Chapter 102: The Unforeseen Engagement

Having filled her chubby belly, Seo-woo had been energetically roaming the living room. Exhaustion eventually claimed her, and she finally succumbed to sleep.

After taking the child to her second-floor room, I was just leaving when I found myself face-to-face with him, ascending the stairs.

“You’re a bit late…”

I was about to offer a cheerful greeting when I noticed a bruise marring his left cheek. It definitely hadn’t been there that morning.

“What happened to you?”

I rushed over and asked him. He subtly glanced at the closed door, then took my hand, suggesting we talk downstairs.

He sat me down on the sofa, took off his jacket, and settled beside me. Up close, the bruise was even darker.

It was unmistakably the aftermath of a blow.

“Tell me now. Who did this?”

“Hmm, you wouldn’t believe me if I said I fell, would you?”

When I glared fiercely, he appeased me, saying he understood. My hands trembled with anger and distress.

“Tell me quickly. Who was it?”

‘To mar such a flawless face—a face that should be preserved for generations—whoever the culprit was, they would certainly pay a steep price.’

He subtly avoided my furious gaze and finally revealed the perpetrator who had disfigured his face.

“Chairman Han.”

“…Huh?”

At the sudden mention of an unexpected name, my burning rage instantly flickered out. He crumpled his large frame, burying his face in my embrace as he whined softly.

“You’ll go scold Chairman Han, won’t you?”

“M-me?”

“He hit me, didn’t he? I’m yours.”

Seeing me suddenly quiet, he grinned playfully. Relieved by his words that I didn’t have to, I gently stroked the head of the man leaning against me.

“Did you just meet with Chairman Han?”

“Yes, we had a deep conversation.”

Seon Woo-jung held little affection for Chairman Han. While part of it was that they weren’t related, a significant reason was his disdain for Chairman Han’s stubborn nature.

Though he wouldn’t admit it, the two men shared quite a few similarities. Perhaps it was because the author drew heavily from him when creating Han Jung-woo, but Chairman Han, his father, also seemed to bear that influence.

“So, did your conversation go well?”

“If it had, I wouldn’t have been hit.”

He let out a soft chuckle, then pulled me even closer, tightening his embrace around my waist. Unable to bear the increasing weight of his body as he leaned into me, I ultimately found myself lying sideways on the sofa.

“You’re not planning to sleep here, are you?”

“Hmm, it doesn’t sound bad.”

“No, you’ll catch a cold.”

I gently cupped his cheek, as he seemed genuinely intent on sleeping, his eyes already closed. He slowly opened his eyes, a faint smile playing on his lips, then turned his head to press kisses to each of my palms in turn.

“Is Seo-woo asleep?”

“Yes, I just put her to sleep.”

“Then it’s just you and me, our time—”

“I’m tired today too, so I’m going to bed early.”

I gently fended him off as he swiftly leaned in, attempting to kiss me. I had been thoroughly pestered all of yesterday; if I couldn’t rest today, I might well be bedridden for several days.

He pouted, not hiding his displeasure, but he didn’t press the issue further.

He slowly stood up, then helped me, who was lying down because of him, to my feet. His hands, as they tidied my dishevelled hair, were as tender as they always were.

“Then let’s both get some good rest today. You and I.”

“Yes, that sounds good.”

****

A few days later, he left work earlier than usual and suggested dinner out. I left Seo-woo with the sitter and began to get ready.

He followed me to the dressing room, where I donned the outfit he had personally selected. Then, for the first time in a long while, I sat before the mirror to style my hair.

‘This feels awkward.’

Since Seo-woo was born, I hadn’t gone out much, so dressing up like this for an outing was a rare occasion. When I was Yoo Joon-hee, a full face of makeup and perfectly styled hair were part of my daily routine, no matter where I went. I couldn’t help but feel I had become incredibly lax.

“Are you done?”

He returned after stepping away for a call. I turned around, smiling awkwardly, and he widened his eyes.

“Is it a bit… strange?”

I had ambitiously tried to style it, but there was an undeniable sense that it was a bit overdone. After all, such things were usually done for me; I never did them myself.

“It is a bit much, isn’t it?”

“No. You’re truly beautiful.”

He refuted my words without a moment’s hesitation and strode closer. He effortlessly scooped me up, setting me on the dresser, and immediately crashed his lips against mine.

“You said we needed to leave soon… Mph.”

As I attempted to pull away, he firmly held the nape of my neck, then slipped his tongue between my lips, which had parted in protest. If I allowed this to continue, it was clear I wouldn’t be going out at all; I’d simply remain his captive. I had to stop him.

“S-stop!”

I pushed against his shoulder, which was blocking me with all my might. Of course, if he truly decided to resist, I would have been helpless, but thankfully, he yielded without a fuss.

