Chapter 23
by Gideon“Honey, you have to trust your husband.”
“Ugh, seriously! Put me down!”
“Let’s just go to the hotel like this.”
“What if people see us?”
Yundo set her down as she squirmed in his arms. Already annoyed, she splashed water at him, sending droplets flying across his face and neck.
“You started it,” he declared, clarifying the facts. He scooped up a handful of seawater. The moment Hyewan saw it, she turned and bolted.
“Ko Hyewan, stop right there!”
“I can’t hear you!”
“I’m really going to throw you in the ocean!”
“Just try it! I won’t take it lying down!”
“Ko Hyewan!”
Yundo called her name as he ran up and snatched her around the waist.
“Whoa!”
Hyewan let out an ungraceful shriek of surprise as he spun her around. Her laughter bubbled out, scattering all around them. If this is what marriage is like, I’m so glad I did it.
By the time they returned home, Hyewan had lost three kilograms. It wasn’t surprising—their five-day, four-night trip had been a relentless march. The first day was the wedding, and the next three were packed with activities. She spent her days shopping and sightseeing with Min-suk, Gyeong-ae, and Madam Park, and her nights in Yundo’s bed.
Yundo had also taken Yun-woo golfing, surfing, and sightseeing, yet he seemed completely unfazed. She couldn’t understand how he wasn’t exhausted.
“Where is there even anything left to lose? You’ve dropped three kilograms,” Yundo said, clicking his tongue as they looked at the scale together. “I told you to sleep during the day if you were tired. Why didn’t you listen?”
Wow, seriously?
Sleep during the day? With my mother and Gyeong-ae—who’s basically my aunt—right there? All the way in Hawaii? And what about my mother-in-law?
“Did it ever occur to you to let me sleep at night?” she shot back.
“I thought about it,” he admitted, “but I couldn’t follow through.”
“It’s a matter of effort. There’s nothing you can’t achieve if you try hard enough.”
“Are you sure? Because I suddenly thought of you while surfing with Yun-woo, and I got an erection. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stop it.”
“That’s not what I meant!” Hyewan shoved his back. “Hurry up and get ready for work.”
“They say it’s common to be late during the honeymoon phase.”
“Who says something so ridiculous? You can’t be late, so hurry up.”
She pushed him into the walk-in closet as he prowled toward her like a hungry wolf.
If a man who managed his time down to the minute started being late to work right after getting married, all the blame would fall on her. She might not be able to help Yundo, but she would never be the one to drag him down.
“Tie my tie.”
“I’ve never tied one before. You have to teach me.”
Yundo, standing before her, bent his waist.
“First, drape the tie around your neck.”
“Like this?”
“Yeah, just about that length.”
Hyewan watched Yundo tie his own tie, mimicking his movements. When she succeeded on her second try, they both beamed with pride.
“I’ve got to hand it to you, Ko Hyewan. You’re sharp. Oh, by the way, have you heard? They say babies inherit their mother’s brain. Our baby will be just as smart as you.”
The sudden mention of a baby sent a flush creeping up Hyewan’s face.
“What are you thinking? Are you trying to make one right now?”
As he started to peel off the jacket he’d just put on, Hyewan desperately blocked him.
“Go to work! You’re already late!”
He laughed and kissed her soft cheek.
“Honey, I’m heading out.”
Yundo kept teasing her right up until he stepped out the door. It was only after marriage that she’d discovered he was such a playful, cheerful man. The thought that he only showed this side to her made her heart swell.
Even after their marriage, Hyewan’s daily routine remained unchanged. A cleaning service came three times a week, returning her laundry pressed and folded. As for the meals, that was Jinju-daek’s responsibility at the main house.
Though Hyewan knew how to cook, she rarely did, and her protests fell on deaf ears. Jinju-daek considered caring for Yundo and Hyewan her duty—and she clearly enjoyed it. This made it impossible for Hyewan to refuse her help. She decided to accept the favor only until she finished the Legal Education Eligibility Test.
Hyewan even had her own private study now.
She felt almost guilty for living such a pampered life, yet this was the happiest and most relaxed she had ever been. Naturally, she was grateful to Yundo and found herself trying harder to be dutiful to the elders of the main house.
Yundo had told her she didn’t need to visit his family unless it was a special occasion, but as his daughter-in-law, Hyewan felt differently. It had been weighing on her mind that she hadn’t gone to greet them after returning from Hawaii.
