[Chapter 184]
[As the Heart Moves (6)]
YH Group magnanimously canceled the engagement with Luminous Group's direct line Lee Yujung.
However, one shouldn't think YH Group would be friendly.
They just didn't show any particular objection considering their public image, but there was no guarantee their outward and inward attitudes matched.
From YH Group's standpoint, they would probably view Luminous Group and Eunha unfavorably. Especially Eunha who humiliated Choi Yejang and took Lee Yujung away in front of everyone couldn't be seen favorably.
Although YH Group is currently taking magnanimous actions to create positive public opinion for Choi Yejang.
It was obvious they would take retaliatory measures once issues related to Choi Yejang were resolved.
Han Seohyun predicted that and.
Therefore, she moved quickly to prepare for that time.
"─What's the occasion, Seohyun? To think you'd rely on me in this world. You married well. You're even asking me favors because of Eunha."
"Shut up, don't tease me."
"Tsk, why don't you act nicely to me like you do to Eunha?"
But there were clear limits even to Han Seohyun's power.
By marrying Eunha, her influence she could exert in Sirius Group became greatly restricted.
As a result, she had no choice but to bring along her older sister Han Seoyeon.
Although Han Seoyeon's personality was picky, fortunately she seemed tempted by Han Seohyun's words.
"Look, Yejin is coming."
"Unni, your voice is too loud."
"Don't worry. She must be expecting something since we called her too. The fact that she came to this place despite that means it's okay to say she has some intention."
"...Unni's words seem to be right. She's showing curiosity towards us."
"I'll lead the negotiation. So Seohyun, you just look at Yejin's emotions and let me know whenever there's something strange."
"Okay."
Soon seeing YH Group's direct line Choi Yejin appear.
The two quietly conversed.
Then they reviewed their given roles again.
Han Seohyun decided to examine Choi Yejin's emotions and give signals to Han Seoyeon under the table.
"─I didn't know unnies would call me so suddenly. But unnies, you weren't fighting again, were you? It seemed like you were bickering as I was coming."
"Welcome, Yejin! Ah, Seohyun just acted cute to me, that's all."
"You're talking nonsense. Do you think I would do that to this unni?"
Although they appeared to be sisters who didn't get along on the surface.
In fact, the two got along well enough to share secrets they couldn't easily tell others.
Contrary to external appearances, the two matched well with each other and could grasp each other's intentions with just a few signals.
Therefore─.
"─Anyway, you came well. Yejin, you must be busy these days too? You must be very upset because of Yejang."
"That's right."
From the moment Choi Yejin sat down.
She could be said to have been caught in the spider web created by the two.
When Han Seoyeon threw out a topic, Han Seohyun chimed in as if it was nothing while leading the conversation.
And Han Seoyeon exerted her specialty of manipulating people while grasping Choi Yejin's emotions through Seohyun's gift.
"─Your grandmother is really too much. She created a group by splitting off from Galaxy because she didn't like her older brother doing everything, but... It's strange that she can't acknowledge you as successor just because you're a woman. Completely a case of the pot calling the kettle black..."
"Inconsistent words and actions."
"Right, isn't it inconsistent words and actions? It's really too much. Yejin, the fact that you're doing well now is something I and others know..."
"Yeah... that's right. But what can I do. I don't want to fight to the point of taking away oppa's position..."
"Take it."
"What?"
"I said take it. No, is this even taking? Wasn't it actually a position that should have gone to you from the beginning? I heard you did better than Choi Yejang since you were young. But he became the successor because you're a woman and 3 years younger."
"..."
"It's such an outdated idea. If our group did that, I would have immediately knocked down the person above me. Why? Because managing a group isn't something possible with just legitimacy and greed."
"..."
"How many people are working under us. But do you think it's okay to ruin the group while exploiting those people with just our greed? The person who has to feed them should have the ability to do so before legitimacy."
"Unni, stop saying such radical things. If I had been born before you, you would have tried to blow my head off."
"I would do that. If someone is more incompetent than me, of course I should. But Seohyun is my younger sister and pretty so it's okay!"
