Ch.311311. A Test, or Curiosity?

“Ah.”

My eyes suddenly snapped open. As my wandering mind returned to its place, my body reflexively searched for my phone.

Rubbing my eyes and checking the screen, it was around 6:30 AM. About thirty minutes earlier than my usual wake-up time.

“Woohee is sleeping well…”

Hwa Nabi, who had fallen asleep beside me, was also sleeping soundly. Judging by her gentle breathing sounds, she must be in deep sleep.

Perhaps she was eating something in her dream, as she kept moving her lips. I pressed my index finger against them.

“…Mmm.”

They felt moist, but there was no particular reaction. I played similar pranks a few more times, then suddenly lowered my gaze. Nabi’s bra strap had slipped down her shoulder and was hanging on her arm.

Her habit of tossing in her sleep hasn’t changed even when sharing a bed. Well, it’s very like her.

With a smirk, I pinched her bra strap between my index finger and thumb. As I was gently trying to put it back where it belonged…

“…Ah.”

Hwa Nabi’s eyelids suddenly flew open. Her eyes were already large, but opening them wide like that made it look like a scene from a horror movie. I was so startled while moving my fingers that I froze without saying anything.

Her gaze touched my face, then moved down to her shoulder. The right shoulder where my fingers were touching.

After quietly, very quietly staring at me frozen with her bra strap in my grip, she placed her left hand on top of mine.

“My dear husband, so early in the morning…”

“…So what?”

“You seem to be full of energy? Doing such bold things you don’t usually do.”

“Wait, I should explain before you misunderstand. I didn’t take this off. It slipped down while you were sleeping, so I was trying to put it back.”

“Hmph, suuure. Whatever you say.”

Her halfhearted response suggested she didn’t believe me. In her mind, I had probably already become some bold guy trying to take advantage while she was sleeping.

As I was about to explain that wasn’t the case, that my intentions were pure, Hwa Nabi reached out first and placed her hand behind my head.

“Geez, why didn’t you just be honest? If you had just told me instead of sneaking around while I was sleeping, I would have let you do whatever you wanted.”

“…Mmm.”

I swear to heaven I had no such intentions whatsoever, but let’s just go with it now. I moved my body as Hwa Nabi guided me.

Thump, my face pressed against her soft, squishy chest. I could smell her fragrant scent. The tension in my muscles instantly relaxed, and a corner of my heart warmed.

“Husband, you must be having a hard time learning company work because of me, right?”

“…”

“So rest comfortably in my embrace. Here, the chest you like so much.”

“…Nabi.”

“Yes, what is it?”

“Um, can I… touch your butt…?”

Even though the words came from my own mouth, I wondered if this was okay. I worried I might seem cheap for asking so directly.

“My husband, you’re so honest at times like this, aren’t you?”

“…Is that a no?”

“It’s not that I’m saying no, but are you turning on the switch? I won’t be responsible for what happens later…”

Choosing the happiness of the present moment over an uncertain future is probably the right decision. I moved my hand as my heart dictated. The destination was, of course, her luscious body.

Without even a pretense of refusal, I reached out my arm purely to seek pleasure, and my fingers were about to…

—Buzzz.

“Oh… there’s a call.”

“…Seriously.”

Just when things were getting interesting, who the hell is calling this early in the morning? I closed my eyes tightly then opened them, slowly sitting up.

Should I flip over my phone to check who’s calling, or just continue this happy time with Hwa Nabi? As I was seriously contemplating between these two options, Nabi, seemingly aware of my dilemma, gently stroked my head and said:

“The mood is already broken anyway. It might be something urgent.”

“…”

“My husband isn’t a child, right?”

“…”

“…I’ll let you continue later.”

“—Hello?”

I quickly answered the phone without even checking who it was. The familiar clearing of throat from the other end of the line suggests it’s my brother calling.

[Ah, hello? Siwoo, I didn’t wake you up, did I?]

“No, it’s fine. I was already up and taking care of some business.”

[Really? What were you doing?]

“…Just stuff. Anyway, what’s up, bro? You don’t usually call at this hour.”

As we exchanged trivial conversation, my heated feelings gradually cooled down. I slowly got up and headed to the bathroom. It should be fine to wash my face while on the phone.

[Nothing much. Just wondering what you were doing this morning.]

“It’s my day off so I don’t have much planned, just getting ready for breakfast after washing up. Is that all you called for?”

[What, don’t you like talking to your brother?]

“No, it’s not that I don’t like it, but I have plans…”

[You just said you didn’t have anything planned.]

