Startled, Chang Seol looks at the door. "What the…"
"CHICKEN, COME DOWN."
"Why is he screaming like a madman?" Her face becomes sour. If Namgung Yeon-Sik is the person whom she wants to see a lot, this old geezer is someone whom she doesn't want to see at all.
"He probably wants you to make breakfast." Mun Soyoon glances at her. "Why is he the only one who can eat it? I also want to eat what you make. It always smells good."
"I will make something for you when he's not at the house." Old mister is so fussy. Chang Seol grabs the hat before she leaves through the door. He's standing at the bottom of the stairs with his back to her. "Old Mister, why are you yelling so early in the morning?"
"Chicken." Instead of the old mister, a young man turns and looks up at her. "We have to visit your parents today."
His messy hair is replaced by a neat look. The bushy beard is also gone, revealing his sharp jaw.
The voice and the look in his eyes are the same. Chang Seol gapes at him. How did this 'MIRACLE' happen?
Sin Jeong-Hyuk climbs the stairs with a toothy grin. He stops a few steps below her, standing on the same eye level with her. "Why are you in a daze, Chicken?"
"Did you get plastic surgery?" She blurts out, finding it hard to believe that he had this kind of face behind all the hair.
"Eh?" He's getting leans to his goddaughter. Raising his brows, he says to her, "Chicken, your little teeth marks are gone. I don't need plastic surgery to fix that. You are worried about nothing."
She stares at his nose. The wound has healed. Sadly, there's not a single scar. Can someone change so much after getting rid of a beard? It seems like magic.
"Honestly, I don't care if women are scared away by my face since I have you." He chuckles. "My little goddaughter is enough for me."
What is he saying? She frowns deeply. His looks might have changed, but his brain is the same. How would she call him old mister if he looks like this? His age has been by two decades after he cleaned up. And she prefers his old look. "Why did you shave?"
"Your college is off for two days," Sin Jeong-Hyuk puts his finger under her chin. "Did you forget? I promised your parents that I would take you to see them when your college is off."
"That…" She hesitates. It's not right to call this person old. Isn't it too risky to take this person to her home? What would happen if her grandfather's friend finds out the truth? Not going means she has something to hide.
But it's scary that he looks like this. "Mister, how about we go after the semester ends?"
"We can't do that." Sin Jeong-Hyuk smiles at her. "Chicken, I promised your father."
This nuisance! She grimaces at him. "Can you pretend to be my husband? My grandfather's friend will be there to see you. If you don't do it well, we are doomed."
"I thought I only needed to pretend it for a few days." He cocks his head, crossing his arms. "When are you telling the truth?"
"Of course, I will tell the truth." Chang Seol licks her lips. The mister has a one-dimensional mind. Though she hates lying, she doesn't want to get caught until the engagement is broken for once and all. If Mr No is satisfied with this guy, the engagement will break for sure.
It's not like she can lie forever. She will lie as long as she can.
Maybe she will lie till the moment No Shi Won gets married to some other girl. His grandfather is in a rush to get No Shi Won married.
"After… sometimes… you see, my grandfather's friend is really close to my family. He's not feeling well." She falters, "Actually, he's going to have surgery soon. If I tell him the truth now, I am afraid that… That's why I decided to keep it a secret. I don't want my parents to lie. Mister, believe me. I will tell the truth after he gets the surgery."
She looks at him with watery eyes. Yes, she's desperate. However, her eyes are tearing up for different reasons. If this guy doesn't help her, she might have to get married to that guy. Her parents already know where she is.
"Chang Seol." Mister grabs her shoulders. Big drops of tears roll out of his eyes as he sniffles. "You are a brave girl. As your godfather…"
His voice breaks. Sin Jeong-Hyuk hugs the chicken tightly and rests his chin on her head. "I am proud of you."
The girl squirms in his embrace. "It's suffocating, Mister."
This little girl has gone through so much at such a young age. She's so thoughtful about others despite the tragedies that she faced. Some paedophile duped her and now, she can't go back to her family. Sin Jeong-Hyuk releases her and stares at her face. "Let's go to your family. I will pretend to be your husband until you decide to tell the truth."
"Really?" Chang Seol widens her eyes. A smile appears on her lips. She grabs his hands and says with a sweet voice, "Mister, you must treat me like your wife. They can't be suspicious of us."
"Well…" He frowns a little. It's hard to see her as a woman and acting is not his best suit. "I never had a wife before. So…"
She sighs, lowering her eyelashes in melancholy.
"I will try my best." It breaks his heart to see this kid drowning in sadness. And she cooks delicious meals. Though he truly cares for her, he does need to know who Daydream is. If that woman sings that song… "Should we research before we go?"
"Research?" Chang Seol raises her brow.
"We should see married couples' videos." Sin Jeong-Hyuk replies, "Though I have seen my parents, I can't say if my father is the best husband. What about you, Chicken? Do you know how married couples act like?"
"Videos?" Her cheeks flush, making him curious about what kind of videos she's thinking about. "No, we don't need to see the couples' videos for sure. I already know what we must do."
"We can discuss it in the car then." Sin Jeong-Hyuk decides to let it go. Kids grow up fast these days. He looks at his watch. "I will wait for you in the car."
***
She returns to her room and opens the wardrobe, only to stare at her clothes for a long minute.
"Did he ask you out on a date or something?" Mun Soyoon questions her curiously.
"Date? Sunbae, I would never date a man like him," She huffs as she picks up a red coat. "I am visiting my family. Have fun in the art exhibition."
"You too." Mun Soyoon waves her hand. "If you have time, visit S City."
"I will try." Chang Seol closes the door behind her and runs downstairs. She pauses near the door, wondering if she's doing the right thing.
What are her options anyway? To tell the truth? Not before No Shi Won gets married!
Chang Seol takes a deep breath and walks out of the share-house. Sin Jeong-Hyuk is waiting for her in the car.
"He's not that bad," She mumbles to herself as she heads toward the car. Who goes this far for someone these days? He's annoying though. His height is more annoying. His clean-shaven face certainly tops the chart.
The girl shakes her head and gets into the car. "Let's go, Mister."