“How long are you going to stay like this?”

At the heavy, low voice that landed above her head, Taeryeong slowly opened her eyes. At the end of her lowered gaze, she saw her arms tightly wrapped around her husband’s waist. Oh my god, what on earth had she done?

“My worth is quite high, how are you planning to handle this?”

Startled by her husband’s teasing whisper, Taeryeong quickly pulled away from his embrace. She should look at her husband, but she was too embarrassed and ashamed to meet his eyes. He had appeared in the worst possible situation, and she hadn’t been in her right mind when she hugged him.

“I’m sorry for hugging you without permission.”

So Taeryeong apologized first. She had asked for her husband’s consent, but it felt like she had hugged him before even hearing his reply.

“You must have felt unpleasant. What should I do to make Kangjoon-ssi feel better?”

Of course, he must have felt unpleasant. His contemptuous wife, reeking of stale cigarette smoke, had hugged him without permission. With her vision lowered powerlessly as if she had committed a mortal sin, her husband abruptly held out his phone.

“Give me your phone number. Let’s just call it even with that.”

“I could have just given you my number.”

We’re married, aren’t we? Taeryeong murmured as she took the phone, and he chuckled.

“I know, right? What’s so difficult about that that I had to come all the way here?”

As Taeryeong looked up as if asking what he meant, Kangjoon gestured with his eyes. Number first. As his wife quickly typed her phone number, feeling guilty, Kangjoon fixed his gaze on her hand. The movement of her slender fingers tapping the screen was gentle. Her voice was soft, her body was soft, and so were her hands and gestures. It strangely captivated his attention.

“You should have missed calls, so please save my number.”

Looking at the small hand that handed him the phone, he recalled the touch of those hands that had wrapped around his waist. His wife had asked if he felt unpleasant, but in fact, Kangjoon had felt quite good. That soft sensation of her small body fitting perfectly into his embrace. Was this why they said habits were scary? Once he became aware of it, he kept being aware of it. The woman named his wife, the man inside him.

“Let’s go get some hangover soup.”

Turning his back as if ignoring his wife, Kangjoon turned around.

*** It was past 10 PM. The restaurant his wife had chosen was a bean sprout soup place located in a small alley nearby. His wife, who had asked them not to give her rice because of her diet, focused on the broth first. She savored the taste slowly, little by little, and only after emptying about half of the broth did she neatly pick out and eat the bean sprouts. Kangjoon watched until his wife finished eating. He saw the color returning to her pale face and a sparkle returning to her dull eyes. As his wife drank water with a look of relief, Kangjoon slowly opened his mouth.

“Not only Secretary Kim but even the driver was sent home. What were you planning to do if I hadn’t come?”

Meaningless contact to check on her, picking her up as a surprise. It was a way of being nice that his married friend, Secretary Yoon, had recommended. Apparently, he had even gotten married using this method. Buying limited edition luxury goods, renting out entire venues, putting on extravagant events. It seemed more effective than the cookie-cutter advice from his other friends. Then he suddenly realized. Even though they were married, they didn’t even know each other’s phone numbers. There were countless ways to find out, but he had used that as an excuse to come pick up his wife.

“There’s a designated driver service.”

She really couldn’t even give a proper answer.

“With a pale face and unable to even support yourself, you were going to call a designated driver?”

In fact, Kangjoon had hesitated until he arrived at the parking lot. He was worried that if he did something he usually didn’t, his wife would become even more wary and suspicious. But the moment he saw his wife swaying even though there wasn’t a single breeze, he felt relieved. He was glad he had come to pick her up. Of course, he was also a little angry at his wife for stubbornly pretending to be okay while barely being able to open her eyes properly. Why did she always show him this side of her, making him want to be even nicer instead of feeling unkind? Kangjoon, looking at his wife who was biting her lower lip and silent, said a bit mischievously.

“Is it that difficult to say even one word of thanks?”

She was good at saying sorry, so why couldn’t she say thank you?

“Or, am I difficult?”

Giving up on his wife who remained silent until the end, Kangjoon stood up.

“You must be tired, let’s go home now.”

But then he felt his clothes being pulled. When Kangjoon lowered his head, he saw a small hand timidly clutching the hem of his jacket.

“......Thank you.”

His wife, with a voice as small as a mosquito’s and the soft eyes Kangjoon liked, awkwardly conveyed her gratitude. *** 7 PM on Monday evening. Yeonsuk had already arrived in the private room with floor seating, guided by a staff member.

