I’m an Unknown Actress, But Everyone Knows Me - Chapter 305

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 305

* * *

Taeseok quit smoking. Instead, he bought a very expensive perfume. Before meeting Huijae, he would spray it wherever his pulse was beating.

“These are the clothes to be delivered this week. As written there, each garment has a different unit price. While the fabric is considered free aid, the buttons and accessories that go into them are separate….”

Taeseok wanted to look at Huijae longer. He wanted to keep her at the end of his gaze without being self-conscious. So he decided to teach Huijae about the factory work. Nominally, Huijae also had shares in the sewing factory and distillery.

They read documents in the same room. Her profile silently looking at the papers was also beautiful.

There was no longer a ring on her fourth finger. Taeseok would habitually lift his head even while doing his share of work.

Then Huijae would be sitting across from him.

It felt exactly like a dream.

As Taejin had said, Taeseok knew everything that Huijae liked. He had long since memorized all the contents of the fairly thick papers. He read and read and read again on the first day he received them.

As if it would fill the gap of time they had been apart.

Because I was curious about your preferences that had accumulated layer by layer during the time I wasn’t there.

It wasn’t only Taeseok who was immersed in joy. All of South Korea became happy together.

[Korea Designated as ODA Priority Target Country

US Announces Policy to Expand UN Cooperation]

[International Cooperation Office Subsidy Rate Increased

Korea-US Agreement Signed… Support Materials Expected to Increase]

[US Promises Additional Grain Support

For the Will of Free World Prosperity…]

Changes occurred to such an extent that one wondered if such things were possible with just Taejin alone. The people were enthusiastic about the nation’s growth that changed daily.

“They say more rice is coming from the United States!”

“What’s going on?”

Stories about Taejin’s household were desperately buried by the government. If it became known how pro-Japanese collaborators had amassed such enormous wealth, it would be no different from reminding people again of the nation’s powerless days.

Instead, most of the assets of those related to Hanamura and Taejin’s father were recovered to the national treasury.

They tried to struggle somehow, but it didn’t work.

Because Taejin’s father, who was a key figure, was missing.

It was like a hole had formed in a dam. When one person collapsed, those connected to him came tumbling down. The dam of accumulated wealth burst forth.

To those who were rolling on the ground crying over their confiscated assets, the enforcement officer said coldly.

“Do you really want to go to the cell next to Hanamura?”

Then even those who were crying stopped abruptly. Everyone knew the rumors about Hanamura living like a living corpse in solitary confinement, unable to meet with anyone.

It was better to have money taken away than to have life taken away.

Taejin disappeared like a person who had never existed.

Instead, the things exchanged for him occupied the front page of newspapers daily. Rice, development aid, subsidies… the nation’s resurgence was beginning.

Patriotism was inspired. Korean flags fluttered here and there.

Though the harsh winter was approaching quickly, the people’s hearts were only burning hot. There was nothing to fear. Because the places that had become ruins were changing daily.

Today more than yesterday, tomorrow more than today, the day after tomorrow more than tomorrow.

The expectation that each day would get better spread from mouth to mouth.

Hong Diva’s new song was released. She went on a tour wearing a stylish two-piece outfit from Chairman Gi’s sewing factory.

If last time it was a song about the pain of love, this time it was a song expecting a spring day meeting.

The song, which matched the people’s hearts, instantly became a popular tune. Instead of curiosity about the pro-Japanese collaborator’s son whose assets were confiscated, everyone talked about the coming spring.

They looked forward to the beautiful season.

Taeseok also looked forward to the warming spring. Now if the seasons changed just once more, beautiful pear blossoms would bloom in the yard.

He wanted to see them with Huijae.

I have the same heart as when I first planted the tree. How about you… he planned to confess when that day came.

“CEO Gi.”

Huijae, who had taken a sip of the pear blossom tea placed on the desk, called Taeseok.

“Is there nothing more I should know besides this?”

They were in the middle of reading documents in the office. Taeseok pondered Huijae’s words once more.

Huijae knows something.

“…Yes. That’s right.”

“Really?”

Still that pure white and beautiful face. The face he had longed to see so much. That face he wanted to keep by his side for life was turned toward Taeseok.

Taeseok gritted his teeth. And said once more.

