50
“In the month we’ve been dating, I haven’t received any gifts or money, just a few meals. From my head to my toes, there’s nothing your son has given me—I’ve spent my parents’ money on everything, so don’t worry. My family isn’t poor enough to be after your son’s money, and we’re living quite comfortably. I don’t know how enormous your family is or how much money you’ve amassed, but you should drop this suspicion that everyone is after your fortune. I wonder how you manage in society with that attitude.”
“What did you say?”
“Honestly, doctors and hospitals are common, but people who work at companies are even more common, aren’t they? Even if that company belongs to you, how many companies are there in Korea? There are more companies than hospitals. And by the way, our house is better than yours. Our house is in Seoul. No matter how expensive the land is here, Seoul is much more expensive. This place might be spacious, but if you count the floors of our house, the total area would be about the same.”
I don’t see why he’s talking down to me when I have nothing to be ashamed of. You shouldn’t look down on someone until you’ve compared assets openly. Besides, is all this really Kwon Yikang’s? It’s his parents’ wealth, his parents’ house, and his parents’ building. It’s ridiculous to show off who has more when introducing your partner.
“I’ve never met someone as ill-mannered as you. Your mouth may be untrained, but you certainly know how to use it.”
“Is my education level written on my face? You speak as if you’ve graduated from university ten times. Do you have a doctorate or something? You seem incredibly well-educated.”
“Ha. You talk back at every turn. You’re not worth conversing with. Take him away.”
They always flip the table when they’re losing an argument. He doesn’t seem to realize that throwing around authority is worse than a three-year-old child. Even kids these days are so logical.
“I came here to greet you properly, but this has gone sideways from the start. Since your son is dating me, I hope you won’t try to set him up with anyone else. Your son doesn’t like it, and neither do I. And… even if he brings someone else next time instead of me, please treat them like a human being. I don’t understand why so many people these days don’t treat others as people—it hurts the other person. I’ve never seen someone who hurts others receive kind words in return.”
His father was silent for a moment. With a heavy sigh, he waved his hand toward Kwon Yikang and me.
“You may go now. I don’t wish to speak anymore.”
His face suddenly looked extremely tired. He had raised his voice quite a bit, so it made sense that he would be tired. But I hadn’t said anything wrong. I felt somewhat wronged.
“It’s okay.”
As if he had read my mind, Kwon Yikang gently stroked my back and whispered. Seeing his calmly smiling lips made me feel better.
“Let’s look around the house. I think I still have things to discuss with my father.”
“Will it take long?”
“No, just a moment.”
“What a display, what a display. I don’t want to see either of you, so get out!”
As we whispered face to face, his father across from us yelled. That man can’t stand seeing a pleasant atmosphere. No wonder his only child hasn’t married yet.
“Is someone outside?”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“Please show Sukyung around the house.”
Kwon Yikang subtly gestured for me to go outside, and I got up from my seat with a slight pout.
“Father, I’ll see you again in a bit.”
“There’s no need.”
I was just saying I’d greet him again before leaving, but he remained uncooperative until the end. Geez. With a deep sigh, I walked out through the door we had entered. As the wooden door closed behind me, a man who had been waiting approached me as I put on my shoes.
“I’ll guide you to the garden.”
At the man’s words, I surveyed my surroundings. A wide path stretched along the hanok building. Trees planted near the wall displayed their bare branches, giving a slightly cold feeling.
“That’s fine.”
“But the Young Master…”
No, I don’t want to look around this house. I’m just curious about what they’re going to talk about after sending me out like this.
I sat down on the wooden porch and pressed my ear against the door. The expression of the man standing next to me intending to guide me turned strangely sour.
“Umm… guest. Let me guide you to the garden…”
“Shh, shh!”
Be quiet. I can’t hear their conversation.
As I frantically waved my hands and pressed him to keep his mouth shut, the man backed away with a pale face. He couldn’t grab me by the collar to drag me away, and staying close would make him look like he was also eavesdropping, so he seemed to want to avoid that situation.
For a while, no words could be heard from beyond the door. Are they communicating with their eyes? As I tilted my head in confusion, Kwon Yikang’s voice finally reached me.
“Did you feel anything?”
“Feel what? How much of a hooligan you’ve brought here?”
“What Sukyung said. Haven’t you heard and felt a lot? I never thought you would say such things to someone else today. Especially since you felt it more painfully than anyone else.”
“Kwon Yikang.”
“Don’t you think about Mother?”
“She’s not someone to bring up in this situation.”
