Seong Jun was the first grandson that the chairman of Hankyung Group, famous for being a tyrant with no affection even for his children, ever had expectations for.

He was smarter than any grandchild born in Hankyung, more ambitious than anyone, diligent, and blessed with innate health and physique.

As Seong Jun grew older and proved his competence, the chairman’s expectations and support for his grandson only grew stronger.

Since Seong Jun was the first person in the Hankyung family to receive such support and attention from the chairman, he had already become the center of power despite his young age.

To the relatives who inherited the blood of Hankyung family, Seong Jun was not a young child but already a competitor.

Naturally, Hankyung’s employees and household staff paid attention to Seong Jun’s every word and watched the young power holder’s mood. However, it seemed there was always someone who acted differently from the majority.

“Eating a lot of carbohydrates makes it hard to concentrate when studying in the evening. Give me a salad instead of that.”

“Young master, you’re still a child so it’s fine. During the growth period, you need to eat carbohydrates and protein well. Come on, say ah.”

“Ah.”

Seong Jun wondered why this person in front of him, unlike others, didn’t watch his mood at all, but he obediently opened his mouth. If he refused, it was obvious she would keep following him around and act annoyingly.

“But why do you look so upset today?”

“Is it… that obvious? Actually, my husband upset me.”

“Your husband? What happened?”

“Actually, we were supposed to go see a movie together yesterday. But he came home completely drunk, as if he had forgotten our promise.”

“He always causes trouble and creates problems, doesn’t he? What’s so good about a man who doesn’t keep his promises? Why don’t you seriously consider divorce at this point?”

“What?”

At Seong Jun’s cold words, the housekeeper’s eyes shook as if an earthquake had occurred.

“Young master, you’re so young… Where did you learn such scary words? Divorce! If it were that easy, I would have done it earlier.”

“If your spouse is useless, it’s right to separate.”

Conversely, it was natural to be abandoned if one became useless. When Seong Jun expressed his opinion like that, the housekeeper made an expression as if she didn’t know what to say.

“It seems you’re the type to marry and trouble your wife like my husband. Don’t do that. If you love someone, don’t hold back on expressing it and treat them well.”

Young Seong Jun sighed as if he found her hopeless. And from his mouth came cold and firm words that didn’t match his age.

“Marriage isn’t something you do because you’re in love, but because the conditions are right.”

“…Again with words unbefitting a child. Where on earth did you hear such strange things?”

“Not a single person born in the Hankyung family has married for love. It’s common sense that you can know without anyone teaching you.”

Then, the housekeeper, who had been pursing her lips as if she had nothing to say, spoke in a deliberately bright voice.

“Don’t say that. I’ll teach you how to cook today, so learn it well.”

At the housekeeper’s words, Seong Jun frowned as if bewildered. Seong Jun sighed and said.

“What use would I have for learning something like that?”

Honestly, he thought it was a waste of time. He already had too many things to do just to keep up. However, she raised her voice, undeterred by Seong Jun’s criticism.

“When you get married later, you can use it to impress your wife. I guarantee, even if you make the smallest dish, she’ll definitely like it. Seeing that, you’ll feel good too. Remember this well and don’t become a bad husband like mine. Understood?”

The housekeeper was a woman in her 50s who, contrary to her claim of having been through thick and thin, was a woman who lacked tact and sometimes said things that didn’t make sense.

But even so, Seong Jun liked her. He didn’t dislike her talking to him and nagging without watching his mood like others did.

Although he had an academic schedule to complete by evening, he nodded reluctantly to cheer up the housekeeper who must have been upset because of her husband.

He never thought there would come a day when he would actually cook for his wife what he learned then. But.

‘That was right.’

It was as she said. Seo Yeon seemed to be in a better mood than before eating, probably because the breakfast he prepared suited her taste.

‘I thought it was nonsense…’

It was a smile that made Seong Jun feel good too, just as the housekeeper had guaranteed that his mood would improve if his wife’s mood improved.

Was that why the housekeeper followed him around, persistently preparing snacks and late-night meals despite his complaints?

Seong Jun began to understand the housekeeper’s actions back then. He stopped eating altogether and just quietly watched Seo Yeon eat.

The feeling was strange. It was a complex emotion that was difficult to explain simply as feeling good.

Seong Jun wanted to see more diverse expressions on his wife’s face.

