So it was all a misunderstanding on his part.

His wife never thought well of him, nor did she have any intention of getting along with him. From the beginning, she simply wanted to have a child, literally.

Combining rooms wasn’t about improving their relationship, but rather the meaning of “combining” as spoken of in the Joseon era.

Bluntly put, this was no different from treating him as a sperm donor at a sperm bank.

It was something he hadn’t even heard from his grandfather, who would ask when the great-grandchild would be born every time they met, secretly pressuring him right after marriage. He never dreamed he’d hear those words from Han Seo Yeon. Until yesterday.

Once he realized her true intentions, he also understood the situation where she had previously mentioned an absurd contract, saying she would guarantee free dating.

It meant she didn’t need his affection, just for him to fulfill his duty.

At that moment, all his actions over the past few days – wondering about his wife’s thoughts, worrying about her, attaching meaning to her every little action and feeling excited – seemed foolish.

His pride was terribly crumpled, and the sunken feeling showed no signs of improving.

Tae Seong Jun twitched his eyebrows irritably.

‘What a waste of time and emotions is this?’

Though it might be unfortunate for her, Seong Jun had no intention whatsoever of acting according to Seo Yeon’s thoughts.

Moreover, from now on, he was determined not to waste time pondering meaningless questions like what Seo Yeon was thinking or why she acted the way she did.

Yes. Perhaps returning to the previous state of indifference might be good for both of them.

For someone who hated when plans went awry, it was a big mistake to cancel meetings and change schedules these past few days just to have a proper conversation with his wife.

It was time to clear out these meaningless emotions and return to normal life.

“Sir, we’ve arrived.”

Meanwhile, the car driven by Park Jin Sung had stopped in front of the hotel lobby where the appointment was set. As Seong Jun got out of the car, Jin Sung’s voice reached his ears.

“Oh? Sir, isn’t that the madam from Pyeongchang-dong standing at the hotel entrance? Who’s that next to her?”

Seong Jun furrowed his brow and turned his gaze in the direction Jin Sung was pointing. Just close enough to recognize faces. There, as Jin Sung had said, Han Ae Suk, Seo Yeon’s mother, was standing arm in arm with a young woman.

“It’s the youngest daughter of the Sewon Group.”

Starting in the food industry and expanding into various fields, it was recently evaluated as one of the most beloved companies by consumers.

The reason he remembered her face was because a few years ago, Seong Jun’s family had thrown a homecoming party without his consent, and she was one of the attendees.

“But it’s strange. Don’t people usually prefer to hang out with their own age group when they’re young? How did these two with such an age gap get to know each other and become so close?”

Indeed. The way they looked at each other and their expressions seemed particularly friendly and affectionate. Seong Jun, who had been lost in thought for a moment, replied dismissively.

“If it’s someone you get along with, age is just a trifle.”

“I guess. Finding someone you get along with is probably harder than making friends with an age gap.”

While Seong Jun was deep in thought, listening to Jin Sung’s words with his gaze fixed on Ae Suk and the youngest daughter of the Sewon Group, a hotel staff member who recognized Seong Jun’s face quickly approached them. Bowing politely to Seong Jun, the staff member said,

“You’ve arrived early. I’ll guide you right away.”

Only then did Seong Jun turn his gaze away from Ae Suk and start walking.

*

Quitting time.

Seong Jun got on the elevator. As he pressed the button, an ascending arrow appeared after a moment. Fixing his gaze on it, Seong Jun made a resolution.

That no matter what nonsense his wife spouted today, he would absolutely pay no attention to it.

He had not only wasted time listening to Seo Yeon’s nonsense all this while but also severely wasted emotions on unnecessary things.

Now he would never be swayed by that nonsense again.

Beyond the open elevator doors, a spacious entrance hall revealed itself.

As he was entering the passcode for the front door and sliding the middle door to the side to enter, it happened.

As if she had been waiting, Seo Yeon approached the front door.

Despite his resolution to never pay attention to his wife again, all of Seong Jun’s attention was focused on her.

Indeed, wondering what words would come out of that mouth, he turned around.

However, no matter how long he waited, no words of recognition or attempts to stop him from turning away came from Seo Yeon’s mouth.

Damn it.

Finally, unable to bear it, Seong Jun turned back first. And at the same time, he walked towards her, glaring at Seo Yeon with a terrifying gaze.

“Why are you just standing there quietly?”

Seo Yeon blinked her round eyes, as if she hadn’t expected Seong Jun to speak first. Then, after wearing an expression of not knowing what to say, Seo Yeon answered in a cautious voice.

