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 [Chapter 183]

[The Witch's Advice (3)]

The group that suffered the biggest impact due to the aftermath of last year's Seoul invasion was Yeongwon Group.

They even had temporary financial difficulties to the extent that the Fairy government had to exert influence.

"So are you breathing easier now?"

"Hey, don't even mention it. I now understand how hard it is to work with other people's money. It's finally starting to feel worth living."

3rd floor Haha Burger at the Pandora Clan headquarters.

That was the first thing Yoo Dojun, who said he came to visit the clan after a long time, said as soon as he saw Eunha.

As June came, the weather got even hotter.

Yoo Dojun fanned himself with his clothes as soon as he sat down.

Eunha smiled slightly seeing Yoo Dojun sweating and taking off his suit.

"Put some magic inside. Like magic that maintains body temperature or cools the body."

"Of course I put that in. But when I add magic with bulletproof effect too, it becomes like this. Don't you have summer uniforms?"

"What I'm wearing is the summer uniform. The fabric is a bit thinner."

"You don't look hot. Shouldn't you be hotter after making a contract with Buldak?"

"Have you ever seen <Yamma > say it's hot? It's the same principle."

"So you've developed heat resistance. I'm envious. Buldak, want to make a contract with me instead of Eunha? I'll let you eat all the pizza you want. You like that, right?"

"Bibi bibi papa papa pupu pu!"

"Don't try to seduce other people's familiars."

"That's right, be good to the people you have."

After graduating from the Academy.

The two hadn't been able to meet properly because they were so busy with work.

This year, it was the first time they were meeting since early in the year.

Nevertheless, they were chatting casually without any awkwardness.

"─Your order is ready."

While Yoo Dojun was cooling off drinking cold coffee.

Ha Baekryeon approached carrying a tray.

Eunha suddenly stood up from his seat.

Then he took the tray she was struggling to carry.

"You should have said it was heavy. Why are you carrying this, Baekryeon?"

"I'm helping mom with work."

"That's good of you. Did you eat lunch? Or do you want to eat with us?"

"The unnies said eating with important people causes indigestion. And I already ate."

"...Who said such things?"

"The unnies."

Ha Baekryeon makes a "hmph" sound.

Eunha was quite shocked by what she said.

It had been a little over a month since Ha Baekryeon started living at the clan headquarters.

Now she was getting along somewhat intimately with the clan members.

Ha Baekryeon who initially didn't like Han Seohyun now even called her unni.

But Ha Baekryeon alone wouldn't open her heart to Eunha.

"Then enjoy your meal."

"Ugh..."

As if flapping wings.

She ran away quickly, her twin tails fluttering.

Eunha sat down with a groan.

Yoo Dojun who was eating french fries with ketchup was giggling.

"Is that the child? The one you suddenly brought from Seongnam. Looking at her now, she seems to have good judgment."

"Her name is Ha Baekryeon. You should try to look good to her from now on too."

"Oh, is that so?"

She's a child who will become a Fairy in the future.

Eunha gave roundabout advice to Yoo Dojun.

Then Yoo Dojun showed interest.

He realized Eunha wasn't saying it idly.

"Hey, little one. Want to come over here?"

"..."

Yoo Dojun gestured.

Ha Baekryeon who was helping her mother in the kitchen turned her head at Yoo Dojun's voice.

She stood still.

"It's okay, Baekryeon. Come here."

"The Pandora Clan Lord is calling you, child. Go over once."

When Eunha called and.

Ha Jieun pushed her back.

Ha Baekryeon left the kitchen.

Soon she stood in front of Yoo Dojun with a sullen face.

Yoo Dojun took out his wallet.

"─I've heard a lot about you from Eunha. It's admirable seeing you help your mother's work. It must be hot, so take breaks while working. And this is allowance."

"..."

The money Yoo Dojun held out.

Ha Baekryeon stared blankly at that hand then raised her head.

Ha Baekryeon's gaze was directed at Eunha, not Yoo Dojun.

Is she asking if it's okay to accept it from me?

She seemed to be asking exactly that.

Eunha found Ha Baekryeon quite cute as she waited for his answer.

He opened his mouth.

"It's okay, you can accept it."

"...Thank you."

"Good, work hard."

When Eunha's signal dropped.

Ha Baekryeon accepted the money with both hands.

Soon she ran away quickly.

"She's cute. I can see why they say that child is being treated like your clan's mascot these days."

"Just eat your hamburger."