“Really.”

Why did he think of Taejin at this moment?

“Even if I can’t be a fine man, I really don’t want to be pathetic.”

Those words about wanting to be honorable to the woman he loved clearly echoed in Taeseok’s ears.

“I’m a coward, not a fool.”

Huijae knows.

“Is there really nothing more I need to know?”

Since when? How much? Or perhaps….

“…Taeseok.”

From the beginning?

“Tell me. Please.”

Huijae looked at Taeseok like she did back then. With the face of the young girl who had asked him to teach her Korean.

Making it impossible to refuse.

Making it impossible to tell lies anymore.

“….”

Taeseok remained silent. The fact that you’re asking me means it’s only speculation at most. All evidence has been eliminated. Even the government was made unable to find any clues.

Getting through this would be nothing.

Taeseok doesn’t understand Taejin’s life. Nor the words about leaving to avoid shame.

Because Taeseok was from the bottom from birth, he had no interest in noble and honorable love like Taejin’s. He doesn’t know such things.

Would you call me crazy for leaving you to avoid my own shame? How could I do such a thing? If I could just be with you, I could throw away shame and roll in the mud. If only I could do that.

But he seemed to understand why Taejin made such a choice. Because it was for the woman he loved.

If Taejin’s love was one that abandoned everything for Huijae,

Taeseok’s love was one that offered everything to Huijae.

For so long, I wanted to give you anything you wanted. Expensive clothes, good cars, spacious houses, jewels from overseas, if it could make you smile, what would matter?

And what Huijae wanted most at this moment was.

What you want most is….

“…Yes.”

The act of choosing.

Not a life given by others, but a life chosen by oneself.

“There’s something you don’t know.”

Even if Taeseok would be abandoned in exchange for offering that.

* * *

Huijae set out on the road early in the morning. The cold winter wind made her nose tip red.

“Whoo….”

She drew the clear, cold air deep into her lungs. Huijae moved her steps slowly.

Someone like Taejin, who grew up in a harmonious household with a kind father, wouldn’t know, but Huijae had vaguely known.

Because that’s the kind of person he originally was.

Because he was human scum.

Rather, it would have been stranger if he hadn’t sold her out. When liberation came and she first arrived in Joseon, young girl Huijae had thought so. Now that he’s sold all the Koreans he could sell, I’ll be next.

Huijae was the daughter of a pro-Japanese collaborator merchant,

the child of a concubine,

and a businessman’s wife.

And above all, she was an intelligent woman who had learned Korean on her own despite no one teaching her.

So it was obvious how the situation was unfolding.

She could see that Taejin was trying to shoulder everything alone. Even knowing this, she deliberately pretended to be fooled.

You may not know, but I have never once thought of such a person as my father. I have never once considered him family, so this is unfair guilt by association. It has nothing to do with me.

So she remained silent. She pretended to be deceived.

But the more this happened, the greater the unresolved questions grew within Huijae.

How should I live?

My life, finally free and completely my own. How should I live it?

No answer would come at all. Perhaps she knew the answer but was trying to turn away from it herself. So Huijae had come to find the answer.

Clank.

The old prison door opened, and following the respectful guidance of the guard, Huijae entered inside.

Those trapped behind the iron bars could not be considered the same humans. Wearing worn prisoner uniforms, they rolled their eyes toward the source of the sound.

“Visits are strictly prohibited normally, but since it’s CEO Gi’s request… just for a very short time.”

The guard jingling his keys let out a short sigh. Huijae nodded. Soon after, they reached the iron door.

Creak-.

The heavy door opened.

A dim hallway stretched out. Crammed in the deepest part was Hanamura. The person she had always feared. The human who had damaged Huijae’s five senses to their limits.

That person was pitifully stuck there.

“5 minutes.”

Click, even after the door closed, seeing the shadow that didn’t leave, Hanamura slowly raised his head upward.

“…You!”

Discovering Huijae, Hanamura scuttled over on his knees like a cockroach. Though iron bars separated the two, he pressed close as if it didn’t matter.

“You came, you came! It’s finally over, right? I knew it would be. Those damn Josenjing bastards. How dare they, knowing who I am!”

Hanamura, having lived isolated from the outside, seemed to know nothing about how things had unfolded.

