“Marrying a soso family like you once should be enough, that’s what I’m saying.”
Yeon Hee, who had tightly closed her lips, swallowed what she wanted to say forcibly.

“As you know. What kind of grandson is Yool to me.”
A shining hope and a family’s pride, a descendant. Moreover, the only being who will fulfill the dream that the only son had given up.

To Seok Gu, Kwon Yool was such an existence.

“Of course, we should take care of Sang Hyun since he’s a Kwon, but it’s different for the grandsons of Seo. Most of my fortune will be left to Yool alone.” Seok Goo began to explain his future plans in detail.

When emphasizing the duties and roles Yeon Hee must fulfill for the bright future of Kwon Yool, he seemed like a man wielding a severe whip.

“So. What I mean is…… An elite lady suitable for our first grandson. She should be backed by a splendid family and equal intelligence.” Seok Goo was deciding on the relationship between Kwon Yool and Bora without any confirmation.

“If Yool wishes to date this lady Bora, it’s your role as a mother to actively step forward.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Only after hearing the response he wanted did Seok Goo stand up from his seat. He then gently tapped his daughterinlaw’s shoulder, showing a gentle smile.

“Do you have anything worth mentioning other than giving birth to Yool since you came to this house? Would you have been able to step foot into this house without Yool? That’s what I mean.”
That was a sarcastic laughter pretending to be kind. For a moment, Yeon Hee’s back turned icy cold.

Having given birth to two sons, supporting her husband, and working hard for her inlaw’s matters, but all she got in return was contempt and neglect.

In the antique study room where Seok Goo left, Yeon Hee, who stood like a stranger, chewed her lips until they were peeling away.

((()))((()))((()))

Even with a variety of seafood and mountain food on the table, the awkward atmosphere continued.

The mealtime at Seok Goo’s house once a week was always the same.

The dominant person in the house, Seok Goo’s long speeches and his endless love for Kwon Yool.

The disgruntled looks of the other family members watching this, and Kwon Yool’s voice, emotionless, and only giving moralistic answers.

Today was no different.

Seok Goo placed a piece of juicy rib stew on Kwon Yool’s rice as he spoke.

“Our first grandson. How is your condition these days?”
“Good, Grandfather.”
Seok Goo smiled kindly at Kwon Yool’s refreshing response.

“If studying is hard, should I prepare a bowl of herbal medicine from Kim’s clinic?”
“No need, Mom’s meals are more than enough, so I think I don’t need any medicine.”
Hoping his words would be appreciated by his mother, Kwon Yool said.

“Even so. Before summer comes, you should take care of your health to study hard.”
Noticing that Seok Goo’s nagging seemed to lengthen the situation, quickwitted Kwon Yool took a sip of water before answering.

“I would be grateful if you could make it for me.”
Finally, Seok Gu got the answer he wanted and turned to Yeon Hee.

“I’ll get in touch with Director Kim. Don’t expect to receive it by courier, wait until the medicine is ready and go get it yourself.”
“Yes, Father.”
Yeon Hee had promised, with her hands neatly folded, but Seok Gu’s nagging seemed to never end.

Then, a line appeared between Kwon Yool’s eyebrows. He felt as if Yeon Hee’s pain was all his fault.

When the atmosphere at the dinner table started to get heavy, Seo Hee couldn’t stand it any longer and stepped in.

“Grandfather. What about me?”
She asked with a light tone, as if she were jealous, but she didn’t want to receive the medicine. She just wanted to help Yeon Hee and Kwon Yool comfortably finish their meal.

“I get tired too, going to court every day. Grandfather.”
“Why would the successful representative of Seo Jung Gil need anything?”
“Hey. Are the scary father who always scolds at the company and the kind and precious grandfather the same?”
As Seok Gu laughed at his granddaughter’s humor and said he would make her some too, Seo Hee brushed it off as just a casual remark.

“Seo Hee, among your law school peers.”
“Yes, Grandfather.”
“Was there anyone who passed the first round in their second year of university?”
“Passing the first round in the second year is tough. Even becoming a juvenile achiever is not easy. It’s now completely impossible since there’s no civil service exam anymore.”
Suddenly, all the family’s attention turned to Seo Hee. It seemed like her speech was about to get longer due to her unnecessary comment.

“Right? Haha. That’s why our Yool is remarkable.”
As expected, an endless trust for Kwon Yool flowed out from Seok Gu’s mouth.

“As you know, other people are staying in boarding houses, attending cram schools, how hard they must be working? They even studied while serving in the military, and took all their exams in the week they were discharged.”
At Seok Gu’s words overflowing with love, Seo Hee kept repeating ‘Yes, he’s remarkable’.

“I knew he would pass even before the results of the first round of the civil service exam were announced. If our Yool can’t do it, who can?”
Feeling as if his neck was tightly wrapped with a necktie… Kwon Yool, who had forced down his uneaten food, spoke up.

“I took it for experience, so the second round will be lacking.”
He meant not to harbor vain hopes.

“It’s really hard to pass the preliminary and the first round together. Grandfather.”
Despite her sincere words, Seok Gu instead began to cheer for him.

“If you don’t pass this time, you can prepare for next year. You still have plenty of time until graduation.”
“The first round was really lucky. So……”
He wanted to say not to expect anything. But he just couldn’t get his words across.

“Indeed, our eldest grandson is so humble. His character is number one.”
Seok Gu started the elite story of Kwon Yool, which everyone at the dinner table knew all too well.

No matter how much he boasted, Seok Gu seemed to want to do more, his face brimming with happiness.

“Yool, you must enter public service. Become a minister, or if necessary, a prime minister. Why not even president.”
That would have been fine if he had stopped there…

Seok Gu couldn’t forget to mention something he really didn’t need to.

“The dream your father couldn’t fulfill because he was so busy dating, you must fulfill that dream, Yool.”
As Seok Gu’s resentful gaze fell on Yeon Hee, Kwon Yool twisted his body to form a shield.

“Yes, grandfather. I will work hard.”
“Good. Good. You’re the only one I can trust.”
The burdensome praise continued until the meal was over.

If Sang Hyun, the youngest of the family, hadn’t chattered, everyone would have been suffocated.

Thanks to Sang Hyun, Kwon Yool’s younger brother, who asked for a laptop and showed off his notsofunny wit, the gathering was able to end in a warm atmosphere.

“Come to the office in Seochodong next week if you have time.”
“Yes, grandfather.”
As Seok Gu bid him farewell, he patted the solid shoulder of Kwon Yool and nodded his head.

Kwon Yool who got in the car quickly started the engine and then hurried away as if fleeing from the grandfather’s firmly clasping gaze.

As he entered the fourlane road, a deep sigh leaked from Kwon Yool’s mouth continuously.

Kwon Yool, who had been tapping his forehead with his palm, turned the wheel as soon as he saw a pharmacy. He rushed into the pharmacy with the emergency flashers on and said,

“Give me some digestive medicine.”
There was a card with a picture stuck inside the wallet he took out of his back pocket.