NOVEL NEXT Chapter 115
On the day of the meeting with the in-laws, I stepped out in a suit that I hadn’t worn in a while, my heart racing with tension.
Actually, it’s not that long ago since I wore it for the first time when visiting my sister’s house, so maybe it wasn’t that long after all.
“Phew….”
Today, instead of my sister Seo-ha, I’m alone, and the anxiety seems to double.
We agreed to meet at the restaurant with our respective families.
“Were you already here? I was going to come pick you up….”
“Why make my son walk? Your sister can drive too, you know.”
After parking nearby and reaching the restaurant, I spotted my parents and sister, who had arrived early. My dad, cool as usual, was casually brushing off my words.
“Have the in-laws arrived?”
“Yeah, they seem to be nearby. It’d be better to go in together when they arrive.”
“That’s right, no need to wait inside unnecessarily.”
After answering my mom’s question appropriately, I shifted my gaze and caught sight of my sister, who had been smirking for a while.
“Is there something you want to say?” I asked, looking at her with a questioning stare. She just kept smirking and slyly moved closer to me.
“Wow, I didn’t expect my little brother to have a meeting with the in-laws before me. Who would’ve thought this day would come?”
“I thought the same thing. I mean, it’s hard to believe I’d get married before you.”
Of course, we still didn’t have a wedding date set, and that was supposed to be decided today, but compared to my sister who doesn’t even have a boyfriend, mine is practically confirmed. This thought made me involuntarily smile wryly.
I never imagined I’d have a meeting like this. I didn’t think there would be a girl who would like me, let alone that I’d come to like someone this much.
I’m always grateful to Seo-ha for pulling me out of the past where I was stuck. At the same time, I’m thankful that someone like her would unreasonably shower me with affection.
I’m beginning to realize this feeling of being grateful every single day.
“You should also find a good guy and get married soon. How long are you going to be buried in work?”
“Hey! Sensitive topic, forbidden! When the time is right, it’ll happen.”
“Hmmm, I don’t really believe that.”
My sister responded confidently, puffing her chest out, but honestly, I don’t trust it much either. I haven’t even heard of her dating anyone.
Honestly, from a brother’s perspective, it doesn’t feel that way, but considering her looks and abilities, there should be a line forming outside the barracks for guys lining up to date her.
It’s such a mysterious thing. Or maybe she’s just so focused on work that she’s not interested in dating, just like Seo-ha.
“Uju!”
“Oh, sister.”
Just then, as if summoned by my thoughts, Seo-ha appeared from the alley next to the restaurant, where I had just passed by.
Of course, she was accompanied by my father-in-law, mother-in-law, and brother-in-law. I’d heard beforehand that my grandmother couldn’t attend today due to her age and discomfort with moving around for long periods.
“Why weren’t you coming in?”
“I felt a bit weird waiting inside. I wanted to go in together when you arrived.”
“Got it. Then let’s go in together with the parents.”
“Yes, sister.”
Once we stepped inside, we would formally introduce everyone, so we exchanged light bows and greetings before moving into the restaurant.
By the way, Seo-ha looks especially pretty today.
I mean, she’s usually beautiful, but today she has this rare elegant vibe about her. She’s wearing a beige dress, and the small silver earrings she has on emphasize that refined daughter-of-a-rich-family atmosphere.
“Why are you staring at me so intently today?”
Did she notice my blatant stare? Seo-ha turned her head, showing a charming smile.
“Because you look beautiful. That outfit suits you really well.”
“Really? Thanks. Our husband looks good in a suit too, huh? It must be the fit.”
“I… our husband….”
She had started calling me ‘our husband’ since the day the meeting was set, and while it shouldn’t feel weird given that we’re getting married, it’s still a little ticklish, and I’m yet to get used to it.
Finding amusement in my reaction, she kept using the new nickname. It suddenly made me realize this sister of mine might actually be an undercover nasty viewer.
“Hehe, you suit the role well.”
“Yeah, I guess.”
“…Ah.”
In the midst of our playful banter, I momentarily forgot that our families were nearby.
But as the familiar voice slipped into my ear, I suddenly snapped back to reality. My father-in-law and mother-in-law were watching us with warm smiles outside the room, yet they hadn’t walked in yet.
