In her new school, Hara was able to lead a relatively normal life, free from the burden of her previous reputation as a troublemaker. Though she didn't form close friendships, she managed to have acquaintances and went through her school days without any major incidents. After graduating, she made the decision not to pursue higher education and Mr. Chen respected her choice, albeit with some concern for her future.
Seven years had passed since then, she is now the same age as when she first read the novel that she found herself transmigrated into.
In the past years, Hara lived a leisurely life at home, spending her time idly playing with her phone and occasionally exercising to maintain her health. The peaceful days passed by without any major upheavals.
However, unbeknownst to Hara, the family's business started to decline, facing financial difficulties and setbacks. Mr. Chen worked hard to shield Hara from this information, wanting to protect her from any potential stress or worries.
The once stable life that Hara had grown accustomed to was about to be disrupted. The unforeseen downfall of Mr. Chen's business marked the end of their peaceful existence, bringing uncertainty and challenges into their lives. Hara's carefree days were about to be replaced with new obstacles.
In the dimly lit office room, Mr. Chen sat with a heavy heart, his once neat appearance now disheveled, with messy hair and tired eyes. The room was in disarray, reflecting the chaos that had befallen his business. The table was cluttered with files, and crumpled papers littered the floor, a visual manifestation of the turmoil that plagued his mind.
The corruption scandal involving certain managers within his company had dealt a severe blow to Mr. Chen's reputation and trustworthiness. As news of the scandal spread, potential investors lost faith in him and were no longer interested in making deals with his company. Even his loyal investors, who had stood by him in the past, decided to withdraw their support, leaving him in a vulnerable position.
The once thriving stocks that had been the pillars of his success plummeted to all-time lows, resulting in severe financial losses. The weight of the situation bore heavily on him, and the constant stress and uncertainty had taken a toll on his mental and emotional well-being.
Amidst the smoke-filled room, Mr. Chen grappled with feelings of depression and hopelessness, unsure of how to recover from this devastating blow to his business and reputation. The road ahead seemed dark and filled with challenges, and he was left to navigate through the wreckage of his once flourishing enterprise.
A knock echoed through the somber office, Yuna, Mr. Chen's secretary, entered the room. Despite the gloomy atmosphere, she maintained her composure and looked stunning in her neat attire and glasses, her presence a ray of light amidst the darkness.
Her sad eyes spoke volumes as she delivered the unexpected news. "We have a guest," she said softly, her concern evident.
Mr. Chen lifted his head to see who the guest was, and his eyes widened in surprise. Standing behind Yuna was an old man who exuded an aura of dignity and authority. It was none other than Mr. Tanaka, a person with whom Mr. Chen had a complicated history.
Their paths had intersected in the past, and the events that unfolded between them were a source of pain and conflict. Seeing Tanaka now brought back memories and emotions that Mr. Chen had tried to bury deep within.
His heart pounded in his chest as he wondered why Tanaka had come to see him at such a critical juncture in his life. The meeting between the two men held the promise of potential confrontation, and Mr. Chen braced himself for whatever might happen.
Both men sat facing each other, the tension palpable in the room. Mr. Chen avoided eye contact with Mr. Tanaka, not wanting to confront the man's gaze directly.
"What do you want?" Mr. Chen asked, his voice raspy from the stress, as he took another drag of his cigarette.
Mr. Tanaka remained silent for a moment, studying Mr. Chen before finally speaking. "I can help you," he said calmly, causing Mr. Chen to glance at him with suspicion.
"I heard that you have a daughter, and from what I gather, she may not have the necessary qualifications to manage a business," Mr. Tanaka continued, his gaze still intense.
"My son needs a wife," he stated bluntly, making his intentions clear. Mr. Chen's expression turned to one of disbelief and anger at the audacity of the proposal.
"You want me to sell my daughter?!" Mr. Chen's voice raised in a mix of anger and disbelief, his eyes flashing with indignation. The very idea of such a transaction was abhorrent to him, and he refused to entertain it for a moment.
"Have you forgotten?," Mr. Tanaka reminded, "It was because of me that your business was successful." He nodded in acknowledgment and leisurely sipped the lukewarm tea that Yuna had prepared for him earlier.
Mr. Chen's anger simmered as Mr. Tanaka calmly reminded him of their past association. Memories of their business dealings resurfaced, and Mr. Chen begrudgingly acknowledged that Mr. Tanaka had indeed played a significant role in his company's success.
"I haven't forgotten," Mr. Chen replied, trying to maintain composure despite the turmoil of emotions within him. "But that doesn't mean I owe you my daughter or that I should sell her to your son."
Mr. Tanaka leaned back in his chair, unfazed by Mr. Chen's resistance. "Consider it a merger of our families," he suggested, attempting to sweeten the proposition. "With your daughter, she can help strengthen our family's position in the business world."
Mr. Chen's jaw tightened as he weighed the options before him. The prospect of aligning their families through marriage could potentially bring benefits, but it also felt like a betrayal of his daughter's autonomy and dreams. He knew Hara had her own path to forge, and he didn't want to force her into a marriage she might not desire.
