Chapter 58
Why Are You So Full of Energy?
[It would be even better if you stayed the night while you’re here… Your dad has been secretly waiting to see if you’d finally do that.]
Back then… it was impossible because they weren’t a real married couple yet.
For months after marriage, they had never once stayed overnight at either her family home or his.
[Does our rich young master son-in-law find his in-laws’ house shabby or something?]
“Mom, why do you keep calling him rich young master?
You must’ve really been upset about it?
Was it that disappointing that we never stayed the night?”
[That’s right, until he actually comes and stays here, he’ll stay the rich young master.]
Hwa Yeon said it playfully with a smile.
But Yoo Lee Yeon couldn’t easily say that they would come.
She was worried that Do Hyun might feel uncomfortable at her house.
It was such a different environment from where he grew up.
Since she liked him more now, she wanted to be more considerate of him, and that made it even harder to ask.
Especially asking him to help with chores… That was something she could never bring up.
Worried that Hwa Yeon might feel hurt, Lee Yeon raised her voice with even more energy than before.
“He looks exactly like someone who’s never made kimchi in his life.
You’re not actually calling him over to make kimchi, are you?”
[Of course not, it’s just that we thought it would be nice to eat bossam together while making kimchi!]
“Okay, I’ll come if I can.
I’ll call you again!”
Feeling guilty that she couldn’t give Hwa Yeon a definite yes after she’d already been so disappointed, Lee Yeon quickly ended the call.
Sigh.
She understood her mother’s wish to take care of her.
She thought about casually asking Do Hyun later, as she opened the door.
“Let’s do it.”
The moment she opened the door, Do Hyun’s voice startled her.
“Oh my gosh, why are you standing right outside the door?”
She didn’t understand what he meant by suddenly agreeing to do something.
“I just heard you say ‘he looks exactly like someone who’s never made kimchi.’ That alone was enough to trigger my competitive side.”
“Ah…”
Of all things, she had never met a man who felt competitive about kimchi.
Did he think kimchi-making was easy?
Please, sir, don’t get competitive about that.
“You mean you actually want to compete with kimchi?”
Are you digging your own grave right now?
“Yes, being told I look like I can’t do it really bothers me.”
“You do know what kimchi-making actually is, right?”
Lee Yeon poked Do Hyun’s arm teasingly.
If he knew, he’d never be so eager to say yes.
“You’re going to regret it. Kimchi will chew you up.”
When Lee Yeon grinned, Do Hyun’s lips curled up too.
“I’ll chew it up instead. Don’t worry, I’m fine with it, let’s go to your parents’ place together. Staying overnight sounds good too.”
“Really?
It’s okay?
We haven’t even stayed overnight at your parents’ house yet, but it’s fine to stay at mine?”
Do Hyun nodded firmly.
She realized he had overheard her call with Hwa Yeon and made the suggestion first out of consideration.
He acted like he hadn’t heard the details, but clearly he had.
His thoughtfulness touched her heart.
“What does not staying at my in-laws’ house have to do with staying at my parents’ house?
This time I’ll really play the son-in-law role properly. By the way, Yoo Lee Yeon.”
“Yes?”
“I want to lose my sense of taste to you.”
Do Hyun suddenly lifted her into his arms.
Again! Again!
“You’re in your 30s, why are you so full of energy?”
“Yoo Lee Yeon, you’re unlucky.
I plan to use up all the energy I couldn’t burn in my 20s with you.”
Judging by his expression, he was completely serious.
His whisper tickled her ear, making her laugh happily.
His way of loving her filled her heart with joy.
***
Today was finally the long-awaited day of making kimchi.
Lee Yeon was excited to see her family again.
And even more excited to bring Do Hyun along as her true husband.
Before heading to her parents’ house, Do Hyun suggested stopping by the department store to buy a gift, so they got ready earlier than planned.
As soon as the store opened, Do Hyun went straight to the luxury section.
“Why are we here?
I thought we were just buying Mom some cosmetics.”
Somehow, a staff member already knew they were coming and guided them into the VIP room.
“You said you wanted to buy your mom a handbag.”
