Lahjin’s eyes widened.

“How did you know? Honestly, I’ve been craving the boss’s food for a few weeks. Suddenly, my schedule got busy, and I couldn’t find the time. And also… I wondered if it’s okay to come alone.”

“That’s why I told you. Come anytime.”

“Yes, relying on those words, I came here.”

Looking at Yunsil’s face, smiling weakly, her gaze dropped to Lahjin’s belly.

“And what I said wasn’t about you.”

“Yes?”

“The one who wants to eat my food is not you but the baby.”

“A baby?”

Seeing Lahjin blinking with what seemed like incomprehension, Yunsil sighed briefly.

“Taking care of others while being so oblivious. Somehow, you don’t even take care of yourself.”

Stinging, it’s poignant. Yunsil, looking at Lahjin with a pitiful expression, grabbed her hand.

“You have a baby in your body.”

“Yes? That can’t be…”

For a moment, there were things passing through Lahjin’s mind. The cycle with him, the missed period, the sudden appetite, unexpected emotional fluctuations…

Her enlarged pupils contracted.

No way, no way… Could it be true that I’m pregnant?

Looking at her, who was making an expression of disbelief, Yunsil gently hugged her and stroked her back.

“The baby said it wants to eat my food.”

“How, how can that…”

Lahjin’s body trembled slightly. Then, Yunsil’s touch soothing her made tears suddenly flow.

“Sob…”

“You’ve endured a lot until now. If you endure a little more, a blessed day will come.”

“Why am I suddenly crying…”

“Cry. When you want to cry, you should cry. That’s why I opened this restaurant.”

Yunsil comforted Lahjin, who resembled her grandmother, holding her head while she spoke.

“Yunsil, there are many people in the world who want to cry. But they all endure and live.”

“Why?”

“They haven’t found a place where they can cry freely. Grandma hopes that you, Yunsil, become someone like that.”

“A place to cry?”

“Someone who can show their painful heart as it is. Someone who can comfort and soothe the pain. Such a person is a ‘place to cry’ for someone. Many people who visit Grandma were unable to find such a place even after looking around.”

The ‘fragile sprouts’ that Grandma mentioned were people like Lahjin.

“As I mentioned before, if you need my help, come find me anytime. Okay?”

“Sob, yes… Thank you…”

“If you endure the storm, the sun will rise. Until then, stay strong, and do what your heart guides you to do. That will be the answer.”

Yunsil embraced Lahjin for a while, then led her to sit down, holding her hand. Then, she made a dish full of sincerity in the kitchen and placed it on the table.

“It’s so delicious. I’ve been wanting to eat this taste so much…”

“Take your time eating. I’ll make it for you anytime you want, okay? If you keep forcing yourself, it’s not good for the baby.”

The baby. At that word, Lahjin burst into tears again.

It was unbelievable. There’s a baby inside me. I’m going to be a mom.

For me, a family is forming.

Although it needs to be confirmed at the hospital, somehow Yunsil’s words seemed to be true.

“Now, try this. It’s very good for your body.”

Yunsil put a serving of marinated sea snails on Lahjin’s spoon.

“Try this. It’s chewy and delicious. It’s rich in iron and protein, so it’s good for preventing anemia.”

Once again, tears welled up in Lahjin’s eyes.

No one had ever kindly put side dishes on my spoon like this.

The orphanage director was kind and friendly, but she couldn’t pay attention to just one child because she had to take care of many.
“So, after being adopted, I watched as Sukyoung placed side dishes on Eugene’s spoon, feeling envious inside. I waited for my turn, but my foster parents never served me any side dishes.

“It’s so… so delicious… I’ve never tasted it before… but it feels like what people call ‘mom’s cooking,'” Yunseol said with a sigh, lowering her voice. What to do with this pitiful girl?

“If I could consider it as mom’s cooking, it would be an honor. Contact me anytime you want to eat, wherever you are, and I’ll send it to you, no matter how far.”

Lajin had a surprised expression. “Boss, by any chance…”

When she hesitated to continue, Yunseol nodded her head. “Are you going far away?”

“Uh… well…”

Lajin’s heart thumped anxiously. Then Yunseol reassuringly tapped her back of the hand.

“Don’t worry. Without your permission, I won’t even tell Jaehun. How did you know?”

“Seeing things. Since Jaehun and you came for the first time, I had a feeling it would turn out like this.”

Yunseol looked at Lajin meaningfully. “Remember what I said before.”

“What…”

“Don’t take it too lightly. Don’t accept it until I kneel down and beg, saying I’m dead.”

Ah, that statement. Lajin smiled weakly. “Will such a day really come?”

The boss will marry someone else from a good family.

Even if I disappear, I’ll only feel the inconvenience of losing an efficient subordinate.

I’ll adapt to my absence and live well as if nothing happened.

‘No, don’t be depressed. It affects the baby.’

Lajin covered her lower abdomen with her left hand.