The Returned Father of My Child (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 7
“Yes. Senior Jae Kyung.”
Ga Young replied with a full-faced smile, letting out a soft nasal sound.
“Are you testifying that Representative Hwang Min Jun committed personnel corruption?”
“Huh? Ah… No, not that at all.”
Ga Young flustered, her cheeks flushing red.
“Please refrain from sharing unverified rumors.”
Could Jae Kyung be siding with her? Bo Mi looked at him with disbelief.
Jae Kyung, showing no change in expression, escorted Yeon Hee all the way to the elevator.
“Jae Kyung, I know Grandmother seems to push you excessively in many ways… But I’m counting on you for the new business venture as well.”
“Don’t worry.”
“I trust you, Jae Kyung.”
Yeon Hee gazed at her son with tender affection. After her husband, Do Won Il, died in an accident, most people had turned to support Representative Hwang Min Jun.
Neither her father-in-law, Chairman Do Jun Seok, nor her mother-in-law, Lee Hae Young, offered them any protection. Instead, they coldly blamed Won Il for tarnishing Dowon Group’s reputation. The press had relentlessly hounded them, and both Yeon Hee and Jae Kyung became mentally exhausted. There had even been an incident that threatened Jae Kyung’s life.
She suspected all of this was orchestrated by Representative Hwang Min Jun’s faction, fearful that Jae Kyung might inherit Dowon Group.
For Jae Kyung’s safety, Yeon Hee decided to move abroad.
Jae Kyung, who had lived overseas continuously since around age ten, returned to Korea six years ago.
Given how precious heirs were in their family, Chairman Do preferred passing the company to his grandson over honoring his promise to Chairman Hwang. Convinced it was finally time to clear her late husband’s name, Yeon Hee returned to Korea. The day before the party announcing Jae Kyung as successor, he suffered a sudden accident.
The grief was incomparable to even the loss of her husband. Nearly losing Jae Kyung had shaken her life to its core. Though she had raised him harshly, preparing him for revenge, she couldn’t bear to lose her son so emptily after already losing her husband.
“Take care going in.”
Jae Kyung gave a curt farewell and turned back toward the department head’s office.
“Mother, please invite me to your place too.”
Ga Young clung to Yeon Hee, beaming brightly. Yeon Ga Young—the woman selected as a strategic marriage partner to symbolize reconciliation with Representative Hwang Min Jun. In looks, personality, and ability, she fell far short of Jae Kyung’s standards.
Yet Yeon Hee didn’t mind. If accepting an enemy’s relative as a daughter-in-law meant guaranteeing Jae Kyung’s safety, she would endure the humiliation.
‘Dowon Group and Hwangdo Construction are one family. Marrying someone from Representative Hwang’s side will strengthen our alliance and stabilize our public image. Jae Kyung is still young, after all. Since Dowon Group will inevitably go to him anyway, it would reflect poorly on us if your father-in-law were seen breaking his promise.’
Hae Young’s words left Yeon Hee no choice but to swallow her rising anger. It was true, as Hae Young said, that factional strife had destabilized Dowon Group for years. Uniting the two families might indeed be essential for future profits and growth. But if this move served merely to deprive Jae Kyung of his opportunity…
Moreover, Ga Young’s vulgarity drew an involuntary sigh from Yeon Hee.
Arranging a match with such a girl felt like a curse on Won Il’s bloodline—an insidious scheme from Hae Young.
If only the Chairman were still strong enough, they wouldn’t have had to suffer such disgrace.
“I’ll bake a cake and bring it. I’ve been taking bride lessons lately, so I can make quite a few things well now.”
“Fine. I’ll contact you.”
Yeon Hee masked her reluctance and tossed off a detached reply. Between the closing elevator doors, she caught sight of the woman—allegedly backed by Representative Hwang Min Jun—following Jae Kyung into the department head’s office. She’d seemed familiar since seeing her outside the secretarial office.
Where had she seen that girl before…? The woman suddenly turned her head, and her profile overlapped with someone else’s.
Yeon Hee furrowed her brow. She finally realized who the girl resembled—that ill-fated woman.
The woman who died alongside my husband. Han Ga Eul.
Ever since morning, dealing with a woman drenched in perfume had brought on a headache. Watching Jae Kyung enter the department head’s office after seeing off his mother, he looked dangerously vulnerable. It would be perilous for anyone to witness him like this—he clenched his jaw tightly.
He couldn’t afford to reveal any weakness to those hunting for flaws in Do Jae Kyung. He hadn’t suffered headaches like this in a while…
Jae Kyung narrowed his brow at the sweet scent. His mind grew calm and clear.
“…Sir.”
A woman’s voice rang out, as if bright light flooded into his dimmed vision.
“Department Head.”
“Ah. Representative Han Bo Mi.”
Maybe he should go to the hospital? Lately, his headaches were coming more frequently.
“What happened to our office?”
Jae Kyung strode briskly ahead into the department head’s office, motioning for her to follow.
“Department Head.”
Frustrated, Bo Mi called after him again and hurried after his retreating figure.