"This is why I don't like you, unni."
"Our Seohyun, are you upset? I'm sorry. Here, let unni hug you."
"It's hot so go away."
"Tsk, is it because Yejin is here? Anyway Yejin, what do you think?"
"What..."
"Don't you want to... reclaim the things that should have gone to you? Really?"
"Unni, I don't know what you're thinking but don't encourage a kid who's doing well for no reason."
"Right, you're doing well. Being exploited within the group while obeying grandmother's words under oppa."
"...!"
"Unni, your words went too far. Yejin, don't listen to what this unni is saying."
"What's wrong with me? I'm saying this because I feel too sorry for Yejin. Isn't it pitiful that such a pretty girl who works so well and has a kind heart is just being used?"
"Sigh..."
"Seoyeon unni's words are right."
""...!!""
The Han sisters manipulated her.
Choi Yejin probably sensed from before coming here that the two would encourage her.
She had been suppressing her dissatisfaction with the group until now.
And it burst out with Choi Yejang becoming disabled as the trigger.
Lastly, she was in the midst of looking for justification to liberate her ambition and external forces to support her.
Whether it was her unconscious impulse or not.
In a way, the intentions of the Han sisters and Choi Yejin's unconscious desires aligned.
And so─.
"─I'm behind you. So now, stop being exploited like a slave, and live a life befitting you, Yejin. We'll cheer you on."
"Unni, why me too... Sigh..."
"Seoyeon unni, Seohyun unni. Thank you so much for cheering me on. I'll give it a try."
A game of go-stop played in collusion.
The three formed an implicit alliance while thoroughly acting out their given roles.
☆
Eunha got engaged to Lee Yujung and.
From that day on, Eunha met Lee Yujung without being mindful of others.
"Mother said how about keeping the ring you gave as a memento, and getting new engagement rings?"
"Then let's do that. I was thinking something similar too. I couldn't even wear that ring since I handed it over to Choi Yejang."
"Bibi bibi papa papa pupu pu!"
""""..."
A date at the clan headquarters.
The clan members clicked their tongues seeing Eunha flirting while holding hands with Lee Yujung.
It was understandable since they were busy working to death while the Clan Lord was comfortably dating.
"Wow... We really need to say something at next month's meeting? Prohibit office romance. At least prohibit romantic acts within the clan."
Although she hadn't moved into Single Village.
Kim Minji went around saying it was an eyesore.
And the clan members tended to agree with her opinion.
Of course─.
"─Thank you so much for coming to the networking event this time. This is a small gift from me."
""""..."
"Gulp."
The opposition also subsided somewhat.
It was because Lee Yujung won their hearts by giving them gifts.
In Jin Parang's case, he now swallowed his saliva or wagged his tail panting like a dog waiting to be fed when he saw her.
Yujung tamed the stupid hyung.
Lee Yujung had a record of taming Jin Parang in the previous life too.
Back then she tamed the ill-tempered Jin Parang through repeated training, but in this life she could easily tame him because Jin Parang's personality was gentle.
"Oh! Yujung! Did you come to see me!?"
"Why would she come to see you, hyung? This hyung is saying strange things now. Of course she came to see me."
"I came to see Eunha, and thought I'd see Parang oppa and everyone else too."
"See! She did come to see me! I'm going to work now so have fun, and if Eunha gives you a hard time, tell me! I'll scold Noh Eunha!"
"Yes, thank you. Ah, I left some snacks at the reception..."
"As expected, only you understand me, Yujung! Thanks! I'll eat well!"
It was the same today too.
Jin Parang appealed himself fully to Lee Yujung and disappeared in a flash as soon as he heard about snacks.
Lee Yujung covered her mouth and laughed and.
The embarrassment was Eunha's share.
Eunha's face was hot.
"That's not a wolf but became a mutt. Acting like that just for food..."
"A mutt... Don't speak rudely about oppa like that."
"I'll be careful. It's because I grew up with that hyung since we were young."
"Still."
"I'll be careful."