"Oh, this is delicious. This is it, right? The hamburger Yucheon hyung said he wanted to buy the recipe for."

"Yes, that's right."

"Handmade burgers are indeed more delicious than franchise hamburgers."

Yoo Dojun praised the hamburger as he ate.

Eunha was very pleased with his reaction.

When he raised his head and looked towards the kitchen, Ha Jieun and Ha Baekryeon also seemed to be waiting for Yoo Dojun's reaction.

The sight of the two putting their hands together and looking happy caught his eye.

"Hm? What are you looking at?"

"There's something like that."

"Is there something behind?"

"There's nothing. Just eat your hamburger. So how is Yeongwon Group doing?"

"Well, it's going okay. Sales have stabilized again, and they say crisis is opportunity. Thanks to many dungeons being created in Gangbuk, we're getting transaction fees... The land we bought now will rise quickly once reconstruction is finished."

As long as the Fairy resides in the Blue House.

It was Yoo Dojun's theory that Gangbuk would inevitably draw an upward curve in the long term.

And Eunha who knew the future could tell his thoughts were correct.

Right now Gangnam has a relatively prosperous image but.

It will lose that image to Gangbuk where new buildings are going up.

"─So I'm thinking of changing Yeongwon Group to Hana Group and becoming chairman at the end of this year."

"Is that so?"

Soon Yoo Dojun said.

Eunha furrowed his brow.

In the previous life, Yoo Dojun did become chairman within this year.

However─.

"─How about postponing it to the end of next year?"

"End of next year?"

Although it was just in case.

Next year, <Myeongwang > Sindorim causes a calamity in Gangnam.

A disaster occurs where dead people come back to life and living people die, shaking Yeongwon Group.

I remember things were quite messy due to insurance issues...

They'll probably resolve it well, but is it okay to experience such an unfortunate event in the year of inauguration?

As far as Eunha knew, Yeongwon Group's performance recorded the worst during the Seoul invasion period and improved somewhat the following year.

And in the first year of Yoo Dojun's term, performance plummets again due to <Myeongwang > Sindorim.

Although Yoo Dojun's position within Yeongwon Group was firmly established, it was better to avoid being cursed at as much as possible.

"If you say so, I'll do that. I guess our Chairman Kim Juntae will have to suffer for one more year."

He might have doubts but.

Yoo Dojun didn't express any doubts.

He shrugged and decided to change Yeongwon Group's schedule based on Eunha's words.

Rather, he looked relieved after hearing Eunha's advice.

"I should believe in our Eunha shaman's divine power, what else can I do."

"What do you mean Eunha shaman..."

"Then should I call you Eunha god? Hey, do you know?"

"What?"

"I'm an Eunha Religion believer too. I met Saint Iriya early this year, joined the religion and received baptism directly."

"..."

"Want me to tell you my baptismal name?"

"Just eat your hamburger."

Yoo Dojun giggled and.

Eunha was dumbfounded.

He didn't understand why the influence of Eunha Religion was growing more and more even though he disliked it so much.

They say inquiries about joining are pouring into Eunha Religion from political and business circles.

'─Eunha Religion does not discriminate between rich and poor. Our Lord only practices love for humanity with broad generosity.'

Iriya said such nonsense while accepting their joining.

Eunha couldn't help but sigh.

It would be better for my mental health to just ignore that side.

It's something I don't know about.

In the end, Eunha decided to give up.

There was no use in paying attention to it.

He chose the option of leaving Iriya to do as she pleased.

It was then.

Yoo Dojun suddenly changed the topic.

"─And I heard from Yucheon hyung this time, did you hear too?"

"Hear what?"

"Looks like you didn't hear. Well, Yucheon hyung said..."

Yoo Dojun who grasped Eunha's reaction.

He made a "hmm" sound and chose his words.

Soon he continued.

"It seems Yujung is getting engaged."

"...With who."

"With Choi Yejang hyung."

"..."

Eunha couldn't say anything.

☆

Lee Yujung might get engaged.

After Yoo Dojun left, Eunha fell into thought blankly in his office.

It's not that I didn't think about it.

I knew... this would happen.

Lee Yujung is Luminous Group's direct line.

She can't escape from a political marriage.

As long as Eunha decided to give up his feelings for her in this life, it was a predetermined thing.

Whether late or early, the future of Lee Yujung getting engaged remained unchanged.

So it was something he was prepared for.

"..."

But when he heard the news that she might get engaged.

Eunha couldn't maintain his composure.

His insides churned.

Then he murmured as if displeased.

