Excitement. Before there was even time to gauge this new emotion, Ki Sun Woo’s enemies kept swarming in.

By the time the third glass of champagne was fired, it felt as if she had come to a gathering of his sworn enemies rather than her grandfather’s birthday party.

“Well, it’s like someone deliberately sent out invitations saying Ki Sun Woo was coming here. To come and beat him up, that is.”

“What?”

Sun Woo’s tone seemed amused, but Yeon Se Eun felt uneasy, sensing something was off.

If any problems arose at such a big event, it would cause a commotion.

Surely no more would come, she worried just then.

Sun Woo conveyed important news in a nonchalant voice.

“Oh? Your grandfather is coming over there.”

“…!”

The realization that an even bigger problem was approaching suddenly flashed through Se Eun’s mind.

As she raised her head, she could see Ko San walking over from the entrance platform.

Even in his eighties, he stood straight without bending his back, showing off his vigor.

Who would call that man an old man?

An overwhelming presence that dominated the space upon his entrance.

It would be no exaggeration to say he was like a white tiger ruling over a high mountain.

Soon, Chairman Ko San’s brief greeting echoed through the wide party hall.

Though no major announcement as everyone had expected came out, he did say something unexpected.

That a new family member had joined the Ko family, so please watch over them well.

Thanks to that, attention focused on Se Eun and Sun Woo, causing Se Eun to break out in a cold sweat.

Having finished his speech, Ko San, accompanied by a group of attendants, strode directly towards the two of them.

Se Eun unconsciously bowed her head, looking at the ground.

Then, a clicking sound of a tongue could be heard from above her head.

“What kind of attire is that? Coming to an event like this.”

Without lifting her head, Se Eun could tell.

That her grandfather’s sharp gaze was fixed on her exposed ankles.

The cutting voice made her feel as if her ankles might be chopped off at any moment.

Until just a moment ago, she hadn’t felt cold at all, but now her whole body began to tremble like an aspen leaf.

She was anxious, worried that he might click his tongue again.

“Wearing such a childish necklace… You really have no sense of dignity, do you?”

Shaking his head, Ko San turned his gaze to Sun Woo standing next to Se Eun.

Then he naturally instructed.

“Give her your jacket. At least cover her legs.”

Only then did Se Eun slightly raise her head. It was to receive Sun Woo’s jacket.

However, Ki Sun Woo did not take off his clothes for her.

“What are you doing? Hurry up and take it off.”

As Ko San urged with furrowed brows, Sun Woo’s lips curved up slightly.

Then, a provocation that spared no one escaped his lips.

“I don’t want to.”

“…”

Se Eun, Ko San, and the attendants standing behind him were all shocked.

As if oblivious to such an atmosphere, Sun Woo went behind Se Eun and pushed her forward in front of Ko San.

“Why cover it? She dressed like this on purpose to show off.”

“Ki, Ki Sun Woo!”

At the word choice of ‘show off’, Ko San’s expression became increasingly furrowed.

In contrast, Sun Woo’s voice was filled with even more joy.

“With such pretty legs, she should show them off plenty. You’ve kept them hidden all this time, Chairman, so they haven’t seen the light of day, have they? It’s my wife’s first official event, so please be lenient. It’s a good day, isn’t it?”

“…”

As the silence lengthened, breathing became irregular.

One, two, three… In the end, Se Eun squeezed her eyes shut.

Now it was time for her grandfather to rain down his wrath upon her.

“I see. Now that you mention it, that’s true. But it would be troublesome if you caught a cold, so don’t go around in such thin clothing.”

“Thank you. I’ll make sure to take better care of my wife.”

“…?”

Se Eun gently opened her eyes at the conversation that made her doubt her ears.

Unexpectedly, Ko San did not scold her.

Even though she was wearing such an inappropriate dress and exposing her legs in front of so many people.

It seemed Se Eun wasn’t the only one surprised by his change.

Her aunt and Shin Mo Na, watching from behind, also opened their eyes wide and whispered to each other.

Soon after, Mo Na slowly approached their group.

She was wearing a jewelry set she had designed and an elegant silk dress.

Judging by their attire alone, it gave the impression that Se Eun was the younger sister and Mo Na the mature elder sister.

With a broad smile on her face, Mo Na affectionately pressed herself against Chairman Ko San.

“Grandfather. Happy birthday! You’ll easily make it to 100!”

“Thank you. Where’s your mother?”

“She’s greeting guests in the back. So many people came today for your birthday, Grandfather. We invited many of your old friends too, so please enjoy catching up with them.”

“…Well, I do see some faces I haven’t seen in a while.”

Despite Ko San’s lukewarm praise, Mo Na’s face brightened visibly.

