Ch.383383. I’ll Consider It Positively

“……What? A job change?”

Despite having received countless offers to move to competing companies, this type of job offer is a first for me, leaving me dumbfounded.

Suddenly talking about changing jobs in the middle of a meal—to where exactly? Surely not as a personal chef for my sister and brother-in-law?

When I silently question what he’s talking about with just my eyes, my brother-in-law gives a small laugh.

“I’m not joking right now, so please think about it seriously. You have talent in cooking.”

“What? No….”

I didn’t make any complicated dishes, just a simple tomato and egg fried rice, yet he says I have talent in cooking. Even considering our in-law relationship, isn’t he being too excessive with his praise?

As I fidgeted with my spoon, not knowing what to say, my brother-in-law seemed to notice my thoughts and added:

“They say you can know ten things by looking at one. People who are truly good at cooking make even simple dishes exceptionally well. It’s definitely the same fried rice, but the depth is different, you know? Right, Jinwoo?”

My sister, who had been devouring the tomato and egg fried rice I made, startled.

She hadn’t even noticed the rice stuck to the corner of her mouth. Without bothering to wipe it off, she licked her lips and quickly nodded.

“Yes. Sunghyun, there’s something, something a bit different about it.”

“See? Even Jinwoo says so.”

“Ah, well….”

The depth of fried rice being different? It feels nice to be complimented, but I also feel a bit bewildered. I just made it casually, so what’s the big deal?

“How much are you making at your current job?”

“Well, that’s…”

I glanced around briefly, then held up my index finger.

“This is about average, and with performance bonuses and everything…”

Then I spread all the fingers on my other hand.

“It would be about this much.”

“Really? Aren’t you twenty-eight now? That’s a lot more than I expected. May I ask where you work?”

Didn’t my sister tell him where I work? When I made eye contact with her, she shook her head. Apparently, she hadn’t mentioned it.

“Han Wi Construction. I’m a team leader.”

I didn’t specify which department or team number. There was no need, and it would only make the conversation longer.

As soon as he heard “team leader,” my brother-in-law’s eyes widened.

“Wow, you’re a team leader? No wonder you seemed uninterested in my offer.”

“Didn’t my sister or I mention it before?”

“No, this is the first I’m hearing of it. I vaguely recall hearing something about working in construction.”

My brother-in-law paused briefly and looked around the house. His expression suggested he now understood why our family lives in such a nice home.

“I thought you seemed extraordinary from the first time I met you, but you’re even more capable than I imagined. I’m sorry for making such a strange suggestion.”

“No, no. It’s fine. You thought highly of me and made a good offer. I should be the one thanking you.”

“Really? Then, would you quit being a team leader at Han Wi Construction and transfer to our side?”

“…I’ll consider it positively. I’ll discuss it with my team members and contact you separately once we reach a conclusion.”

It’s a common phrase in business—a roundabout way of declining.

My brother-in-law seemed familiar with it. His expression was confused at first, but then he realized and burst into laughter.

“What? So you’re basically saying no?”

“No, I’m not saying no, I’m saying I’ll think about it.”

“I’ve never seen anyone sign a contract after hearing that phrase. You know better than that.”

I tried to respond brazenly, but my expression crumbled.

I laughed along with my brother-in-law, and when he extended his hand, I shook it.

“Anyway, I enjoyed lunch. Thanks for treating us to good food.”

“Thank you too. This was my first time having such delicious malatang.”

“Hey, Han Siwoo. The malatang was made by your sister, you know?”

“Oh, right. Good job, sis.”

My sister’s brow twitched at being treated as an afterthought. Sensing she might get angry if left alone, I quickly extended my hand to her.

“I’m kidding, just kidding. Thanks for cooking, sis, really.”

“…Yeah, thank you too.”

“Thank you, Aunt!”

“Me too! Thank you for making delicious food, Aunt.”

Perhaps because I stood up, Woocheon and Woohee also jumped up and bowed to my sister.

Seeing them, Hwa Nabi also quietly rose from her seat and expressed her gratitude.

“Thank you for coming despite your busy schedule and making lunch for us. Thank you, sister-in-law, brother-in-law.”

“Not at all, I enjoyed the delicious meal too. By the way, how are you feeling? I heard you’re pregnant.”

“Ah, I’m entering a stable period now, so I’m fine. Almost no morning sickness.”

“Really? That’s good. Still, take care of yourself… Oh, never mind. I’m sure your brother will take good care of you, right?”

As Hwa Nabi and my brother-in-law were talking, the arrow suddenly shot toward me, so I nodded to indicate that I would certainly do so.

“Yes, I need to take good care of her. Please take care of my sister too. She seems docile now, but when she’s stressed, she gets angry first.”

