Chapter 83. What Are We? (2)

Translator: Aura

“I feel better. I have duly taken the ‘magic’ herbal medicine that boosts the immune system and replenishes stamina. I haven’t even caught a cold.”

“I’m glad. Senior Manager Kang placed a new order for the medicine. This time the ingredients are of superior quality, which makes it much more effective. She told me that lately you take it twice a day. If you feel exhausted, you can take it three times. I’m really grateful to Senior Manager Kang. She must have a lot of work, but she still takes care of your medicine. Make sure to thank her.”

“Yes, yes.”

Lee-Seob responded with a smile, and his mother smiled back, reassured. Joon-Seob looked away. The quiet conversation ended when the chairman, who was supposedly indisposed, entered. The chairman frowned as if in displeasure and immediately called out to Joo-Seob loudly.

“Managing Director Tae Joon-Seob.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

“Aren’t you getting married?”

“I plan to do so.”

The chairman’s gaze turned to Lee-Seob’s mother. Since Joon-Seob’s parents were no longer around, he wanted her to take care of his marriage.

“Daughter-in-law, there are a lot of preparations to do for Joon-Seob’s wedding, right? Why haven’t you said anything? What can I do to help?”

Seonae bowed her head quickly and responded,

“Don’t worry, father. I can handle it by myself.”

The tension in her voice was evident. It seemed that she still harbored the hope that her son, Lee-Seob, would marry first.

“Chairman.”

Joon-Seob conveyed his intentions clearly to the chairman,

“I’d like to get married after the summer, maybe in the winter. Early next year would be fine too.”

“Why?”

“She’s still young for marriage.”

“She’s twenty-nine. She’s no child, and you even less so. There is no reason to talk about age.”

Joon-Seob showed a love-struck smile,

“But she’s still like a baby.”

‘Ha… Really…’

Everyone around the table looked embarrassed by Joon-Seob’s words. Some even let out small coughs.

“Although she has a lot to learn, I don’t want her to feel pressured.”

Joon-Seob’s eyes turned to Lee-Seob’s mother.

“She’s not as capable as my aunt, so you might be disappointed.”

The chairman clicked his tongue,

“So you didn’t bring her here out of fear of me? Are you still upset because I initially opposed your relationship? Is that the reason you don’t want to marry her now?”

“Of course not, chairman. It’s just that in terms of order…”

Joon-Seob locked eyes with Seonae and expressed politely,

“In my opinion, Director Tae Lee-Seob should marry first. I apologize for the burden, aunt.”

“Oh, no. Don’t apologize.”

Seonae awkwardly smiled and waved her hand.

“Isn’t the eldest grandson of this family Director Tae Lee-Seob? Let’s have a wonderful wedding for him first, we can talk about mine in time.”

“That’s nice of you to say so…”

Seonae mumbled at the end of her words.

“I’ll take care of your wedding properly, Tae Joon-Seob. Whenever it happens, even if it’s first.”

“Thank you.”

Joon-Seob replied. He then looked at Lee-Seob, who had a sour expression. He raised an eyebrow as if to ask, “What’s wrong?”

However, Lee-Seob just turned his head away.

Once the important matter of marriage was put aside, Joon-Seob calmly stood up from the dinner table. It was an obvious trick. He would pretend to go to the bathroom, then go out into the garden to kill time, and if the chairman didn’t send for him, he would leave Songbaekjae under the pretext of a date.

‘A baby? Nonsense. He only calls her ‘baby’ to delay the marriage. That sneaky bastard… He wants to put all that burden on me so he can feel free.’

Lee-Seob leaned against the wall of the bathroom hallway as he angrily waited for Joon-Seob to come out.