“You’re hurt elsewhere too.”

Instead of letting go of her hand, Min Je pointed to other injured areas. Perhaps he was deliberately using her other wounds to extend their time together.

Even though he clearly knew it was a knee injury that was difficult to show all at once.

“Ah, no. I’m really fine.”

Ha Yeon shook her head so vigorously it made a whooshing sound. But Min Je was the type who didn’t back down once he spoke up.

“I need to see the wound. To treat it.”

Seeing the determination in his eyes, Ha Yeon thought he might actually roll up her pants himself. With a short sigh, Ha Yeon resignedly rolled up her pants slowly.

It wasn’t like she was undressing, but she didn’t know why her fingertips were trembling so much.

“I’m not usually this diligent about treating wounds…”

Ha Yeon murmured, absently rubbing her nape where heat was rising. It wasn’t a severe injury, just a scrape, but he seemed to be making a big fuss.

“What if it scars?”

Min Je furrowed his brow as if he were the one in pain upon seeing Ha Yeon’s wound. She spoke as if it would heal overnight, but since there were multiple scrapes, it could scar if not treated properly.

“Well, it’s not on my face, so it’s fine…”

Ha Yeon felt Min Je’s cold gaze and instinctively closed her mouth.

Why are you acting like this to me? I’m way past the age to be scolded over such a minor injury! She couldn’t bring herself to say what she wanted and just let out a groan.

“It’s not fine at all. Don’t think it’s okay.”

Ha Yeon’s eyelashes fluttered at his blunt, seemingly indifferent words. His tone may seem curt, but the meaning behind it made her heart race the more she thought about it.

Don’t get excited over nothing. Ha Yeon repeatedly tried to convince herself. But every time his hand touched her knee, her carefully composed thoughts scattered.

“Don’t… be so nice to me.”

Ha Yeon’s eyes widened in surprise at her own inadvertent confession. Min Je was equally surprised by her words.

Min Je looked straight into Ha Yeon’s eyes as if trying to grasp the meaning of those words. Was what he did so wrong? Should he not have done this? He slowly rubbed his chin, unable to find an answer.

Why couldn’t I ignore her injury? Out of a sense of duty? Or responsibility? Min Je couldn’t pinpoint exactly what it was, but he didn’t regret treating her wounds.

“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but I’m just doing what needs to be done, so don’t worry about it. And I’ll bathe Ji Hoo until your hand heals.”

Ha Yeon bit her lip, feeling like she’d said something unnecessary.

He said he was just doing what needed to be done. Somehow, it felt like she’d gotten ahead of herself. Like counting her chickens before they hatched.

“I appreciate your consideration.”

Yes, what he did for her was just consideration. Though she was sure that was right, Ha Yeon couldn’t understand why she felt so bitter.

“Thank you so much for treating me today. Well then, I’ll…”

Ha Yeon bowed hastily and fled the scene.

Min Je’s gaze deepened as he stared at the empty space where she had been. What on earth was this feeling?

No matter how much he thought about it, it seemed impossible to define this complex emotion.

As Min Je’s quitting time approached, Ha Yeon grew increasingly anxious. She had no idea how to face him.

“Are you busy today? Do you have to leave work right on time?”

So she clung to poor Mi Ran.

“What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

Mi Ran asked worriedly, seeing Ha Yeon act out of character. But what could she possibly answer? That it was awkward to face Min Je? That her heart wouldn’t calm down when she saw him?

“Nothing’s wrong. Nothing at all. I just felt like being with you today, ma’am.”

Unable to say such things, Ha Yeon laughed awkwardly and tried to joke.

“Nothing’s wrong but you’re interfering with my leaving work?”

Mi Ran’s expression looked ominous. Though she had an amiable personality, she was someone who strictly separated work and personal matters. So at exactly 7:30 PM, she would tidy up the kitchen spotlessly and leave work.

“Do you perhaps have a secret lover hidden at home?”

Ha Yeon said sulkily, feeling inexplicably annoyed.

“You brat! Don’t tease your elders!”

Mi Ran glared and smacked Ha Yeon’s back. They had become close enough to joke around like this now.

“Well, not a lover, but I have to see Jung Jae at 9 and Ji Seop at 10.”

“What? What do you mean?”

When Ha Yeon’s eyes widened in surprise, Mi Ran laughed and explained.

“I’m talking about dramas. What else is there when you get older? That’s all the joy in life.”

“Oh, I see. Haha. Then you should hurry and go.”

Unable to take away Mi Ran’s joy in life, Ha Yeon had no choice but to let her go.

Shortly after Mi Ran left work, Min Je came home.

He seemed to have rushed home, unlike usual, presumably not to miss Ji Hoo’s shower time.

“I’m not late, am I?”

“No, you’re not late, but… you didn’t have to…”

Ha Yeon trailed off mid-sentence. Though it was uncomfortable for her that Min Je was going to such lengths, it was good for Ji Hoo. Maybe this opportunity would help strengthen the father-son relationship.

“Why did you stop talking?”

Min Je paused abruptly on his way to his room, taking off his outer clothes as if trying to minimize changing time.

“Ah, it’s nothing. I’ll be with Ji Hoo. Please change and come up to the second floor.”

