Soyu turned around and he gave her a thumbs up.

“Amazing. You were completely awesome.”

Soyu chuckled.

“Let’s eat before we go.”

Jinwook’s eyes widened.

“We’re eating here?”

“When will we ever come to a place like this again? They’ve probably already paid for it. It would be a waste to leave.”

Jinwook shook his head as he watched Soyu take a seat. He sat down across from her and asked, 

“Are you really not going to tell them about Yeoul?”

“You come first, not Yeoul. You need to do well. If you want your father’s approval.”

“I don’t particularly need his approval.”

“Do you know why I didn’t mention Yeoul?”

Jinwook sighed.

“I do.”

“That’s why you need to do well. We can tell him about Yeoul later. It won’t be too late.”

“But he’s my child…”

“He’s my child. Not yours. Don’t forget what I said at the beginning.”

Jinwook shuddered and made a sound of distress.

“When I think about that time, I’m still terrified. Yu-ya, were you really planning to raise Yeoul alone?”

Soyu smiled brightly.

“If you’re curious, try calling off the wedding.”

Jinwook waved his hands frantically.

“No! No! I’m absolutely not curious. I’ll just do whatever you say. Kim Jinwook’s life is now mortgaged to Jang Soyu.”

Just then, the door opened and an employee entered, looking confused to find only the two of them. Jinwook cheerfully said, 

“Please bring everything. We’ll eat it all.”

A table for four was set. Jinwook’s eyes sparkled at the feast spread before them.

“This looks delicious. We should have brought your mother and Yeoul too.”

“You can treat them when you earn lots of money. That’ll work.”

“Just wait. I’m definitely going to make it big.”

“Yes. I’ll wait.”

The two smiled and began eating.

On the way home from the restaurant, Soyu asked in a low voice, 

“Which day next month would be good?”

“Next month for what?”

“The wedding. You said we should do it next month. It’ll be impossible to book a venue, though. Do you have an alternative?”

Screech! Surprised, Jinwook pulled over to the side of the road and asked with wide eyes,

“A-are you serious?”

“Didn’t you say we should?”

“R-really?”

“Have you ever seen me talk nonsense? When you move into your new place, we’ll come too.”

Jinwook’s large eyes blinked repeatedly before breaking into a bright smile. He spread his arms to hug Soyu but was stopped by the seatbelt. After unfastening it, he embraced her and said with an emotional voice, 

“Thank you. Thank you so much.”

“Let’s set a date first. Your parents probably won’t come, so if that’s the case, why don’t we just have a small wedding with only close friends?”

He released her from the hug and asked,

“Are you sure? Won’t you feel disappointed?”

“What’s there to be disappointed about? What matters more than how big the venue is or how many guests attend is how sincerely people celebrate our union.”

“As expected! Our Soyu is such a big-hearted person. You’re amazing, Jang Soyu.”

“Things are going to get busy now. Let’s manage our time well. We’ll divide the preparations between us.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of everything. But the venue is definitely a problem.”

“Don’t think about booking a hotel. Let’s save money. Save it for your film.”

Jinwook’s eyes welled up.

“I think I’m really making a good marriage.”

“Of course. Do you think it’s easy to find a woman like me?”

At her words, Jinwook paused momentarily. When he looked at her with a strange expression, Soyu asked, “What?”

“Nothing. It just seems like you’re changing lately.”

“Everyone changes.”

“No, no. That’s not what I mean… Why do you sound like me?”

Soyu flinched for a moment and narrowed her eyes.

“Are you saying I’m becoming like you?”

“Yes. ‘Of course’ is something I would say. You never used to talk like that.”

Soyu’s brows furrowed. Could she unconsciously be becoming like him? That shouldn’t happen. Jinwook looked at her serious expression and burst into laughter.

“I know what it is.”

“What?”

“When people love each other, they become similar. You’ve already absorbed me. It would be funny if we end up becoming identical. Hahaha!”

As she watched him laugh loudly, Soyu’s eyes wavered. This shouldn’t happen. It really shouldn’t. What should I do? She became serious.

The front door opened, and Soyu and Jinwook entered.

“Mom, we’re back.”

“Mother, I’m back.”

Jeongeun greeted her daughter.

“How did it go?”

“Fine. Where’s Yeoul?”

“He’s sleeping. What did they say?”

“Just the usual. Mom, we decided to have the wedding next month, whenever we can set a date.”

Jeongeun was shocked. She looked at Jinwook, who smiled sheepishly.

“Things didn’t go well with Father. So we decided to just have the ceremony next month on our own.”

Jeongeun asked with an urgent expression, 

“They were still like that even after you told them about Yeoul?”

Soyu glanced at Yeoul’s room and lowered her voice.

“We didn’t tell them.”

