Husband Role - Episode 28

“Oh, is that how it seemed?”

 

Far from being flustered, So-hee retorted without batting an eye.

 

“I haven’t had children of my own, but I understand. A child is not the same as a niece.”

 

Contrary to her words, Jangmi gently took Eun-seol’s hand. So-hee didn’t miss that sight either.

 

“I only said that because I’m so close to Eun-seol. I guess Brother misunderstood.”

 

So-hee said elegantly, curving her eyes. Jangmi responded with a smile, “Of course,” matching her.

 

Eun-seol felt strange. It wasn’t just being caught between adults, but feeling like she was being hidden behind Jangmi.

 

This was definitely protection.

 

Perhaps that’s why a warm feeling washed over her.

 

In response, Eun-seol firmly gripped Jangmi’s hand.

 

“Then we’ll take our leave first. Our Seol is hungry.”

 

Eun-seol hadn’t said such a thing, but Jangmi said it as if for So-hee to hear.

 

“I’d love to escort you.”

 

So-hee replied, holding up a yellowish-brown document envelope.

 

“I haven’t been able to deliver this yet, you see.”

 

“Don’t worry about it. Then.”

 

Jangmi stiffly raised the corners of her mouth and pulled Eun-seol along.

 

Eun-seol quickly bowed to So-hee and followed Jangmi with hurried steps.

 

Watching their retreating figures, So-hee let out a “Tsk” sound.

 

 

“You’re not coming home?”

 

Kyung-ha, summoned to a coffee shop in front of the house, said as she sat down in an empty chair.

 

“You like the coffee here.”

 

Jangmi gave a commonplace reason, but in truth, she wanted to talk to Kyung-ha alone.

 

“That’s true. Hehe, then I’ll quickly order. Auntie had a check-up today, so have tea instead of coffee.”

 

“Okay, Sister.”

 

Soon, mugs were placed in front of each of them. Kyung-ha, who insisted on warm coffee even in the middle of summer, inhaled the fragrant coffee aroma with a “Mmm.”

 

“I should have had coffee too. The check-up results were good.”

 

Jangmi said.

 

“I heard it from Eun-seol anyway. But if you sleep too much during the day, you might have trouble sleeping at night, Auntie.”

 

Kyung-ha replied gently.

 

“Well, that’s true. Oh, I ran into Eun-seol’s aunt at the hospital today.”

 

“Oh, really?”

 

Kyung-ha nodded as if she hadn’t heard that story.

 

“That’s why I was wondering how Eun-seol lived in that house.”

 

“When I saw them at the engagement ceremony, they seemed to cherish Seol quite a bit.”

 

“Do you have any contact with Eun-seol?”

 

Kyung-ha lowered her coffee cup as if thinking. And after a brief deliberation, she replied, “I’m not sure about that.”

 

At that, Jangmi wore a thoughtful expression. Then, noticing Kyung-ha’s worried gaze, she smiled and said, “Ah.”

 

“Did something happen?”

 

Kyung-ha asked cautiously.

 

“I just feel a bit uneasy.”

 

“Yes, Auntie. I’ll look into it, so don’t worry.”

 

Even though Jangmi didn’t explain in detail, Kyung-ha readily agreed.

 

It was because Jangmi seemed strong, but in reality, she was more sensible than anyone else.

 

The two had a trust built over years of shared time.

 

“Thank you, Sister.”

 

Seeming a little relieved, Jangmi also picked up her teacup.

 

 

Eun-seol had been helping Su-jin with her work for several days. It was difficult for Su-jin, who was heavily pregnant with swollen hands and feet, to run the flower shop alone.

 

Displaying flowerpots and props, and serving customers, was relatively easy.

 

The hard work was separate. It was transplanting in the narrow flower bed behind the flower shop.

 

The difficulty of the work was simple, but working under the scorching sun was not easy.

 

But Eun-seol didn’t frown even once.

