TUW | CHAPTER 67

Chapter 67

Housewarming

Do Hyun looked quietly at Lee Yeon, his expression filled with discomfort.

It seemed like his mood had soured in an instant.

“Why is Jaeha just ‘Jaeha,’ but I’m ‘Vice President’?”

At his sharp question, Lee Yeon flinched as if pricked.

Feeling the weight of his gaze, she awkwardly smiled and crossed her arms around herself.

“What do you mean, Do, Hyun, ssi?”

Her lips trembled as she forced a smile.

Then she rubbed her arms to smooth down the goosebumps that had risen.

Do Hyun’s eyes widened in surprise, his eyebrows shooting up.

“I was thinking of changing that soon anyway. I’ll try.”

But the situation didn’t improve.

Though he seemed surprised for a moment, Do Hyun still didn’t look satisfied.

“It sounds distant.”

“…”

“‘Do Hyun-ssi’ makes it sound like there’s distance between us. 

Icall you by name without honorifics, but you’re the only one keeping formality.”

“You definitely have a word you want me to use, right?”

It was a pointless argument over titles.

They should have been starting the housewarming party, but the two were lost in their own world.

Thankfully, the housekeeper had done all the cleaning and cooking for them.

Thanks to her hard work, they even had time to argue about how to address each other.

Lee Yeon felt both guilty and grateful for that.

Of course, she was paying well beyond the usual rate, but it was a matter of sincerity.

“So? Tell me the name you want me to use.”

Encouraged by the housekeeper’s support, Lee Yeon focused on the debate.

Do Hyun’s expression noticeably brightened.

Apparently, there really was a name he wanted to hear.

She had just thrown it out as a tease, but he took the bait.

At this point, she might as well hear it out.

“I want to hear you call me ‘oppa.’”

Ah.

Oppa, huh?

Gotcha.

“Oh really? Then I guess you were over the moon every time Heera called you oppa, right?”

This time, Lee Yeon crossed her arms.

She was clearly ready to tease him mercilessly.

Hmph.

She glared at him with narrowed eyes, but Do Hyun’s eyes curved into crescents.

“She’s not you. I want to hear it from you.”

Lee Yeon pretended not to notice her heart pounding.

Usually, she lost whenever it came to verbal sparring with him, but today she was feeling competitive.

That sly vice president deserved a proper scolding.

“So basically, you just like hearing the word ‘oppa,’ whoever says it.”

Do Hyun listened quietly, then raised his hand.

“Call me whatever you want. But I need to explain myself. 

WhenI first met Heera, we were in high school. Wouldn’t it have been weird to tell her to call me Do Hyun-ssi instead of oppa?”

His sincere explanation of something so trivial was ridiculously cute.

How could a man with such a solid, muscular body be so adorable?

She wanted to hug him.

Lee Yeon moved toward him, sitting down on his lap.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tight.

“Do Hyun-ssi, you’re so cute. You’ve gotten really affectionate lately.”

Do Hyun looked at her with a soft smile, finding her even cuter for repeating his own words.

“Hearing it like that, ‘Do Hyun-ssi’ doesn’t sound so distant anymore.”

He pulled her into his arms, holding her tight enough to take her breath away.

“You know what?”

“My aunt is right over there.”

His breath brushed against her ear and then drew back.

Oh no.

She really had lost her mind.

How could she forget the housekeeper was still there?

Startled, Lee Yeon quickly turned her head toward her.

Catching her gaze, Ms. Min covered her eyes with her hand.

“Oh my goodness, I didn’t see a thing.”

She said it exactly like someone who had seen everything.

Lee Yeon’s face flushed red with embarrassment.

“I didn’t see anything,” Ms. Min added, still refusing to uncover her eyes.

Lee Yeon wanted to run away.

But to make things worse, Do Hyun still hadn’t let her go.

“Let me go! She can’t even open her eyes!”

And I can’t even lift my head!

But his arm around her waist didn’t budge.

“You came in as you pleased, but you can’t leave as you please.”

He smirked as if enjoying the situation.

“I’m trapped in the Lee Yeon Hell.”

Lee Yeon Hell?

What was that supposed to be, the off-brand version of a Venus flytrap?

Once caught, the prey never escapes—so that made her the fly.

“If you keep doing this, I’ll never jump on you again.”

At her low threat, Do Hyun immediately let go.

“You’ll hug me again next time, right?”

“We’ll see about that.”

She crossed her arms and turned away proudly.

