“Waiting is always waiting. I’m always curious about how you’re doing.”

“You could contact me. Then, you must have gone to Yangpyeong whenever Grandpa wanted to see you, right?”

“If the old man wants to see me every time, should I quit my life in Seoul and move to Yangpyeong?”

“Well… It might be a bit difficult because of Inho, too…”

In response to Chunho’s teasing remark, Suyeon couldn’t hide her awkward expression.

Chunho, unable to endure the false pretense, burst into hearty laughter at Suyeon’s genuine, unblemished face.

“Haha. This rascal is joking. Come to think of it, why isn’t Inho here yet? Is he very busy?”

“It seems the filming is being delayed.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Even on the way here, I talked to him on the phone, and he was quite upset because the shooting wasn’t over yet.”

“Can things done by many people always go as you wish? It’s inevitable, so he said to come slowly.”
“Grandpa, I knew you would say that, and I already mentioned it.”

“Yeah, you did well.”

Chunho nodded with a pleased smile at Suyeon’s nod.

Despite being a gathering after a month, the three of them continued their conversation, each sharing stories from their daily lives without any awkwardness.

When the conversation blossomed, the pre-ordered food was served.

Inho arrived around the same time.

“Sorry for being late, Grandpa.”

Inho bowed to Chunho, breathing heavily, just as Suyeon had described.

“No, no. You must have had a hard time coming all the way here in the midst of your busy schedule. Sit down.”

Chunho gestured to the seat next to Suyeon while lowering his head.

With Inho’s arrival, all the empty seats were filled, and the formal meal began.

“Eat a lot. Since Suyeon said you liked it last time, as soon as I arrived, I asked the chef to pay special attention. It should taste even better.”

Chunho pushed a plate of braised ribs towards Suyeon.

“Really? You didn’t have to go to such lengths… Thank you. I’ll enjoy it!”

Suyeon replied energetically and picked up a piece of grilled meat onto her plate.

With just one bite, it seemed even more delicious than last time, as Chunho had said.

Perhaps it was because the restaurant was already famous for its delicious food, but Chunho’s sincerity made it even more enjoyable.

The warm atmosphere continued even during the meal.

Suyeon frequently looked after Chunho as if he were her real grandfather, and after everyone had eaten their fill, the table was cleared, and post-dinner tea was served.

“Thanks to you three, who took the time out of your busy schedules for an old man like me.”

Chunho, sipping on traditional tea, looked at Donghoon, Inho, and Suyeon in turn.

“I have one thing to say today, unlike usual.”

His normally cheerful voice had a slightly more serious tone at the end.

The three of them turned their curious gazes towards Chunho.

“I’m thinking of giving Suyeon the Taeshin shares I have.”

Suyeon widened her eyes in surprise at the unexpected announcement.

“Grandpa, what are you suddenly talking about? Giving me Taeshin shares?”

“Well, I started buying stocks for you from the beginning. So now, it’s only right that they go to you.”

“Please don’t say that. I can’t accept that, Grandpa.”

“Why can’t you accept it? You just need to know about it. The rest will be taken care of by the people below.”

“Grandpa, what I’m saying…”

“As you know, I have quite a lot of shares, so holding onto them will help you in the future.”

Ignoring Suyeon’s repeated objections, Chunho continued to speak only his words.

It meant that he wouldn’t change his decision no matter what she said.

Knowing that better than anyone, Suyeon couldn’t easily reveal her emotions.
“Suyeon. When adults give you a gift, you just have to say thank you and accept it.”

“But the gift is too big. It’s not just a small thing, it’s too much for me to receive.”

Suyeon desperately looked at Chunho as if pleading for him to change his mind.

Chunho often yielded to Suyeon’s earnestness.

While Chunho usually showed a cold side to everyone except a few, including Donghoon, he was even more lenient towards Suyeon than when dealing with Donghoon.

The same was true this time.

Chunho hesitated in the face of Suyeon’s plea, then firmly pressed his lips together, and with an effort to control his emotions, looked at Inho.

“Inho, do you feel the same as Suyeon?”

“No, Grandpa. I think you made a great decision.”

“Yeah, Suyeon. Just accept what Grandpa is giving you.”

“Inho! Oppa!”

As if waiting, Inho responded with the answer Chunho was looking for.

Not only Inho but also Donghoon interrupted Inho’s response.

Suyeon quickly pulled down Inho’s arm with a swift motion, shooting a sharp glance at Donghoon, but the fact remained that there was no one in this place who would take her side.

Suyeon looked at Chunho with an even more awkward expression.

If things continued like this, persuading Chunho was the only option left for her.

Fortunately, she was confident in that aspect.

“Grandpa, please don’t do this, and think a little more about this matter…”

“I already told the secretary. Probably, the transfer to the four of you will happen slowly.”

“Sigh, Grandpa.”

Suyeon let out a despairing sigh.

Inho, who had been watching her closely, grabbed Suyeon’s hand tightly as if to console her.

However, Suyeon continued to feel uncomfortable.

How could she accept the Taeshin shares that Chunho held, knowing the astronomical amount it represented?

While she trembled at the thought alone, the three men, except her, looked completely unperturbed.

Suyeon let out a deep sigh.

While she was contemplating the sudden problem, the three men continued their private conversation.

At intervals, Suyeon launched an offensive to persuade Chunho, but each time, Inho and Donghoon adeptly intercepted her words and saved Chunho.

Until the end, Suyeon couldn’t persuade Chunho.

The three people who left the restaurant watched Chunho get into his car.

“Thanks to you three, it was a very enjoyable time. I’ll contact you again, so let’s meet then.”

“Yes, Grandpa.”

“Take care on your way home, Grandpa.”

Although Chunho’s words were followed by responses from Donghoon and Inho, Suyeon skipped the greeting, raising her lips.

It was a gesture of dissatisfaction.

Normally, Chunho would have listened to whatever she had to say to relieve her feelings.

However, today, he didn’t give Suyeon the answer she wanted under any circumstances.
Soon, the car carrying Chunho departed, leaving the parking lot.

Only now, watching the car getting farther away, Suyeon belatedly regretted not saying goodbye.

“Wait here. I’ll bring the car.”

Inho offered, but Suyeon’s heart felt too heavy, and she couldn’t respond to his words.

Suyeon let out a deep sigh.