Chapter 24
24. I Can Hear Everything
Myeongseong Media had recently acquired another cable travel channel. Now only the final payment remained, and starting next month,
this was it. It listed the names of necessary announcers, MCs, and special correspondents. As he read through the names, a familiar one caught his eye.
<Han Hayoung.>
"That's right. She said that woman was in the entertainment industry?"
Naeun's half-sister Hayoung stared at the name for a moment before Kangwoo thought it over. She wouldn't be any help to Naeun at all,
and she was surely someone who had hurt her deeply.
It would probably stay that way. People don't change.
But what if those people fell on hard times?
With Han Naeun's personality, she probably wouldn't particularly like that either. If they lived well, they'd cut off contact on their own,
"So, giving her a job wouldn't hurt."
Kangwoo signed off on the plan.
He had planned to talk about this anyway. The next day, as he went downstairs, Naeun was preparing vegetables and meals for the children. Even though the main house provided prepped ingredients and full meals if wanted, Naeun insisted on cooking herself, filling the air with savory smells. Kangwoo tried to pass by the entrance,
"CEO, take this with you."
"What's this?"
"The cookies you said were delicious yesterday. You'll know how to eat them properly, but don't eat them all at once. Today's portion is set, so if any are left, share with others."
Kangwoo took the cookies as if he couldn't resist and said,
"You have an older sister, right?"
At the mention of her sister, Naeun's shoulders tensed slightly. She suppressed her discomfort and
"Yes. A half-sister. You probably know."
There was a bitter smile in Naeun's voice. It showed minimal courtesy toward family despite the unease,
Kangwoo nodded slowly, watching her expression.
"Yes, I know. Your half-sister is a celebrity."
His voice was low and slow, cautious as if aware the conversation might make her uncomfortable.
"We're acquiring a cable channel, and it looks like she got an MC spot there. I hope you don't mind if she can't do it—"
the travel channel would officially launch. The documents Kangwoo was reviewing listed people for the new channel.
Her half-sister who ignored her. Her stepmother who took only Hayoung and left to live well on their own. Even unspoken, they were clearly
the type to shamelessly reach out if things got tough. It was obvious without seeing.
but Naeun called out to him.
nodded.
as if trying to appear composed.
wouldn't you?"
"Why?"
Kangwoo replied calmly.
"Well, if you feel annoyed or wish they'd suffer, just say so. Families are the ones who stress you out the most, after all."
Naeun shook her head in confusion.
"Do you take personal requests like that too?"
With Choi Kangwoo's personality, he probably wouldn't. But asking like this felt like testing her, which didn't sit well. Kangwoo nodded at her words.
"Right. I never decide hires based on personal favors. But... normally no, but for Han Naeun, it's an exception."
His intent was unclear. His eyes, smiling at the corners, were serious. Was that why?
Naeun's heart raced. Tensing up, she asked,
"Why?"
Kangwoo looked at her for a moment, then shrugged nonchalantly.
"Just because. It's my call."
Kangwoo smiled faintly at Naeun. She steadied herself and slowly shook her head.
"Just... let her work."
She lowered her eyes, lost in thought for a moment. After all, Hayoung was Jiho's biological mother. Annoying and disliked as she was, deep down, Naeun didn't wish her harm.
Naeun always thought that way. Jiho might seek his mom later, and even after growing up, a struggling birth mother would only burden him. Of course, she had plenty of grievances against Hayoung,
but she believed this relationship could hold as long as Hayoung could at least make a living properly.
"Got it."
After Kangwoo left for work, Naeun's routine began. Waking the children, preparing them for kindergarten, feeding them breakfast—the deep winter sunlight pouring in brought an indescribable happiness.
At the office, Kangwoo pulled the cookie container from his bag and set it on the desk. As he started his morning routine, Do Wan arrived.
"Here are the documents for approval today."
Do Wan placed the files aside and suddenly sniffed the air.
"What's that smell? It smells amazing. CEO, did you buy cookies somewhere?"
Hearing that, Kangwoo tried to subtly move the container. But Do Wan slapped his hand on it.
"Hyung, you're not stingy with food, at least?"
"What?"
His junior Do Wan always called him CEO, but in urgency, he slipped into "hyung." He must have lost his mind to the cookie scent.
"What are you talking about?"
"This has cookies, right? Smells so good. Exactly my favorite smell. Almond cookies."
- 3 -
"Yeah, I'm a dog when it comes to smells. Came in on an empty stomach—if you don't give me a cookie today, I'm not working."
"Crazy? Risking your neck over a cookie?"
"Yeah. You gonna cut my throat over one cookie? Give it here."
Kangwoo pressed down firmly on the container, staring at Do Wan with no compromise.
"This is mine."
Kangwoo pressed the container again with his fingers, building an iron wall against Do Wan.
But Do Wan, used to it, whined annoyingly and reached out.
"Come on, just one."
Do Wan nudged his fingers away. Finally prying them off, he opened the lid.
Saying "just one," Do Wan grabbed a cookie without hesitation. Kangwoo glared sourly.
On that winter morning, after braving the cold wind to work, Do Wan bit into it eagerly and chewed with satisfaction.
"Where'd you get these?"
Do Wan kept marveling, crunching away.
"Perfect for low blood sugar. Pairs great with coffee. Where?"
Kangwoo gripped the container again and shook his head.
"Don't know. Not telling. These cookies are just for me."
He pulled the container to his chest like a hug to keep Do Wan away. Do Wan laughed mockingly and glanced at him.
"No such thing. They're delicious—share some."
Kangwoo closed the lid tight and said firmly,
"No. Absolutely not sharing."
Kangwoo's tone left no room for discussion. The cookies were now his treasure.
"Sign this."
"Fine."
While Kangwoo signed, Do Wan swiftly snatched the container and grabbed another cookie.
"What, how expensive can they be? So stingy."
Then he sauntered out. As soon as Do Wan left, Kangwoo hurriedly checked the remaining cookies. Seeing only one left, he looked regretful. He gazed at the last cookie preciously, closed the lid tight, and put it in the drawer.
"Was saving it to savor."
Gyeonghye sank deep into the armchair, listening to Lee Yeosa's report as Minho's nanny. Narrowing her eyes, she finally smiled faintly after hearing about his recent routine.
Relief replaced worry in Gyeonghye's voice.
Lee Yeosa nodded.
"Yes. Now he even greets me properly with 'hello.'"
Pride shone on her face.
Gyeonghye nodded pleasantly.
"Teacher Han is really skilled."
Lee Yeosa smiled warmly, clasping her hands.
"Yes, she's incredibly talented. She baked cookies for the kids with ingredients from here and made pumpkin bread too. They ate so well."
Gyeonghye nodded with a gentle smile.
"I see. How's Kangwoo doing?"
Her tone seemed indifferent, but curiosity about her son lingered subtly.
Lee Yeosa smiled slightly.
"Same as always, but he seems to come home a bit earlier."
Gyeonghye raised an eyebrow intriguingly.
"Really?"
Lee Yeosa nodded lightly and continued.
"He eats cookies with the kids sometimes."
Gyeonghye let out a disbelieving chuckle at the mention of Kangwoo eating cookies.
"Kangwoo eats cookies?"