"Okay, good boy, good."
""""..."
In fact, everyone who stood before Lee Yujung became a docile dog.
Eunha was no exception.
The clan members now just turned their heads at the sight they often saw.
Meanwhile─.
─I should treat that hyung well.
It's thanks to him causing that commotion that I was able to get engaged to Yujung.
Eunha felt grateful to Parang.
Jin Parang even received a warning from the Mana Management Organization due to this incident.
He received quite severe sanctions including probation and rank freeze.
As a result, his player rank was expected to remain at B rank until next year's evaluation.
Nevertheless, Jin Parang─.
'─Huh? Is that really severe? It's nothing as long as I don't go to jail!'
The stupid hyung had no brain.
He didn't mind.
Eunha who had been feeling sorry towards Jin Parang could at least feel less worried.
"─Ah."
"Hm? What's wrong?"
"..."
Meanwhile.
Eunha sent off Jin Parang and soon greeted Ha Baekryeon.
She seemed to be going to do homework.
She was holding stationery and notebooks in her arms.
Eunha approached Ha Baekryeon walking from the opposite corridor.
"Are you going to do homework? Good girl."
"...Yes."
"Yujung, I told you before, right? This is Ha Baekryeon. Baekryeon, say hello. This unni is..."
"I know too. Who that unni is. She's ahjussi's new girlfriend, right?"
""..."
Lee Yujung and Ha Baekryeon met after the regression.
He hoped the two would get along well like in the previous life.
But Eunha's wish went awry.
Ha Baekryeon's attitude was crooked.
She spoke while pouting her lips.
"Hmph, then I'll go do my homework."
Ha Baekryeon made a "hmph" sound and.
She passed by without even greeting Lee Yujung.
Is it because of me?
Eunha smiled bitterly.
The situation was different from before the regression.
Eunha couldn't say anything and had to let her go.
Right at that moment─.
"─Hey, wait a moment."
"Yes?"
Lee Yujung let go of Eunha's hand and.
Suddenly moved towards Ha Baekryeon.
She who hadn't walked far turned her head when called.
"─I'm Lee Yujung. I've heard a lot about you, Baekryeon. I hear you're helping your mom with work?"
"...I'm Ha Baekryeon."
Lee Yujung held out her hand.
Ha Baekryeon didn't refuse her handshake.
The emotions she harbored towards Lee Yujung originally stemmed from Eunha.
She had no ill feelings towards Lee Yujung personally.
So she couldn't coldly push Lee Yujung away while acting grumpy.
"I'll come to live in this clan someday too. I want to become close with you Baekryeon for that time too."
"..."
"As you can see, I can't see so it will be hard for me to live here. So when that time comes, will you help me well?"
"...Yes, when that time comes."
"Yes, thank you so much. Ah, and these are snacks I brought this time, want to try some? I'll give them to you, Baekryeon. Actually, I brought them thinking you might like them after hearing about you from Eunha."
"...Thank you."
Lee Yujung put her hand in her bag.
She took out macarons.
Lee Yujung couldn't see but.
Eunha noticed Ha Baekryeon's face momentarily brighten.
Whoosh!
In the end, Ha Baekryeon reluctantly accepted and turned her body.
She quickly left the place.
Eunha smiled slightly seeing her disappear while fluttering her twin tails like wagging a tail.
She reminded him of a wary kitten.
"Did you become close with Baekryeon?"
"We should gradually become close from now on. But, I think we can become close."
"Really?"
"Yes. She doesn't seem like a bad child... And it seems she likes you Eunha even though she acts like that."
"Baekryeon? Me?"
"Yes, doesn't she seem to rely on you? Think about it. Coming here from Seongnam, wouldn't you and her mom be the only people she can rely on?"
"She gets along well with other clan members, but doesn't approach me..."
"Isn't it because she doesn't know how to treat you?"
"Hmm..."
Lee Yujung spoke with a giggle.
To this, Eunha fell into thought.
But the thought didn't last long.
"""Ah."""
Because he ran into Jeong Hayang.
