‘For someone to have such small ambitions.’

Changsoo glanced at Hyesook, whose mouth was hanging open even at the dinner table, and clicked his tongue in disapproval.

He couldn’t understand why she was making such a fuss over that one bag.

Moreover, the atmosphere at the table was terribly gloomy because of Hyesook.

“Was your honeymoon enjoyable?”

Changsoo changed the subject to try and lighten the heavy atmosphere.

“Yes, it was fun.”

“Good, what about plans for children? In this day and age, having three kids is the patriotic thing to do.”

Changsoo hoped Danjung would quickly give them grandchildren.

That way, Danjung’s position in the in-laws’ family would be secure, and they would also be able to demand things with confidence.

But Hyesook stubbornly blurted out what Changsoo had only been thinking to himself.

“So, about that... the house is a bit small for grandchildren to come and play later.”

At Hyesook’s words, Danjung’s hands began to tremble.

Danjung felt like Hyesook was really going too far.

She wasn’t some kind of ATM, so why did her mother only talk about money whenever she saw her?

“Mom, can I talk to you for a moment?”

Unable to bear it any longer, Danjung got up from her seat and headed to the master bedroom.

Danjung felt like she would die of frustration if she didn’t say what was on her mind right now.

‘Tsk tsk! I told her to watch her mouth, but she’s gone and caused trouble.’

Changsoo watched Danjung and Hyesook go into the master bedroom and then handed Minhyuk a glass of soju.

“Can you drink soju?”

“Yes, I’m a good drinker.”

“......Love her a lot.”

Changsoo poured soju for Minhyuk and fiddled with his soju glass for a long time before downing the drink in one gulp.

“Yes?”

“Even though she looks so bright, she grew up without receiving much love. The first daughter is considered the family’s breadwinner... She probably couldn’t even enjoy her own life while working hard to support the family.”

Changsoo suddenly felt sorry for his daughter, who had only suffered all this time.

Thinking about it, there probably wasn’t a more filial daughter than Danjung.

She sent them pocket money every month, remembered their birthdays, and even helped with her younger brother’s tuition.

He had also been greedy, thinking of receiving a house from Danjung, but now that he thought about it, it was truly a shameless thought.

“Pour me a glass too. Let’s get a drink of soju from our chaebol son-in-law.”

“Yes, Father-in-law.”

“......”

Changsoo intently watched Minhyuk politely pouring soju with both hands.

Even at a glance, he seemed much more educated than himself.

For such an outstanding man to choose his daughter...

Changsoo realized that he hadn’t known all along that Danjung was also an outstanding child.

So, he had nothing to say no matter what Danjung said.

***

“What are you talking about, leaving in the middle of a meal?”

Hyesook, seeing Danjung’s stern face, followed her, cautiously watching her daughter’s mood.

Was it too early to ask for a house?

Sitting down in the master bedroom, Hyesook regretted her words, seeing Danjung’s attitude, which was different from usual.

Her husband had told her so many times not to speak unnecessarily, but it was her temper that had caused this.

[I told you, if you give them a little more money and buy something nice, they’ll like it. Or at least call beforehand and ask. Looking at her, she really has no sense.]

Hyesook pouted and shook her head disapprovingly.

At that moment, Danjung took out her seal and bankbook from her bag and placed them in front of Hyesook.

“Here.”

“What’s this?”

Hyesook, seeing the bankbook, brightened and picked it up.

“Mom, you always said the daughter is the family’s breadwinner, so I should save money before getting married. This is the money I’ve been saving since I got a job.”

“What?”

At Danjung’s words, Hyesook opened the bankbook. It showed deposits of 500,000 won every month, totaling 20 million won.

But Hyesook’s face instantly crumpled after checking the amount of money.

“I’ve been living without eating, without wearing, without spending, just to save that money all this time. It was already tight living in an officetel and paying rent with my meager salary, but I worked my butt off to save this to give to you, Mom, when I got married.”

“So? What are you trying to say? Are you telling me to take this and leave you alone now?”

Hyesook raised her voice loud enough for Minhyuk outside the room to hear.

Now that the mother-in-law was so angry, she hoped the rich son-in-law would come and appease her.

But Minhyuk couldn’t move because of Changsoo, who kept drinking soju despite the sounds coming from the master bedroom.

“Yeah, I can’t do it anymore either. Until now, I’ve been living paycheck to paycheck, playing the family’s breadwinner just like you said, Mom. But you said once a daughter gets married, that’s it. So know that I’m going to find my own life now.”

As Danjung tried to get up from her seat, Hyesook threw the bankbook at Danjung.

“What? Do you think I raised you, busting my gut, just to see this?”

“You busted your gut raising Jungho! When I asked you to pay for my college entrance fee, what did you say, Mom? You said studying was useless for a woman, so I should just support Jungho. I ended up giving up on that college because I didn’t have the entrance fee.”

Danjung had to give up on the university she wanted to go to because she didn’t have the entrance fee and had to transfer to a university that offered full scholarships.

