The Yee Family's Calculations
"Well then." This was where my answer mattered most. Yee Eun-chae, standing beside me, wore a slightly stiff expression, but deep down she would welcome becoming my fiancée rather than reject the idea. She simply lacked experience dealing with people and hadn't yet recognized her own feelings, though that wasn't a difficult problem to solve.
'My answer here is already decided.' Even before coming to the Yee family estate, I had known exactly what I would say.
"We're not dating. She's just a friend I met at the academy."
"A friend?"
"Yes."
I declared our relationship as friends for the time being. Yee Woo-jin frowned, clearly unconvinced.
"That doesn't seem quite right. Even as friends, the two of you are far too close. Are you saying you have no romantic feelings for Eun-chae at all? I'd like you to clarify that."
His tone was blunt. Yee Woo-jin had already convinced himself that I was targeting Eun-chae as a woman. And he was right about that part. Just not about the process.
"Eun-chae is undeniably beautiful and charming, no matter who you compare her to. But I intend to respect whatever path she chooses. If she wants a lover, I'll become one. If she wants a friend, I'll remain the most trustworthy friend she has."
My words left not only Yee Woo-jin but most of the gathered Yee family members looking bewildered. Their confusion would soon be resolved by what I said next.
"As the heir to Yucheon Group, I already have significant influence in the Liberin Kingdom. I plan to take at least five wives. Given my position, I will always respect and follow Eun-chae's wishes."
The open declaration that I intended to have multiple wives, not just one, drew stunned reactions from several people. Yet considering the Liberin Kingdom's customs allowing polygamy and the sheer power of Yucheon Group, it wasn't an unreasonable stance for someone in my position.
"Cheon."
At my words, Yee Eun-chae gently took my arm, her expression complicated. She showed no sign of rejection. She interpreted my statement as me giving her the choice, promising to follow her will.
Cheon is going too far… Seeing him do all this just to support me makes me feel both grateful and sorry.
I pointed toward Yee Eun-chae and continued.
"Out of my goodwill toward Eun-chae, I am seriously considering having the businesses run by the Yee family form a partnership with Yucheon Group. If the Yee family officially recognizes Eun-chae as its representative, I will immediately offer her my full cooperation and support."
Yee Woo-jin and his son, Yee Si-han, stared at me with wide eyes. In fact, every elder of the Yee family wore expressions of shock mixed with barely concealed excitement. They were already imagining the enormous profits that would come from partnering with Yucheon Group.
'The family's finances will soar.'
Even the mere rumor of joint ventures with Yucheon Group would send the stock prices of the Yee family's businesses skyrocketing. The only thing that might bother them was me pouring so much power into Eun-chae's hands, but even that wouldn't be enough for them to refuse.
"You mean you're giving this to Eun-chae?" Yee Woo-jin asked to confirm.
"Yes. This favor is for Eun-chae alone. Honestly, handing her a few businesses wouldn't be a loss to me at all."
My words carried a clear warning: my goodwill was directed solely at Eun-chae, and the Yee family's position meant nothing to me. In other words, I had launched a preemptive strike before they could attempt any schemes.
'They were all waiting at the gate the moment we arrived. Their intentions are far too obvious.'
They had pretended to welcome us while trying to probe our relationship. By taking the bait of how close Eun-chae and I appeared, they had triggered consequences far beyond what they imagined.
'From now on, all the initiative lies with Eun-chae.'
The Yee family could no longer assert any control in their dealings with me. They would have to watch Eun-chae's every move. Whether the Yee family and Yucheon Group formed a partnership depended entirely on her mood. If they tried to force or pressure her, I would not stand by, so they couldn't compel her obedience through orders.
Yee Woo-jin felt as though he had been offered a poisoned chalice. Seo Moon-jin's proposal left him with that exact impression.
'His goodwill is directed solely at Eun-chae. He can grant many things for her sake, but everything depends on her decision.'
Moreover, if Eun-chae confessed her feelings as a woman, Seo Moon-jin was essentially saying he would make her one of his wives. Given his power and status, taking multiple wives under Liberin Kingdom customs wouldn't be strange at all.
'It's fortunate that Eun-chae isn't aiming for the position of heir.'
As the family head, Yee Woo-jin found that fact immensely relieving. The heir had already been decided as his son, Yee Si-han, and he had been gradually entrusting him with family affairs to gain experience as the next head. With the power and support Seo Moon-jin was offering, Eun-chae could threaten Yee Si-han's position as heir if she so desired. Yee Si-han himself sensed this and wore a displeased expression.
"I understand what you mean. I came out here to show you a warm welcome, but the conversation has grown rather long. Please, come inside. If you haven't had lunch yet, we'll prepare a proper meal. Will you join us?"
Yee Woo-jin mentioned lunch while asking whether Seo Moon-jin would attend. Even though their connection ran through Eun-chae, Seo Moon-jin's presence at the table would publicly highlight their friendly relations. Beyond the partnership itself, the fact that Seo Moon-jin had accepted the Yee family's invitation for a meal would be interpreted by the world as a sign of deep goodwill. That alone would spread rumors rapidly, greatly enhancing the perceived closeness between the Yee family and Yucheon Group. If that happened, the stock prices of the Yee family's businesses would rise significantly.
"That depends on Eun-chae's wishes. Eun-chae, what do you think?"
Once again, Seo Moon-jin passed the decision to Eun-chae. Yee Woo-jin clicked his tongue inwardly.
'There's no opening at all.'
While Eun-chae clearly held deep affection for Seo Moon-jin, any plan to build goodwill by arranging an engagement between them now seemed impossible. Seo Moon-jin had firmly established that his goodwill was exclusively for Eun-chae's benefit and continued to demonstrate his support for her alone.
"If Cheon is fine with it… I'd like to have lunch together."
Eun-chae spoke with slight caution, but her answer meant she had no intention of cutting ties with the Yee family. She simply wanted to continue living with the freedom she had been promised, and Yee Woo-jin would keep that promise. However, she must never forget that she was still a member of the Yee family.
"Then it's decided. Haha~ This is the first time we've welcomed our daughter's friend as a guest! The chefs employed by our Yee family are quite skilled. Look forward to it!"
"Yes, I will."
Though he answered politely, there was no real expectation in his tone. It didn't matter. After all, this lunch was merely a transaction where each side sought their own gains.
'Eun-chae's partner has already been decided.'
Yee Woo-jin was certain that, despite her current confusion, Eun-chae would eventually become Seo Moon-jin's woman.
"So this is the Yee family estate."
Another person had arrived at the Yee family residence, having climbed from the base of Bukhansan Mountain where the family was located. A young man with blue hair and blue eyes, possessing a gentle impression and strikingly handsome, sculpture-like features, stared at the main gate with a face filled with firm resolve.
'Seo Moon-jin brought Eun-chae here. At this very moment, I'll inform her family of the situation she's in, receive their help to tear off Seo Moon-jin's mask! And I'll save Eun-chae, who has been deceived by that bastard!'
Seo Moon-hyun, who had obtained permission to leave Hero Island under the pretext of urgent academy business, now walked toward the main gate of the Yee family with grim determination, prepared to enact the righteous justice he believed in.