In the afternoon, Hyewan visited her in-laws.
“Hello, Madam,” she greeted.
Madam Park welcomed her with open arms. “Oh, my dear daughter-in-law! What brings you here? Don’t you have an exam coming up soon? Why did you come all this way?”
“I’m on my way back from studying,” Hyewan replied.
“Is that so? Have you eaten lunch?”
Jinju-daek, who was bringing out the tea, chimed in. “Oh, Madam, look at the time. Of course she’s eaten. Right, Little Madam?”
“Yes, I have.”
Hyewan still felt uncomfortable with titles like “my dear daughter-in-law” and “Little Madam.” When she offered an awkward smile, Jinju-daek seemed to read her mind.
“You’re married now, so you can’t keep calling her ‘Teacher’ anymore.”
“Yes.”
Madam Park asked in a gentle voice, “Yundo is treating you well, isn’t he?”
“Of course. He’s treating me wonderfully.”
“That’s a relief.”
“Where’s Yun-woo? I mean, where’s my brother-in-law?”
“He said he was going to a study cafe. I told him to go; I thought it would be good for him to get some fresh air, even if it’s just like that.”
“I see.”
“What about you? How are your studies going?”
“I’m trying, but it’s hard to focus. And since I’ve been away from it for over a year, I don’t know if I’ll pass.”
Madam Park spoke softly. “Your skills won’t just disappear after a year’s break. You’ll definitely pass.”
“I’ll be so embarrassed if I fail.”
“That won’t happen, but even if you do, so what? You can just try again next year.”
Hyewan smiled shyly. Seeing her look so childlike, Madam Park said—
“Oh, twenty-five is still so young. How could your mother let you go? I feel so sorry to her.”
“No, Mother. My mother liked Yundo-ssi from the moment she first saw him. She said he felt like a great, sturdy tree.”
Min-suk, who had lived with shallow roots in barren soil, felt a sense of security in Yundo’s dependable presence.
“Well, that’s a relief. Let Yundo do the hard work, alright?”
Madam Park was honest and kind.
She had endured the life of a chaebol daughter-in-law, a role fraught with endless gossip and trouble. She’d had to manage a demanding mother-in-law, a difficult eldest son, and a fragile youngest son. Yet, how could she still be so gentle?
“Mother, you shouldn’t do the hard work either.”
Just then, Jinju-daek approached, wiping her hands on her apron.
“The Eldest Madam and the Youngest Madam look so close. It’s a lovely sight.”
If Chief Ma was Chairwoman Kang’s person, then Jinju-daek, who had managed the kitchen for over twenty years, was Madam Park’s.
“Youngest Madam, is there any news about a baby?”
“Oh, don’t say such things. My daughter-in-law is still a child herself. She’s only twenty-five. Yundo isn’t that much older either.”
Madam Park waved her hand dismissively, worried the question might pressure Hyewan.
“That’s true, but if you’re going to have one anyway, the sooner the better.”
“My daughter-in-law still has her studies to finish. A woman should be able to pursue her dreams if she has the talent.”
“Then there’s a solution. Youngest Madam, you just give birth, and I’ll raise the child.”
“If she gives birth, I’m the one who should raise it,” Madam Park protested in a low voice.
“My dear,” she began.
Chairwoman Kang appeared in the kitchen without a sound. Chief Ma stood behind her, his expression grave. Jinju-daek quickly retreated to the inner kitchen, and Hyewan and Madam Park rose from their chairs at the dining table.
“Welcome back, Mother.”
“What were you talking about that was so fascinating you didn’t even notice your mother-in-law enter?”
“I’m sorry, Mother.”
“I’m sorry, Grandmother.”
Chairwoman Kang naturally took the seat at the head of the table.
“I think I’ll have a cup of tea too.”
She looked at Chief Ma instead of Jinju-daek.
“I feel a headache coming on. Chief Ma, prepare some chrysanthemum tea.”
“Yes, Chairwoman.”
Chairwoman Kang’s attention turned to Hyewan.
“I thought I heard you talking about a baby. Are you pregnant?”
“No, Mother.”
“No, indeed? I may be old, but my hearing is perfectly fine.”
Chairwoman Kang’s expression was gentle, but her voice held an unexpected edge.
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