Real Man-Chapter 874

While talking about various things, his father chuckled.

“By the way, Jaehee is quite free-spirited.”

“Yeah, he seems to be having fun.”

“Don’t just say it, you should live like that too. I want you and Dahye to have more leisure time. You’ve achieved so much, now you can take it slow and rest.”

Three years had already passed since he started Libiver.

Just as he promised Jeong Dahye in the beginning, he really did his best and achieved more than he wanted.

He had set a good direction so that he could now let go without any burden.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Yeah, do what you need to do. What about the ring?”

“It’s at home.”

“Make sure to keep it safe. This is a secret, but when I proposed to your mom, I forgot the ring by mistake. At that moment, I had to improvise…”

His father only realized that he had left the ring when he was about to take it out of his pocket.

It was a vivid moment when he recalled that thrilling experience.

Pop!

“Whoa!”

Startled by the sudden sound of the screen turning on, his father flinched.

Park Won-Young, who was on the second-floor outdoor terrace, was even more surprised.

“Oh my. Are you okay, boss?”

“Ahem. I’m fine. It’s nothing.”

“Sorry. I was testing the video. Do you want to see the proposal video, Yoo-Hyun oppa?”

“Can I see it now?”

“Yes. The editing is finished. We need to rehearse it today.”

When Park Won-Young heard about the proposal plan, he decided to give Yoo-Hyun and Jeong Dahye a congratulatory proposal video as a gift.

What had he prepared?

“I’d love to see it. I’m excited.”

“Just a moment. Oppa, could you turn off the LED lights?”

“Got it.”

When Park Won-Suk, who was on the first floor, turned off the floating LED, the screen lit up.

Even though it was daytime, the sunlight was covered by clouds, so there was no difficulty in seeing the screen.

Yoo-Hyun’s eyes widened at the unexpected person who appeared in the first scene.

“Huh?”

On the screen, Chief Park Seung-Woo was holding a baby he had recently given birth to, waving his hand.

He forced a smile while soothing the crying baby.

– My dear mentee. Do you see this? You need to be careful about planning for a second child. Enjoy your newlywed life.

– Gosh, this idiot. Is that what you should say during a proposal? Dahye, Yoo-Hyun is a hundred times better than this guy, so make sure you accept his proposal. Okay? ꞦâɴΟВÊⱾ

At Chief Kang Hye-Jin’s scolding, Yoo-Hyun chuckled.

Following that, Team Leader Kim Young-Gil and other colleagues from Hanseong, as well as members of the gym, quickly passed by.

Everyone, without exception, gave heartfelt congratulations to Yoo-Hyun and Jeong Dahye.

Yoo-Hyun captured every single one of their appearances with his eyes.

“Everyone has changed so much.”

The biggest change was felt among the early members of Libiver.

Jang Man-Bok, who acted as if he was proposing, had recently become a drama supporting actor.

Lee Ji-Hyun, who used to avoid social interactions, had become so confident that she no longer trembled in front of many people.

Won Ki-Joon, who used to carry everything by himself.

Gong Hyun-Joon, who had an inferiority complex towards Yoo-Hyun.

Yoon Bo-Mi, who always thought she was lacking, all had broken out of their past shells and grown significantly.

With a smile, Yoo-Hyun listened as Kang Joon-Gi and Ha Joon-Seok shouted in turn.

– Dahye, Yoo-Hyun is a tough guy. Once he grabs hold of you, he won’t let go, so if you want to run away, now is your chance!

– You know Yoo-Hyun has a strong personality, right? You need to catch him early. Definitely!

– Ahem. Dahye, Yoo-Hyun has been preparing this proposal for a whole year. If you reject him, he might cry, so just accept it.

What are these guys?

Even the usually dignified Kim Hyun-Soo made playful remarks, causing Yoo-Hyun’s shoulders to shake with laughter.

How on earth did they film this?

His curiosity was short-lived as the voice of an unexpected person was heard.

– President Han. And President Jeong. You two look great together. Congratulations and live happily ever after.

It was Shin Hyun-Ho, the former chairman of Hanseong.

“What?”

Yoo-Hyun was so surprised that he couldn’t close his mouth, and Park Won-Suk, who had come next to him without him noticing, explained.