Eunha who was strolling the corridor holding Lee Yujung's hand was flustered seeing Jeong Hayang.
"Hayang, hello?"
"Yes, hello."
A moment of silence.
Jeong Hayang quietly received the greeting Lee Yujung gave.
Then she continued walking.
Soon she naturally brushed off Eunha and Lee Yujung's hands.
"Yujung, Eunha keeps making me work."
"Ah... You must have a lot of work. Are you very tired? Are you okay?"
"So I was going to take a break and have coffee with Seohyun unni. Do you want to come too, Yujung?"
"Hmm... Should I?"
Jeong Hayang hugs Lee Yujung.
She makes crying sounds and.
Lee Yujung pats her back.
"Then let's have coffee together, the three of us! Ah, excluding Eunha."
"Okay, let's do that."
"..."
"While we're at it, should we just leave Eunha alone and live together, the three of us?"
"It would be nice to live with you too. Should we really do that?"
Not even looking at Eunha.
Jeong Hayang constantly talking with Lee Yujung.
Soon Jeong Hayang made a "hmph" sound and dragged Lee Yujung away.
"Papa."
"Oh my..."
Lee Yujung gently waves her hand.
Eunha burst into hollow laughter watching the two move away.
Buldak comforted him.
"When I end up marrying three people later, won't I become the leftover? Well, this is a hundred times better than the three of them fighting and bickering..."
It's complaining while liking it.
☆
Noh Eunha got engaged for the third time.
When Iriya heard that news at the Academy, she was enveloped in shock as if heaven and earth were overturned.
"─The Lord can do that. Above all, it's strange to try to understand the Lord by the standards of people's way of thinking."
When Eunha was two-timing, she hadn't thought deeply about it.
But when reactions to Eunha at the Academy became sharply divided.
Iriya had no choice but to face the problem she hadn't been thinking about until now.
And the conclusion Iriya reached after thinking was that Lord Noh Eunha shouldn't be judged by human thinking because he is a god, not a human.
"The Lord is giving me such enlightenment. The Lord is free from all laws of the world. So no matter how many people the Lord marries, it's not for us to comment on."
""""..."
"Also, the Lord said. Do not hate humans. Have a heart that loves all humans."
Iriya's preaching was having an influence at the Academy too.
From the beginning before Iriya preached, there were quite a few Noh Eunha devotees originating from the Noh Eunha faction at the Academy.
It was natural for them to be reborn as fervent believers of the Eunha Religion.
And surprisingly, Iriya's evaluation of this incident gained great support from fervent believers.
"It is said, the Lord said to love your neighbor and your enemy!"
"It is said, the Lord said that is love for humanity by the Lord, for the Lord, and only possible for the Lord for the peace of humanity!"
"Do not hate others. Love others that much! Then the Lord will save you!"
""""..."
Fervent believers were no different from fanatics.
Anyway, the influence of the Eunha Religion at the Academy grew day by day.
Meanwhile, Iriya returned to the Pandora Clan headquarters for the weekend.
She called Bae Subin while preparing for weekend worship.
"─What's the reason for wanting to see me?"
"Ah, welcome."
Until now, there was almost no connection between Iriya and Bae Subin.
Nevertheless, the reason Iriya called her was because of her actions in the recent Lee Yujung kidnapping incident.
"I hear the Single Troop members played a big role in making the Lord's engagement successful."
"Unni, you're mistaken about two things. One, it's Single Village residents, not Single Troop members. The other is that I absolutely did not cause terrorism to make Noh Eunha's engagement successful. I was just deceived by that Noh Eunha."
"Either way is fine. I want to make a proposal to you."
"A proposal? What proposal?"
The Single Village residents showed outstanding infectiousness in this incident.
They exerted infectious power to draw in ordinary people, not just those who moved into the village.
Moreover, they mentioned the Mana God while causing terrorism.
She had a brilliant idea from that.
"─Join our religious order."
"What? What are you saying?"
"It's exactly as I said. The Eunha Religion is willing to welcome you and the Single Village residents."