“My Jinwoo? No way. She’s so gentle with me. She seems like someone who can’t even raise her voice.”

“Brother-in-law, that’s all an act to charm you…”

“…Siwoo, what are you saying right now?”

My sister’s voice suddenly turned chilly. Sensing danger, I pretended not to know anything, erased what I just said from my mind, and said something else.

“That’s right. My sister is a bit fragile. So please take good care of her.”

“Yes, I understand. I’ll take responsibility and look after her.”

My sister blushed, seemingly embarrassed by what my brother-in-law said, while Hwa Nabi, my brother-in-law, and I smiled at her. The kids followed our lead and smiled too.

And so, we stood up in the middle of our meal and laughed for a while, creating a warm atmosphere.

“But, husband.”

“Oh, yes?”

“We haven’t finished eating yet, have we?”

“…Ah, right.”

*

End of lunch.

And, as time passed, late evening arrived.

My brother-in-law and sister had gone home, leaving only our family. After putting the kids to bed in their room, Hwa Nabi and I returned to our bedroom, our private space, and sat side by side watching a movie.

The genre was action and espionage. The plot involved a muscular, bald special forces agent who gets betrayed by high-ranking officials in his organization and then hunts them down one by one for revenge—a common storyline.

Perhaps because it’s such a staple plot, it feels familiar, but the action scenes are so good that it’s a feast for the eyes.

“This is really fun, isn’t it?”

“Mmm, it is interesting.”

As we watched the movie while holding each other affectionately, we reached the climax.

The protagonist, having completed his revenge, gazes at the burning red sunset when the main heroine, whom he saved, appears behind him and calls out. The protagonist turns slightly, and the heroine, as if she had been waiting for this moment, kisses him. The couple embraces passionately, confirming their love with their backs to the sunset.

Up to this point, it’s a great plot. The protagonist achieves catharsis by completing his revenge and promises a future with the beautiful woman he saved along the way—a story without unnecessary elements.

“Oh, it’s not over yet.”

“Yeah, seems like it…?”

…or so I thought, but when I checked the running time, thinking the movie had ended, there were still 20 minutes left. That seems like a lot even including the end credits. Could it be a teaser for the next film or a post-credits scene not shown in the main feature?

As I gently tickled Hwa Nabi’s shoulder while waiting, the screen soon went black and the scene changed. The interior looked familiar—it was the protagonist’s house from earlier in the film.

What’s going on? Why show his house? Just as I wondered this, the protagonist burst out of the bedroom. He then rummaged through the living room cabinet, roughly grabbed what looked like a small box, and went back into the bedroom.

“…Oh my.”

Inside the bedroom, the beautiful woman he had saved earlier was sitting modestly, covering herself with a blanket.

Without saying anything, the protagonist looked at her and opened the small box. Inside was something familiar—a contraceptive device.

Holding the male contraceptive, the protagonist approached the woman. He sat down right next to her, suddenly embraced her tightly, and engaged in an intense kiss.

Unlike the romantic kiss against the sunset earlier, this kiss was rough, with both breathing heavily as if trying to devour each other, biting, sucking, and licking.

This scene seems too explicit for a general audience—ah, it’s rated 15+. Western films often include such scenes in 15+ ratings, so it’s not inappropriate.

“……”

Wait, are hands allowed to go there? As I was clutching my chest in anticipation of how far they would show, just as the woman’s hand was about to enter the protagonist’s underwear, the screen went black. The movie title appeared prominently, followed by the staff credits.

“Ah, what the heck.”

If they’re going to show it, they should show it all the way. Why build up expectations only to cut away? Unable to hide my disappointment, I let out a sigh, and Hwa Nabi, who had been watching the movie with eyes as eager as mine, laughed quietly.

“Heh, what’s wrong? Disappointed?”

“No, well. Not disappointed exactly.”

“Liar, your eyes were totally disappointed.”

I knew they would cut away since it wasn’t an adults-only film, but once they started showing it, I couldn’t help but have expectations.

Since she seemed to have noticed everything already, I honestly admitted it, and Hwa Nabi began to massage my thigh with subtle touches.

“Husband.”

“Yes, what is it?”

“You know, maybe it’s because I’m pregnant? Lately, I keep feeling this heaviness in my chest.”

“Really? Maybe your chest muscles are tense?”

“Yes, I think they’re a bit tense. Could you massage them for me?”

“Ah, sure. I’ll focus on your shoulders and upper back, so first turn your back to me…”

“Mmm, not that kind of massage.”

“…?”

Then what kind does she mean? When I met her gaze and silently questioned her, Hwa Nabi slowly lifted the hem of her nightgown, revealing her black underwear.

“I want you to touch me gently.”

“…You want me to touch you?”

“Yes, do you mind…?”

“……”

As if I would.