The Regressed Chaebol Grandson Finds It Hard to Forgive - Chapter 32
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 32. VIP (3)
“Wow…… Both of you could easily be models for our products.”
“Right?”
Han So-eun led Ha Tae-woong to the Golf Wear boutique she frequented.
She marveled at the sight of Ha Tae-woong emerging in golf attire alongside her daughter Hyo-joo.
‘The fit is pure art.’
His visuals were on par with K-pop idols or male models in commercials on broadcast.
If anything, he wore it even better.
Ha Tae-woong carried an innate grace about him.
It was that unmistakable, effortless polish that came from generations of refined upbringing.
He didn’t pale even next to Hyo-joo, whose natural aristocratic air flowed through the family.
If anything, he had something that overshadowed her.
“Perfect, sir!”
Yu A-reum, the associate, felt the same wonder.
Anyone watching would think models were doing a photo shoot right there in the store.
Even a professional model couldn’t outshine these two.
The golf wear, fitting snugly to every curve, looked like beautiful works of art on both of them.
Over the years of customer service, she’d dealt with countless members of the upper class, models, and famous actors.
But never had she seen a couple as perfect as these two.
Surprisingly, many male actors on television were short, requiring hemming that destroyed the original fit.
Most actresses also couldn’t fully pull off the brand’s designed golf wear because of their height.
But these two in front of her were flawlessly commanding the entire collection.
Beyond just their height, their faces were flawless, so their bearing was nothing short of overpowering.
If she exaggerated a little, they looked like nobility.
“The fit feels excellent. Let’s go with this.”
Ha Tae-woong showed no hesitation in deciding.
He’d tried it on once, found it suited him, and that was that.
“I’ll take this too.”
The two of them pulled off the white pants and skirt as a couple, along with the mint half-zip collar shirt that could have looked provincial but didn’t.
“There, that’s beautiful. And Tae-woong looks even more handsome.”
“Thank you.”
The entire golf wear purchase took about thirty minutes.
“So you’re Yu A-reum?”
“Yes, sir.”
“I’ll need other items for the course—shoes, size 280, gloves as well, and these too, and that as well.”
“Right away!”
The top and bottom alone were high-end Golf Wear worth well over several million won.
The VIP selected two complete sets without hesitation.
“Please ring it all up together.”
Han So-eun, standing beside him, extended her card.
The total purchase came to well over ten million won.
But it didn’t faze her.
“Ma’am, I should cover—”
“A gift this modest is nothing for my daughter’s friend. Please look after our Hyo-joo going forward.”
“Yes, thank you. Don’t worry. I’ll make sure Hyo-joo is well taken care of!”
“There, friends should support each other. That’s how life goes.”
Oblivious Han So-eun laughed brightly at Ha Tae-woong’s steady reply.
“Mom! Am I a child?”
“Why not? Having a reliable bodyguard like Tae-woong is nice.”
“Tch……”
‘Knowing nothing at all.’
Lee Hyo-joo bit back the tongue that threatened to slip past her lips.
If her mother knew the truth—that he was a Repeat Student—that warm welcome would vanish in an instant.
And the deliberate intimacy would be exposed just as quickly.
‘But really…… what exactly are you?’
The more Hyo-joo spoke with Ha Tae-woong, the more her suspicion grew at how natural it felt.
Since childhood, she’d socialized with peers from similar families and the upper-class circles connected to hers.
Conversation with Ha Tae-woong flowed just as naturally as with them.
Unlike other classmates who struggled just to stand beside her, fumbling for words.
He had a confidence so deeply ingrained it was almost suspicious.
Hyo-joo stared intently at Ha Tae-woong as her mind churned.
“What? Seeing you today in those clothes, you look even more handsome.”
“What??”
“Hehe. Honestly, if Tae-woong ever gets the chance, he should try acting. I know a director I could introduce you to.”
Han So-eun laughed without restraint at Ha Tae-woong’s bold composure.
“Sir, your package is ready.”
In the meantime, quite a pile of wrapped items had accumulated.
“Delivery is possible, yes?”
“Of course, sir. If you write down the time and address, we’ll arrange it accordingly.”
“I’m moving today, so I’ll send the address around five o’clock.”
“Pardon?”
“You’re moving?”
“Yeah.”
“Where?”
Hyo-joo’s mention of moving caught Lee’s curiosity.
“Signiel.”
“Signiel? With your parents?”
“No. Just me.”
“……!!”
“Signiel is nice.”
At the mention of Signiel as the destination, Han So-eun nodded slightly.
A place where units went for tens of billions of won.
Even on a lease, the monthly rent alone—before deposit—ran into tens of millions.
It was a residence impossible to enter without substantial liquid capital, a symbol of wealth itself.
‘Wait, is this guy really a Repeat Student?’
Hyo-joo grew more bewildered by the minute.
“Ma’am, please let me buy lunch. Let’s go to a restaurant you know well.”
