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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Mama! Good!
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“Gongja, could it be? Are you, are you right now?”

Wow.

*‘I’m surprised myself.’*

Wow. He’s suddenly speaking in sentences.

I touched my throat.

*‘Did my vocal cords suddenly mature?’*

Why did this suddenly pop out? Without any warning!

Ansan-daek looked at me with sparkling eyes.

“Gongja. Say something. Oh my goodness! He's still a baby, but he's already speaking so well!”

Excited, Ansan-daek picked me up and spun around.

“Is Gongja a genius? How can he be like this at his age?”

Hmm, I don't know much about babies, but... Ansan-daek.

*‘Aren't there quite a few kids who start talking early?’*

It would be a disaster if they thought I was some kind of brainiac.

*‘It’s not that I’m dumb, but I’m certainly no genius.’*

My face is genius-level, though.

*‘I should probably tone this down so they aren't disappointed later.’*

But contrary to my wishes, Ansan-daek immediately shoved her smartphone in my face.

“I have to tell the Ma'am. Gongja! Look here!”

Ah, I guess this can't be helped.

Not if it's for Mom.

I looked at the lens and blinked.

“Come on, Gongja. Tell Mommy to come home soon!”

Hmm, Ansan-daek. You're asking a lot from a baby who just started speaking in sentences.

*‘But I should at least try something similar.’*

Because it's for my mom's happiness.

*‘It’s really not a big deal, but she’ll love it.’*

Ah, is she going to cry again?

“Gongja, say it! Come on, look here!”

I said what I wanted to say the most.

“Mama!”

I said it clearly with a bright smile.

“Good!”

Even as I said it, I got goosebumps.

*‘Wow, I feel like something inside me is breaking.’*

Do I have to live like this?

*‘Still, if Mom can see this and be happy...’*

Then that's enough. That's all that matters. Let's not think too deeply about it.

“Aww! So cute!”

Ansan-daek smiled as she fiddled with her smartphone. I kicked my legs and spoke.

Excuse me, Ansan-daek. This is all well and good, but.

“Wawa, pwease!”

“Oh, okay, Gongja. Let's go get you some barley tea.”

Ansan-daek walked off cheerfully. As I was carried to the kitchen, I stared up at the ceiling.

*‘Well, what’s good is good, I guess.’*

Probably. Maybe. I feel an overwhelming urge to hide, but this is probably the right thing to do.

I let out a deep sigh.

* * *

“Thank you.”

Ma Sujeong narrowed her eyes and crossed her legs the other way.

“What? What are you thanking me for?”

President Seo grinned, bowing his head slightly once more before raising it.

“Thank you so, so much.”

Ma Sujeong let out a deep sigh. It was so long it made her hair stir.

“Ah, you're on a roll these days. A real hot streak. Our Actress Ma, you're in your prime.”

Well, that was true.

Ma Sujeong rolled her shoulders and said.

“I know I'm doing well.”

What on earth was going on? Having a good idea of his intentions, Ma Sujeong smirked.

“I'm getting a lot of offers, aren't I?”

“A ton. From Chungmuro, from variety shows. Everyone wants our Actress Ma.”

“President Seo. You know this is all because of Gongja, right?”

President Seo nodded vigorously.

“I know. That beautiful baby really must be an angel.”

“Of course he is. But, how should I put it...”

Ma Sujeong took a long breath.

“Come on, you like being busy. What's wrong?”

“I do like being busy. Except for the part where I don't get to see Gongja. Did you know I missed his first steps? And on top of that...”

Ma Sujeong held up her smartphone, showing him a CocoaTalk message. President Seo craned his neck to see.

On the screen, a cute baby was giggling.

For a moment, the president felt something in his chest melt. He wasn't sure what it was, but it did.

-Mama! Best!

*‘Wow, this is no joke.’*

He couldn't help but be impressed.

“What kind of baby makes you want to just gobble him up from a single look?”

“Right?”

“A kid with a pretty face doing such cute things.”

“I told you he was an angel. If even you can see that, President Seo, how do you think I feel as his mother? Ah, my Gongja is speaking so well, and I can't even hear it in person...”

Ma Sujeong looked up at the ceiling.

“I'm confident I can be a good mother, but lately, I keep wavering.”

“Hey now. Gongja will understand.”

“Gongja might understand, but I can't. I could just cut back on work, but I'm not, am I?”

“How can you cut back? They're all great roles.”

Ma Sujeong nodded slightly.

“That's true. There are a lot of roles you only get once in an actor's lifetime.”

“If you hesitate now, Actress Ma, you'll regret it.”

Ma Sujeong sighed.

“I know. That's why. I can't waste even a little bit of free time.”

President Seo rested his chin on his hand and asked.

“So? What are you planning to do?”

“I'm going to throw Gongja a first birthday party. Even if it's just a small one at home.”

President Seo blinked and said.

“A small one? Why does it have to be small?”

“…Excuse me?”

“Do it lavishly. I'll handle the preparations.”

“Wait, why are you preparing for Gongja's first birthday party?”

“Because 'small' and you, Sujeong, don't go together.”

President Seo grinned.

“I'm free these days. We can invite some people. Can I invite my family too?”

“Of course you can. But who else are you planning to invite?”

“Hahaha! Leave it to me. I'll make sure Gongja gets some spectacular first birthday rings.”

Ma Sujeong thought for a moment.

“Well, yes. I trust you wouldn't invite anyone completely unsuitable. You know not to invite reporters, right?”

“What do you take me for? Of course I know. I'm well aware that you'll just get criticized if a huge party gets out. Anyway, leave it to me. I'll only invite people who are interested in you and your angel.”

Ma Sujeong narrowed her eyes.

“Can I really trust you?”

“I'm telling you to trust me!”