“Chairman Shin Kyung-Wook must have told him, and he contacted us saying he wanted to film it first.”

“Really? Did you prepare all of this?”

“Everyone cooperated well. It seems you’ve lived your life well. Of course, this is a complete secret.”

Park Won-Suk, a friend who successfully underwent surgery thanks to Yoo-Hyun, smiled broadly.

Starting with former Chairman Shin Hyun-Ho, the Federation of Korean Industries chairmen, Paul Graham, and Christina Merson also sent short videos.

The feeling of being congratulated by someone.

He was deeply moved by an unexpectedly big gift.

Thump, thump.

Yoo-Hyun, with a pounding heart, deeply engraved all the connections that had passed through his mind.

Just as the video was about to end.

Buzz, buzz.

His phone rang, and Jeong Dahye’s number appeared on the screen.

As Yoo-Hyun put his index finger to his lips, Park Won-Suk quickly signaled to turn off the speaker.

After clearing his throat, Yoo-Hyun answered the call.

“Hello, Dahye.”

– Yoo-Hyun, what are you doing?

“Me? I was just about to call you. Did you finish your work?”

Seol Mi-Jin had decided to restart the clothing store that burned down when Jeong Dahye was young.

Jeong Dahye went with her today to look at the stores.

– It ended sooner than I thought. Where are you?

“Um. Near Namsan.”

– Great. I’m nearby too. Can we meet? There’s a place I want to go.

“A place you want to go?”

Yoo-Hyun, puzzled, began to walk.

The place Jeong Dahye wanted to go was Namsan Tower.

In the cable car, Yoo-Hyun asked.

“Why Namsan Tower all of a sudden?”

“I just want to check something. It’s been three years since we made a promise.”

Jeong Dahye smiled as she touched the necklace she hadn’t worn in a long time.

The pendant in the shape of Cupid’s arrow was the key to the lock hanging at Namsan Tower.

Surprised by the unexpected answer, Yoo-Hyun blinked his eyes.

“Are you going to unlock the lock now? You need another key.”

“You always carry it in your wallet. Isn’t that right?”

“Uh? Yeah, but…”

Inside the lock was the confession Yoo-Hyun had written six years ago.

Since it wasn’t about making promises to each other, Jeong Dahye must have left a personal wish on the note.

If he suddenly told her that he had been preparing to propose since before they even started dating, how would she react?

Even though it was sincere, there was a risk it might be taken lightly.

That’s why Yoo-Hyun had long excluded the lock proposal he had kept in mind.

When his expression darkened, Jeong Dahye asked.

“Why? Don’t you want to unlock it?”

“No, it’s just…”

“I really want to unlock it. I want to feel that moment again.”

“Okay… Let’s do it.”

Reluctantly, Yoo-Hyun nodded.

After getting off the cable car, Yoo-Hyun headed to the outdoor terrace connected to Namsan Tower.

Climbing up the narrow iron stairs, he saw the locks filling the fence.

What should he do?

As he walked slowly, he recalled the note inside the lock.

“I love you.

Will you marry me?”

From the beginning, Yoo-Hyun only had eyes for Jeong Dahye.

He regretted losing her in the past and always wanted to win her back, his sincere feelings were contained in that note.

If only he had the ring, he could propose right now, but he didn’t have the ring, just like his father had said.

Should he just tell her to leave now?

Squeeze.

The moment Jeong Dahye held his hand, Yoo-Hyun’s worries disappeared.

There was no turning back now.

With a resigned smile, Yoo-Hyun looked at her.

As she gazed at Yoo-Hyun, Jeong Dahye recalled their first meeting at a coffee shop in Myeong-dong nine years ago.

Though it was their first meeting, she felt a special connection.

All his actions, as if he knew her well, didn’t feel unfamiliar.

Along with an indescribable mysterious feeling, a phrase came to mind.

“The destined partner is connected by a red string.”

Since childhood, the phrase engraved in her heart seemed to have become a reality as Yoo-Hyun and her red string continued to connect.

Like someone who appeared to protect her, he always stood by her side, giving her strength and waiting for her in the same place.

