My Husband’s Lover Wanted to Clear His Name

The SH Hotel, where I had booked a suite, had excellent facilities overall, and the lounge was no exception. Each table had a partial wall, and the seats were spaced far apart, making it a perfect place for secret conversations.

Of course, different branches had different atmospheres—some were more like regular cafes. One of those was the place where Jeon Seongwon had grabbed Kang Chaehee by the hair and fought with him a few days ago.

When the appointment was five minutes away, I straightened my clothes and went down to the lounge cafe. The staff recognized my face and guided me to the most secluded table without being asked.

“I’ll have a guest coming.”

“Understood.”

The clothes Han Youngjun had bought were exactly as I had described. A neat navy suit that wouldn’t look out of place standing in the middle of a corporate district or at a party.

I sat down and checked my watch. About three minutes until the appointment. Would Weilin arrive exactly on time? I doubted it.

Given his free-spirited image, I expected him to be an hour or two late…… I was thinking this to myself when, with soft footsteps, a strong floral scent wafted over.

The fragrance filled the semi-enclosed space, but fortunately, it wasn’t unpleasant. I stared blankly at Jang Weilin, who had appeared before me. He was wearing red traditional Chinese clothing, a fur scarf draped over his arm, and embroidered silk shoes on his feet.

His slightly long pixie cut was neatly styled back, and he wore large lion-shaped earrings and a thin gold bracelet on one arm.

If it weren’t for the fluffy, snake-like scarf, his outfit wouldn’t have been that flashy. Or maybe I had just gotten used to Weilin’s fashion—having seen so many photos of him.

“Nice to meet you.”

“…….”

“Seyeon doesn’t seem very pleased to meet me.”

“Don’t call me Seyeon.”

Then Weilin tilted his head cutely.

“We call people by their names. What should I call you, then?”

“We’re not that close, are we? Just call me Director.”

“But you’re not even a director at our company.”

“……?”

For a moment, I thought I had misheard and stared at Weilin. His eyes were wide, with an expression that said, ‘You heard me right.’ What had just pierced my ears was Korean in casual speech, with a slight Chinese accent.

“We’ve been speaking Chinese, so let’s speak Korean. My Korean is good.”

“……What gives you the right to speak to me casually? Where are your manners?”

“You speak casually too. It’s because I’m uneducated. I never learned formal speech, so I don’t know how. Actually, I’m stupid.”

“…….”

Weilin didn’t look stupid. Rather, his every move seemed to exude intelligence. Though he spoke casually, his tone was calm, and he had that particular artist’s detached air.

Anyway, since he told me to speak casually, I decided to do so. Weilin was quite young. There was no need for me to use formal speech to someone speaking to me casually.

“Then what do you call Seongwon?”

“Seongwon-ah. He said calling by name is a sign of friendship?”

“In most cases, it’s rude.”

“Is that so? But I really don’t know. I’m a blockhead.”

“…….”

The word ‘blockhead’ coming from his delicate lips left me briefly confused and silent.

Anyway, it was unexpected that Jeon Seongwon allowed Weilin to speak to him casually and call him by name.

“That’s surprising. From that old-fashioned bastard.”

“Old-fashioned?”

“Jeon Seongwon.”

“He’s old-fashioned?”

“You don’t know the word?”

“I know. I’m asking because I know.”

Haa…… An indescribable frustration settled in my chest. The hot coffee before me looked like poison. I called a staff member and ordered iced coffee, then looked at Weilin.

“What do you want to eat? They have parfaits too.”

“Espresso.”

A more mature taste than I expected.

“Is Seongwon old-fashioned?”

“Of course. That bastard……”

As I explained all of Jeon Seongwon’s old-fashioned behaviors, Weilin listened quietly, then murmured.

“Oh. Patriarchal.”

……If he knew the word ‘patriarchal,’ why didn’t he know how to use formal speech?!
Just then, the staff member silently placed our orders and left. Weilin dropped some sugar into his espresso and downed it in one go.

Watching him smack his lips as if disappointed, I asked if he wanted another. He answered sharply.

