Side Story 3

Siyeon woke up to the sound of the keyboard tapping. Despite going to bed late after work, she woke up early. It seemed her brain remembered that she had to go to her in-laws’ house in Suwon today and was sensitive to even small noises.

“…Again.” 

Siyeon, who opened her eyes slightly and glanced at Ijun, lowered her head as if conceding defeat, then pulled the blanket up to her chest. He was sitting at the table a short distance away, staring intently at Siyeon’s laptop screen.  

With the serialization of Part 2 of “Dragon’s Five Wings,” Ijun’s longing for the first look of the preview started again. Although he arrogantly laughed, saying it was no big deal to guess the remaining numbers after obtaining two numbers from Siyeon early on, the world didn’t go so smoothly. 

“I told you they weren’t all numbers…” 

“The numbers aren’t the problem. Why do you keep changing the password? And making it longer, too.” 

“Don’t criticize my efforts to protect intellectual property from my husband.” 

The password, which was originally four digits, had now grown to seven, with letters and special characters mixed in. Thinking about the ridiculous expression Ijun made when she told him about it still made her laugh.

“Wait and see. I’ll definitely figure it out.”

Saying that, Ijun closed the laptop and got up from his seat. As he approached, Siyeon also got up from the bed and sat down. 

“Did you wash up? We need to eat before we go to Suwon.” 

“Let’s go at lunchtime.” 

Ijun, who was sitting on the edge of the bed, hugged her affectionately. As Siyeon buried her face in his chest, Ijun patted her back. After staying still like that for a while, Siyeon opened her mouth as if murmuring. 

“…I’m twenty-eight years old now.” 

“I know. It’s a big deal.” 

As Siyeon smiled faintly in his embrace and looked up, Ijun gently pressed his lips to her forehead. It was a touching moment for both Siyeon, who had not experienced such mornings at twenty-eight, and Ijun, who was concerned just in case. Though unspoken, both were happy with the continuation of yesterday’s routine. 

“Why do you think Grandfather called us to the Suwon house?” 

“Considering he insisted we come home, it must be something important.” 

Since Gwihyeon returned to the Suwon house, Grandfather had not called Ijun’s family to Suwon except for holidays and special days. This was an attempt to avoid meeting each other until Gwihyeon apologize sincerely to Ijun and Siyeon. However, Gwihyeon had no intention of apologizing, and Ijun had no intention of forgiving him. 

“Yesterday, Father said… that when we become parents later, we will understand our parents’ feelings. Did you think so too, Ijun?” 

“Father once said at the wedding venue that although Gwihyeon is a brother to me, he’s a son to him, and the feelings between me and Father towards Gwihyeon can never be the same. I thought it would be a similar sentiment.” 

“Were you really scared yesterday?” 

Siyeon looked up at him with narrowed eyes. The sight of Ijun she saw at her parents’ house yesterday was truly terrifying. Seeing such a side of Ijun for the first time, Siyeon couldn’t help but be surprised. 

“Kim Eunhye is the kind of person who insults others behind their backs, but how ridiculous must the people there have been for her to raise her hand against you? And who would stop her that even your parents and acquaintances couldn’t stop? If left alone, she would have thought she could do even worse things.” 

“Really, do you hit women too?” 

“I haven’t hit anyone yet, but I don’t discriminate against anyone when it comes to paying the price for their actions, regardless of age or gender.” 

When Ijun accepted this as a matter of course, Siyeon was speechless. He was an unusual person who didn’t discriminate against people in inappropriate situations. 

“Really. So be careful not to let this happen again. I still endured a lot yesterday.” 

Ijun stared at her firmly. His gaze was so serious that Siyeon could only nod obediently. 

“Jeong Ijun hits people. So be careful.” 

“That’s not it. Say it properly.” 

“Jeong Ijun hits people who harass Choi Siyeon. So be careful not to harass Choi Siyeon.” 

“Good.” 

This time, she smiled. Ijun gently stroked Siyeon’s forehead with his right thumb and looked at her with loving eyes.

***

Ijun and Siyeon arrived at the Suwon house in time for lunch. After greeting Grandfather and his parents, the two briefly shared their recent news and then went to the kitchen.

Gwihyeon was already waiting with the rest of the family at the kitchen table. Sitting on a chair, he briefly stiffened his face when he saw Ijun and Siyeon entering the kitchen, then greeted Ijun with a forced smile. 

“Welcome.” 

“Yeah.” 

The brothers’ conversation was short, and after a brief greeting, they avoided eye contact. When Siyeon met Gwihyeon’s eyes, she nodded politely, and Gwihyeon also greeted her with his eyes. An awkward atmosphere filled the table, with Ijun’s parents looking the most uncomfortable. 

“Let’s eat.” 

As Grandfather lifted his spoon, everyone picked up their utensils and began to eat. During the meal, if there was a dish that needed more attention, Ijun’s mother quietly called for a helper to bring more food, but otherwise, there was a quiet silence at the table. 