"I need time to think about this," Mr. Chen finally said, trying to buy some space to contemplate the situation carefully.
Mr. Tanaka nodded, understanding the weight of the decision Mr. Chen faced. "Take all the time you need, but do consider the advantages of this arrangement."
As Mr. Tanaka left the room, the weight of the proposal hung heavily in the air. Mr. Chen couldn't help but feel torn between the prospect of regaining stability for his business and protecting his daughter's freedom and happiness. The future of both his company and Hara's life seemed to be precariously balanced, and he knew that whatever choice he made would have far-reaching consequences.
In the warmth of the kitchen, Hara continued to mix the cookie dough, her cheeks adorned with specks of flour. Clara, the maid in the house, couldn't help but chide her gently for making a mess.
"Oh my! Hara, can't you be a little more careful and not make everything messy?" Clara scolded playfully.
Hara looked up, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I can't help myself," she chuckled, showing no remorse for her flour-covered cheeks.
Over the past few years, Hara's relationship with the household staff, especially Clara, had grown closer. They had become like family, filling the void left by her previous life's family, whom she still missed dearly.
Clara smiled at Hara's carefree nature and shook her head. "Well, I guess I'll have to clean up after you again," she said, but her tone was affectionate.
Mr. Dan, made a surprise appearance in the kitchen, earning a gasp from Clara. "Can you give me some pieces after?" he asked, with a twinkle in his eyes.
"Gosh, you shocked me," Clara playfully chided him. Hara chuckled at their interaction and replied, "Sure! I'll save some for both of you. Freshly baked cookies are the best!"
"How about your father?" Clara inquired.
Hara's expression softened as she thought about her father, Mr. Chen. "Of course, I won't forget about him,"
As the oven's timer chimed, signaling that the cookies were ready, Hara's face lit up with delight. The golden-brown cookies looked inviting, and their sweet aroma filled the kitchen, adding to the warm and cozy atmosphere. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow through the windows, and the maids were busy preparing dinner in the background.
With a smile on her face, Hara carefully took out the freshly baked cookies and arranged them on a plate. She admired her handiwork, feeling a sense of pride in her baking skills. These cookies were not just a treat; they were a labor of love, something she wanted to share with her father after his long day.
Her heart swelled with anticipation as she set the plate of cookies on the kitchen counter, eagerly awaiting her father's arrival. Hara loved surprising her father with her culinary creations, and today was no exception.
The thought of him tasting her cookies brought her immense joy. Baking had become one of the ways she expressed her love and appreciation for him. The little act of baking had grown into a meaningful way for Hara to connect with her father, making their bond even stronger.
As the sky darkened outside, the house felt even cozier, and the anticipation of her father's return added to the warm atmosphere. Hara couldn't wait to see his reaction when he tasted the cookies she had made with so much love and care.
As the door creaked open, Hara swiftly rushed over, clasping the plate of cookies in her hands.
"Dad—," she chirped, but her words trailed off as soon as she laid eyes on him.
Mr. Chen appeared as though a decade had aged him, his face etched with frustration and his eyes carrying a tinge of sadness when they met Hara's gaze.
"Dad, what's wrong?" Hara asked with genuine concern, still clutching the plate.
Mr. Chen remained silent for a moment, the weight of his emotions evident.
"Come to my office later," he finally said, briskly passing by Hara.
Hara stood there, her mind filled with questions and heart pounding with worry, as she watched her father's retreating figure. Something was definitely wrong, and the look on his face had deeply unsettled her. She clutched the plate of cookies tightly, but her excitement and joy from baking had vanished, replaced by concern for her father.
Hara stood there, her heart pounding with worry, as she watched her father's retreating figure. Something was definitely wrong, and the look on his face had deeply unsettled her. She clutched the plate of cookies tightly, but her excitement and joy from baking had vanished, replaced by concern for her father.
As she made her way to the living room, she noticed the once-familiar surroundings seemed different. The air felt heavy with tension, and she sensed that her father's business troubles might be the cause of his distress. However, she couldn't be sure since her father had kept her in the dark about the challenges he faced.
Hara's thoughts were a jumble as she tried to understand the situation. Part of her wanted to go after her father and demand an explanation, but she knew better than to press him when he seemed so upset. Instead, she decided to give him some space and time to gather his thoughts.
Her mind drifted back to the plate of cookies she held. As much as she wanted to share her baked treats with her father and cheer him up, it didn't feel like the right time. Hara set the plate on the dining table, her appetite dampened by the worry she felt for her father.
Feeling restless, she decided to take a walk in the garden, hoping that the fresh air would clear her mind. The sun had set, and the garden was bathed in a soft, moonlit glow. Hara strolled along the pathways, her thoughts still consumed by her father's demeanor.
As she walked, she caught glimpses of the staff exchanging concerned glances, which only added to her unease. It seemed that everyone in the household was aware of the situation, except her. Hara understood that her father had probably tried to shield her from the burden of his troubles, but she couldn't help feeling left out and worried.
Hara took a deep breath, trying to steady her emotions. She knew that she couldn't let her worries consume her. Instead, she resolved to be there for her father when he was ready to talk, to lend him a listening ear and provide support.