Ch.312312. No Billionaire Matters in Front of Grandchildren

Having older relatives visit the newlywed home isn’t something new. Two weeks ago, my parents stopped by, and a week ago, my father-in-law and mother-in-law visited. And just yesterday, my older brother came over for a short break.

With more occasions to host guests than before, both Hwa Nabi and I were becoming increasingly comfortable dealing with elders. At first, we would just listen to their conversations, but now we could even lead discussions and crack jokes.

However, even we find the current situation extremely awkward. No, not just awkward—we don’t know how to start the conversation.

That’s because the person sitting in the place of honor isn’t just my grandfather but also a major tycoon, the current chairman of a conglomerate ranked among the top in the business world.

It feels strange to ask about his well-being or how his business is doing. And for small talk, we have absolutely nothing in common.

…I pride myself on having been through thick and thin, but this situation is a first for me. While I’m unable to do this or that, Hwa Nabi walks over from the kitchen carrying a tray. Looking at what she’s bringing, I see it’s two cups of coffee.

“Grandfather, you must be thirsty. Please have this.”

“Thank you. Child, are you taking good care of yourself?”

“Yes. Thanks to you, Grandfather. Oh, and my husband and I really enjoyed the aesthetic treatment you booked for us last time. Thank you.”

Hwa Nabi bows respectfully. I hastily follow suit. My grandfather, well, Grandfather, looks us over carefully and nods slowly.

“Yes, Kim Secretary was saying that young people these days all get this skincare treatment or whatever it is. I’ve cleared all weekend appointments, so make sure you and your husband go once every two weeks.”

“Thank you for your consideration despite your busy schedule. If you don’t mind, would you like to join us next time we go?”

“No need. Why would you want to go to such places with an old man? Besides, this old man is too old now—skincare treatment or whatever would be useless for me.”

“Come on, aesthetic treatments aren’t just about skincare. You get skin care, relieve fatigue, and rest a bit all at once. I hear many elderly people visit these days too.”

“Hmm, is that so? Still…”

“We really don’t mind, so please join us next time. Please? Grandfather, for our sake?”

“Well, when my grandson’s wife is so insistent, it would be rude to keep refusing…”

“…Hmm.”

Am I the only one feeling uncomfortable here? I’m the one sitting across from Grandfather, not Hwa Nabi, yet I feel like a sack of barley just sitting here. At times like this, Hwa Nabi’s sociability is truly frightening.

“Honey, don’t you think it would be nice if Grandfather joined us?”

“Huh? Oh, yes. It would be great to take Grandfather with us.”

The conversation arrow suddenly shot toward me while I was spacing out. I nodded vigorously without really knowing what was going on, and Grandfather reluctantly agreed.

“Alright, let’s go together next time. By the way, how many months along is my youngest great-grandchild now?”

“Currently three months, and next month will be the fourth month. 13 weeks pregnant.”

“It’s about time your body will start feeling heavier. Take care of your health, and as I said before, don’t do any heavy lifting yourself—call your husband. Those muscles of his aren’t there to make soup with; they should be put to good use at times like this.”

“Yes. My husband is already helping me a lot. Please don’t worry too much.”

“…”

Anyone watching would think Hwa Nabi was Grandfather’s granddaughter rather than me being his grandson. Having nothing to say, I just massaged the back of my neck.

“Wait, if the second child is 13 weeks, is the first one two years old now?”

“Yes. She just turned two. Oh, Grandfather, since you mentioned it, would you like to hold Woohee? I’ll bring her.”

“Since you didn’t bring her out, I assume she’s sleeping, and once children wake up, it’s hard to get them back to sleep. It’s fine.”

“Come on, you came all the way to our home, you should at least see your great-granddaughter’s face before you leave. Just a moment, I’ll bring her. …Honey?”

“Hm? What?”

Hwa Nabi called me discreetly and nudged my side. Wondering what she was doing, I looked at her, and she mouthed something to me.

‘Go get her yourself. Woohee is Grandfather’s blood great-granddaughter, right? These little things make a difference.’

‘Ah, yes. Got it.’

I got up and went to the bedroom. Woohee was sound asleep in her crib. I feel bad disturbing her while she’s sleeping so well, but Woohee, you should see your grandfather too.

I carefully wrapped her in a blanket and picked her up, and Woohee slowly opened her eyes. Perhaps showing that she’s already two years old, she doesn’t cry immediately when woken up but looks at me with clear eyes.

“Looking at those big eyes, I think you take after your mother.”

“…Da, da?”

“Yes, Woohee. Let’s go see Grandfather.”

I brought Woohee to the living room. Grandfather, who had been chatting with Hwa Nabi, looks at me. His eyes are particularly delighted.

More precisely, he’s probably looking at our Woohee like this, not me. Anyway, I approached and showed Woohee to Grandfather.