“…”

This must be what they call self-contradiction. At a loss for words, I hesitated with the faucet running.

“…I don’t have specific plans, but I have lots of small things to do. I need to feed Woohee, do housework, and complete the homework you gave me.”

[Ah, right. Speaking of homework, would it be okay if I check it a bit earlier?]

“You want to check it earlier? Bro, are you planning to come to our house again today?”

I filled a cup with water and took it in my mouth. As I gargled, I thought about whether I should just brush my teeth while I was in the bathroom.

[No, I have to fly to Singapore at noon today. There’s been some trouble there.]

“Then how are you going to check it?”

It would be better for kissing if I had less bad breath. No, I probably sweated during the night too. Maybe I should just take all my clothes off and shower.

[Grandfather said he’ll check it himself.]

“…”

I spat out the water I was gargling. It splashed everywhere. Good thing I was in the bathroom where it wouldn’t show, or it would have been a disaster if I had been taking the call in the room.

As I cleaned the bathroom mirror with the shower head, I asked calmly:

“How does Grandfather know about this? Did you tell him? What’s going on?”

[Siwoo, just stay calm. It’s not a big deal, right? Just explain your thoughts well to Grandfather.]

“How is that not a big deal? I’ve never discussed these things with Grandfather before…!”

—Husband, did you fall? I just heard a really loud noise.

After reassuring Hwa Nabi who had come running out of concern and sending her back, I resumed the call. My brother was chuckling on the other end, probably having heard our conversation.

[You and your wife seem to have a very special relationship. She runs to the bathroom just because of a little noise?]

“You don’t know because you don’t have a girlfriend, but I’m sure all couples are like this.”

[Wow, Siwoo, is this how you talk to your brother? Even if I’m calling in the morning and nagging…]

“Nevermind that. Let’s continue what we were talking about. Grandfather is going to check my homework? What does that mean exactly?”

[Well… after meeting you yesterday, I went to the company and had a brief conversation with Grandfather. As we talked, your name came up, and so did the homework.]

“And?”

[I told him exactly what you said. That if it were you, you’d just give away LP Group shares however. Then Grandfather said he needed to meet and talk with you.]

What’s that supposed to mean? From my brother’s explanation, it sounds like he’s coming to personally educate his clueless grandson.

Well, we had already arranged to meet before this, so I’m sure his intention isn’t just to scold me… but I still feel uneasy.

“…Am I going to get in big trouble?”

[It’s just Grandfather wanting to talk with his grandson. No need to be scared, just answer well as I said earlier. Don’t stutter, just clearly convey what you think.]

“Then I can get through this without being scolded?”

[Hmm… Siwoo, do you know how many years I’ve been working in this field?]

“Let’s see. Not more than 7 years, right?”

[Yes, I started right after graduating college, so about that long. But you know what? How many years do you think Grandfather scolded me for?]

“Um… 1 or 2 years?”

[Wrong.]

“3 years, no, 4 years.”

[Wrong.]

“…Don’t tell me 5 or 6 years?”

[Wrong, wrong.]

“…”

If even 6 years is wrong… does that mean he’s still getting scolded now?

When I cautiously asked, my brother chuckled and readily confirmed.

[Yes, that’s right. I still get scolded occasionally, including yesterday.]

“Was that why you went to see Grandfather yesterday?”

[Wow, you’re sharp, Siwoo. That’s correct. I got scolded yesterday about the Singapore issue. He gave me a long lecture about not handling it properly before trouble arose there.]

“Ah…”

If even my brother, who has about 7 years of experience and should be quite seasoned in the field, still gets scolded occasionally, that means someone like me is definitely going to get scolded, no question about it.

When that thought hit me, I felt a chill down my neck. I think I need to review and change my opinion right now. I hurriedly left the bathroom.

“You’re done washing up already?”

Ignoring Hwa Nabi’s voice calling me, I spread out the stack of documents I received yesterday on the desk. Just as I was about to examine them carefully again…

—Ding dong.

“Huh, who could that be? We’re not expecting anyone at this hour…”

Hwa Nabi looked toward the entrance, tilting her head in confusion. Still holding my phone, I cautiously asked:

“Bro, it seems like someone’s at our door…”

[Ah, I was wondering why he wasn’t at his desk this early in the morning.]

“…Huh?”

“Yes? Who is it?”

The intercom screen turned on, revealing the identity of the person standing at our front door.

—Grandson’s wife, your grandfather-in-law is here.

…It’s Grandfather.