“That was because our family wasn’t doing well back then. But you still went to a good university.”

“Mom, do you know what my childhood dream was? It was to wear a hanbok just once for the holidays. Jungho went to Grandma’s house wearing a new hanbok every year, but I only wore sweatpants. I wanted to wear a hanbok so badly back then, and I begged you to buy me one, but you didn’t even pretend to listen.”

Danjung tried to use polite language with her parents when she was with Minhyuk or after getting married.

But as she talked about the things that had upset her as a child, she lost her composure.

“No! Why are you talking about things from decades ago!”

“When I went on my high school field trip, I asked you to buy me one outfit, and Mom beat me with a vacuum cleaner. But Jungho? You bought him everything top-of-the-line, from underwear to clothes and bags.”

“Oh, I don’t know. I don’t remember.”

Hyesook’s heart stung at Danjung’s words.

That was a time when she really only saw her son.

Her son was enough to fill her stomach just by looking at him, so it was only natural that her daughter didn’t catch her eye.

“So, look to Jungho for filial piety.”

“What! Have you lost your mind?”

“I can’t do any more for you. If you demand anything from Minhyuk-ssi, I’ll cut ties and live separately, so know that.”

Having said what she wanted, Danjung got up from her seat and left the master bedroom.

She felt bad for hurting her mother, but on the other hand, she also felt relieved to have finally said what had been pent up in her heart.

“We’ll be going now.”

Danjung, no longer wanting to stay at her parents’ house, told Changsoo, who was with Minhyuk, as if informing him.

“Let’s go home now.”

For Danjung, her home was where Minhyuk was.

Now, she really had to step out of her parents’ shadow, build her own family, and move forward.

“......”

At Danjung’s urging, Minhyuk got up from his seat and politely bowed to Changsoo.

“Take this with you.”

Changsoo also got up and handed Danjung the prepared food for the in-laws, which had been placed on one side of the kitchen.

It wasn’t extravagant or fancy, but it was a carefully and neatly prepared offering.

“......”

Tears slowly welled up in Danjung’s eyes as she looked at the food Changsoo had given her.

She felt sorry for saying harsh things at her parents’ house, and she was upset that this good day had turned out so messy.

“Don’t worry about us and live happily.”

Changsoo stroked Danjung’s arm as he saw her tearing up.

He wanted to hug her, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it.

“......”

On the way home, Danjung silently looked out the window.

She was ashamed of showing her husband this side of her and of her hidden flaws being revealed.

At that moment, Minhyuk quietly took Danjung’s hand and held it tightly.

He remembered his mother saying to hold a woman’s hand when she cries.

Of course, Danjung wasn’t sobbing loudly, but Minhyuk knew better than anyone that it was raining in her heart.

He was becoming someone who could now understand other people’s feelings.

And Minhyuk intended to give Danjung everything she hadn’t been able to enjoy so far.

Minhyuk and Danjung decided to rest for a bit at home and then go to the main house in Hannam-dong for dinner.

It was to take a shower and change clothes after the long flight.

“Still, shouldn’t we go quickly and help your mother?”

Danjung, having finished getting ready, urged Minhyuk, who was leisurely lying in bed.

“Don’t worry. The housekeeper will help. Let’s just stay like this for a bit.”

Minhyuk pulled Danjung’s hand and made her fall onto the bed.

“Still... just going for dinner and coming back home seems too cheeky.”

Danjung felt sorry for her mother-in-law, who always prepared a lavish meal.

She wanted to at least go early this time and help.

“Mother told us to come by 8 o’clock, so we can go at that time.”

Minhyuk hugged Danjung and buried his face in her back, causing Danjung’s hair to tickle his nose.

“It smells nice.”

Minhyuk smelled Danjung’s hair and subtly slipped his hand inside her clothes.

“It’s shampoo.”

“Hmm~ still good.”

Danjung, feeling good from Minhyuk’s breath and touch, remained still in utter comfort.

“I’m sorry about today.”

“About what?”

“Showing you such a bad side of me.”

“Don’t worry about things like that. Just do whatever you want.”

‘You?’

Why did the word “you” sound so affectionate...? Danjung felt her upset feelings melt away.

“Really? I can really do whatever I want?”

“Yeah.”

“Really, really?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Then let’s get up now.”

Danjung pulled Minhyuk’s hand, which had somehow started kneading her chest, out of her clothes.

She was worried that if she didn’t do this, she would once again give in to physical pleasure.

“Hurry!”

“I suppose I have no choice.”

As Danjung urged him, getting out of Minhyuk’s embrace, Minhyuk got up from his seat with a dissatisfied look, as if he had no other option.

Actually, he had wanted to explore Danjung’s fragrant skin, but she seemed to have already noticed his intentions.

So, feeling disappointed, Minhyuk pulled Danjung into his arms.

“I feel like I’ve become a dog.”

“A dog? A puppy?”

“Yeah, and my owner is Choi Danjung.”

Minhyuk lifted Danjung’s face and gently placed his lips on hers.

Then, he warmly embraced her lips for a long time.