Chapter 487: Mother-in-law
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 487: Mother-in-law
“The ladies definitely have a clean touch with their cooking. Everything is so good.”
Just as Choi I-seo said, our dining table had been overflowing lately. They would ask us if there was anything specific we wanted and used only the freshest, top-tier ingredients, making every meal a delight.
It felt like I was being managed like a professional athlete in peak season. The girls seemed a bit overwhelmed by it at first, but they appeared to have grown used to it now.
It probably helped that they viewed all this pampering as being for the sake of the babies rather than themselves.
“I know, right? It’s not heavy at all. The seasoning is light but flavorful.”
“Honestly, this is better than my mom’s cooking.”
Seo Ye-rin and Yoo Ah-rin laughed in agreement. Seeing how much they enjoyed the meals, I decided to let them in on a little secret.
“Those ladies are all former chefs from famous hotels.”
“What?”
“Huh?”
The three of them stared at me with wide eyes. They seemed to have had no idea. Just because we called them 'Auntie' didn't mean they were just any neighborhood aunties.
“Did you think they were just ladies with a good sense of seasoning? My father wouldn't leave his grandkids in just anyone's hands. He sees to every little detail.”
“Wow.”
“...Suddenly, this tastes expensive.”
Their reactions shifted instantly, which only made me chuckle. The food was prepared for them anyway, so I just wanted them to eat heartily without feeling pressured.
After finishing the meal, I was wondering what we should do today when Seo Ye-rin suddenly raised her hand to make an announcement.
“My mom’s coming over today.”
“Your mother?!”
I jumped to my feet and immediately scanned the house. The housekeepers had already cleaned everything spotless, but I looked around one more time just in case.
“He’s always so walking on eggshells around Ye-rin’s mom.”
“Well, it’s understandable. He basically forced her into retirement.”
“I’m going back to work after I have the baby!”
Seo Ye-rin laughed, flexing her biceps.
Of course, if she wanted to work, I’d support her. But the fact remained that she was currently on a hiatus because of me. I couldn't help but feel perpetually guilty toward her mother.
“Yaaaawn!”
Just then, a girl descended from the second floor. Choi I-seo looked at her younger sister in surprise.
“Choi I-hyun, you’re still here?!”
“Huh? Oh... I love it here. The bed is soft, and the air is so fresh. I asked my brother-in-law if I could study here, and he said yes.”
“Kim Woo-jin...!”
I felt a burning gaze piercing through my back, but I pretended not to notice.
Choi I-hyun was a high school senior, after all. I wanted her to be able to study in a good environment during such a crucial year.
“What about food?”
“There’s some over there, so eat. And leave right after! Got it?”
“Aw, why?! Unni!”
Surprisingly, the person Choi I-hyun clung to while whining "Unni!" wasn't Choi I-seo, but Seo Ye-rin and Yoo Ah-rin.
“There, there, little sis. You want to stay with us, don't you?”
“Hey, she’s cute. Just let her stay. She said she’s going to study hard.”
“Ugh, my head.”
Choi I-seo let out a deep sigh, claiming she had a headache because of the two who were taking I-hyun's side.
You might wonder why she disliked her sister being here so much. It was mostly because Choi I-hyun would occasionally spill the beans on I-seo’s embarrassing past.
“You guys are the best. So pretty, so cute. I love you guys.”
“Hehe, I feel like I have a younger sister now!”
“My goodness, why are you so much better at sweet-talking than Choi I-seo?”
“Huff.”
Watching Choi I-seo fume, I slipped outside. I checked to see if there was any mess around the yard, but thanks to the ladies’ meticulous cleaning, there was nothing for me to touch.
I spotted someone tending to the flower beds and hurried over.
“Ah, Auntie. Where is that Port wine I brought the other day?”
“That? It’s in the wine cellar.”
“...We have a wine cellar?”
“You didn't know?”
I didn't.
The place was so massive, and since the staff handled everything without me needing to lift a finger, I just lived here without knowing the details.
“Please wrap it up nicely. Ye-rin’s mother is coming over.”
“Yes, sir. Right away.”
She immediately went to prepare it.
I had heard that Ye-rin’s mother enjoyed wine, so I had prepared a fairly expensive bottle. I hoped she and her husband would enjoy it together, especially since Ye-rin wasn't at their house to keep them company.
‘...Come to think of it, is she still going there?’
We’d had an embarrassing encounter back when I was working at the adult store. That incident had naturally become something that "never happened" between us. I’m sure she didn't want to bring it up either.
Vroom!
The sound of a car reached my ears. Ye-rin’s family car was approaching, so I ran straight to the entrance to greet them.
After parking, the door opened, and my father-in-law and mother-in-law stepped out.
“You’re here! Haha!”
“....”
“No need to come all the way out here to greet us.”
The mother-in-law still looked at me with a somewhat dubious, dissatisfied expression. However, the father-in-law patted my shoulder and welcomed me quite warmly.
The golf clubs I gave him when I gave a set to I-seo’s father had clearly done the trick.
As we entered the house, Seo Ye-rin, who had been hugging Choi I-hyun, froze.
