929

 The house was filled with people.

Although it wasn't a small house, it felt particularly cramped on this day.

Looking around at the people gathered in one space, Noh Eun-ha's mother couldn't help but acutely feel the passage of time.

She said with a troubled expression:

"The family will keep growing in the future, maybe we should move to a bigger place."

Just the grandchildren alone were already three.

Though they're young now, when they reach the age of running around, the current house won't be able to accommodate them.

Moreover, there's no guarantee that Eun-ha's children will stop at three.

Eun-ha and his daughters-in-law are still quite young, just entering the prime age for marriage.

The couple's relationship seems good, and the daughters-in-law get along well with each other.

So they had to consider the possibility of at least a second child being born to each of them.

There's also Ryu Yeon-hwa who doesn't have children yet.

Considering the children she might have...

'I dreamed of spending my retirement looking after grandchildren with him, but... This is too many.'

At least eight or more.

Enough to start a baseball team.

Assuming they each have three children, they could even aim for a soccer team.

Imagining the future where Noh Eun-ah and Han Chang-jin marry and have children, and someday Noh Eun-ae also becomes independent and starts a family, it sent chills down her spine.

Also, Jin Pa-rang and Kim Mary who are scheduled to marry this year couldn't be left out.

'Should we really move at this point...'

It seemed there would be no peace and quiet in her retirement.

Even if she prefers it lively, isn't this going too far?

She didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

The mother couldn't help but give a bitter smile.

On the other hand, she seriously considered moving to a larger house than the current one.

It seemed it was time to leave this house they had lived in for over 30 years since she was pregnant with Noh Eun-ah, despite being so attached to it.

"Should we look for a nice house?"

"That's right, Mother. We'll make time and look for the best place possible."

"Me too. Or how about going house hunting together with me?"

"...Me too, Mother. I'll help too."

Han Seo-hyeon, Jeong Ha-yang, Lee Yu-jeong, Ryu Yeon-hwa.

The daughters-in-law immediately responded, not missing even the mother's muttered words.

Their reactions were as if they would buy her a house if she just wanted it.

In fact, they did have the wealth to easily buy a house.

"Buying a house? Just tell me, Mom! What kind of house do you want to live in?"

Noh Eun-ae, who had struck it rich by successfully cultivating Silver Vine flowers used as ingredients for elixirs at a young age and now runs a flower shop as a hobby, also chimed in.

Of course, the mother declined.

"Thank you all for saying that, but I don't think we'll need help. We'll look on our own. Eun-ae, you should use the money you've preciously saved for yourself, not for us."

Though Noh Eun-ha's father had retired from his company and was now idling at home, they had saved up quite a lot over the years.

There was no need to ask them for help.

Above all, it didn't feel right as a mother-in-law and mother.

The mother decided to just accept their feelings instead.

Around that time, the doorbell rang.

"Ah! The delivery must be here."

"That's right. I should go receive it."

"Mother, we'll go."

"Yes, we'll go get it."

"Mother, please stay seated."

"I'll go, Mother."

"Um, Mother... Me too..."

"I don't think everyone needs to go..."

There were too many people visiting the house to cook meals.

It wasn't that they couldn't cook, but if they did, it might unnecessarily trouble the kind daughters-in-law.

Surely they would anxiously try to help, watching her.

In that sense, delivery was convenient.

The mother was about to get up to receive the delivered food.

At that moment, they quickly stood up and headed to the entrance.

Kim Mary was among them too.

Shortly after, they returned each carrying a bag.

"Heave-ho!"

Jeong Ha-yang, the shortest among them, placed her bag on the table.

The others also put their bags down.

From then on, they started preparing dinner by opening the bags, removing packaging, and dividing food onto plates.

Noh Eun-ae also quietly stood up.

"Eun-ah, I'll help too."

Han Chang-jin, feeling awkward just sitting still, also tried to help them.

But there wasn't really a need for his help.

The people in the kitchen were enough.

"It's fine. Chang-jin, you sit and wait. How can we make a guest work?"

"Brother-in-law! Since you're not married yet, I'll work until then! Got it?"

"Yes, Mr. Han. Mr. Han should just relax comfortably."

"Yes... I'll do that."

The people in the kitchen chuckled and didn't try to use his help.

Ryu Yeon-hwa was the same.

She spoke as she passed by him to set food on the table.

"That's. Right. Brother-in-law."

"Yeon-hwa, why are you suddenly using formal speech..."

"You're not part of this family yet, so just quietly receive guest treatment."

"..."

Ryu Yeon-hwa emphasizing each syllable.

Just like Noh Eun-ha's wife, her face looked as if she didn't approve of him.

Han Chang-jin was hurt by this side of her, whom he had considered a close friend until now.

As if reading his feelings, she said:

"Were we ever friends?"