Amidst the heavy silence, Grandfather was the first to break the ice. 

“I know Siyeon is busy writing, but no matter how busy you are, you should eat three meals a day regularly.” 

“I’m eating well, thank you.” 

“I heard you only eat one or two meals a day during the week?” 

“Only occasionally.” 

Siyeon glanced at Ijun discreetly in response to Grandfather’s question. The maids, who had kept her secret at Siyeon’s request, seemed to have honestly answered Grandfather’s inquiry. 

Thinking Ijun would now be in for a lecture, to her surprise, he was already frowning and looking at her. Siyeon quickly averted her eyes from his gaze. 

“You can’t do that even occasionally. What good is wealth if one loses their health? Don’t be complacent just because you’re young; you should be even more careful when you’re young.” 

“Yes. I won’t do that anymore.” 

Grandfather smiled satisfactorily and nodded, then turned his gaze to Gwihyeon. 

“Gwihyeon, it’s about time you start considering marriage. What do you think? If there’s a decent girl you’ve noticed in the neighborhood, let’s talk about it. I don’t have much objection as long as she’s healthy and kind. If she’s lacking in some areas, we can fill in the gaps.” 

“Grandfather.” 

“I don’t have big expectations; just a healthy and kind girl will do. If she lacks in other aspects, we can help fill the gaps.” 

“I’d rather live alone than marry just anyone from the neighborhood.” 

Gwihyeon frowned at Grandfather’s words, but he continued without paying much attention.

“You not getting married yet is why Professor Kim’s daughter is still causing trouble! And even if we have high expectations, if everyone in a decent household rejects you, what then?”

“The reason those people reject me is because they think I have no power. If I were the vice president of Baekya Foods, do you think they would reject me? Who would want to accept someone rejected by Baekya? I wouldn’t even like it myself.” 

Gwihyeon’s voice was calm, but it was filled with resentment. He blamed Grandfather for putting him in this situation.  

“If it were a proper household, even if you weren’t vice president but just a regular employee, they wouldn’t want their daughter to marry into our family. Do you really not understand that? You brought all this on yourself, so you can’t blame anyone.” 

Grandfather’s voice grew serious as he scolded Gwihyeon with his eyes. 

“I’ll handle my work and marriage myself. And now, instead of worrying about me, isn’t it more appropriate for you to worry about Ijun, who has been married for almost a year and still hasn’t given any news? The Jeong family is an important lineage; shouldn’t we have descendants as soon as possible? If there’s an issue with either of them, we need to take some measures quickly.” 

“Brother, instead of worrying about our health, worry about your health and future. If you don’t want to get married, then at least have children to continue the family line.” 

Ijun, without looking at Gwihyeon, spoke casually as he ate. The only one who stopped eating, her face turning red, was Siyeon. 

In fact, Ijun was using contraception. He knew the elders were waiting for a child, but he had decided to postpone having one until Siyeon finished serializing her current work. Siyeon hadn’t even thought about it, but Ijun had suggested it first. 

“Ijun, didn’t you say you definitely wanted two sons and a daughter?” 

Grandfather asked as if he had been waiting for the topic of children to come up. Hopeful eyes of parents turned towards Ijun. 

“I haven’t mentioned anything like that.” 

“After you waiting for me to pass away, are you planning to bring them to my grave?”  

“Grandfather, really. Who gets buried nowadays? They’re cremated and placed in an urn.” 

“You rascal.” 

Grandfather, who had been waiting for an opportunity, brought up the topic of descendants, but he couldn’t break through Ijun’s solid defenses and didn’t achieve anything. 

“We’ll take care of the child issue ourselves as a couple, so Grandfather, you should find a partner for Gwihyeon. I got married first, but I’m willing to give up the order for the child.” 

“What’s so important about the order? Anyone can have children first.” 

Though Grandfather expressed his discomfort with a sour expression, Ijun pretended not to hear. 

“Think about it carefully. Regardless of whether it’s a son or a daughter, if a great-grandchild is born, how dearly do you think I’ll treat that child?” 

As Ijun remained silent, Grandfather’s voice softened. 

“Siyeon. Promise me that the child’s birth will not interfere with your work or make things difficult for you.” 

“Do you remember I told you never to trust promises made with mere words?” 

This time, Grandfather changed tactics and pleaded with Siyeon in a poignant voice, but Ijun quickly intervened and blocked it. When nothing seemed to work, Grandfather sent a stern gaze to Ijun, his eyebrows furrowing. Caught between the two, Siyeon could only awkwardly smile. 

“I want to see the face of my descendant before I die. Is that too much to ask for?” 

“Siyeon’s situation with those around her isn’t settled yet. I didn’t want to bring this up, but yesterday, Kim Eunhye, who came to our in-laws’ house unannounced, hit Siyeon. With such things still happening around Siyeon, how can we talk about having a child?” 

With this statement, Ijun successfully changed the atmosphere at the table. 

“Who hit whom?” 

An enraged Grandfather slammed his fist on the table and stood up abruptly.