Relieved that the topic had changed, Se Eun tugged on Sun Woo’s elbow to slip away from this place.

After all, one granddaughter’s birthday wishes should be enough.

However, Mo Na suddenly turned the topic back, catching Se Eun who was trying to escape.

“I think elder sister’s dress is really pretty, Grandfather. Please don’t scold her too much.”

“…”

Se Eun tilted her head at the unexpected compliment.

But its intent was immediately revealed by the words that followed.

Mo Na looked alternately at Se Eun and Sun Woo with a broad smile, then made a bold suggestion.

“Elder sister must have been so frustrated not being able to come to places like this all this time. Today, at least, you should enjoy yourself to the fullest! This works out perfectly. I’ve prepared something special.”

“Something special?”

As Ko San responded indifferently, Mo Na nodded vigorously.

Then she pointed at Se Eun and Sun Woo.

“Yes. It’s a birthday party. Shouldn’t we have some dancing to liven things up?”

“Dancing?”

“Yes. As a celebratory gesture, how about having this newlywed couple start it off? It would be more meaningful since it’s the grandson-in-law you personally welcomed, Grandfather.”

A subtle silence settled for a moment.

At the same time, Se Eun noticed sparks flying between Sun Woo and Mo Na’s gazes.

It was deliberate.

Mo Na had made this absurd suggestion to put both her and Sun Woo in a difficult position.

Surely he wouldn’t agree to it.

Ko San was a man who valued dignity.

No matter if it was his birthday and a party, he wouldn’t allow something like dancing.

But for some reason, Ko San didn’t show any particular dislike.

Seizing the opportunity, Mo Na clapped her hands and encouraged a response.

“Come on, hurry! Hurry~!”

“Um, well…”

“Quickly, elder sister. It’s Grandfather’s birthday.”

Despite it being his birthday, when they should be keeping quiet, things were taking a strange turn.

Se Eun suddenly found herself pushed to the center of the hall with Ki Sun Woo.

However, Sun Woo didn’t seem to feel pushed.

Instead, he boldly took Se Eun’s hand and led her.

To avoid being dragged along, Se Eun put strength into her captured hand and tried to resist as much as she could.

“No, Ki Sun Woo. I can’t dance. Especially not in these clothes…”

“Is the clothing the problem?”

“That’s not it…”

“Well then, at least wear this for now.”

With quick hands, Sun Woo pulled out a tablecloth.

The tablecloth that came out like magic was a beautiful, semi-transparent lace material.

As he wrapped the lace around Se Eun’s waist, it added a more romantic atmosphere to the dress.

“Now it’s fine, right? You can dance all you want without worrying.”

“I… my legs…”

Finally, Se Eun mumbled the real reason.

But Sun Woo didn’t mind at all and pressed his body close to hers.

A languid whisper flowed into Se Eun’s ear.

“You heard what those losers were saying earlier. Everyone’s whispering that Yeon Se Eun is pitiful. Don’t you want to dispel all that nonsense?”

“…”

“And my sneakers are quite sturdy.”

“…What?”

Just as she opened her eyes wide, the waltz music began to play in earnest.

At the same time, Sun Woo brought the tip of his sneakers to the tip of Se Eun’s silver shoes.

The meaning of that action was clear.

“Come on, step on my feet. Just think of it as riding an amusement park ride.”

“What…”

“Yeon Se Eun. Shall we dance?”

The conversation didn’t continue any further.

In an instant, her shoes lightly rested on top of Sun Woo’s white sneakers.

Then her feet began to move on their own.

The feet moving lightly to the rhythm of the waltz were truly amazing.

It felt as if she had really become Tinkerbell and was flying.

What kind of magic was this?

Se Eun felt like Cinderella who had come to the ball in a pumpkin carriage.

Leading smoothly and skillfully, Sun Woo wrapped his hand around her slim waist.

Everyone’s gaze turned toward the two of them.

But that was only for a moment; soon Se Eun couldn’t feel any gazes other than Sun Woo’s.

At this moment, it seemed as if only Yeon Se Eun and Ki Sun Woo existed in the wide party hall.

Se Eun slowly examined the man in front of her, who was firmly holding her hand and waist.

Though she had seen this face countless times before, she realized she had never really looked him in the eyes properly.

His large, clear eyes were as distant and mysterious as the unfathomable universe.

His light brown eyes with a hint of yellow had made Se Eun flinch at first, reminiscent of a leopard.

But now that she looked, his eyes were more like beautiful jewels than those of a beast.

Yes, just like a well-ripened yellow pumpkin.

At this new discovery, Se Eun unknowingly broke into a wide smile.

It was a moment when a seal was being broken after 20 years.