A sunny weekend.

Do Joon’s car stopped in front of Tae Yeon’s family home.

As they got out of the car, the hot wind blew, disheveling Tae Yeon’s hair this way and that.

After checking her appearance once more, she stood before the tall black front gate. Even then, Tae Yeon hesitated to press the doorbell.

It was always like this when she came to this house. She was afraid to go inside.

Perhaps it was because she knew that once she entered, she would feel a pressure beyond the oppressiveness given by that black gate.

Tae Yeon’s other hand, tightly gripping her bag, was trembling. Watching her from the side, Do Joon gently extended his hand.

There were now two fingers reaching to press the doorbell. Tae Yeon startled at the warm touch on her hand.

“Jin Tae Yeon, stay behind me.”

Do Joon’s hand pressed the doorbell. After confirming the faces of the two, the gate opened with a dull sound.

Do Joon did not let go of Tae Yeon’s hand, but interlaced their fingers. Then he entered through the gate first and pulled Tae Yeon’s hand.

As they walked through the wide garden towards the house, Do Joon whispered to Tae Yeon.

“I plan to finish the meal as quickly as possible and leave.”

It was welcome news to hear.

Just as Tae Yeon was about to reply, the front door flew open and President Jin appeared.

“Our daughter, you’ve come?”

He came rushing out with his arms wide open, as if to embrace Tae Yeon.

Seeing President Jin like that, Tae Yeon became frightened and let go of Do Joon’s hand. Then, clutching her bag tightly with both hands, she looked at President Jin with trembling eyes.

President Jin, seemingly oblivious to Tae Yeon’s state, wrapped his arms around her slender shoulders and stroked her back with one hand.

“My daughter, daddy missed you so much.”

To anyone watching, they would appear to be an affectionate father and daughter. However, Do Joon’s eyes only saw Tae Yeon, stiff with fear.

President Jin released Tae Yeon and turned to address Do Joon standing beside her.

“Young Cha, it’s been a while. Have you been well?”

“Yes, I’ve been well.”

Unlike other chaebol, President Jin’s manner of speech was frivolous. He praised himself as being down-to-earth, but in reality, he was just a person with no sense of propriety.

President Jin turned around and entered the house first.

As they headed inside, Do Joon once again took Tae Yeon’s hand. Her cold hand was warming up from Do Joon’s touch.

They went to the kitchen and sat down. There were only three place settings at the table. Seeing Do Joon staring blankly at the table, President Jin spoke up.

“Your mother left early this morning, saying she was going to do volunteer work. I think it’ll be fine if we eat cozily among ourselves. Is that alright, young Cha?”

Even so, Do Joon kept looking around as if searching for someone. He had hoped to see Tae Yeon’s elder sister, Tae Jin, whom he had only seen in photos, but it seemed she would not be making an appearance.

“Come on, let’s eat.”

President Jin started eating first.

Do Joon picked up his chopsticks and took some braised short ribs from the middle of the table. He carefully removed the bones and placed it on Tae Yeon’s plate.

Both Tae Yeon and President Jin’s eyes turned to the same place at once. Tae Yeon cleared her throat and spoke in a small voice.

“I can eat on my own, Do Joon. Please eat.”

“Eat a lot, Jin Tae Yeon.”

Tae Yeon smiled slightly and popped the braised short ribs Do Joon had given her into her mouth in one bite.

She had rarely been able to enjoy the taste of food when eating in this house.

Her throat had always felt so dry that she couldn’t tell if she was eating rice or chewing paper.

Today was different from usual. Somehow, just having Do Joon beside her made her feel strangely reassured.

In fact, thanks to Do Joon answering first whenever President Jin addressed Tae Yeon, she was able to continue eating, albeit very little, while nibbling.

As the meal was coming to an end, warm chamomile tea was placed in front of the three of them.

And then President Jin brought up the reason he had called Do Joon today.

“Tae Yeon, what kind of new business idea are you going to come up with this time?”

“Pardon?”

“The products you’ve come up with have always had good reactions. So I’m curious about this time too.”

President Jin continued speaking with a broad grin.

“I can’t tell you how reassured I am that young Cha has come to KK Foods. How well he’ll take care of Tae Yeon…”

“You don’t need to worry about that.”

“Ho ho ho. Our young Cha is so dependable.”

President Jin sipped his tea and began pressuring Tae Yeon again.

“Tae Yeon, so what kind of idea are you going to come up with for this new product? Give daddy a little hint.”

“I’m still thinking about it.”

“While you’re at it, it would be nice if you could make something that could use Chasin Dairy products too. So we can both win.”

President Jin was finally showing his true colors. Do Joon, who had been listening silently, spoke in a firm voice.

“The theme for this new product is diet.”

“Ah… is that so?”

“Yes. So it might be difficult to incorporate Chasin Dairy products this time.”

“Ah, young Cha. What do you mean incorporate? I was just saying it would be nice if our products could be used together too.”

Do Joon turned his gaze from President Jin to look at Tae Yeon. Then he spoke in a kind voice.

