Chapter 61
Chapter 61
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: First Meeting with Sister-in-Law
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The first day, exhausted from all the driving, I went to bed early.
And woke up late.
Someone might say it's the same as being at home, but the atmosphere was different.
Even though we were together, there was this special feeling of being in a different place.
I should thank our investor.
I casually filmed some travel videos while enjoying an ordinary trip.
The kind of normal date where you see nice scenery and eat delicious food.
Something Lily and I couldn't do often, so I cherished the time.
"Hubby~ Ah~"
At the restaurant, Lily scooped some food on her fork and fed it to me.
And... subscribers were everywhere.
"Could I trouble you for a photo?"
A staff member at the restaurant recognized us and politely asked for a picture. As a fellow in the industry, how could I refuse?
After taking the photo, the head chef even came out and gave us a complimentary special dish.
"Ooh~ I've always wanted to visit 'Babsang' someday."
"Haha, come by anytime, chef."
"Korean food is super hot right now. Makes me want to incorporate it into my own cooking."
Chefs are always serious about food.
'Babsang' was definitely hot in California.
It popped up frequently on SNS, and interest in Korean cuisine had exploded after that big incident.
"Huff huff. I'm tired."
Having walked a lot after so long, Lily got worn out quickly.
"Want to head back and rest?"
"Yeah... Sorry, hubby. My stamina's weak..."
She seemed apologetic for tiring out so fast.
Honestly, I preferred quietly hanging out just the two of us over sightseeing anyway.
Back at the villa, I called Dong-hyun.
"Hey, it's me. Is Ji-min doing okay?"
[She said she won't let you off when you get back.]
"Been busy?"
[Always busy, what kind of question is that! You should've seen Ji-min's zombie face after deadlines!]
"Heh heh. No big issues, right?"
[Yeah. She's handling work better than expected and adapted quick.]
"By the way, checked the resumes from Korea? You're hiring, right?"
[No way, you're the owner—gotta glance over them at least!]
"Focusing on the trip for now. I'll review when I get back, so narrow them down."
[...Got it. More applicants than I thought.]
"Really? Oh... Finding housing won't be easy either."
To open branches on a large scale, we needed a ton of Korean food specialists.
And nutritionists too.
Why?
Because from the start, with Mark's backing, we'd jumped into the school catering business.
California first, anyway.
Kids accept food better if they've eaten it since childhood.
Great idea.
"Alright. See you tomorrow then?"
[Yep.]
"Hehe, hubby, look here."
Snap.
Lily loved taking photos. She was serious about preserving our memories.
I smiled awkwardly and posed affectionately with her.
Suddenly, Lily climbed onto my lap, wrapped her arms around my neck, and struck a pose toward the camera.
Ah... Now I'm getting bad ideas, for real.
If only we had the time, I'd love to travel like this often and spend time just the two of us.
But reality was a life buried in work.
I wanted to be with Lily—who loves me and whom I love—for a long, long time.
Thus ended our sweet three-day getaway.
"Waaah, I got hit with cuteness again."
Ji-min, tricked by Ji-hoon into three days of forced labor.
She was receiving tons of affection from customers and staff alike.
An Asian woman serving at 'Babsang' was bound to draw curiosity.
Today was finally her last day.
Customers glanced at Dong-hyun, who was managing the floor, and asked about Ji-min.
"That server over there new?"
Regulars, so a new face piqued their interest.
"Ah, Hoon's little sister."
"Really? You don't look alike at all."
"Oh my, Hoon's sister? So cute. Got a great brother."
"She working here ongoing?"
To the customers' questions, Ji-min made a pouty face like she might cry any second.
"No! I just came to visit, but my brother forced me to work!"
To the customers, it looked adorable.
Especially some young male patrons tried subtle flirts,
but Dong-hyun's turret blocked them every time.
Then Lucas and crew entered.
"Oh, Hoon's sister? Nice to meet ya!"
Lucas grinned broadly at her in greeting.
But with his rough face and build...
Ji-min yelped "Eek!" and ducked behind Dong-hyun.
Lucas awkwardly withdrew his hand.
He seemed pretty hurt.
Makes sense—if your close friend's sister freaks out and hides from you.
As the last day's business wound down,
Ji-min, who'd found it tough at first, was starting to miss parting with the staff.
Yes.
She was an F-cup.
A natural empathy monster.
She'd grown attached already.
While preparing to close, looking glum,
the shop door jingled open.
Ji-hoon, back from his trip with Lily.
Ji-hoon smiled and stepped inside.
Seeing him, three days of pent-up rage exploded in Ji-min.
"You...! Do you know how much I suffered!?"
Face full of fury, she charged at Ji-hoon.
But she froze mid-stride, startled.
From behind Ji-hoon, a white-haired woman peeked out.
Lily.
"Wha... Huh...?"
Lily in the flesh, whom she'd only seen in videos.
Ji-min was rooted to the spot.
"Hehe, hi?"