"What do you want me to do by joining Noh Eunha's religious order? If you're thinking we'll talk about things like love for humanity or setting up harems too, it's better not to."
"No, it means to receive support from the Eunha Religion and be active. And our Eunha Religion acknowledges the Lord's harem but doesn't acknowledge other people's harems."
"Hmm... So it's a religion that's completely hypocritical. I'll listen to the story once. Go ahead and continue talking."
Currently, the Eunha Religion was being checked by the Mana Religion while inflating its numbers.
And they weren't getting along because they didn't acknowledge each other's gods.
Specifically, the Eunha Religion was claiming that the Mana God was Eunha, while the Mana Religion was claiming it wasn't Eunha.
In that situation, as the Mana Religion's power grew, fights would sometimes break out when believers argued.
The problem was that unlike the Eunha Religion, the Mana Religion was so radical that they had groups similar to armed forces.
"As the saint of the Eunha Religion, I have a duty to protect believers who receive the Lord's love."
"So you're asking us to form armed forces to catch those guys. Hmm, not bad. But there's not much merit for us. Why should we shed blood and fight for the harem king?"
"Because that's the only way to protect love, justice and peace."
"We're single. Do you think it makes sense for singles to protect the harem king?"
"Only the Lord needs to have a harem."
"What?"
"The Lord is someone who influences not only our believers but also the general public. If such a person sets up a harem, other people might follow."
"..."
"From your standpoint, you can never accept such a thing, right?"
"That's true."
"So I want to tell you to compromise with reality."
"Compromise?"
"Yes, tolerate the Lord's harem."
"..."
"And never try to tolerate harems other than the Lord's. It's okay to tolerate believers' love affairs, but not to tolerate non-believers' love affairs."
"Completely hypocritical."
"It is said, the Lord said all things in the world are born unequal. Different treatment of people is ultimately inevitable."
Iriya spoke as if praying.
Bae Subin fell into thought.
Soon she raised the corners of her mouth.
"─Okay, I'll accept your proposal, unni."
"May the Lord's grace be with you."
The so-called Eunha Religion Inquisition.
This was the background of how armed forces within the Eunha Religion came to be born.
☆
Luminous Group's networking event.
The ripples created by the networking event that day did not stop there.
The networking event that ended grandly enough to be on people's lips created new meetings between them.
"─Hello, Junghoon oppa. This is the first time we're seeing each other alone like this, right? Until now, I wasn't at the level to meet you privately."
"Enough, just state your business."
Galaxy Group's direct line Choi Junghoon.
Samra Group's direct line Oh Haein.
The meeting of these two was also like that.
The two came to meet like this with the networking event as the occasion.
"When I met oppa after a long time that day, I had such a thought. Ah, this oppa became so sexy while I didn't see him. I fell in love at first sight."
"If you're thinking of joking around, go back. I don't have time to spend having useless conversations with you."
"Then should I bring up useful talk?"
Whether Choi Junghoon frowned or not.
Oh Haein giggled.
Soon she crossed her legs and opened her mouth anew.
"─What I just said is a very excellent justification."
"..."
"Oppa, how about getting engaged to me?"
"Hmm..."
To Oh Haein's proposal.
Choi Junghoon finally showed a reaction.
He sparkled his eyes towards her as if interested.
Yellow and blue.
Her eyes with different colors were also sparkling.
"I've now established a stable position in 10th place in the business world, and our circumstances are similar, right?"
"..."
"You're a family killer, I'm an eye monster. We both have quite bad rumors attached as engagement partners, right? But we're not in a situation where we need an engagement while lowering our value."
"So?"
"So in my view, I think we two can be good partners for each other... What do you think, oppa?"
Oh Haein grinned.
Now it was up to Choi Junghoon to determine the direction of the conversation.
"..."
Choi Junghoon was silent.
Soon he burst into laughter.
The corners of his mouth were raised up to his ears.
"─Actually, I think I fell in love at first sight seeing you that day too. Your eyes are really pretty."
"I knew it. I'm quite pretty."