Free Web NovelYe Xiaotong could feel the affection lingering in Woo Youngsik’s eyes.
His expression was still calm, almost indifferent—but the emotions in his gaze told a completely different story.
After pouring out her emotions for so long, she suddenly realized tears were streaming down her face and became flustered.
Wiping them away, she lowered her head and spoke quietly.
“I’m not asking you to do anything for me. I was just curious. If you knew I existed... you could have come to find me, right?”
“....”
Though he tried to maintain his composure, seeing her tears stirred something heavy inside him.
He forced himself to remain calm, but his gaze stayed fixed on the top of her bowed head, unable to say a word.
An awkward silence stretched between them.
After some time, Ye Xiaotong steadied her emotions, lifted her head, and met his eyes.
“Say something.”
Breaking the long silence, Woo Youngsik finally spoke.
“Who told you?”
His gentle voice made her eyes widen.
Realizing she already knew everything, he decided to speak more openly.
“Does that matter?”
“Of course it does. Ye Xianping would never be the one to tell you about me. Who was it? Who told you?”
“I’m asking «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» if that matters. Don’t you have anything else to say?”
“...I’m sorry. I hoped you would never know about me. That was the right choice. Ye Xianping and I both agreed on that.”
“....”
She opened her mouth but couldn’t form words.
He continued calmly.
“My existence would have been a weakness for you.”
“What does that—”
“It was a different time back then. My country and yours were enemies. If it became known that Ye Xianping’s granddaughter had Korean blood... what do you think would happen? Not just my life—your life, as a child. I couldn’t make a choice that would ruin your future.”
“...But you could have taken me with you.”
“If you followed me, are you certain you wouldn’t regret it?”
She hesitated.
Seeing that, he gave a faint, sad smile.
“Since you can’t answer right away... it seems Ye Xianping truly gave you all his love. That’s a relief.”
That smile carried a quiet denial—and she felt even more unsettled.
“What about your life? I heard you lost everything you built here.”
“How much do you know? ...No, I see now. I know who told you about me. Kim Muhyuk.”
“....”
“I asked him not to approach you. And yet he broke that promise...”
He didn’t hide his anger.
She quickly shook her head.
“No, that’s wrong. He didn’t come to me—I went to him first.”
“...Stay away from that man. Nothing good will come of it.”
“What do you mean?”
“He’s the kind of man who will do anything to achieve his goals.” frёeweɓηovel.coɱ
She already knew that.
“I know. That’s why I need him. You might not understand, but there’s someone I love—and that man is standing in their way. I have to stop him.”
“...Then you shouldn’t have come to Korea. This is his country. Did you make any mistakes with him?”
“No. If anything, I helped him.”
He let out a quiet sigh of relief.
“I’ll say it again. Don’t get close to Kim Muhyuk. No matter what you do.”
“...I’ll decide that myself. I don’t even understand why his name keeps coming up in a conversation between a father and daughter meeting for the first time. I want to hear about you.”
He gave a dry chuckle.
“My life... My greatest regret is giving up your mother.”
His eyes drifted into the past—but he trailed off, unable to continue.
Even as they spoke for a long time after, the distance between them didn’t close.
She wanted to treat him as her father.
He told her to forget he existed—and never seek him again.
Their conversation ran in painful parallel lines.
Then—
Knock knock.
Irritation flared across her face.
“Tao!”
There was no one else who would come—except perhaps him.
Tao approached the door, one hand inside his jacket.
Inside, a pistol—given by a Chinese embassy official at the airport.
After checking through the peephole, he turned.
“It’s Kim Muhyuk.”
“What? Kim Muhyuk?”
“Why is he here?”
Both of them reacted at once.
* * *
After arriving at Gimpo Airport, I left the private jet and got into the car.
“Where is Ye Xiaotong?”
“She’s staying in a suite at a hotel in Jongno. Woo Youngsik is there as well.”
“Let’s go. I don’t like leaving questions unanswered.”
The car sped through the city.
When we reached the floor of her suite, I said to Manager Ma:
“Clear this entire floor.”
“Yes, boss.”
While he relayed the order, I walked slowly to the innermost room.
I stopped him from ringing the bell and knocked instead.
No response.
Just as he was about to knock again—
The door opened.
“Who told you to come here?”
Tao blocked the entrance.
“I believe your name is Tao? I’m here to see Ye Xiaotong.”
“Please leave. My boss is in the middle of an important conversation.”
“That won’t be possible. I don’t tolerate unanswered questions.”
“....”
He didn’t move.
“Step aside. You’ll get hurt.”
