Unlike their youngest sister Do Hee, Do Ha and Do Hoon were not far apart in age, but the only similarity they shared was their handsome appearance. Even that was incomparable between Do Ha, who maintained his looks through consistent exercise and self-care, and Do Hoon, who had squandered his inherited good looks by indulging in alcohol and women.

Aside from their appearance, the brothers had nothing in common, from personality to tastes and hobbies. Naturally, their two homes, which fully reflected these tendencies, were quite different.

While Do Ha’s house had a classical atmosphere, Do Hoon’s home stood out for its modern sensibility. Also, while Hae Yeon’s house exuded a warm energy, Yoon Seo’s house looked stylish but felt less homey. It was because the nature of the people living there had permeated the homes.

“You haven’t forgotten about the city hall event this week, right?”

Do Hoon frowned deeply at his wife’s words. Yoon Seo didn’t mind. There were no helpers around now, so she didn’t need to manage her expression.

“What event again−.”

Do Hoon drawled in an unpleasant tone. The frustrating thing was that this wasn’t the first time she had told him; she had mentioned it a month ago, yet he was still like this. Yoon Seo gritted her teeth.

A man over thirty behaving like this. Moreover, it was daytime, yet he was still in a daze, not fully sober from drinking.

“It’s the annual event held by Gilmyung Jedang and Seoul City. Don’t you remember it was held at the Food Home Center around this time?”

“Well. I think I might remember.”

Do Hoon furrowed his brow, pretending to think. As if that stupid head of his could remember anything. Yoon Seo looked at her husband with a pathetic expression.

This event was a social contribution activity that the city and Gilmyung Jedang had been conducting for years. The company had been managing its image by donating billions worth of food products annually. Although other rival groups like Mibon Foods held similar events, their donations weren’t as large as Gilmyung Jedang’s.

Chairman Yoon Myung Gil wanted to improve the group’s image through social contributions, and the effect was very good. Gilmyung Jedang, which had been ranked third in the industry, became second.

As such, the event just mentioned was one of the things Chairman Yoon paid particularly close attention to.

Yoon Seo, who had already been warned by him a few days ago, didn’t want to be held responsible for even the slightest mistake. But for that to work, they needed to be in sync. Her husband, instead of helping, was only getting in the way.

‘When did you ever live looking at this man? Be patient, be patient.’

She knows well. Chairman Yoon’s intention in marrying her to Cha Do Hoon.

A mind far removed from management, a vulgar and promiscuous private life. Cha Do Hoon was the protagonist of various messy incidents that kept happening even when Chairman Yoon tried to prevent them. And she was the entity attached to improve the image of Myung Gil’s failure and flaw of a firstborn son.

Unfortunately, this man caused trouble but not big enough, and often luckily escaped, making him an item that Chairman Yoon could neither discard nor keep.

‘How can everything he does be so petty?’

The reason Han Yoon Seo was chosen as the eldest daughter-in-law of the Cha family was one. Her father was an education public official, her mother a university professor. Although their assets were incomparable to her in-laws, she could become the daughter-in-law of Gilmyung Group’s eldest son because they were from a family of educators known for their integrity.

Perhaps knowing her ambition and ability, Myung Gil prevented Yoon Seo from getting involved in company affairs. Maybe it meant to just know her place and not do anything foolish, since she came in to improve Do Hoon’s image and act as his shackles. Yoon Seo felt bitter just thinking about it.

“It’s the 5th anniversary, so quite a few attendees include the mayor, ministers, and members of the National Assembly. We should show our faces at times like this.”

Of course, Cha Do Ha and his wife are coming too. Although she had stored the Chairman’s warning in her mind, she couldn’t just sit idly by. For Yoon Seo too, next week’s event was one she needed to pay full attention to.

Unlike Yoon Seo, Do Hoon yawned widely and scratched his head at the dining table. Seeing his appearance no different from a good-for-nothing, Yoon Seo’s appetite naturally disappeared, and she tried not to frown.

“It’s already been 5 years?”

“Yes.”

“What’s the big deal? Just tell me the date.”

Do Hoon spoke as if annoyed. Even though she had clearly told him the date earlier. Yoon Seo exercised patience and let out a short sigh.

