“We can’t tell kids who already have a child to break up, and while we don’t have to adore them, checking the boy’s potential wouldn’t hurt. Well, if he turns out to be strange, it would affect stock prices too, ahem!”
Though packaged nicely, the true intentions were a bit different. Even porcupines find their own babies cute, let alone human offspring.
‘How dare he hit my son?’
Unaware that it was 100% self-inflicted blackmail, Chairman Gong felt a surge of anger the moment he saw Chairman Shin’s slick face.
‘You think your son will be okay? I’ll make him wet himself at the mere sight of his father-in-law’s shadow.’
Chairman Gong ground his teeth inwardly.
‘Not only did he impregnate my innocent son, but he even speeds? I’ll strangle him.’
Chairman Shin sharpened his knife inwardly.
And after the first birthday party ended, Chairman Gong and Chairman Shin spoke to their following sons-in-law in a nonchalant tone.
“Come here, young man.”
Ironically, the cause of the couple’s separation was the first birthday party attended by both families.
At the first Dol Party Summit, Gong Pyeonghwa and Shin Saebyeok had their phones confiscated and were separated without time to accept their farewell.
It was as stormy as what they had done to their in-laws.
***
Unlike Saebyeok, who grew up with an obedient and conservative educational background that made him do what he was told, Gong Pyeonghwa, who always stood his ground when he disagreed, spoke his mind regardless of whether it was his father-in-law or not. He had been arguing since yesterday when the first birthday party was held.
“Suddenly separating a couple like this? This really isn’t right, Father-in-law!”
“Getting married, pregnant, having a child, and notifying us about a first birthday party the day before—does that make sense?”
Even when Gong Pyeonghwa showed extreme anger, Chairman Shin paid no attention. He simply didn’t like how disobedient he was, saying whatever he wanted.
“Since you don’t seem to understand, let me explain again. For three months, you’ll be living with your in-laws, during which time you’re prohibited from using your phone or personal funds. I’ll provide you with a separate card for living expenses. The ban on phone usage means you’re completely forbidden from contacting my son, so don’t even think about it. As for Iseul, we’ve agreed to take turns caring for her each week, so you’ll see Iseul in a week, and no matter what excuse you make, you can’t go to your own home.”
Are you an AI, not a person? Gong Pyeonghwa looked glumly at his father-in-law, who was repeating the same thing for the fourth time, and pouted.
“But isn’t three months too much? Can’t we do just one day? Saebyeok might miss me, long for me without me, but he could survive! But I can’t! I understand the point, but three months is too long! Please reduce it! To about, say, two days!”
‘Such shamelessness…’
What made him so confident? Chairman Shin spoke roundaboutly.
“Even a bear needs 100 days to become human.”
“I’m already human!”
If he were a bear, he might be trained for 100 days to be reformed, but this guy? Having discovered the advantage that Gong Pyeonghwa had the talent to make people boil with anger, Chairman Shin immediately reflected it in his personnel evaluation. Minus.
“I’ll die in three months! It’s not even exactly three months! It should be 100 days and one more! An alpha can’t live without an omega!”
He wondered why it was called “In-laws Stay 101” when there were only two (forced) participants, but it meant staying at the in-laws for 101 days. Gong Pyeonghwa rebelled against this literal interpretation of the title.
Surely they wouldn’t actually make him stay the full 101 days, but even a few days felt too long!
“I’m an alpha too, but I’m doing fine.”
But it fell on deaf ears.
When he indirectly said that one wouldn’t die in three months, Gong Pyeonghwa blinked.
“Wow. I had no idea.”
‘How frivolous.’
Chairman Shin, who had already generously started the personnel score from the negative, moved on to the next chapter.
“Saebyeok is the eldest son, so he’ll inherit Baeksan. Having a male daughter-in-law is extremely awkward, but since I can’t tell you to break up at this point, I’ll accept you, though frankly, you don’t meet my standards.”
“Hah… daughter-in-law.”
Gong Pyeonghwa muttered.
‘How rude while an elder is speaking.’
Unaware that he had already accumulated another minus stack, Gong Pyeonghwa tried to hide his twitching lips.
You said you didn’t like me, but you acknowledged it. Ha. Father-in-law is kind of cute, isn’t he?
“What do you think a married couple is?”
“My eternal love recognized by law? Love prisoners bound to each other who can never break up until the seal is stamped?”
Surprised by the unexpectedly romantic answer, Chairman Shin cleared his throat softly.
“…If the head of the household works outside, what should the wife do?”
“Cheer? A sincere hug and a passionate kiss?”
It would be intense every time he returned home. Though they were already doing that.
“Supporting the husband. The husband takes care of outside affairs, the wife takes care of household matters. I think a couple are partners who collaborate on household duties in their respective domains.”
“Oh, that’s cool.”
A bit old-fashioned, isn’t it? As a romantic, Gong Pyeonghwa deducted from his father-in-law’s love score because the word ‘love’ didn’t appear at all in his definition of a couple.
“Honey, we’ll be late.”
Saebyeok’s mother, that is, Gong Pyeonghwa’s mother-in-law, Mrs. Lee, adjusted Chairman Shin’s tie once more and reminded him of the time. Chairman Shin then left for work without complaint.
“Sigh. Mother-in-law…”
Having never encountered someone so brazen while managing this household all her life, the mother-in-law was taken aback, but for now, she followed the plan and handed an apron to Gong Pyeonghwa.
Gong Pyeonghwa obediently put on the apron and followed his mother-in-law.
