CH 41

“Jun-Kyung is basically healthy, but the doctor says he has to be careful because his hormone levels are a bit low. He got a prescription for hormonal medications. He should also go for regular check-ups in the future. I will go with him personally, but If I can’t, can I ask my mother?”

“Sure. I have a lot of time. No, even if I don’t have time, I am available whenever for Jun-Kyung.”

“Which hospital do you go to? Are they good doctors?” Even the president asked a lot of questions. When Executive Director Min calmly explained, the chairman nodded his head as if he knew.

Director Min was an undesirable son, but the chairman didn’t seem to be angry. This may be the greatest kindness that the Chairman can show to Executive Vice President Min. The chairman was dissatisfied and to change like that for a child who hasn’t been born yet, it was amazing.

A strange thought suddenly came to Jun-Kyung’s mind. Maybe he left his seat to Jun-Kyung. Maybe he left the child so that the relationship between the father and older brother would not strain any longer and his troubled mother could be even a little happier. (T/N: referring to Hyun-Woo)

Even if hypocrisy and deception dwell, if Jun-Kyung pretends he didn’t see it and closes his eyes, no one will know. Executive Director Min’s determination was firm throughout.

A bright atmosphere like sunshine has come to a house full of misfortune even though it is overflowing with money and power. Is there any need to bring out the truth that he’s carrying the child of a dead son and add a color of sorrow?

‘As expected, I think it’s better to leave it as it is.’

Even thinking about Jun-Kyung’s parents, a living son-in-law is much better than a dead son-in-law even for Jun-Kyung himself.

Executive Director Min, who finished the purpose of his visit, tried to clear his seat right away. When he said he wanted to go back, the president spit it out bluntly.

“After a long time, you come home without eating and getting up right away?”

“I’m sorry.” Jun-Kyung just got up and sat down right away.

He wonders if this is the same person who previously didn’t want to share a meal with Director Min. Even if people change, so much has changed. This time, the awkwardness was revealed through the expressionless mask. It was an unexpected reaction even Executive Director Min had not expected.

“Yeah, have dinner and go. There are many ingredients, so tell me whatever you want to eat.” Madam chimed in. “What does Jun-Kyung want to eat?” The only person who could remove the frozen thin ice at once helped.

“Anything is fine as long as madam makes it for me.” Jun-Kyung replied.

“It’s not madam.”

A simple name correction is more difficult than the worst lie. Jun-Kyung’s face itches.

“Mother.”

Madam, who was pleased with the call, suddenly became serius.

“Jun-kyung, don’t drink cinnamon punch. Cinnamon is not good for pregnancy. If I had known in advance, I would have prepared something else instead of cinnamon punch.”

Jun-Kyung had no idea cinnamon was bad.

“There was no such word in the hospital.”

Whenever this happened, Executive Director Min intervened appropriately. His blunt attitude throughout the whole time gave Jun-Kyung a strange sense of stability.

“It’s before it’s stable, but what if something goes wrong?”

“If it was really dangerous, the hospital would have told you ahead of time.”

The cold-hearted successor of the conglomerate distrusted folk remedies. Director Min was just saying this to ease his mother’s worries, but Jun-kyung didn’t think so. Anyone who knows Director Min would agree with Jun-Kyung.

“The hospital doesn’t know everything. This is a wisdom of life that the elders of the family know. There is nothing wrong with listening to an adult.” This time, the president helped his wife.

Even though it was said to be okay, madam took the trouble to change it to barley tea.

Dinner preparations were soon finished. It was a house of a chaebol, so there were usually plenty of tables but today was an exceptional feast.

“When did you prepare like this?” Jun-Kyung asked.

“I started preparing little by little since the day because Executive Director Min was coming.”

“Did mother prepare it directly?”

“Of course, I’m feeding my children, so I’d rather do it myself than leave it to someone.”

Every time Jun-Kyung leaves without eating properly, madam packs a lunch box with the food she prepared for each time and sends it to Executive Director Min with Jun-Kyung’s portion included also. Jun-kyung knew that there wasrepared food this time too, but Executive Director Min didn’t seem to know madam was preparing with such care.

“Director Min sits there and Jun-Kyung sits next to him. President, please come here too.”

They sat around the table just like the one you see in TV dramas. Madam could not hide the widespread laughter, and she continued to bring the side dishes.

The chairman ate silently to see if he had anything to say in front of the meal and occasionally checked with his sharp eyes to see if Jun-kyung was eating well. After getting used to eating with Executive Director Min, Jun-Kyung was finally saying goodbye to indigestion. But now he’s doomed.

Madam was more interested in Director Min and Jun-Kyung than the meal.

