David's Husband (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 16
“You’re hurt in other places too.”
Instead of letting go of her hand, Min Je pointed to another injured spot. Perhaps, without even realizing it himself, he was deliberately using her other wounds to prolong their time together—
even though he clearly knew it was an injury on her knee, one not easily revealed all at once.
“Oh, no, really, I’m fine.”
Ha Yeon shook her head so vigorously it almost made a buzzing sound. But once Min Je spoke his mind, he was not the type to back down.
“I need to see the wound. I’ll treat it now.”
Seeing the firm resolve in his eyes, Ha Yeon realized he might genuinely roll up her pants himself. With a short sigh, she slowly lifted her pants, resigned.
It wasn’t even as if she were undressing—so why were her fingertips trembling uncontrollably?
“I usually don’t treat wounds this carefully…”
Ha Yeon muttered, rubbing her neck where warmth had inexplicably gathered. It wasn’t a serious injury—just a few scratches—yet his fussiness made her feel oddly flustered.
“What if scars remain?”
Upon seeing Ha Yeon’s injury, Min Je furrowed his brows as if he himself were in pain. Though she claimed it would heal after a night’s rest, the multiple scratches might leave scars if not treated properly.
“Well, it’s not on my face, so it’s fine…”
Ha Yeon instinctively clamped her mouth shut upon sensing Min Je’s cool gaze.
Why are you like this toward me? I’m way past the age where I’d get scolded over such a trivial wound! She bit back the words she longed to utter and instead let out a stifled groan.
“It’s *not* fine at all. Don’t even think it is.”
His indifferent tone, as if tossed off carelessly, made Ha Yeon’s eyelashes tremble. Though his manner of speaking was blunt to the extreme, the more she reflected on his meaning, the more her heart raced.
Don’t get carried away without reading the room, she repeated to herself, trying to reason it out. Yet each time his fingers brushed her knee, her carefully gathered composure crumbled like sand.
“Please… don’t be kind to me like this.”
Ha Yeon’s eyes widened in shock at her own unintentionally slipped confession. Min Je looked just as startled upon hearing her words.
As if trying to grasp their meaning, he locked eyes with her directly. Was his behavior truly that wrong? Was this not supposed to happen? Jaw clenched in silent perplexity, he slowly rubbed his chin.
Why couldn’t I simply pass by her injury? Was it out of duty? Or responsibility? Min Je couldn’t pinpoint the exact reason—but he did not regret treating her wound.
“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but I’m only doing what needs to be done, so don’t overthink it. And until your hand is fully healed, I’ll handle Ji Hoo’s baths.”
Ha Yeon bit her lip, regretting her unnecessary words.
He’s only doing what needs to be done. Somehow, she felt foolish, like she’d gulped down kimchi stew before anyone even offered her rice cakes.
“Thank you—for your consideration.”
Yes, what he’d shown her was merely consideration. Logically, that made perfect sense—yet Ha Yeon couldn’t understand why a bitter taste lingered in her chest.
“Thank you again for treating me today. Then… I’ll take my leave now.”
After a quick bow, Ha Yeon fled the spot as if escaping.
Min Je’s gaze darkened as he watched the empty space where she’d stood. Just what *was* this feeling, anyway?
No matter how hard he thought, pinning down a definition for this tangled emotion seemed impossible.
[This is the timeline separator]As Min Je’s usual time to leave work approached, Ha Yeon grew increasingly anxious. She had no idea how to face him.
“Are you busy today? Do you absolutely need to leave on time?”
So she clung desperately to the nearest person—Mi Ran.
“What’s wrong? Did something happen?”
Noticing Ha Yeon’s unusual behavior, Mi Ran asked with concern. But how could she possibly explain? That meeting Min Je felt awkward? That her heart wouldn’t calm down around him?
“It’s nothing. Really, nothing at all. I just… happened to feel like staying with you today, that’s all.”
Unable to voice her true thoughts, Ha Yeon forced an awkward smile and made light of it.
