Chapter 137
Chapter 137
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 137
Chapter Title: Viral Father-Daughter Moment
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Something that felt like a dream had happened, and I couldn't help but let out a chuckle. At that, Yu-na groaned and woke up.
"Nggh... Daddy...?"
"Ah, you're awake? Daddy was too noisy just now, huh? Sorry. You can go back to sleep."
"...Yeah."
After lulling Yu-na back to sleep, I covered her mouth and carefully scanned the article.
It was all praise.
'Marvo Shopping Mall homepage.'
They say the Marvo Shopping Mall homepage had never once crashed due to too many visitors...
Was my fame really at this level?
My recognition was definitely higher than in my past life. It was probably possible thanks to my handsome looks and cute daughter.
I was checking other articles one by one when a small giggle came from my chest.
Looking down, I met eyes with Yu-na, who was grinning brightly, showing her teeth.
"Daddy smiling makes me happy... Hehehe."
"Then Daddy should smile every day, huh?"
"Yeah. Smile every day. Like this."
Yu-na squinted her eyes and lifted the corners of her mouth with her hands. I carefully removed the eye gunk from her small face and stroked her messy hair.
"Daddy's going to go prepare breakfast for us all. Do you want to stay here and sleep a bit more, Yu-na?"
She shook her head.
"I wanna go with you."
"Alright, let's go together."
"Yeah!"
Clatter!
Yu-na headed toward the living room but suddenly stopped dead. In front of the door, she narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips slightly.
'What's she doing?'
Tilting my head, I followed Yu-na out to the living room.
Right in front of me was Ahn Jeong-su, dressed in sky-blue pajamas, shaking out his wet hair.
"Hyung, you're up early?"
"You're up early too."
His casual belly-scratching felt so natural. It must mean he was comfortable at our house.
Step step.
Even as he strode over and sat on the sofa, Yu-na was glaring at Ahn Jeong-su from in front of that door.
"Yu-na, what's wrong? Come sit with Daddy and watch the morning news."
Hesitating, Yu-na came over to my side and tugged at my clothes.
"Daddy, when's that uncle... "
That was when.
Ahn Jeong-su suddenly stood up and slung a wet towel over his shoulder.
"Jun-seo, where do I put this used towel?"
"Just toss it in the washing machine at the back of the kitchen. But... why are you up so early? Heading out right away?"
"Ah... What? Why are you looking at me like that?"
Ahn Jeong-su glanced down, then flicked Yu-na's forehead as she stared at him wide-eyed.
"Uncle... when are you leaving?"
"You want this uncle to leave quick?"
Nod nod.
"Yeah, quick..."
Startled by her voice full of hostility, I hurriedly covered Yu-na's mouth.
Then I gave an awkward smile.
"Yu-na's still half-asleep."
"I was gonna leave right away anyway. No need to worry, Princess."
"Not hungry? At least have some breakfast..."
"Nah. I have to coach the kids at soccer academy for lunch, so I need to drop Su-jin off at home first."
"...I see."
"You want me gone quick..."
"Sip! Yu-na!"
He laughed heartily, then stood and ruffled Yu-na's hair roughly.
"Alright, I'm off. Bye."
In the now quiet house, Yu-na and I lay on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.
Because of Yu-na's childish behavior, Ahn Jeong-su had left early with Su-jin.
She's still young, so that's no excuse...
But this was rude.
What should I do with Yu-na?
Even though I wanted to scold her bad behavior, the counselor's advice to only speak kindly kept making me hesitate.
Should I just sternly tell her it was wrong... Or gently coax her...
I agonized over this dozens of times.
In the end, I'd let it slide this once and scold her properly next time.
With that resolve, I picked up my phone.
'I should apologize properly.'
I messaged Ahn Jeong-su, mentioning Yu-na's rude behavior that morning and apologizing.
Lee Jun-seo: Yu-na was so rude today, right? I'm really sorry. She's not usually like this... Let me buy you a meal next time. Not long after sending, a reply came to my apology. I swallowed dryly and opened it. Ahn Jeong-su: No need to apologize, it's fine. I could tell at a glance—you two wanted some alone time, and I was in the way. Obvious. I let out a deep sigh of relief. Good, he's not upset... My fear that our good relationship might sour melted away like snow. By the way. What did he mean? Lee Jun-seo: What do you mean? Ahn Jeong-su: It's classic daddy's girl behavior from a doting dad lover. Lucky you. Your daughter's crazy about you... My son just causes trouble all the time. Lee Jun-seo: Is that it? Didn't realize. Ahn Jeong-su: Anyway! Don't worry about today, no hard feelings. Rest easy today. Lee Jun-seo: Got it. You rest easy too, hyung. Ahn Jeong-su: Yeah. Fortunately, he didn't seem to think much of it. Rubbing my chest in relief, I checked the time on my phone. Lunchtime was almost here. 'Time flew by already?' I set my phone by the bedside and slowly sat up.
"Daddyyy."
