Da Hae composed her expression. As if knowing that the conversation to follow would not be light at all.

While quietly taking in her face that clearly showed tension, Chairman Kang continued to speak.

“Given my long and difficult life journey, I’ve become rather gloomy with deep shadows. There may be times when I seem strange, making you wonder why I’m acting that way. I may be clumsy at expressing myself like an elementary school student.”

Nevertheless,

“But this Kang Cha Dol can tell at a glance when someone truly cherishes their wife.”

The expression of the granddaughter-in-law listening calmly was as difficult to read as his grandson’s intentions.

It was an appeal on behalf of his wooden grandson, but somehow not a single smile appeared on Da Hae’s face.

As Chairman Kang awkwardly wiped his philtrum with his thick finger.

“Hmm…” Stretching out the monosyllable, a clear voice spoke as if complaining.

“Since you told me to speak, I’ll say this.”

Gulp. The old man’s Adam’s apple bobbed greatly. His head nodded gravely as if telling her to say anything.

“It is a bit strange. There are many times when I really wonder why he acts that way. And his actions are so childish, you wouldn’t believe it.”

Teasing, playing tricks, attaching all sorts of objects – he seems like he’s five years old, not thirty-five.

The voice that had been chattering without taking a breath created a momentary pause.

“But you know.”

A faint smile spread across Da Hae’s lips. Yes. That’s the kind of person Kang Jae Kyung is.

Childish and annoying and bothersome, and so constantly on her mind. A gloomy man with an opaque inner self that seems knowable yet unknowable.

At some point, thinking of him has become a habit. As naturally as breathing, all of daily life connects to Kang Jae Kyung.

Checking her phone first thing upon waking, recalling his tastes when eating or choosing coffee, going along with his demands while pretending reluctance.

These were unfamiliar behaviors unlike her usual self.

When she realized these unfamiliar behaviors were becoming frequent, she should have been somewhat suspicious.

Of her own emotions contributing to such actions.

Kind eyes meeting the deep, benevolent gaze. The peach-like face that had been worrying the old man until now finally smiled like spring.

“That’s why I like him. Kang Jae Kyung.”

His appearance is exactly like a North Korean husky, but his heart is as warm as a swallow on New Year’s Day. And his cooking is so good – in her thirty years of life, the pasta he made was the most delicious she’d ever had. She doesn’t know how it could taste so good without any special ingredients.

Chairman Kang’s mouth spread into a contented smile as he proudly listened to the voice speaking innocently with a broad grin.

After criticizing him so much earlier, now she was praising him. Her ability to go back and forth like this made her perfectly suited to be Kang Jae Kyung’s match.

“I’m so grateful… for seeing that devilish fellow in such a nice way.”

That’s all that matters. He wanted to ask why they weren’t living together, but the wise kids would surely figure it out on their own. He was confident the two of them would manage well.

Saying it was time to go, Cha Dol stood up and peered at the ice cream container.

“What should we do? The Family has all melted.”

“It must be because of grandfather’s warm heart.”

Oh my! Even her words are so pretty. Chairman Kang’s face was peaceful for the first time in a long while as he watched his granddaughter-in-law walk away, saying she would pack it up.

The streets were quiet as lunchtime had long passed.

Promising to buy her something even more delicious next time, Chairman Kang reluctantly got into the sedan.

Left alone in the middle of the street, Da Hae surrendered herself to the blazing summer sun pouring down.

What a relief. That Kang Jae Kyung has a real family.

‘That’s why I like him. Kang Jae Kyung.’

Was it to ease the worries of a grandfather with a grandson? Or was it her own true feelings confessed in the heat of the moment?

There was no progress in deriving an answer. She just laughed emptily at the suddenly imagined Hanyang swallow costume that struck her as funny.

“Should I burn it?”

Somehow she felt energized. Even her heart was pounding with a faint excitement as an inexplicable energy welled up inside her.

Though nothing was clear, her lightened footsteps returned cheerfully to her workplace.

* * *

After leaving the highway, a narrow and winding road continued.

It was the way to the pension run by Manager Choi’s parents. The team members who had already arrived said they were heading to the restaurant.

The pretext was a workshop. The purpose was a pleasure trip for team members who had successfully completed the project.

Thinking the team leader’s presence might be uncomfortable, she offered to just provide financial support, but the team members who were fans of Kye Da Hae insisted on her attending.

After driving a bit further with the shadows of drifting clouds as companions, the scent of the sea would soon come flooding in through the half-open car window.

A vast expanse of deep blue. The dazzling shimmer of noon sun breaking on the undulating waves. Large and small islands embedded like pebbles.

With refreshing music added to the breathtaking scenery, the fatigue from the long drive was completely forgotten.

-Team leader! You’re almost here, right?

“5 minutes from arrival. I’ll park at the pension and come.”

Manager Choi’s hesitation flowed through the car audio connected via Bluetooth.

-Um…

“Yes?”

-Ahaha… It’s nothing! Drive safely, team leader. Over and out.

