The Other Transmigrator.

Behind them loomed Mrs. Wang, casting a deathly glare that sent shivers down one's spine. In response, Eun-kyung swiftly withdrew her hands from Mr. Wang and mustered a heartfelt smile towards Mrs. Wang. "Good morning, Mrs. Wang!" Eun-kyung greeted, her voice brimming with hope, aiming to alleviate the now palpable tension. However, Mrs. Wang's face contorted in a manner unmistakably unfriendly, distinctly disapproving of her efforts.

"How splendid is this morning!" Mrs. Wang retorted, striding over to her husband's side and firmly clasping his hand. She peered at him, attempting to emanate affection, but Mr. Wang abruptly stiffened, displaying clear discomfort. Eun-kyung could sense his unease without a shred of doubt.

"My dear husband, I want to go shopping today," she implored, pressing herself against him and gently resting her head on his shoulder. The sight might have seemed ethereal to bystanders, yet Eun-kyung knew all too well that Mr. Wang abhorred being caught in such a compromising position.

"We discussed this matter last night—I have already transferred the funds to your account," he responded, making an effort to extricate himself from the intimate embrace.

"But I want you to accompany me," Mrs. Wang persisted, turning to Eun-kyung with a repugnant expression etched across her face. "Or is it that you'd rather stay here with her? U-jin wouldn't be pleased if he found out his own father was caught in a compromising position with his best friend," she hissed, continuing her tirade. Eun-kyung's anger welled up, for they had merely been holding hands, nothing more. Before she could retort, Mr. Wang interjected.

"Very well, let us proceed," he capitulated, motioning for Mrs. Wang to lead the way. He bestowed upon Eun-kyung a reassuring smile before their departure. Eun-kyung couldn't help but feel immense pity for him, fully comprehending the burden he bore for abandoning his sons without even a farewell in the novel. He too endured torment, and perhaps she could uncover a way to enlighten the boys regarding his plight.

With unwavering determination to solve yet another predicament, Eun-kyung ventured into the vast expanse of U-jin's enchanting garden. The garden surpassed Ji-woo's in both size and beauty, although Ji-woo and Chae-young meticulously took great care and devotion in taking care of their own garden. While passing by a bush adorned with pristine white roses, Eun-kyung's gaze was irresistibly drawn towards a single blossom that beckoned to her, she might as well present it to Granny Wang. Determined yet cautious, she reached out to pluck it, only to be pricked by its thorny defenses, resulting in a trickle of blood escaping from her finger. Observing the crimson droplet, she instinctively sucked on her wounded digit before dropping the container that was on her hand to the ground, eager to salvage her prized acquisition. With skill and precision, she accomplished the task, a victorious smile adorning her lips as she resumed her journey through the garden.

Deeper into the garden she ventured, until the gazebo came into view. Without hesitation, she hastened towards it, discovering Granny Wang relaxing and savouring a cup of tea. The perceptive matriarch immediately sensed Eun-kyung's presence, causing her to cease sipping and face her, her eyes sparkling with delight.

"Oh, my dear, you have arrived!" she beamed, leaving Eun-kyung with little choice but to reciprocate the smile. This woman possessed an uncanny ability to make others feel at ease in her presence.

"Don't linger there, come, take a seat," Granny urged, motioning towards a cushioned chair on the opposite side of the table. Eun-kyung obeyed and settled into the seat, her eyes widening at the sight of an array of delectable treats adorning the table: cupcakes adorned with vibrant icing and sprinkles, cookies brimming with chocolate chips, sugary biscuits, and much more.

Eun-kyung found herself not surprised, knowing that Granny had a notorious sweet tooth—a quality that U-jin had relentlessly scolded her for, warning all the maids against baking anything sugar-laden. Yet, witnessing Granny Wang indulging in such delights could only mean that U-jin was absent and these treats were specially ordered.

Eun-kyung glanced up at Granny Wang, her initial frustration fading away as she realised that she had been taken by surprise. "Is that for me?" Granny Wang asked, her finger pointing at the container on the table.

"Yes, Granny Wang," Eun-kyung replied, her voice tinged with a mixture of surprise and relief. "I prepared something for you before coming here."

Eun-kyung stepped forward and placed the container in front of Granny Wang, ready to retreat to her seat. Before she could make a move, however, Granny Wang reached out and gently held her hand, halting her motion. Perplexed, Eun-kyung met Granny Wang's gaze, waiting for her to speak.

"Isn't the rose for me?" Granny Wang asked, extending her hand towards Eun-kyung. It was then that Eun-kyung realized her mistake and hastily handed over the rose, feeling a tinge of embarrassment.

Granny Wang delicately smelled the flower, a look of pure delight shining in her eyes. Eun-kyung wanted to explain herself, to tell Granny Wang that the rose was selected from her own garden, but Granny Wang spoke before she had the chance.

"No need to explain, I know that this bloom is from my garden," Granny Wang stated, her voice filled with a mix of gratitude and understanding. She then turned her attention towards the container of food, carefully opening it. The aroma of beef and ox bone wafted through the air, eliciting a gasp of surprise from Granny Wang.