Yeonsuk had offered to buy him dinner when Kangjoon told her he had gotten his wife to promise not to stay out overnight. Taeryeong couldn’t refuse the request of her mother-in-law, who hadn’t interfered with her daughter-in-law once in three years.

“Since Mother is treating, I have to make time even if I don’t have it.”

But Taeryeong’s gaze became strange as she looked at the table full of lavish food. The main dish was braised short ribs with abalone.

“I thought you liked braised short ribs.”

Had Yeonsuk seen it that day too? Taeryeong hesitated, not knowing how to answer, and Yeonsuk smiled sweetly.

“You can eat comfortably in front of me. Where would you have any fat to lose? Even Madam Jo is something. Eat a lot.”

She placed the largest piece of braised short ribs on Taeryeong’s plate and even pushed various side dishes towards her. Watching this, Taeryeong said cautiously.

“Mother seems like a very warm and kind person.”

“Taeryeong, you’re a good child and a pretty daughter-in-law too.”

Yeonsuk’s eyes as she spoke were sincere and warm.

“Taeryeong-ah, now that Kangjoon is back, shouldn’t we become closer?”

“Mother and I?”

“Of course! Is there a rule that a daughter-in-law and mother-in-law can’t be close? I’ve always wanted a daughter so much. I’m going to consider you my daughter from now on. Is that alright?”

At Yeonsuk’s earnest gaze, Taeryeong smiled and said yes. Only then did Yeonsuk smile brightly, as if she was happy.

“Eat quickly before the food gets cold. After eating, let’s chat to our hearts’ content.”

Although it was a short time, after talking with her, Taeryeong thought she knew what kind of person Yeonsuk was. Unlike a typical wealthy family’s madam, she was down-to-earth, had a lot of affection, and a warm heart. She was as bright and pure as a young girl. After the meal, fragrant chrysanthemum tea and dainty refreshments were served.

“Have you talked with Kangjoon about plans for children? It’s not something for us older folks to meddle in. I’m only asking because I want to respect your opinions, so don’t feel pressured.”

“We haven’t talked about it yet. Since it’s an arranged marriage, we’re both uncomfortable and awkward, so I think it will take some time for us to get closer.”

It was an excuse she made up, thinking she only needed to endure for six months. But sadness flickered in Yeonsuk’s eyes.

“Taeryeong-ah, my son is really good at his work. At 28, he’s ranked third among the most influential youngest business leaders leading the business world, and he’s also naturally talented at handling money. He started investing in stocks at 12, and if you combine his overseas stocks and real estate holdings now, he might be richer than his father.”

Taeryeong watched silently, not knowing why she was suddenly saying this, and Yeonsuk continued.

“That kind of guy, who even broke his principle of remaining single, chose you as his arranged meeting partner and said he would marry you. He even made it clear that no one should bother you while he was away in Korea.”

“......”

“It might be an arranged marriage for you, but for Kangjoon, it means he married you because he likes you.”

The people involved didn’t think so, and it was frustrating that even Yeonsuk misunderstood. So when Taeryeong quietly sighed, Yeonsuk asked cautiously.

“Did our Kangjoon perhaps treat you badly?”

“It wasn’t like that,” Taeryeong replied vaguely, and Yeonsuk flared up.

“That damned Seo family gene! Seriously, why can’t he express himself to a woman he likes! I can see it all too clearly! How badly he must have treated you!”

When the words “Seo family gene” came up again, Taeryeong couldn’t help but ask.

“Mother, what do you mean when you say the Seo family men’s genes are peculiar?”

Yeonsuk, who had a bewildered expression, soon let out a deep sigh.

“It’s not so much peculiar as it is that those Seo men are too damn capable, that’s the problem.”

Thinking of the still dignified Chairman Seo and the strikingly handsome Kangjoon, they were definitely capable, but why was that an issue?

“Think about it. They’re born with a silver spoon, and on top of that, they’re good-looking, have a great presence, and are smart. So what do you think happens?”

Honestly, Taeryeong didn’t know. She had never seen anyone like that except for her husband.

“They’re proud, stubborn, and live thinking they’re all that. They expect everyone to naturally cater to them, and they think all women love them.”

Yeonsuk continued, huffing as if she was indignant.

“Even so, they should respect the woman they love and express their feelings! They’re not kids, trying to get attention by tormenting and trying to control her as they please. And that’s not all! They even want the woman to confess her love first!”