Lily emerged from behind Ji-hoon, joyfully unfiltered, and rushed over.
She hugged the frozen Ji-min tightly.
Expressing her delight with her whole body.
Ji-min, stiff as a board, awkwardly greeted her.
"Uh... Hi...?"
"Yeah, hi. Missed you, Ji-min!"
Lily smiled softly, speaking without reservation.
Why?
Because she already considered Ji-min family.
Ji-hoon glanced at them, then chatted with Dong-hyun nearby.
Ji-min shot desperate "save me" eyes, but Ji-hoon ignored his sister.
'No way!!! At least introduce us before leaving!'
Ji-min screamed inwardly.
Lily released Ji-min from the hug and tilted her head.
"Hm? Ji-min. Bad at English? Should I speak Korean?"
Over the past few months, Lily's Korean had improved astonishingly.
Seeing no reply, Lily asked puzzled.
"N-No! Sis. I know English."
"Kyaa~ She called me sis!"
Lily's face lit up.
"Right! I'm the older one! Ji-min, you were raised so well?"
Having studied Korean culture hard, Lily was simply thrilled to have a sister-in-law.
'Why... is she so friendly... Arghhh...'
Ji-min inwardly wailed at Lily's overwhelming affinity.
Confirming Ji-min and Lily chatting sweetly at a table, I continued with Dong-hyun.
"So interviews via video call confirmed?"
"Yeah. After closing in two days, we'll review together."
Time zones differed, so post-shift video calls would align well.
"Whoa, 100 applicants?"
"For school catering, prioritized nutritionists with experience. All speak English."
Korea really lacked jobs lately—tons applied.
Dong-hyun said it was because of me.
Overseas jobs usually scare people off, but my fame and verified identity reassured them.
Plus, pay beat most Korean conglomerates, so money-seekers flocked.
"Hmm... Group some schools and assign nutritionists..."
We'd hire a pro CEO for overall ops.
Big decisions still mine, though.
I'd never managed before, so better leave execution to experts.
No confidence I'd excel.
And more work just meant less Lily time—no greed there.
After settling interview schedule with Dong-hyun, I approached Lily.
"All introduced?"
"Yup yup! We're super close now, hubby!"
...Not sure about Ji-min, Lily?
To Ji-min glaring daggers with a sulky face, I said,
"Open those pretty eyes nicely."
"Hmph!"
Funny she couldn't snap in front of Lily.
Hey, help your bro out sometimes. Pouting like that. Tsk tsk.
"Lily, ready to head out?"
"Yeah! Ji-min! Come here. Let's go with sis."
Lily grabbed Ji-min's hand and pulled her out.
Ji-min's sad puppy eyes, like being led to slaughter, were poignant.
Why was Ji-min so tense?
Nothing else.
Never had a sister growing up, so 'sis' felt awkward.
Just three years older, but still sis.
Being newly bound by family ties made her cautious,
but mainly, second bro Ji-hoon's ex-wife Ji-su hadn't been this friendly.
So Ji-min had zero immunity to Lily's warmth.
"Why so frozen? Am I uncomfortable?"
Ji-hoon teased, and Ji-min bristled.
"No, I'm not!"
"Whoa, why yell?"
"Right, Ji-min. Am I uncomfortable? Hm? Hm?"
Lily tilted her head like Puss in Boots, staring at Ji-min.
Those eyes flustered Ji-min more.
"No, sis! Why would I be uncomfortable! Not at all!"
"Yay. Hehe."
Lily beamed.
"We're family now. Gotta get closer. I'm thrilled to have a little sis. Not happy, Ji-min?"
"I... I'm happy too!"
"Yay! Then sleep together tonight? Always wanted to try sisters sleeping over."
Ah... That's a bit.
Ah... That's a bit.
Lily's bombshell made Ji-hoon and Ji-min lock eyes.
They knew they shared the exact thought.
Ji-min desperately scrambled excuses.
"Uh... Sis! I'm so tired today, might snore! So... next time? Okay?"
Ji-hoon chimed in quick.
"Yeah, Lily. She's beat from work—let her rest easy."
"Aww... Okay?"
Lily pouted disappointedly.
"Bummer. Tomorrow then!"
Aaah.
Ji-min resigned: once was inevitable, sleeping with Lily.
"Hey."
Ji-hoon called Ji-min.
"What?"
"Play nice with sis starting tomorrow. Hit all the spots you wanna see—no issue. Lily has my card; use it."
"Really? Shopping too?"
Ji-min's eyes sparkled.
"Yeah. Spend freely."
"Makes sense—business booming, no money worries, bro? Explains the business class ticket."
"But treat Lily right. Or economy back to Korea."
"Cheater! Forced work right away."
"Sorry."
Apologize quick.
Then Lily approached Ji-min with camera.
"Ji-min!"
"Yes? What, sis?"
"Photo together!"
'Ah... Humiliating pic incoming...'
Ji-min, reluctant to pose beside her pretty sis.