"...!"

Ryu Yeon-hwa stabbed him with a second dagger in a calm voice.

It reminded him of her before he fell for Noh Eun-ah, when they clashed due to personality differences.

Han Chang-jin felt dizzy.

Hearing such words from her whom he had unquestioningly believed to be a friend until now, a sense of betrayal washed over him.

At that moment, she smiled slightly.

"I'm joking. Hurry up and sit down."

"Ah... So it was a joke."

There are some scary jokes.

Han Chang-jin sighed in relief.

Is it since she married Eun-ha?

Before, she had a serious side, but now her personality seems to have become mischievous like Eun-ha.

For him, her change was surprising and not easy to adapt to.

"Daddy, food?"

"Me too, me too..."

"Yu-ran and Yu-rin are hungry too? Let's wait just a little longer, okay? Hmm?"

Meanwhile, while Eun-ha's wives were working, Eun-ha was looking after the children.

Noh Yu-ran and Noh Yu-rin, each occupying one of his knees, showed interest in the food being placed on the table.

Yu-ran tried to reach out as if to put food in her mouth, while Yu-rin pointed with her finger and whined.

Eun-ha had to work hard to soothe and distract the two daughters from touching the food.

"Yu-seong! Let's stop playing and go eat now?"

"Yes! Grandfather!"

Noh Yu-seong, who had been happily playing with toys, and Eun-ha's father tidied up the area.

Soon the father sat down next to Eun-ha with Yu-seong between them.

The father and son quietly watched the people busily moving around and taking their seats.

They enjoyed the lively atmosphere.

Chaotic but peaceful.

"...This is nice."

"It sure is."

Though the object was omitted.

The father and son shared the same thought.

It seems people live to savor this happiness.

It's really good to be alive.

* * *

You need to stay sharp as you never know what might happen.

However, Han Chang-jin's worries fortunately turned out to be unfounded.

The dinner was just warm and friendly.

People were pleasantly tipsy at an appropriate level.

"Shall I have a drink from my son-in-law?"

"Yes, Father. I'll pour you one."

"Alright, have one too, son-in-law!"

Eun-ha's father held out his glass.

Han Chang-jin, sitting across from him, politely poured alcohol into his glass.

Then the father also filled his glass to the brim and made a toast.

The two downed their drinks in one go.

"Oh, brother! You're drinking well today? I can't lose either!?"

"Oppa, don't drink too much at once. What if you get drunk? Mother and Father are here too... Eat some side dishes too."

"Ah! It's really the most delicious when you feed me, Mary. Here, you eat too."

"Ugh. How can you do this when other people are around. Idiot..."

The Jin Pa-rang couple was very lovey-dovey.

Kim Mary, sitting demurely beside him, took care of Jin Pa-rang from time to time.

Then she blushed and didn't know what to do at his sudden displays of affection regardless of the situation.

People burst into laughter.

Han Chang-jin's shoulders shook too.

'This looks nice.'

It's a very heartwarming scene.

Though he doesn't like noisy situations, being immersed among these people makes him so happy and joyful.

He's grateful for not being alone.

He's not lonely.

The happiness he thought he would never grasp again was right here.

He's now becoming part of their family.

He's gaining a family.

Han Chang-jin felt his heart swell.

Eun-ah nudged him.

"What? You want to do it too? Here."

"Eun-ah..."

"Hurry and say ah. Ah~"

"...Ah~"

"How is it? It's delicious because I'm giving it to you, right?"

"...It's so delicious because you're giving it to me."

Noh Eun-ah handed him melon with a playful smile.

Han Chang-jin was just happy looking at her.

He couldn't manage his expression while eating the melon she offered.

"Tsk, really..."

"..."

Eun-ha and his father, watching this scene from across, clicked their tongues.

Han Chang-jin flinched.

The gaze that had been friendly just moments ago had turned cold.

No, it was burning coldly.

He felt as if he saw flames blazing in their eyes.

Thankfully, the flames were quickly extinguished.

Noh Eun-ae and Jeong Ha-yang stepped in.

"Hey! I should take care of our dad! Dad, ah~"

"...Eun-ae, you're not allowed to get married."

"Dear, you're such a child."

"I'm going to live with Mom and Dad!"

Noh Eun-ae picked up some melon and offered it.

The father smiled while chewing the melon.

As for Jeong Ha-yang...

"Should Yu-ran give some to Dad? Dad, say ah~ Ah~"

"Ah~?"

Using Noh Yu-ran's hand.

Jeong Ha-yang held out a fork with melon to Eun-ha.

Eun-ha couldn't help but be moved once by Ha-yang's aegyo and once by Yu-ran's cute act.

He opened his mouth to take the fork in Yu-ran's hand.

Just as the distance was about to close.

