Chapter 261
Cha Juhan's parents lived in a provincial city—their shared hometown where both his mother and father had grown up. They'd known each other since childhood, playing together in the neighborhood, and had naturally ended up getting married. Fortunately, they came from the same place. What used to be a rural village had developed into a city over the years, and while some relatives had moved away, plenty of family still clustered together there.
It was a neighborhood of single-family homes just a short drive from the city center. His parents loved it, saying it was the perfect spot to spend their retirement.
"Wow, this neighborhood is amazing."
Kang Minjae seemed taken with it too. Though nothing here could top the mansion where he lived with Kang Gwanung, Cha Juhan had to admit the villa complex—surrounded by small hills and a stream—was a feast for the eyes.
Minjae drove slowly, head craned down to take in the houses.
"Where's your parents' place among these?"
"Over there." Cha Juhan pointed deeper in.
"Whoa, the house looks so pretty."
"You can barely see it."
"That's the point—if even that glimpse is pretty, imagine the whole thing."
A [Truth] always hovered above Kang Minjae's head, but sometimes Cha Juhan wondered if his ability was glitching.
"Juhan!"
As they pulled into the garage, his parents came down toward it. It was already early evening. Through the slightly open door, the aroma of delicious food wafted out.
"Mom, Dad—hope you've been well."
Kang Minjae grabbed a box of ginseng from the back seat and bowed deeply.
"Oh, even Lawyer Kang is here?"
"It's Minjae, Mom. Time to drop the formalities, don't you think?"
They'd only met twice?
"Right, right—Minjae. Haha. Come on in. You too, Juhan."
...Somehow the guest had become the host, but it was probably just his imagination.
Cha Juhan followed Kang Minjae—who was carrying the ginseng box in both hands up the stairs—into the house. And then...
"Whoa, Juhan! It's been forever!"
...All his aunts were gathered there.
"Who's this guy?"
"Oh, this is my junior lawyer from the office. Kang Minjae."
"Hello! Whoa, Mom—you knew I was coming and set up a blind date? All of Korea's beauties in one spot."
Kang Minjae said it to the aunts lounging on the sofa, and they burst into laughter in an instant.
"Oh come on, we're too old for blind dates. We'll be seventy the day after tomorrow—seventy. People would talk if ladies like us dated a lawyer."
"What? Seventy? I pegged you all at just hitting forty. My type's older women, so I thought jackpot... but dang."
"Haha, this lawyer's a riot. Juhan, he's hilarious. Must be fun every day."
Cha Juhan was always impressed by Minjae's charm, but this was next-level.
"Hungry? Let's eat first. Juhan’s dad, help me with the pots."
As his mother and father headed to the kitchen, Cha Juhan and Minjae were left with the aunts to wash up...
"Lawyer Kang Minjae, right? How old are you?"
"What do you think?"
"Oh, tough question!"
"Just be honest, Aunt."
"Let's see—you went to college, prepped for the bar, did your military service... around thirty?"
"Whoa, thirty! Lawyer! Hear that? They say I look thirty!"
Cha Juhan had planned to wash up, but Minjae was already surrounded by the aunts, deep in gossip mode.
He sighed and headed to the bathroom alone.
He'd told his mom he'd come home today, but he hadn't expected all the aunts. They all lived nearby, so that made sense—but he should've bought more ginseng.
"So, what happened next?"
"What do you think?"
"We don't know!"
By the time he emerged from the bathroom, Minjae had gotten even chummier with them. What a guy.
Cha Juhan poked his head into the kitchen to offer help, but his parents had already finished setting the table—it overflowed with colorful dishes. He'd hosted Minjae lavishly at his place a few times, so he'd figured he owed him one. He just hadn't expected it to be tonight.
"How is it, Minjae? Good?"
His mother stared intently as Minjae popped meat into his mouth.
Minjae chewed gravely without answering, and her face fell.
"Not tasty?"
She asked, and he shook his head.
"What's in it?"
Cha Juhan asked next, and again, the head shake.
