Chapter 147
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 147
Chapter Title: Mom's Pork Belly Feast
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For some reason, my mouth tastes bitter too.
I glance to the left again.
"I joined way before Unnie Aebom did! So, what was it? Oh, right! I'm the first homewrecker!"
"Oh my god, so you just boldly walked into a house with a guy in it all by yourself?"
"Ehehe, I've often heard that I'm fearless since way back. But there were circumstances, you know."
Watching the three of them chatting excitedly from afar, I figure Mom's arrival has had a pretty positive impact. Especially Oh Hana, who must have been the most shocked—she's visibly calming down fast while talking with my mom.
Han Aebom's coming on strong to Mom too, maybe overly so, but her eyes are sparkling, so she doesn't seem to hate it.
Yoon Sua was peeling fruit diligently earlier, so she probably doesn't mind either. Then why the sour face?
"Sua."
"Ah, Hyunwoo. The dishes are almost done."
As I approach to clear up my curiosity, Yoon Sua quickly reverts to her usual expression. I run my tongue over my even more bitter mouth before speaking.
"Thanks for the hard work. But your face looked off earlier. Something wrong? If there is, whisper it just to me. We're close, right?"
She seems like she won't tell, so I subtly emphasize "we're close." Yoon Sua cautiously stands on tiptoe and whispers in my ear.
"It's just... I felt like I was the only one with nothing to tell your mom."
"Pardon?"
Not sure what that means, I look at her again. Yoon Sua gazes enviously and sadly at Oh Hana and Han Aebom as she continues.
"Aebom's a proud member of Hanban Group, studied abroad, speaks fluently, and chatters away. Hana's got tons of stories from leaving her family too, so they're going on and on. That's why your mom looks so entertained."
"......"
"But I have nothing to say. And I don't want to brag about being sick or anything."
I let out a small sigh of relief at Yoon Sua's words.
I was worried it was something serious. So that's all it was.
"I thought it was something big. You had me worried for nothing."
"No way. To me, it's a really heartbreaking issue."
I chuckled softly and said,
"First off, my mom doesn't care about family backgrounds or that stuff. Looking at how she's chatting away, she probably doesn't even believe it anyway."
Come to think of it, how convincing can it be when four people are crammed in this tiny studio talking about Hanban Group this and that?
"If she actually believed it, she wouldn't be talking so casually like that."
"Really? Why?"
I chuckled as I looked at Yoon Sua's wide eyes.
"Most people hate debt, but our family despises it especially. Mom's the worst offender."
It's true.
I wouldn't tell others, but Mom has an almost obsessive aversion to owing anyone anything.
She always has to give back more than she receives to feel satisfied, so even her side of the family nags her to stop giving so much to others.
"That's why Mom often calls herself selfish."
This is true too. Watching from the side, I kinda get what she means.
Mom cuts off anyone who makes her uncomfortable, no mercy.
She's great at laughing and getting along, with a huge network.
But if there's even a hint of discomfort once, she never sees them again. Hating to receive and always giving more back... it's all for her own comfort, in a way.
"Take another good look. See how Mom's smiling over there."
"Ah......"
She's just beaming like she's watching her cute daughters' antics. Watching Mom, I added,
"And Mom loves talking, hates listening."
"Really?"
"Yeah, really. She's enjoying that because it's her virgin son who's never even held a girl's hand, and the girls are playing along. She's probably half-listening, waiting for her cue to talk."
No sooner had I finished than Mom excitedly starts bragging to Oh Hana and Han Aebom about her achievements.
Sales at her store went up this much, the manager favors her especially, her raise is record-breaking speed for the store.
"Whoa! Amazing, Mom!"
"That's impressive!"
To me, her son, it sounds like some exaggeration, but Han Aebom and Oh Hana are cheering her on enthusiastically. Mom's over the moon.
That's why she always said to bring my friends over since she'd buy drinks.
We ate well off her plenty of times.
Mom's hopeless with stuff like this. Loves bragging to young folks.
No, that damn Han Se-ryong chairman did the same—bragging and lecturing young people all day.
'Even someone that great did it. No way I'll turn into that when I age, grabbing young kids to brag.'