Swish!

"...?"

"Ah-ang. Yum."

"Yu-Yu-ran...?"

Just before it entered Eun-ha's mouth.

Noh Yu-ran suddenly raised her other hand, pulled the melon off the fork and brought it to her own mouth.

He was dumbfounded by Yu-ran's action, and Jeong Ha-yang couldn't hide her bewilderment.

Yu-ran just laughed gleefully as if her prank had succeeded.

People couldn't hold back their laughter either.

"Daddy stupid."

"...You little rascal."

At his daughter's cute prank.

Eun-ha felt full even though he hadn't eaten the melon.

He gently pinched Yu-ran's cheek, doting on her.

Then he called out to Yu-rin in Lee Yu-jeong's arms, who was chatting with Noh Eun-ae.

"Yu-rin, can you give Dad some melon?"

"Yu-rin, Dad is calling you. Do you want to go say ah~ to Dad?"

"Yes."

Noh Yu-ran and Noh Yu-rin were the same age but had different personalities.

While Noh Yu-ran was more active, Noh Yu-rin was relatively quiet.

Yu-rin, who received a fork from Lee Yu-jeong, toddled over to Eun-ha.

"Dad, say ah~"

"Ah~. It's delicious because Yu-rin gave it to me. Does Yu-rin want to eat melon too?"

"Yes."

This time there was no prank.

Eun-ha succeeded in receiving food from Yu-rin and felt content.

Afterwards, people continued to spend time in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Soon the alcohol ran out.

"Looking at the mood, it seems everyone wants to drink more, I should go buy more alcohol... Eun-ae, sorry but could you go out and buy some?"

"Sure, I was just wanting some fresh air anyway, I'll go buy it!"

Eun-ha's mother sent Eun-ae out.

Eun-ae grabbed her wallet and prepared to go out without complaint.

At that time, Bruno, who had been drinking with Jin Pa-rang, opened his mouth.

"Avenir."

"What is it, Dad? I mean, Father?"

"Go with her."

"That's right, son. The night streets are dark, we can't send Eun-ae out alone as a woman. At times like this, you should go along and protect her."

"Really? Okay! Noona, wait a moment! I'll go with you!"

"Hm? You're coming too, Nier? Okay, let's go together. I was just thinking it might be hard to carry everything alone, this works out well."

Julieta added her words too.

At this, Avenir put down his glass and quickly followed after Noh Eun-ae.

Standing side by side highlighted their height difference.

Her taking him out looked just like taking a large dog for a walk.

People chatted merrily while waiting for them to return.

Shortly after, they returned from the nearby convenience store.

"Here's the alcohol delivery!"

"It seemed like we might run out of snacks so I grabbed a few! And I bought ice cream too, who wants some!? Yu-seong, do you want ice cream?"

"I want some!"

Noh Eun-ae distributed ice cream.

People cooled their heated intoxication with ice cream.

Then they started drinking again.

Since most of them were quite strong drinkers, there was no one causing trouble from being drunk.

In the first place, they were able to control their intoxication by manifesting internal mana.

That's how people were able to end the gathering in a joyful mood.

Or so they thought.

"Son-in-law! You can drink more, right!?"

"Yes! Father-in-law!"

Han Chang-jin was drunk.

He answered Eun-ha's father in a loud voice unlike his usual self.

Good answer!

The father praised him heartily.

His eyes flashed.

"Then shall we go out and drink just us?"

"...Pardon?"

"Shouldn't we have some honest man-to-man talk?"

"..."

"This isn't enough. What's the point of drinking alcohol while detoxifying with mana? Don't you agree, Eun-ha?"

"You're right, Father."

"Pa-rang! You can drink more, right!?"

"Yes sir! Of course!"

"How about you two?"

"Hmm."

"I can drink more too!"

The father with a confident face.

 Noh Eun-ha raising the corners of his mouth.

Jin Pa-rang with a slightly flushed face.

Bruno nodding his head.

Avenir going along with the flow, though not quite sure what's happening.

Han Chang-jin finally realized.

'So this is just the beginning...'

The test to become a man of the Noh family hadn't even started yet.

Up until now was merely the preliminary skirmish.

Han Chang-jin, who had been relaxed in a happy fantasy, snapped to attention.

Steeling himself, he decided to take on the Noh family's test.

"Yes, let's go drink more."

"Then shall we go for round two among ourselves?"

Noh Eun-ha suggested.

The men stood up from their seats with the solemnity of warriors heading to battle.

"Sigh, I don't care. Dad and Eun-ha, you do whatever..."

"Don't bully Mr. Han too much."

"Bru! I'll be waiting up for you! You know what I mean, right?"

"Drink moderately and come back, moderately."

"Pa-rang oppa... Don't be late."

They say the women looked at them with exasperation.