“Sure. Let’s go eat something delicious.”
The three of them ended an unexpectedly pleasant shopping excursion.
To any observer, these three who’d just met moved like longtime acquaintances.
It was the typical shopping experience of the VIP set.
Yu A-reum couldn’t tear her eyes away, quietly marveling at this glimpse into their world.
* * *
“Please, sit.”
“Thank you.”
‘He knows the basics, clearly.’
Ha Tae-woong pulled out Han So-eun’s chair.
Han So-eun settled in with ease.
Internally, she awarded Ha Tae-woong a plus for his manners.
‘Ha Tae-woong, what exactly are you?’
An Italian restaurant in Cheongdam-dong.
Mother’s favorite spot.
The three were shown to a private room.
As they entered, Ha Tae-woong instinctively pulled out the mother’s chair with an ease that showed it was second nature.
This was clearly the same Ha Tae-woong who, just weeks before, spent all day hunched over at school.
Yet the Ha Tae-woong before her today showed no trace of that slouched Repeat Student.
From the department store until now, he’d displayed nothing but composure.
“You too?”
“Oh, no. I’m fine.”
Hyo-joo, who’d been standing in a daze, quickly sat down.
“I ordered the course menu. Does that work for you?”
“Yes! I’m happy to eat anything.”
“Hehe. Good to hear. Our Hyo-joo’s palate is far too picky.”
“Mom!”
Hyo-joo bristled at her secrets being casually revealed.
“I know. She doesn’t eat the school lunch either.”
“Would you do me a favor? Have Tae-woong make sure she eats properly.”
“Yes, I’ll join her for lunch starting next week.”
“……??”
Hyo-joo found herself utterly exasperated.
What nonsense was this!
She narrowed her eyes, staring at Ha Tae-woong.
She’d admit the school lunch quality was decent enough.
But the crowded, chaotic dining hall made her uncomfortable.
Boiled barley tea prepared by the housekeeper was all she had for lunch.
And now he was suggesting they eat lunch together?
“Thank you, and please do. We’ll be in our senior year soon—she needs to maintain her stamina.”
Mother, oblivious, kept pressing favors on Ha Tae-woong.
“Sigh.”
Hyo-joo let out a short, exasperated breath.
She’d never once imagined a situation like this.
Especially not one involving a male friend—such a thing had never existed in her world.
Her father, fighting to hold his position in the group.
Watching him, she’d come to understand the weight a Royal Family of a conglomerate had to bear.
Romance?
At Cheonghwa High School, dating was just another business transaction.
It was law that incompatible matches didn’t work.
In that context, there was virtually no male student at school who caught Hyo-joo’s eye.
Today, Ha Tae-woong had become the first to claim a place as her male friend.
‘I don’t even know anymore.’
Hyo-joo sealed her lips, surrendering to confusion.
They’d gone too far to reveal Ha Tae-woong’s true identity now.
Never once had Hyo-joo shared a meal with her mother alongside someone called a friend, male or female.
“We’ll bring the soup shortly.”
A neatly dressed male server set soup and breadsticks on the table.
“The butter is Kelp Butter, made by our chef personally.”
Truffle cream soup, warm ciabatta, and butter were served.
“Thank you.”
“Enjoy your meal.”
Han So-eun responded graciously to the server.
Every gesture of her refined mother carried an unmistakable elegance.
Hyo-joo had watched such conduct all her life.
A dignity that generations of wealth and breeding alone could confer—something no amount of money could buy.
And yet……
“This ciabatta is done right. Seems simple, but it’s actually difficult to perfect.”
“Our chef is from a three-Michelin kitchen. And I heard the bakers all completed their training in Paris.”
Ha Tae-woong began a casual critique of the bread on his plate.
Han So-eun’s smile never wavered as she nodded along.
“I’ll have to bring my parents here next time.”
“Tae-woong is truly filial.”
“That’s…… too generous. I fall far short.”
“And humble too…… Hehe.”
‘Mom! That’s not humility. That’s affectation!’
Hyo-joo felt suffocated by the weight of it all.
The savage version of Ha Tae-woong at school came to mind.
Her mother had no idea who he really was.
‘How is this so seamless?’
The Repeat Student Ha Tae-woong showed not the slightest discomfort in this high-end restaurant.
The lunch course here ran three hundred thousand won per person.
Ha Tae-woong, who’d offered to pay, showed no sign of concern about the price.
“The truffle notes are perfect.”
Ha Tae-woong savored his soup with refined composure, as if it were the most natural thing.
The beast’s claws were perfectly hidden before her mother.
“We’ll serve the appetizer shortly.”
As the soup bowls were cleared, an appetizer arrived.
A salmon steak with garnish worthy of the main course.
“May I ask—what do your parents do?”
As they began eating, Han So-eun naturally shifted into a background check on Ha Tae-woong.
He replied with an easy smile to the question.
And then—
“My father……”
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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