“No, isn’t this situation similar? While you remember that painful incident to the bone, why would you inflict the same pain on someone else?”
“Stop it! If you mention that person one more time, I won’t forgive even you.”
His agitated voice resonated through the door. Why is he getting so upset? Was there some unpleasant incident involving Kwon Yikang’s mother? When we met at the hospital before, he mentioned his mother was hospitalized in the VIP room. I think he also said something about her abandoning her husband and son. It seemed strange for Kwon Yikang to bring up something unpleasant in this situation.
“I earned money and grew the company so you wouldn’t hear such things. After rising to this position, shouldn’t you be able to choose your partner properly? Why did I struggle so much, only for you to bring in someone who looks like street trash, not understanding your father’s heart?”
“What does family background matter? This is the person my heart is drawn to.”
“It matters, it matters. Isn’t that why I raised this family to this level! You deserve someone from a family that matches your status!”
“Yes, a family that matches my status… a Beta, right?”
Beta? I tilted my head at Kwon Yikang’s words. Were all those women in the file Betas then? While it’s not unheard of for Alphas or Omegas to marry Betas, such relationships often face disapproval. Alphas and Omegas are perceived as natural pairs, so other relationships tend to face social rejection. I couldn’t understand why Kwon Yikang’s father specifically wanted him to marry a Beta.
“…Yikang.”
“I feel nothing for them. My heart doesn’t move. They’re just humans breathing and living, nothing more, nothing less. Having to spend a lifetime with such a person would be torture for me. Father, do you really want to push your son into such hell?”
“But you can’t bring in an Omega who doesn’t want you. Should I go somewhere and kidnap one for you? If that’s what you want, I’ll do it.”
“I don’t want such an Omega either. Why would I look elsewhere when there’s an Omega who wants me right before my eyes? My Omega is right in front of me.”
“Even so, I cannot accept someone with unknown origins.”
“What are origins? What are my origins? Think about your past, Father. How noble are our origins, really?”
“You!”
“Think about it slowly. Despite his unfiltered speech, he’s a child raised with care in a good family. If you can’t see that, judge him by your own standards of value. His clothes, his watch, his wallet, his shoes. Is there anything lacking from head to toe?”
I couldn’t understand more than half of the conversation between Kwon Yikang and his father. Does Kwon Yikang dislike Betas? Do Omegas dislike Kwon Yikang? Does he like me because I’m an Omega? What are his father’s and his origins?
“…Which hospital did you say?”
The conversation, which had been briefly cut off, resumed after a short silence.
“I didn’t ask.”
“At most, he probably owns some tiny hospital.”
“I didn’t mention the company I work for either. Right now, I’m just dating someone with eyes only for them. There’s no calculation or transaction involved. …So you understand how wrong your words to Sukyung were today.”
“Coming to greet the family, he should have expected such questions!”
“He’s twenty. Just barely twenty years old. What do you expect from a child that age?”
“An Omega at twenty is ready for the marriage market!”
Ugh, geez. Marriage market? I’ve heard of fish markets, dog markets, flea markets, but I can’t get used to the term “marriage market.” It sounds like they’re buying and selling children.
“Please don’t make me more disappointed in you, Father. When I graduated from college and you called me back to Korea, I was angry but not disappointed. I tried to understand you. But now, I’m a bit disappointed.”
“You’re saying you’re disappointed in your father over a mere Omega?”
“If you reflect on how you behaved and what you said today, you’ll be disappointed in yourself too. Stop it, Father. Just leave me as I am for now. I… am happy. Let me keep my happiness.”
Somehow Kwon Yikang’s voice sounded sad. It made my heart ache more than when I heard his father’s words to me.
It’s strange, isn’t it? I can’t see you behind that door, but somehow I can picture what expression you’re wearing.
“…Fine, date him. If you’re so head over heels, date him. Just don’t bring that good-for-nothing for marriage. By then, I’ll know everything about him, his parents, and several generations back—what they did for a living and what dirty deeds they committed. Don’t make me do troublesome things with my own hands. Do you understand what I mean?”
Oh my, I thought he was just emotionally intense, but it seems his actions are extreme too.
Despite his father’s strongly implied threat, Kwon Yikang didn’t answer. Why can’t I hear the rest of their conversation? As I pressed my ear closer to the door, it opened with a click. Looking up from my leaning position, I saw Kwon Yikang about to exit the room, staring down at me.
Hehe, as I let out an awkward laugh, a gentle smile spread across Kwon Yikang’s face, which had been stiffly frozen.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