How could he see a little more variety of expressions?

It was when Seong Jun was pondering such thoughts in his head. Seo Yeon’s gaze reached Seong Jun.

“Why aren’t you eating, Seong Jun?”

Seong Jun flinched at Seo Yeon’s question.

“I am eating.”

But Seo Yeon didn’t believe Seong Jun’s answer.

“You’re lying. You haven’t touched it at all since earlier, have you? It’s embarrassing, so please eat a little more enthusiastically. It feels like I’m the only one eating a lot.”

At that answer, a faint smile spread across Seong Jun’s lips.

“Is it edible?”

At Seong Jun’s question, Seo Yeon’s eyes sparkled. Then, with a face that seemed to have a lot to say, she hastily opened her mouth.

“Of course. It’s really delicious. It’s sweet, moist, and savory.”

Seo Yeon smiled after finishing her answer. And again, cute dimples appeared. Unaware that Seong Jun’s gaze was directed at her lips, Seo Yeon continued to utter a few more words of admiration before moving the fork she had stopped.

And Seo Yeon, who had been bringing pieces of toast to her mouth while looking at Seong Jun once in a while, put down her fork after a while and started drinking milk, as if her throat was blocked.

However, was his staring gaze burdensome? A bit of milk foam slightly stained the side of his wife’s pink lips as she drank milk while glancing at him. Seong Jun, who noticed this, said as if scolding.

“How clumsy.”

At the same time, Seong Jun’s hand instinctively moved towards Seo Yeon’s lips. At this, Seo Yeon flinched. She looked at Seong Jun and asked.

“…Is there something on my face?”

But Seong Jun neither answered Seo Yeon’s question nor lowered his hand.

For a moment, he remained still with his eyes fixed on Seo Yeon, then moved his thumb to gently wipe off the milk on the corner of her mouth. Seo Yeon’s body stiffened even more.

Seong Jun’s gaze was still fixed on Seo Yeon’s pink lips.

He was recalling the memory of when he impulsively kissed his wife before.

He wanted to explore her narrow mouth like he did then.

He wondered if her breath was still sweet like then, if she would still freeze up unable to do anything when surprised, if those sensations from then weren’t just his imagination.

He wanted to feel that sweet and thrilling sensation he had tasted once again. He wanted to feel how soft the tender flesh inside her lips was without missing anything. He wanted to enter her desperately.

Unable to act on impulse, Seong Jun, who had been slowly touching her lips while fixing his gaze on Seo Yeon, slowly lowered his face. And just before their lips were about to overlap completely.

“…No.”

Seo Yeon hurriedly turned her head away. As if that wasn’t enough, Seo Yeon, who had jumped up from her seat, took a step back. Turning her head was an instinctive action.

The moment her husband’s face approached her eyes, her whole body trembled as if electrocuted. Afraid that her heart might burst if left alone, she turned her head without realizing it.

When she gathered courage and turned her gaze back to Seong Jun, he was wearing a slightly embarrassed expression. At that expression, Seo Yeon felt sorry for Seong Jun even though she hadn’t done anything wrong.

‘What should I do? Should I apologize…?’

But apologizing didn’t seem to make sense either. It was clearly wrong for a man who had a separate lover to try to casually stir her heart like this.

While Seo Yeon hesitated, unable to do this or that, Seong Jun rose from his seat. Soon after, Seong Jun’s black eyes came right in front of Seo Yeon.

Maybe it was her mood, but her husband’s expression, quietly staring at her, seemed a bit hardened. When she felt that way, Seo Yeon became even more conscious of her actions.

“I’m planning to work overtime today, so I won’t be able to come home early. So don’t wait for me.”

“…!”

At those words, Seo Yeon’s eyes shook. In fact, telling her not to wait could have been his consideration.

Even his blunt tone wasn’t the problem. The problem was the cold gaze looking at her. It felt like he had returned to being the cold husband of the past who would be lucky to say one word a day.

Seo Yeon couldn’t take any action, as if the saying that you freeze when too surprised was true.

And the moment Seong Jun turned around and disappeared from sight.

“Did he really just get angry at me? How can he be angry at me? How can a person be so self-centered?”

Only then did Seo Yeon, finally grasping the exact situation, start to protest, unable to contain her indignation. But the person who could listen to her indignant complaints had already disappeared from the spot.