To her family, he was just a "neighbor" and "boss."
But he'd invaded Yoon Hye-na's entire life.
In her heart, he was family, a man to rely on.
They didn't share a home or legal ties, but his time with her surpassed any spouse.
Maybe past bad experiences made her content with this life.
But contentment itself was greedy.
It demanded endless emotional or material fuel.
If that fuel ran dry, failing to meet the "contentment" line, balance collapsed, unpredictably.
That's when trouble brewed.
A once-lovable woman could turn insatiable, bitter.
So, he had to control the supply—distance, intimacy.
Not too much, not too little.
Just right…
Hearing her hint, agreeing to join her and her family on Jeju for Lunar New Year—a deeply meaningful holiday—would be too much.
"So-hee, eat more of this…"
Scooping kimchi soup, he fed it to Han So-hee.
Slurp~ She drank it.
"How's it taste?" Smiling, he took a spoonful himself.
"Mm." She nodded, beaming. "Tasty, like Grandma's."
"…Grandma's?" He raised a brow, murmuring, "Not Dad's?"
Han So-hee froze, unsure how to respond.
Popping an oyster in his mouth, he chewed and swallowed. "Big star someday, what's your plan?"
"Buy a big house, bring Grandma to Seoul to live well."
"Mom and Dad?" He pressed, curious.
Her hand, holding food, paused midair. Setting her chopsticks down, she said coldly, "I have no parents. They divorced when I was five… Since then, only Grandma's been there. Parents… I forgot their faces long ago."
"Solid story. Might come in handy." He nudged the dazed Yoon Hye-na. "Rep Yoon, note that?"
Both women stared, incredulous.
A tragic childhood, just a marketable tale to him?
Was he a cold-blooded profit-chaser?
"No matter how sad, it's past. Clinging to it won't make you stronger or luckier. If needed… use it to climb higher. At least that pain gains value."
Han So-hee couldn't grasp his logic. Cheeks puffed, she stabbed her plate, clinking in protest.
"Don't like it? Fine… It's your story, your value."
Dropping it so easily wasn't like him.
So, he cares about me? She felt conflicted.
What was this man thinking? So hard to read!
Truth was simpler than their guesses. Using her story was a spur-of-the-moment idea.
He saw potential in her tale.
If it didn't work, no loss—it wasn't in the plan.
Hyped-up buzz was fleeting, sparking quick fame but not lasting.
Longevity needed real skill.
"Do well, So-hee. You know I've got high hopes, right?"
She nodded uncertainly. Despite more life experience, she was still a naive girl.
Reality's harshness forced her to fake maturity.
Who'd choose to face cold reality as a kid if they could cuddle in their parents' arms?
The adult world was exhausting…
"Fighting~" He pumped his fist, cheering her on.
She raised hers awkwardly. "F-Fighting!"
After supper, in the car, she mused, "President, the unnies are resting. Going back now might disturb them."
Her hint was clear—to him, Yoon Hye-na, anyone.
But…
The night needed mature soothing.
Until the bud ripened, he wouldn't let anyone touch its tender core.
Not even himself.
With growing threats around him, Yoon Hye-na felt on edge, restless.
So, at some point, she turned proactive, seeking variety and flair.
Like Ha Joo-hee's lace choker, Son Yoon-joo's yoga, Lee Joo-bin's "reins" and black stockings.
When a woman devoted herself to pleasing another, Jin-woo could only say: paradise.
Plus, she had a unique edge no one else did.
"Hye-na, your body feeling off lately?"
Morning, Park Soo-ji, in a fitted qipao, stood theatrically at the stove.
Yoon Hye-na was used to her flair.
"No, I'm fine."
Grabbing ice water from the fridge, she asked, "Why?"
"See for yourself!" Park opened the safe, revealing empty sealed bags.
Yoon Hye-na blinked. "What's used up?"
"Ran out yesterday, but you haven't pumped in days… How about some supplements? I know a guy with great prescriptions."
"No need… Fine!" She couldn't explain.
"Feed Sang-woo first. Breakfast's not ready."
Her heart raced. Feed him? Last night drained her dry.
"…I'm late for work. Use formula for now. Eomma, I'm off."
Grabbing bread, she bolted to the door.
By the time Park caught up, the door was easing shut.
"Weird. Is something wrong with her?"
Worried, Park decided to get supplements that afternoon for Hye-na's nutrition.
And some for Jin-woo too.
Without him, their family wouldn't have this life.
Little did she know, Hye-na's "shortage" was all his doing.
Early morning, Jin-woo hit the company.
Big day—New Year's Eve…
Korea, keen on Western trends and American ways, hyped these holidays.
Merchants stocked up days early, ready for the frenzy.
He'd tasked Ha Joo-hee with booking ample food and drinks, ensuring the New Year's team-building was flawless.
As for MBC's Gayo Daejeon, he wasn't going.
He'd booked a renowned yoga instructor for office relaxation.
His packed schedule had stiffened his muscles.
"President, Teacher Kim Sung-hee's here." Ha Joo-hee reported.
He stood, smiling. "Show her in."
Stepping aside, Ha revealed Kim Sung-hee—tube-top mini-dress, fur coat, stunning figure.
"President." Bowing with a smile, she set her case on the coffee table.
"Please, sit. Kim Sung-hee-ssi, what yoga do you specialize in?"
"Ashtanga yoga, or eight-limbed yoga, an ancient practice."
"Eight limbs?"
"Restraint, observance, postures, breath control, awareness, focus, meditation, and samadhi. Born from Indian ascetics, it's a perfect blend of flexibility, endurance, and strength."
He raised a brow, gesturing to the open floor. "Please, demonstrate?"
"Of course… I need a changing spot." She opened her case, pulling out an Indian-style handmade rug and yoga outfit.
Not tight, elastic crop tops or leggings.
Loose, comfy lantern pants and a short-sleeve round-neck shirt.
Breathable, they allowed free movement without restriction.
"Back there."
Pointing behind, he said calmly, "Don't worry, no one's peeking."
Her brows twitched. Hesitating, she followed his direction.
Rustle, rustle~
Fabric grazed skin, the faint sound like a cat's claw teasing the heart.
Two minutes later, she reentered his view.
Under loose, sheer yoga wear, her jade-like skin shimmered faintly.
"President Lee-ssi, let's begin."
Raising her arms, she tied her hair into a bun, securing it with a rubber band.
Then, with a vibrant cloth strip, she tightened it.
The move made her thin shirt nearly transparent.
Clearly, teaching yoga wasn't her only goal today.
As she demonstrated, he asked questions to know her better.
"Boyfriend?"
"None. Last relationship was two years ago. Single since."
"Your secretary said you don't do private sessions. Why the change?"
"She said the client's handsome, charismatic. If unsatisfied, I could leave… The 1 million won fee was tempting too."
"Satisfied?"
"Very. You, President Lee-ssi?"
"Same…"
Ashtanga's moves were intense, high difficulty, being power yoga.
It was grueling. Even his robust physique sweated buckets.
Finishing the final lunge, he paused for ten seconds, shifting back to regain core control.
Then, with a long sigh, he collapsed onto the sofa.
(End of Chapter)