“That’s right. You were late because of your father, making me late on our first meeting.”

While grumbling, he stared blankly at the lady complaining, and Ju-ae suddenly extended her hand.

“Formal greetings. Nice to meet you.”

“I’m Kim Yeon-woo.”

“You’re a beauty.”

The hands that held each other were overflowing with a warm touch.

“Kwon Jun-hwi, it’s been a while.”

“Yes.”

“Did we meet last year?”

“It was the year before last.”

Meeting mother and son after two years. Their relationship was so cool that a cold wind blew.

“How’s Leah? Do you still see her occasionally these days?”

“No. Not really.”

“Well, she’s busy dating, so where would she find time to meet her younger brother.”

Ju-ae laughed, saying it had been about three years since she last saw her daughter.
Leah was his younger sister. When Jun-hwi’s condition wasn’t good, his sister, a doctor, would occasionally examine him. Due to this, Jun-hwi even received misunderstandings like “bringing a woman into the office.”

However, as Jun-hwi naturally became more immersed in his relationship, his sensitivity diminished, and he no longer needed medical treatment.

“He’s always bragging about his children and business, wandering around everywhere.”

“Our daughter-in-law might misunderstand. It sounds like Father boasted a lot about his children while doing business.”

Han Ju-ae, without uttering a word, took some japchae.

Rich people are the same; fathers and daughters bicker. Yeon-woo thought that living as a person is quite similar, even for pumpkin pancakes.

“Have you been abroad for too long, and your Korean skills have declined? You’ve been choosing words poorly since earlier. What’s this daughter-in-law talk, it’s not even confirmed yet.”

Oh, suddenly a spark flew in this direction. Yeon-woo stopped chewing and glanced down.

“Why do you need Father’s permission? They’re adults, and they could set up a household right now if they wanted.”

“Teaching good things. Become a mother. Still, give greetings to the elders in the family.”

“Why do you need permission? They’re adults now, and they can start a household immediately.”

“That’s good advice. As a mother. Still, greet the elders in the family.”

“This braised short ribs are tender. Eat a lot.”

“Oh, yes! Thank you.”

Ju-ae abruptly cut off the long nagging and pushed the braised short ribs in front of Yeon-woo. The chairman, on the other hand, pressed his temple as if he had a headache.

“Is the seat uncomfortable? I understand. Our father is a bit old-fashioned.”

“No, it’s okay.”

“Let’s eat quickly and go shopping. A lot of winter items must have been released. I’ll buy you something pretty since we met.”

“No, no! It’s okay…”

Quickly, in this awkward situation, Yeon-woo looked at Jun-hwi, meaning he wanted to be rescued.

However, Jun-hwi’s attention was solely focused on flawlessly removing the bones from the grilled fish. The piece of flesh he diligently removed went up onto Yeon-woo’s rice.

Please. It was so embarrassing that he wanted to escape right away.

“Hey.”

Staring at that, he made eye contact with the chairman.

I don’t know, let’s just smile!

With a blushing face, Yeon-woo folded his eyes and lips. The chairman just sighed.

Still, they endured until the end of the meal. The best thorny cushion was in Jun-hwi’s car.

Somehow, the four ended up moving together in his car.

Eventually, according to Han Ju-ae’s assertion that she wanted to buy something for Yeon-woo, they went shopping. However, the destination was the problem this time.

“Let’s go to Cheongdam-dong! It’s pleasant in quiet boutiques.”

“That place, each boutique moves around for each brand, and you have to park each time. How troublesome. Let’s just go to the department store where everything is gathered. Kwon Jun-hwi.”
Han Ju-ae and the chairman were still constantly bickering over trivial matters. The charisma of the chairman, the leader of the country’s top conglomerate, seemed to have disappeared, and Han Ju-ae was alternately smiling and astonished at every word of her daughter.

Fighting with Dad was relatively affectionate, it seems.

Yeon-woo somehow felt a sense of camaraderie.

“Oh, come on. If you’re going to spend money, you have to spend it properly. Why go to Jusung Department Store, the one you always go to?”

“Oh, Father, are you really going there together? Why would someone who calls me daughter-in-law need permission for marriage?”

“Hmm, hmm!”

The chairman avoided answering again with a fake cough. It was not Han Ju-ae who would let that slip.

“Father. Well, is your throat really uncomfortable? Go to the ENT. Don’t keep coughing without reason.”

“This guy keeps harassing his father whom he hasn’t seen in a long time!”

“He used to do this when he felt guilty, even though he was happy.”

Due to Han Ju-ae’s added comment with a sly smile, the chairman’s face turned red.

Ah, he vaguely remembered why he said that the chairman didn’t need to be nervous.

The two adults were so focused on quarreling with each other that they showed only the minimum attention necessary to Yeon-woo. He found it more fortunate that way.

Still, since they were difficult people, it wasn’t very comfortable. Yeon-woo sent an awkward glance to Jun-hwi while he was driving.

“Why. Do you need something?”

“Oh, no! It’s nothing.”

He was always indifferent and unresponsive, seemingly unaware of what was happening in the back seat.

Rather, it was almost too normal, and, following his driving habits, he absentmindedly grabbed Yeon-woo’s left hand. Yeon-woo almost made a surprised sound without realizing.

‘This man, really!’

Is this the time for this! There are adults present!

But no matter how hard he pulled, he didn’t let go. Yeon-woo gave up everything and pretended not to know, turning his gaze out the window.

It seemed that there were three lawyers named Kwon Jun-hwi in this car. Considering how burdensome it was for Yeon-woo, who knew what was happening in the back seat.

The three weren’t just similar in appearance. They were alike in their sharp, straightforward way of speaking, and the fact that they stubbornly did whatever they wanted.

Even with just one Kwon Jun-hwi, it was overwhelming, but it seemed difficult to handle all three at the same time, even with a veteran secretary. Yeon-woo had a slightly absurd imagination and smiled.

‘Will I be able to survive if I get married into this family?’

There’s nothing special to wish for, and nothing burdensome, which is good, but… the weight of Jusung Group and his family was not as light as it seemed.