CEB - 12

Chapter 12: Let’s Get Married

Though Dan-jung had studied tirelessly to earn her parents’ love, she had never attended a single cram school and still managed to gain admission to a fairly prestigious university. She had also successfully navigated the notoriously difficult job market, sending monthly allowances to her parents and covering her younger brother’s tuition fees. At work, she was recognized for her abilities, having been named the “Kindest Employee” three times.

True, Manager Na treated her harshly, but Dan-jung believed it was out of jealousy for her competence.

‘Why should I feel inferior? I’m just as accomplished as she is.’

With renewed determination, Dan-jung clenched her fists tightly.

“Miss Choi, it seems you don’t know much about Min-hyuk. He’s someone who doesn’t understand love. Though it’s not widely known, he… can’t feel emotions. There are even rumors that he’s impotent. Surely he told you this?”

“No, he already explained everything in detail. Though I haven’t heard those baseless rumors.”

Dan-jung dismissed the claim about Min-hyuk’s impotence as false—she didn’t trust rumors to begin with.

“But do you really think you can spend your whole life with him? Without love? Or do you plan to secretly keep a lover on the side?”

“…”

What nonsense was this? Did Hye-mi think she would live like that?

As Dan-jung listened to Hye-mi’s brazen words, her head began to throb.

“Oh~ Or perhaps Miss Choi is someone who thinks money solves everything? If that’s the case, I can offer you more than enough. Tell me, how much do you want?”

“No, I don’t need money. I’m not marrying President Min for his wealth. If you have nothing else to say, I’ll take my leave.”

Unable to endure Hye-mi’s absurd remarks any longer, Dan-jung rose from her seat.

She wasn’t family, nor was she his fiancée—just an ex-girlfriend. What nerve!

“And what exactly is your reason for wanting to marry him, then?”

Frustrated that things weren’t going her way, Hye-mi raised her voice as Dan-jung turned to leave.

“I want to be on the same level as you, Miss Hye-mi.”

It was half-truth, half-lie.

While social advancement was part of why Dan-jung wanted to marry Min-hyuk, it wasn’t the sole reason. Beyond material conditions, Min-hyuk was handsome, intelligent, and an excellent kisser—a perfect man by any measure. Most importantly, Dan-jung loved the idea of a marriage she could never leave.

________________________________________

Though Dan-jung left the café with a sense of triumph, she couldn’t shake the gloom that settled over her as she made her way home. Still, one comforting thought lingered: the look of utter bewilderment on Hye-mi’s face had been priceless.

‘Just because you’re from a chaebol family doesn’t mean you can throw your weight around these days!’

As Dan-jung muttered indignantly and opened her apartment door, an unimaginable scene greeted her inside. There sat Min-hyuk on the couch, cradling Ha-yeon in his arms and playing with her on his lap. And despite being held by a stranger, Ha-yeon giggled happily.

“How did you get here? Where’s Jin-hee?”

“I came to see you, but your friend invited me in and said she’d be right back.”

“Then couldn’t you have called first?”

“I was actually planning to ask for your phone number today.”

Min-hyuk could have easily obtained her number through his secretary if he’d wanted to, but he refrained from prying into her personal information without permission. After all, Dan-jung wasn’t just another employee—she was going to be his wife, so respecting her boundaries felt appropriate.

“Oh.”

Only then did Dan-jung remember she hadn’t given him her number. Everything had happened so quickly.

You could’ve figured out my number anytime… Dan-jung thought, puzzled, as she approached Min-hyuk to retrieve Ha-yeon.

“Let me take the baby.”

“No, it’s fine. Ha-yeon seems to like me.”

As Min-hyuk smiled gently at Ha-yeon, the baby squealed with delight, smacking his face with her drool-covered hands.

‘Ha-yeon? So he can’t feel emotions, yet he’s so affectionate with a baby? Wait… Actually, that sweet smile probably explains why his ex-girlfriend hasn’t forgotten him.’

Startled by Min-hyuk’s melodic voice, Dan-jung suddenly remembered her earlier encounter with Hye-mi. The suppressed anger within her began bubbling to the surface.

“Haha. It looks like that. I’ll go wash my hands for a moment.”

Forcing a polite smile, Dan-jung hurried into the bathroom. Washing her hands after handling Ha-yeon had become second nature, and she also wanted to freshen up her makeup to look good for Min-hyuk. She hoped to make him fall so deeply in love with her that no ex-girlfriend could ever convince him to leave her—if such a thing were possible.

Click. The sound of the front door opening signaled Jin-hee’s return, arms laden with drinks for Min-hyuk.

“Eh? Dan-jung’s back?”

After spotting Dan-jung’s shoes, Jin-hee glanced around curiously. Just then, Dan-jung emerged from the bathroom, freshly groomed.

“How did it go? Was that woman really her?”

Jin-hee had been frustrated she couldn’t call Dan-jung while Min-hyuk waited. With nothing prepared to serve him, she’d reluctantly left Ha-yeon in his care and rushed to the convenience store, leaving no time to send a text.

“Yes, it was her.”

“Wow, incredible! What did she say?”

“I’ll tell you later—it’s a long story.”

“Okay.”