“Mother-in-laww, can I really, really just talk to Saebyeok once? We weren’t prepared for this separation, and suddenly being turned into the Cowherd and Weaver Girl, my heart is in shambles… My husband was Turkish ice creamed from me…”
Despite whining with cuteness while pretending to be pitiful, there was nothing his mother-in-law could do.
“Well… um, Saebyeok is also in a situation where he can’t contact you.”
Ah. Right. Our Saebyeok probably had his phone taken too. But we’re already twenty-eight years old…
“Then I’ll go quickly activate just one phone.”
“Do you have money?”
Gong Pyeonghwa rummaged through his pockets. He was completely broke.
The unprepared separation proceeded swiftly due to external forces.
The luggage left at the hotel had been moved as if it had been professionally packed, and anything of value had been removed.
“Mother-in-law, can’t you lend me some money? Won’t it work even if I pay it back with interest? In this low-interest era, wouldn’t it be okay if I pay back at a high-interest rate?”
“Anyway, Saebyeok has gone to work, so you probably won’t be able to reach him.”
“Work?”
Huh?
***
“Well, I don’t have a big grudge against you. Clearly that Gong Pyeonghwa must have initiated it.”
Chairman Gong knew his son well. He definitely would have pushed forward with impractical romanticism and creativity. Logic? No. Pure emotional appeal. And he’s exceptionally good at it.
“You’re not the type to do such things originally. You’re so well-behaved.”
“Um, Father-in-law.”
Saebyeok raised his hand slightly.
“While it’s true that Pyeonghwa arranged the photographer, MC, and venue, I was the one who set up the invited singer and the plan.”
Was this guy even more of a handful than he appeared? Chairman Gong flinched but didn’t believe it.
He believed in Gong Pyeonghwa as much as he distrusted Shin Saebyeok.
No matter how they say that even the most docile cat climbs onto the stove first, looking at the scale and composition of the event, these were works that couldn’t have been created without Gong Pyeonghwa’s influence and touch.
“Liar!”
“There’s a saying that a married couple is of one mind and body. What can I do? When my husband wants to do something.”
This guy, if someone said “let’s go” and dragged him along, he’d just say “okay” and be pulled along. Chairman Gong particularly disliked such indecisive personalities.
‘A man should have conviction! Being too compliant is useless.’
Just as he was about to give a minus score for the In-laws Stay 101 character assessment.
“I want to do everything Pyeonghwa wants to do.”
Suddenly coming in with romance? Romance, pass.
Chairman Gong, who hadn’t expected to give a romance bonus from the start, cleared his throat and stated the main point.
“Well, alright. I understand your feelings. Ahem. I never dreamed of accepting a male daughter-in-law in my lifetime, but since you’ve already brought your own child, I won’t tell you to break up now.”
Like Gong Pyeonghwa, Chairman Gong, who didn’t enjoy melodrama, had already coolly accepted their relationship. The In-laws Stay 101 project was simply a way to let Gong Pyeonghwa experience frustration too.
However, it was also true that he wanted to see what kind of person this new daughter-in-law, Shin Saebyeok, was.
After all, someone who would spend a lifetime with his child shouldn’t have serious flaws, right? What if he’s a gambling addict or a piece of trash who constantly commits infidelity? You can’t judge a person just by their face and education.
When the cost of maintaining a marriage becomes more expensive than the cost of a divorce lawsuit? Then divorce! What parent would just watch their child’s fate be ruined!
No matter how much his son loves someone, if there’s a problem, he would use any means to make them divorce, and even if it gets messy, he would jump into a custody battle!
Divorce in today’s world? That’s barely even a flaw!
Chairman Gong was prepared to engage in media play for his son’s sake.
“I believe that a daughter-in-law should also have a social life. What good is just keeping house! You can hire someone for housework. Have a social life! Build a career! Have hobbies! Surely you weren’t planning to just keep house?”
“Of course not.”
“Starting today, you’re going to work. It won’t be easy. Taekang is different from Baeksan.”
After setting fire to a perfectly fine love, now setting fire to company loyalty—Saebyeok curled up the corners of his mouth at his father-in-law.
“Even if you beg me to let you quit, you can’t abandon midway because you’re a three-month contract intern. Just so you know.”
If it were Gong Pyeonghwa, how would he have answered?
He would probably say that since love comes with trials, he would face them.
They say you become like the one you love, and Shin Saebyeok, now a proper romantic, answered boldly.
“Father-in-law. I wrote my graduation thesis even with a heat cycle, and I completed two projects while pregnant.”
The fierce romantic Shin Saebyeok smiled, exuding determination.
This kind of trial?
- Will. Over. Come. It.
***
<In-laws Stay 101 Contract>
- Gong Pyeonghwa and Shin Saebyeok, hereinafter referred to as “the two,” are strictly prohibited from meeting for 101 days. In preparation for any contingencies that may arise during this process, IDs and mobile phones will be confiscated and returned after 101 days.
- During the 101-day period, the two cannot have any contact and will each live with their respective in-laws.
- Iseul will be raised alternately, one week at a time, unless there are unavoidable circumstances. Caregivers will be carefully selected individuals, and expenses incurred during this process will be borne by each set of in-laws.
- Gong Pyeonghwa and Shin Saebyeok must follow the words of their respective father-in-law and mother-in-law during their stay, and neither shall cause harm to each family.
- For each violation of the above provisions, inheritance shares will be reduced by 1%.
- If this contract is rejected, the will shall be amended and inheritance shall be void.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
