Chapter 344
Chapter 344
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 344
Chapter Title: The Female Tigers' Standoff
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Lee Siheon had dipped out.
With the guy they could show off to now gone, was what remained truly just a battle of wills between female tigers?
Between Se-young and Dalrae staring each other down, Star was busily sipping her chocolate latte while furtively glancing at the people around her.
'I wanted to eat eels with Shiba and Siheon, too...'
Star, who had tucked tail early since she had no confidence in winning.
With the scary big sisters standing there arms crossed, facing off, Star's perky blonde hair drooped limply.
Even her lively star-shaped pupils had rounded out politely, as if minding their manners.
-Zing.
The two, hyper-aware of each other. For now, things were fine.
They were in the middle of earnestly sharing childcare info, and even Azalea's mother, Jin Dalrae, wouldn't push her stubbornness here.
No matter what anyone said, they were Lee Siheon's lovers.
Since it was about Siheon and his daughter, they were prioritizing him over their personal feelings. Peace was maintained.
"The nutritional supplements here are relatively decent. But since it's a child who absorbed the Tree Rings, you need to be extra careful with the formulations, right? You'll probably have to go custom-order."
"Ah..."
"Thing is, even if you contact companies that make these rapid-growth supplements for Wood People, it takes time for the packaging to arrive. And they often get returned. A lot of the necessary meds fall under national restrictions, so they don't handle them much."
"Is there no easy way to get them?"
Se-young let out a sigh at Dalrae's question.
"Tree Rings aren't that common. Our family company even floated it as a project to develop some, but it's still on hold."
"......"
"Still, you have to use supplements. It's directly tied to health. The ones I mentioned are fine as a stopgap..."
"No."
Se-young smiled, pleased with Dalrae's response.
"Hit me up later. I'll connect you with someone I know. We need to make meds that fit the kid."
"...Got it."
"And the thank you?"
"Thank you, Professor."
"Professor, huh..."
But once that topic wrapped up.
When the subject shifted from 'Lee Siheon's daughter' to 'Lee Siheon' himself, things changed.
Now it was a true clash of pride as women.
Star hunched down and slyly averted her gaze.
"By the way, Dalrae."
Lee Se-young lifted her booted foot, crossing her legs. The sheer stockings hinted tantalizingly at skin beneath.
That knowing smile, lips quirked just so—it was the epitome of an alpha female.
Dalrae, sensing the shift in mood, straightened the strap of her pure white dress primly, placed both hands on her knees, and beamed sweetly.
The strap adjustment revealed kiss marks and handprints starkly imprinted beside her collarbone.
"There's something I want to say."
"Living together? No issue under academy rules since it's your own place."
"Nah, not that. It's about Shiba."
"......"
"If you're legally the mom, then who's the dad?"
"Obviously Sihe—"
Shiba's dad was Lee Siheon.
The moment she went to say it, Lee Se-young's face soured sharply.
It was the exact look she made when something truly grated on her nerves. Star's face stiffened as she caught it.
"S-Se-young."
Star tried to intervene urgently, but Se-young brushed it off lightly.
A single glare with axe-eyes was enough—Star deflated instantly and clamped her mouth shut.
Lee Se-young sighed.
"Dalrae. We're not here to have a pissing contest, right?"
"...Yeah, sure."
At the two's half-hearted exchange, Star whimpered inwardly.
'You two totally came here for a pissing contest, you bitches!'
Not cats fighting—tigers. Se-young clicked her tongue at Star's tense expression.
"Right now, we're telling Siheon to go eat eels or whatever. But honestly... if he wanted, we'd be nothing to him. How many women does that guy have in his fate? Right?"
"......"
Lee Siheon might be fine with it, but from the women's side, it was different.
Seeing him spreading his legs wider than ever already made him seem like some Casanova.
Even Star, just listening, nodded along instinctively.
"We love each other."
"Yeah, exactly. We love each other. I love him to death. He loves me too. Why do you think Siheon yields to us? Because he loves us both, so when we're alone, he lets us have our way as much as possible."
If you called that consideration, it was consideration enough.
Lee Siheon's way of showing affection.
There were many polygamous families out there. The peaceful ones followed certain patterns.
Either a clear hierarchy among the women.
Or the hierarchy was meaningless because they cherished each other so much.
Otherwise, the man had to resort to very forceful, coercive measures.
Lee Siheon wasn't doing that. So only two options left.
The latter was too idealistic, and the former risked someone harboring ill will.
Love was already insufficient for one lifetime with one person. Sharing it naturally bred conflict.
They wanted to monopolize, claim him forever.
"Am I wrong?"
"It could betray the love Siheon gives. Is that what you mean? But why bring up Shiba...?"
"Why."
Se-young took a deep breath, then slowly began her explanation.
"...What do you think Siheon is worried about? It's you and me. Shiba as his daughter is a given. But if you go and make that relationship official... haven't you thought about what happens to Lee Siheon, the World Tree husband candidate?"
It was a blind spot.
Dalrae flinched.
