Choi Kyung-Hye turned toward Choi Kang-Woo, her face animated with excitement.
“Kang-Woo, do you know who just greeted me?”
She tried to suppress a smile, but in the presence of her son, her joy broke through. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.
Choi Kang-Woo chuckled and replied lightly.
“Minho?”
Choi Kyung-Hye clasped her hands together, visibly moved.
“How did you know? Minho looked at me and actually spoke. He asked how I was. Why is something so simple so miraculous?”
Her tone carried both a flutter of disbelief and genuine joy.
Choi Kang-Woo shrugged at his mother’s words, responding playfully.
“I even heard him say ‘sleep well.’”
He took a sip of his Burdock Tea, a calm smile on his lips.
Choi Kyung-Hye’s eyes widened.
“What? Then, is Minho completely fine?”
Unable to hide her excitement, she watched him, waiting for his reaction.
Choi Kang-Woo shook his head slightly, his tone shifting to one of pragmatic realism.
“No, it’s not quite like that. When he’s with Han Jiho, he follows along with greetings and such. It’s true that he’s improved a lot, though.”
He added the caveat calmly, as if tempering his mother’s soaring hopes.
Choi Kyung-Hye furrowed her brows.
“Does he make eye contact?”
Her voice was laced with the lingering worry she had carried all this time.
Choi Kang-Woo lowered his head for a moment, thinking, before he replied.
“Sometimes.”
It was a brief answer, yet it made the reality of Minho’s slow improvement feel tangible. Choi Kyung-Hye let out a sigh.
“He really has improved a lot.”
“He has.”
Even with the distance between them, a momentary warmth of empathy flowed between mother and son at the news of Minho’s progress. The savory aroma of the Burdock Tea grew stronger, filling the air between them.
“Please have some tea, Director.”
At Han Na-Eun’s words, Choi Kyung-Hye took a sip. Her eyes widened.
“It’s rarely this delicious.”
“Isn’t it? When you make it at home, the scent is much richer than the store-bought kind.”
As Han Na-Eun spoke with quiet confidence, Choi Kyung-Hye held up her teacup.
“Ms. Han, how do you even find the time to make things like this?”
Like mother, like son—both had asked the same question upon receiving the tea. Remembering when Choi Kang-Woo had once asked if she ever slept, Han Na-Eun smiled faintly.
“It doesn’t take as much time as you’d think.”
“I see. Regardless, I came by because I heard the children had improved significantly.”
In truth, it was a bit embarrassing. When the kids had caught a cold, Chairman Choi had forbidden anyone from loitering near The Annex, preventing her from visiting even once. She had wanted to crawl into a hole when he claimed he didn’t want the children catching illnesses due to his golf schedule. Now, arriving only after they were fully recovered, she felt she had no real excuse.
“I heard you were sick with a cold, too, Ms. Han. ……Are you alright?”
Choi Kyung-Hye lifted her cup, eyeing Han Na-Eun. Her tone remained indifferent and stiff, making even her concern feel awkward.
Han Na-Eun smiled slightly.
“Yes, I’m fine. I recovered in a day. It took the children about two or three days.”
Ignoring the hint of arrogance in Choi Kyung-Hye’s tone, Han Na-Eun looked at her with gratitude.
“Still, the food you sent over helped a great deal.”
Choi Kyung-Hye arched an eyebrow and nodded.
“Of course. It’s what our eldest grandson is eating.”
She brushed it off as a matter of course, as if she were simply attending to a natural duty. Yet, Han Na-Eun could detect the hidden affection for her grandson in those words. She nodded.
After sipping her tea, Choi Kyung-Hye glanced at Choi Kang-Woo, who sat quietly beside her. He was a son who rarely spent time in her vicinity under normal circumstances.
“Do you have some free time today? You always seem to be working, either going into the office on weekends or locking yourself in your room. Why the sudden leisure for tea?”
Her tone was tinged with light suspicion.
Choi Kang-Woo set his cup down and held her gaze.
“It’s been a while. I wanted to drink tea with you, Mother.”