Looking at Eun-kyung with a mixture of amazement and curiosity, Granny Wang began to speak, only to trail off as if a thought had crossed her mind. Eun-kyung's heart raced with anticipation, knowing that Granny Wang had invited her here for a purpose, just as she had come with her own questions. It was time to settle each other's curiosities.

After what felt like an interminable moment, Granny Wang forthrightly addressed Eun-kyung, "You transmigrated here, I'm I right?" Eun-kyung's astonishment was palpable; she had not anticipated such a question. How had Granny Wang arrived at such a conclusion? In a world devoid of fantasy, why would she entertain the notion of such existence? Even U-jin and Eun-woo had entertained similar thoughts. Did this mean that her true identity was bound to be unveiled? The sheer weight of the situation overwhelmed her, driving her into a state of bewilderment. If only she possessed an entity akin to the systems described in the novels she had once read, guiding her actions. Alas, she found herself grappling with the responsibility of making her own decisions, irrespective of their implications on this world's fabric. The onus was solely on her.

As Eun-kyung turned her gaze towards Granny Wang, she pondered the ethical dilemma of concealing the truth from her idol. Perhaps falsehood was the only answer; besides, she was oblivious to the duration of her stay in this world. With conviction, she decided with deception, intending to protect her identity. Gathering her resolve, she prepared to respond, only to be promptly interrupted by Granny Wang.

"You must be curious about Yoon-mi's identity," the elderly woman declared, leaving Eun-kyung to silently curse under her breath. Granny Wang seemed to hold all the cards in this encounter.

Wearing an all-knowing smirk, Granny Wang continued, "U-jin claims that Ji-woo suffers from a personality disorder, but I hold a different view. He asked me to leave you be, but my curiosity has grown insatiable with my boredom." Leaning back against her chair, she revealed a wide smile that sent a shiver down Eun-kyung's spine. Regret now crept into her heart as she longed for an escape. Where was the obliging protagonist when one needed him? "I assumed you would heed U-jin's advice to avoid any contact with me. By coming here, you have demonstrated your own curiosity." Granny Wang straightened up again. "Here's the deal: you share your true identity with me, and in return, I will unveil everything you need to know about Yoon-mi."

Eun-kyung swallowed hard, her mind buzzing with a mix of fear and curiosity. Should she run away, leaving behind the bewildering events that had unfolded here? Or should she stay, driven by her insatiable thirst for answers? Granny Wang's reassurance came as a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos. "I promise I will keep your secret, just as I did for Yoon-mi," she whispered, her voice filled with sincerity.

Eun-kyung pondered for a moment, her brow furrowing with uncertainty. Finally, she sighed softly and spoke, her voice tinged with hesitation. "You go first," she said. Granny Wang frowned, a note of warning creeping into her expression. "Remember, you cannot go back on your word. If you truly understand me, you know the depths of my capabilities," she cautioned. Eun-kyung nodded in understanding, acknowledging the gravity of the situation.

As Granny Wang reclined in her chair, her hands folded together, she began to divulge the astonishing truth. "Yoon-mi was a transmigrator, who came here with a purpose to alter certain events. From the day Kim Ae-ra was born, she had been inhabiting her body. When she was nine, she came to me for help, telling me her real identity in the process. She said that I'm was her only option. It took me months to believe her, but her uncanny ability to predict future events convinced me - events that later unfolded exactly as she had foretold. Our bond grew stronger, and she became a dear friend to both my grandson and his companions. But more than a month ago, she disappeared without a trace, and when I encountered Kim Ae-ra, I knew that Yoon-mi had returned home," Granny Wang explained, a hint of sorrow in her eyes. "I suppose I grew attached to her, which is why I miss her dearly now." She let out a heartfelt sigh. "Now, it is your turn."

Eun-kyung was left speechless, her mind reeling from the revelations. She had never imagined she was not the only transmigrator that had come into this world, and to discover that Yoon-mi had lived in this realm for seventeen long years was astonishing. Her heart yearned for Yoon-mi's presence, craving answers to the multitude of questions that flooded her mind.

Eun-kyung ceased her inner musings and refocused her attention on the present matter. She took a deep breath and responded, "I am similar to Yoon-mi in some respects, but also quite distinct."

Granny Wang, her brows knitted in confusion, inquired, "What do you mean?"

"I possess the ability to travel back and forth between my world and this one, yet I lack control over it," she explained.

Granny Wang nodded, indicating her comprehension. "How long have you been here?" she inquired further.

"I arrived here more than a month ago, but after two weeks, I returned to my world. However, I came back after a span of three weeks had passed, so I have been residing here for a week now," Eun-kyung responded. Granny Wang gazed at her in awe.

Granny Wang triumphantly raised both hands, exclaiming, "I knew it! My intuition was correct. You truly are a transmigrator!" Eun-kyung couldn't help but laugh at the child-like behaviour of Granny Wang. However, her laughter abruptly subsided when Granny Wang's gaze shifted behind her. Eun-kyung turned around, only to be met with the astonished expressions of two young men.

"I knew it! We were right all along, U-jin," Eun-woo exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with excitement. U-jin's gaze, however, remained fixed on Eun-kyung, who now wished fervently for the ground to swallow her whole.

'Why on earth did he choose this moment to show up? He should have come when I needed him,' Eun-kyung lamented silently in her mind.