Seven days later, Lina dropped the last box of her belongings onto the entrance of a massive mountain.
The mountain gave off an eerie feeling—just standing outside and looking at her new place, with the towering slopes of trees covering the entire landscape, was enough to intimidate anyone passing by.
The place looked unwelcoming. Lina suddenly began to question her decision to come here. Its seclusion and distance from the noise of the city had made it easy for her to agree to live there, but the thought of walking at night under the darkness sent goosebumps down her spine.
A few days ago, she had planned to browse through property listings to buy a place of her own. But a call from Lawyer Yang changed everything. He had sounded secretive and mysterious about what he wanted to discuss, which only sparked her curiosity. In the end, Lina decided to meet him at his law firm.
The lawyer, whom she recently learned was her legal guardian, read in detail the will her grandfather had left behind.
In the will, several properties were left under her name, including shares from the Choi family's company, a house located in Country Y and a trust fund she could access when she turned eighteen.
After hearing the list of assets and wealth she would receive as an adult, Lina felt surreal. The information was overwhelming. "Where did Grandfather get all this money?" she wondered, questions slowly forming in her mind.
The Choi family was wealthy and part of high society, but her grandfather had never shown off his riches. Instead, he lived humbly and followed the rules. Why would he give all of this to me? she thought, still trying to process it all.
"I know this information can be overwhelming, and you must have many questions. Take your time," Mr. Yang said gently. After reading the will, he stood up to fetch the tea set and poured himself a cup, all while quietly observing the young lady sitting in his office, lost in thought as she processed the shocking information she had just heard.
It had come as a surprise when Lina called him, opening up about her situation and asking for help. If she hadn't reached out, he would have never known the extent of her difficulties with the Choi couple.
Mr. Yang let out a quiet sigh. This girl was truly unfortunate. He didn't know the full details of her current situation with her so-called parents, but after that call, and her request for help finding a place to stay, he had a pretty good idea.
A fact that Mr. Yang disagreed with. For some unknown reason, Lina had grown up recognizing Mr. Choi as her father, when in fact, she had been adopted by Patriarch Choi under his own name. There were several mysterious details surrounding Lina's adoption; however, Mr. Yang chose not to dig deeper into it.
As her guardian and as an elder who genuinely cared for her, his priority is to ensure Lina's safety and well-being.
There were many angles that suggested all of this had been planned by Mr. Choi from the beginning. Mr. Yang couldn't help but wonder if something had happened within the family that made Lina start realizing the couple's true intentions toward her.
Thinking about it, he felt a pang of guilt for not realizing their agenda sooner. If he had, he could have taken the child away from them and raised her in a safer environment.
With another sigh, Mr. Yang raised his cup of tea and savored the bitter taste while he waited for Lina.
After a long moment of silence, Lina finally asked the question that had been bothering her.
"Uncle Yang, why would my grandfather leave me all of this? I've been trying to think of a reason, but I just can't come up with anything. It doesn't make sense."
"Young girl, believe it or not, Patriarch Choi loved you and always thought about what was best for you. Since the time I've known him, I can honestly say he cherished you more than his own son and grandson. The wealth he left behind is yours for a reason. I hope it won't become a burden—but instead, help you move forward with your life."
He stretched out his hand to reach the drawer, then pulled out a letter along with a box that looked antique.
"This is what he left for you to read—something he told me to give you if you ever contacted me and asked for help," he said softly.
"This is separate from the inheritance. He told me it's been yours since birth… and that he wanted you to have it."
He gently handed the items to Lina's trembling hands.
Lina opened the envelope and found a small note inside.
"To my child, my Lina, take care of this place. This is your birthright. Love, your Mama."
Her trembling hands shook even more as emotion surged through her. Tears she couldn't control began to fall down her fair cheeks. The mention of her mother shook her to the core.
All these years, she had never known anything about her birth family. She had believed she was an unwanted child—abandoned and orphaned.