Do Hyun remembered what she had said before.
She had once told him she wanted to buy her mother a proper designer bag because Hwa Yeon never bought anything nice for herself.
Living as a mother had left no room for her to live as a woman, and Lee Yeon had always felt sorry for her because of that.
“That’s true, but this is way too expensive. I wanted to save up and buy it myself!”
She tried to pull him away, but his strength was too much for her.
“You married me, so I should give your parents a worthy gift.
We haven’t given them anything big since the wedding.
If I give something cheap, people will look down on me.
I need to earn some points with them, don’t you think?”
Their idea of “cheap” might be very different, but she was still touched that he listened and remembered her words.
Maybe she was relying on his big heart too much.
Because he only ever gave and never asked for anything in return.
Thank you.
After a long shopping trip, they finally arrived after 1 p.m.
They had promised to come by 1, so they were running late.
“Hwanggeumyong Jjambbong.”
The sign above the shop had a big golden dragon on it.
The dragon’s head was lifted high, as if it were about to soar into the sky.
Her father, Jae Cheol, had been especially attached to that dragon design.
Every time she saw it, Lee Yeon felt embarrassed.
“Dad, that dragon is more noticeable than the shop’s name.
Don’t you think it’s time to take it down?”
“No way!
The dragon’s about to ascend to the heavens.
That’s why the shop is doing so well.
The golden dragon gives us good energy.”
Even when they replaced the sign years ago, he insisted on keeping that dragon.
Once, she even joked that he should rename the shop “Ascending Golden Dragon Jjambbong.”
“That dragon looks amazing.”
As soon as they got out of the car, Do Hyun admired the sign.
She couldn’t believe her ears.
“You think that dragon looks amazing?”
“It looks like it’s about to fly straight to the heavens. It’s powerful.”
He was dead serious.
“You’re a perfect son-in-law. I bet you’ll be best friends with my dad in no time.”
No doubt about it.
They parked in the lot and went in through the back entrance.
Normally, the shop never closed on weekends, but today they closed it for the family kimchi-making day.
In the yard, there were tubs filled with napa cabbage and piles of ingredients ready to be prepared.
Even Do Hyun seemed surprised.
Lee Yeon noticed him flinch.
Welcome to your first kimchi-making.
“We’re here.”
When they entered, they saw three people moving furniture.
“Ah, son-in-law, you’re here?
Welcome. It must’ve been a long trip.”
Dropping everything, Hwa Yeon ran over with the brightest smile to greet him.
Do Hyun returned the greeting with a warm smile.
Seeing them holding hands so fondly made Lee Yeon’s nose sting with emotion.
It was such a heartwarming sight.
“Ah, I wanted to keep it casual, but… thank you for coming all this way, son-in-law.”
As if she wasn’t standing right there, no one even looked at Lee Yeon.
“Welcome.”
Behind her, Jae Cheol came forward.
He shook Do Hyun’s hand with both of his, radiating warmth.
“Long time no see, brother-in-law.”
Even you, Yi Hwan! Is Do Hyun really the only one you can see?
“Hey everyone, I’m here too.”
Lee Yeon waved her hand to remind them of her presence.
Finally, their eyes shifted to her.
“Our daughter worked hard too.”
Hwa Yeon patted her shoulder gently.
“Wow, brother-in-law, you came in a different car this time?
How many cars do you have?”
What was with this difference in treatment?
If it were just Hwa Yeon, she could excuse it as ‘mother-in-law love,’ but even Yi Hwan was acting this way.
“Hey, Yoo Yi Hwan. Don’t do something you’ll regret.”
What did he think she was holding in her hand?
Even though he hadn’t met Do Hyun many times, Yi Hwan didn’t feel intimidated at all.
He had once worried that his sister had no eye for men, but ever since Do Hyun showed up, that protective little brother had disappeared.
When first introduced, Yi Hwan had been excited to recognize him from the news.
Since then, he’d admired him openly.
Lee Yeon had once joked she must’ve saved a country in her past life to end up with Do Hyun.
And now that he met him again, Yi Hwan was even more impressed.
Lee Yeon could only shake her head.