Ha Yeon fled the scene hastily. One of Min Je’s eyebrows raised slightly as he watched her.

“Am I really taking a bath with Dad today?”

Ji Hoo asked with round eyes, immersed in fluffy bubbles.

“Yes, just while sister’s hand is healing.”

“Ah, I see.”

The child’s expression subtly changed, seeming both disappointed and relieved at a glance. Such a little one already learning to hide thoughts on his face.

As Ha Yeon was looking at Ji Hoo with a pitying expression, there was a knock at the door.

“Yes, come in.”

When Ha Yeon opened the bathroom door, Min Je was standing there in comfortable clothes. Ha Yeon almost burst out laughing in his face. He looked uncomfortable and awkward, like a guest in someone else’s home.

Ahem, he cleared his throat once, seemingly embarrassed, before entering the bathroom.

“I’ll take it from here.”

He waved his hand as if telling her to leave now, but why did he look so unreliable?

“Alright, let me know if you need any help.”

Ha Yeon looked back and forth between Min Je and Ji Hoo before leaving the bathroom. Then she lingered near the bathroom.

She could hear soft voices from inside. Right, falling was a good thing. In the end, it turned out well for father and son, so falling ungracefully at the sports day and narrowly missing first place was all for the best. Ha Yeon nodded, forcibly rationalizing her thoughts.

After some time had passed, just when she was thinking ‘Are they washing properly?’, the bathroom door opened.

“Ah, that feels refreshing.”

Ji Hoo stepped out with a glowing face. Seeing the child’s face shine, it seemed she had worried needlessly.

“Yes, you must feel extra refreshed with Dad washing you today.”

Ha Yeon smiled and stroked Ji Hoo’s cheek. Then she looked up at Min Je following behind, but…?

‘Did they bathe together?’

His clothes were soaking wet. When Ha Yeon asked with her eyes what happened, Min Je answered with an awkward expression.

“It’ll get better gradually.”

“Ah, I see…”

Ha Yeon replied and quickly turned away from him. Otherwise, he would catch her smiling face.

Though he had confessed to being an inexperienced father unsure how to treat his child, seeing it confirmed made her think he was a bit cute. His efforts were admirable and made her want to cheer him on.

“Dad said he’ll tuck me in from today too.”

Ji Hoo bragged to Ha Yeon with a big grin.

“It might be difficult when work is busy, but I’ll try to come home early from now on.”

Min Je said haltingly, scratching his cheek. It felt silly to be saying this to her, but the words flowed out on their own.

Suddenly, he felt like a student desperate for approval from a favorite teacher.

‘I never did this even when I was young…’

Min Je clicked his tongue and frowned briefly. But he felt like he would be happy if she praised him.

‘Was I always like this?’

He slowly rubbed his chin once before entering Ji Hoo’s room. Ha Yeon followed with an awkward expression and said:

“Then, should I leave you two alone…?”

“No, carry on as usual. As you can see, I have a lot to learn.”

Min Je shrugged.

It didn’t require amazing skills to put a child to sleep, but saying he wanted to learn made her nervous for some reason.

“I just read him a book, that’s all.”

Ha Yeon said, feeling burdened by Min Je’s gaze as she fumbled to take out a book.

Ji Hoo, lying in the middle of the bed, looked back and forth between Ha Yeon and Min Je sitting on either side and giggled.

“I don’t think I’ll fall asleep quickly today.”

Seeing the child express his happiness that way, Ha Yeon smiled warmly and stroked his forehead once.

“What did sister say? Children of the new era go to bed early and wake up early, right?”

“Pfft, I don’t mind being a child of the old era.”

What ancient story is this…? Min Je’s eyebrow twitched hearing the conversation, but he remained silent for now.

Seeing his expression, Ha Yeon cleared her throat and hurriedly opened the book.

“Well then, I’ll start reading now.”

“Can I ask questions?”

Ji Hoo asked hastily, worried Ha Yeon might start reading.

“I’ll take just three questions.”

When Ha Yeon said generously, Min Je couldn’t help but smile. So this is how she put the child to sleep every night. He felt a warmth in his heart.

“There was an old house standing beside a road lined with zelkova trees like street trees.”

Ha Yeon soon began reading. As she did every day, she read with plenty of emotion, but lowered her voice so the child wouldn’t get too excited and miss falling asleep.

But as she read, why did Kang Min Je’s gaze feel so vivid?

Father, I can’t read if you stare at me like that. Unable to say that, Ha Yeon kept her eyes lowered, fixing her gaze only on the book.

Why are the letters dancing like crawling worms today? Ha Yeon read slower than usual, unable to focus on the words at all.

The gaze quietly burning in the darkness took her breath away. Her vision seemed to flash white from her heart racing thoughtlessly again.

‘I can’t read because of your eyes!’

Unable to bear it any longer, Ha Yeon suddenly lifted her head. And her eyes met Min Je’s directly.

“Can I ask a question too?”

He asked, tilting his head. Though he was just repeating what Ji Hoo had said earlier, why did it sound so suggestive?

Am I hearing what I want to hear? Ha Yeon unconsciously gulped at his matured aura that she couldn’t quite explain.