“I did. Is something wrong?”

“Well, there was a… a stone in the cockles.”

Although there was indeed a stone, it could happen during the preparation. It was a vague matter that couldn’t be entirely blamed on Hui-seon.

However, before she could say anything, Hyesoo, who looked in pain, burst out loudly.

“Ajumma!”

“… Hyesoo?”

Hyesoo, who had been gentle all this while, suddenly shouted. Surprised, Mi-jeong called out to Hyesoo.

Then, Hyesoo, seeming flustered, rolled her eyes and replied.

“Oh, no. It’s just… I suddenly bit on a stone, and I was so startled, Mother.”
“……So?”

“Yes… I don’t usually do that, but I was momentarily startled. Can’t believe it.”

While Hyesoo carefully responded to each word, unsure of what to do, she confronted Hui-seon with a firm attitude.

“Madam, there’s a stone in the cockles. I chewed on it without knowing. If I had swallowed it, it would have been a disaster.”

“Really? I’m truly sorry…”

“Please be more careful next time.”

Having subtly scrutinized Hui-seon, Hyesoo turned her head decisively.

Though she spoke respectfully, her attitude was certainly different from when dealing with Mi-jeong.

The atmosphere in the dining room became awkward over a single cockle dish.

At that moment, Gitaek, who had silently taken a bite of the cockle salad, nonchalantly remarked, “It tastes good.”

Hyesoo looked at Gitaek in surprise. She realized she had misunderstood.

Ignoring Hyesoo’s reaction, Gitaek turned his head and addressed Hui-seon.

“I didn’t mention it, but I always enjoy the meals. Thank you for the delicious food.”

Why is he suddenly acting like this? Gitaek’s relatives, including Mi-jeong, all stared at him with wide eyes.

Despite the gazes of his family, Gitaek, wearing a rare smile, added a few more words to Hui-seon.

“Thank you for always providing delicious meals.”

“Ah… Yes.”

Flustered, Hui-seon replied.

Gitaek picked up another cockle and said, “It’s delicious,” then put it in his mouth.

Everyone stopped eating and watched Gitaek, who was enjoying the cockle salad.

After a while, having emptied his plate with just one serving of cockles, Gitaek spoke to Hyesoo.

“If it wasn’t intentional, what’s the point of bothering the person who went to great lengths to prepare the meal?”

“What?”

In response to the sudden rebuke, Hyesoo widened her eyes.

‘What is he saying to me now? I bit on a stone, didn’t I?’

She was just a humble housemaid. Nevertheless, he took the side of that woman over her.

‘Isn’t it natural to receive an apology?’

Moreover, he had the audacity to finish it off so lightly compared to his usual personality.

Flustered, Hyesoo stammered as she explained.

“Naturally, I appreciate the meal. It’s not that… Suddenly biting on a stone hurt a lot, and I was so startled. I thought all my teeth were going to fall out. It’s something that can’t happen in our house…”

“Well, why do you interfere in someone else’s family meal?”

Looking exhausted, Gitaek covered his eyes with his hand and sighed before addressing Baekho.

“As expected, family meals should be among family members. Don’t bring in outside guests.”

Dropping a sigh as if tired, Gitaek stood up from his seat even before the meal was over. Then, glancing at Hui-seon, who was still standing awkwardly in the dining room, he spoke.

“You don’t need to stay here, Madam. Go outside and relax.”

“Yes…”
Hui-seon looked at Gitaek with confusion, then left the dining room, seemingly bewildered.

Gitaek, with a beautifully wrapped shopping bag hanging on his wrist, turned around without hesitation and said, “It doesn’t seem like an atmosphere to continue, so I’ll leave first.”

“Gi-Gitaek?”

Even though Mi-jeong called him from behind, Gitaek quickly left the main building.

He wanted to get out of this noisy place as soon as possible and see her.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

While waiting for Gitaek, Ga-eul continued drawing in the studio.

The sound of the door reached her ears, and she immediately reacted.

“CEO!”

“Oh.”

Ga-eul ran towards Gitaek and hugged him tightly.

Gitaek, who had been wearing a composed expression, also subtly lifted the corners of his mouth.

“I was about to come, but suddenly Grandpa called.”

“Yes, I heard earlier. He called Mrs. to pass by the main building.”

“Really?”

Gitaek, looking warmly at Ga-eul, extended the shopping bag he had brought on his wrist.

“Here.”

“What is this? Are you giving it to me…?”

“Yeah.”

“What is it?”

“Open it yourself.”

Ga-eul hesitated for a moment, then accepted the shopping bag from the waves.

It looked similar to when he took her to the department store. Gitaek chuckled at the familiar appearance.

She seemed a bit hesitant.

Observing Ga-eul’s changing expressions, Gitaek thought, ‘But she seems to like simple things.’

Leaning against the wall, Gitaek watched Ga-eul joyfully unwrap the wrapping paper one by one.

Despite some initial hesitation, after checking the contents, Ga-eul exclaimed with admiration.

“Wow…”

“How is it? Do you like it?”