He gently tidied my messy mouth, then excused himself from the dressing room, saying he would wait outside. I climbed down from the dresser and straightened my dishevelled clothes.

The heat rushing to my face didn’t subside easily, but there was no time. With no choice, I stepped out to find him waiting, leaning against the wall.

“Shall we go?”

Taking his outstretched hand, I descended the stairs. Only after we were settled in the car did I inquire about our destination. His response was simply that I would find out when we arrived.

After driving for a solid thirty minutes, the car slowly began to decelerate. I glanced out the window, spotting a magnificent Hanok standing proudly.

He handed the car keys to an approaching staff member, indicating this was our destination. Though bewildered, I got out of the car and entered the restaurant with him.

“Why are you so nervous?”

“Well…”

It was an establishment far too luxurious for a casual dinner out. It seemed more suited for important business receptions.

“Allow me to guide you.”

A staff member, dressed in a modernized hanbok, courteously led the way. After passing through a long corridor, the staff member stopped at the last room and opened the door.

Inside the room were people who had arrived before us. The gazes of the four people seated opposite each other simultaneously converged on us.

“Seo-jin.”

“…Mom?”

If my eyes weren’t deceiving me, Yoo Seo-jin’s parents and Han Jung-woo’s parents were together in the room. It was unmistakably a formal family meeting, a fact that stunned me. I turned to the man beside me.

Reading the demand for answers in my eyes—a silent question of what exactly was happening—he offered a cheerful smile. Then he took my hand and led me inside, urging me to sit.

Sitting next to my mother, she greeted me warmly. I tried to smile and blend into the atmosphere, yet questions relentlessly surged in my mind.

‘What on earth is this?’

Everyone but me seemed to know the meaning of this gathering. Amidst their composure, I was the only one utterly lost.

“Now that the children are here, shall we continue our discussion?”

“Excellent.”

Yoo Hae-jung was, without a doubt, the most delighted person in the room. To forge a marital alliance with Daejin Group, of all companies, felt like the culmination of his lifelong dream.

“How long until Seo-woo’s first birthday?”

“Less than a month.”

“Hmm, it is a bit tight, isn’t it?”

Chairman Han wanted the ceremony to be held as soon as possible, and Yoo Hae-jung agreed. He suggested there was no need for an extravagant affair, proposing they invite only close relatives and intimate acquaintances. Everyone nodded in agreement.

“That would shorten the preparation time, so it’s not a bad idea.”

“We will follow Chairman Han’s opinion.”

“You’ll be family soon, so feel free to speak comfortably.”

“Haha, I’ll try to get used to it gradually.”

Thus, the wedding date was decided with astonishing speed. It was set for just two weeks later, making the schedule incredibly tight, but he assured me it would be fine.

“Then the children’s newlywed home should be near our house—”

“No, the house we live in now is perfectly sufficient.”

“No, it’s too far.”

“It’s a quick drive.”

“If you lived right next door, you could walk.”

“I have no intention of doing that.”

It was Han Jung-woo’s stepmother who intervened, preventing the two men from launching into a battle of wills. Ultimately, that particular issue was postponed, and the conversation gracefully shifted to another topic.

“Excuse me, I need to use the restroom for a moment…”

“Yes, take your time.”

Briefly excusing myself from the convivial conversation, I slipped out of the room and sought refuge in the restroom. I intended to stay there for a moment, to simply catch my breath, but he followed close behind me.

“Why didn’t you tell me beforehand?”

“Well, I was also suddenly informed.”

“But you had plenty of time to tell me.”

“Hmm, did I?”

He chuckled playfully and rested his head on my shoulder. Normally, I would have stroked his hair, but I wasn’t in the mood right now.

“Are you angry?”

“Not angry, but…”

‘How should I explain this?’ I had definitely been angry just moments ago, but now I wasn’t.

I just felt a bit exhausted. Accepting this sudden situation was harder than I’d anticipated.

“But we got permission, didn’t we?”

He tilted his head, suggesting that meant everything was settled. When I asked if the bruise on his cheek a few days ago was because of this, he finally nodded honestly.

“From now on, if something like this happens, discuss it with me first.”

“…I’ll try.”

Given his slight hesitation, it seemed he had no intention of changing, but I didn’t press him on it now. “Let’s go back, the adults will be waiting.”

First, I needed to get through this sudden family meeting. As I was about to leave the restroom first, he grabbed my arm and tapped his lips.

“Kiss me to help me relax.”

Relaxation? He looked calmer than anyone else in that room. When I showed my displeasure, he stubbornly pushed his lips out, insisting I do it.

Having no choice, I kissed him, and he smiled beautifully. Foolishly, my heart melted at that single smile.

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