In response to Choa’s reprimand, Su-a pouted, protruding her lips.

“You’ve worked hard playing with my younger sister. Sit down and take a rest.”

Without being able to respond, Dae Bok simply nodded and plopped down on the porch with a sigh.

He had truly put all his effort and energy into playing with Su-a.

“Well, then, would you like Su-a to sit on Dae Bok’s lap?”

Su-a, crawling up the porch, suddenly sat on Dae Bok’s lap.

Then, with sparkling eyes, she looked up at Dae Bok.

“Is it okay like this?”

“Hey! Seriously!”

When Choa tried to poke Su-a again, Dae Bok made a wry expression.

“Whether you sit or not! Anyway, let me ask again? Who do you think I am?”

“Dae Bok oppa?”

“Well, well!”

Dae Bok wore a broad smile, looking pleased as he spoke.
The fatigue from playing and entertaining Yeonwoo, with the endearing term “oppa,” made Dae Bok forget all his weariness. Choa’s mother, who silently observed the scenes of Dae Bok and Su-a, nodded her head gently.

“Earlier… I apologize for the inconvenience. I’m sorry.”

Dae Bok, uncertain about how to respond to Choa’s mother’s apology, replied, “No! I’m sorry for wearing such flashy clothes and startling you.”

The women’s gaze involuntarily turned toward Dae Bok’s attire. Despite Yeonwoo exercising restraint and removing some accessories, Dae Bok’s appearance still remained comically extravagant.

The irresistibly excessive splendor caused the women gathered there to burst into laughter.

“Heh…”

“Hoho…”

Yeonwoo and Choa forcibly held back their laughter. Subsequently, laughter emerged from Su-a and her mother.

“Hehe!”

“Cough…!”

Facing the women’s attempts to suppress laughter, Dae Bok, with a flushed face, opened his mouth as if surrendering.

“Feel free to laugh wholeheartedly…”

As if triggered by those words, the women began to release the laughter they had been holding back with loud laughter.

In the midst of the laughter-filled room, Choa’s mother, with tears in her eyes from laughing, spoke.

“Have you had dinner? If not, eat before it gets too late.”

“Yes, I will! It’s been a while since I had a home-cooked meal.”

Although she received a warm response from Dae Bok, Yeonwoo hesitated for a moment.

Unknowingly, it was already approaching the evening, and if he wanted to arrive home within the agreed time with Geon, he needed to start preparing to leave.

Seeing Yeonwoo’s indecision, Choa, arranging acupuncture tools, said, “Dinner is almost ready since I’ve prepared everything. Just wait a bit.”

“Ugh…”

Yeonwoo, caught in his dilemma, let out a groan. Leaving Choa’s house so soon was regrettable, and the thought of a home-cooked meal after a long time was tempting. Already hungry, the savory smell of soybean paste stew wafting from the kitchen tempted Yeonwoo.

In the end, Yeonwoo’s heart quickly swayed to one side with Choa’s next words.

“Since you’re here, why not have a meal before you leave? Our mother’s cooking skills are exceptional.”

“Uh, then I’ll eat before I go!”

Though Dae Bok responded to her suggestion with enthusiasm, Yeonwoo hesitated for a moment.

Choa’s mother, Myeongok, was delighted after a long time. Having avoided people’s attention for a long time, she had never had a proper conversation with anyone other than Choa and Su-a.

At first, when Choa said she would bring a friend, Myeongok had many concerns. She was worried that bringing a stranger might cause unnecessary trouble.

But due to frequent moves, Choa and Su-a couldn’t mingle with peers, and Choa even had to take on the role of the head of the household instead of Myeongok.

Myeongok, always feeling sorry for that, allowed Choa to invite a friend to their home this time.
Bringing a stranger home might lead to unnecessary trouble, and it was a fearful thought. However, due to frequent relocations, Choa and Sua couldn’t properly socialize with peers, and, moreover, Choa had to take on the role of the head of the household instead of Myeongok.

Myeongok, who had always felt sorry for this situation, allowed Choa to invite a friend over this time. Even if Choa brought someone home, Myeongok could simply stay hidden like she wasn’t there.

As Myeongok, living quietly as always, came out to attend to her business, she coincidentally encountered an unfamiliar man. Initially escaping from the unexpected encounter, it didn’t take long for the man to find out that he was Choa’s friend.

His name was Dae Bok and Hong Yeonwoo, if she recalled correctly. The more Myeongok looked at the two brought by Choa, the more her heart went to them. Particularly, Dae Bok, who played with Sua, had a clear impression that Myeongok had never seen in her not-so-short life. Seeing Choa’s laughter was also a rare occurrence.

It was the first time that Sua, who was as reserved as Myeongok, followed and enjoyed someone so well. Myeongok realized that she had worried unnecessarily when, for the first time in a long while, she smiled until tears came to her eyes.