1.
How does one manage to raise a child, attend kindergarten, and still find time to make burdock tea?
Kang-woo was increasingly curious about Na-eun.
“Do you even sleep?”
“Pardon?”
She looked up, eyes wide with confusion. Kang-woo took a slow sip of his rooibos tea and set the cup down, his expression heavy with genuine gravity.
“You live such a busy life—when do you even find the time to make burdock tea? Do you get enough sleep?”
Na-eun laughed.
“Time makes the burdock tea. I only have to dry it in intervals; there are so many things that resolve themselves if you just wait. While living with my Jiho, I keep moving, little by little, and before I know it—voilà, the burdock tea is ready, and the dried goods too. Come to think of it, I have some dried persimmons. Would you like some?”
Na-eun kept recommending things he had never encountered before.
“Dried… persimmons?”
“Yes. If you slice sweet persimmons well and leave them on the veranda, they become these delicious, chewy treats. Not tonight, though. I’ll give you some later. The kids have already brushed their teeth and are ready for bed. If they eat dried persimmons now, they’ll have to do it all over again.”
Kang-woo felt bewildered. Words that had never existed in his world were pouring out of her. The quiet, sterile atmosphere of the house seemed to be growing warm and bustling. They lived in the same Seoul, yet they were clearly inhabiting entirely different worlds.
“Right. Let’s have some later. This tea is good, though.”
Kang-woo held the teacup in his hand, inhaling the aroma, and allowed himself a faint smile. Late in the evening, the subtle scent of tea filling the room seemed to calm his restless mind.
Na-eun nodded.
“Right? Rooibos is better than coffee at night.” She thought for a moment and added, “I’ll give you a few tea bags.”
Kang-woo shook his head with a laugh.
“No need. I’ll just tell the butler in the Main Building to keep them stocked tomorrow.”
“I see.”
Na-eun was still finding the lifestyle of this house unfamiliar. After a moment of hesitation, she spoke again.
“Actually, there is something I’m curious about…”
Kang-woo nodded, watching her. “What is it?”
Na-eun glanced around before asking cautiously, “Who should I talk to about grocery shopping here? Should I use the money you give me for living expenses?”
Kang-woo explained calmly, “That’s not necessary. There is someone designated for groceries. If you need anything, tell them, and they will buy it for you.”
Na-eun smiled slightly, though she didn’t seem entirely pleased.
“Even so. I’d like to go grocery shopping with the kids sometimes.”
She set her teacup down, her face lighting up at the thought. The image of grocery shopping with Jiho and Minho clearly delighted her. Kang-woo watched her, fascinated by the way her expressions shifted so fluidly.
“Well… do as you wish.”
It was a casual remark, but Kang-woo felt a strange, unsettling ripple in his chest. Her simple desires were beginning to disrupt his composure.
“Is there a particular reason you have to go out?”
Na-eun nodded.
“The market is full of life, and everything the kids see there is an education in itself. My Jiho really loves going to the mart on weekends. I love it, too.”
Seeing the children finish their rooibos and run off to the sofa, Na-eun called to them.
“Jiho, when we go to the mart next time, shall we take Minho too?”
“I’d like that! Minho, let’s go to the mart.”
Minho nodded. Kang-woo, however, tilted his head.
“I don’t know. Minho hasn’t been taken to places like that. Let’s think about it.”
“Yes, I understand. I don’t intend to push it. I’m sure there was a specific way he was raised here. We can go by ourselves.”
“Right. Thank you for the tea.”
Kang-woo offered a polite greeting and headed outside. Once he disappeared, Na-eun let out a small sigh. Being around him made her feel inexplicably tense.
“Kids, let’s get ready for bed.”
She sent them to their respective rooms, but immediately, both asked for a story. Na-eun pondered for a moment.
“How about we read together? Go to Minho’s room and lie down. Once you’re both asleep, Mommy will take Jiho back.”
Minho immediately bristled.
“I only want to lie in my bed by myself.”
His expression was resolute. Jiho looked hurt and huffed.
“Then what about me? My mommy always reads to me!”
It was an unexpected hurdle.
“Then, Minho, would you like to lie in Jiho’s bed? It’s fine, really. If you get sleepy while I’m reading, you can just head to your room.”
Minho considered it and nodded. The super-single-sized bed was plenty for two five-year-olds. Na-eun tucked them in and pulled out a book about baby dinosaurs.
“The one with the wolf!” they shouted in unison.
Na-eun knit her brows.
“A wolf? Why do you like wolves so much? What if a wolf appears in your dreams tonight?”
Both children went quiet, suddenly tense.
“See? Since today is our first day moving in, no wolves. Let’s read about the baby dinosaur. It’s cute.”
She began to read. After the story was finished twice, both children fell asleep. Na-eun carefully picked up Minho and stepped out of the room. Just then, Kang-woo, who had returned, saw her carrying the boy.
“Is something the matter?”
“They fell asleep while I was reading in Jiho’s room. I was just taking him back to his bed.”
“Give him to me. I’ll do it.”
“It’s fine, really…”
But Kang-woo didn’t wait; he took Minho from her arms and led the way into the boy’s room. The room was decorated with Minho’s favorite robots and neatly arranged toys. After laying the child down, Na-eun approached to tuck the blanket in, her fingers lingering to brush back the hair from Minho’s forehead.
Was he always this cute?
Having never seen him like this before—peaceful and still—he felt suddenly endearing.
“Let’s go out now,” Na-eun whispered.
Kang-woo followed her as she tiptoed out, lowering his voice in kind.
*Why go to such lengths…* he thought, but Na-eun spoke.
“Thank you. I noticed today that Jiho seems to be a little competitive with Minho. I think he’s worried I might pay more attention to Minho than him. It’s just an instinctive competition.”
Kang-woo nodded. “That’s natural. What do you intend to do if it gets worse?”
“Don’t worry. They’re good kids. I’ll explain it to them properly. Good night.”
She sounded so nonchalant that Kang-woo was left standing alone in the living room, feeling distinctly awkward. He watched the door she had entered before heading upstairs. Hearing his footsteps on the second floor, Na-eun finally let out a long breath.
Having never lived in the same house as a man, her heart had been pounding when he reached out to take Minho.
*Is this what it’s like to have a child’s father around?*
The real problem, she decided, was that Choi Kang-woo was simply too handsome.
“How can a man be so shockingly attractive just by existing? He’s uselessly handsome—but still, it’s nice to look at.”
She muttered to herself as she lay in bed, and just then, her phone rang. It was Hye-seon.
-Today was moving day, right? Did it go well?
“Yeah, the move went well. How was your office life?”
-Don’t even ask. It’s been a week—what is this? I’m just waiting for the weekend.
“Still, you wanted this job so badly.”
-True. Is the house really okay? You’re living in someone else’s space.
“Yeah. It’s an annex, so it’s fine. Jiho, Minho, and I are on the first floor.”
-Who lives on the second floor?
“On the second floor… Minho’s uncle.”
She felt a strange hesitation saying it, but Na-eun answered honestly.
-What? You’re living in the same house as a man?
“No. The second floor is completely separate. He can’t just walk in.”
-But that man can come down whenever he wants, can’t he?
“I’m a mother. I have two kids. What are you worried about?”
-Or, don’t you secretly wish he *would* come down?
“Look at you.”
She spoke in surprise, but her heart gave a sudden, betraying thump. Was it true?
-You wish he’d come down, right?
Hye-seon laughed. Na-eun jumped.
“I told you, no.”
-Why? Is Minho’s uncle just not your type at all?
Hye-seon asked, landing a sharp, unexpected blow.