Arriving a little earlier than the agreed-upon time, she wandered around the department store, observing various items. In the fashion jewelry section, she noticed a heartwarming scene of a mother and daughter choosing rings together.

“Mom, but isn’t this too expensive?”

“It’s not just anything; it’s a celebration for the 100 days until the college entrance exam. You should choose what you like to do well on the test, right?”

It was already August. The 100-day countdown to the college entrance exam was approaching.

Reminded of her senior year in high school, Sihyun felt a bit bitter. While her friends proudly showed off the shiny new rings their parents had given them, Sihyun had to hide her bare fingers under the desk throughout that time.

Watching the affectionate mother and daughter, Sihyun turned her head and looked into the display case.

A gold ring with a tiny red gem in the shape of a crown caught her eye. It was almost identical to the design Sihyun had wanted when she was in her senior year.

“Could you show me this ring, please?”

“Of course, ma’am.”

The salesperson kindly took the ring out of the display.

Sihyun tried on the ring on her pinky finger and examined it closely. She liked it. The price was around 200,000 won, so it wasn’t too burdensome.

Should I buy this as a gift for myself? Thinking so, the salesperson spoke.

“It seems like your niece or younger sister is taking the college entrance exam. This design is the most popular for exam-related gifts. The person receiving the gift will surely love it.”

In that moment, Sihyun realized. She wasn’t eighteen but thirty-three.

It was embarrassing that the old wounds were still there. She should have let go of such things a long time ago, especially now that she was an adult.

Feeling awkward about acting like a high school senior showing off a ring, Sihyun quickly took off the ring and handed it back.

“I’ll take a look around and come back. Thank you for showing me.”

As she turned around, a tall person blocked her way, and they almost collided. Startled, she tried to apologize, but the person spoke affectionately.

“Sorry, did you wait long?”

Looking up, Sihyun met Leon’s gaze, and he smiled warmly. Behind him, several secretaries politely bowed to Sihyun.

“Uncle!”

Sihyun quickly erased her somewhat bitter expression and smiled broadly.

“I just arrived. What are you thinking of getting for Auntie?”

“Well, how about a ring or a necklace?”

While saying that, Leon’s gaze lingered on the handbag Sihyun was carrying.

“But our Sihyun seems to be carrying a heavy bag.”

Although Leon said it with affection, Sihyun felt her face heat up. It meant the bag was too old. It was the same handbag she had been using since she started working.

“First, let’s go see the bag.”
Leon took Sihyun’s wrist and led her somewhere.

“I’m fine, Uncle! We came to buy a gift for Auntie today, remember?”

Sihyun said in confusion, but Leon acted as if he didn’t hear.

“We’ll buy that later.”

The place Leon took Sihyun turned out, coincidentally, to be the store where they had chosen the prospective mother-in-law’s bridal bag before.

Noticing no other customers in the store, Sihyun found it a bit odd. Shouldn’t this place be open to the public?

“Welcome, Chairman.”

Seeing store employees neatly welcoming them, Sihyun only thought that it might be because it’s a department store right next to the hotel, and they recognized the man as the chairman.

“Well, pick something you like.”

“It’s really okay.”

Even though Sihyun declined, Leon insisted she try every visible bag one by one. It felt like a fashion show, reminiscent of the time Jungim had tried on various bags.

“Seems like it suits you well?”

“Chairman has an excellent eye. It perfectly matches your style, ma’am.”

The scene was so similar to what had happened before, with employees coordinating with each other, that Sihyun felt déjà vu.

After trying more than ten bags, Leon finally asked.

“Do you not like any of them?”

Normally, wouldn’t someone ask if there’s anything they like? Thinking so, Sihyun answered.

“No, they’re all beautiful.”

Leon smiled contentedly and told the manager.

“I’ll take everything she tried on until now. If there are different colors, take those too, categorize them.”

Startled, Sihyun grabbed Leon’s arm and hung onto it.

“Uncle, I live in a one-room apartment. There’s no place to put all this!”

“Oh, I didn’t think of that.”

Just as Sihyun was about to heave a sigh of relief, Leon spoke again.

“Then let’s buy a big house. Want to go house hunting now?”

His tone was earnest. If he said one more word, he would probably drag her straight to a real estate office. Eventually, Sihyun followed Leon’s lead.

The store employees crowded around to wrap everything. The scale was so enormous that Sihyun couldn’t even muster a proper thank you.

“I’m really grateful, but this is too much…”

“Don’t worry about it. I’d buy more, but I’m holding back because Taeha might get jealous.”

Leon smiled slyly, and leaving the rest to the secretaries, he took Sihyun outside.

Stopping in front of the luxury jewelry store, Leon suddenly remembered something.

“Go in and have a look first. I have something to check briefly.”

“Yes, Uncle.”

Sihyun went into the store alone. Just like the other stores before, there was not a single customer inside.

‘A ring or a necklace?’

Sihyun carefully examined the items on display. When her eyes fell on a necklace with a small rose-shaped pendant hanging from a thin white string, she thought, ‘This is it.’

It seemed like Sooyeon wouldn’t fancy wearing a ring, considering she’s in the food business. A necklace might be better, but with her subtle style, overly large and flashy designs would probably make her uncomfortable.

Moreover, since Leon called Sooyeon by the nickname Rose, everything seemed to fit perfectly.

“Can you show me this necklace?”

“Of course, ma’am.”

As the gloved staff was about to hand her the necklace, someone snatched it from the staff’s hand.

“I’ll buy this.”

It was purple.