Jeongeun’s eyes widened.

“Why? You should have told them!”

Soyu put her finger to her lips to shush her mother and whispered, 

“I’ll tell you later. When Yeoul isn’t around.”

Jeongeun looked at her grandson’s room and sighed.

“You don’t understand a parent’s heart yet. You think you’ve grown up all by yourselves? No. No matter how cold parents may seem, they’re still parents, and deep down, they all want the best for their children.”

When her mother became serious, Soyu took her hand.

“Mom, we just need more time. When we become more familiar with each other and accept each other in our hearts, then I’ll definitely tell them.”

“You shouldn’t do that. They’ll be even more upset when they find out later. There are things you shouldn’t hide, how could you not tell them about this?”

Jeongeun stormed off to her room, and Jinwook muttered, 

“Mother seems angry.”

“I’ll talk to her. You should go.”

“Huh?”

“Go. Didn’t you say you had work piling up?”

“No, it’s the weekend, and Yeoul is here…”

“So you’re not going to work?”

Jinwook glared at Soyu and grumbled, 

“Fine. I’m going.”

As he put on his shoes, he asked again, 

“Am I really leaving?”

“Yes. Take care.”

His mouth dropped open in surprise. With a sullen expression, he left, and Soyu went to her mother’s room. Jeongeun was sitting on the bed with her back turned. Soyu sat beside her mother and spoke in a gentle voice.

“Mom, are you upset?”

Jeongeun turned around, about to scold her daughter, but then let out a deep sigh.

“No. You must have had your reasons. Alright. I understand.”

Soyu smiled and hugged her mother.

“Thank you for trusting me. But I promise you this: before long, Jinwook’s father will acknowledge him. Then I’ll proudly tell him. Right now, he doesn’t trust Jinwook. I couldn’t force them to reconcile just because Yeoul is his biological grandson. That wouldn’t be a real reconciliation.”

Jeongeun nodded at her daughter’s words.

“Okay. I understand. I’m sorry for getting angry earlier.”

“No. As a mother, you had every right to be angry. I’m so grateful that you’re my mom.”

Jeongeun blushed.

“What’s there to be grateful about a mother who only causes trouble and can’t even cook?”

“No. Mom, you’re giving us something much bigger. To Jinwook too. Having parents who believe in you gives you strength. I love you, Mom.”

Soyu hugged her mother. Jeongeun’s eyes reddened as she was embraced by her daughter. She patted her daughter’s back and said, 

“I love you, daughter. Thank you for growing up so well.”

“Yes. I’m grateful too, Mom.”

While the mother and daughter were declaring their love for each other, Jinwook had parked his car in Taeseop’s apartment complex parking lot, his lips protruding in a pout.

“Tsk! What’s wrong with spending time together? Am I a stranger? Yeoul is there too. And she could just stay in her own room. Does she really have to make me live as a freeloader like this?”

As Jinwook opened the front door and entered, he saw Taeseop and asked, 

“Didn’t you go cycling?”

“I already went. How did it go?”

“How did what go? It was a complete failure.”

“A failure? They’re still like that even after you told them Yeoul is your son?”

“I didn’t tell them.”

“Why?”

Hyunwook, who had come to the entrance, also opened his eyes wide at Jinwook’s words.

“You didn’t tell them? Why? That would have solved everything in one go.”

“It was Soyu’s decision. She said she’ll tell them later when Father and I genuinely reconcile. She said we can’t force a reconciliation just because of Yeoul.”

Hyunwook exclaimed, 

“Wow! I knew Jang Soyu was sharp, but she really is something else. Amazing. She really didn’t tell them?”

“Don’t criticize Soyu.”

“It’s your business, why would we comment? We just trust her judgment.”

Jinwook looked at Hyunwook with half-closed eyes.

“Are you saying you don’t trust mine?”

“Well, you’re a bit different, aren’t you? You’re emotional.”

“And Soyu is rational?”

“Yes, of course. I think when Soyu did that, she must have had good reasons.”

Taeseop agreed, 

“Me too.”

Jinwook’s eyes narrowed, and his nostrils gradually widened.

“Why does this sound like an insult? Am I being narrow-minded?”

“Yes. You’re narrow-minded. Now that I see it, you also have an inferiority complex. Don’t be like that. How exhausting would it be if one spouse had an inferiority complex?”

Jinwook’s fists trembled before he burst out shouting, 

“Hey! Do Hyunwook!”

Hyunwook giggled.

“So you’re not calling off the wedding, right?”

“Why would we call it off? We’re doing it next month!”

Taeseop and Hyunwook’s eyes widened.

“Next month? Did you book a venue?”

“No.”

“Then where are you planning to have it?”

“I’ll have to find a place. Soyu said we should just invite friends and have a modest ceremony.”