The Textbook of a Lover - Chapter 46

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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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46.
The mischievous glint vanished entirely, and he cut her off with a businesslike, clipped tone.
“I was just messing with you because your reaction was funny—no need to apologize.”
“It’s not an apology, it’s—”
“Whether you find me uncomfortable or dislike me doesn’t matter anymore. I’ve decided not to care.”
Cha Gyeong didn’t wait for her answer and entered first.
‘Decided not to care,’ she thought.
That single phrase lodged itself in Do-ah’s heart like a splinter.
* * *
Do-ah’s mouth fell open the moment she stepped into the dining room off the main hall.
Across a massive marble table easily large enough to seat ten, dishes were laid so thickly there was barely a gap between them.
Steamed Sea Bream seasoned in a delicate sauce and steaming gently, golden Pan-fried Tofu, Cabbage Rolls cradling minced shrimp, and a clear Mushroom Hot Pot.
Every dish required painstaking preparation, yet each was designed to soothe and comfort an ailing stomach.
“I heard your stomach wasn’t treating you well, so I prepared mostly mild things. I’ve also set aside some to take home with you—don’t forget to take them when you leave.”
Gyuseon’s kindly words stirred something tender in Do-ah, though a strange doubt bloomed alongside it.
‘Why do they take such a liking to me? Everything I do pales compared to their grandson.’
At the same time, she glanced at Cha Gyeong. Could this all be connected to that contract—the one asking her to pose as his lover in front of his family?
But the thought didn’t linger long. A much larger crisis loomed.
‘No, that’s not the problem now. How am I going to serve the Yangnyeom I made?’
The truth was, Do-ah had rushed to the market that very evening after work.
She’d bought goji berries, Asiatic Dogwood, and ginseng from an herbal shop, gathered agar-agar, and spent the night making Yangnyeom.
Though she’d poured her heart into it, looking at the spread on the table now, her creation seemed pitifully small and shabby.
Still, she couldn’t just take it away. Do-ah held out the box to Gyuseon.
“I made some Yangnyeom for Grandmother and Mother since I was coming.”
“My goodness! You shouldn’t have brought anything at all, empty-handed was fine.”
Gyuseon said this while opening the box.
Inside, Yangnyeom pieces arranged neatly bore the vivid red of goji berries and the delicate purple blush of Asiatic Dogwood.
“I heard Grandmother suffers greatly in the heat. They say goji berries and Asiatic Dogwood are good for summer.”
“Your hands are quite skillful, aren’t they? Something this lovely—it’d be a shame to eat it.”
Jeong-hye murmured her admiration and carefully portioned the Yangnyeom onto dishes, which she passed in turn before Gyuseon, Do-ah, and Cha Gyeong.
“Ah, not too sweet and so refreshing—just how I like it! Cha Gyeong, you try some too.”
At Gyuseon’s urging, Cha Gyeong picked up his fork with long, steady fingers, parted his lips, and swallowed a piece of the red confection.
Do-ah swallowed hard without meaning to, waiting for his verdict.
He set the fork down on his plate at once and dabbed the corner of his mouth with a napkin.
“It looks passable, but the taste doesn’t match the appearance. Too soft, and the flavors are all over the place.”
His cutting remark sent heat flooding into Do-ah’s ears.
Jeong-hye smacked his back and scolded him.
“Don’t eat. You don’t deserve to. Stick to rice. Do-ah, pay him no mind—it’s wonderfully fragrant and has an excellent texture.”
“Thank you.”
Do-ah forced a smile, lifting the corners of her mouth, but his words kept echoing in her ears.
“Go on, eat plenty,” Gyuseon urged.
Do-ah picked up her spoon again.
After hearing his comment, her appetite had vanished—yet everything tasted exquisite enough to win her over anyway.
Among them, her chopsticks naturally drifted toward the Cabbage Rolls. The soft, mild flavor was superb, and when she reached for it the third time, she noticed something odd.
The dish that had been in the middle of the table had somehow been pulled closer, now sitting directly in front of her rice bowl.