Suppressing her curiosity, Jin-hee headed to the kitchen, poured juice into a glass, and subtly motioned for Dan-jung to bring it to Min-hyuk. Years of married life had taught her not to neglect hospitality.

“Here’s some juice.”

“Thank you.”

Min-hyuk, who had never held a baby before, found himself growing thirsty. Jin-hee had asked him merely to watch Ha-yeon while she played independently, but the baby crawled toward him, reaching out to be picked up. Observing her silently, Min-hyuk decided to lift her onto his lap—not minding the dirt or considering it practice for when he might have children of his own.

Thus, unintentionally, Min-hyuk ended up bonding with the baby, surprising Dan-jung in the process. As she stood awkwardly, placing the juice on the table, Jin-hee grew impatient watching her hesitation.

How was he supposed to drink juice while holding a baby?

“Let me take her.”

When Jin-hee took Ha-yeon from Min-hyuk, the baby reached out to him, clearly disappointed.

“Ha-yeon usually plays alone well, but it seems she’s taken a liking to you, Mr. Min-hyuk.”

Mr. Min-hyuk? Hearing Jin-hee address him so casually, Dan-jung’s eyes widened. She had never imagined calling him anything other than “President Min.”

[Senior.]

But why did Hye-mi’s voice echo in her mind now?

The way Hye-mi referred to him as “Senior” irked Dan-jung. It hinted at a familiarity she didn’t share, stirring feelings of jealousy.

‘Once we’re married, I’ll change how I address him.’

Dan-jung mentally tested out options: “Mr. Min-hyuk,” “Min-hyuk Oppa,” or “Honey.” Which would suit him best?

“Talk amongst yourselves. Dan-jung, I’ll take Ha-yeon for a stroll outside.”

With that, Jin-hee placed Ha-yeon in the stroller by the door and stepped out. Left alone with Min-hyuk, Dan-jung hesitantly approached the couch. Her tiny two-seater sofa offered no other seating options, and dragging a dining chair across from him felt odd.

“…”

“…”

The silence between them felt awkward. Aside from her brother visiting for pocket money, no man had ever entered her home before, making the situation even more uncomfortable.

________________________________________

“Can I have your answer from yesterday?”

Breaking the tense silence was Min-hyuk. Eager to confirm Dan-jung’s feelings, he wasted no time explaining his visit.

But Dan-jung, whether aware of his eagerness or not, delayed her response, buying time.

“Well… if I refuse, what will you do?”

“I’ll try to persuade you.”

“How?”

“I’ll explain the various benefits of marrying me.”

“Then please explain.”

“Does that mean you’re rejecting me?”

“No, I’m not rejecting you. I’m just curious about the advantages of marrying you.”

Though Dan-jung’s tone carried an edge, Min-hyuk failed to notice the subtle shift in her emotions. Unaccustomed to reading others’ feelings, he took her words at face value, assuming she simply wanted to know the perks of marriage.

“For starters, you’ll live in a bigger house. And you won’t need to work as a hotelier anymore.”

After a brief pause, Min-hyuk concluded that the benefits of marrying him would primarily be materialistic.

But his words weren’t what Dan-jung wanted to hear. Though small and rented, her officetel was a source of pride—a hard-earned achievement through years of sacrifice. Moreover, being a hotelier was her lifelong dream. She had graduated from a challenging program, mastered English, Chinese, and basic Japanese, all to pursue her ambition of becoming a hotel manager someday.

Giving up her career just for marriage felt hollow and meaningless.

“Are you saying I can live off your money and do nothing for the rest of my life?”

Instead of seducing her further, Min-hyuk’s words only fueled Dan-jung’s sarcasm. She resented how both Hye-mi and Min-hyuk seemed to reduce her to a gold-digger.

At least she wasn’t marrying him for money. Had Min-hyuk failed to win her heart, even a fortune wouldn’t have swayed her decision.

“Of course, you won’t need to worry about money. You could spend your life relaxing if you wish.”

“Ha! Great. I’ve always wanted to live without financial worries.”

Though outwardly agreeing, Dan-jung’s biting tone didn’t escape Min-hyuk’s notice.

‘Something must have upset her.’

Turning to study her face, Min-hyuk tried to decipher her emotions. But Dan-jung’s expression was complex: her eyes glistened, her brows furrowed, and her lips pouted slightly.

Sadness? Anger? Pouting? Why was she behaving this way?

Unable to pinpoint her feelings, Min-hyuk wore a perplexed expression.

“Did my words offend you?”

With no other way to gauge her mood, Min-hyuk cautiously probed her feelings.

“What?”

“If they did, I apologize. Please tell me where I went wrong, and I’ll correct it.”

Seeing Min-hyuk struggle, Dan-jung felt a pang of guilt for overreacting.

“No, it’s not your fault. I was just being unreasonable.”

In truth, Min-hyuk’s points weren’t entirely wrong. Marrying him would indeed secure a larger home and financial stability—benefits she didn’t dislike.

“Alright. Let’s get married.”

“You’ve made a wise decision. Let’s start preparing as soon as possible.”

“But there’s one condition.”

Dan-jung fixed Min-hyuk with a determined gaze.