Soeun vigorously shook her head. She was scared and surprised, but not scared because she was surprised.

“Yang Heewook came to see me, and today, Yang Heewook’s mom came. Has this happened before?”

Actually, yesterday Yang Heewook’s older sister called and scolded me on the phone.”

“…”

“But it seemed like something I could just let go. It seemed like she just called to vent her frustration.”

Soeun casually talked about yesterday’s events, shrugging it off. Still, Taejun’s expression was serious.
“I think you understand everything. Well, today, Mrs. Kim Malhee came alone. There won’t be such incidents anymore.”

“But I still think you should warn her properly so she understands.”

Creating a few wrinkles on his even forehead, Taejun’s expression hardened.

“Should I break all her limbs? So she can’t even whimper again.”

He was completely serious. Frightened, Soeun hastily stopped Taejun.

“It’s dangerous. And that girl in the house is nine years old, the age when parents are needed the most.”

“Well, I don’t know. Nine seems like an age when they can be independent.”

To Taejun, who lost both parents at the age of ten, the sorrow a nine-year-old child would experience due to bad parents was a trivial story. He was someone who didn’t leave emotions to a group that he didn’t need to empathize with.

Taejun escorted Soeun home and went outside.

As he descended the stairs and turned his head, he suddenly saw a thick envelope sticking out of Soeun’s mailbox with her apartment number. Such trivial things had the potential to create danger. Taejun thought he should bring it to Soeun but paused as he was about to climb the stairs.

It was a letter sent from the Korean Embassy in the Philippines.

Taejun picked up the mail and got into his car. Staring at the outer surface for a long time, he finally sighed slowly and tore open the envelope.

‘The whereabouts of Han Honggyu, who you inquired about, have been confirmed, but unfortunately, Han Honggyu passed away last April.’ The letter contained a death certificate. And it had instructions saying if they wanted to confirm the deceased’s belongings, they could go to the enclosed address.

Soeun also didn’t know that she was looking for her father. Even though she had been searching like this, her mean dad never contacted her once. Even though he was already gone from this world, Taejun deeply resented Han Honggyu.

Soeun didn’t need to know about this matter.

Deciding that he would contact the Philippine Embassy separately tomorrow, Taejun put the documents back into the envelope, started the car, and opened the car window after turning the key. When his eyes met the private security guard who had been watching in front of Soeun’s house, he nodded slightly. It was regrettable that he didn’t inform Soeun separately, but he decided it would be better to maintain the current situation for the time being.

Seokhwa, who finished work early, contacted Taejun. Taejun assured her that he would arrive home on time, and Seokhwa openly parked her car in the parking lot of Taejun’s apartment, waiting for him. It didn’t take long for Taejun to arrive.

“Taejun.”

“Nice to see you both in the morning and evening.”

After parking the car, Taejun approached Seokhwa with his lips stretched out. Although he wanted to smile at his niece, who had rushed over in the middle of the night, a slight twitch appeared at the end of his lips.

“Want to come up?”

“Sure. Let’s do that.”

Following Taejun’s guidance, Seokhwa went up to the 30th floor.
It was the first time Seokhwa visited Taejun’s house. Despite living alone, the neatly organized aspects of the house hinted at the niece’s orderly personality. Walking gracefully towards the display shelf in the living room, Seokhwa placed the celestial globe she brought this time next to the Joseon white porcelain.

On one side, the moon jar she gave as a gift in the beginning was placed. The moon jar, which was said to have two currents, stood proudly on a tray covered with white reverse stones, maintaining its original appearance. The stones supporting it underneath were neatly arranged to match the shape of the moon jar.

“So, this is how the moon jar turned out.”

“I just glued it, but it came off quickly.”

Taejun responded from the kitchen with a clatter. Seokhwa looked into the moon jar and saw a few candies inside.

“A friend suggested supporting the bottom using the principle of a lever. That’s how it’s maintaining its shape. Aunt, would you like some tea?”

“I’ll just have some water.”

Feeling a bit embarrassed, as if peeking into someone else’s bedroom, Seokhwa looked into the belly of the moon jar. She tidied up and went quickly to the kitchen.

As Taejun set a glass in front of Seokhwa, he asked, “What’s the matter?”

“Taejun.”

“Yes.”

In front of her niece’s gentle smile, Seokhwa hesitated for a moment.

“In fact, I found out about that girl.”

“…….”

“Han Soeun.”

With Seokhwa’s confession, Taejun’s flawless smile was disrupted as if to criticize, ‘How dare you mention that woman’s name.’

“Did you hear from Manager Song Mun-kyung?”

His expression indicated that it was unforgivable no matter who it was.