“So there’s *nothing*—yet you’re blocking my departure?”
Mi Ran’s expression turned serious. Though naturally gentle, she strictly separated work from personal life—promptly cleaning the kitchen and leaving at exactly 7:30 p.m. every evening.
“Could it be… you’re hiding a secret lover at home?”
Irritated for no reason, Ha Yeon blurted out bluntly.
“You brat! You can’t joke with elders like that!”
Mi Ran flicked her eyes and gave Ha Yeon two brisk taps on the back. Their bond had grown so familiar that such teasing had become routine.
“Well, not a lover, but I’ve got Jeong Jae at nine and Ji Seop at ten.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
Seeing Ha Yeon’s wide-eyed surprise, Mi Ran chuckled and explained:
“It’s the dramas. What else is there for someone my age? That’s just how we get by—little joys like these.”
“Oh, I see! Then you should hurry off.”
Unwilling to rob Mi Ran of her simple happiness, Ha Yeon obediently let her go.
Not long after Mi Ran left, Min Je returned home.
He arrived earlier than usual, clearly rushing to avoid missing Ji Hoo’s bath time.
“I’m not late, am I?”
“No, you’re not—but you really don’t have to go this far…”
Ha Yeon halted mid-sentence. Though his efforts made her uncomfortable, they were undeniably good for Ji Hoo. Perhaps this chance would help father and son grow closer.
“Why did you stop talking?”
Min Je, already stripping off his outerwear mid-stride to save time, suddenly froze halfway toward his room.
“Oh—nothing. I’ll stay with Ji Hoo. So please change and come up to the second floor.”
Ha Yeon dashed away as if fleeing. Watching her retreat, one of Min Je’s eyebrows arched slightly upward.
“Are we *really* bathing together today, Dad?”
Submerged in fluffy bubbles, Ji Hoo asked with wide, round eyes.
“Yes—for now, until Unnie’s hand heals.”
“Ah, I see.”
The child’s expression shifted subtly—seemingly disappointed yet also relieved. How strange—this little one had already learned to conceal his thoughts behind his face.
As Ha Yeon gazed at Ji Hoo with tender pity, a soft knock sounded at the door.
“Yes, come in.”
When Ha Yeon opened the bathroom door, Min Je stood there in casual attire. She nearly burst into laughter right in front of him—he looked so awkward and out of place, like a guest in someone else’s house.
*Ahem.* He coughed once, plainly embarrassed, then stepped inside.
“I’ll handle it from here.”
He waved her off—but why did that gesture seem so untrustworthy?
“Okay. If you need help, just let me know.”
After glancing between Min Je and Ji Hoo, Ha Yeon slipped out—and lingered near the bathroom.
Soft murmurs drifted from within. Yes, falling was the right thing to do. In the end, it benefited father and son—so wasn’t stumbling clumsily at the sports festival, even forfeiting first place, ultimately worth it? Ha Yeon bobbed her head, forcing logic onto the memory.
After some time, just as she wondered, *Are they washing properly?*, the bathroom door opened.
“Ah, refreshing!”
Ji Hoo hopped out, his face glowing pink. The healthy sheen on his cheeks suggested her worries had been unfounded.
“Yes, you must feel extra clean since Dad washed you today.”
Smiling, Ha Yeon gently stroked Ji Hoo’s cheek—and then lifted her head toward Min Je, who followed behind…
*Did they bathe together?*
His clothes were soaked through. When Ha Yeon wordlessly questioned him with her eyes, Min Je answered with an awkward expression:
“He’ll improve gradually.”
“Ah—yes…”
Ha Yeon gave a quick reply, then immediately turned away—if she didn’t, he’d catch her grinning.
He’d openly admitted his inexperience as a father, unsure how to handle his child—but actually seeing it firsthand made him seem oddly endearing. His effort was commendable; she felt like cheering him on.
“Starting today, Dad said he’ll also tuck me in.”
Ji Hoo grinned proudly as he announced this to Ha Yeon.