"Why Choi Yejang of all people..."

Clearly, he thought he could happily bless the two if a good man appeared for Lee Yujung.

Eunha had been thinking like that.

But the partner was Choi Yejang.

YH Group's direct line Choi Yejang.

Han Seohyun's former fiancé.

Choi Yejang was absolutely not someone Eunha could acknowledge.

Crunch

Eunha gritted his teeth.

Even though he took a long breath to control the flames boiling inside, it had no effect.

The flames that ignited once were blazing in his heart.

"─This was sent from Luminous Group. They're trying to set up an occasion to introduce Yujung soon. It's an invitation."

What made Eunha's mood even more unsettled in that situation was the invitation Han Seohyun held out.

"..."

Han Seohyun who came to Eunha's office.

She didn't say anything even though she must clearly see what his current mood was like.

Instead, she put the invitation on the desk and approached Eunha.

She forcibly spread Eunha's arms and sat on his lap.

"They can no longer delay Yujung's public activities which were postponed under the pretext of the Seoul invasion and Gangbuk reconstruction work. Probably many people will attend this networking event."

Eunha didn't even ask for an explanation.

But Han Seohyun explained to him who was suppressing his complicated feelings as if she knew.

Since the Seoul invasion, the political and business circles were refraining from public activities as much as possible.

Opportunities for people in political and business circles to network greatly decreased.

In that sense, the networking event hosted by Luminous Group would be the largest scale party since the Seoul invasion.

"People who have been refraining from public activities will also attend the networking event hearing the Luminous name. As much as they've been suppressed, many people will show up."

The economy is gradually loosening.

They don't have to look at public sentiment.

People in political and business circles will vigorously resume public activities starting with Luminous Group's networking event.

Luminous Group's networking event becomes the starting point.

"And that occasion happens to become Yujung's debut. From Luminous' standpoint, this networking event is a crisis to publicly reveal Yujung, but also an opportunity to raise Yujung's status."

Probably Luminous Group Chairman Lee Jungin decided after much deliberation.

Han Seohyun added like that.

If this networking event ends successfully, people won't be able to openly talk about Lee Yujung's disability.

If many people treat her with formality, other people will eventually have to treat her that way too, she meant.

"So the Luminous Group Chairman personally sent this to you and me. Asking us to please attend the networking event and brighten up the occasion."

"..."

"Not just me, but direct lines of groups with friendly relations with Luminous Group all received it. I asked earlier and Hayang received one too."

The class of a party depends on the name of the host holding the party.

Next, it depends on the name value of those attending the party.

From Lee Jungin's standpoint, she requested Eunha's attendance who is currently revered as <Crimson Wing> to raise Lee Yujung's status even a little.

And─.

"─So they're going to announce Yujung and Choi Yejang's engagement at that occasion."

"Yes, that's right. You heard too it seems. I heard Luminous Group was looking into marriage prospects for Yujung, and it seems Choi Yejang was decided. Maybe the reason for holding the networking event at this time is because the engagement was decided. To prevent the two groups from possibly backing out, they're trying to announce it to the world at this opportunity."

"..."

"So to be precise, it's a networking event jointly hosted by Luminous and YH."

Eunha realized the situation, and Han Seohyun agreed with his thoughts.

In other words, the invitation placed on the desk─.

─It's an invitation to Yujung's engagement ceremony.

That meaning was contained.

Probably Lee Jungin intends to announce her engagement with Choi Yejang at the networking event and raise her status again.

She who gets backed by the names of two groups will not be able to be openly oppressed.

However─.

"─Why Choi Yejang of all people..."

While holding Han Seohyun.

Eunha just muttered like that.

He understood but didn't like it.

Then Han Seohyun answered.

"They both have flaws."

"..."

"Both Yujung and Choi Yejang have flaws. The responsibility for breaking off the engagement with me fell on Choi Yejang too, and now rumors are widespread in political and business circles that Choi Yejang can't function properly as a man."

"Even so, why does Yujung have to go to such a guy? He can't even act like a proper man, couldn't even protect his own woman... How can you compare such a guy to Yujung?"

 As if angry.

Eunha spoke in an irritated tone.

Han Seohyun just stroked his hand that was embracing her neck.

Soon she opened her mouth.

"That's also advantageous from the group's perspective."

"..."

"Luminous Group and YH Group are giant dinosaurs currently dividing this country's cultural industry. So they inevitably have to fight over the pie, and rather than engaging in psychological warfare like that, they concluded it's better to form a strategic alliance."

