TUW | CHAPTER 59 – Novexa Novels

Episode 59

Isn’t a capable son-in-law the best?

“Since I figured Ahn son-in-law has probably never made kimchi before, I’m a little worried, but the fun is in doing it together and eating bossam afterward.

The cabbages are already salted, so that part’s fine.

What’s left is preparing the seasoning… If we’re doing the seasoning and everything… Since you’re family now, I’ll just give you orders comfortably.”

Hwa Yeon went on at length about how she’d just treat him casually.

“Yes, please treat me comfortably. You can treat me the same as your brother-in-law.”

Do Hyun replied with a gentle smile, adding that she should treat him easily so she wouldn’t feel uncomfortable around him.

Hwa Yeon’s slightly stiff expression softened.

She must have secretly felt uneasy about having to ask him to do things.

Yeon watched the two of them from a distance with a smile tugging at her lips.

“How does he talk so well.”

That’s right.

Yeon nodded inwardly, agreeing with her mother’s reaction.

The playful, mischievous Do Hyun she saw when it was just the two of them was nowhere to be found. Only the polite and well-spoken young master from a wealthy family remained.

“Mom, why didn’t you wait for us to move the dining table together! It must have been heavy.”

To make space for kimchi-making, the dining table and chairs had to be shoved aside.

It was quick work if several people helped, but apparently they had already moved it, leaving the shop’s center empty.

“It goes faster when the people who arrive early move it.”

Hwa Yeon clapped the dust off her hands.

“Tasks like that get done quicker if the men help. Next time, let me lend a hand too, Mother-in-law.”

Do Hyun added another sweet line.

It really seemed like he was trying hard to get along with Yeon’s family.

Every time one of his stiff, aloof layers came off, Yeon felt her heart deepen for him.

The man in front of her seemed even better than the Do Hyun she thought she knew, and she had to struggle not to let her lips curve up without reason.

Pointing to the boxes placed on the table, Hwa Yeon asked Do Hyun, “What are these?”

“I brought some fruit.

Yeon mentioned that you often serve fruit when regulars come to the shop… I wasn’t sure what you’d like, so I bought plenty.”

Do Hyun had an excellent memory.

Even the offhand remarks she made, he always remembered.

She was already grateful he had worried about what gift to bring her parents, but the fact that he remembered her words and put them into practice amazed her.

She was nothing but thankful for this thoughtful, meticulous Do Hyun.

“Two whole boxes?

Figs, pears, blueberries.

My goodness, you really did buy a lot.

Ahn son-in-law has a real knack for picking fruit. We’ll enjoy these.”

Since Hwa Yeon was the type who needed fruit after meals—if none was available, she’d at least drink a fruit juice—she couldn’t help but be pleased with his gift.

“What did our daughter bring?”

As expected, fathers loved their daughters best.

Jae Cheol peered curiously at the luxurious shopping bag in Yeon’s hand.

“Huh? This one’s really expensive.”

From farther away, Yi Hwan noticed the bag in his sister’s hand and became interested.

He hadn’t so much as glanced at her since she arrived, but the sight of a designer brand had caught his eye.

That annoying brat… what am I supposed to do with him.

Ever since Yeon got married, she and Yi Hwan had been anything but the picture of a close sibling pair.

“So you finally take an interest in presents? Here! I’ll hand them out one by one. This is for Mom, this is for Dad, and this is…”

Yeon glared at Yi Hwan while holding the last shopping bag.

“This is for some stray mutt passing by.”

“Come on, that’s obviously mine! Brother-in-law bought it for me, right? Hand it over! What do you mean stray dog?”

Yi Hwan lunged to snatch the gift.

But Yeon wasn’t about to give in so easily.

“I warned you earlier not to do things you’d regret.

What I meant was I’d rather give it to some stray mutt than you.

Now, where’s a passing dog when I need one.”

Yeon stuck her head outside the shop, glancing around.

“Noona, you know I was really glad to see you.

Didn’t you notice I greeted you with my eyebrows as soon as you walked in?”

Yi Hwan waggled his eyebrows desperately, as if trying to prove his sincerity.

“Are you kidding me?

How am I supposed to count an eyebrow twitch as a greeting?

Because you lied, there’s no gift ceremony for you.”

“Aw, come on!

Isn’t it better than not greeting you at all?”

His response amused her.

Yeon thought about teasing him more but figured if she pushed it, he’d end up crying in front of his brother-in-law. She decided to stop there.

“Here, use it well. I remembered you said you wanted this before, so I picked it out.”

