Chapter 23. Invasion
Even though he was drowning in it, he didn’t want to escape—how should she handle someone like Lee Jun?
As Yooa turned her head to glance at him, Lee Jun responded cheekily to her gaze.
“Yooa can’t live without me. Neither can I. Right?”
“…Yes.”
Joohee scoffed in disbelief.
Even though others saw her and her husband Han Baekkyung as a perfect couple—like soulmates—she couldn’t compete with the couple in front of her.
Watching Lee Jun and Yooa exchange affectionate glances without an ounce of shame was burning her up inside.
“Sure, for now you two can’t live without each other. That’s how it is with new couples. But Lee Jun, listen… it’s not going to last.”
Joohee shuddered, saying that the road ahead wasn’t smooth asphalt, but a bumpy gravel path.
With a voice full of sorrow like a mother trying to clear the path for her child, even Yooa couldn’t help but be impressed.
“She’s different, sure. Fresh, even. But marriage? That’s not it. What could a girl like that possibly know?”
Even though it was considered rude nowadays to bring up someone’s upbringing, Joohee made an uncomfortable face, as if unable to overlook it entirely.
Just as Yooa, choked up by her parents’ words, was about to fire back, Lee Jun bowed his head and murmured softly to her.
“I’ll handle this. If you step in, she’ll only get more excited.”
“…Alright.”
Lee Jun was right. Thanks to his calm demeanor, her rising anger quickly cooled.
Patting Yooa’s shoulder, he turned back to Joohee and spoke again.
“It’s not her, it’s Yooa.”
“What?”
“Please watch your words. I have no intention of marrying anyone but Yooa. The day she becomes the lady of Taegyeom Group—if you still call her ‘that girl’ then…”
“Wh-what’ll happen? Who’s going to say anything to me?”
Joohee shook her head as if about to burst in outrage, but Lee Jun simply lifted one corner of his mouth in a smirk.
“How do you think others will look at you? Please don’t take this the wrong way—I’m saying this because I care about you.”
“You’ve been influenced by her, haven’t you? I knew this would happen.”
“I said, watch your mouth.”
Just the cold lift of his brow made Joohee flinch.
Since she had been observing his every move, she quickly lashed out.
“Kang Lee Jun! I’m your aunt. You should show respect!”
Even though Yooa knew her teetering figure was all an act, she had no choice but to step forward. Whether Joohee liked it or not, she didn’t want things to escalate into calling an ambulance.
But Lee Jun held her shoulder firmly and shook his head. And as no one paid her any more attention, Joohee miraculously straightened up in a flash, and he smirked at her.
“Yes, I know. That’s why I’m saying this.”
As if implying he wasn’t thrilled about her being family, Joohee’s face flushed a deep red.
“I’m the only decent man in this family. So it’s my job to look after you.”
By including her husband Baekkyung in the “not decent” category, Lee Jun succeeded in provoking her.
“I’m only saying this for your own good. You don’t want people saying you’re a jealous aunt-in-law, lacking class, envious of a pretty young niece-in-law, do you?”
Even Yooa, just listening, turned bright red from his blunt words. Could there even be a person who could beat Lee Jun in words, in ability—in anything?
Yooa realized that he always let her win on purpose.
Because Lee Jun didn’t want to win against her.
“You know how I feel, right?”
Suddenly feeling déjà vu, Joohee bit down hard on the soft flesh inside her cheek.
It sounded familiar—then she realized: he had just thrown her own words back at her.
“I’m the only woman in the family, so it’s my job to look after you. Lee Jun, don’t you know I’m doing this all for your own good?”
A ruthlessly sharp bloodline.
And the most stubborn member of the Kang family: Kang Lee Jun.
Ever since she underestimated him as just a kid, her every plan had backfired double.
If not for that, the Taegyeom Group would already be in her hands.
Because of Lee Jun’s brilliant mind and exceptional skill, Joohee had no choice but to resort to underhanded methods.
But that didn’t matter much—she preferred subtle manipulation anyway.
“My nephew’s all grown up now.”
With the final remark that his marriage wasn’t a family matter anymore, but a corporate one, Joohee finally backed off.
After all, her only plan today was to prod Yooa and see what she was made of—but they ended up talking far more than she intended. And the longer the conversation went, the more she realized the tide was turning against her.
“I’ll have to discuss this with your grandfather. So the next time I call, Yooa—make sure you come straight up.”
“…Okay.”
“And don’t answer me like you’re the poor victim. Understand I’m not doing this just to be a wicked mother-in-law. I’ll be going now, don’t bother seeing me out.”
Saying she didn’t want to stay even a moment longer in such a cold, desolate place, Joohee dramatically shivered as she walked to her car.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Are you okay, Lee Jun? That must’ve shaken you.”
He said he barely remembered rushing over—his mind went blank the moment he heard her voice on the phone, spewing those absurdities.
At her awkward expression, Lee Jun shook his head.
“No. You did great.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Do it like that next time too. Don’t just suffer alone without telling me.”
He added that if he found out later, he’d be even angrier. Yooa nodded.
She used to think of her aunt as part of her “family.” She clung to the false hope that one day, Joohee would accept her.
But after letting go of that hope, she finally began to see clearly.
“I will. Though… I might end up calling more often than you think.”
Now that she had resolved not to stay silent anymore, Joohee no longer scared her.
And with Lee Jun running to her side like this—there was no reason to fear anything.
“That’s what I’m hoping for.”
Lee Jun, encouraging her, looked around the area.
Today they were lucky—Yooa had managed to call him. But what if next time she couldn’t?
He’d hate himself for not knowing sooner.
“What are you thinking?”
Since this place was Taegyeom Group property, he assumed it was being maintained—but now he saw how vulnerable it was.
Anyone could come and go as they pleased. That couldn’t be allowed anymore.
“Tomorrow, I’ll bring people in.”
“People?”
What for, in this open field?
As Yooa blinked those big eyes at him, Lee Jun bent down. The moment their lips met, he frowned at the cold seeping from her skin.
Taking her by the hand, he spoke gently as he led her into the camper.
“Don’t worry about anything. I’ll take care of it all.”
Yooa recognized that look he gave her over his shoulder.
It was the face he always made when he was ready to take action.
In his heart, this issue still wasn’t resolved—and that unease showed clearly.
“What are you planning?”
Maybe telling her it was cold was just part of his plan too.
As soon as they stepped inside, Lee Jun laid her down on the bed, claiming he’d warm her up.
As she gasped in surprise, he neatly folded her clothes to the side, then growled like a beast whose territory had been invaded.
“We can’t let Aunt come back here again.”