His tone was calm, devoid of any deep or hidden emotion. Choi Kyung-Hye watched him, puzzled, and rested a hand on her knee.
“Is there something you need to tell me?”
She sounded expectant, bracing herself for something important. It was rare for them to sit face-to-face like this; unless there was a pressing business or family matter, their interactions were minimal. The lack of an explicit purpose made the silence feel heavy.
Choi Kang-Woo looked at her with a smile mixed with slight playfulness.
“Why? Are you wondering when I’ll return to work since I’m sitting here so leisurely?”
“Why would you say that? I’ve trusted your work ethic for quite some time now. That’s why you’re in the position you’re in.”
Within her words, a deep sense of pride—not just in her son, but in her own influence—was palpable.
Choi Kang-Woo watched her silently. A divide that could not be bridged remained between them.
“Do you hear from Hyung?”
Choi Kyung-Hye set her teacup down abruptly.
“I don’t hear much. But the secretaries tell me he’s doing well.”
She spoke simply, turning back to her tea, but Choi Kang-Woo fired a shot.
“He seemed very hurt back then.”
“Let’s not talk about that right now.”
The subject was Choi Kang-Hyuk’s divorce. Even if neither explicitly stated it, both knew exactly what was being discussed. As the tension hung in the air, Han Na-Eun sat in silence. Sensing the shift, Choi Kang-Woo immediately changed the subject.
“Ms. Han seems very capable. With how she handles the children’s meals and their education.”
Choi Kyung-Hye shifted her focus to Han Na-Eun immediately.
“That’s true. Ms. Han works very hard. Is there anything else I can do for you? Is there anything you want?”
Han Na-Eun remained still for a moment before speaking quietly.
“Well… I think it would be good if I had a car. A small one would do. The kindergarten has gotten a bit further away, and it would be better for taking the children around.”
As Han Na-Eun spoke, Choi Kyung-Hye grew firm.
“You, driving with the two children in the back? Absolutely not. You want our eldest grandson to ride in a car driven by you?”
It was a flat-out refusal. Han Na-Eun tried to reason with her.
“But everyone else uses car seats and drives their children around themselves.”
“We cannot do that with our eldest grandson. But I will give you a car.”
“Excuse me?”
“I’ll give you a car with a driver. Use that to get around.”
Han Na-Eun waved her hands.
“No, that’s too much of a burden. I can already use the driver’s car.”
When she mentioned the burden, Choi Kyung-Hye looked confused.
“But you said you needed a car. Having a driver would be even more convenient.”
“No, no. It’s not like that.”
Han Na-Eun regretted bringing it up and tried to decline. However, two days later, a car arrived for her. Fortunately, due to her persistent refusal, there was no driver. She was permitted to drive the car, though she was strictly forbidden from taking Minho in it. She was told she could use it for herself or when she and Han Jiho needed to go somewhere.
“Oh my!”
Han Na-Eun stood with her jaw dropped. If she drove this to the kindergarten, the whole place would be turned upside down. It was a more luxurious vehicle than the one the kindergarten Director drove. Besides, she lacked the confidence to pilot such a massive car. She was still gaping at it when Choi Kang-Woo, returning from work, noticed her expression.
“Why? Do you not like the car?”
“Yes. I don’t like it.”
Han Na-Eun looked dejected.
“I don’t have the courage to drive such a big car. And how am I supposed to drive something this nice to the kindergarten and back? I’d rather have a smaller one…”
“How small of a car?”
“Just a regular, domestic brand. But not too cheap, since I have Han Jiho with me…”
“You’re quite picky. I think a car of this caliber is fine, but… I understand.”
The very next day, another car was sent. It was still a luxury model, but it was much smaller and more compact—an adorable design to look at.
“Is this size okay?”
“Yes! This is good. The only problem is that it’s still too nice.”
“You can drive a car like this, can’t you? Are the other teachers at the kindergarten that sensitive about car brands? Just tell them you received it as a gift.”
“Who would give a car like this as a gift?”
“A boyfriend.”
“Excuse me?”
At those words, Han Na-Eun was startled.
“You can just say you’ve got yourself a capable boyfriend.”
“But I don’t have one.”