"And that alliance is Yujung and Choi Yejang's engagement, you mean?"

"Is there a more certain alliance than that? If the two groups join hands, the cultural industry will be completely dominated by the two groups in the future."

"..."

"And from Sirius Group's standpoint, the combination of the two groups isn't bad either."

"Why? Sirius Group doesn't get along with YH Group."

"Even if they don't get along, they can't not get along forever. Depending on the situation, there's a need to respond flexibly. It's also burdensome to continue psychological warfare with YH Group like this."

"..."

"So unni will probably sincerely congratulate this engagement. All groups dealing with the two groups, without exception. There won't be any opposition except for groups affecting the cultural industry. Even if they oppose, they won't be able to do anything since their influence is small compared to the two groups."

She strokes his face.

She admonishes him in a gentle tone, prophesying the situation that will unfold in the future.

The more Eunha listened to her story, the more solemn he became.

Listening to Seohyun's words, the best match for Yujung and Luminous Group is only Choi Yejang.

Eunha had to acknowledge it eventually.

In the end, the only man suitable for Lee Yujung is Choi Yejang.

Regardless of his feelings, Choi Yejang is the most suitable.

Still, he didn't like it.

What's so good about that bastard...

Choi Yejang doesn't measure up.

How about Yoo Dojun or Kim Geonwoong who match Lee Yujung in age and status?

It would be nonsense to assume Kim Geonwoong since he already has a fiancée, but on the other hand, Yoo Dojun didn't have a fiancée.

Above all, Eunha could trust him, and if it was his request, he would treat Lee Yujung preciously.

When his thoughts reached that point─.

─Crunch

Eunha gritted his teeth again this time.

He didn't like it even just imagining.

No one suited Lee Yujung.

""""..."

Eunha realized then.

He had been thinking he could entrust Lee Yujung if it was a man he could acknowledge.

But in fact, that wasn't the case.

It was just a hypothetical assumption.

Nevertheless, it couldn't be helped.

The only thing he could do for Lee Yujung was to pray for her happiness.

When his thoughts reached that point─.

"─I said before too."

"..."

"I'm on your side. Apart from the group, I'll prioritize you more now."

Han Seohyun brought up such words.

A tone as if gently soothing.

No, a tone as if embracing.

Eunha hesitated.

Even while doing so, Han Seohyun continued speaking while still stroking Eunha.

"─Do as you want."

"..."

"We only live once, so shouldn't we live as we want to that extent?"

I'll take responsibility for the aftermath.

That's my role, isn't it?

Han Seohyun whispered.

☆

Noh Eunha got married.

That day, after attending his wedding ceremony, Lee Yujung was finally able to give up her feelings for him.

This is... right.

I knew it would turn out like this from the beginning.

Nevertheless, she was occasionally consumed by longing for him.

So she reduced the frequency of contacting Eunha to suppress those feelings.

Coincidentally, Eunha was also reducing the frequency of contacting her.

Lee Yujung was inwardly saddened, but considered it a natural thing.

She persuaded herself.

It's okay, it's just a temporary emotion.

Time will resolve it.

Time will make me forget.

Lee Yujung believed without doubt.

At the same time, she requested her father to arrange the engagement she had been postponing, to forcibly forget him.

And so─.

'─Hello, I'm Choi Yejang.'

'...Hello. I'm Lee Yujung.'

Lee Yujung compromised with reality.

She knew her disability was a flaw and.

Also wanted to be helpful to her family members who love her.

No, in fact, to forget the longing that formed a lump in her chest.

She decided to get engaged to YH Group's direct line Choi Yejang.

...He's a good person.

In order to formally hold the engagement.

Lee Yujung met with Choi Yejang for a while without the knowledge of people in political and business circles.

As a result of having several short meetings together, she could tell Choi Yejang was a decent person.

He had manners and was very considerate.

She could feel his consideration in every little thing when he dealt with her.

At the same time─.

─Eunha was like this too...

From Choi Yejang's considerate actions.

Lee Yujung couldn't help but recall Eunha whom she was desperately trying to forget.

She recalled him involuntarily even though she didn't want to think about it.

That's how much the time spent with Eunha remained as a special memory for her.

It's okay... I'm okay. I can't be tied to Eunha forever. I shouldn't rely on Eunha.

Now I have to practice living on my own.

Lee Yujung suppressed her feelings.

She who had only been receiving protection from people until now tried to stand up proudly as Luminous Group's direct line at this opportunity.

Like that, the engagement was decided and.