God, what an eyesore. Just imagining it makes my face burn.
I swear I won't be that kind of adult.
As I resolve inwardly, Yoon Sua asks excitedly,
"Then... will Mom see me as pretty too?"
"Of course. Anyone would love someone who listens intently and cheers them on... Huh?"
Before I finish, Yoon Sua dashes to Mom and drops to her knees, ready to listen for 10 hours straight.
Mom flinches, recalling Yoon Sua's earlier kneeling, but her smile reaches her ears in under a minute. Mom's voice rises an octave, filling the studio. Seeing her childlike joy, I smile faintly.
She looks so happy in this happy situation, yet...
The happiest smile I recall from her life was buying my suit for my college graduation. It tugs at my heart for no reason.
"Son! Let's all go eat something delicious! My treat today!"
I'm glad she's my mom.
Thank you for giving birth to me.
"Sohn! Where should we go? Recommend something yummy! Mom'll buy anything! Money-making Mom's footing the bill today!"
My gratitude and emotion for Mom crumble in 3 seconds.
She's over 50, but acting cutesy like Oh Hana—I dodge as she tries to link arms. Ugh, goosebumps.
"Oppa! That's mean to Mom!"
"She's visiting after so long, why make her sad?"
"Right! Link arms, Hyunwoo!"
At this point, I suspect brainwashing. Under their increasingly piercing stares, I reluctantly link arms.
Mom rubs her face on my arm in awe.
"Whoa. When did my son get such a solid body?"
"Right?"
Unlike my half-hearted reply, the three girls' eyes light up at talk of my body, joining in the chatter.
No joke, my ears are bleeding. And outside? Mortifying.
That's why I insisted on delivery, but they shot it down as nonsense.
'Unlike me holed up gaming, she went out at least 4 days a week.'
As I sigh heavily, Mom hunts for a good pork belly spot. Her criteria? Simple: must have private rooms.
She's like that, and her family side has loud voices.
For big events, she always books a roomed BBQ place.
Today too.
[Noble Pig]
Searching for rooms led us to this fancy-looking pork belly restaurant's entrance.
Even for Saturday night, the packed huge lot proves its quality.
"......"
Anyone living frugally in a studio would pause.
Mom laughs brighter and shouts,
"Come on, let's go in! Mom's treating, so relax."
"But it looks pricey, maybe we chip in a bit..."
"Hey!"
Mom's brows furrow for the first time today. Old-school folks like her never tolerate that.
She's one of them.
"Tsk! Never say that again. Where would kids crammed four to a studio get money? Say that outside and adults get trashed. Got it?"
"......Yes."
Han Aebom, who suggested splitting, nods reluctantly.
Mom beams and drags us in by the arms. I'm still linked, being pulled along.
"Rooms have a 25-minute wait. Okay?"
"Yes, please."
"Just write name and number here, we'll call when ready."
"Got it. Thanks."
"Thanks. We'll call right away."
Popular spots have reasons.
Dozens of staff move efficiently, incredibly polite. Families everywhere causing chaos, but they handle it calmly—impressive.
About 20 minutes later?
Phone call, we enter—a staffer awaits.
"To your room. Busy, so mind your step. Thanks."
"Yes."
"Usually order via kiosk, but if not or special requests..."
The rapid-fire staffer coughs lightly and continues.
"Ring this bell for staff—we'll handle promptly and kindly."
"Got it."
"Yes! Enjoy dinner at Noble Pig. Call anytime. Thanks."
Staff bows properly, closes door.
Everyone erupts like they'd been waiting.
"Wow, so polite. Top five nicest staff ever."
"They talk so well."
"Seoul folks are all smooth-talkers. Love it."
One stays unfazed.
"That's standard service for these prices."
Han Aebom's words draw eyes to the kiosk prices. Jaws drop. Pork belly at that per 100g?
"Your ordered meat."
Seeing the quality, heads nod.
Not all-you-can-eat. Limited premium—grilling matters most. Mom reaches for tongs and scissors first, but someone beats her.
"Leave the grilling to me, Mother!"
Mom's lips curve happily at Yoon Sua's confident words.
