Ch.370370. The Process of Misunderstandings Becoming Truth

“What? You didn’t hear me? Then I’ll say it again. Mr. Baek Sunghyun asked if I’d like to meet with him one more time, and since I thought we should at least talk things through, I’m on my way to meet him…”

“Ah, no. I heard you. I heard everything. Yeah, I understood, but…”

I’m thoroughly confused, regardless of whether I understood what she said. Until just a moment ago, I thought she was running around trying to clear up a misunderstanding, but now she’s going to meet the very person involved in the rumor.

And the topic of their conversation is supposedly, “Since the rumor has already spread, how about we meet one more time”…!

This isn’t some movie where we skip all the middle parts. I don’t understand how things ended up like this. Unable to comprehend with my own brain, I stammered out a question.

“Wait, what kind of conversation happened that led to him asking to meet again after such a rumor spread? What if people see you and misunderstand again? Are you trying to spread more rumors? Sis, you’re not being blackmailed or something, are you?”

“Come on, Siwoo. That’s a huge exaggeration. How could this be blackmail? Besides, do I look like someone who would give in to something like that?”

“Ah.”

Fair point. Who’s backing my sister anyway? Though I hate to say it myself, she has the chairman and heir apparent of a major conglomerate solidly behind her. I can’t even imagine what kind of material someone would need to blackmail such a person.

And besides, my sister herself has quite the temperament. Even without her backing, she’s not the type to fall victim to petty blackmail.

“Hmm, that’s true. Who are you to be blackmailed rather than doing the blackmailing?”

“Siwoo, that sounds strange…? The way you’re saying it makes it sound like I’m the one blackmailing Mr. Baek Sunghyun.”

“I’m joking, just joking. Anyway, sis, where are you headed now?”

“Mr. Baek Sunghyun’s father owns a hotel, you know? He invited me to some VIP floor or something there, so I’m on my way by car.”

Since my sister doesn’t have a driver’s license, that means she’s going with a chauffeur.

Speaking of which, a hotel owned by Mr. Baek Sunghyun’s father. Could it be that one? You know, that recently upgraded 4-star hotel in downtown Seoul. I think I recently went there for a hotel vacation with Hwa Nabi.

When I asked uncertainly, my sister exclaimed as if surprised I knew.

“Oh? That’s right. Have you been there too, Siwoo?”

“Yeah, I went there recently with Nabi. The view from the VIP floor is really nice at night.”

The truth is, I’ve never actually seen the night view from the VIP floor.

Why? Because to see the night view, we would have had to eat dinner there after sunset, but Nabi and I were too busy doing something in our room to go out.

What that something was, I probably don’t need to explain in detail. I swallowed the rest of my words and waited for her response.

“Ah, the night view. That’s right, it’s evening now… I’ll be able to see it when I get there.”

“Yeah, but sis, be careful.”

“Huh? Careful of what?”

“Women are weak to romantic atmospheres like that. I heard this Baek Sunghyun guy is really handsome. If he sets the mood and asks to meet again, you might end up agreeing without thinking. So, stay sharp and be careful.”

“What are you talking about? Do you think I date people just for their looks? I consider everything comprehensively, including appearance.”

“I know, I’m just saying be careful. You never know what might happen.”

As I joked with a smile, Hwa Nabi and Woohee, who had been quietly listening beside me, moved closer.

The mother-daughter pair with similar hair colors looked up at me with sparkling eyes, apparently curious about my phone conversation with my sister.

I wrapped my arm around Nabi’s waist, and Nabi hugged Woohee. Then Woohee tightly held the cat Nabi in her arms, completing our family’s peculiar formation.

Ah, not quite complete. There’s still Woocheon sleeping in the children’s room.

“Dad, should I bring Woocheon too?”

“No, he’s sleeping. It’ll be hard for him to fall back asleep if we wake him now.”

Glancing at the clock, it’s around 9 PM, and it would be too much to wake a four-year-old at this hour. While gently caressing Nabi’s smooth waist, I added one more thing to my sister.

“Sis, I’m just saying this just in case.”

“What now? What weird thing are you going to say?”

“Mom says it’s better to have children when you’re younger.”

“Hey, I said I’m just going to talk with him. When did I say I was going to set a wedding date?”