“When work is busy, it’ll be tough—but I’ll try to come home earlier from now on.”
Min Je scratched his cheek, stumbling over his words. He felt ridiculous confessing this to her—yet the words slipped out effortlessly.
Suddenly, he felt like a student desperately seeking praise from a favorite teacher.
*I never acted like this as a kid…*
Min Je clicked his tongue and briefly scowled. Still, he suspected her praise would lift his mood.
*Have I always been like this?*
Slowly rubbing his jaw, he entered Ji Hoo’s room. Ha Yeon followed with an awkward expression.
“Then… shall I step aside for you…?”
“No. Just keep doing what you normally do. As you can see, I’m full of things to learn.”
Min Je shrugged.
Putting a child to sleep didn’t require extraordinary skill—but his eagerness to learn somehow made *her* nervous.
“I only read stories to him, that’s all.”
Uncomfortable under Min Je’s steady gaze, Ha Yeon quickly pulled out a book.
Ji Hoo, lying in the middle of the bed, grinned as he glanced between Ha Yeon and Min Je seated on either side.
“I think I won’t fall asleep quickly tonight.”
Ha Yeon smiled warmly and stroked his forehead, charmed by how he conveyed his happiness.
“What did Unnie tell you? Children of the new country sleep and rise early.”
“Phee—well, I wouldn’t mind being a child of the *old* country instead!”
*Just where did he hear that?* Min Je’s eyebrow twitched at the outdated reference—but for now, he stayed quiet.
Noticing his expression, Ha Yeon cleared her throat and hurriedly opened the book.
“Alright then—I’ll begin reading now.”
“Can I ask questions?”
Ji Hoo blurted out eagerly, afraid Ha Yeon might start reading too soon.
“You may ask exactly three questions.”
When Ha Yeon generously declared this, Min Je couldn’t help but chuckle softly. So this was how she gently eased him to sleep every night. A warm, tender feeling bloomed in his chest.
“Beside a road lined with zelkova trees like streetlamps stood an old house.”
Ha Yeon began reading, as she did daily—infusing emotion into her voice while keeping the tone low, lest Ji Hoo grow too excited to sleep.
Yet the more she read, the more vividly she felt Min Je’s—*Kang Min Jae’s*—gaze upon her.
Father, if you keep staring like that, I can’t focus on reading! Ha Yeon dared not speak the words aloud and instead lowered her eyes, fixing them firmly on the page.
Why did the letters dance like wriggling worms today of all days? Unable to absorb the text, she read more slowly than usual.
His quiet, burning gaze in the dimness stole her breath. Once again, her unruly heart pounded so fiercely the world flickered white before her eyes.
*Your gaze is making it impossible to read!*
Unable to bear it further, Ha Yeon snapped her head up—and locked eyes with Min Je.
“Can… I ask a question too?”
He tilted his head as he asked, merely echoing Ji Hoo’s earlier words—but why did it sound so teasingly suggestive?
Was it because I’m hearing what I want to hear? Overwhelmed by his inexplicably mature aura, Ha Yeon unconsciously gulped.
Male lead reborn without memories — but he still falls for her.
The person he finds displeasing in this life turns out to be his cherished wife-master in previous life…
Xie Zhi and Fang Xianxing who had known each other for less than three days through a blind date sat in the same car in front of the civil affairs bureau. They had a disagreement and failed to get married.
Xie Zhi immediately took out his phone, slid through his contacts, and randomly selected the next marriage candidate.
The woman snatched his phone and hung up. Looking at his phone wallpaper, she awkwardly changed the subject: “An ancient painting, eh? It looks pretty good, it’s just that the person in the painting looks a bit like me.”
When he heard this, he sarcastically mocked her for being so delusional, completely unaware that, the person in front of him was the reincarnation of Wen Ru, the famous prime minister of Yuan Shun whom he most admired…
The female CEO who doesn’t want to get married with a divorce agreement in hand × The male archaeological researcher who will only get married if he’s sure he can get divorced
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