“No. I’ll gain weight.”

“Then don’t put sugar in it.”

“Then why drink it?”

I suppose so…… I really don’t understand……

“Anyway, I’m shocked that Seongwon is an old-fashioned patriarch steeped in wrong Confucian ideology and acts like an outdated old man. He’s normal in front of me.”

I hadn’t said quite that much. Anyway, was he saying that in front of Weilin, he wasn’t like that? This dog of a man…… I barely managed to suppress my trembling lips and asked.

“What is he like in front of you?”

“Just a normal person?”

“What do you mean, ‘just a normal person’? He’s not very normal in front of me.”

Weilin tilted his head and spoke.

“Well, he can be a bit persistent…… He works hard, has neat table manners, and sometimes brings me flowers and gifts.”

His voice was almost innocent. I leaned one arm on the table, tilting my body toward Weilin.

“Do you know you’re saying this in front of Jeon Seongwon’s spouse?”

“Of course I know. Seongwon and I aren’t in that kind of relationship.”

No, after saying all that, you claim it’s not that kind of relationship? A passing chicken would laugh. It was so absurd I let out a scoff, and Weilin frowned.

“I’m telling you, we’re really not in that kind of relationship.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Why is it ridiculous? It’s true. Shall I call Seongwon and ask?”

This was getting even more bizarre. By now, Jeon Seongwon would have arrived in India. Probably just getting off the plane and transferring to a car. He would answer if called.

As I was thinking this, a buzzing sound came from Weilin’s phone. He was already making a call. Horrified, I stood up to stop him. But before my hand could reach him, Jeon Seongwon’s voice came through the speaker.

―What is it, Weilin?

Haa…… ‘What is it, Weilin.’ He had never once responded like that when I called. He would just answer dryly—Hello, Why, Mm, things like that.

“Seongwon? I’m with Seyeon right now……”

At that moment, a thunderous shout erupted from the other end of the line. “What are you talking about!” Pulling the phone away from his ear with a deep frown, Weilin grumbled.

“Why are you shouting and causing a commotion? You really are patriarchal.”

―Patriarch…… What are you talking about!

He hadn’t even put the call on speaker, but his shouting made the voice carry right into my ears.

Here I was, in front of my husband’s affair partner, listening to that partner talk to my husband on the phone……
I should have prepared too. Twenty million won. Even one outfit Weilin was wearing—no, just his earrings alone seemed worth over twenty million.

Right, that twenty million too. Was twenty million really appropriate money to give a lover to break up with them? Did that mean my worth was only that much? No. That’s absolutely not it. It’s just that Jeon Seongwon is unimaginably petty.

“……Anyway, this is difficult for you, isn’t it? I’ll sort everything out and go, so don’t worry. Bye.”

While I was thinking, Weilin ended the call. Just as I clutched my throbbing head, my phone rang. To be honest, I didn’t want to answer anyone’s call, but—it was Jeon Seongwon.

I hesitated for a long time over whether to answer. It rang again after ending. Thinking he would just keep calling until he hit 66 again, I pressed the answer button.

“What.”

―Why did you meet Weilin?

“That’s what you’re curious about the moment you call?”

When I snapped in irritation, Jeon Seongwon hesitated, then asked again.

―Because I’m puzzled. Why did you meet him?

“He asked to meet.”

―Do you meet everyone who asks?

“No. What business is it of yours who I meet? Is there a reason I can’t meet him? Do you feel guilty about something?”

―It’s not guilt…… Where are you?

“What’s it to you?”

―Lee Seyeon!

As he shouted my name, someone on the other end spoke to him in English. From how distant it sounded, he seemed to be in a moving car. So all of our marital fight had been broadcast live to whoever was with him. My head hurt again.

“Go do your work.”

Then I hung up abruptly. He called a few more times, but soon stopped. He must have gotten swamped with work or arrived at his destination.

Weilin, who had been watching our phone call as if entertained, crossed his legs the other way and opened his mouth.

“Hey, you know. Seyeon. You think Seongwon and I are dating, don’t you? I came here to clear up that misunderstanding.”