Since Seo Taeseok and Choi Yeoreum didn’t use social media, Chen Jihyeok and Yoo Yeong, who appeared in the same drama, suffered the consequences on their social media. Especially when it became known that Yeong was Yeoreum’s housemate, insults were directed at her because of Yeoreum.

The speculation that Yeong had connected the two was almost becoming an established fact.

Even if Yeong had really played the role of a bridge, it wasn’t something to be scolded for. However, people who went beyond common sense scolded Yeong as well, asking why she unnecessarily introduced a woman.

In Taeseok’s car, driving along the highway, Yeoreum expressed her sadness.

“I feel so sorry for Yeong. Oppa.”

They were on their way to Yeoreum’s hometown in Cheonan.

It was a clear day without a cloud, but Yeoreum’s mood wasn’t so cheerful. It wasn’t because of the scandal but because she felt sorry for Yeong and Jihyeok.

“The rumor will disappear soon. They’ll understand, right? Yeong will be resistant, won’t she? She got a lot of insults a few years ago when the group disbanded.”

“Oppa, is that supposed to make me feel better?”

“It’s a joke. Just loosen up a bit.”

Taeseok’s strong hand covered Yeoreum’s hand. His warmth always calmed Yeoreum. Yeoreum nodded.

“By the way, your parents must have been surprised. I’ll greet them and explain things.”
Taeseok’s gaze was unwavering. That’s why. When Yeoreum learned about the scandal this morning, she could respond more calmly than she had thought.

It was something that she would eventually have to experience as long as she continued to meet Taeseok. The fear that many things in life would change had invaded her, but having Taeseok by her side gave her strength.

“People are probably going to curse me a lot.”

“Not really. Just a few.”

Taeseok smiled affectionately. It was a smile that was impossible not to love.

A delicious smell wafted from Yeoreum’s house. Taeseok clenched his fist and entered.

It was a quaint house with green plants and frames placed here and there. A cat was crouched in the corner. The cozy atmosphere felt somewhat like Choi Yeoreum.

“I’m sorry for coming so late to visit. Mom, Dad, this is Yeoreum’s boyfriend, Seo Taeseok.”

Taeseok felt a slight tremor in his voice and was a little flustered. He had never dropped a single word even in front of dozens of cameras, but the moment he met Yeoreum’s parents, tension rose through his spine and spread throughout his body.

“Please sit comfortably.”

Kim Jeongsuk, who had the same eyes as Yeoreum, greeted them with a smile.

“Nice to meet you.”

Choi Wonsu, with stubborn lips, answered solemnly. However, when he was scolded by Jeongsuk for speaking so formally for the first time, he retorted to Jeongsuk.

“Young people these days say that’s being a square. Honey.”

“No, it’s okay. Please feel free to speak, Mom, Dad.”

Taeseok couldn’t relax his body.

“It’s okay, isn’t it? Then I’ll start.”

Wonsu returned to his dignified attitude. Seeing Yeoreum laugh, it seemed like it wasn’t her usual appearance.

“Let’s eat first. I didn’t prepare much just because you came suddenly. I prepared it as usual, but I don’t know what he likes.”

“Mom! When did we ever eat like this! The table’s going to break.”

Taeseok wasn’t interested in the evening menu at all, but there was nothing else to look at, so he stared at the table.

Starting with homemade pork ribs and rice cakes, there were various dishes like pork stew, simple pancakes, a variety of two types of kimchi, grilled fish, one, two, three kinds of namul…

It was a feast.

“In the old days, they used to say that when a son-in-law comes, they catch a rooster. I couldn’t do that much, but I prepared it with as much sincerity as possible, so please eat a lot.”

Son-in-law. Taeseok’s throat stiffened. A heavy emotion choked his heart.

The food was exceptionally delicious. It was excellent enough to be presented as a menu at a high-end restaurant in Gangnam. Taeseok praised it sincerely, and with that, he completely captivated the heart of his future mother-in-law.

“When I visited to formally seek approval for our relationship, and…”

Taeseok finally uttered the words he had been pondering.

“If you allow, I would like to spend my life with Yeoreum. Please allow us to get married. I will cherish it more than my life.”
Yeoreum’s pupils widened. It was a startled look when the topic of marriage was brought up without warning. However, Taeseok had no intention of wavering at all.

It was already a limit. He didn’t want to linger in the yard where the scandal had erupted.

“I was quite worried three years ago. Our daughter is an ordinary person, so I thought there would be many difficulties if she dated a top star. But seeing them meet again after breaking up, it seems like their fate is fate.”

Jeongsuk’s voice was gentle.

“There’s nothing to permit or not. It’s their lives. Just be happy.”

“Well, I have a different opinion.”

Suddenly, Wonsu intervened.

Wonsu ate dinner with little appetite.

Although he didn’t go as far as scolding, he had raised his daughter dearly without giving a proper lecture.

A child obtained with difficulty after seven years of marriage. From the toddling steps to wearing a school uniform and going to school, the growth process had passed like a fleeting glimpse.

A daughter who used to give a kiss to her gruff dad’s cheek until middle school. The daughter who had grown up smoothly and beautifully was preparing to leave the nest to find her own partner.

How to express this feeling…

He was like the one and only gift that had come.

No matter how happily she was promised, he absolutely didn’t want to let her go. Whether it was a top star or whatever, it didn’t matter.

It was simply because the little guy was still a baby.

Even if he didn’t fall to his knees while walking down the street or encounter various obstacles in life, it was the age when bruises would appear on his heart. In his twenties, he was still a blood relative.

Wonsu suddenly threw out the words that his thoughts were different and couldn’t continue speaking due to the heavy heart. He just gulped down his bitter drink.

“Father, let me pour you a drink.”

“You. Do you drink a bit?”

“Yes. I drink enough to socialize.”

“Let’s have a drink today.”

Due to not watching TV much, Taeseok didn’t know how great an actor he was. He only knew that he was an actor liked by young people these days.

A handsome face was fine, but people had to see the inside. Thinking that the revealed Choi Yeoreum might have fallen for him just by looking at his face made a cold wind blow inside.

“If you’re giving, I’ll gratefully accept.”

Taeseok received the drink with a polite attitude. He was a young man with manners. His polite yet confident attitude wasn’t bad. He wondered how it would be if he drank more.

“You, sleep over tonight.”