─── chapter nine.
❛ CONVENIENCE STORE CONVERSATIONS ❜

Eun-Ji entered Ministop, a small convenience store, her steps light and purposeful. She scanned the aisles, selecting two spam and tuna mayo triangle kimbaps and two banana milks—Joo-Won's favorite. She added a bag of Banana Kicks for her daughter before making her way to the counter.

"Will that be all?" the cashier asked, their voice polite but mechanical.

"Yes, that's everything," Eun-Ji replied with a small smile.

"Do you need a bag?" they inquired again.

"Yes, please. Thank you." Her tone remained polite as she handed over the money she earned from her job, deliberately leaving the cash Do-Yeong gave her untouched.

"Have a good one," the cashier said, handing her the neatly packed bag. Eun-Ji gave a slight bow in response. "You too."

She took a seat at a table by the window, the evening sun casting soft shadows across the floor. Unwrapping one of the kimbaps, she took a slow bite, chewing thoughtfully as she watched cars pass by and pedestrians bustle along the street. From the corner of her eye, she noticed a sleek black car pulling into the parking lot, the familiar figure of Ha Do-Yeong stepping out.

Pretending not to see him, Eun-Ji took another bite. A moment later, Do-Yeong entered the store, glancing around briefly before walking directly to her.

"Did you buy that with the money you won from me?" he asked, gesturing to the food on the table. His gaze lingered on her.

"No," she replied coolly. "This is my own money." She slid the other kimbap toward him. "Want one?"

He hesitated, then took it, their fingers brushing lightly. Eun-Ji didn't pay it much mind, continuing to eat her own food.

Leaning in slightly, Do-Yeong asked, "Is gambling the only risk you take?"

Eun-Ji chewed her food carefully before responding. "I once bet my life on something."

He raised an eyebrow. "Did you win?"

Her eyes flicked to his, a moment of weight behind them. "I'm still working on it. But I plan to win—just as I plan to help a friend win her own bet."

Do-Yeong was silent, absorbing her words. He turned to look out the window, seemingly searching for a new topic. "Do you live nearby?"

"I saw you at the Go house," he added, glancing back at her.

"Close enough," she replied without elaboration.

"Do you work around here too?" His curiosity was genuine, though his attempts to make conversation felt slightly awkward. He glanced at the untouched kimbap. "Not hungry?"

"I'm watching my carbs," he quipped, though his face remained neutral.

"You don't share much, do you?" Eun-Ji noted, observing him.

"I don't usually ask so many questions," he admitted, shifting slightly in his seat. "Normally, I keep quiet."

Eun-Ji chuckled softly. "So why the questions now?"

"I'm intrigued," he said, his expression betraying little, though the admission lingered in the air.

She smiled faintly. "I like Go because it's an intense battle in silence. You build, you destroy. To win, you have to dismantle someone's house." Her reflection in the window seemed distant, as if lost in thought.

Do-Yeong looked at her through the glass. "We should play again sometime. Now that I know what you enjoy."

Reaching into his suit pocket, he pulled out a white business card and slid it toward her. Eun-Ji glanced at it—Jaepyeong Construction CEO, Ha Do-Yeong. She pocketed the card without a word.

"Next time, bring more money," she said with a smirk, standing up and taking the plastic bag with her. She glanced at the unopened kimbap still in his hand. "You're not going to eat that, right?"

Without waiting for an answer, she took it from him and walked out of the store. Through the window, Do-Yeong watched her leave, his gaze following her until she disappeared from view.

When Eun-Ji arrived home, she kicked off her shoes. The nanny, I-Seul, greeted her with a smile. Eun-Ji placed the banana milk in the fridge and pulled out Joo-Won's snacks, carefully tucking them away in the cabinet.

"I'll double your pay this month," Eun-Ji said, turning to I-Seul, who looked surprised.

"You don't have to, Ms. Seong," I-Seul protested, bowing her head.

"It's Eun-Ji, remember?" she corrected gently. "And you stayed late to watch Joo-Won. I appreciate that. Go ahead and head home."

I-Seul smiled, slipping on her shoes and bowing once more before leaving.

Alone in the kitchen, Eun-Ji took off her jacket, her fingers brushing against the money she won from Do-Yeong. She smiled softly to herself.

"Do-Yeong," she murmured. "You'll find out the truth about your wife soon enough."

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