…What’s this uneasy feeling? As the call ended with mixed noises in the background, the audio resumed playing music.

Soon after, the navigation announced the end of guidance.

Though showing traces of age, the exterior was well-maintained and clean without any damaged spots.

Two lodging buildings standing side by side with an ocean view, spacious parking lot, and well-packed open space. The mountain landscape spread out behind added to the peaceful atmosphere.

Since the reserved restaurant was close by, Da Hae left her lightly packed luggage in the car and walked.

“Why is there a tour bus in a place like this?”

As she passed by a limousine bus parked tightly on the narrow road, a team member who had come out to greet her at the bustling restaurant entrance waved.

“Team leader! Over here!”

“Looks like there are a lot of people. I thought it would be quiet since it’s off-season.”

“Haha… yes…”

…What’s going on? Manager Choi laughed like that too.

Pushing aside the suspicious feeling, she entered to find all the team members occupying two tables standing up.

Even the act of clapping and saying “Welcome” and “You must be tired” felt somehow fishy, but Da Hae obediently sat in the seat they had cleared for her.

The small restaurant was already full.

“Order whatever you want. This is when we should take advantage of having a parachute team leader.”

Fingers peeling quail eggs hesitated in ordering and abruptly stopped. Sparkling eyes followed the team leader’s hand.

Two cards placed on the table covered with thin, opaque plastic wrap.

One was Kye Da Hae’s personal card. One was the corporate card. Cheers and acclaim piled on top.

“Kye Da Hae! Kye Da Hae!”

“Milk-white Kye Da Hae! We can’t live without you!”

The excited voices sounded just like thrilled college students, making Da Hae shake her head as if to say they were hopeless.

Still, she didn’t forget to join their excitement by tossing her long hair back over her shoulder in a performance.

Just as she was about to tell them that was enough and they should order now. The gazes of the team members who had been cheering for a while suddenly turned to the empty space behind her shoulder.

“…?”

The puzzling moment was fleeting.

A presence felt close behind her back. A snicker falling from above her head that seemed familiar. A cool woody scent carried on the fan’s breeze.

“Ah. What a coincidence.”

“…”

Even the artificial tone of acting.

Following the forearm that brushed past her face, a black card held in long fingertips overlapped the two cards already laid out.

An English name written in block letters. Kang Jae Kyung.

Da Hae raised her gaze over her shoulder and shot a look at the card’s owner smiling at her.

As if to say, some coincidence.

Nevertheless, her voice softened as much as possible since there were many watching eyes and gently addressed him.

“…What brings you here?”

A bright smile. The wife’s fake smile with only her mouth smiling.

What else could it be. The husband’s sly smile returning that.

“One person unable to live without you should be enough.”

Kyaa! Oh my, oh my! This is crazy, I can’t! Pushing each other’s shoulders while screaming, “Kyaak, kyaak!”

Mixed with that were deep cheers of “CEO is the best!” from Kang Jae Kyung’s group occupying the other tables.

Now she understood. The reason her team members had been smiling awkwardly at her.

“I’ll pay. Though I’m not milk-white.”

Because of that Hanyang swallow that flew into the sea.

* * *

“What a handsome couple. Ho ho. Let me know if you need anything. Just tell me 30 minutes before for the barbecue preparations.”

“Yes, ma’am. Thank you.”

The pension owner, Manager Choi’s mother, seemed to be in a great mood.

Saying how grateful she was to be fully booked in the off-season, and that the team leader’s husband had paid double for the lodging.

Adding that with his generosity and good looks, there was nothing in the world to envy, she vanished suddenly.

Da Hae responded with a smile, but only after the woman was completely gone did she put her hands on her hips.

Sighs flowed continuously from her fallen face. A helpless, enlightened laugh was a bonus.

Had she eaten through her nose? Ah, judging by the garlic smell, she did eat through her mouth.

The scene at the sashimi restaurant where they had stayed for about 2 hours was reminiscent of a wedding reception.

A procession of employees from that side coming to pay respects with glasses raised. Madam, madam. Husky shouts flying from all directions.

At some point, Kang Jae Kyung who had taken the seat next to her kept chuckling, apparently finding her increasingly tired expression amusing.

The occasional amused voice saying “Ah, this is fun” almost made her want to punch him in the solar plexus, never mind any show windows.

Haa.

“This isn’t a coincidence, is it, Manager Choi?”

The reproachful voice was weary.

The conspirator of the incident, peering at the team leader’s pale face, grinned while neatly folding his hands in front of his chest.

“Please forgive this powerless Dobby.”

The planner of the workshop and Kang Jae Kyung’s helper. Manager Choi.

She gave up on lamenting how he could conspire with another company’s CEO when his slave papers were with Youngsohn Group.

She wanted to believe he had no choice, that he must have been manipulated by that meticulous man. It seemed that thinking that way would ease her mind.

What on earth was Kang Jae Kyung thinking, following her here? Leading that great army.