A child who looks like me

The modern Seoyeon Group, which Jaegwang dedicated his youth to building, is a company that grew through its snack business.

While Jaegwang no longer develops products directly, in his younger days, he traveled tirelessly across the country and abroad to study and research flavors. The numerous snacks he created continue to be loved as global bestsellers.

When it comes to the food business, Seoyeon Group is the unbreakable rule that has persisted for decades, and Jaegwang takes great pride in that. He cherishes and values talented individuals with sensitive palates.

Thanks to Jaegwang’s laughter, Jeong-o felt her tension ease a bit. Yena also beamed with happiness as Jaegwang listened to her and even praised her.

“Does our Yena like candy?”

Jaegwang tilted his head and asked Yena. After briefly glancing at her mother, who limited her candy intake, Yena replied.

“Yes.”

“Good. Then after we finish eating, let’s make some candy together with Grandpa.”

It seemed a candy-making kit had come out as a new product at the company.

Yena’s eyes sparkled. The fact that she could not only eat candy but also make it with her grandpa excited her. Knowing that it would be candy made with her grandfather, her mother wouldn’t be able to stop her. Thanks to that, Yena happily chewed and swallowed her vegetable side dishes.

“Is the food to your liking, daughter-in-law?”

“Yes, it’s very delicious.”

“Good. Eat a lot.”

Jaegwang shot heart-shaped looks toward Yena but felt awkward with Jeong-o.

He felt grateful for his daughter-in-law, who raised the child well, but the guilt of not resolving conflicts with his own wife loomed larger. As a result, mealtime was subtly awkward and quiet.

In the midst of this, someone entered the dining room.

“Father.”

It was Jeong Ji-tae, Ji-hun’s half-brother.

Jeong-o, who had just taken a bite of her food, was startled, swallowed hard, and turned her head. There was a tall and handsome man standing close by, just as handsome as Ji-hun.

He looked completely different from the face she had seen in news articles. It was hard to believe someone could look so different in photos.

“Ah, you’re finally here? I was wondering if you’d come after finishing your meal.”

While Jaegwang answered gruffly, Jeong-o wiped her mouth and stood up.

Seeing her awkward reaction, Ji-hun, who had been observing, pulled Jeong-o’s hand gently to sit her back down. Knowing his wife had a fondness for handsome men, he was concerned about her reaction.

Ji-tae, on the other hand, seemed completely unfazed by Ji-hun’s attitude and greeted Jeong-o flatly.

“Hello. I’m Jeong Ji-tae.”

“Yes. I’m Lee Jeong-o.”

Without any additional introductions like “This is my brother” or “This is Ji-hun’s wife,” a simple greeting was exchanged. Jeong-o felt tense again, and Ji-tae turned his head toward her.

“So, you must be Yena.”

“Hello.”

With a response that was hard to describe as a smile—either unchanged or slightly upturned—Ji-tae looked at the child and then took a seat next to Jaegwang. He greeted Ji-hun afterward.

“It’s been a while.”

“Yeah.”

Ji-hun responded very briefly to Ji-tae’s greeting. Jeong-o, sitting next to him, widened her eyes.

Is that it? It’s been a year since they last met.

These two didn’t greet each other like people who hadn’t seen each other in a year; their greeting was as bland as if they had seen each other yesterday. Even though Jeong-o had already heard about it from Ji-hun, it was still a shock.

It seemed Ji-tae didn’t come to visit his brother Ji-hun and his family.

As expected, once seated, Ji-tae brought up a topic unrelated to the meal.

“Have you heard the news? The Chief Justice will be retiring tomorrow.”

“Is that so? I’ve heard indirectly that he’s not in good health.”

“They say the Blue House will nominate the next Chief Justice directly. Judge Chae Seo-bok is the frontrunner.”

Judge Chae Seo-bok, father of Chae Eun-bi and Chae Eun-yeop. This topic was not entirely irrelevant to Ji-hun, but it was inappropriate for a mealtime conversation, causing both Ji-hun and Jeong-o to stop eating simultaneously.

“Do we really have to talk about that during mealtime?”

Jaegwang was the first to speak up.

“Then what should we talk about?”

As if he were the moderator of the gathering, Ji-tae asked Jaegwang. Jeong-o thought to herself that this family really lacked conversation skills and kept her head down, discreetly observing the atmosphere when Ji-tae’s monotone voice broke the silence again.

“I’m getting married.”

Jeong-o’s head shot up.

This wasn’t a comment from Ji-hun but rather from Ji-tae.

Ji-hun also stared at Ji-tae with wide eyes. Jaegwang looked surprised as well.

“Why you?”

“Can’t I? He did.”

Ji-tae pointed at Ji-hun with a nod.

“Is there someone?”

“Can I do it alone?”

“Who is it?”

“I’ll let you know soon. Today, I’m not the main character.”

While saying he wasn’t the main character, he was acting like one!

Flames flickered in Ji-hun’s eyes.

Jaegwang, glancing at Yena, quietly asked, “You’re not… expecting a child, are you?”

“That might happen eventually.”

Jeong-o couldn’t hold back her laughter and quickly stifled it.

These people might have lived without conversation all this time due to their clumsy expressions. Perhaps they didn’t know how to connect with each other.

All three looked so alike that it seemed no one could be blamed. Their inadequate appearances, despite looking perfect on the outside, eased Jeong-o’s tension.

Amidst this awkwardness, only Yena remained focused on her meal. With a clear goal in mind, Yena finished her bowl faster than usual.

“Grandpa, I’m done eating. When are we making candy?”

“Yena.”

While the others were still eating, Jeong-o tried to caution her, but Jaegwang welcomed Yena’s impatience.

“Right! That’s why our Yena ate so quickly! So shall we go make some candy?”