“My ears aren’t broken—just come in and talk.”
Entering Jae Kyung’s office, Bo Mi’s eyes fell on Dowon Group’s annex building, visible through the expansive glass window at the far end. She recalled hearing that Hwangdo Construction, the resort division, and the housing business headquarters all operated from there.
She suddenly remembered an employee boasting that the annex cafeteria—run by a former hotel chef—was more popular.
“Didn’t we agree not to terminate the contract?”
Bo Mi protested plaintively, chasing after Jae Kyung.
‘I’ll do it. I’m your person, Department Head.’
She’d swallowed her pride and grabbed Jae Kyung’s hand for this project.
‘Representative Han Bo Mi. Do you even understand what you’re saying?’
Jae Kyung had mocked her with an arrogant sneer, finding her far too easy.
‘How I repay kindness is my own decision. What matters most to me right now is…’
What mattered most… Protecting Narae Creative was the only path to living together with Yeo Reum.
‘Protecting Narae Creative.’
After saying all that, for him to go back on his word now—he truly was despicable.
“We’re proceeding with contract termination.”
Jae Kyung handed her the termination document.
“Ugh… You son of a b—”
Bo Mi snatched the papers, an insult nearly spilling from her lips.
“Representative Han Bo Mi, surprisingly foul-mouthed.”
“I haven’t said anything yet.”
“Wise decision.”
Jae Kyung handed her another document.
“Because we need to draft a new contract.”
“What do you mean?”
“The business oversight is shifting from Dowon Distribution to the Strategic Planning Office.”
“So you’re putting me under surveillance?”
When Bo Mi asked seriously, Jae Kyung actually smiled. Seeing the dimples sink into his cheeks, Bo Mi was suddenly reminded of Nak Won.
“Do I look that idle to you?”
“Then…?”
“Read it. Your collaboration proposal with Dowon Distribution received high praise within Dowon Group, so they’ve decided to include the resort currently under construction as well.”
Expanding the project’s scale was clearly beneficial for Bo Mi.
“The investment and development costs will remain at the amount I proposed last time…”
“Then what about our office?”
“Didn’t you notice it on your way to the Strategic Planning Office?”
She recalled hearing that the office handling projects managed by the Strategic Planning Office was on the same floor.
“I look forward to working with you, Representative Han Bo Mi.”
“No… How can you handle things so abruptly like this…?”
Bo Mi puffed out her cheeks, letting out a petulant whine.
“If you don’t explain things properly—”
“My apologies for that. This matter only came up yesterday, and approval came through this morning.”
Acting Chairwoman Lee Hae Young had urgently summoned Jae Kyung and ordered:
‘You’ll oversee the implementation of the AR system in the resort and outlet project constructed by Hwangdo Construction. If you want support from other executives, you must succeed in major ventures like this.’
The proposal for Dowon Distribution’s outlet project was a fresh attempt, enhancing entertainment features to target young families and key consumer demographics.
With offline store demand declining due to online shopping, they’d strengthened elements encouraging customers to visit physical stores themselves.
Plans even included future metaverse integration, promising simultaneous online and offline revenue streams.
In a world where even three-year-olds operated smartphones, Hae Young sensed this venture would succeed—and she was wary of letting Dowon Distribution take all the credit.
By involving Hwangdo Construction’s resort team, success could be credited to Representative Hwang Min Jun, while failure could easily be pinned on Do Jae Kyung.
‘I won’t hold back my support—do your best if you think you can handle it.’
Jae Kyung wasn’t naive enough to miss Hae Young’s feigned goodwill. Though being assigned to monitor Representative Han Bo Mi was advantageous, he foresaw a difficult battle ahead on multiple fronts.
“I apologize for the poor communication.”
Jae Kyung had sent Secretary Kim specifically for Narae Creative’s sake, but apparently, Kim hadn’t explained things clearly.
“I’m sorry too. I didn’t look into the full context beforehand.”
Hearing Jae Kyung’s apology softened Bo Mi somewhat. She picked up a pen and began signing the documents. With each scratch of the pen, strands of her hair swayed. Her full lips pursed sharply as she focused intently.
For reasons unknown, Jae Kyung felt an odd thirst and cleared his throat. His condition had felt off since earlier—not the headache, something different.
The biggest problem was his inability to tear his eyes away from Han Bo Mi.
“By the way, about Team Leader Yeon Ga Young who left earlier…”
Jae Kyung spoke, seemingly trying to break the awkward silence as he checked Bo Mi’s signed documents.
Hearing the name “Ga Young,” Bo Mi tensed instantly. If he was checking whether she’d worked as a maid at Representative Hwang Min Jun’s house, how should she respond?
“If this is about explaining my past, I have nothing to say.”
Bo Mi jumped to conclusions and answered before Jae Kyung could even finish his sentence.
Back then, Min Jun had married for political reasons shortly after Bo Mi arrived, so he hadn’t visited the main house for a long time.
Madam Hwang, Min Jun’s older sister, insisted on personally “educating” Bo Mi—giving her a small room and assigning her household chores.
