"So, any kids yet?" The last time he saw her was five years ago.
By now, she should've married Lee Seung-eun, become family, maybe even had a kid.
Was it marriage that changed her? Back then, her style was so conservative.
"We're divorced."
Kim Ji-yeon lifted her coffee, smiling lightly as she took a sip.
"What?"
Lee Jin-woo was puzzled. Theirs wasn't a love match—it was a strategic alliance for family interests and politics. How could they just divorce?
Whose family screwed up?
"You didn't know… Lee Seung-eun's no longer the heir to the Deokjeon faction. With the power balance gone, divorce was natural."
Kim Ji-yeon patted her chest, sighing, "Thank heavens. I thought I'd be trapped in that family forever. As the eldest Kim daughter, I've already sacrificed my youth and commercial value for the family. From now on, I live for me."
Her curves, accentuated by her outfit, were striking.
So, she'd hidden her true self behind the "good girl" facade for family pressure, maintaining it for over a decade. Impressive.
"What's next? Any plans?"
Her question turned back on him. "What about you? What's your plan? Running away from home to make it on your own? Can people like us really survive without our families?"
As a "meritorious" contributor to her family, Kim Ji-yeon would've received compensation. The family had reaped massive benefits from her years of cooperation, so they owed her something.
That "something" was enough for a life of luxury.
That's why she asked if people like them could truly break free—she was still a parasite on her family's wealth.
Lee Jin-woo smiled, pointing at himself. "I'm right here, aren't I?"
The original him had left home five years ago and was still eating, drinking, living just fine.
"You call this fine?"
Eyeing his cheap clothes, neck tattoo, and tacky watch, she said, "Jin-woo, you should think about going home."
He shook his head, earnest. "I'm really doing great. No need to worry."
Seeing his resolve, Kim Ji-yeon thought for a moment. "Come with me."
On the mall's third floor, she picked out a tailored, high-end suit for him.
Looking at the sharp, starry-eyed, ruggedly handsome man before her, Kim Ji-yeon felt a flutter.
"Aigoo… when did that crybaby grow up?"
"Sis-in-law—Ji-yeon noona—you're only five years older."
"Five years isn't enough?"
"Back in the day, that'd make me your mom. Isn't that enough?!"
He nodded, chuckling wryly. "You're right. My bad."
"So…"
Kim Ji-yeon extended her index finger, teasingly pressing it under his chin, tilting it up flirtatiously. "Just be a good boy and listen."
"You're not my sis-in-law anymore."
"You just called me sis-in-law, and now you're disowning me? Aigoo, so heartless!"
She winked playfully, retracting her finger. "Or… you could call me noona."
Fired up, Lee Jin-woo rushed home.
A cold shower did little to douse the heat.
Glancing at the wall clock, he headed to the neighbor's door.
Knock, knock…
"Who's there?"
"Auntie, it's Jin-woo from next door. I need Hye-na noona's help with something."
"Jin-woo!" The elegant woman opened the door, scolding him. "Aigoo, look at you, messing around like this. Why follow those delinquents?"
Through her lecture, Lee Jin-woo smiled shyly, unchanged from before.
"Hye-na, Jin-woo's here! Why aren't you out?"
Unable to hide, Yoon Hye-na appeared at the entrance, her expression odd.
"Something up?"
"Hye-na noona, I forgot some steps for that dish you taught me. Could you go over it again?"
He handed her a bag. "As thanks, I got some premium Hanwoo."
"Oh my, aigoo!" The woman beamed, taking the elegantly packaged Hanwoo box. "This must cost tens of thousands!"
"Nah, just 30,000 won."
"Aigoo…" Her fondness for him grew.
He'd just taken a wrong turn, but his heart was good.
"Hye-na, neighbors help each other. Teach him again! He made a mistake, but he's not bad."
With her encouragement, Lee Jin-woo smoothly got Yoon Hye-na into his apartment.
The moment the door closed, he silenced her attempt to speak.
Struggling, Yoon Hye-na thought bitterly, He's way worse than you think!
The perk of a mature woman? She knew what you wanted.
Unlike inexperienced girls, who were awkward and tricky.
A glance, a gesture, a sigh—each was a new experience.
No words needed.
Heart-to-heart, got it?
Telepathic connection described mature women perfectly.
Ding-dong~
Opening the door, the woman noted her daughter's glowing complexion. "What took so long?"
"The ingredients were tricky, took a bit."
Sniffing, she frowned. "What's that smell? So familiar…"
"Let's have seaweed soup tonight."
"Okay." Yoon Hye-na agreed reluctantly.
"Eomma, soup…"
"Chang-woo, Mommy doesn't want soup now."
"Soup… soup…"
Urged by her son, Yoon Hye-na forced herself to pick up the spoon.
One scoop, two scoops.
Her furrowed brow relaxed.
Ugh, Yoon Hye-na, what are you thinking? Aish…
Tapping her head, she banished the weird images.
She'd never give him another chance.
Never, ever again.
Determined, she cheered herself on. Yoon Hye-na, fighting! You can do this!
(End of Chapter)