{KOREAN-ENGLISH}
Joon So Min looked at Chae Hee, puzzled.
Is she really his girlfriend? The thought flickered through Chae Hee's mind.
"Your son was rude to Dae. He should apologize," So Min said firmly.
Chae Hee forced a nervous laugh, stealing uneasy glances between Seo Jun and So Min.
"Apologize, Bao," she ordered her son, turning sharply.
The little boy pouted stubbornly, clearly not wanting to say sorry.
"Now!" she snapped, lightly hitting his head.
The boy yelped and quickly muttered an apology, glaring fiercely at Dae as he did.
"Thank you, Mr. Lee," Chae Hee smiled awkwardly, gathering her son.
She gave them a curt nod. "Let's go, Bao," she said, dragging the boy away.
After they left, So Min turned to Seo Jun.
"How do you know her?"
"I don't," Seo Jun answered. "Her husband wanted help with his company and came to me. That's all."
He chuckled softly. "Anyway, you were pretty fierce back there."
"No, it was nothing," So Min laughed.
"Big sister is my hero!" Dae yelled proudly.
Seo Jun smiled, watching the boy run off to play.
⸻
Meanwhile, Kang Seung sat in his office, scowling.
"Are you telling me Lee Seo Jun has a girlfriend?" he asked sharply.
"Yeah, I thought it was An Nari," Chae Hee replied, folding her arms.
"The influencer? Cha Hye's friend?"
"That's right," she nodded.
Just then, Choi Hura entered.
"Madam, I'm done for today," she said.
Kang Seung looked up. "Be early tomorrow."
Chae Hee asked, "What happened?"
"I'm inviting Lee Seo Jun over. We need to treat him well," Kang Seung said.
"Yes, that's right," Chae Hee agreed, turning to Choi Hura.
"Please come early tomorrow to cook," she added.
Choi Hura nodded and left.
⸻
Back at home, Choi Hura asked So Min, "Are you working tomorrow?"
"Yes, Mother," So Min replied.
"Tomorrow is a holiday, and Dae won't be at kindergarten. I have to go to work early. I wanted you to watch him," Choi Hura explained.
"Alright, I can take the day off," So Min agreed.
"Thank you," Choi Hura smiled warmly.
"Big sis, we're going to have so much fun!" Dae exclaimed excitedly.
"Sure thing," So Min laughed.
⸻
"Sir, are you going?" Mr. No asked Seo Jun.
"No," Seo Jun replied calmly.
Kang Seung had begged Seo Jun to visit.
"Okay, sir," Mr. No nodded.
⸻
Kang Seung was devastated.
"He won't come?" he muttered.
Chae Hee tried to soothe him. "Honey, you know how the Lee family is. They all have their pride."
"Yes, I just hope he signs my contract," Kang Seung sighed.
⸻
Later, So Min called her mother.
"Hello, Mother."
"So Min, the couple's guests didn't come, and there's a lot of leftover food. Invite your boyfriend and Sua over," Choi Hura said.
"Alright, Mother," So Min replied, hanging up.
⸻
That evening, So Min, Lee Seo Jun, Hye Sua, and Lee Min Jun sat at the dining table with Choi Hura and Dae.
"Thank you for inviting me, Mother," Seo Jun said politely.
He had brought expensive gifts for Choi Hura,
luxury creams and alms.
So Min's eyes widened at the formality. Mother?!
"Sua, So Min, clear the plates," Choi Hura ordered sharply.
Both girls jumped up immediately and cleared the table before quietly slipping away.
Seo Jun, Dae, and Lee Min Jun exchanged confused looks.
Choi Hura smiled slyly.
"So you're the 'playboy.' My friend's daughter was so in love with you she never married and nearly tried to take her own life when forced into marriage."
The two men exchanged awkward glances.
"Yes, Uncle. My sister was also in love with you," Dae blurted.
Lee Min Jun glared at the boy, then at his brother. Why did he have to say that?
"He's just joking, right, Dae?" Lee Min Jun pleaded with his eyes.
"You men, stop it! Dae, stop trying to cause trouble," Choi Hura scolded firmly with a small chuckle escaping her lips.
Dae looked confused.
⸻
Meanwhile, in the kitchen...
"You've been glowing lately, So Min," Hye Sua teased.
So Min blushed. "You've been glowing too, witch."
"So tell me, how was it when you were sober?" Hye Sua asked, curious.
"Sua, shh," So Min hushed her. "Someone might hear."
Hye Sua chuckled quietly.
"Min Jun wants to go public, but he cares about me and hasn't because of his crazy fans."
"If you're both okay with it, do it. If not, I support keeping it secret. Fans are dangerous, and you could be in grave danger."
So Min nodded sincerely.
"I know, So Min," Hye Sua smiled. "Let's go then, since we're done here."
⸻
Later, So Min whispered, "What the hell is happening here?"
Hye Sua's eyes widened as Choi Hura showed them photo albums.
There they were,So Min and Hye Sua in high school uniforms, their baby pictures spread out.
"Mother!" So Min grabbed the album fiercely.
"What's wrong?" Choi Hura asked innocently.
"Why are you showing this album?!" So Min was beyond embarrassed, clutching the book tightly.
"So Min, what's wrong? It's cute," Seo Jun teased gently.
"Cute? No one is seeing this anymore!" She snatched the album and ran off.
Everyone chuckled as Hye Sua's teenage and baby photos were also displayed, making her flee in embarrassment.
"They're like sisters. Sometimes I wonder if they're actually related," Choi Hura concluded. "They're both crazy."
⸻
Later, Seo Jun asked seriously, "Why do you let her work?"
"You know you can always come to me if you need help. I'm your boyfriend, and I need to be there for you," he said softly.
So Min blushed at the word boyfriend.
"No, the money you gave me for the contract was enough. Mother just wants to work, and I can't stop her."
Contract. Both had forgotten their agreement. Neither remembered anymore.
"Let's go," So Min said, standing up.
They walked her neighborhood for the fifth time that day.
"A kiss first," Seo Jun said, smiling cheekily.
So Min turned away, cheeks flushed like a tomato.
"But people..."
"No one's here, So Min."
"No!" She spun and ran.
Seo Jun watched her tiny legs sprinting ahead.
⸻
Later, So Min helped Choi Hura carry a trash bag to avoid seo Jun's intense moments.
"Let me help you with that," she said kindly.
Seo Jun laughed quietly at the scene.