“Here’s your great-granddaughter, Grandfather.”

“…Yes, our great-granddaughter.”

I handed Woohee to him and stepped back. Grandfather held her carefully as if she were a treasure, soothing her and smiling.

…What a rare sight. He didn’t smile this broadly even at our wedding, yet here he is beaming at just seeing his great-granddaughter’s face.

It seems that great-grandchildren mean something different to the elderly than to our generation. I wonder what emotion Grandfather is feeling right now. It’s probably something I can’t even imagine at this point in my life.

Perhaps someday, when Woohee has a child and gives me a grandchild… will I finally understand that feeling?

“Time flies so fast. It feels like just yesterday that my youngest grandson and his wife had their wedding, but now the first child is already two years old and there’s a second on the way…”

Grandfather murmured while bouncing Woohee, looking at Hwa Nabi and me. We stared at each other. Then we chuckled. We probably had similar thoughts.

Grandfather expressed it as time flying… but in reality, Hwa Nabi and I haven’t even been married for two years. It’s a short time in some ways and long in others, but not enough to feel such a generation gap.

This is all because we made our second child too quickly. I’m not sure if we’ll have a third, but if we do, I think we should space it out a bit more. That way, Grandfather won’t look at us with such a wistful expression.

“My youngest grandson and his wife have given me a great-grandchild, but what are that eldest grandson and granddaughter doing? They’re not even properly fulfilling their roles, not getting married, not having children. When will they settle down and give me great-grandchildren? Tsk, tsk…”

“Grandfather, I heard my brother doesn’t plan to date for a while because he’s busy with work?”

“What? Han Siwoo said he has no intention of dating? If he rejected all the potential daughters-in-law the family arranged, he should at least find someone on his own and have a love marriage. This damned kid…!”

Grandfather frowned and shouted. Woohee, startled by the loud voice, looked at him with a tearful face. Surprised, Grandfather quickly soothed her, patting her gently.

“Oh my, our great-granddaughter must have been startled. Grandfather is sorry. Hmm? Don’t cry. If you laugh while laughing, you’ll grow horns on your bottom…”

“…Honey, I’m curious about something.”

“Yes, what is it?”

“Why didn’t you reject your engagement like your brother did?”

“Me? Well, I…”

If I say I didn’t even know I had a fiancée, she’ll probably be upset for a week. As I was trying to come up with a suitable excuse, Grandfather spoke before I could.

“My youngest grandson didn’t have a choice.”

“…Pardon?”

“Ah, right. That’s true.”

What’s this? Is there something between Grandfather and Hwa Nabi that only I don’t know about? As I was watching in confusion, Hwa Nabi looked at me and smiled.

“It was in middle school, third year, I think? Grandfather told me to make a decent human being out of his beast-like youngest grandson. That’s why he says you had no choice.”

“…Really?”

“Yes, really.”

So there was some backstory that I didn’t know—that I couldn’t have known.

It’s a bit surprising to learn this new fact, but somehow I don’t feel very good about it. The reason is probably…

“It’s still funny thinking about it. He called you a beast, a beast. Heh… hmm, it kind of suits you. My beast-like husband.”

“…”

It’s probably because of Hwa Nabi calling me a beast right next to me. With Grandfather present, I can’t exactly tackle her down.

As I was swallowing my frustration, Hwa Nabi took Woohee. Despite Grandfather’s attempts to soothe her, Woohee had been on the verge of tears, but as soon as she was in Hwa Nabi’s arms, she started smiling as if nothing had happened.

“I guess children really need their mothers. She’s smiling right away when her mother holds her.”

“Heh, I guess so. Oh, would you like another cup of coffee?”

“Grandfather probably hasn’t had breakfast yet, so instead of coffee, why don’t we prepare breakfast?”

“Oh, that’s right. Then Grandfather, would you like to have breakfast with us since you’re here? I’ll make something delicious.”

“Sure, let me see my grandson’s wife’s cooking skills.”

“Yes. Please wait a moment.”

“Nabi, leave Woohee with me. I’ll watch her.”

I took Woohee from Hwa Nabi and sat directly across from Grandfather.

“Siwoo.”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

The way he’s looking at me is strange. How should I put it, it feels like everything until now was just small talk, and his eyes suggest the main topic is about to come up.

Ah… could it be now? Since Hwa Nabi has left, it’s the perfect timing to check on the homework he assigned me. I tightened my mental screws and organized my thoughts, ready to answer any question immediately.

Grandfather stared at me holding Woohee for a while, then slowly began to speak.

“Bring it here.”

Is he referring to the LP Group documents? I had prepared them nearby and brought them right away.

“Not that.”

“Pardon? Then what…”

“Give me our great-granddaughter, so this old man can hold her.”

“…Ah, yes.”