Is there any inconvenience living in Director Min’s house, is there anything he needs, and can I visit you later? Most of all, madam was curious about how the food was made.

“The housekeeper comes regularly.”

“Really? I’ll make side dishes for you. But what about soup or rice? Does the lady coming do that too?”

“No, she doesn’t.”

“Then, Jun-kyung?”

Jun-kyung had no idea that he had to do it himself. He knows how to put rice in an electric rice cooker, but he’s never prepared a proper dinner.

The side dishes were made by his mother or bought at the side dish store. All he cooked was ramen, fried egg, and ham. Sometimes when he gets tired of ham, he opens a can of tuna and eats it with rice.

As for making soup? Confused with fear, he threw his gaze at Executive Director Min.

‘Really? Do I really have to do it? I will, but I can’t guarantee the taste. And life.’

Executive Director Min grinned as he looked at Jun-Kyung, sensing the desperate telepathy giving off. Junkyung still didn’t have the talent to figure out what the smile that’s raised at the corners of the lips meant without the eyes still smiling.

“I will do it myself.”

“What? Executive Director Min?”

Jun-Kyung was relieved. At the same time, he almost burst into shock. Even the president, who had been concentrating on the meal, almost spit out the soup he had just drank because he had been concentrating on this conversation.

“Does Executive Director Min know how to cook?”

“Yes. I’m not good at it, but I enjoy doing it. I can make some soup or stew.”

Jun-Kyung’s mother-in-law was amazed.

“Oh my gosh. Today, I get to know a lot of the new side of Managing Director Min.”

“Hmm, that’s right.” At this moment, Jun-kyung was with the two of them more than ever.

Executive Director Min is cooking. He didn’t know what to think. Perhaps because of the surprise, the atmosphere became more comfortable.

Madam inquired in detail about favorite side dish or stew she knew how to make. Jun-Kyung likes all kinds of Korean food, especially the food that madam makes because it was delicious. Jun-Kyung was grateful for just making it.

“Then I can just marinate the side dishes and the meat and send it to you. Come and eat something else.”

“Come?” Jun-Kyung asked.

“Yes. Come at least once a week. We have to talk to each other and buy things together in the future. If it’s okay, let’s go to the hermitage and listen to the monk’s blessings, huh?”

“Good idea.” The answer was actually given by the president. This means that objections or rejections are prohibited.

Being with a madam was not a problem itself. Jun-Kyung used to go everywhere with his mother-in-law. The problem is if he can act normally with the guilt.

“Can’t I come with you?”

A heavy voice intervened. This time, three pairs of eyes were focused on Executive Director Min at the same time.

“You are welcome to come at any time. Director Min is busy, so I only asked Jun-Kyung.”

“At least once a week is enough time.”

In response to the blunt answer, the chairman finally put the spoon down.

“After announcing his marriage, he suddenly became a person. Coming to say hello before even calling. I thought he’d be a punk for the rest of my life.”

There was a mockery at the end. Still, the president did not only see with his eyes. Maybe he liked what is in the heart this time, but his lips which had been stiff all the time were loosened.

“Hey, he is not a punk. Executive Director Min cannot express himself due to his personality, but how trustworthy and reliable he is. People around him envy him for his excellent management skills.”

“Hmm, it’s true that TIC grew better than expected after that guy took over.”

Oh my gosh. Did the chairman praise Executive Vice President Min?

This time, the other three pairs of eyes focused on the president. Even the party who said the compliment could not keep his mouth shut perhaps in shock. The difference between the chairman and his son was that the iron plate on the chairman’s face was not as thick.

“Why? Did I say something I can’t?”

Perhaps the gazes were uncomfortable, the harsh reaction returned.

“No way. You can say it a hundred times or a thousand times.” The wife, who answered with a proud smile, smiled at Jun-kyung.

“Our Jun-kyung is a blessing really. Since the first time I saw you, you were on my mind.”  Please take care of my son Hyun-Seung in the future.”

“It’s the Executive Director Min who took great care of me.”

“Hyun-Seung.”

Suddenly, Executive Director Min cut the line.

“Why do you call me Hyun-Seung and then suddenly call me Executive Director Min?”

“Ah, that’s…!”

Jun-Kyung eyes wandered, unable to find a place to look. Even though he just ate the soup, his throat was dry. Madam smiled brightly at Jun-kyung, who was hardened not knowing what to do.

“Is it because you are shy in front of us?”

“You do have a great relationship. That’s why you made the child first”.

Thanks to the chairman, his embarrassment multiplied 100 times, and his face turned red. Without any response to the three pairs of gazes, Jun-kyung just ate quietly.