“Not knowing who they owe their livelihood to. Like dogs biting their master… how insolent…”

It was a belief that the solid cartel could never be broken.

That reaction was natural. In relationships bound by hundreds of millions, no one would give up their share and pay for their crimes. What fool would commit such suicide?

So Hanamura would get out like this, and return to his previous life, comfortable and splendid and happy.

“You can’t get out.”

“…What?”

“You’re going to die here. It’s all over.”

Huijae spoke with an expressionless face.

Hanamura, who had naturally assumed Huijae had come to get him out, couldn’t believe those words.

“This is now…”

“All your assets will be used for this country. Tae-jin made it that way. There’s no one to help you. Tae-jin’s father will die like you too. Miserably and pathetically.”

“What nonsense is this insolent bitch spouting! You think you’re something just because you’re riding on that bastard’s back! When you can’t do anything on your own!”

Gripping the iron bars with both hands, Hanamura struggled desperately. His sunken eyes flashed as if they would devour Huijae.

Instinctively, Huijae shrank back. On days when she faced that father with those eyes, nightmarish things would happen. It was a fear learned over a long period.

But she clenched her trembling fists. Huijae faced him boldly.

“I wanted to live.”

She didn’t know the reason. She just wanted to live. Even if it meant lying flat and begging miserably, it was fine as long as she could just live.

So now, how was she living?

Huijae spoke as if asking herself.

“I wanted to survive.”

Was she living properly? Was she living without guilt? Was she living honorably? Was she living worthy of being called Teacher? Was she living in a way that could be an example to them? Was she living without shame? Was she living up to the name Yeonhuijae that she had first received?

“…I will do my best…”

Huijae spoke through gritted teeth to Hanamura who was pounding on the iron bars. It was the moment when the questions inside her were resolved.

“I’ll do my best.”

That desire to live that she had harbored for so long.

Now she finally knew its direction.

“I’ll live differently from you.”

Huijae left those words and turned around.

She could hear the sound of wailing while shaking the iron bars like a beast. Huijae spoke to the guard standing beyond the iron door.

“No one will come to visit him.”

“…”

“No matter what happens, no one knows.”

What if, just what if, they came looking for Hanamura again? The guard’s face, who had been worried about Hanamura’s retaliation backed by power and wealth, slowly relaxed.

“Yes. I understand.”

The guard escorted Huijae out while speaking to another guard.

“4827 in solitary confinement. Move him to a general cell.”

Hanamura was now called only by number instead of name.

He who had stood at the peak by trampling on Koreans had now fallen to the very bottom. Even the palm-sized space where he could be alone would no longer be permitted.

Huijae walked on.

Though a fierce wind blew, she didn’t shrink back but boldly moved forward.

Huijae’s next destination was home. The house where she had lived with Tae-jin.

Entering the empty house, Huijae headed to the study. Everything was in its place.

However, there was one thing that had disappeared – a small picture frame.

Huijae, who had lingered in that spot for a moment, also packed her belongings.

Things she had to do.

Things she could do.

Things she wanted to do.

All three pointed in the same direction. Now she had to go there.

Because from now on, every choice she made would be her complete own life.

Huijae closed the study door and left. As if no one had been there from the beginning, silence filled the house once again.

In the bookshelf that had been packed full of books, there was now a slight gap.

It was where the Korean language textbook had been.

* * *

Snow fell. It was enough snow to brightly cover the world as if it wouldn’t tolerate a single strand of darkness.

Perhaps because it was winter, the sun had set early too. Taeseok grew anxious waiting for Huijae who hadn’t returned yet.

Snow piled up abundantly over the garden. The trees with not a single blade of grass visible silently received the snow as if they would endure this cold no matter what.

Whenever the wind blew, snow like sweet sugar crystals scattered about.

“…!”

Far in the distance, he could see someone walking toward this direction. It was Huijae. It was Huijae.

Taeseok rushed out frantically. You’re back, right. Huijae, you’re back, right. Taeseok’s mouth, about to say those words, shut tight.

Because he had intuited it wouldn’t be so.

The red scarf around the neck of Huijae walking toward him, the large brown bag in her hand, and above all, the look in the eyes of someone who had made up their mind about something.

As expected.

The one who would leave was slowly approaching.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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