What Yeonsuk said afterwards were stories that seemed to come straight out of a drama. Chairman Seo, who, because of his pride, brought other women around to get his wife’s attention instead of saying he loved her. Vice Chairman Seo, who was born as the only daughter of a former Prime Minister and was naturally bright and kind to everyone, showed Yeonsuk a twisted kind of love. What they showed their only grandson and child was a household that was always like walking on thin ice due to their fierce marital fights.

“It wasn’t until his terminal lung cancer diagnosis at a young age that Kangjoon’s father confessed to me. That he loved me so much. But he was scared and angry because he thought I didn’t love him.”

“......”

“I wanted to die with him. To have the love we couldn’t have in this life in the next. But I endured because of Kangjoon.”

“......”

“After he passed away like that and even my own mother collapsed, only then did your father-in-law kneel down, sobbing that if I died, he would die too.”

Taeryeong carefully offered a handkerchief to Yeonsuk, whose eyes were glistening with tears. Yeonsuk quickly wiped her tears and smiled as if to say she was alright.

“Do you know what your mother-in-law and I used to say like a habit? That we were sick and tired of those damned Seo family genes.”

“......”

“To sum it up, the Seo family men are terrible at love. And the wives are the ones who naturally bear all the hardship.”

Taeryeong felt like she understood a little about the Seo family genes. Just then, Yeonsuk carefully took Taeryeong’s hand.

“There must be trust between a married couple. To build that trust, you need to communicate. Your mother-in-law and I couldn’t communicate, and that’s why things turned out this way, but I hope you won’t be like that.”

Taeryeong didn’t have the right to make a promise to Yeonsuk. Husband and wife, trust, communication. All of these were things that Madam Jo’s daughter and Seo Kangjoon needed to build. But suddenly, Yeonsuk came closer to Taeryeong and whispered carefully in her ear.

“Especially... you must definitely talk and compromise.”

Chairman Seo was like that, and so was the late Vice Chairman Seo. The reason why they stubbornly insisted on sleeping in the same bed as their wives even after fierce marital fights.

“Your mother-in-law and I think... he definitely inherited that gene too.”

We fought so much because of that. The longer Yeonsuk whispered, the more Taeryeong’s face flushed.

“Eel and cuscuta seed, absolutely forbidden, got it?”

That was Yeonsuk’s last, truly serious plea.

*** In the car heading home. Taeryeong’s heart was pounding for no reason as she looked out the car window. It was all Yeonsuk’s fault. She really didn’t need to whisper that last part. Arriving home, Taeryeong showered on the second floor and lightly put on makeup. She naturally thought no one would be there. Opening the bedroom door, Taeryeong encountered her husband coming out of the bathroom. She didn’t know where to look, seeing the dizzying pectoral muscles visible through his loosely worn gown. Did he like to show off because he had a good body?

“Sorry for coming in without knocking. Kangjoon-ssi said he’d be home at 11, so I naturally thought he wouldn’t be here.”

“It’s a bedroom we share, why would you knock?”

Kangjoon replied calmly, drying his hair with a towel.

“Still...!”

Let’s agree to knock. Taeryeong, who raised her head to say those words, froze. Seeing his wet, dark eyes reminded her of Yeonsuk’s whisper again. This was crazy, really! With a flushed face, Taeryeong quickly lowered her gaze and swiftly passed her husband.

“I’ll sleep on the left side.”

Let’s just lie down quickly and fall asleep quickly, that’s all. Taeryeong, thinking it was fortunate that the bed was large, settled down, but her eyes widened.

“Why are you taking off your gown?”

“It’s a sleeping habit.”

“......!”

“Sleeping naked.”

The moment her husband, standing on the right side of the bed, took off his gown and turned his body slightly, Taeryeong’s mind went blank. The thought of why she had gone upstairs to find pajamas then didn’t even cross her mind.

“Still, I’m wearing pants out of courtesy because of Taeryeong-ssi.”

It was the second time she was seeing it, but she couldn’t get used to his body at all. The shape of his sharply defined muscles was terribly clear. Why were his pants hanging precariously on his hips, and why were his fingers gripping the waistband?

“If Taeryeong-ssi understands.”

At the low voice that flowed out, Taeryeong finally came to her senses and raised her trembling eyes. Unlike hers, his extremely relaxed gaze landed on her like a glide.

“I want to sleep without pants too.”

Oh my god, she finally understood. The reason why his fingers were hooked on his waistband.