Like that, the networking event was decided.

From that day on, she was making all kinds of preparations for the networking event.

Nevertheless─.

─Is this really okay?

Am I really doing well?

She couldn't erase her doubts.

As the day of the networking event approached, Lee Yujung's heart became more and more uneasy.

She questioned the life she was living diligently and.

She couldn't tell whose life this was for and.

She felt doubtful whether she was really doing well.

"..."

But she could never tell her family about her anxious feelings.

Because her family members showed relieved looks when her engagement was decided.

She couldn't worry them.

It's okay. Mother also met father through an arranged marriage. But the two of them love each other...

So I'll... be okay too.

In the end, she could only persuade herself alone.

Therefore, outwardly she could only appear like a flower growing vigorously day by day receiving water.

But in reality, Lee Yujung was just withering away day by day.

Gradually killing her emotions.

Gradually compromising with reality.

Gradually becoming the person others wanted her to be.

─I'm okay.

That phrase was her support.

She who seemed like she would collapse at any moment spent each day using that phrase as support.

That day was such a day too.

The day she went to get shoes fitted with attendants in preparation for the networking event.

That day, a sudden change visited her daily life.

"─Hey miss over there, want to get your fortune told?"

"Pardon?"

The day she got shoes fitted at YH Department Store to express her favor towards Choi Yejang.

When she went up to the rooftop for some fresh air, she received a call from some woman.

Lee Yujung turned her head towards the direction the voice came from.

"Are you talking to me?"

"Yes, the miss over there."

A clear voice.

Lee Yujung imagined the world entering her perception range through her gift.

There was the form of a woman.

The woman seemed to be sitting at what looked like a street stall.

"Looking at you, it seems you have some worries. Shall I read your fortune?"

"..."

The woman spoke kindly and gestured.

At that time, Lee Yujung approached closer, ignoring the attendants' dissuasion, as if drawn by something.

There was a chair in front of the woman.

She sat in the chair and directed her gaze at the woman across from her.

Soon the woman exclaimed.

"It's amazing even looking from far away."

"What do you mean?"

"Your star, miss."

"..."

Incomprehensible words.

Lee Yujung couldn't say anything.

Nevertheless, the woman didn't mind and gently held her hand.

"People are born with their own fate, but amazingly, you have no fate, miss."

"What do you mean?"

"It means you don't have anything that would dramatically change your life, like a crisis of death for example, excluding physical and temporal circumstances."

"What?"

"Simply put, you weren't born with a fate to die. If you were to die, it would only be because your body and lifespan reached their limit, not because of some event caused by causality. It's really amazing. It's as if the world is telling you to remain a bystander until you're alive."

"..."

"In other words─."

She was a woman saying strange things.

But Lee Yujung was getting more and more drawn into the woman's words.

Something strange and mysterious.

Soon the woman wearing what seemed to be sunglasses or glasses said.

"─Your fate is up to you, miss."

"..."

"Unless you wish to die, you won't die. But what if you died a death caused by causality rather than natural death? That means you volunteered to die by that causality. Do you understand what I mean?"

"..."

"It means you can do anything in the world if you want, miss. It means you can decide your fate with your own hands. There is no being in this world binding you, miss."

It was incomprehensible, but somehow struck her heart.

Lee Yujung felt her breath ease listening to the woman's words.

It felt like her thoughts were clearing up.

But she didn't know exactly what that feeling was and.

Questions, no, curiosity welled up.

"But I can't see, so I need my family's care..."

"Choosing to receive your family's care was your choice, miss. You're probably binding yourself."

"..."

"Looking at your appearance, you seem to be from some chaebol family... All the elements constituting you were ultimately inherited from your family, and wasn't it you who chose that? Not the world choosing it."

"..."

"People have many things to express themselves like you, miss, and at some point become bound by them. But due to the causality they've lived so far, they can't easily give up what they have in hand. In the end, they become subordinate to their given fate. But I told you, didn't I? That no fate exists for you, miss."

Each word of the woman.

Struck Lee Yujung's heart.

She sympathized with the incomprehensible words, and some unknown emotion in her chest began to raise its head.

"Unlike other people, you're binding yourself, miss. You're not trying to change your circumstances even though you can change them."

"..."

"So sometimes do as you want, miss. Having no fate means you can do anything."

"Ah..."

"That's what happiness is. Breaking some chain shackling you now, and being liberated from there. The world makes people unable to do that, but you're free, miss."

Do as your heart desires.

Lee Yujung heard advice she would never forget from then on.