Siwoo’s cheeks were puffed up like a toad’s.
“Woaaa!!”
He had merely blown out five candles, but applause and cheers poured out as if he had won a medal.
The giftgiving ceremony that followed.
The first runner was Sol, who would wake up even if Siwoo just moved a bit in his sleep.
“Our Siwoo, your auntie congratulates you on your birthday.”
“Thank you, Auntie. Siwoo loves you.”
As shyly smiling Siwoo took the neatly wrapped box with a deep bow, honey dripped from Sol’s eyes.
“Auntie loves you too, so much. Do you want to be my son, our Siwoo? Let’s be my son, okay?”
At his aunt’s persuasion, innocenteyed Siwoo blinked rapidly and promptly shook his head.
“No. Siwoo is mommy’s son!”
Siwoo quickly climbed onto the lap of his mom, Da Jeong. As if someone was about to steal him away, his cute little arms tightly hugged his mother’s neck.
Rejected, Sol quickly turned sullen.
“Uh? Are you trying to make your auntie sad?”
When she pretended to sob, the cheeky fiveyearold hurriedly came down from his mother’s lap, rushed over to his auntie, and gave her a hug.
The small hand smelling of snacks gently stroked Sol’s cheek.
“It’s okay, don’t cry! When Siwoo grows up, he’ll take care of Auntie too.”
“Hmm!”
Sol’s moist eyes whirled with emotion.
That’s why the dangers of indoctrination are scary. Singing the song of support in front of the child every day, she finally heard a confirmation from the little fiveyearold that
“Auntie! Uh… Thank you for raising Siwoo. Please continue to do so!”
“Aww, auntie, I’m touched!”
Sol, who had embraced Siwoo tightly, rubbed her cheek against his and showered him with kisses.
“So adorable! Our Siwoo, who did he take after to be so cute and handsome, huh?”
Sukhee jabbed her daughter in the ribs in response to the words that spilled out like a babbling brook.
Beyond the cuteness, it was clear that he didn’t resemble Dajung in terms of his robust figure.
Although he must have resembled his father, the mood sank at the mention of a man whose name and surname were unknown.
“Who did he take after? He’s handsome because he resembles his mother. Right, mom’s son?”
Dajung smoothly handled the situation, patting Siwoo’s bottom. Unlike the clueless past, Dajung, now a mother, had become mature and was overflowing with composure.
Dojun, who had been solidly holding his position, also stepped in to lighten the mood.
“Happy birthday, Siwoo. Here’s uncle’s gift.”
Kwon Dojun.
He was Dajung’s university senior and the reliable and grateful president of Hanbit Architecture Office, who took responsibility for the family’s livelihood by steadily paying Dajung’s salary.
“Thank you, Uncle CEO!”
Siwoo bent his waist deeply to bow. Dajung, who had been watching with pleasure, handed over the last gift.
“Thank you for growing up healthily, my Siwoo.”
“I love you, Mom!”
Siwoo, who was in her arms, responded with a kiss on Dajung’s cheek.
Siwoo grew up to be a child full of affection and love. Being polite was a given, and he was good at laughing and playing, bright and cheerful without a hint of gloom.
If Siwoo continues to grow like this, Dajung thought she wouldn’t have any regrets.
It was time to prepare dinner, putting the cake aside for a while. Suddenly, the doorbell rang, and Sol, like a meerkat, stretched her neck and asked,
“Who’s coming again?”
“I don’t know. There shouldn’t be anyone else….”
Dajung, who had been in the kitchen, came to the living room, wiping the wetness off her hands on her apron. Her slightly furrowed eyes checked the screen.
Dajung’s mouth slightly opened. The face that appeared on the screen was an unexpected guest. Startled for a moment, Dajung hurriedly ran out to the entrance.
Ding.
As the door opened, Jeonga, dressed neatly in traditional attire, stood with a displeased face.
“…Oh, Mom. Come in. Everyone is waiting.”
Although she opened the door wide to invite her in, Dajung couldn’t hide her awkward expression.
It was the first time Jeonga had visited Dajung’s new house since they had last seen each other more than six months ago.
Considering she gets dizzy just looking at apartments, she must have had some trouble finding the house.
