Chapter 28: Mr. Wang's Past Mistakes.

Leaning in closer, Granny's smile widened, causing Eun-kyung's own smile to falter. Yet, before Granny could articulate her intended message, her focus was captivated by the enthralling irises in Eun-kyung's eyes. Granny's expression transformed into one of shocked revelation as she softly whispered, "Yoon-mi..."

Eun-kyung's confusion deepened as she looked up at U-jin, but Granny Wang intervened, gently holding her chin and redirecting her focus.

"Yoon-mi, isn't it?" Granny Wang queried, leaving Eun-kyung's mind in disarray. Did Granny Wang suffer from memory loss? Could this be a consequence of the changes that was made? I cannot allow this to happen. Granny Wang was known for her strength and unyielding nature; she couldn't possibly have memory loss so suddenly.

"No, Granny, it's me, Ji-woo," Eun-kyung corrected, hoping to bring clarity. However, Granny Wang narrowed her eyes in response.

"Granny, are you feeling all right?" U-jin asked, genuine concern lacing his words.

"Based on my recollection, Ji-woo's face doesn't bear this resemblance," Granny Wang remarked. U-jin then pulled Eun-kyung aside, firmly removing her from Granny Wang's presence. "You seem stressed, Granny."

"What do you think I did throughout today, U-jin? There's something different in Ji-woo's eyes. That's not her," Granny Wang asserted, pointing in Eun-kyung's direction.

U-jin then hurriedly escorted Eun-kyung away from Granny Wang's room, despite her continued calls for him. He then drove Eun-kyung to Ji-woo's mansion. Once they reached, U-jin advised Eun-kyung to maintain a safe distance from others and to avoid any future encounters with his grandmother before he drove off adding more to her confusion.

As Eun-kyung then entered the mansion, she noticed numerous maids huddled around the staircase. Intrigued, she approached them and inquired about the commotion.

"Mr. John proposed to the Young Madam," one of the maids exclaimed excitedly.

"What? Isn't it too soon?" Eun-kyung pondered silently. She then made her way to her aunt's room, knocking softly on the door. Her aunt promptly opened it and ushered Eun-kyung inside before seating her on the bed.

"What do you think?" Chae-young asked, displaying the glistening ring adorning her left hand. Eun-kyung marveled at the dazzling diamond on her aunt's finger. "Wow, but isn't it rather early?"

Chae-young furrowed her brow at the question. "When you're deeply in love, that's how things work," Chae-young said with a smile, she then continued speaking, hoping to ease Eun-kyung's confusion, "John actually fell in love with me on your fourteenth birthday," Chae-young revealed, her mind lost in reverie.

Eun-kyung clarified, "You do know that I have no knowledge of that."

"I know. He attended Ji-woo's fourteenth birthday, where he was there for a business deal with her mother. I met him then, but I was preoccupied with the preparations for Ji-woo's birthday since her mother was so caught up with work. So, I didn't pay much attention to him. Oh yes, before I forget, Ji-woo's mother is coming next week," Chae-young informed before heading towards the bathroom.

"Hopefully I won't be here when she arrives," Eun-kyung murmured to herself, making her way to her room. As she began to undress, her phone illuminated with a message. Upon reading it, she discovered that Granny Wang requested her presence for a visit tomorrow.

It appears there's no escaping Granny Wang's curiosity, and besides, Eun-kyung also wants to uncover the mystery behind Yoon-mi. If she could remember, the character did not exist in the novel before, so why does she now? Without pondering further, Eun-kyung proceeded to the bathroom. After she finished bathing, she caught her reflection in the bathroom mirror and remembered the recent incident, prompting her to scrutinize her face.

Eun-kyung was not one to frequently scrutinize her appearance in the mirror. In fact, she rarely checked her reflection before going to school, work, or social outings. It was a rare occurrence, much to her mother's dismay. Eun-kyung simply found it to be a waste of time, believing that focusing on physical appearance only led to unnecessary delays for women.

With a sigh of relief, Eun-kyung reassured herself that she hadn't altered Ji-woo's appearance. Who knows what repercussions she would face when Ji-woo reclaims her body back? However, U-jin's caution about getting close to someone echoed in her mind. It was when she approached Granny that the mistaken identity occurred. Eun-kyung leaned closer to the mirror, peering into her own eyes, and noticed an unsettling change. Ji-woo's eyes, in fact, were not black as they appeared in the distance, but rather the main colour of Ji-woo's own iris, matched one of Eun-kyung's natural eye colour. Both of Ji-woo's eyes looked beautiful, resembling the galactic universe with sparkling stars adorning them.

Eun-kyung was dumbfounded. What on Earth was going on? She hadn't taken note of this before, and why was it happening while she was in someone else's body? She remembered when Granny mistook her identity so does that mean that there is another person with the same eye colour, like her, who had also undergone transmigration? Now she couldn't wait to meet Granny and ask her who that person might be.