 

It was rewarding to be a help to Su-jin, to sweat, and to receive an allowance for it all.

 

It wasn’t because she didn’t have money.

 

She had the card she received from Jung-hyuk. But somehow, she couldn’t use it for personal purposes.

 

“I’m always so grateful, what should I do?”

 

Tae-hoon, a typical artist type, said.

 

He ran a furniture workshop nearby.

 

He usually hung a “Closed” sign, but he had no choice but to open the workshop door during scheduled class times.

 

Eun-seol was helping Su-jin for about three hours when he was absent.

 

“Don’t worry about it. I like earning pocket money.”

 

“A girl who married into a rich family, pocket money.”

 

Su-jin said, handing her an iced coffee. Eun-seol felt embarrassed for no reason and only drank her drink. The strong air conditioning and cold drink made her head spin for a moment.

 

“Oh, Eun-seol, you married into a rich family?”

 

Tae-hoon asked back with wide eyes.

 

“Didn’t you see it then? The fancy wedding hall and her in-laws. People were calling them Director, CEO, and stuff. Now that I think about it, I’m curious too, Eun-seol. What kind of conglomerate is your husband’s family?”

 

It was a sudden question. Eun-seol blinked for a few seconds before slowly opening her lips.

 

“Ah… It’s an academic family.”

 

“Where?”

 

Su-jin asked again.

 

“Hocheon Foundation.”

 

“Wow… Eun-seol, you really became a Madam.”

 

Tae-hoon added in an admiring tone.

 

“Honey, what are you doing? Take off Eun-seol’s gloves. We have to treat her like royalty from now on.”

 

Su-jin joked with a straight face. Eun-seol could only give an awkward smile.

 

“But is it okay for you to come out so casually? I think that kind of family would be very strict.”

 

Su-jin asked again.

 

“You need to stop watching dramas.”

 

“She’s been hooked on some foundation-background drama these days,” Tae-hoon told Eun-seol.

 

Eun-seol smiled and opened her mouth.

 

“My in-laws are so nice. Especially my mother-in-law, she has a wonderful character.”

 

“You have everything.”

 

Su-jin replied.

 

“Ah, I have to go to the workshop. A customer said they’d pick up their furniture in 10 minutes.”

 

“Okay, go ahead.”

 

Su-jin, who had sent Tae-hoon away, sat down with a serious look. In fact, she had been waiting for Eun-seol to tell her first, and she began to ask questions like a fish in water.

 

Eun-seol answered as briefly as possible.

 

Even so, Su-jin repeatedly exclaimed in admiration.

 

In the face of Su-jin’s intense reaction, who had always been indifferent, Eun-seol realized anew.

 

How reckless she had been to propose marriage without even thinking about the conditions.

 

“People really live up to their looks.”

 

“Live up to their looks?”

 

“Eun-seol, when I look at you, you look exactly like a rich family’s precious daughter. Physiognomy is science.”

 

“What kind of face is that, anyway?”

 

It was when Eun-seol laughed and retorted. A clear wind chime sound rang.

 

“Welcome…”

 

Eun-seol reflexively got up to greet the customer.

 

“Oh, you’re the person who was here before. Are you a part-timer here?”

 

Taejo asked with a happy face.

 

“She’s my friend, but she’s working as a short-term part-timer. Eun-seol, this is a professional errand runner.”

 

Su-jin playfully introduced, pointing to Taejo. “Errand runner?” Eun-seol asked back.

 

“Ah, Boss.”

 

Su-jin burst into a soft laugh at Taejo’s groaning.

 

“What kind of flowers would you like today?”

 

Su-jin asked again.

 

“I’d like to get a recommendation from the part-timer.”

 

Taejo said, looking at Eun-seol.

 

Eun-seol asked about the recipient’s taste and soon pointed inside the showcase.

 

“How about a refreshing feeling with blue tones?”

