refuses to date anyone else because he can’t forget you. I won’t stand in your way this time.”

Yoo Heejin smiled softly, glancing at Mrs. Noh, noticing her evasive eyes.

“Auntie, back then, when you found out about my health, you stopped me from seeing him. All these years, you never told him the truth about why I left.”

“That’s not…it’s not that…” Mrs. Noh protested.

“And now, because you don’t like Jin Samsun, you’ve come to me, hoping I’ll drive her away, isn’t that right?”

Mrs. Noh’s expression darkened. “Heejin!”

Yoo Heejin said, “I’m sorry, I can’t do that. Because your son is no longer someone worth fighting for.”

Yes, that was her answer. She had loved him—still loved him—but she no longer wanted to chase after him.

—

Hyun Jinhyun’s mind was in chaos; he felt listless at work all day. He wanted to find Jin Samsun in the kitchen, but Yoo Heejin’s face kept appearing in his mind, even as he stubbornly refused to seek her out.

He dawdled until late in the evening, leaving only after everyone else had gone. When he came out, he saw the kitchen light was still on—Jin Samsun was working alone.

She stood with her back to him, crying softly as she made a cake.

Hyun Jinhyun watched for a while, then finally went to her and pulled her into his arms.

Just then, Yoo Heejin and Seo Yijeong entered. Yoo Heejin paused, and Seo Yijeong saw the two embracing under the warm kitchen light.

“Looks like I’m not needed after all.”

Yoo Heejin had originally wanted Seo Yijeong to pretend to be her boyfriend, to show Hyun Jinhyun she didn’t need him. After all, women often refused to admit defeat.

But now, she realized there was no need.

Still, she didn’t want to leave yet. Even if her heart ached, she wanted to explain everything before she went; after all, once she left, who knew when or if they’d ever meet again.

Seo Yijeong cleared his throat softly. Hyun Jinhyun swung around, seeing Yoo Heejin and Seo Yijeong, his face falling once more.

Seo Yijeong found it amusing; this man really had no tolerance or grace.

“I want to talk to you,” Yoo Heejin said.

Jin Samsun wiped her tears and hurried back into the kitchen.

“There’s nothing left for us to say,” Hyun Jinhyun replied.

Yoo Heejin sighed, trying to steady herself. “I’m leaving in three days. I won’t be coming back.”

Hyun Jinhyun froze, stunned into silence. His lips parted, but no words came out.

The three sat in the empty restaurant. At some point, the soft strains of “Over The Rainbow” began to play—the song Yoo Heejin had loved most years ago, one they had played together at the piano.

“I left back then because I was diagnosed with stomach cancer,” Yoo Heejin finally revealed, deciding he deserved to know after all the pain and misunderstanding she endured alone.

“I was about to have surgery. Your mother found me, because she knew the success rate was very low.”

Cancer…

Hyun Jinhyun’s face was a mixture of shock and disbelief.

Instinctively, he knew what came next would overturn everything he thought he knew. He didn’t want to hear it, but Yoo Heejin pressed on.

“When you were in your car accident, I was always by your side. But just as you were about to wake up, your mother found me. She told me to leave you, said someone who could die at any moment could never bring you happiness. She said…”

“Enough!” Hyun Jinhyun cut her off, his eyes red, pain nearly swallowing him whole.

He looked at the frail Yoo Heejin before him, her pale smile, and he was on the verge of breaking down.

“You lied to me. You lied!”

Yoo Heejin almost broke, so close to tears—but then she saw Jin Samsun in the kitchen, remembered the embrace she’d just witnessed.

Her love was gone, never to return.

If she could, she would wish she had never come back—so the memory of her love would remain forever, perfect and untouched.

[Author’s note: I feel like we can wrap up tomorrow =33=. New story “A Reborn Leisurely Wife and Cool Mother Is Not Easy” will begin as soon as this one ends—the title alone is adorable, isn’t it!?!]