Translator: Nox

Chapter 11

11. Instinctive Competition

While going to kindergarten and raising a child, when did she find time to make burdock tea?

Kangwoo grew more and more curious about Naeun.

"Do you get enough sleep?"

"Yes."

Wondering what he meant, she looked up to see Kangwoo slowly sipping his rooibos tea before setting it down and asking seriously.

"With such a busy life, when do you even make burdock tea? Do you get enough sleep?"

Naeun laughed at that.

"Burdock tea makes itself over time. I just clean it occasionally, and things like dried foods come out naturally. Come to think of it, I have some dried persimmons—want to try them?"

Naeun kept recommending things he didn't usually eat.

"Dried... persimmons?"

"Yes. Slice ripe persimmons thinly and leave them on the balcony, and they turn into these tasty dried persimmons. Um, not now, but next time."

What was all this? Kangwoo felt dazed. Words from a world outside his own kept pouring out.

"Yes, next time then. But this tea is good."

Kangwoo smiled as he lifted his teacup again, inhaling the aroma deeply. The subtle fragrance filled the late evening room, calming his mind.

Naeun nodded at his words.

"Right? Rooibos is better than coffee at night."

She thought for a moment, then added,

"I'll give you some teabags."

Kangwoo shook his head with a laugh.

"No need. I'll have the main house butler restock tomorrow."

"I see."

The household ways here were still unfamiliar to Naeun. After a brief hesitation, she spoke up again.

"Actually, I have a question too..."

Kangwoo nodded, looking at her.

"What is it?"

Naeun glanced around cautiously before asking,

"Who do I talk to about grocery shopping here? I can use the money you give me for living expenses, right? It's plenty. I've been living just with Jiho, moving slowly bit by bit, and that's how the burdock tea came about too."

"No. There's someone who handles shopping here. Just tell them what you need, and they'll get it."

She smiled faintly at his answer but seemed unsatisfied.

"Still, I want to take the kids to the market sometimes."

Naeun set down her teacup slowly, her face lighting up at the mere thought. Images of shopping with Jiho and Minho filled her mind.

Kangwoo smiled at her expression. She had such a colorful range of faces.

"Well... do as you like."

Though said casually, Kangwoo felt oddly stirred by Naeun's simple desires.

"Is there a reason you have to go out?"

Naeun nodded at Kangwoo's question.

"Markets have so much to see, and everything is educational for kids. Jiho loves going to the mart with me on weekends. I love it too, of course."

After the kids finished their rooibos and scampered to the living room sofa, Naeun asked Jiho,

"Jiho, should we take Minho to the mart next time?"

"I like that! Minho, let's go to the mart!"

Minho nodded, but Kangwoo tilted his head.

"Hmm. I've never taken Minho to places like that. We'll think about it."

"Yes, understood. I won't push. There must be your way of raising him here. Jiho and I can go alone."

"Yes. Thanks for the tea."

Kangwoo greeted politely and stepped out lightly dressed, perhaps for some air. As his figure disappeared, Naeun let out a small sigh. She always felt tense around him.

"Kids, time to get ready for bed."

She told them to go to their rooms and lie down. But both Minho and Jiho asked for a bedtime story at the same time. After a moment's thought, Naeun offered a solution.

"How about you two read together? Go to Minho's room and lie down together. Once you're asleep, Mommy will take Jiho back."

Minho shook his head.

"My bed is for me only."

His expression was firm. Jiho pouted, feeling left out.

"Then what about me? Mommy always reads to me at bedtime!"

It was an unexpected issue on the first day.

"Then Minho, want to lie on Jiho's bed? Jiho's okay sharing. I'll read until you're sleepy, then you can go to your room. Sound good?"

Minho thought for a bit and nodded. The super single bed was plenty for two 5-year-olds. Naeun tucked them in and pulled out the baby dinosaur book. But both said at once,

"The one with the wolf!"

"Wolf!"

Naeun furrowed her brows.

"See? It's our first night here after moving, so no wolf book. Let's do the cute baby dinosaur one."

She started reading. After two readings, both kids drifted off. Naeun carefully picked up Minho to take him out. Just then, Kangwoo, who had gone out, returned and approached upon seeing her holding Minho.

"What's wrong?"

"Oh, they both wanted a story before bed, so I read in Jiho's room and they fell asleep. Taking him to bed now."

"Give him here. I'll do it."

"It's fine..."

But without another word, Kangwoo took Minho and led the way to his room. Minho's room was perfectly childlike, with robot-printed curtains and neatly arranged toys. Kangwoo laid him on the bed.

Come to think of it, he'd rarely entered Minho's room. At the main house, they only met in the living room or dining area. As he tucked the child in, Naeun came over, carefully covering him with the blanket, then gently brushing back his hair. Minho's cute forehead appeared, straight and handsome.

Was he always this adorable?

Seeing him sleep so peacefully made Minho seem newly lovable.

"Let's go now."

Naeun whispered lowly. Kangwoo followed her out on tiptoe, matching her quiet voice.

Why go to such lengths... As he thought that, Naeun greeted him.

"Thank you. Today, I noticed Jiho competing a bit with Minho. Like, 'She's my mom, why focus more on Minho?' Instinctive rivalry, I guess."

Kangwoo nodded.

"That's natural. What if it gets worse?"

"Don't worry. They're both good kids, so a little explanation will fix it. Good night."

Not seeming too concerned, Naeun answered casually, bid good night, and closed her door. Left alone in the living room, Kangwoo felt awkward and headed upstairs. Hearing his footsteps faintly, Naeun sighed.

She'd never lived under one roof with a man, so when Kangwoo approached and took Minho, her heart had pounded unexpectedly.

If there was a dad, would it be like this?

But the problem was that Choi Kangwoo was too handsome.

"What kind of man is so startlingly handsome just to look at? Handsome for no reason, but nice to see anyway."

Muttering to herself as she lay on the bed, her phone rang—Hyesun.

-Today was moving day, right? How'd it go?

-Don't ask. A week into the job and this? Just waiting for the weekend.

"Yeah, my move went well. How was company life?"

"You've wanted to get a job for so long."

-True. Is the house you moved to really okay? Living in someone else's house...

-Who's on the second floor?

"Second floor is... Minho's uncle."

It felt a bit awkward to say, but Naeun answered honestly.

-What? Living with a man?

"No, the second floor is completely separate; can't go up freely."

-Still, he can come down whenever.

"I'm a mom with two kids. What are you worried about?"

-Or maybe you'd like him to come down? No such thoughts?

"Hey."

Startled, she scolded Hyesun, but her heart raced. Was that it?

-You'd like him to come down. Right?

"No, I said."

Hyesun laughed and pressed again. Naeun jumped.

-Why? Minho's uncle not your type?

Hyesun probed sharply.