Chapter 18
18. They're Greeting Me!
Misuk flinched at Hayoung's words. It seemed she'd touched on something she shouldn't have. Misuk glanced at Hayoung's expression and said,
"No, it was just a slip of the tongue."
"That's why I'm saying, why bring it up? I don't have a kid, so don't say things like 'your kid' or whatever!"
Misuk raised her voice at Hayoung's sharp tone.
"Aigoo, so heartless. You're my daughter, but too heartless."
"What's heartless? You're the one asking Naeun, who's raising a kid on a kindergarten teacher's salary, for 400,000 won."
"She didn't send it. And then she asks me for 3 million won. The height of impudence."
Hayoung paused momentarily at Misuk's indignant words.
"Is the money for something urgent? Naeun's never asked me for money before."
Misuk nodded at that.
"Right? She's always been so capable. After her dad died, she never even asked for allowance. She earned her own."
Hayoung let out a deep sigh as she listened, pressing her temples lightly with her fingertips.
"Aigoo, I don't know. I told you not to talk about it. Thinking about those kids gives me a headache. That's why I deliberately don't think about them and live freely."
Misuk flinched at Hayoung's voice and shook her head.
"No, no."
Misuk waved her hands in denial, but even that seemed insincere and light.
Hayoung continued in an irritated tone.
"Rumors spread from people's mouths. If I hear you say 'your kid' or anything like that one more time..."
Hayoung glared at Misuk in warning. Her fierce expression made even Misuk shut her mouth.
Misuk smiled awkwardly and changed the subject.
"Right, your kid. You or her, both my kids..."
Hayoung shook her head firmly and said resolutely,
"Enough. Naeun isn't even your biological child. How is she your kid?"
A cold sneer laced her voice.
Misuk's eyes widened in surprise as she waved her hands in flustered denial.
"No, why would Naeun be my kid? Jiho, Jiho."
Hayoung clicked her tongue and turned her head.
"But Jiho's Naeun's kid. Still your kid?"
Hayoung didn't hide her irritation, her face wrinkling slightly as she pressed her lips together.
"So don't give me a headache and mind your own business. I'm really tired. I need a bath."
Hayoung spoke while undoing her updo, looking exhausted.
"Draw me a bath."
Misuk raised an eyebrow slightly and stood up immediately.
"Got it, got it. As they say, good skin comes from good baths."
Misuk headed to the bathroom, turning on the water loudly as if emphasizing her efforts.
Hayoung smiled briefly at her mother's showiness but soon watched her own expression crumble in the mirror.
Fleeting memories surfaced—the image of a newborn wriggling and crying. Hayoung sighed, staring into the mirror.
"I shouldn't think about it."
She whispered lowly to herself, shaking her head weakly.
During the few days the children had colds, the main house sent over braised short ribs, honey, and all sorts of nourishing things for kids. Thanks to that, Naeun could care for them much more easily. And finally, it was Saturday. With the children's conditions much improved, Naeun watched them play in the garden through the glass window while setting the lunch table.
That was when it happened.
"Hello."
"Hello."
She heard greetings from beyond the glass. Though she'd bundled them up tightly for the early winter chill, the kids must have gotten hot—they'd unzipped their jackets and were running around. Seeing who they were greeting, it was Gyeonghye.
Gyeonghye smiled and nodded at Jiho's greeting, but she was startled when Minho followed suit, greeting her and then running off to play. Clearly, Minho had looked at her and spoken. The child who wouldn't even make eye contact was sliding down the slide with Jiho, whom he'd greeted.
Her heart skipped a beat watching him.
"The child spoke..."
Kangwoo's words were true. Bringing Naeun and Jiho into the house had greatly improved the child's condition while living with them. Gyeonghye paused before entering, standing there watching Minho. He was playing with Jiho on one side of the garden. These slides were recently ordered by Kangwoo. She never imagined something like this would be installed in the garden. Come to think of it, Minho had been living here for two years, but no one had thought to buy a slide or anything for him.
The whole household had focused only on the fact that the child didn't speak.
"You've come? Chairman."
Gyeonghye turned at the calm voice. Naeun had quietly approached and bowed in greeting. Gyeonghye smiled at her and said in a slightly excited tone,
"Yes, Teacher Han. Do you know what I just heard? I heard Minho greet me with 'Hello'!"
Gyeonghye's voice brimmed with uncontainable emotion. Unknowingly, she clasped her hands at her chest, her face filled with joy and surprise.
Naeun smiled brightly at her words, recalling Minho's gradual efforts to communicate with the world.
"How does it feel?"
Gyeonghye felt a thrilling wave of emotion spread through her heart and replied softly,
"He's improved so much—I'm thrilled."
Pride and relief shone in Gyeonghye's eyes. She felt reassured knowing her eldest grandson was slowly breaking down his emotional walls. She'd worried he might never live normally.
Sensing Gyeonghye's feelings, Naeun said gently,
"Chairman, would you like to come in for some tea?"
"Tea?"
Gyeonghye asked, puzzled. Naeun smiled brightly and replied,
"Yes. I made some fresh burdock tea this time."
Gyeonghye looked at Naeun with surprised eyes.
"You make burdock tea at home?"
Naeun nodded and said,
"Yes. Do you like burdock tea?"
Gyeonghye pondered briefly, then smiled awkwardly.
"I haven't tried it much... Sure, let's go in and have some burdock tea."
Curiosity flickered on Gyeonghye's face. She wondered what Naeun's homemade burdock tea tasted like and how her daily life had changed Minho so much. Glancing at the children, she asked with a slightly serious expression,
"But is it okay to leave the kids like that?"
Naeun smiled and waved lightly.
"Lee Yeosa is watching them. She's over there."
Gyeonghye followed Naeun's gaze, confirmed the housekeeper standing nearby, and nodded.
With two kids, Naeun couldn't watch them alone. Lee Yeosa always helped by Naeun's side. Even now, while the children played outside, she hovered nearby.
As they entered the house, two pots full of yellow chrysanthemums greeted them. The autumn scent was strong.
Gyeonghye looked at the pots and said,
"I like chrysanthemums too, but it never occurred to me to buy pots like this!"
Despite paying the staff well to change flowers seasonally, none had ever pleased her. She thought this young woman was truly capable and sensible.
"I went to the flower market last time. The chrysanthemums were so pretty, I brought some. Pretty, right? Next time, I plan to take Jiho and Minho—would that be okay?"
"To the flower market with Minho? Yes, he'd love it."
She was a woman with completely different ideas from theirs. As Gyeonghye thought that, a savory aroma quickly spread.
"Is this the burdock tea scent?"
Just then, Kangwoo came down from the second floor in comfortable clothes and said,
Kangwoo greeted Gyeonghye.
"Mother, what brings you here? Here for burdock tea too? Has word of the burdock tea reached the main house?"
Gyeonghye looked at Kangwoo strangely at his words.
"You like this burdock tea?"
"It's not bad. No aversion from the start. Give me a cup of burdock tea too."
"Yes."
As Naeun brought another warm cup of burdock tea, Kangwoo quietly sat in the seat next to her.