The next morning, Eun-kyung woke up early and prepared Seolleongtang alongside rice and radish kimchi for Granny Wang. She knew that Seolleongtang was Granny's favourite traditional Korean soup according to the novel, due to the inclusion of beef in the recipe. Granny Wang despised vegetarian meals and would throw a fuss if any were prepared for her.

Once Eun-kyung finished with her preparations, she went to knock on Si-woo's door. To her surprise, he opened it on the first knock. They both stared at each other for a moment, registering each other's attire.

"Why are you dressed like that?" they both asked simultaneously.

"Are you going out with U-jin again? I should warn you, my sister is dating his brother," Si-woo cautioned, but Eun-kyung remained unfazed.

"I'm actually going to visit his grandmother. She wants to see me. And where the hell are you going?" she inquired.

"None of your business," he replied, heading downstairs. She rolled her eyes and followed him.

"At least drop me off at U-jin's place," she pleaded.

"Find your own way there," Si-woo retorted, coming to a stop in front of the entrance door and looking back at her.

"Fine, then I'll use Aunt's car," she turned around, but Si-woo grabbed her arm and pulled her back. "Alright," Eun-kyung smiled and went to the kitchen to retrieve the container with the soup.

Si-woo drove the car and stopped in front of the U-jin's gate. "This is as far as I can take you," he stated.

"No problem, have fun with Mun-hee," Eun-kyung replied and before Si-woo could say anything else, she gracefully exited the car.

Eun-kyung made her way towards the mansion, passing through the estate which seemed to stretch as far as the eye could see. It was such an expansive property, and it would take some time before she reached the main mansion. As she walked, she caught sight of U-jin's father playing golf on a vast open field. Curiosity piqued, she decided to approach him and greet him.

"Good morning, Mr. Wang," she calmly greeted him, and he turned around, visibly surprised by her presence.

"Oh, Ji-woo, what a pleasant surprise. U-jin isn't here at the moment," he responded with a warm smile.

"I'm not here for him. I came to see Granny," Eun-kyung clarified.

"She is in the garden, under the gazebo. Shall I have someone accompany you?" he kindly offered.

"No, that won't be necessary, sir," she assured him.

"Well then, let me not keep you any longer," he said, but Eun-kyung hesitated and had a change of heart.

"Mr. Wang, please forgive me for asking, but are you truly happy?" she inquired, her concern evident in her voice.

Mr. Wang seemed taken aback by her question, but after a moment, he looked up and let out a deep sigh. "Is it that obvious?"

"To some extent, yes. You seemed weary when I saw you yesterday," Eun-kyung replied empathetically.

"Work and issues with my wife... Of course, I would be exhausted. I cannot simply rely on U-jin to take over. It would appear selfish of me, but all I desire is peace," he opened up. Eun-kyung was shocked, although it was somewhat expected. In the novel, when Mr. Wang was ousted by the board of directors, he did not cause any trouble. He gracefully exited the mansion and disappeared from the world. Eun-kyung believed that he was embarrassed by his wife's actions and couldn't face anyone, which led to his withdrawal from society. Who would have thought that he would find happiness in a peaceful life rather than the one he currently faced?

"Mr. Wang, do you mean to say that you are not happy with your wealth and your wife?" she asked, seeking clarification.

"Before U-jin's mother came into my life, I was living a normal life. She pursued me, claiming to be in love with me, but I was actually in love with my best friend. However, she insisted that I marry her wealthy friend because she felt indebted to her. Being the foolish man that I am, I married her friend. I was so unhappy that I started visiting bars after the marriage. That's when I met Diego's mother, and in a drunken state, we ended up sleeping together. After that, I vowed never to drink again, but who could have known that a one nightstand would result in... the birth of a child. I begged U-jin's mother for forgiveness, and she forgave me. She even welcomed Diego into our home. She was such a kind-hearted woman that I couldn't help but fall for her. Unfortunately, our happy marriage was short-lived when she had an accident. I lost myself during that time; I even thought I was cursed for everyone that I loved to leave me," he elaborated. Eun-kyung came to his side and placed a comforting hand on his back.

"I was not there for my children when they needed both a father and a mother, and that's when Diego's mother appeared. So, I married her for the sake of the kids. But all she cares about are manicures, pedicures, spas, and shopping... I realised I made a mistake, but what could I do? What's done is done. Am I too selfish for considering running away and leaving everything behind?" he asked, his voice filled with uncertainty.

"Mr. Wang, what you ought to do beforehand is to restore your reputation as a father to U-jin and Diego. They are in need of a father figure, and you are their father. Do not allow them to develop animosity towards you. You should remain resilient for their sakes," advised Eun-kyung.

"Now I understand why Diego admires you," remarked Mr. Wang. Eun-kyung was taken aback by his statement, and Mr. Wang gently grasped her hands. "Do not repeat the same mistake I made," he said with a smile.

Suddenly, an irate woman's voice pierced the atmosphere from behind them. Eun-kyung and Mr. Wang turned to face her, their expressions filled with apprehension.