Husband Role - Episode 41

“What should I do?”

So-hee muttered, looking utterly dazed.

“I know, right? Why did you throw money at her? Doesn’t Dad give you money? He does.”

“Is that what’s important right now? Ugh…”

Just then, Eun-seol appeared below the second-floor window. A moment later, a sedan glided to a stop, and Jung-hyuk got out of the driver’s seat.

He strode towards Eun-seol and opened the passenger door for her.

Eun-seol seemed comfortable, as if the situation was familiar.

At that moment, Jung-hyuk glanced up.

Startled, So-hee instinctively ducked down.

When she peeked down again, the narrow road was empty.

“Ugh…”

That’s right. Eun-seol was no longer the underdog she used to be. The power dynamic had completely reversed.

Becoming a member of the Hocheon family meant just that.

Only then did So-hee realize her mistake.

She had unnecessarily provoked Eun-seol, who had been quietly minding her own business.

“Let’s go for now, Mom.”

“…Just a moment.”

So-hee, who had been paused in thought, called out to her daughter, Min-seo. A clever idea had come to her.

Min-seo’s face crumpled like paper as she listened to So-hee’s plan.

“…No way.”

“Then do you have another option?”

“I said no.”

“Is it okay if your dad gets kicked out with nothing? What about your tuition? Your marriage? And the lawsuit?”

“…”

“Let’s not make things worse, okay? Please, Min-seo.”

Min-seo knew in her head that her mom was right. So, though resentful, she couldn’t resist any longer.

Eun-seol dabbed at her wet bangs, face, and clothes with the handkerchief Jung-hyuk handed her.

“…What happened?”

He asked in a slightly stern voice.

“I just gave them a taste of their own medicine.”

“That’s not what I’m asking.”

Jung-hyuk said coldly again. It was because Jung-hyuk had clearly suggested they go in together. It was Eun-seol who had adamantly refused.

“Let’s go home for now.”

He said, turning the steering wheel.

“No, the adults will worry if they see me like this. My clothes will dry quickly, and I want to eat the wood-fired pizza you told me about, Jung-hyuk.”

“Eun-seol-ah.”

“…I just don’t want to ruin our time together.”

At Eun-seol’s pleading words, Jung-hyuk clenched his jaw.

After a moment, he spoke again.

“I want to… be someone you can rely on.”

“Jung-hyuk.”

Eun-seol smiled faintly and continued.

“This is the first time I’ve ever relied on someone so much. I’m always grateful.”

“Don’t talk like you’re so far away.”

“Once my thoughts are organized, I’ll tell you then.”

“Think diligently.”

Eun-seol playfully replied, “Yes, sir!” She wanted to shake off the bad feelings and lighten the mood.

Quite some time passed before Jung-hyuk spoke again.

“Next week’s business trip, want to come with me?”

“Where are you going?”

Eun-seol expected him to say Busan or something.

“Australia.”

“…Australia?”

“Of course, if you’re busy…”

“I’ll go.”

Eun-seol answered before Jung-hyuk could finish.

“I’d love to.”

Jung-hyuk, taken aback by her hasty reply, said once more, “Think about it carefully.”

“I want to go with you, no matter what.”

Eun-seol affirmed innocently, like a child.

“…Okay.”

Jung-hyuk parked the car as he answered. The couple entered the Korean-style restaurant together, looking happy.

Eun-seol excused herself to the restroom for a moment. In the meantime, Jung-hyuk placed their order.

“Hyung.” (Older brother)

Jung-hyuk, who was waiting for Eun-seol, looked up at the familiar voice. It was Taejo.

“Oh?”

He got up from his seat and approached Taejo.

“What brings you here?”

“That’s what I want to know. What are you doing all the way out in Namyangju?”

Taejo chuckled and playfully nudged Jung-hyuk’s arm. It was a gesture of greeting.

“I’m here with my wife.”

“Ooh! Then where’s your sister-in-law?”

Taejo glanced behind Jung-hyuk. The wooden table was bare.

“She’ll be here soon.”

“Finally, I get to see her in person. I’ve been curious.”

“Why would you be?”

Despite Jung-hyuk’s curt reply, Taejo didn’t back down.

“I heard.”

He clenched his fist playfully as he continued.

“You made quite a splash at the anniversary celebration.”

“I should have gone,” he added regretfully.

“Indeed.”

Jung-hyuk responded in an indifferent tone.

From Jung-hyuk’s perspective, Taejo was a free spirit.

He never attended official events unless it was a major family occasion. He said it was because they were boring.

Jung-hyuk agreed, but he wasn’t someone who had the choice like Taejo did.

“But you, did you come alone?”

Jung-hyuk also glanced behind Taejo and asked.

“I have an interview.”

Taejo had joined his father’s company, K Pharmaceuticals, and released ‘Beasu,’ a digestive medicine, within a year, which was a huge success.

It was an exceptional achievement compared to his experience, enough to cause a stir in the conservative pharmaceutical industry.

After being promoted at lightning speed, he released ‘Truenouveau Tablets,’ a high blood pressure medication, a month ago.

That also became a hot topic.

The world naturally paid attention to him, who was properly fulfilling his role as a first mover, not just a silver spoon.

“All the way out here?”

When Jung-hyuk said teasingly, Taejo quickly caught on to his nuance and waved his hand.