“The 17th at 7 PM. Remember, it’s being held as an evening party format for the 5th anniversary.”

Of course, this man won’t remember. That’s why she had instructed the executive director’s office in advance. To remind Executive Director Cha Do Hoon every time they saw him.

“Your sister-in-law is working, they say.”

Feeling down, Yoon Seo picked up some side dishes that were easy to chew, feeling she needed some distraction.

“My sister-in-law is working?”

Do Hoon’s cloudy eyes, which had been uninterested all along, sparkled. Yoon Seo, who was already disgusted by his nibbling, began to speak in earnest.

“I hear she’s officially employed at Dally Coffee.”

Min Hae Yeon was probably able to get hired thanks to her friend’s influence. When she heard that the president of Dally Coffee was the father of Hae Yeon’s friend, she was so dumbfounded. Who knew there would be such a connection among Min Hae Yeon’s shabby network.

“Didn’t you say my sister-in-law had quite good grades in college?”

Yoon Seo immediately regretted bringing up this topic. Seeing Do Hoon’s expression change strangely, her already non-existent appetite completely vanished. Where in the world would there be a brother-in-law with such an expression imagining his sister-in-law?

“Ha. Beautiful face, gentle personality, and good at studying too.”

Plus her cooking skills. Do Hoon added, smacking his lips unpleasantly.

“How did that bastard Do Ha get so lucky to have such a woman as his wife?”

Yoon Seo gripped her spoon tightly. How he could hold such desire for Min Hae Yeon while enduring until now, though he doesn’t admit it himself, it’s probably because she’s his feared brother’s wife. Yoon Seo inwardly sneered.

− I’ll say it again, I won’t overlook it twice.

Suddenly reminded of the cold voice, Yoon Seo collected herself and blurted out in irritation.

“…Go wash up quickly. Are you going to be late again today?”

“I got it, so stop nagging.”

Do Hoon snapped. Yoon Seo, who had taken out her anger on him due to the memory that suddenly came to mind, regretted bringing up Min Hae Yeon unnecessarily. Without even looking at Do Hoon who was leaving, pushed by her intensity, Yoon Seo recalled Chairman Yoon’s words.

− I’m not telling you to help, but don’t fall by being greedy unnecessarily, just stay put.

A raised dog gets eaten when it makes a mistake.

Yoon Seo bit her lip and straightened her back.

By the way, Min Hae Yeon.

For Yoon Seo, Min Hae Yeon was like a thorn in her side.

While wishing for her to be kicked out of the Cha family, on the other hand, it would also be a problem if Lee Su Rin or a woman from another good family took that empty place. But leaving Min Hae Yeon alone was too risky.

As she frowned at the growing frustration, her phone vibrated briefly. After touching the screen to check the message content, Yoon Seo let out a hollow laugh.

“Looks like this woman isn’t comfortable either.”

Though she said that, Yoon Seo deeply furrowed her brow. The three characters spelling out Lee Su Rin’s name had never looked so troubling before.

* * *

After finishing her bath, Hae Yeon swirled her glass while catching the breeze on the balcony. The clear ice cubes clinked, making a crisp, cool sound. As Hae Yeon was drinking carbonated water to completely shake off her hangover, her phone vibrated, and seeing the name on the screen, she smiled faintly.

When did she change it from the name to save it like this? Hae Yeon grinned as she accepted the call.

[New sister−.]

The aegyo-filled Do Hee called out affectionately as soon as the call connected. While it was cute aegyo to Hae Yeon, it seemed not so to her friends, as Hae Yeon could hear them booing through the phone. Hae Yeon knew these friends well, who always reacted like this whenever Do Hee acted cutely.

Back when Do Hee was still wearing her school uniform, whenever she brought her friends over, Hae Yeon would make delicious snacks like tteokbokki, and thanks to that, Do Hee bragged that her already high popularity skyrocketed even more.

A smile spread across Hae Yeon’s face as she thought of Do Hee, as if warm-colored paint had been spilled all over it.

If I had a younger sister, would it have been like this?

Hae Yeon, who had never had a proper family, treated Do Hee sincerely like a real family member, along with Ju Ah.

‘I haven’t called often these days.’