If she had contacted in advance, Dajung could have picked her up from the terminal, but it was always like this.
Dajung felt uncomfortable again because of her mother’s frustrating habit of making her look indifferent.
“Oh my, Siwoo’s grandmother is here!”
Sukhee, clapping her hands together, rushed out with a happy face, but all Jeonga gave was a curt nod in response.
Although they had known each other as neighbors for over a decade, Jeonga wasn’t the friendly type.
In the midst of the uneasy atmosphere, Dajung quickly gathered Siwoo
“Xiuyu, say hello to grandmother.”
“Uh… Hello, grandma.”
Despite the gentle hand pressing on his head prompting him to greet, Xiuyu awkwardly hid behind Dajung.
All he got from his grandson was a cold, fleeting glance.
Even as the evening meal was prepared, Jeongae sat alone, heavyheartedly occupying the sofa.
Dajung filled the table with seaweed soup and side dishes, feeling a mixed sense of pleasure knowing her mother had arrived but also an unease she couldn’t shake off.
The seated guests maintained an awkward silence as they looked at the appetizing table. Even at the mention that dinner was served, Jeongae didn’t budge from her spot on the sofa.
Noticing the atmosphere, Dajung stepped into the living room and gently spoke,
“Mother, let’s eat.”
“I’m good.”
Jeongae waved her off without giving a glance.
Jeongae had always been a difficult one, but she was believed to have softened over time. However, her sulky mood showed no sign of improvement.
“Mother, let’s eat together.”
In order to help the embarrassed Dajung in front of the guests, Dojun also tried to intervene. Yet, the silent and frustrated Sukhee had to step into the living room and pull Jeongae by the hand.
“Grandma Xiuyu. Stop it and come here. Quickly.”
“Oh, I’m fine!”
With an upset voice, Jeongae shook off Sukhee’s hand.
Dajung quietly sighed. It was challenging to handle her mother’s stubborn and irritable temperament. On one hand, she found it suffocating, but on the other hand, she felt sorry for her.
The once youthful and beautiful figure was nowhere to be found, and her mother’s face was full of the ravages of time.
Perhaps her mother had become so obstinate and oldfashioned because of the harsh storms she had faced in her life.
As time passed, the atmosphere became tense.
The smiles on the faces of the invited guests had long since disappeared.
Consequently, the guests ate their wellprepared meal halfheartedly and had to rise from their seats at an early hour.
Dojun, who was leaving the entrance, smiled as he playfully pinched Xiuyu’s cheek.
“Yu Xiuyu. Be this much taller when we meet next time.”
“Yes!”
Xiuyu’s voice was lively as he answered while being held in his mother’s arms.
Dajung took a quick glance at the widely opened interior of the house. Even as she went out to see the guests off, Jeongae didn’t show her face once.
She felt deeply sorry and embarrassed for showing such a sight to Dojun, even if she could excuse Sukhee and Soli.
“Senior. I’m sorry you couldn’t rest on your weekend… because you came here.”
“Sorry? I’m thankful you invited me. The seaweed soup was delicious. You worked hard.”
Perhaps being conscious of Jeongae, Dojun didn’t say more and only lightly patted Dajung’s shoulder.
For over 10 years, Dojun had always been a thankful and good person to Dajung.
While Soli was tormenting Xiuyu with kisses, Sukhee reminded her again.
“Please try to soften Grandma Xiuyu’s heart.”
“Don’t worry and go.”
When she returned from seeing off the guests, Jeongae was still stubbornly sitting in her place.
Dajung sliced some fruit and silently handed it to Jeongae. Then, she returned to the kitchen and put on rubber gloves.
In the space filled only with the clattering sound of dishes, Dajung felt suffocated by her mother’s silence.
Why She Is Still Unmoved (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: He uses various methods to seek her affection, but she remains unmoved.
Synopsis:
Si Qingyu is a doctor who has saved countless lives and enjoys tranquility.
Luo Shaoxuan is ruthless, deeply scheming, and the top young master in the capital. He admires Si Qingyu.
Luo Shaoxuan: I want to be the only one in your eyes and heart.
Features a cold and calm female lead vs A noble and scheming male lead.
There will be both sweetness and torture towards the male after their marriage.