 

There were bright blue roses and sky-blue tulips.

 

“Good.”

 

“Then I’ll wrap them up nicely for you.”

 

Eun-seol replied with a bright smile.

 

“You can just wrap them roughly in plastic. My mother is going to rearrange them anyway.”

 

“Even if she’s going to rearrange them, it feels better to receive a pretty bouquet, right? It won’t take long. I’ll do it quickly.”

 

Eun-seol spread out the prepared flowers on the workbench. And one by one, she began to select them, adjusting the height and balance. Despite her clumsy skills, her gestures were quite bold.

 

Each time she added a flower, she also slightly adjusted the harmony with the flowers she had previously arranged. Finally, when she added voluminous leaves, the bouquet became full.

 

“What should I give you?”

 

Su-jin asked, pointing to the wrapping paper. Today, she was the assistant.

 

“Ivory non-woven fabric and light-yellow floral paper.”

 

Taejo stared intently at Eun-seol, who was pleating the front according to the binding point. Although her hands were somewhat clumsy, he could feel the sincerity she put into it.

 

“It’s done.”

 

Eun-seol handed the bouquet to Taejo. Su-jin was calculating with the card she had received in advance.

 

“It’s pretty.”

 

Taejo said, gazing at Eun-seol. Eun-seol blinked once and replied, “That’s a relief.”

 

Just then, Tae-hoon returned.

 

Eun-seol glanced at her wristwatch and said, “I’ll be going now.”

 

“Okay, Eun-seol, thanks for your hard work today.”

 

“I’ll see you on Monday. Then.”

 

And after bowing to Taejo as well, she left <Flower Shower>. It was the beginning of a sunny August.

 

 

That evening, during dinner, Kyung-ha asked Eun-seol.

 

“Is Jung-hyuk coming today?”

 

“No, he has a lot of work, so he won’t arrive until tomorrow evening.”

 

Eun-seol recalled the phone call she had that morning and replied calmly.

 

“Oh dear, he must be tired if he comes on Saturday night…”

 

Kyung-ha muttered with a worried face.

 

“Tell him to come next week.”

 

Ilseong instructed.

 

“Yes, that would be better.”

 

Gwang-min, who had left work early for once, also chimed in. While Kyung-ha was pondering, Seol-gi suddenly interjected.

 

“No, they’re newlyweds, how can they not see each other for two weeks? If that’s the case, you should just send Sister-in-law to Ulsan altogether.”

 

At her pointed remark, everyone looked at Eun-seol with a surprised expression.

 

Eun-seol was embarrassed by the sudden attention, but she felt like she had to say something.

 

“Actually, I can’t tell him not to come.”

 

Eun-seol expressed her convictions with difficulty.

 

Kyung-ha gave a soft smile as she looked at Eun-seol. It was because she could feel the heart of a daughter-in-law who wanted to see her son.

 

“Yes, two weeks is too much. How about you go down to Ulsan next time, Eun-seol?”

 

“I’m fine with it if Jung-hyuk is okay with it.”

 

Eun-seol replied shyly. After the meal, Kyung-ha called Eun-seol aside.

 

“I’ve decided to visit Professor Mok’s house tomorrow. Would you like to go with me?”

 

“To Uncle’s house?”

 

She asked back in a slightly surprised voice.

 

“Yes, my big aunt in Wando sent a lot of abalone. It would be nice to share it while it’s fresh.”

 

“Ah… Thank you, Mother. Then I’ll quickly take it to them.”

 

In fact, Eun-seol had been planning to go there once. It was because she had left her parents’ photos in the basement room.

 

And above all, she didn’t want Kyung-ha to get involved with those people.

 

She felt that even her warm heart would be wasted, and somehow felt that it would be harmful someday.

 

However, Kyung-ha,

 

“No.”

 

She was firm with an outwardly gentle face.

 

“It’s an icebox, so it’s heavy. Let’s go together by car.”