Taekwang shook a device with his thumb in front of Miran.
“Miran, look at this. This is the recording device I developed this time, and P Corporation decided to invest in it.”
“P Corporation? Really?”
“You’ve worked hard, Miran. Only days of prosperity are left. After finishing this delivery, let’s go to a nice place, do some carving, and go to the amusement park with Eunjae.”
As if remembering the days they went through together, their eyes, which had been wiping away tears all day, were moist.
“Look at your face all wrinkled. You’ve hit the jackpot, and take care of your health. Go out quickly; the employees are waiting.”
“Just a moment. Eunjae’s birthday is in 5 minutes.”
Taekwang briefly kissed Miran, pointing to the clock that left 5 minutes until midnight. For Taekwang, who ran the factory, the changing of day and night was a familiar routine.
“Who does Eunjae resemble to be so pretty? It’s a pity; I can’t let her get married.”
“When did you dream of sending her to a rich family?”
“It’s just wishful thinking; even if a rich young master comes, it won’t do.”
Taekwang didn’t know how to leave Eunjae’s side even a little to capture her daughter’s appearance.
“Umm… Dad.”
“Oh, our princess. Did you wake up because of dad?”
Whispering quietly, Taekwang gently kissed Eunjae’s forehead. Handing the bear keychain to Eunjae, Taekwang smiled meaningfully.
“Eunjae, do you know from where you should eat samgyetang?”
“From the inside of the stomach! Dad, shall we eat samgyetang tomorrow?”
“Yeah, let’s eat tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow is Eunjae’s birthday. Promise!”
A little later, the hour and minute hands pointed to a single number. Smiling happily, Taekwang approached Eunjae and whispered.
“Our beloved daughter, happy birthday.”
“I love you too, Dad.”
With the meager ginseng-like hands wrapped around Taekwang, and the lips touching the cheek for a moment, Taekwang felt like he had gained the whole world.
A little while after Jaehong graduated from high school, his mother collapsed.
His mother’s illness changed many things overnight. Although they were not rich, they had everything they needed, but suddenly, their fortune tilted, and a large debt was incurred.
Perhaps it was because of the difficult times, but Jaehong was tormented by guilt, feeling that everything was his fault. He had to give up both his studies and employment. Taekwang, his twenty-year-long friend, was the one who stood by Jaehong’s side in these thorny paths.
Jaehong first met Taekwang when he entered middle school.
Wearing an ill-fitted and shabby uniform, he looked like an unattended child. Because of this, he was always the subject of ridicule, and he didn’t even have friends.
He was always alone. Jaehong pitied Taekwang in that situation. Requesting his mother, who ran a kimbap restaurant, Jaehong provided Taekwang’s share every day.
That was the beginning. Jaehong and Taekwang became inseparable friends, the only companions and family for each other.
Taekwang earned his mother’s hospital bills instead of Jaehong, who was nursing her, and after work, he rushed to the hospital to relieve Jaehong.
Jaehong felt a bit burdened by this. When he said it was enough now, Taekwang tapped Jaehong’s shoulder, saying it was natural for family, and because of that, Jaehong could endure those difficult times.
Around that time, the director of Yeonrim Hospital, where Jaehong’s mother was hospitalized, heard about Jaehong’s difficult situation and recommended him a job as a journalist.
Thanks to that, he was able to repay the large debt that seemed never-ending in a short period. Although his mother, who had said it seemed impossible to recover from the aftereffects of dementia, was able to be discharged in good health.
Jaehong thought he owed a great deal to Director Yoon Seok-hee. He always kept that gratitude in a corner of his heart.
The temptation reached Jaehong about six months ago.
While working as a journalist, he started gambling with people he met here and there. The gambling, which started out of curiosity, once again brought a large debt to Jaehong.
“Until this week.”
It was almost 20 million won. Thinking of loan shark Kwon Seung-cheol’s voice, Jaehong exhaled a trembling breath.
Wife and child. Knowing that life was tight, he didn’t want to reach out to Taekwang as well, but there was no choice. He had to put out the urgent fire first.
While driving, rolling a grape-flavored candy that Taekwang had left behind in his hand, as if determined, Jaehong called Taekwang. A bright voice came over the signal before long.
“Taekwang, can we meet today by any chance?”
[Why, is there something with your mother?]“No, it just feels like it’s been a long time since I’ve seen your face…”
[You surprised me. Today is my daughter’s birthday, so it might be difficult. Is it urgent? Can’t you see me tomorrow?]“Oh, today is Eunjae’s birthday… No, tell Eunjae happy birthday from me, and that her uncle will buy a present soon. I’ll call later.”
The Villainous Demon Lord Laid an Egg for Her (Female-Dominated)
Several months after transmigrating into a book, Yu Wu found herself facing the demon lord Li You, who could no longer conceal his dragon horns. With one hand on her aching waist and the other gripping a sharp sword, she stared at him.
The demon lord’s eyes were red with fury:
“This is all your doing! Today, I won’t rest until I kill you!”
Yu Wu rubbed her temples. Putting aside the taboo against bloodshed during pregnancy, wasn’t it this very man who willingly walked into her trap that day?!
Warnings:
- Male pregnancy.
- Height ratios are set to mirror typical male-female height proportions.
- Characters include a foot-loving demon lord and an eldest daughter from an immortal family’s concubine lineage.