“I can’t.”
“Then I have no choice.”
The moment I finished speaking, Manager Ma stepped forward—
“Tao!”
Her voice came from inside.
“Let him in.” freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
Tao immediately stepped aside.
Loyal—but excessive loyalty becomes poison.
I tapped his shoulder lightly as I passed.
“Loyalty is good. But too much of it can be dangerous. This isn’t China. Don’t overdo it. If you get hurt, she’ll be the one at risk.”
He said nothing.
I stepped inside.
“So you’re here as well, Chief Woo Youngsik.”
“Why are you here?”
“I have something important to discuss with your daughter.”
“Didn’t I warn you not to involve her? If you try to use her, I will—”
“You’re mistaken. She came to me first. I kept my promise.”
“....”
Ignoring his glare, I turned to her.
“Apologies for interrupting. But I couldn’t ignore this.”
“How did you find me?”
“In Korea, there’s nothing I don’t know.”
“That’s a frightening thing to say.”
“It’s simply the truth.”
Then I looked back at him.
“You should leave. This isn’t something she’ll want to hear.”
“...What do you mean?”
He looked at her.
“I’ll contact you tomorrow. Let’s have a meal and continue then.”
“....”
“Please... Dad.”
That word surprised even me.
“...Very well. Tomorrow.”
He stood, then stopped in front of me.
“Kim Muhyuk. Let me warn you. If you harm my daughter... I will risk everything to destroy you.”
I had no desire to make an enemy of him.
But I wouldn’t back down from a threat either.
“Is that so? That almost makes me want to try.”
“Kim Muhyuk!”
“Haha. Just joking. I only came to talk.”
“...We’ll speak next time.”
He left.
She remained seated.
“Sit. You came here for a reason, didn’t you?”
I nodded and took his seat.
She immediately pressed:
“So what is it? You don’t show up like this without reason.”
Her eyes were slightly red.
“You were crying?”
“...Why does that matter? Just say what you came to say.”
I shrugged.
“Xiaotong. Was it you?”
“What are you talking about?”
“The scriptwriter behind this ridiculous play. That’s what I’m asking.”
“...Ah. You mean Wei Zhengcheng’s death?”
She clapped her hands lightly, as if recalling something.
The elegance of the gesture only made it more irritating.
“How much do you know about me?”
“As much as anyone else, I suppose.”
“Then you know nothing. Don’t toy with me. I hate being someone else’s pawn. I’ll ask again—was this your doing?”
The smile vanished from her face.
“...You’re interesting. Fine. Yes. I did it. I just returned the favor you gave me. Didn’t it resolve things nicely? So why are you so hostile?”
She admitted it without hesitation.
“I shortened the time it would have taken you. That’s all. Are you dissatisfied?”
She wasn’t wrong.
I had my own plan.
It just would have taken longer.
“Did I do something unnecessary?”
“No. I’m grateful. It would’ve been better if you told me beforehand. But...”
I lowered my voice.
“Isn’t it strange? How every piece of evidence was already in your hands? Evidence only the person involved should have.”
“...Are you accusing me?”
Her eyes didn’t waver.
“You think I tried to kill you?”
“Wouldn’t it be stranger not to suspect you?”
She scoffed.
“I should’ve just ignored it.”
Her expression, tone—everything was flawless.
Too flawless.
Which made it even more suspicious.
“So it’s all just your capability?”
“I know Wei Zhengcheng well. I had him monitored in case he ever harmed Jiyoung. That’s how I learned everything. And I handed the evidence over to Hu Jintao’s side.”
Her explanation flowed perfectly.
Not a single flaw.
That was exactly what bothered me.
“I understand it... logically.”
I looked straight into her eyes.
“But my instincts say you’re behind Wei Zhengcheng.”
She let out a small laugh.
“You think too highly of me. How could I control someone like him?”
“False modesty is worse than none. I do think highly of you. Supporting Xi Jinping for so long isn’t something an ordinary person could do.”
She smirked.
“That’s a compliment, right?”
“Of course. If I didn’t know what kind of person he really is, I might’ve supported him too.”
“...What exactly do you think of him?”
“That’s for you to find out.”
Then I got to the point.
“Thank you for this. If you ever need my help, I’ll grant it once. But if you’re involved in my assassination attempt—even a little—we’ll become enemies. I still don’t fully trust you.”
I paused, locking eyes with her.
“And don’t ever handle matters involving me on your own again. This is a warning. Even if it helps me. I hate being a pawn on someone else’s board.”
My voice turned cold.
“There won’t be a second time.”
She didn’t look away.