But this note… this note told her that she had a mother. A mother who had left her something to hold on to. Something to cherish.
Lina took a deep breath, steadying herself as she wiped the tears from her cheeks. That's when her gaze fell to the box in her hands. It was surprisingly heavy, its surface worn with age and etched with delicate patterns.
She carefully opened the lock, and a soft click echoed through the large room. Inside the box were two sheets of paper and a delicate-looking necklace.
She examined the necklace first. It appeared ordinary at first glance—simple and unassuming—but knowing it came from her mother made it priceless in Lina's eyes. Without hesitation, she clasped it around her neck and silently promised to keep it safe.
The necklace may have looked plain, but the two sheets of paper held something far more unexpected. As Lina read through the contents, she gasped sharply, the shock causing her to drop the light papers from her hands.
Curious about her reaction, Mr. Yang picked up the documents and studied the writing. His brows furrowed in surprise. They were land titles—for a mountain just outside the city.
He recognized the name instantly. It was a well-known, privately owned mountain, but no one had ever known which family held the deed to such a vast, secluded landscape.
To his amazement, the mystery was finally solved. The land belonged to the young girl standing right in front of him.
Fast forward to the present—Lina now stood in front of her new property. The sheer size of the place left her momentarily frozen. How am I even supposed to get inside? she thought.
She stared up at the towering gate, contemplating what to do next. After a moment, she began scanning the sides for a doorbell or intercom, something to signal her presence. But no matter how much she searched, the gate remained still.
Just as Lina was about to move to another spot, thinking of another way to enter, the gate that had ignored her presence before suddenly creaked open on its own, then a voice of an old woman echoed faintly, inviting her to come inside.
Lina stepped through the gate, and she walked… and walked… and walked. The path seemed endless, winding through trees and silence, until at last, she emerged into a wide clearing. There, standing proudly in the center, was a simple yet elegant house.
Lina nearly gasped, struck by the quiet beauty of the traditional Korean house that stood in the clearing. At first glance, it looked modest—its curved tiled roof, wooden beams, and paper-paneled doors gave off an air of simplicity. But the longer she looked, the more she noticed the details that whispered of quiet luxury.
The wooden frame was built from rich, aged timber that had been perfectly preserved, its grain polished to a warm sheen. The stone foundation was precise and solid, and the dark roof tiles fit together seamlessly like a handcrafted puzzle. Every corner of the house reflected generations of careful upkeep and tradition.
Surrounding the house was a garden that took her breath away. It was clear the grounds had been lovingly maintained with no weeds in sight, every stone placed with intention. Delicate flowers bloomed, their petals fluttering in the breeze. The air smelled faintly of fresh blossoms.
At the heart of the garden sat a serene pond, its surface gently rippling. Graceful koi swam beneath the water, their vibrant orange and white scales flashing like living jewels. A small wooden bridge arched over the pond, and wind chimes completed the peaceful atmosphere.
Lina had already fallen in love with the place. Knowing that she was the owner of such a serene and beautiful home filled her with joy and excitement. She couldn't wait to settle in.
Not long after she arrived, a short woman came out to greet her. The woman appeared to be around the same age as her grandfather. Lina soon learned that her name was Magi, and she had been working at the house for many decades.
To Lina's surprise, the house was not empty. She had assumed she'd need to find staff to maintain the property, but everything was already perfectly managed. Her grandfather had continued to care for the home, and the loyal staff had stayed, keeping everything in order. All Lina had to do now was move in.
Magi and the rest of the household staff had long expected Lina's return. After Mr. Choi's passing, they believed it was only a matter of time before the young lady would come back to claim her place in the house. But as the years passed with no sign of her, their hope slowly began to fade. Still, their loyalty never wavered.
Then, just a few days ago, they received a call from Lina herself, announcing that she would be coming to stay in the main house. The news had reignited their spirits. They were overjoyed and worked tirelessly to prepare everything for the long-awaited return of their young lady.
With light, excited steps, the two entered the residence.