“Ack, you’re here already?”
“'Ack'? Is that any way to greet your mother?”
Following behind them, I instinctively chimed in with her mother.
“Exactly, Ye-rin. Your mother came all this way just to see you. You shouldn't react like that.”
“....”
Choi I-hyun slunk away.
Choi I-seo and Yoo Ah-rin also offered their greetings, and surprisingly, the mother-in-law seemed to like them. It felt as though she felt she had gained new daughters, or perhaps she felt a sense of camaraderie since they were all going through the same hardships alongside Seo Ye-rin.
“Where is Ye-rin’s room?”
As soon as she arrived, she went straight to inspecting Ye-rin’s room.
“My room? I don't have a separate room. We all—.”
“It’s this way, Mother.”
When I immediately led the way upstairs, Seo Ye-rin stared at me with her mouth agape.
Kim Woo-jin, you traitor?
I ignored her expression and entered her room. Ye-rin’s room was clean—spotless, even. It was only natural since the staff cleaned it every day.
From the bedsheets to the back of the computer, there wasn't a speck of dust, and the fresh outdoor air circulated through the open window. It was a warm space made of natural wood, but...
“Sigh.”
Ye-rin’s mother’s expression soured.
“I-Is there a problem?”
When I asked tentatively, she glared at Seo Ye-rin, who had followed us in, and spoke.
“Ye-rin, you should at least clean your own room.”
“...Why? We have the ladies for that.”
“Tsk! Even if they’re here, you should clean your own room. Are they going to be with you forever? No, right?”
She suddenly turned to me. I nodded with a speed that would rival a professional athlete's reflexes.
“You’re absolutely right! Once the baby is born, we have to handle the housework ourselves.”
“....”
Seo Ye-rin glared at me again. Emboldened by my support, her mother continued to nag her.
“Do you have any idea how much cleaning there is to do once you have a child? Are the ladies going to clean up every single time? You should start learning how to clean and cook, even if it’s just the basics.”
“N-No... I did fine when I was living at our house.”
Seo Ye-rin had lived in a detached house. Her parents used the first floor, and she used the second floor alone, so she had some experience living semi-independently.
“I’m saying this because I know that. If you’re going to raise a child, you have to be much cleaner than when you were living alone.”
“I can be clean too.”
“Can someone who’s never exercised suddenly lift 100kg? You have to practice starting now. Don't you agree, Son-in-law Kim?”
I had been promoted to 'Son-in-law.'
“Oh, of course! Sigh, Ye-rin. For the sake of our children, let’s start learning about childcare and housework in earnest.”
“....”
Seo Ye-rin bit her lip, looking at me with daggers in her eyes. I looked at my mother-in-law and gave her a bright smile.
“Mother, I’ll make sure to tell the staff to let Ye-rin clean her own room from now on.”
“And the computer. She’s not watching anything bad for the babies, is she?”
“I’ll install kids' mode immediately.”
I rubbed my hands together like a fly, bowing and scraping, and before I knew it, the mother-in-law’s expression had softened considerably.
“Yes, Son-in-law Kim, please look after her. Ye-rin is so unreliable, it just makes me sigh.”
“Haha, I understand. You don't have to worry. I’ll do my absolute best to support her.”
The rest of the visit followed a similar pattern. It felt as though she had come specifically to nag. It only ended when the father-in-law finally suggested it was time to go.
“This is a Port wine that came as a gift from my eldest brother’s business associate. I set it aside because I thought you two would enjoy it.”
When I finally presented the beautifully wrapped Port wine as a gift, both of their expressions brightened significantly.
“Sigh, please take good care of Ye-rin.”
“Thanks, Son-in-law Kim. We’ll enjoy the drink.”
“Yes! Get home safely! Please feel free to come by whenever you’re bored or miss Ye-rin! I’ll text you the passcode, so you don't even have to call before coming!”
I bowed deeply toward the retreating car, seeing them off. When I turned back to the house, the three of them were standing at the front door.
Choi I-seo, Yoo Ah-rin, and Choi I-hyun.
“Sniff.”
When I sniffled and looked at them, Choi I-seo let out a sigh and walked past me.
“Ye-rin is waiting inside.”
“....”
“Geez, we’re going for a walk. I told you you were overdoing it.”
“I... I had to score some points.”
At least the mother-in-law was calling me 'Son-in-law Kim' now.
“Brother-in-law, can I sleep over again tonight?”
“Oh, of course—.”
“Choi I-hyun, you haven't studied at all today.”
Choi I-hyun was immediately caught by Choi I-seo.
I watched the three of them walk away for a moment before heading inside. There, Seo Ye-rin was sitting on the sofa, chin resting on her hand, staring silently at the unlit TV.
“...Ye-Ye-rin.”
“Woo-jin.”
Her voice was low. I immediately stood at attention in front of her.
“Yes! Kim! Woo! Jin!”
Seo Ye-rin looked up at my rigid posture and spoke with a cold, mocking laugh.
“My neck hurts looking up at you.”
“Yes, ma'am!”
I dropped to my knees instantly. And only then did she get to the point.
“Do you want to die?”
“...No.”