“Yesterday… You said not to come close until you knew the reason.”

Seong Jun also hadn’t anticipated this situation.

“You should still acknowledge me.”

“Was I allowed to speak to you?”

“Do it. Speak.”

Please, speak.

Whether or not she knew Seong Jun’s inner thoughts, Seo Yeon sighed in relief as if glad to have received permission.

“Then I will. But don’t get angry.”

“I’ll try.”

“…You’re not saying you won’t.”

“To the best of my ability.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Having finally secured Seong Jun’s promise, Seo Yeon smiled softly. At that smile, Seong Jun furrowed his brow.

His morning resolution seemed meaningless as his wife’s smiling face looked too beautiful. Thinking it might be better not to look, he closed his eyes and placed his hand on his forehead, when Seo Yeon’s voice was heard again from nearby.

“You came earlier than expected today. I prepared dinner just in case. Have you eaten already? If not, shall we eat together?”

Without any particular response, Seong Jun moved towards the dining room first. Realizing this was a sign of permission, Seo Yeon followed him happily. On the spacious dining table were various side dishes, rolled omelet, and soybean paste stew.

It couldn’t be called excellent cooking, but traces of Seo Yeon’s efforts throughout the evening were visible everywhere. Finding it too lovely again and getting annoyed because of it, Seong Jun deliberately said spitefully,

“I don’t like soybean paste stew.”

Seo Yeon then wore an apologetic expression.

“I didn’t know. Do you like kimchi stew? If you can wait a moment, I can make it quickly. Would you like that?”

“It’s fine. Just eat this.”

Seong Jun sat down and moved his chopsticks to taste the side dishes and rolled omelet. He also took a spoonful of the soybean paste stew he had claimed to dislike and slowly savored it.

Despite having invited him to eat together earlier, Seo Yeon seemed to have no intention of eating herself, putting down her chopsticks and watching Seong Jun’s expression with a tense face.

Unable to speak first, her eyes full of tension seemed to be asking how it tasted. Cutely.

‘Hah…’

Sighing inwardly at his own thoughts, Seong Jun said,

“Well, it’s edible.”

Though it wasn’t much of a compliment, Seo Yeon was delighted.

“Really? That’s a relief.”

“Where did you learn to cook? Did you know how to do it before?”

“No. I had never done it before. I was raised quite preciously. So much so that my family wouldn’t even let me enter the kitchen.”

Seong Jun already knew from previous conversations with acquaintances that Seo Yeon’s family cherished her unusually. Seong Jun gestured towards the table and asked,

“Then how did you make these dishes?”

“I recently found an excellent teacher.”

“An excellent teacher?”

Seo Yeon grinned as she held out her phone towards Seong Jun.

“YouTube.”

At that moment, feeling heat rise to his face and his heart pounding, Seong Jun once again placed his hand on his forehead and closed his eyes. Seemingly unaware of Seong Jun’s state, Seo Yeon excitedly began to explain her achievements.

“I didn’t know, but when I looked it up here, I found almost all cooking methods. This time I could only make simple dishes since it’s almost my first time, but next time I’ll practice and prepare an even more delicious dinner than today.”

Excited by Seong Jun’s more favorable reaction than expected, Seo Yeon had been chattering enthusiastically for a while, but realizing that she hadn’t received any response from Seong Jun for some time, she turned her gaze to him.

“Seong Jun?”

Seong Jun, who had been rubbing his forehead as if he had a headache, opened his eyes at Seo Yeon’s voice and stared at her face. His handsome face somehow looked tired. After a moment, a low voice flowed from Seong Jun’s mouth.

“Han Seo Yeon.”

“Yes?”

“Please don’t smile like that.”

Does he dislike seeing her smile now too? Seo Yeon felt very wronged and even started to feel upset about having to read Seong Jun’s moods from yesterday until this evening dinner due to his capriciousness.

But since she was the one in need right now, she intended to comply with Seong Jun’s wishes entirely. From then on, she focused on eating quietly without any particular conversation.

“You don’t need to bother preparing dinner from now on. I’ll eat out before coming home, so don’t wait for me either.”

“…!”

At the ice-cold voice, Seo Yeon’s shoulders flinched slightly as she stared blankly at him. Meanwhile, Seong Jun got up from his seat and walked towards his room.

Seo Yeon was indignant.

Just when she thought he was listening to her words relatively well, his mood suddenly sank again, and she couldn’t read her husband’s thoughts.

Before, she could easily read his moods or thoughts even without talking, but now it was rather difficult. However, she had no intention of staying still like this. At that moment, a thud sound was heard from Seong Jun’s room.