Chapter 12 – The Meeting of Families
Since the Cherry Blossom Festival, Kang Moon and Kang Yoon hadn’t even acknowledged each other at home.
In the meantime, Kang Moon had attended a company interns’ gathering and, under the influence of alcohol, harassed the female interns. He had spent a stressful time negotiating settlements with the victims to prevent the incident from going public.
On the other hand, Kang Yoon had successfully secured a high-stakes construction contract in the Middle East, and Han Tae-soo proudly boasted about it to everyone in town while accompanying him.
Watching the two of them, Jin Hyun-sook felt her chest tighten with frustration.
“What on earth were you thinking?”
Jin Hyun-sook, who usually stayed at home unless there was a special event, had visited the family grave after a long time. She stared at the grave of her husband Han Woo-jin, whose dream of a happy newlywed life had been cruelly shattered, sighing repeatedly.
“Kang Moon can’t seem to get his act together. Who does he take after…? He looks just like you, but his business skills are… well… oh, there is one thing he inherited: he likes women.”
She emphasized the last remark. Jin Hyun-sook was always exasperated by Kang Moon, who constantly caused trouble yet never showed any real ability.
Even though he was her biological son, it hurt her pride that he wasn’t any better than some outsider.
Moreover, her father-in-law, Han Tae-soo, had recently been extremely pleased with Kang Yoon’s performance.
“My father too… no matter how capable Kang Yoon is, at least he’s not a deficit. Yet he’s been doted on since childhood… Honestly, I feel frustrated. With you, with my father-in-law, and even with Kang Moon and that other boy.”
The joy of becoming a daughter-in-law to one of the country’s top groups and giving birth to a son hadn’t lasted even two years.
After losing her husband and having to care for the son of her husband’s mistress, Jin Hyun-sook was only twenty-six.
Since Han Woo-jin’s death, she had lived as a virtuous widow. She had set aside her own life entirely to ensure Kang Moon could perfectly inherit the family business.
Yet, as time went on, Kang Moon only disappointed her.
In contrast, Kang Yoon excelled in every aspect. From childhood, he had never once disappointed the elders or caused them to scold him. Naturally, Han Tae-soo had grown very fond of Kang Yoon.
While she understood that people are drawn to talent, Jin Hyun-sook couldn’t hide her feelings of frustration.
“Anyway, please, from heaven, look after Kang Moon a bit. Why have I kept going in this family all this time…? Without Kang Moon, I would have quit and left long ago.”
Though he had once been the man she loved and the father of her child, Jin Hyun-sook finally stood after carefully touching the gravestone.
“Tomorrow is Kang Yoon’s family meeting. Please, make sure Kang Moon doesn’t screw up again. And help him find a good match too.”
She didn’t think her husband would hear her, but after voicing the worries she couldn’t share with anyone else, she felt a little lighter.
As Jin Hyun-sook walked away, the driver, who had been smoking, hurriedly stubbed out his cigarette and opened the rear door.
Though the faint smell of smoke was unpleasant, she said nothing and pretended to gaze at the outside view with the window down.
Her graceful behavior, never offending anyone, was proof of the life she had led after losing her husband and taking in an illegitimate child—always careful not to attract attention.
Perhaps tired from being out after a long time, she leaned back on the seat and fell asleep.
In her dream, she held a loudly crying infant. She comforted the child, who resembled both her and her husband, and smiled happily. It was the happiest moment she could remember in her life.
The next day, Bora arrived at a famous high-end Korean restaurant, adjusting her outfit and whispering to her mother:
“Mom, please, don’t make a scene. Don’t say anything weird, okay?”
“Don’t worry. Do you think I’d say anything strange at a formal family meeting?”
“I’m worried. Don’t say too much. And don’t talk about the business either, okay?”
“Ha ha. Alright, let’s go in.”
They entered a room at the far end of the polished wooden floor of the large hall. Kang Yoon’s family was already there, waiting.
“Hello. I’m Han Tae-soo, the grandfather of Han Kang Yoon.”
“Hello. I’m Yoon Seo-ung, father of Yoon Bora. This is Bora’s mother.”
“Hello. I’m Bora’s mother, Lee Se-hwa. It’s an honor to meet you, Chairman.”
“Ha ha. Honor among future in-laws? Please, sit. Let’s talk.”