"That's—"
"......You know. The world's a mess right now. Our family is on the brink of collapse because the national tree betrayed from the UK home base. Who knows when someone will target Siheon. Hell, there are already plenty."
But if someone precious to Lee Siheon was officially listed on household records.
Where would all that malice head?
And what problems would Siheon face dealing with it?
"Is locking your relationship in with paperwork right now... the right choice? Isn't it too hasty?"
Se-young laid out her thoughts step by step.
Star thought, Ah, so that flash of anger earlier came from this.
She'd reined in her temper well to say it.
Lee Se-young understood Siheon's future and current situation that well.
"But."
"I know what you're thinking."
Dalrae wasn't without her own considerations.
Giving Shiba the power of the Jin family name wasn't bad at all.
The benefits Shiba would reap in life were immense.
But that held only if Siheon's enemies were limited to nearby Wood Person families. The moment they became the World Tree or Flower, everything changed.
"He likes it. You gotta think about the guy too."
Not jealousy—a heartfelt plea.
"......"
Dalrae's face paled.
"Siheon probably knows deep down. He's just planning to shoulder it alone. Ugh, thinking about it pisses me off. That kid's still such a baby. Thinks he's some cartoon protagonist. That's a sickness too."
That's what's cool about him.
Star kept that thought to herself.
"...What should I do?"
"What do you mean? It's already done. Change it now. Make it adoption papers and just remove the father's name. It'll be fine. Falsifying documents... tsk. We'll figure it out between us."
She was trying to help, one way or another.
Dalrae, who had come in full of confidence, found herself seriously listening to Lee Se-young at some point.
The words had barbs, but they were productive.
And more than anything, feeling how much she cared for him like this was a first.
When Se-young pointed out Siheon's traits, it often matched Dalrae's own thoughts, earning her admiration.
Talking about the same man felt strangely enjoyable.
For Dalrae, who had once criticized Lee Se-young harshly, these emotions were unfamiliar.
-Even if he dies, as long as there's another woman by his side, he thinks it'll be okay?
-Rejects a confession, then brushes it off later with 'I'll accept now,' keeps meeting up while leaving room for hope.
-And eggs her on to date other guys.
-If you like him that much, just accept and stick together forever. You do like him, right?
Their approaches differed.
But back then, she couldn't empathize. That Dalrae had been mad with first-time love.
But watching over time...
She got where it came from.
"Thanks. Honestly, I came ready for a throwdown."
"Oh, wanna go? Then let's. I've got zero confidence I'd beat you."
"......"
Lee Se-young chuckled, flexing her fingers while subtly flashing her engagement ring.
"Guess I need to think more seriously. We all seem to like him, after all."
"Can we get along now?"
"......How should I call you?"
"Unnie."
"Se-young unnie?"
Can we get along now?
It sounded just like something Siheon had said long ago, making her giggle unexpectedly.
Female Siheon. Always considerate like that—yeah, it fit to call her that.
The difference? Siheon only had eyes for one. Probably the world's most perfect person.
That was the moment.
"Hold up."
Star, who had been quiet, raised her hand. With a distinctly pissy expression.
Even she, the beta girl, had to call this out.
"I get you both love him. But why talk like I'm not here? Se-young, you bitch?"
"......Uh, sorry."
"What, he loves us both? What about me? I love Siheon too, and he loves me! Huh!?"
Good thing it happened.
Pure misunderstanding—sudden acceleration.
Complaints burst from Star like a dam breaking.
"You've been chatting just the two of you. 'Siheon loves us both' this and that. There are three of us here, but you keep saying 'us two'! Like I don't count? You bitches?"
"...Uh, uh, that. Vice Guild Leader Star?"
"Hey! Pingchang, shut it!"
She yelled it enough times to etch "Star/Controversy" on the wiki.
"Ping...chang?"
"She does that sometimes. Ignore her."
"You teach me and her with the stick, but sweet-talk this one? I wanna monopolize Siheon too?"
Se-young pouted indifferently.
"Fine, sorry~ Our little Star got jealous."
"Aaaargh! You fucking bitch!"
"...Pfft."
"What're you snickering at!"
Snerk, snerk.
"Sorry... Star unnie."
"...Unnie?"
Unnie. Unnie. Unnie...
"Mm."
At the sweet, uplifting title that finally came, Star's anger melted away in an instant.
Who wouldn't love a pretty delinquent girl like that calling her unnie?
I've grown up a lot, huh.
By hierarchy, wasn't she the second wife anyway?
Hm. Or not?
Either way, Star had her pride.
At least, she was the only one Siheon could talk games and comics with.
The sole monopoly in love's shares.
"Hee hee. Uhihihi."
"Look at that grin reaching her ears."
"Shut it, you barren hag. From today, the principal wife is Dalrae."
"...Star unnie? Heh heh."
Star scooted her chair over and plastered herself to Dalrae's side.
Dalrae startled at the sudden closeness but soon melted into the vibe.
Lee Se-young propped her chin, sighing boredly.
"Do whatever, you two."