Suddenly, Yu-na hugged me tight and rubbed her face against mine. The haughty look from yesterday was gone. That had been pretty cute too.
"Hehehe. Daddy."
At Yu-na's call, I stroked her chubby cheeks and asked.
"Yeah? What's up, my pretty girl?"
"Nothing."
Nothing, huh... Do I mean that much to her? With a happy smile, I scooped up Yu-na, who was stuck like gum.
"Wanna go to the mart nearby? I'll make whatever you want to eat."
"Meat! Yu-na likes meat."
"Alright, let's wash up quick, go for a walk, then head to the mart."
"Yeah!"
After our walk, we got to the mart and were surrounded by shoppers.
They parted like the sea as we moved forward, so it wasn't too obstructive...
But all the stares were burdensome.
Whispering, taking photos.
Even an auntie offering samples.
"Jun-seo! Try a frozen dumpling. So good."
"These sausages are tasty too."
Maintaining my smile, I told the persistent sample auntie.
"If I eat now, I won't have room for lunch. Appreciate it, though."
Dragging the cart with Yu-na seated, pushing forward blindly.
"...Daddy, wait."
Yu-na stared at the bakery on the left and pointed at something.
"That. I want that."
Small slices of cake.
Samples on display.
At Yu-na's haughty demeanor, people around cooed about how cute she was.
"Kyaa! So cute!"
"Sitting in the cart acting all grown-up. Adorable."
"Are they filming something?"
"No cameras around... Not the 'Daddy, I love you!' shoot, I guess."
"Is she imitating a princess?"
Yu-na must be aware of the people around, putting on that act.
At home, a bubbly cutie.
Outside, a haughty princess.
'Her character colors are so distinct.'
Smiling, I played along with Yu-na's game, lowering my voice.
"Is this slice of cake what the pretty princess desires?"
"One... No, two please."
Yu-na took the cake slice and popped it in her mouth whole, munching.
Her chubby cheeks puffed out.
Like they'd burst if squeezed.
'...Should I poke it a little?'
Following the impulse.
As I prodded her chubby cheek, praise for Yu-na slipped out.
"My pretty girl? How long are you gonna stay this cute? You're making Daddy anxious."
That was when.
Screams erupted around us.
Only then did I realize I'd said something embarrassing in front of everyone.
"Did you hear that?"
"He's a real daughter fool."
"A cool guy saying that makes it different. If it was my dad... He'd ask what I did wrong."
"She's soaking up so much daddy love."
Cooling my flushed face, Yu-na's shoulders and nose seemed lifted higher.
Yeah, this is my fault...
My fault.
Suddenly back to normal, Yu-na smacked her cream-smeared lips.
"...If Yu-na's cute, you're anxious?"
"Of course."
"Then how can I not be cute? I don't like Daddy anxious."
Worried I'd turn back into the indifferent dad...
She's worrying about me.
Surrounded by stares, Yu-na's maturity made them irrelevant.
With a bitter smile, I reached out and wiped the cream from her lips.
"My girl, just stay as you are."
"Why?"
"I told you before? Daddy treasures you most. You can stay cute forever. Any look is fine."
"......"
"So. No matter what, I just want my pretty girl by my side. You're Daddy's whole world."
Yu-na went silent for a moment, then tears plopped from her eyes.
She started crying suddenly; I picked her up and patted her back gently.
Had her fear of me becoming indifferent again faded?
Had my true feelings finally reached her?
Either way.
"Don't hold back—cry all you want. Daddy'll take it all."
"...Waaah! Daddy! Daddyyy!"
From silent tears, Yu-na opened wide and wailed.
"Yeah, Daddy's here."
"Waaah!"
The surrounding shoppers quickly made space.
Back home, I tucked the sleeping, cried-out Yu-na into bed and covered her.
Can't win with her.
"...Sweet dreams, my girl."
I kissed her forehead lightly and quietly left the room.
In the quiet, spacious living room.
As I sat on the sofa for a break.
A call from the CEO.
"CEO, what's up?"
-You... out there filming some drama with Yu-na? "What do you mean?" -There's a video going around: 'Touching Conversation Between Cool Dad and Cute Daughter'! Ah, so they filmed it after all... And it spread online. Scratching my cheek awkwardly, I said.
"It's not bad, right? No scandal ruining my image."
At my cheeky reply, a small sigh came through the phone. -Yeah. You talk well. "Is that so?" -Ah, off track. About Yu-na. Any thought to putting her in a music video? "Why?" -...You know the singer 'Yusia'? She requested Yu-na. Honestly, I'd love if you did this one. "Hmm..."
A music video... If the CEO's saying this, I should accept. But. Yu-na's choice matters most. I shrugged.
"Yu-na's asleep now, so I can't answer yet." -Think it over. Plenty of time, like I said. "Got it." -Rest well. Click! Call ended. I set down the phone and stared blankly into space. Wait... Our video spread? Recalling what I said at the mart, my face burned. I bowed my head and rubbed my face.