As every situation flashed through her mind like a kaleidoscope, Summer’s face turned crimson.

“I’m, I’m sorry. Professor, no. Mom. I didn’t know…”

As Summer didn’t know what to do, Kim Jeong-im approached and warmly held her hand.

“I was the one who deceived you. Why are you sorry, Miss Summer? If I had said at that time that I was Taeseok’s mom, you might have felt burdened. I apologize. I’m sorry for back then.”

The prospective mother-in-law didn’t even ask her to cut fruits or make kimchi. Feeling uncomfortable, as Summer kept moving restlessly, she suggested touring the house and sent her to Taeseok’s room.

With an excited heart, Summer entered Taeseok’s room, but there was nothing much to see. Taeseok’s room was clean without any clutter.

Taeseok, standing next to Summer and sticking to her like glue, just laughed without explaining why his room was so great.

“I’m mad at you today, Oppa. You deceived me all this time.”

“I’m sorry. But I’m so happy. I can’t believe you’re in our house.”
Taeseok discreetly closed the door. Slowly walking, he guided Summer towards the bed. When she realized she was blocked between the bed and Taeseok, without hesitation, she pressed her lips deeply against his.

Due to the sudden attack of his massive upper body, Summer could only collapse onto the bed.

As if waiting, Taeseok delved even deeper, swallowing Summer. Hot saliva flowed through the parted lips. Summer was surprised and tried to push his shoulders away, but he was as firm as a rock.

“Uh, Oppa, doing this here…!”

“If you shout, it might be heard outside.”

Taeseok’s voice was filled with mischief. After biting Summer’s lips again, he even swallowed her short breath.

When Summer continued to resist, still shaking her arms, Taeseok sighed briefly and soothed her with a gentle kiss. Summer managed to separate from Taeseok.

“What if we get caught doing this here…!”

Summer murmured in anger. This situation was already confusing enough with Kim Jeong-im being her mother, but now Taeseok was behaving messily.

“Let’s reapply the tint.”

Taeseok laughed absurdly and tidied Summer’s lips with his thumb. Then, he took out lipstick from the bag and smoothly finished the process.

“Beautiful.”

Summer felt awkward, but Taeseok continued to amuse himself.

“Sorry. Bear with me. I might go crazy.”

The neatly prepared meal was clean and delicious. Taeseok, seemingly oblivious to his parents, only looked after Summer during the meal.

Whenever there was a side dish that could be reached more than twice with chopsticks, Summer brought it in front of her. Despite her awkward refusal a few times, she pretended not to notice.

Kim Jeong-im looked at them amusingly, and Taeseok’s father, Seo Myeong-hoon, laughed heartily. The laughter resembled someone, and it was exactly like his father.

“Son. Don’t you see your dad?”

“Yeah.”

“Aren’t you here to get permission for marriage? This is a moment that requires at least a bit of respect.”

Taeseok put down his spoon, smiled naturally, and said,

“Not permission, but notification. Summer is going to be my wife, so please congratulate us.”

With a cheeky tone, Summer’s face quickly turned red. But both parents found it amusing.

“…It’s been a while since I ate with my taciturn son.”

Myeong-hoon spoke in a serious tone.

“Since he brought his girlfriend, he’s surprisingly talkative and laughs a lot. Seotaeseok.”

Taeseok answered nonchalantly.

“Summer likes a considerate man.”

Myeong-hoon appreciated the young lady with a kind gaze. Neat and pretty. Concerns arose about whether marrying the son, who seemed fine on the surface but might be a wolf inside, would bring trouble.

“Miss Summer, my son, Seotaeseok, is a bit peculiar, even more than you think. He has many quirky corners in his personality.”

“Dad, is now the time to say that?”

Taeseok frowned. Kim Jeong-im found it hilarious.

“Stay still, you rascal. Miss Summer, and how stubborn she is. Marrying her won’t be easy. It’s not too late, so run away now…”
“Mom, don’t stop me.”

Taeseok acted unusually hurried. Like a cherished stepson, he was naturally affectionate, making Summer laugh. These were natural behaviors that only emerged in gatherings with parents.

Taeseok wondered if he also felt this warmth in Summer’s hometown.

“Father, I know that Oppa has a quirky personality.”

Summer also played along with the joke.

“But I’ll trim it round and nice. If it’s still sharp after 30 years, then I’ll definitely run away.”

“Ahahaha….”

Myeong-hoon laughed heartily. And he began to talk in earnest about Seotaeseok. When and how he grew up, how he spoiled things and stopped going to college for a year, saying he wanted to be a celebrity in the future…

Kim Jeong-im offered a small gift, a pair of earrings with red gems.

“I bought this, thinking it would suit Summer well as she passes by. Thank you for deciding to be our family. I’ll try to be a considerate mother-in-law, so take care of each other.”

After finishing the kiss, Taeseok shrugged his shoulders.

“It wasn’t me who started the lie; it was Mom. I don’t need to apologize.”

“Even if Mom started it, there were plenty of opportunities for you to tell the truth!”

“So, what? Should we do it again? Keep turning around the idea of kissing?”

Taeseok caressed his lips once again. Summer made a disgusted expression.

“Now let’s talk about something realistic.”

Every day brought new stories. Fake news spread from the wedding date to the wedding hall, honeymoon, dress, and even the bouquet. Nothing was decided, but fake news took over.

There were even rumors about witnessing wedding preparations that hadn’t happened, and baseless designs under the name of Seotaeseok’s wedding ring circulated. The agency was strongly responding, but the rumors spread faster.

Because of the rumors, the parties felt a sense of urgency to do something faster.

That’s when the call came from Jihyeok again.