Meanwhile, Ms. Min watched with a gentle smile that wouldn’t leave her face for a while.

When the housewarming ended and she was getting ready to leave, Lee Yeon ran to the door.

“What are you saying?

You’ve been so kind to me.

I’ve had it easy thanks to you. I should be the one thanking you!,

Please let me pay you more.”

Ms. Min had expected this.

Throughout the preparation, Lee Yeon had looked so apologetic.

That’s why she’d tried to leave quickly after saying goodbye—but of course, Lee Yeon ran after her.

Such a kind, genuine woman.

She hadn’t known Lee Yeon well before today, but now she saw how sincere she was.

Do Hyun really had good judgment.

She had worried, thinking he might have poor taste like his father, but no—he’d found the right woman.

In fact, today wasn’t even her usual workday.

She normally came three times a week, but she’d been asked to help with food for the housewarming, so she came in on her day off.

Even though she’d be paid for the extra day, she could see Lee Yeon still felt bad about it.

“Please don’t worry, ma’am. I’ll be paid for today’s work too. I actually love earning extra on weekends.”

When Ms. Min refused the envelope of cash, Lee Yeon gave a sheepish shrug.

“The food you made today was amazing. Better than restaurant food! Thank you so much for your hard work.”

When Lee Yeon clapped her hands, Ms. Min blushed.

“I’ve never met a lady who feels this guilty before. Please treat me comfortably from now on.”

After their final goodbye, Ms. Min left.

Watching her walk away, Lee Yeon thought of her mother, Hwa Yeon.

Ms. Min must also be someone’s mother.

Her children must be lucky to have such a good one.

Lee Yeon decided to call her own mom tomorrow.

When she opened the front door, Jaeha was standing there.

After greeting him, she looked at the person beside him.

Next to Jaeha stood Ha Yul, looking a little awkward.

“How did you two come together?”

“We ran into each other out front.”

Lee Yeon had asked Ha Yul, but Jaeha answered instead, leaning in with a grin.

“Ladies first! 

Goahead, Mr. Bad Personality.”

“I told you, I only brought her so she could meet the Vice President! I literally just explained that!”

Ha Yul snapped back, offended by the teasing.

Insisting there was nothing wrong with his personality, he followed them inside.

“Wel… welcome.”

No one seemed to hear her greeting.

Ha Yul looked around the living room in awe.

“This place is amazing! I’d never want to leave if I lived here. Even watching the news would feel luxurious. Mind if I look around?”

He happily started exploring, opening doors and peeking into every room except Do Hyun’s.

Lee Yeon smiled warmly, glad to satisfy his curiosity about her new life.

Meanwhile, Jaeha showed zero interest in the house and had already gone outside with Do Hyun.

Men and women really were different.

“Lee Yeon, didn’t you say you have your own room upstairs?”

“Yeah, I’ll show you.”

She led Ha Yul upstairs and into her room, then flopped onto the bed while Ha Yul looked around.

“So this is your closet, huh? You barely have any clothes. And these look like men’s suits.”

Ha Yul opened the wardrobe wide and laughed at the oversized clothes.

“Oh? What’s this?”

He picked up a piece of paper and showed it to her.

“A contract? Is this the one you signed with the Vice President?”

“Yeah.”

Where had he even found that?

Lee Yeon snatched it back and put it in the drawer.

“I’m hungry now. Let’s go down.”

“Yeah, me too.”

Lee Yeon took Ha Yul’s hand and led him downstairs.

The smell of grilled meat wafted from outside.

“They must be starting the barbecue!”

They had planned to grill meat outdoors, along with the dishes Ms. Min had made.

Ever since she first moved in, Lee Yeon had wanted to try the outdoor barbecue pit—it felt like being at a vacation lodge.

Now, thanks to the housewarming, she finally could.

“Smells amazing!”

Drawn by the scent, Lee Yeon stepped outside toward the covered barbecue area.

The four of them gathered under the canopy.

It was designed for cold weather, with a small heater inside, making it surprisingly cozy.

“How are you getting home later?” Jaeha asked Ha Yul.

“I’ll figure it out.”

“Can’t I just ask? You’re so touchy. Guess that nickname I gave you fits perfectly.”

Their bickering started again, while Lee Yeon quietly stared into the fire.

Do Hyun was out in the cold, focused on grilling the meat.

Worried he might be freezing, Lee Yeon went to stand beside him.

“Go back inside, it’s cold.”