When Do Hee was a student, they used to call almost every day. Especially when the college entrance exam was approaching, whenever the hysterical Do Hee called to vent, Hae Yeon would comfort and soothe her. But these days, her attention was diverted elsewhere, and she felt very sorry for becoming distant from Do Hee.

“Our young lady−. I missed you.”

[Me too! Oh, sister! How could new sister do this to me!]

At Do Hee’s sudden scolding, Hae Yeon tilted her head.

“What are you suddenly talking about?”

“I’m talking about work!!”

Ah. Only then did Hae Yeon realize why Do Hee might have called her. Yesterday afternoon when she got accepted to Dally Coffee, she was busy running around, and at night she drank alcohol, so she couldn’t tell Do Hee anything. Feeling sorry, Hae Yeon carefully said to Do Hee.

“Young lady, I’m sorry.”

[How could I hear this big news about new sister, that she’s working, from dad today!]

The situation was like this. Do Hee, who came home late last night, heard the whole story from Ki Jung, who was complaining about what happened yesterday, this morning.

Curious to death about hearing that Hae Yeon got a job, but considering her new sister, she endured and waited for time to pass before finally calling now.

While accepting Do Hee’s affectionate complaints about feeling hurt and her affection cooling, Hae Yeon had a hard time calming her down. Still seeming upset, when Do Hee’s heart wouldn’t easily soften, Hae Yeon finally brought up what she wanted to hear first.

“Then do you want to go shopping with me in the evening?”

[Yes, I’d like that!]

Do Hee, who changed in an instant, brightly laughed as if nothing had happened and chattered about the things they would do at the department store today.

[Then see you in the evening!]

“Yes, see you later too, young lady.”

After receiving Do Hee’s cheerful greeting and ending the call, Hae Yeon got up to prepare for the appointment.

Do Hee had called Hae Yeon while eating lunch with her friends.

“Then see you in the evening!”

[Yes, see you later too, young lady.]

As she hung up the phone with a smile reaching her eyes, her friends rubbed each other’s arms saying it gave them goosebumps. Despite her friends’ mischievous behavior, Do Hee grinned and declared that they shouldn’t try to hold her back this evening.

“We weren’t going to hold you back anyway.”

“Shoo shoo, get lost, traitor.”

“Can’t we just send you away and call Hae Yeon sister instead?”

Ignoring her friends’ cold responses, Do Hee stood up to make another call.

“I should tell elder brother to come out too.”

Convincing herself that when else would they meet, just the three of them, Do Hee contacted Do Ha. After a brief ring, when the call connected, she reflexively acted cute.

“Elder brother.”

[Speak.]

Despite the blunt response that might discourage others, knowing how much Do Ha adored her, Do Hee strongly expressed her opinion.

“Don’t make any plans for dinner today.”

[Why.]

“You have to buy me a meal.”

[A meal?]

“Yes. I’ve already made plans with new sister, so we just need you!”

She spoke excitedly on purpose. Knowing that with Hae Yeon involved, Do Ha wouldn’t be able to refuse easily. Do Hee was already excited at the thought of being with her second elder brother and his wife after a long time. But Do Ha poured cold water on the excited Do Hee.

[I have prior plans, so I can’t.]

“What? You really can’t?”

Even though Hae Yeon sister is coming out? Do Hee lowered her eyebrows and made a pitiful expression as if she were video calling with Do Ha.

[I can’t today. So let’s meet next time.]

“I see……”

As the call ended immediately, Do Hee deeply furrowed her brow. When Do Ha, who usually agreed to almost everything when Hae Yeon and herself were involved, spoke like this, it meant it was really important.

She wanted to use shopping as an excuse to get her new sister and second elder brother to have dinner together. Of course, it would be a lie to say there was no self-interest, but her heart for the two was sincere. Since Do Ha was too busy, she wanted to treat the two to a meal out after a long time.

“It’s ruined! Ruined.”

Still, taking comfort in the fact that she at least made plans with Hae Yeon, Do Hee put her phone in her bag.

“Cha Do Hee, are you done with your calls?”

As her friend glared and scolded Do Hee, who had been on the phone for a while, Do Hee quickly apologized.

“I’m sorry. But I’m all done now!”

Looking forward to her evening appointment with Hae Yeon, Do Hee smiled brightly as she raised her voice.