“It’s not like that. Having an interview on the weekend is too awful. So, I threw a tantrum and asked them to buy me something delicious to eat.”

When there was no response, Taejo spoke again, “It’s true.”

“And these days, there’s another woman I’m interested in.”

As he said as if he was wronged, Jung-hyuk chuckled.

“That’s a relief.”

“The age gap might be a bit of a barrier but I’m going to get to know her little by little. I’m working on it behind the scenes these days.”

“Working behind the scenes?”

“I’m afraid she’ll run away if I come on too strong. I’m going to gradually show her my charms. Ah…? Is that her?”

Eun-seol, wearing a light blue dress that fluttered with each step, was walking towards them.

She looked at Taejo with slightly narrowed eyes, then soon smiled brightly with a “Oh?!”

“Hello.”

Taejo didn’t even have time to return the greeting before quickly glancing at Jung-hyuk.

Jung-hyuk was looking at Eun-seol with warm eyes.

He had his doubts.

But when Eun-seol, who had approached closely, naturally linked arms with Jung-hyuk, Taejo smacked his forehead.

“…You never said she was married.”

Taejo said in a bewildered voice.

“You never asked…?”

Eun-seol retorted with an innocent face.

“No… how could anyone tell she was married? I’d be surprised if she wasn’t a high school student.”

Jung-hyuk approached Taejo, who was muttering in confusion.

“You have to go to your interview.”

And he pushed Taejo’s back with a low voice that was barely audible.

“…Just a moment. …I’m feeling dizzy from the shock.”

“That’s none of my business.”

It was when Taejo was staring at Jung-hyuk, who was speaking coldly, with eyes full of defeat.

“All I want to say is.”

Jung-hyuk continued his warning in a voice so stiff it lacked humanity.

“Stop going to <Flower Shower>.”

And,

“Got it?”

He even emphasized it once more.

“I don’t talk to thieves.”

Taejo turned his head with a sulky tone.

Then he saw Eun-seol looking up at him with clear eyes.

Ah, damn, why is she so cute? Even though she’s married.

“I believe in reincarnation.”

Jung-hyuk warned Taejo, who was muttering strange words, with a “Tsk.” At that, he bowed and left.

“Do you know him? What did you guys talk about?”

Eun-seol asked with a curious tone.

“It’s nothing you need to worry about.”

Jung-hyuk answered, pulling out a chair for her.

She simply said, “It’s a small world…” and sat down.

A moment later, wood-fired pizza, salad, and ade were served.

Jung-hyuk placed slices of pizza and salad on Eun-seol’s plate.

Eun-seol picked up a piece of pizza with a happy face and filled her cheeks like a squirrel.

Jung-hyuk pretended not to look at Eun-seol, but he was watching her.

And just like that, Taejo was instantly forgotten from the couple’s minds.

Why me?!

Why me?!

Why me?!

Min-seo’s eyes stung as she scrubbed at the spilled drink.

Her mom’s clever idea was nothing great. It was taking care of the senile old man she had ignored for so long.

She said that she had to soothe Eun-seol’s heart even if it meant doing this.

At first, she threw a fit, saying she didn’t want to, but she was persuaded by the fact that she only had to ‘pretend’ to do it.

But on the day, her mom suddenly had a meeting and couldn’t make it.

It was a couples’ meeting for the doctors of the Hocheon Foundation.

Just as Min-seo thought she could rest, guess what.

‘Honey, I told you, right? About going to your father’s house.’

‘What about the meeting?’

‘Min-seo is going to stay there alone for a night. Now that I’ve made up my mind, I’m going to move quickly.’

‘…Good job.’

Dae-hyuk looked at Min-seo as if she was unexpected and muttered. Behind Dae-hyuk, So-hee made a gesture of apology.

It felt like a volcano was about to erupt inside Min-seo.

But considering the various realistic problems, it was difficult to refuse outright.

So, she had been suffering since last night.

As if Min-seo’s appearance was a good thing, the caregiver also left the house.

She said she was going to see her sick mother.

And so, the battle with Bong-cheol began. She underestimated it. She really didn’t know it would be this hard.

This morning, she personally dealt with his urine-soaked pants. She wore rubber gloves, but it was so disgusting that she threw up everything inside her.

“I’m going out for a bit.”

Min-seo, who had cleaned the living room floor, said to Bong-cheol. Bong-cheol asked back, “Melona?”

That damn Melona.

“Yes, I’ll buy it.”

“My woman has her uses.”

Last night, Bong-cheol, looking for his dead aunt, had pulled out a handful of Min-seo’s hair, asking, “Did you take my daughter?”

Min-seo glared at him with resentment and grabbed her wallet.

“I’ll be back soon, so please stay put.”

As if he couldn’t hear anything, Bong-cheol was just singing along to the trot music coming from the television.

“Tch,” Min-seo said, turning around and leaving the house.

A moment later, the music show that Bong-cheol had been engrossed in ended.

“Ji-young-ah…”

He naturally looked for his youngest daughter.

“Where’s my Ji-young? Did you do your homework?”

Then he got up from his seat.

The front door came into his view as he opened and closed the doors that had lost their purpose in order.

“Daughter?”

And he slowly moved towards it. Bong-cheol’s hunched back as he muttered.