Yi Hwan’s eyes lit up with excitement as he tore into the packaging.

His hands trembled as the shape slowly revealed itself.

“No way!

Amazing! This is the wallet I’ve been wanting! Look at brother-in-law’s scale!”

Clutching the wallet tightly with both hands, Yi Hwan couldn’t contain his excitement.

Meanwhile, Hwa Yeon had finished unwrapping her gift.

When she saw the handbag, her expression turned to surprise, and she began inspecting every little pocket inside.

“This is so expensive. Honestly, it’s almost too much to accept.”

Though she said it was burdensome, the twitch at the corner of her lips gave her away.

“Yeon picked it out with her parents in mind.

I should have visited and given it to you earlier, but I’m sorry for being late.

Please accept it without feeling pressured.”

Yeon chimed in as well, worried her mother might feel uncomfortable.

“He actually wanted to get an even more expensive brand, but I stopped him.

Just use it well, Mom.

Isn’t it great having such a capable son-in-law?”

She had given her mother a handbag, her father a belt and pants, and her brother a wallet.

Everyone seemed satisfied with their gifts, too busy admiring them to even look up.

“Brother-in-law’s the best! I’m going to brag to my friends!”

Yi Hwan bounced up and down, grinning from ear to ear.

Seeing everyone happy with the presents made Yeon feel delighted as well.

She turned and gazed at Do Hyun with affection, while he smiled quietly, also glad to see her family so pleased.

“I’ll wear it well.

But next time, really just come as if it’s your own home.

A gift like this once is enough.”

Jae Cheol spoke up preemptively, worried Do Hyun might feel obliged to bring something every visit.

He only wanted his children to feel comfortable, as if they were at home.

Touched by his warmth, Do Hyun ducked his head shyly.

“Ahn son-in-law really is the best!

Thank you, we’ll use these well.

Now sit down and rest a bit at the table.

Yeon, why are you still dressed like that? Go change into battle clothes.”

Hwa Yeon turned to scold her daughter, who had been quietly standing by.

“Mom, why are you only picking on me?”

Where had her endlessly doting, daughter-loving mother gone? In her place stood a mother-in-law completely taken in by her son-in-law.

“Every time I see that lovely bag, I’ll be reminded of Ahn son-in-law.

How could I possibly let you stain your hands with chili paste?”

She knew this would happen.

She had suspected it ever since they went to buy the bag.

“I actually came today planning to learn diligently. Please let me help too. What should I start with?”

Do Hyun rolled up the sleeves of his cardigan.

Apparently, his competitive spirit wasn’t finished yet.

“Well then, since I’ll feel guilty looking at that handbag otherwise, let’s put it away in a drawer until later.

For now, both of you should go change into your battle clothes.”

“Hold on a second.”

Yeon dragged the suitcase she had brought into the far corner of the shop.

She unzipped it, rummaging through neatly folded clothes in search of her battle gear.

Where had she put it?

“Daughter, did you pack clothes for Ahn son-in-law too?

You even brought a suitcase just to come home?”

Hwa Yeon’s shadow fell over her as she searched.

She hadn’t expected she would actually need the spare outfit she’d packed.

“Mom, why don’t you ask about my clothes?

And didn’t you say we should call him young master from a wealthy family, not Ahn son-in-law?”

Yeon seized the chance to tease her mother, who was clearly in high spirits from having both her daughter and son-in-law there.

“When did I ever say that?”

Hwa Yeon quickly turned her head away, sneaking a glance to check where Do Hyun was.

Seeing him standing a good distance away, she relaxed with a relieved look.

So it was true what they said about no one being immune to good looks and money—her mother had clearly fallen for him too.

In the stuffy shop where she was used to being with her father, like spicy chili oil, and her brother, like pickled radish, the sudden arrival of a tall, handsome man with a designer handbag had long since made her forget about calling him “young master from a wealthy family.”

“Found it!”

At last, she pulled out the clothes tucked deep inside.

She had bought them specifically to wear while making kimchi.

It was a proper battle outfit: black elastic pants and a black T-shirt, all in soft material.

“Here, go change into this.”

“Did I even own clothes like this?”

Do Hyun examined the outfit she handed him, looking puzzled.

It didn’t look like anything he remembered wearing.

“Oh, I bought this when I bought mine.”

Yeon waved her own identical black battle clothes in her other hand.

When Do Hyun saw the matching outfits fluttering in her grip, the corners of his lips curled higher and higher.

Whatever he was thinking made him ask with a grin, “Couple outfits?”