Chapter 257:


    <em>-I will be the spruce of Hwaido. I will stand in ce of the Spiritual Tree, and y old music. Until I die, until I be the heritage of the ind.</em>


    At the time of the red sunset, Kwon Chae-woo yed every day in the ce where the spirit tree disappeared as promised.


    The unusual performance was rumored in just a few days, and now, two monthster, some audiences intentionally crossed from thend to Hwaido to see Kwon Chae-woo.


    He began to n to turn Hwaido into Asias Lucerne (*a Swiss city where prestigious music festivals are held) by mobilizing the funds of the family.


    It was a project to brand it as a music city by establishing a professional concert hall and attracting periodic festivals, internationalpetitions, music academies, and even hosting a childrens song festival.


    It was during this time that Lee-yeon heard Kwon Chae-woo speaking German for the first time. When that happened, she felt strange and fascinated, often wandering around him to eavesdrop.


    In those moments, Kwon Chae-woo would nonchntly continue his phone call, abruptly end the conversation, and hurry over. The coarse sound he made while speaking the foreignnguage suited him as if he were a native.


    Ive been thinking about the babys name for a while.


    Lee-yeon was walking in the reed field with Kwon Chae-woo, her belly was noticeably round.


    What is it?


    Nam-woo.


    Wood?


    No, Namwoo!


    Wait, isnt that your first loves name? Kwon Chae-woo frowned and snapped at Lee-yeon.


    What? Do you still hold a grudge because of that?


    Grudge or not, all I can think of is the jealousy I felt back then. It just makes me feel bad for no reason.


    But people say they Nam-woo is nice.


    What people are you talking about?


    The people who knew I was pregnant early on.


    Kwon Chae-woo sighed as if dumbfounded. However, when he saw herughing while covering her mouth, he felt inexplicably entangled.


    He pressed his lips against her plump, tempting cheeks and then opened his coat, enveloping Lee-yeon inside.


    Soon, the two of them wandered through the seemingly endless reed fields. Lee-yeon turned her body with an expression of disbelief on her face. When Kwon Chae-woo tried to lean down again for a kiss, she quickly turned her head, avoiding the gesture.


    Is all of this yournd, Chae-woo?


    Yes.


    And all of this belongs to you?


    Yes.


    Lost in the vastness, Lee-yeons eyes blinked as a sturdy chin was suddenly ced on top of her head.


    A gentle voice, the slow movement of an Adams apple, and the cool wind ying with the strands of her hair all conveyed a profound sense of presence.


    Beautiful Hwaido Ind.


    Although it was a shattered slogan as the reality of Hwaido Ind unfolded, Lee-yeon actually liked those words.


    Ill give it all to you.


    !


    In the future, the entire ind will sing for you. Wherever you are, wherever you go, until I be visible in the breeze.


    Ill make it happen for you. Kwon Chae-woo promised, holding her tightly.


    It was a moment when a mans constion created a vast paradise.


    ***


    The long winter had passed.


    Despite the severe cold and frequent snowstorms due to the first frost warning in more than a decade, Lee-yeon experienced the warmest winter of her life.


    Whenever she worried that the trees might suffer from the East Sea winds, Kwon Chae-woo climbed up the hill and wrapped the pine and persimmon trees with straw.


    Lee-yeon sent handmade baby clothes to the local government whenever she had spare time, and the house gradually filled with various adorable baby items.


    Lets endure this winter well and make sure to bloom the leaves. We made it through, she whispered like a prayer whenever she found a moment.


    At this moment, Lee-yeon was leaning against a tree, listening to a gentle melody, much like on a certain day in the distant past.


    The greetings of love emanating from the mans hands were as soft and warm as the early spring weather.


    In the midst of the dense forest, there were sparkling ssnterns, a suitable-sized table, and delicately arranged flowers scattered in secret ces.


    It was a baby shower that Kwon Chae-woo had meticulously prepared for Lee-yeon, who was approaching childbirth.


    After finishing the performance, he carefully wiped the fingerboard, body, and bridge with a cotton cloth. Lee-yeon, observing this, scanned Kwon Chae-woos ck hair, well-defined back, tightly pulled shoulders, and even the thighs revealed when he bent his knees.


    Bathing in the sunlight filtering through the leaves, she suddenly asked, Chae-woo, isnt it boring to live with me?


    Im not sure what you heard.


    Kwon Chae-woo smirked, raising one eyebrow.


    I feel like Ive turned you into a househusband, Chae-woo.


    Im sorry, but I spent a fulfilling winter.


    Still, originally


    Originally?


    I thought you would rather be a bit more


    A bit more?


    Busier. Back at the Kwons house Lee-yeon lowered her voice.


    In that ce, Kwon Chae-woo always carried the scent of blood. During the day, he would either sprawl out or stand tall like a bamboo shoot, and at night, he would wear a pitch-ck mask, revealing only his eerie eyes.


    The man who used to stand on the stage of the Berlin Philharmonic Hall now yed music on the ground like a poor student. Every time she saw him like that, a faint uneasiness took root in Lee-yeons heart.


    Maybe, he would yearn for the wealth and honor he enjoyed in the past. Perhaps he would one day find his ce and leave.


    But Lee-yeon didnt know.


    She didnt know that this househusband had quietly taken root as the next sessor of the Kwon family.