‘Han Ga Eul. Even in death, you’re holding Min Jun back? How dare you ask us to take care of your daughter? Have some shame and stop expecting free meals.’
Madam Hwang resented Bo Mi’s mother, and that hatred transferred wholly onto Bo Mi. This atmosphere infected the children too—Ga Jin and Ga Young joined in tormenting her.
“I appreciate your help earlier. But…”
“Representative Han Bo Mi. I’m really not interested in you.”
“What?”
Her pale skin flushed red like camellia petals drifting onto snow.
Jae Kyung found Bo Mi’s flustered, bewildered expression oddly endearing.
“Or… are you interested in me?”
Bo Mi held her breath for a moment, then shook her head vigorously.
“No, I’m not interested. Truly, not at all.”
Really? No interest in me? Could that even be possible?
Jae Kyung barely suppressed a laugh at Bo Mi’s adamant denial.
Each time her bobbed hair swayed, her reddened earlobes peeked out stubbornly. Her habit of holding her breath whenever lying felt strangely familiar.
Must be my imagination.
“Team Leader Yeon Ga Young will be joining as project manager for Hwangdo Resort’s business division.”
Judging from Ga Young’s attitude, Jae Kyung didn’t think Bo Mi’s future looked bright—but he offered no comforting words.
Bo Mi looked utterly shocked at the news she’d be working with Ga Young.
No wonder signing the new contract brought more work, higher pay, and apparent good fortune…
She could already foresee just how grueling her new team would be.
Even if Bo Mi didn’t want it, the moment inevitably arrived.
“Hello everyone. I’m Yeon Ga Young, the newly appointed manager for the Paradisus project team. It’s an honor to work with you all on this project.”
Ga Young exchanged greetings with the Narae Creative team and Dowon Distribution’s Marketing Team 1.
“Pleasure to work with you, Representative Han Bo Mi.”
Ga Young smiled sweetly and extended her hand for a handshake. Bo Mi, hiding her unease, reached out her hand too.
Suddenly, she recalled how, as children, Ga Young had pretended to shake hands amiably in front of Min Jun—but secretly dug her nails into Bo Mi’s hand.
Seeing the deep, crimson crescent-shaped wound swell painfully had been heartbreaking.
Frightened by Madam Hwang’s threats—“Tell Min Jun, and you’ll be thrown out”—Bo Mi had kept silent.
Bo Mi’s aunt, having married recently and living with her in-laws, had refused to take custody of Bo Mi, leaving her nowhere to go if expelled from Representative Hwang Min Jun’s house.
Terrified of being cast out, Bo Mi endured the harassment from Ga Jin and Ga Young. Fortunately, the large house allowed her to hide away on some days, avoiding their torment entirely.
“Pleasure working with you.”
Thankfully, today’s handshake was truly just an ordinary one.
“Representative Han Bo Mi. You’ve climbed high, haven’t you?”
Ga Young brushed off Bo Mi’s stiff hand as if it were dirty, tilting one corner of her mouth in a sneer.
Male lead is a clingy little husband
One-line summary: The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
Introduction:
One day, Lu Yuner’s soul transmigrates into a female-dominant world. She enters the Imperial Academy and takes up the position of a doctoral instructor, teaching classes and grading schoolwork.
One day, she encounters the young prince Su Qingwan secretly skipping class from the male academy.
As a result, Su Qingwan is punished.
From then on, Su Qingwan sees Lu Yuner as a “thorn in his side”.
But before long, this “thorn” becomes the person he cherishes most, and he goes to great lengths to win Lu Yuner’s affection.
Mini scene 1:
One day, the sun is high in the sky but Su Qingwan still hasn’t gotten up for class.
Servant Xiaoyuan: “Young prince, it’s time for class. You’ll be late otherwise.”
Su Qingwan says arrogantly: “I’m not going. I am the esteemed prince, my status is so noble, why should I suffer this hardship? Besides, isn’t learning all this just to please women? Hmph, they’re not worthy!”
Mini scene 2:
After Su Qingwan falls for someone, he completely changes. He no longer skips class and diligently learns how to be a good husband and father. But he discovers that Sister Yuner is always surrounded by admirers.
Drunk and overcome with jealousy one day, he clings to Lu Yuner, crying beautifully like a pear blossom in the rain.
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan likes Sister Yuner.”
Lu Yuner: “Young prince, you’re drunk.”
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan isn’t drunk. Qingwan likes Sister Yuner, likes you so much, likes you to bits…” Before he can finish, Lu Yuner’s eyes flash with emotion and she leans in closer.
[Reading Guide]
1. The female lead is gentle, gracious, humble and polite but not weak. The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
2. 1v1, a bit torturous in the beginning but definitely sweet later on.
_____
Please help me, I want to bring you the best possible things.
If you find any chapter or novel with poor translation and editing quality, let me know by commenting directly under that novel or chapter. I will retranslate it as soon as possible.
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
Ga Jin is such an interesting character. If FL had been friends with him, she might have had an even more terrible childhood because of Mrs. Hwang. But he’s exactly the type of person who could be a friend or family member.