Chapter 136
Chapter 136
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 136
Chapter Title: Uncle's Sleepover
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It wasn't until evening, when the sun had dipped below the horizon and dusk had settled, that we finally pulled up in front of our apartment.
The parking lot looked packed tight, not a single spot in sight.
He just needed to drop us off at the main entrance, but instead, he kept circling the lot aimlessly.
He even tried going down to the underground level.
Then came back up and looped around the perimeter again.
After a full six laps of circling, Ahn Jeong-su finally asked me offhandedly,
"Jun-seo, you busy tomorrow?"
"...No. Why do you ask?"
"Oh! Looks like someone pulled out? Nice."
He nailed the parking in the newly opened spot and flashed a big grin.
Then he cut to the chase.
"I was hoping to crash at your place tonight... That okay?"
"Huh? You want to stay over tonight?"
So that's what this was about—staying at our house.
It had seemed odd from the start, him insisting on hunting for a parking spot.
"...Figured as much."
His face fell, so I quickly shook my head.
"No, it's fine. Stay over. I was just caught off guard."
"Alright then, let's wake the sleeping kids and head up. I'll crash for the night."
"By the way... you sure it's okay? Won't your wife get upset?"
"Nah, it's cool. She's such a fan of yours, seems like she trusts you completely."
"Trust doesn't really have anything to do with..."
He let out a hearty laugh and rummaged for his phone.
"Want me to call her right now? Hang on, give me a sec. I'll get the okay."
Moments later, the ringtone kicked in.
Click!
"Hey, what're you up to?"
*-Just prepping dinner. When you coming home?*
Her voice was slim and clear, practically right beside us. He turned to me with a smirk tugging at his lips.
"Oh, yeah?"
*-So, why the call?*
"I'm crashing at my little bro's place tonight—cool with you? I'll hand the phone over, hold on."
*-W-wait! Little bro...?*
He beamed innocently and passed me the phone. Was it because this was my first time talking to his wife?
I felt oddly tense.
"...Hello? This is Lee Jun-seo."
*-Jun-seo. Hi there.*
It was different from the voice I'd overheard earlier.
*-Looks like we finally get to chat.*
Now it carried a warm, gentle tone.
Ahn Jeong-su, catching it from beside me, clamped a hand over his mouth, shoulders shaking violently. Ignoring his hysterics, I steadied the phone.
"Yes, hello, sister-in-law."
*-I'm a huge fan. I'll catch tomorrow's drama live for sure.*
"That means a lot."
*-And... take good care of our little troublemakers today, okay?*
"No worries. I'll make sure they stay out of trouble."
*-Bring your daughter over next time. I'll whip up something delicious.*
"Sure thing."
As I lowered the phone, Ahn Jeong-su doubled over, clutching his stomach in roaring laughter.
"Hahaha! What was that voice? Got a cold or something? Hahaha!"
"......"
He had absolutely no clue.
That the phone screen still read "Call in Progress."
Moments later...
The call ended on its own.
Right on cue, Ahn Jeong-su snatched the phone back.
I got out of the car and headed to the passenger seat.
The moment I opened the door, Yu-na's chubby little butt and wide-open mouth came into view.
I let my lips curve up naturally as I gently shook her.
"Yu-na, wake up. We're home."
She stirred a bit, rubbing her eyes before sitting up.
Then she stretched her arms out to me.
Wiggle. Wiggle.
Urging me to pick her up with those flailing hands, I chuckled and scooped her up.
A princess's request demands compliance.
I shut the passenger door, and Ahn Jeong-su sidled up beside me, Su-jin in his arms and a paper bag poking out slightly from his left hand, thin clothes peeking from it.
"Yu-na's up?"
"What's in the paper bag?"
"Oh, pajamas and toothbrush. It's an overnight stay—gotta have PJs, right?"
"Ahaha..."
Packing pajamas and a toothbrush.
This guy came fully prepared.
A chill wind made me shiver, and I spun on my heel.
That's how I ended up leading Ahn Jeong-su home. It was my first time inviting him over, so I felt a twinge of worry.
Did we even have food at home?
"Hmm."
Thinking over the fridge's contents, I realized there was nothing edible.
No choice then—delivery it is for a quick meal...
Click!
The front door swung open to bright white lights welcoming us.
I stepped inside, slipped off Yu-na's shoes, and neatly placed them in the shoe cabinet.
"Come on in. I turned off the boiler before leaving, so the floor might be a bit cold."
"Hey, your kid keeps staring at us?"
Sure enough, Yu-na blinked at the two of us standing there.
Blink. Blink.
"Does she hate us coming into your house?"
"...Nah, probably not."
"Well, good then."
Suddenly, Yu-na tugged at my clothes and opened her little mouth.
"Daddy. Uncle staying at our house?"
"Yeah, tonight Uncle Jeong-su and Su-jin are sleeping over."
"......"
"...You don't like it?"
Nod. Nod.
Yu-na nodded slightly, pursing her lips like a duck.
Didn't expect her to say no...
I glanced at Ahn Jeong-su.
He was taking off Su-jin's shoes as he entered, muttering softly.