“Why are you getting angry? Mom said that, Mom. Wouldn’t it be good to heed the words of our mother who gave birth to us siblings? And Nabi also says that being pregnant in your early twenties versus late twenties feels completely different. So, sis…”

“Siwoo, do you really want to die? I’ve been nice because it’s cute, but who do you think you’re messing with? After my appointment ends, when I have time…”

Well, I think that’s enough to ease her tension. The trembling in her voice is completely gone, and she’s yelling at me, so she’s back to her normal self.

“…static. Static! Oh, sis. The reception must be bad there? I can’t hear you clearly.”

“Han Siwoo! Just try hanging up. I’ll forget about my appointment and come to your house…!”

“Static, static. Oh. Sis, I can’t hear you well, so I’ll hang up. Enjoy your dinner date with that Baek Sunghyun guy, and if anything happens, make sure to call me!”

After making artificial static noises into the phone, I quickly hung up. Then I set it to silent mode and flipped it over to prevent any sound from coming out.

“Husband… isn’t that a bit childish?”

Unable to bear watching such a farce, Hwa Nabi, who was in my arms, tapped my shoulder and spoke. Even as she scolded me, the corners of her mouth turned up, suggesting she also found the situation amusing.

“This is how siblings play. Right, Woohee?”

When I stroked Woohee’s head with the hand that had put down the phone, she looked at me with eyes full of curiosity.

She seemed to have something on her mind, so I looked back at her encouragingly, and in a clear voice, she asked:

“Dad, I’m curious about something.”

“Yes, what is it?”

“Is our mom pregnant?”

What an incredible question.

“…Uh, what?”

What is she talking about? Did I tell Woohee that Nabi was pregnant? Unable to hide my considerable surprise, I looked at Hwa Nabi.

‘Nabi, did you tell Woohee about the third pregnancy?’

When I asked with just my eyes, she shook her head as if it was news to her too.

‘No, I never mentioned it… Didn’t you tell her?’

‘No, I was planning not to say anything until after 20 weeks.’

‘Then how did Woohee find out…?’

That’s what I’d like to know too. After communicating with just our eyes, we both turned to look at Woohee simultaneously. If neither of us told her, how did Woohee discover the pregnancy?

It hasn’t even been 3 months yet, and moreover, Nabi is the type whose pregnancy doesn’t show easily, so it’s impossible to tell just by looking.

“Isn’t she?”

“No, um… well, yes. Mom is pregnant. But how did you know, Woohee?”

“Dad, you just said it while talking on the phone with auntie. You said Mom says being pregnant in your early twenties versus late twenties feels completely different.”

“Oh, really…?”

“Ah, so that’s how she figured it out…”

Hwa Nabi nodded as if something clicked for her, but I was honestly dumbfounded. I was teasing my sister and must have said it unconsciously, so I don’t even remember saying such a thing.

I awkwardly rubbed the back of my neck, while Woohee gently stroked Nabi’s stomach. Her touch was extremely careful, as if handling a treasure.

“Mom, how many months is the second sibling now?”

“It’s 11 weeks as of this week. The baby will come out in about seven months.”

“I see. Seven months…”

Finding it fascinating that her sibling was growing in that slim, flat stomach, Woohee kept caressing Nabi’s lower abdomen before looking at me.

“Dad, then…”

“Yes, what is it?”

“When can I see the third sibling?”

“…”

She’s already asking about a third sibling before the second one is even born. My, how greedy she is.

Having such peculiar desires, she really takes after her mother. I found Woohee’s question both absurd and amusing, so I chuckled and tapped Hwa Nabi.

“Well, to have a third child right away… wouldn’t that be too hard on Mom?”

“Mom, would it be very hard?”

“Hmm? Ah, yes… That’s right. To give birth to a third sibling right away would be quite difficult, I think? For both Mom and Dad…”

I wonder why she glances at me while saying “and Dad.” Does she mean my stamina isn’t what it used to be? That can’t be right. Although I’ve aged and am now in my late twenties, when making love with Nabi, I’m still the same as when I was twenty.

I put my hand on Nabi’s shoulder, pulled her slightly closer into my arms, and said to Woohee:

“Woohee, don’t worry. Dad is still strong, so I’ll work hard to make you another sibling.”

“…Husband, are you going to say such inappropriate things in front of the child? Woohee thinks you’re serious!”

“I’m not joking though? I’m really serious—if you’re okay with it, Nabi, we could go straight for a fourth…”

“Eek…! Husband, your mouth, your mouth…! Haven’t I always told you to watch what you say? Don’t you know words can become reality…?!”