Glancing sideways, Cha Gyeong was quietly spooning food into his mouth.
“…?”
Thinking it was her imagination, Do-ah went back to chewing her rice carefully.
When she reached for the Steamed Sea Bream, she found removing the fine bones lodged thickly between the delicate flesh was no simple task.
Just as she was about to set down her chopsticks, long, steady fingers suddenly entered her line of sight.
Cha Gyeong took a large piece of the Steamed Sea Bream and, like a surgeon presiding over an operation, methodically disassembled the thick bones and fine spines with surgical precision.
Plop.
A chunk of tender, lustrous white flesh fell onto her rice bowl.
“Oh…?”
Do-ah’s chopsticks hung suspended in air, momentarily lost.
Jeong-hye, witnessing this, exclaimed with wonder.
“Would you look at that, Mother. That boy—the one who couldn’t even be bothered to remove fish bones from his own plate.”
Do-ah, unable to bear the embarrassment, murmured quietly.
“Thank you. I could have removed them myself.”
“I found watching you pick through the bones tedious, so don’t think twice about it. It’s not like I’m counting grains of rice.”
“That one’s tongue is worth a thousand gold coins in debt,” Gyuseon quipped.
Do-ah quietly agreed with her observation.
After the meal, all four moved to the living room.
An assortment of delicate desserts had been arranged on the table there.
Soy Milk Pudding, thinly sliced seasonal fruit, and Sikhye in small glass cups—a harmonious blend of Korean and Western fare.
Late afternoon sunlight streamed in obliquely through the window. The living room felt drowsy and still.
Do-ah took the first spoonful of Soy Milk Pudding. The gentle, nutty flavor spread across her tongue without any harsh notes.
“How’s the dessert, Do-ah?” Gyuseon asked suddenly, watching her eat.
Do-ah nodded.
“It’s wonderful. I love it. Though with my gastritis, I’ll have to avoid anything too irritating for a while.”
“Is that so? Next week, my daughter-in-law and I have booked a traditional tea course. If you’re up for it, we’d love for you to join us.”
What should I do?
Next week, there was the Alumni Association Mountain Hiking Club outing. She’d already committed to going, and backing out would be difficult.
How could she decline without disappointing them? Do-ah’s mind grew complicated.
“That won’t be possible.”
Abruptly, a low, dry voice cut through the conversation.
Why was Cha Gyeong refusing on her behalf? Do-ah was baffled—but what came next was even more startling.
“Next week, she already has a prior engagement. The Alumni Association’s mountain outing.”
Do-ah’s pupils dilated instantly.
How does he know that? I never mentioned the mountain outing to anyone.
Before Do-ah could gather her thoughts, Cha Gyeong spoke again.
“I’ll be going with her to that outing.”
Clang!
The silver fork slipped from Do-ah’s hand and fell loudly onto the glass plate.
* * *
“Cha Gyeong, you make sure to walk Do-ah all the way to her house,” Gyuseon commanded with unmistakable finality.
There was no one in this Manor who would dare defy her. Cha Gyeong was no exception, and Do-ah had no grounds to refuse.
When Cha Gyeong opened the passenger door out in the courtyard, Do-ah found herself bundled into the seat almost before she could think.
Soon the heavy door closed, leaving them alone in the sealed space. Despite the cool air from the air conditioning, heat crept up the nape of her neck.
The moment they smoothly exited the Manor, Do-ah opened her mouth, eager to speak.
“How did you know about the Alumni Association outing? I never mentioned it to you.”
Cha Gyeong recalled his meal with Na-hee. As dessert arrived, Na-hee had set down her teacup and asked.
“We have an Alumni Association mountain outing next week. You can invite family, lovers, or acquaintances—would you be interested in coming, sir?”
At first, thinking Do-ah might attend, he’d decided to simply provide the pension and supplies.
But once her participation was confirmed, his mind changed. He decided to go himself—ultimately, it was because he wanted to see her.
However, he knew that if he told her directly, she might refuse. So he’d informed her through Na-hee of his attendance, and just as he’d suspected, this was how she’d react.

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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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