Chapter 28
28. Reason for Coming to Work Late
It was a novel sight for Kangwoo to see Minho washing himself alone. Before, Lee Yeosa used to wash him, but since Naeun came,
she thought it was important to develop the habit of doing it himself. The splashing sounds of water
could be heard, sounds that hadn't been visible or audible before. It was a new world given by Han Naeun.
"Good morning."
Jiho, who had bowed his belly greeting, saw Kangwoo and bowed once more.
"Good morning, Uncle."
Now he had two nephews. Kangwoo smiled, and Naeun hugged Jiho tightly too.
"Our Jiho needs to wash his face now too."
As Minho came out with a towel, Jiho went into the bathroom. He closed the door tight, and then pattering footsteps could be heard.
Naeun placed a step stool for the children, and Minho started washing his face alone, following Jiho. When the child came out after washing, his clothes were all
wet. To Kangwoo, all these moments were special. It was like living in a different world from before—his eyes and ears were wide open to the children's actions.
"There's still plenty of time before work. I'll go up and do some work before leaving."
At Kangwoo's words, Naeun busily moved around the kitchen and said,
"Yes. I'm getting busy from now on."
"I know. Fighting."
Soon Lee Yeosa would come to help with taking the kids to kindergarten. Lee Yeosa would take Minho, and then
after Lee Yeosa arrived, Kangwoo would head to work. Normally, Kangwoo left before Lee Yeosa arrived while Naeun took Jiho, but today
"What's this? CEO, you're coming to work a bit late."
At Lee Yeosa's words, Naeun shook her head, pretending to know nothing.
"Really? I have no idea."
Naeun said that and quickly turned away. She was worried Lee Yeosa might notice her flushed face.
Misuk washed up simply in the bathroom attached to the room early in the morning and dressed up. In case she ran into
her boyfriend Yeong-seok outside, she came out wearing a see-through gown. Then she said upon seeing her mom,
"Mom. Where are you going? That guy's still here."
"Hey. I still need to drink some water."
"Drink it there and stay put. You can come out after he leaves."
Then she shut the door. Misuk grumbled.
Then Hayoung brought her a water bottle.
"What's the point of an 80-pyeong villa? I'm locked in the room more than going out."
she had to listen to Hayoung's words. Looking in the mirror, applying lipstick once, and about to go out,
"But Hayoung, when is she going to get married instead of just switching boyfriends all the time?"
Misuk sighed. The time living with Naeun's dad had been the best. Naeun's dad had treated her like a queen. Even though it was a remarriage later in life, she thought it was because Naeun's dad had a kind heart. Living with Hayoung's dad,
they fought every day until they broke up, but when she married Naeun's dad, it felt like she had the whole world.
"No luck at all. Why did such a good man die so early..."
Then she thought of Naeun while sighing.
"Naeun takes after her dad—her personality is a bit soft, but she's so kind. In this day and age, who raises their sister's baby? There are girls like Hayoung who abandon even their own kids if they get in the way of their future."
If Naeun hadn't taken the child, this life would be a dream. Misuk gulped down mineral water and sighed. Her stomach rumbled.
"But what time is it now? Does the broadcasting station let you come in this late?"
Hayoung went into the bedroom where Yeong-seok was sleeping and said in a coquettish voice,
"Honey, want some water?"
"Yeah. Give me some water."
As Yeong-seok got up and drank the water, Hayoung said,
"Honey, you seem really stressed lately. Not like before."
They had done it all night, but something still felt off.
"Why? Not satisfied?"
"No. I'm satisfied just looking at you. But you seem stressed."
Yeong-seok turned his head tiredly and said,
"Yeah, of course. Myeongseong Media is expanding, so we have to work that much harder, right? The CEO just gives orders, but the executives below have to work to death. Especially section chiefs like me."
"So when does it launch?"
"The first broadcast will air soon, and the channel will start full operation. You'll naturally be the main MC for the launch day!"
Hayoung was thrilled.
"Honey, aren't you late?"
"What time is it?"
Yeong-seok checked the time and got up. After a quick shower, he had a casual cup of coffee and headed to work. Once Yeong-seok left, Hayoung finally called Misuk.
"Mom, Mom! I'm hungry."
"Always talking about food when she sees me. I'm hungry too, you brat. You kept me locked in the room starving until my stomach growled."
At Misuk's grumpy words, Hayoung shot back,
"Mom, then go to Naeun's. Naeun serves breakfast early."
"What if that oppa comes out while Mom's eating?"
"That damn oppa. You fight well with this one and that one. When are you getting married?"
Hearing Misuk mutter, Hayoung didn't back down and said,
"Right. I said I had no one I wanted to marry. But now I do."
At those words, Misuk's eyes widened.
"You do? What's this? With your eyes on top of your head, no ordinary guy would catch your fancy as husband material."
"Chaebol third generation."
"So you met someone whose eyes are even higher than mine on top of my head."
"What does he do?"
Misuk leaned in eagerly, and Hayoung tossed her hair back languidly and said.
Misuk scanned Hayoung up and down and snorted.
"Chaebol? Would a chaebol meet you?"
Misuk shook her head in disbelief.
"Mom, I've only dated chaebols lately. Chaebols all like me."
Then Hayoung blushed and bristled.
Hayoung declared confidently, lifting her chin slightly.
"I'm a celebrity. An elegant, classy MC and reporter. Lots of chaebols like women like that."
Misuk glared annoyingly and asked,
"So that chaebol likes you too?"
Misuk's words carried cynicism that Hayoung was dreaming too big.
Hayoung pursed her lips and said,
"Mom... it's just starting."
Hayoung smiled confidently and tapped the table with her fingers, adding,
"Chaebol or whatever, if I decide to have him, it's done."
Misuk nodded slightly with a mocking smile.
"Well, there hasn't been a man you set your mind on that you couldn't get in your hands."
Misuk looked at her daughter for a moment and stood up.
"What do you want for breakfast?"
At Misuk's cold attitude, Hayoung pouted and said,
"Don't you have some refreshing soup?"
Misuk headed to the kitchen with a sigh.
Misuk shook her head.
"Ah, supporting a celebrity isn't easy."
At Misuk's words, Hayoung said smugly,
"Of course. Mom, go outside. Is it easy to see celebrities? Aren't you proud your daughter is one?"
"Yeah, I'm proud, but when I go out and say who's my daughter, hardly anyone knows!"
Hayoung bristled at her mom's words and said,
"I'm a cable TV MC now, but soon I'll be on regular stations and terrestrial broadcasts too. So what if people don't know me yet? You know—people who watch TV know, and you know how many fan letters I get?"
Then Hayoung showed her SNS account.
"All these are comments from my fans."
Looking at one comment while scrolling up, it said not to do ghost-like makeup. Misuk blinked and said,
"What? Ghost-like makeup?"
As Misuk got excited over the comment, Hayoung pointed at the screen with her finger.
"Mom, why do you only see that stuff? Look at this—'My goddess' and such."
Right below that was a comment saying they didn't want to watch because of the reporter.
"Who's this? I won't let them be!"
As Misuk yelled indignantly, Hayoung sighed.
"Ugh, really. Just make some bean sprout soup."
Hayoung stormed into her room.