Embarrassed, I lowered my head and went ahead, opening the door for everyone to enter first.
Old habits are hard to break. Honestly.
“Excuse me.”
Soon after, three servers came in and began setting various dishes neatly on a long table, and as I watched them, I noticed that my father-in-law, who was sitting in the center opposite me, broke the ice first.
“I heard that you live a bit far away, so I’m sorry you came all the way here.”
“Oh, it’s nothing. Thanks to your consideration, we were able to come comfortably.”
After exchanging polite small talk, my father-in-law continued.
“Let me introduce myself briefly. I’m Seo-ha’s father. Recently, my daughter has been smiling a lot because of her son-in-law… I really wanted to thank you for raising such a good son.”
“No, it’s us who should be thankful, sir. Having someone like Seo-ha adore my incomplete son fills my heart with joy… I thought I would live as a widower, but as a parent, I’m incredibly grateful.”
As we moved along with introductions, the awkward atmosphere gradually eased. The proof of that was when we started picking at the dishes that had previously seemed so stiff.
“By the way, I must admit, I was quite surprised at first. It’s astonishing that Uju has a girlfriend, and that she’s the daughter of Changseong Group…”
“Don’t think of it as a big deal. Love among children is completely separate from family.”
“Wise words.”
For a while, it felt like only my dad and father-in-law were having a conversation, but then suddenly, my mother-in-law turned to my sister and widened her eyes.
She recognized the familiar face sitting in my sister’s spot.
“Excuse me for pointing this out, but are you the model Kang Yeon-joo?”
“Oh, yes. Thank you for recognizing me.”
“Oh my…! I watched the stage in Paris. I went to see it live, and your aura was truly incredible.”
I didn’t expect my mother-in-law to go sightseeing like that. But considering she is the lady of Changseong Group, it wouldn’t be strange for her to have VIP seats.
Realizing my sister’s background, she finally expressed her excitement and began chatting away with my sister, looking just like a child filled with joy.
“I heard this news recently. Sir, it’s really embarrassing that we haven’t managed our children properly… I mean, we really have nothing to say to you, mother-in-law.”
“Haha, not at all. In fact, Seo-ha has been quite happy. Both my wife and I feel that way. I’ve been wanting to see my grandchild’s face before getting older… I think this is the perfect timing.”
“Still, how could….”
As the conversation naturally flowed into pregnancy-related topics, we quickly segued into wedding preparations.
“So, we’d like to discuss the wedding arrangements too. On our side, we think it’s best for the kids to tie the knot as soon as possible. What do you think, father-in-law?”
“Well, we respect the opinions of the two. Since a child is coming soon, it wouldn’t hurt to settle down early.”
While both my father-in-law and my dad shared similar thoughts on this, the difference was that my father-in-law wanted to expedite things as much as possible.
It’s a bit odd to say this, but it’s amusing that a family like theirs, without significant shortcomings, is essentially begging for this.
In a normal situation, it would be our side that should be pleading.
“Son, what do you think?”
“Well, as I said before, I think it’s best to hold the ceremony quickly. Of course, I’ll respect my sister’s opinions as much as possible…”
“I feel the same way, mother. I want to register Uju’s name as soon as possible and live together as husband and wife.”
When our mother subtly inquired about our wishes, both Seo-ha and I expressed agreement.
We had no intention of delaying the wedding anyway, but after hearing about our child in Seo-ha’s womb, our determination solidified.
I want to share as much of the hardships my sister might face before the baby arrives as her husband.
“Well, if that’s your decision, let’s proceed with that. What date are you considering?”
With our firm response, my father-in-law asked with a gentle smile.
I hadn’t thought much about the exact date since I intended to gather opinions from everyone during the meeting today.
“Father, actually, there’s a date I have in mind…”
“Hmm, let’s hear it.”
But Seo-ha seemed to have a date in mind ahead of time, and she opened her mouth slyly.
Oh, when could that be? Assuming we want to move it up a bit, maybe three months later? Four months?
“How about a month from now?”
“…Huh?”
The idea flipped my thought process, as Seo-ha casually dropped the shocking timeframe of just a month.
Gulp.
I couldn’t help but let the barley tea I had been drinking slip from my mouth in surprise.
Does this sister of mine have no brakes at all?