“Our Tae Yeon is doing well on her own. So I think it would be good if you could put aside your excessive interest for a while, father-in-law.”

“……”

“Sometimes such obsession can become poison.”

Unable to retort, President Jin looked embarrassed and filled his mouth with hot tea.

“Ah, hot! Mrs. Kim, are you trying to kill someone by making the tea this hot?”

President Jin took out his anger on the innocent employee.

Meanwhile, Do Joon drank the hot tea in one gulp and addressed Tae Yeon in a warm voice.

“Jin Tae Yeon, shall we get up if you’ve finished your tea?”

“Young Cha, are you leaving already?”

It was President Jin who was anxious, as today’s meal had ended without much result. He still needed to make an appointment to meet Chairman Cha today.

Just as President Jin was about to open his mouth to try to keep the two longer.

“Father-in-law, it’s the weekend, shouldn’t we go on a date?”

“Da… date?”

Do Joon stood up first and offered his hand to Tae Yeon. Then he gave a farewell greeting to President Jin that drew a line.

“Thank you for the delicious lunch. Don’t worry, I’m taking good care of Tae Yeon.”

Though his tone seemed affectionate, there was only one point contained within it.

That now that they were married, she was his wife, so don’t interfere anymore.

After delivering this warning that felt like a threat, Do Joon wrapped his arm around Tae Yeon’s waist with gentle eyes and left the house.

After getting into Do Joon’s car, Tae Yeon let out a small sigh. Without hesitation, Do Joon started the car and asked Tae Yeon.

“What do you want to eat?”

“Pardon?”

“You didn’t eat anything at all.”

“I didn’t have much appetite today.”

“I ate, but I’m not full. Will you sit across from me while I eat?”

“Sure.”

Do Joon’s car left Tae Yeon’s family home without any lingering attachment.

Hearing the sound of Tae Yeon leaving, Tae Jin, who had been inside the house, peeked her face out.

“Did they leave?”

“Ha, she really is a girl I don’t like at all.”

“What’s wrong, daddy? How was the meal?”

Tae Jin scurried out to the living room and plopped down next to President Jin. She was dying to know what conversations had been heard from outside.

“I knew Tae Yeon was unusual, but I didn’t think she’d be doing such crafty things.”

“Why! I’m curious too. Tell me quickly.”

President Jin recited what had happened at the meal just now.

The point that surprised President Jin the most was just one thing.

The way Do Joon looked at Tae Yeon.

He had naturally expected Do Joon to look at Tae Yeon with cold eyes and barely speak to her, but the reality was the complete opposite.

“Anyone who saw them would think they married for love.”

Tae Jin was surprised too. Everything was different from the rumors she had heard about Do Joon.

“Dad, are you sure you saw it right?”

“Hey now. I was so surprised watching that throughout the meal. And then when I just asked a little about the new product idea, young Cha scolded me so much.”

“What did he say?”

“He told me not to interfere. My goodness, I was speechless.”

Tae Jin’s mouth fell open too.

“He really did that? Cha Do Joon?”

“I’m telling you he did!”

President Jin, still feeling heated, fanned himself and then took out his anger on another innocent person.

“Mrs. Choi, turn up the air conditioning a bit more.”

Sitting next to President Jin, Tae Jin recalled the rumors she had heard.

“They say he doesn’t care who he marries as his wife.”

“Of course. I’m telling you, he’s a guy who thinks of women as disposable tissues to use once and throw away.”

“If you’re fooled by his handsome face, your life is just over.”

When the marriage proposal from KK Group came to Chasin Dairy, all of Tae Jin’s close friends shook their heads.

They didn’t forget to advise her not to make the mistake of standing by Do Joon’s side out of greed for KK Group.

And now they say this man looks at Tae Yeon with loving eyes.

The Do Joon she had seen in passing at parties attended by businessmen always had an ice-cold face.

It seemed impossible that such a cold-blooded man with no hint of humanity could have gentle eyes.

Even as she thought this, she felt strangely uneasy. She didn’t know the reason for this uneasiness, but.

Tae Jin quietly asked President Jin.

“Dad, did Tae Yeon look happy?”

“Happy? Hahaha. Hey, do you think you could live happily in that house?”

At those words, Tae Jin finally smiled brightly. Her uneasy feelings gradually faded away.

“I suppose not.”

Jin Tae Yeon shouldn’t be happy.

Burying those words in her heart, Tae Jin pulled up the corners of her mouth in an unsightly smile.

Nevertheless, she was curious about Do Joon.

Thinking that she should meet Tae Yeon soon to find out how she’s doing, Tae Jin got up from her seat.

The place Do Joon took Tae Yeon was the Chinese restaurant in KK Hotel.

The two entered a private room where Do Joon often dined.

Looking at the menu, Do Joon spoke in an indifferent tone.

“Jin Tae Yeon, you should eat something too. I’m worried because you’re too thin.”

“Pardon?”

“It seems like you might break if I just touch you lightly.”

At those words, Tae Yeon covered her mouth with her hand and laughed.

“How do I look in your eyes, Do Joon?”

“You look like a woman I want to protect.”