“It seems like you're trying to use this as a pretext for business.”

Ah, I've been found out.

The president lowered his head, gauging her reaction.

“What, what! Is it a bad idea?”

Ma Sujeong narrowed her eyes. Then she let out a deep sigh.

“Honestly, it is. But I'm thinking I should prepare for the future, too.”

“Huh? What do you mean by that?”

Ma Sujeong looked at the ceiling and blinked.

“My Gongja. He's as cute as an angel, you know.”

“Yeah.”

“He loves the camera.”

Ma Sujeong recalled Gongja's behavior up until now.

The movie set and the premiere.

*‘Most babies would hate it because of the noise.’*

But when Gongja went to places like that, he was so happy he wouldn't even sleep.

“I think my Gongja is a natural performer.”

“He really did seem that way at the premiere.”

“I've felt it a few times, and my intuition is telling me. This is for real.”

President Seo nodded.

“Actress Ma, your intuition is usually spot on.”

“That's why. Normally, I'd shut down your business pitch right away, but I'm actually considering it.”

The president bowed his head slightly.

“Thank you for not shutting it down.”

“Trying to use my angel's first birthday party for business... It's an absurd idea, but if. If Gongja decides to go down this path.”

President Seo grinned and said.

“It would be advantageous for Gongja, too. This party.”

“Yes, well. I can help him, too. And building connections steadily from a young age is a huge asset, isn't it?”

Ma Sujeong straightened her tilted head.

“Gongja is still young. But I'm not sure if I'm getting ahead of myself, relying only on my gut feeling.”

“True. He is young.”

“It would be better to give him the choice when he's a little older, right? And well, even if not for that, this first birthday party...”

Ma Sujeong smiled brightly.

“Since people are whispering so much about the adoption, I do want to make it so lavish it'll make their eyes pop.”

President Seo scratched his head with a finger and agreed.

“I know exactly how you feel, Actress Ma.”

“If they're going to whisper no matter what I do, it's better to be openly extravagant.”

“Kya! That's Ma Sujeong for you! Okay. Then let's do it. I'll do it, personally!”

“What, are you really going to do it? I was just going to hire a party planner.”

“I'll find the planner! Trust me!”

“President Seo, are you that free?”

President Seo nodded.

“Yep. Incredibly free.”

Ma Sujeong shook her head.

“It's rare to see someone who goes looking for more work. Why are you like this?”

“I must have been a worker ant in my past life. Please, give me some work.”

“Ah, yes. Well. Then I'll leave it to you. Make it lavish.”

“Okay!”

The president immediately started swiping on his smartphone. Ma Sujeong watched him and shook her head.

Ma Sujeong thought of her beloved angel.

*‘Am I being rash?’*

Ma Sujeong let out a long breath. President Seo was already off to the races, and the arrow had already been shot.

* * *

*Sniff, sniff—*

Her breathing was ragged.

*Sniff—*

“Haaah. This is the life.”

It was a statement ripe for misunderstanding.

I quietly looked around. I was still scared someone might see.

*‘I may have used the coin, but you’re well and truly addicted.’*

My grandmother had her eyes closed, savoring the scent, when her eyes met mine.

Her eyes immediately narrowed.

“What are you looking at?”

Ah, you could stand to be a little kinder!

*‘She’s the same as ever, even when she’s addicted.’*

She was still a difficult person.

My grandmother grumbled.

“What is Sujeong thinking? Holding a first birthday party for this mutt at a hotel in a week!”

Ah, that. Yes, I heard about it.

I beamed.

Thanks to that, Mom and Ansan-daek were extremely busy.

“Why does it have to be so extravagant?”

I know, right?

*‘A first birthday party. A modest one would be nice, but…’*

Mom had told me while holding me.

-Gongja. My image has improved a lot lately because of you. But because of the people who are jealous of that, they'll probably criticize whatever I do for you.

That was true.

*‘Besides, she’s the actress Ma Sujeong.’*

Is it because she's at her peak right now? She always had many enemies, but it must be worse now.

-That's why we're going to have a lavish party for my Gongja. If we're going to be criticized anyway, this is much better.

Ahh, my bold mother.

My head bowed in respect.

-The president handled the invitations, but it'll probably be people from the entertainment industry. I'm worried you'll be tired that day, my Gongja.

Tired?

*‘I’ve been building up my stamina for this very day.’*

I flapped my hands and grinned.

*‘Alright.’*

If they're from the entertainment industry, then a whole line of valuable people will be coming.

*‘If I make a good impression, I can become even more famous, right?’*

My mom truly was amazing.

*‘To give me an opportunity like this!’*

In this life, I was blessed with an abundance of motherly fortune.

“Look at this kid. He's smiling weirdly again.”

Ah, I'd forgotten again.

I looked at my grandmother and beamed.

“Gwanma!”

“Grandma? Why am I your grandma?”

She really never changed. A normal kid would have burst into tears by now, right? I tilted my head and asked.

“Not Gwanma?”

“That's right. You're the one she brought home.”

So cold. I mean, she could just let me call her grandma.

*‘But I have to score points with this woman.’*

I grinned and asked.

“Then, big sis?”

For a moment, my grandmother's pupils trembled.

*‘She’s flustered.’*

That was my aim.

“Big sis!”

“N-No. Do you even know what that word means?”

“Yes! Pwetty person!”

I pointed at my grandmother with my short finger.

“Pwetty person!”

My grandmother's pupils wavered again.

Huhu.

*‘It’s all going according to plan.’*

How about that! Can you still hate me now!

My grandmother didn't say anything. But I could see it.

*‘The corners of her mouth are turning up.’*

Just as I thought. No one dislikes being told they're handsome or pretty.

“H-Hmm. You certainly have a good eye for people.”