Bora smiled slightly as she looked at Kang Yoon, who was wearing an elegant three-piece suit that day.
Kang Yoon, in a neat two-piece suit with a pearl headband in his long hair, looked back at Bora with satisfaction.
“This is my daughter-in-law, and this is the eldest son of our family. Please greet them.”
“Hello. I’m Jin Hyun-sook.”
“…Han Kang Moon.”
Kang Moon’s displeased gaze fell on Bora’s flushed cheeks.
“Our Kang Yoon, as you know, is currently managing Kangsan Construction very well as CEO.”
“Oh, yes. I saw on the news that he signed the Middle East construction contract the other day. I was so pleased.”
Hearing this, Han Tae-soo nodded with a satisfied smile.
“From a young age, Kang Yoon was extremely smart. Good at studying, good at sports, never gave us trouble.”
“He must take after his grandfather in looks. Our Bora was also told she should be Miss Korea since childhood, but she didn’t grow quite as tall… ha ha.”
“Mom, please…”
Bora nudged her mother’s side, but her mother continued.
“Honestly, our Bora is also impressive. Beautiful, kind, and good at business. Yet she only gets introduced to men who fall short somewhere. As a parent, wouldn’t you want to marry your daughter off to a better man?”
“Ha ha. That’s true. That’s true.”
“But our Han CEO is perfect in every way. Even judging just by looks, they suit each other well, right?”
“…Perfect? His background is poor.”
Suddenly, Kang Moon poured cold water over the previously friendly atmosphere.
“You fool, what are you saying on such a good day?”
“Honestly, I oppose this marriage. I want to ask why Yoon Bora’s match went to Kang Yoon and not me.”
“Kang Moon, please.”
Jin Hyun-sook clenched her teeth and whispered, but Kang Moon seized the moment, turning to the startled Bora’s parents.
“Bora’s parents, I’m also interested in Yoon Bora.”
“Excuse me? What did you say?”
“No… what is this…?”
Bora’s parents were stunned and exchanged uneasy glances.
“Bora’s parents, you decide. Who do you think is the better match for Yoon Bora—me or Kang Yoon?”
“Oh, Kang Moon, what are you—!”
“Just now, you said it’s better for Bora to marry a man with better prospects, right? Someone perfect in every way. Well, I am the eldest son of Kangsan Group and the legitimate heir, while Kang Yoon is the second son and illegitimate. Is there any need to reconsider?”
Bora sighed deeply at Kang Moon’s sharp words.
‘That pathetic man is going to ruin my life again…’
Her mother opened her mouth awkwardly.
“Well, obviously, he’s—”
“Mom.”
Bora stopped her. She knew exactly what her kind and naive mother would say.
Once her mother closed her mouth, Kang Yoon finally spoke.
“I also have something to say to Bora’s parents.”
Han Tae-soo, frowning, gestured for him to go ahead.
“Although your son said he likes Bora, that is only his personal feeling. Bora and I have liked each other since the day of the blind date, and we confirmed our feelings mutually. Regardless of Kangsan Group’s legitimacy or status, shouldn’t you seek a son-in-law who will focus on Bora alone for life, without any messy problems?”
“Hey, are you trying to ruin me? Are you crazy?”
“Kang Moon, stop. What are you doing on such a good day? If you continue, I won’t stay quiet either.”
Under Han Tae-soo’s threat, Kang Moon furrowed his brows and sealed his lips.
“Bora, tell us how you feel.”
Looking into Bora’s eyes, Kang Yoon spoke gently. Bora, stunned by Kang Moon’s absurd claim, regained composure at Kang Yoon’s tender voice.
“Ah, I… I want to marry Han Kang Yoon. This was the purpose of today, and… I really like him. Grandfather, I will fully support him so he can focus on the business.”
Hearing this, Han Tae-soo’s previously furrowed face relaxed completely.
“Ha ha. Very satisfying. Our daughter-in-law is not only beautiful but also kind-hearted.”
“So… I can marry him, right? Can I live with the CEO?”
At Bora’s playful question, Kang Moon clenched his eyes shut, while a smile spread across Kang Yoon’s face.
Bora winked at Kang Yoon, opening one eye at a time. Seeing the sweet scene of the two together, Kang Moon ground his teeth in frustration.
