Translator: Nox

Chapter 7

7. His Gaze

Naeun instinctively averted her eyes and shook her head reflexively.

"S-something like that? I don't have confidence I can do it. Whether Minho talks to me is up to him, and if I'm by his side—"

Naeun carefully explained, recalling how Minho struggled to converse with other friends at kindergarten.

"Even at kindergarten, he talks well with our Jiho, but he doesn't speak to the other kids at all."

Kangwoo stared at her quietly before speaking firmly.

"It doesn't matter."

Naeun's shoulders stiffened slightly in momentary surprise at his words. She glanced at Kangwoo's expression before lowering her voice.

"If it doesn't matter, why make this proposal?"

Kangwoo hesitated briefly, let out a deep breath, and replied.

"You might find it unpleasant, but I've looked into you a bit, Teacher."

His gaze was unwavering, though he slightly turned his eyes as if anticipating her discomfort.

Naeun's fingertips trembled faintly at his words.

"You did a background check on me?"

Kangwoo frowned slightly and let out a small sigh, seeming flustered.

"If I call it a background check, it sounds bad... I just checked your records from the kindergarten."

He explained politely and cautiously without much change in expression.

Naeun narrowed her eyes, unable to hide her displeasure.

"Even so, private records..."

Kangwoo bowed his head and apologized sincerely.

"I'm sorry. But we couldn't make this plan without looking into it."

Kangwoo paused briefly and looked straight at Naeun.

"Please think of it as desperation. If you come to our annex, you can live there with Minho and Jiho."

At that moment, Jiho beside them took a big bite of apple pie, looking at Naeun with a joyful expression. That pure sight made Kangwoo's serious gaze feel like a pressing wall, and Naeun struggled to stay composed without answering right away.

"Annex? By any chance, Minho's grandmother visited recently..."

At her words, Kangwoo inwardly panicked.

Mom came? Then she might have pulled some stunt. Judging a woman without even hearing her side...

"Yes. Our Minho is the eldest grandson of Myeongseong Group. But with him unable to speak like this, we want to try everything possible, even spending as much money as it takes. Money aside, he doesn't talk well with others."

Naeun glanced at Jiho once, then back at Kangwoo, her heart wavering momentarily at his earnest face. Thinking he might refuse out of resentment made her sigh inwardly.

It was a generous offer, but she couldn't answer immediately. Various issues stood in the way, and even those not immediately coming to mind required careful thought.

"I'll... think about it."

Kangwoo nodded at her words.

"Of course, you should. But I need to know what you'll consider most. Tell me, and we'll accommodate as much as possible."

Naeun looked up at him calmly. He was a solid man who wouldn't bleed even if pricked. His face discussing terms was accustomed to countless successful deals. His eyes, intense enough to draw people in, left no room for other thoughts. Still, Naeun thought calmly and spoke.

"First, the children's safety is my priority. For Jiho and Minho. And if we move, I'm curious if the environment will be safe and peaceful for Jiho. Space for the kids to play or study."

"No need to worry about that. It's the Myeongseong Group main house. Plenty safe."

"What if lifestyle differences make the child timid..."

"No need to worry there either. As I said, living in the annex means you won't go to the main house unless called. So no formalities for Jiho."

With that, Naeun relaxed her guard a bit and spoke.

"Personal life and privacy must be protected too."

Naeun said firmly. Caution filled her eyes, tension evident in her stiff posture.

Kangwoo smiled faintly. Taking her words seriously, yet his smile carried a playful hint. Naeun frowned slightly at his reaction.

"Ah, sorry. You must value your personal life a lot."

Kangwoo asked, hiding his smile. Naeun looked flustered and replied.

"Pardon?"

Kangwoo leaned back slightly and continued indifferently.

"From what I know, you spend almost all day at kindergarten and home."

Naeun hesitated briefly, averting her gaze before answering calmly.

"Still, everyone has personal life. Weekends too."

At her response, Kangwoo smiled playfully and asked in a low voice.

"Do you have a boyfriend?"

"That's rude."

Naeun's face hardened at the impolite question.

Kangwoo raised his hand lightly, acknowledging his mistake.

"Sorry. Any lifestyle is fine. Personal life and privacy are naturally protected. But we can't give separate time off on weekends."

Even apologizing, the confident man narrowed his eyes arrogantly, looking at Naeun.

"Wherever you go, please bring our Minho. That's the compensation. If weekends are too much, demand more."

Naeun stared piercingly at Kangwoo with a calm face and said.

"Then can I do as I please on weekends? Take the kids out to play?"

"Of course."

"Go out alone freely anywhere?"

Naeun asked once more for confirmation. Kangwoo furrowed his brows thoughtfully, then nodded.

"Briefly is fine, but the only one to watch the kids is the nanny."

Naeun met his gaze without flinching and nodded.

"I understand. I won't leave the kids and go out."

Kangwoo nodded slightly, sensing her strong sense of responsibility.

Naeun turned her head with a thoughtful expression.

"No fixed work hours, then. We'd adjust mutually, but basically, outside kindergarten hours, it's mostly with Minho. Like living with Jiho."

"I'll think about it. Minho matters, but Jiho is more important to me. If I work even excessively, it's for Jiho."

Kangwoo fell silent briefly, gazing at her serious eyes.

He nodded deeply at her words.

"Yes. So wouldn't it be wise to seize this good opportunity?"

Naeun fiddled with her fingertips, head lowered, then lifted it with resolve.

"I'll treat Jiho and Minho the same. My son is just as precious."

"Yes. I understand. You should. I don't like kids being treated differently either."

He added, eyes fixed on Naeun.

"We can meet all your conditions, so I expect a positive answer."

Naeun felt an unexpected weight in Kangwoo's serious gaze and voice, momentarily speechless at the subtle emotion from their conversation.

Looking at innocent Jiho still eating his apple pie beside them, Naeun said.

"Yes. Got it, so go ahead. I'll leave after Jiho finishes."

"I'll stay here too."

Kangwoo himself wasn't sure why he answered that way.

"Pardon?"

"Truthfully, I haven't paid much attention to Minho until now. I feel a bit sorry, and I'm curious about kids. Since Minho doesn't talk, can I stay a bit and chat with Jiho?"

"Yes. Of course."

Naeun smiled brightly. Kangwoo's sharp gaze turned to her.

Is smiling like that a habit? Her smile hits like a punch. Shooting arrows with that grin? His eyes were inexplicably drawn, his nerves on edge.