Chapter 31
31. Eat and Dump?
"I don't like princesses either."
Minho spoke up from the side.
"Then what should I read?"
While Kangwoo was pulling out other books, Naeun quietly slipped out of the room. Being next to her made him want to keep laughing, but it also felt a bit too brazen.
Kangwoo watched Naeun's retreating figure as she left quietly, then pulled out a penguin book this time. The children immediately pressed the buttons excitedly. With upbeat music playing, Jiho and Minho jumped up and started dancing. Watching them bounce on the bed like it was a party instead of bedtime,
Kangwoo said,
"This won't do. Uncle will tell you an old folktale instead."
"An old folktale?"
"Yeah. Not from a picture book—just a story. Long, long ago..."
The children lay still and began listening intently.
"There lived a kind brother and sister in a village..."
Kangwoo lowered his voice, observing the children's reactions as they immersed themselves in the story. Minho already had his hands clasped tightly,
and Jiho's eyes were wide with anticipation.
"One day, when their mom came home late... a tiger appeared in the meantime..."
As Kangwoo spoke with a bit of tension, emphasizing the tiger, Minho's mouth fell open in surprise.
"And so they became the sun and the moon."
After finishing the story, Jiho pouted and snorted dismissively.
"Uncle, that's boring. We all know that. It's the story of the sun and moon."
"That's right."
Kangwoo nodded in agreement, and Jiho crossed his arms, shaking his head.
"Uncle, the sun and moon aren't really siblings. They're like the Earth we live on. The sun rises during the day, and at night the moon—"
Kangwoo clicked his tongue.
"Kids these days have no innocence. Science comes first."
Kangwoo muttered in exasperation. Minho tilted his head and looked at Jiho.
"But why do they say the sun and moon are real people then?"
Jiho replied confidently.
"They're not people. That's why the fairy tale is wrong."
Kangwoo burst out laughing.
"Jiho, sometimes these old stories are fun too. People long ago imagined the sun and moon as siblings. That's why it's a fairy tale."
"That's right. Real wolves are at the zoo, but I still like wolf books."
"Exactly."
"Then Uncle, do you have another story?"
At Jiho's question, Kangwoo wondered if he'd ever escape these kids. In the end, he read the wolf book twice more before they finally fell asleep. Even after Naeun left, he'd been held captive by the children for 30 minutes reading.
"How does she do this every day?"
Even back-to-back meetings at the office seemed easier. He glanced outside but didn't see Naeun—she must have gone to her room.
Kangwoo sighed deeply and stood in front of Naeun's door. He cleared his throat lightly and knocked. Once, twice... Waiting for a response felt eternal. As he raised his hand to knock again, the door opened cautiously, and Naeun peeked out.
Naeun blinked in slight surprise as she looked at him. Her grip on the doorknob tightened visibly.
"What is it, CEO?"
She tried to keep her tone calm, but a faint tremor slipped through.
Kangwoo frowned slightly and gazed at her steadily. Her attitude felt like she was stepping back, leaving him up against a wall. With a wry smile, he asked,
"What's wrong?"
At his words, Naeun turned her head slightly, avoiding his eyes.
"What do you mean?"
Kangwoo grumbled lightly, displeased that her gaze wouldn't meet his.
"Are you eating me and dumping me?"
His voice held a mix of subtle hurt and serious complaint.
"Pardon?"
Naeun looked at him in shock, her eyes widening as she tilted her head in disbelief.
Kangwoo sighed, trying to hide the disappointment surging from deep in his chest.
"After such a hot night together yesterday, I came back full of expectations, but today you won't even make eye contact. Are you seriously eating and dumping me?"
Naeun blinked in flustered surprise, her face flushing slightly.
"Why say it like that, CEO? It's eat and run."
Kangwoo was momentarily speechless, staring at her intently.
"What? This is ridiculous."
At his exasperated reaction, Naeun finally burst out laughing. The tension eased a bit as she laughed.
"Truth is, I'm embarrassed to face you. I really did eat and run."
Though she said it jokingly, the awkwardness lingered.
Kangwoo furrowed his brow slightly and stared at her.
"You won't see me anymore?"
"Yes. One night is enough."
Kangwoo sighed and shook his head.
"That's too much. Discarding a man's pure heart like this."
"Was there ever anything as pure as a heart between us?"
Her words sounded cold, making Kangwoo pause. He opened his mouth as if to protest the injustice but closed it again.
"There was for me. After all this time... how much... Argh! To think I'd be eaten and discarded after one night."
As Naeun listened, she loosened her grip on the doorknob slightly and looked at him quietly. Sensing his true feelings faintly, her heart raced despite herself.
"Give me some time."
At her words, Kangwoo asked quickly,
"What time?"
"Time to sort out my feelings."
Kangwoo's eyes softened.
"So you'll eat and run first, then think about it later? Any other woman, no way—but since it's Han Naeun, I'll give you time. Instead, let's go out this weekend."
"Pardon? You said you'd give me time."
"That's that, and you said before you wanted to go somewhere with the kids."
"Yes."
"Then let's take the kids out this weekend. Think about where you want to go."
With Kangwoo being so understanding, Naeun felt her tension melt away.
"Yes. I'll think about it and tell you tomorrow."
"Okay. Good night."
"Good night."
Kangwoo suppressed the urge to kiss her. She asked for time, so he had to wait. The way she rattled him was something else. Showing just a glimpse of her face before closing the door left him feeling empty.
The next day, Kangwoo asked the children directly. It seemed faster than waiting for Naeun's answer.
"Jiho, Minho. Where do you want to go this weekend? Let's go play together."
"Uncle's coming too? Yay! Amusement park!"
Jiho said, but Minho stayed silent.
"Minho likes the amusement park too?"
Minho shook his head.
"You don't?"
"I've never been."
"Really? Minho, you've never been to an amusement park?"
Jiho asked. He had gone often with Naeun.
"It's so huge! Super fun. Let's go together, Minho. It'll be fun."
"Okay."
With the children's opinions aligned, Kangwoo smiled and nodded.
"Alright then. We'll go to the amusement park this weekend."
The next day, when Lee Yeosa arrived, Naeun asked her to buy kimbap ingredients.
"Kimbap ingredients? Going somewhere?"
Lee Yeosa asked with a smiling face.
"Yes. Taking the kids to the amusement park this weekend."
"Oh my. It'll be tough with two kids."
"It's fine."
"Okay. Let me know if you need help. I can come along."
Naeun felt awkward at Lee Yeosa's offer to help. She didn't want to mention going with Kangwoo. It might lead to misunderstandings. Actually, not misunderstandings—they had spent the night together, so she might feel guilty like a thief with sore feet.
"I'm going with a friend."
After coming up with an excuse, Lee Yeosa smiled happily.
"Oh, that's great. I'll prepare the kimbap ingredients perfectly. Should I come help roll them in the morning?"
"No need. It's just a few rolls—I can do it alone."
"Teacher, don't feel burdened asking me to do things."
Lee Yeosa said warmly.
"I originally came as Minho's nanny. You just handle the education, but you're doing too much work."
"No. Living closely together like this feels right. Just the kimbap ingredients, please."