"This is... way too good. Seriously. I feel it every time—Mom, open a restaurant. You'd feed three generations comfortably. Hire me as manager; it'd make more than lawyering."
"Juhan, this guy's killing me. I'm dying laughing."
The aunts roared with laughter. If he'd come alone, dinner might've been quiet, but Minjae had livened it right up. Good.
Afterward, Minjae kept the parents and aunts delighted with his antics and charm, letting Cha Juhan eat in peace.
"Oh, right—Juhan. I had something to ask you."
They were in the living room post-meal, munching fruit and chatting about the current affairs show Cha Juhan had appeared on, when one aunt suddenly turned serious.
"Jeonghui—you know, my eldest."
"Yeah."
"Jeonghui's going through hell divorcing her husband, and I don't know if she can get alimony."
Jeonghui was Cha Juhan's cousin. As kids, she'd buy him snacks at the corner store during holidays. They hadn't seen much of each other since growing up.
"Good you asked, Aunt. As you know, our firm handled Jung Youngjun's side in that divorce with Ko Jinah. Remember? He was about to get crushed, but our lawyer squeezed out massive alimony instead."
Salesman Kang Minjae was back in full swing.
"Of course! It was all over the news. Juhan, your mom bragged nonstop."
"...Sister, when did I?!"
His mother flushed, playfully shoving the aunt's shoulder.
"Does her husband have fault grounds?"
"Fault grounds?"
"Meaning, is the divorce because of something he did?" Minjae clarified.
The aunt lit up. "Exactly! That bastard cheated! Damn punk."
"So Jeonghui-noona has proof of the affair?"
"I told her to nail down evidence!"
The aunt launched into a tirade about how awful her son-in-law was. From Cha Juhan's battle-hardened perspective, this guy didn't even qualify as properly evil. Not that clever either—he figured they could snag alimony cleanly without even needing lawyers. Jeonghui had been married over seven years, if memory served.
"Ask her to give me a call. Better if I talk to her directly." He handed over his business card.
"Whew, what a reliable kid. You're lucky—such a sturdy, decisive son. Good boy."
...And the aunt reached to pat his butt. He'd dodged quick, or it would've happened.
Late into the night, Cha Juhan and Minjae stepped out to the yard for a smoke break.
"Lawyer."
Minjae lit up in the night breeze and spoke up.
"Yeah."
"Must be nice."
Cha Juhan shot him a puzzled look at the out-of-nowhere comment. Minjae smiled.
"Having such a lively family. Kinda jealous, haha. Mine never gathers like that. Sure, politicians drop by for holidays, but who knows when they'll turn."
Suddenly, Cha Juhan pictured Minjae's life—parents gone, living with his grandfather.
He hadn't anticipated the aunts, but maybe he'd been inconsiderate. Minjae had really wanted to come, and Mom had missed him, so he'd brought him along. Gotta be more careful next time.
"Nah, not sad or anything. Actually, I like it. No family of my own, but coming with you? Feels like I got one. Haha."
Cha Juhan avoided holiday crowds like this—hated the bustle. In his past life, with no parents, he'd just gone to the in-laws. But hating it from experience was different from wanting to go but can't.
"Minjae, find a good woman and marry. Boom—family."
"No such person. I'd have snatched her up. Unless you set me up."
He shrugged.
"How about Yun Se-yeon?"
"Joking? She got a boyfriend."
"How do you know?"
"Facebook."
Facebook era already? Cyworld for case research felt like yesterday, and now this. Smartphones were spreading, so yeah—time for Facebook.
Time flew so fast; lag a bit, and he'd hit 2018 before he knew it. Unsettling.
"Should I ask Dongjin to hook you up? He said he had someone—a junior of his. Might be your age."
"...Really?"
His voice perked up. Cha Juhan pulled out his phone, figuring why not text Dongjin now.
Unlocking it popped up an unread text.
"You texting Brother Dongjin?"
"Minjae."
"Yeah?"
"We need to head back to Seoul. Now."
"What? You're staying over."
Cha Juhan just showed him the screen instead of answering.