"Fairy tale princesses always grant wishes nicely... Guess you're not a real princess after all, huh? Fair enough."
Flinch! Yu-na trembled.
"Yu-na is a princess."
"Really? Then can Uncle stay over?"
At his question, Yu-na tossed her hair and put on a haughty expression.
"In that case... Yu-na's okay with it."
I couldn't help laughing at Yu-na's sudden shift to prim princess mode.
"Ahaha. Our princess has given her approval. Lucky break, bro."
"Hey, this one's still out cold. Su-jin! Wake up!"
After showing him around all the rooms.
While waiting for delivery, Yu-na and Su-jin played with toys.
Ahn Jeong-su lounged alone on the sofa, watching a soccer match.
"You're gonna break it! Give it here! Daddy bought it—for me, Yu-na's!"
"No way! I'm playing with it!"
"Shoot...! Ah! You've gotta curve it! Can't even score that? That was your chance!"
The house felt unusually lively and chaotic.
Focused on prepping for the delivery, I suddenly shivered.
My pocket buzzed.
It was a call from our neighbor, Lee Jong-min. What could he want this late?
"Hello?"
*-Ah! Jun-seo. Got a minute?*
"Yeah, sure. What's up?"
As I answered, Yu-na and Su-jin's bickering grew louder.
"That's Yu-na's! Give it back!"
"Did you write your name on it? No!"
"Give it! Hand it over! If you don't give it to Yu-na, I'll tell Daddy."
"Do it. Yah! Yah!"
Even in this near-disaster,
Ahn Jeong-su stayed glued to the soccer, ignoring the kids' fight.
"Nice, shoot from there! Ah... The gap between his legs was wide open! Should've aimed there!"
A former star Korean soccer player, now backseat coaching like any fan.
This felt like a rare sight...
*-Jun-seo? You there?*
I readjusted the phone.
"Ah, yeah! Listening."
*-Your Marbo photos just went up on the homepage.*
"Already?"
*-Yeah, thought you'd want to check.*
"Thanks. I'll take a look right now."
I wrapped up the call and pulled up the Marbo site.
A massive banner.
Dozens of my fall fashion shots dominated the huge banner.
Just check a few?
I clicked my favorite campus look, but the phone lagged hard, like something was wrong.
...What? Why's it glitching?
I waited ages, but the page wouldn't load.
Soon, an error screen popped up.
‘Did the server crash?’
Tried a few more times—no dice.
Looked like the server really had blown up.
No helping it then...
"Waaah! Big bro mean! Waaah!"
"...Ah, no."
I pocketed the phone and hurried to Yu-na, who had burst into tears.
She dove straight into my arms.
"Our princess, why the tears?"
"Sniff. Yu-na's toy... Big bro took it... Sniff! Daddy bought it."
"...Just share for one day, okay?"
"......"
Yu-na went quiet.
Her cute lips pouted like a duck, clearly sulking hard. I hugged her tight, patting her back.
"Sharing makes you a good, pretty girl. What kind of girl is our Yu-na?"
A brief silence.
Yu-na sniffled, then spoke.
"...A good, pretty girl."
"Right? So share with big bro Su-jin today. Tomorrow, Daddy'll play with you all you want. Got it?"
Nod. Nod.
Yu-na nodded faintly.
No clue how long this trick would work, but it was gold right now.
Look at her.
She shuffled over to Su-jin, who was peeking cautiously, and reached out.
"...Teacher said... After fights, you hold hands to make up."
"Sorry..."
"Yu-na sorry too... Let's be friends."
"Y-yeah."
As they made up,
Ahn Jeong-su, still possessed by the coach, shot up from the sofa, lost in the game.
"Ah, block it! They're breaking through! Argh!"
He slumped back onto the sofa with a sigh, tilting his head at us.
"What're you kids up to? Something happen?"
I let out a soft sigh.
"Haa."
Early morning, my eyes fluttered open on their own.
"Hehe... Hmm. Pretty..."
Yu-na's tiny voice.
I looked down to see her beaming happily.
What was she dreaming about?
Stuck to my chest like a gum spot, drooling and grinning.
I patted Yu-na while grabbing my phone from the nightstand with my other hand.
Then, as usual, I searched my name online, scanning the articles one by one.
[Actor Lee Jun-seo! Marbo's Exclusive Model Now? His Amazing Moves!] [Marbo Homepage Down! That's Lee Jun-seo Effect for You?] [Today's the Premiere of Drama 'Devil Errand Center'! Fans Are Buzzing Already...] [Can Actor Lee Jun-seo Top the Ratings Again? Experts Say It's Likely...]
The reactions were scorching hot.
On top of that, tons of messages from acquaintances—cheers and congrats.
So many, I started from the top, reading carefully.
Shin Dong-hyun: Dude! Congrats! Haven't seen the pics yet, but must be huge? Site's still down. Lmao.
Kang Min-woo: What?! When'd you shoot that?! Major congrats.
Kang Su-ho: Drama premiere today, right? I'll tune in. Congrats.
Hold up.
‘The homepage is still crashed?’
Just to check, I tried accessing the Marbo site from yesterday.
No luck—couldn't even connect.
"...Ahaha!"