Sometimes she denied and pushed him away, but she never forgot him.

Maybe that’s why.

When she came here six years ago and hung the lock, she made a decision.

She would return when she was sure that their red string was real.

Jeong Dahye had written her confession in

the note at that time.

She wanted to convey that message today.

Thump, thump.

With a trembling heart, Jeong Dahye stood in front of the lock.

As she held out her necklace, Yoo-Hyun asked.

“Shall we unlock it?”

“Yes.”

“Just a moment.”

Looking at the two holes in the big lock, Yoo-Hyun paused and spoke.

“Dahye. I was sincere from the first time we came here. Please don’t think it’s strange when you read the note.”

“Strange?”

“You might think it’s sudden.”

They hadn’t even started dating back then.

Who would believe he wrote that he loved her and wanted to marry her?

Jeong Dahye responded to Yoo-Hyun’s request with the same words.

“You too, Yoo-Hyun.”

“Me?”

“Let’s not worry and just unlock it.”

“Okay. Let’s do that.”

Click.

When the two keys were inserted, the big lock opened after six years.

Inside was the note they had left back then.

Carefully taking it out, Yoo-Hyun handed his note to Jeong Dahye, then read her note.

“What?”

Yoo-Hyun’s eyes widened in surprise.

In neat handwriting, her confession to him was written.

Surprisingly, the content was almost identical to Yoo-Hyun’s note.

“We must be meant to be.”

Seeing Yoo-Hyun’s shocked expression, Jeong Dahye smiled.

The first snow of the season was falling from the sky.

Whish.

Snowflakes scattered in the wind landed on Yoo-Hyun’s head as he sat on the bench.

In the spot where they had their first kiss, Jeong Dahye leaned her head on Yoo-Hyun’s shoulder.

The snowy winter sky looked more beautiful than ever today.

Watching quietly, Yoo-Hyun cautiously spoke as if he had made a decision.

“I once had a bad dream.”

“The dream you mentioned in Europe?”

“Yeah. Running forward alone, losing everything precious.”

“It must have left a deep impression.”

“It was a terrible dream. I pushed away everyone to keep everything to myself. I even lost the person I loved. I think everyone hated me.”

When he finally became the boss he had longed for, not a single person remained around him.

Only then did Yoo-Hyun realize something was wrong, but it was already too late.

That regret still lingered deeply.

Jeong Dahye held Yoo-Hyun’s hand.

“It was just a dream.”

“No, it felt too real. So, I thought, if I was given another chance, I would change. I wanted to live for many people. That was just before I joined Hanseong.”

“Is that why you started caring for people around you?”

“Maybe that dream was a big motivator. Yes, it must have been. That painful dream changed me.”

When that day came back, everything changed.

“Family, friends, colleagues, and such a beautiful person like you. Thanks to that dream, I didn’t miss out and was able to be with everyone.”

Not to repeat the painful past again.

Before starting a new chapter called marriage, he wanted to tell Jeong Dahye about it.

Only then did he feel like everything would be settled.

Swoosh.

Jeong Dahye touched Yoo-Hyun’s face and shook her head.

“No.”

“Huh?”

“It wasn’t the dream that motivated you. It was you who made different choices at the crossroads. Not everyone can change with the same chance.”

“Is that really true?”

At Yoo-Hyun’s question, Jeong Dahye answered firmly.

“Trust me. I didn’t realize it before, but I am a good judge of character.”

“Really?”

“Of course. That’s how I got such a good man like you. Yoo-Hyun, you are the biggest luck in my life.”

The smile she wanted to protect most in this new life.

Yoo-Hyun whispered to the lovely woman before him.

“Did I ever tell you this?”

“What?”

“I love you so much.”

“I love you too.”

Squeeze.

Holding Jeong Dahye in his arms, Yoo-Hyun looked at the distant scenery.

In the darkening sky, memories of his dream flashed by.

When he wanted to turn everything back, an old bartender handed him a cocktail glass.

– This drink will help you.

And then a miracle happened.

“Thank you for giving me another chance. I will cherish and protect everything precious in this new life.”

In the air, Yoo-Hyun’s resolve quietly spread into the world.

<The End>