[Chapter 188]
[Unforgettable]
The night before the wedding.
Jung Seok-hoon called Jung Ha-yang and drank alone with her.
"Go to bed early today."
"Yeah, I plan to."
There wasn't much conversation.
Jung Seok-hoon sat her across from him and quietly drank.
And Jung Ha-yang filled his glass whenever it was empty.
Eventually, Jung Seok-hoon spoke up.
"Even now, I don't want to send you to Eun-ha."
"..."
Jung Seok-hoon expressed his honest feelings.
After losing his first wife.
He worked hard to raise his daughter so she wouldn't feel the absence.
Although he remarried and gained Jung Ga-ram, Jung Seok-hoon's affection for Jung Ha-yang was incomparable.
She was his purpose for living, a memory left by his first wife, and the light that supported him until he met his current wife.
Sending away such a daughter felt like tearing off half of himself.
Of course, Jung Seok-hoon sincerely wished for Jung Ha-yang's happiness.
He had foreseen a future where she would someday leave his arms and start a family with someone else.
Nevertheless─
"─Do you really want to marry Eun-ha so badly that you have to cut up your father's heart? Even as a second wife."
Jung Seok-hoon wanted to stop her.
This wasn't the future he hoped for.
No matter how much he thought about it and tried to compose himself, it was only temporary.
As the wedding approached just a day away, Jung Seok-hoon didn't want to send his daughter to No Eun-ha.
So on this day, Jung Seok-hoon bluntly warned Jung Ha-yang.
"You'll maintain a de facto marriage relationship, but you'll be nothing more than a cohabitant living in the same house."
"..."
"Children born between you and No Eun-ha won't be legally recognized as your children. They'll probably be half-recognized as either your children or incorporated into No Eun-ha's family line."
It's a society where harems are prevalent.
But the law and general public perception haven't reflected that yet.
Moreover, he, who belonged to the category of ordinary people until remarrying Min Su-jin, felt more uncomfortable with harems.
"Among the people around me who formed families through polygamy or polyandry, I've never seen anyone who looked happy. Do you really have to throw away such a good time at your age..."
Furthermore, Jung Seok-hoon had witnessed the reality of harems while interacting with people in political and business circles.
Not a single person was happy.
They might look happy on the surface, but looking inside, most cases had cracks in their marital life.
Even when they had children, they would fight over inheriting parental power.
So Jung Seok-hoon wanted to stop her from living such a life even now.
But Jung Ha-yang was stubborn.
"─I'm glad you're worried about me. It seems like only my dad worries about me like this."
"Then...!"
After listening silently for a while.
Jung Ha-yang spoke with a gentle smile.
Jung Seok-hoon's emotions intensified.
If she understood his feelings, he wanted to tell her to call off this marriage immediately.
He was about to say that.
At that moment, she cut off his words.
"─But I trust Eun-ha."
"..."
Without any basis or guarantee.
Words that might be just temporary emotions.
Nevertheless, Jung Seok-hoon crumbled at those words.
Jung Ha-yang was full of confidence. His daughter looked so pretty.
The father couldn't bring himself to shatter his daughter's confident face.
"It's okay. Eun-ha won't create the kind of situation you're worried about."
"It might be good now... But someday, you'll come to regret it."
"Yeah, maybe. If that happens, you can scold me then. Will you do that?"
"Of course. I won't let anyone who makes you cry get away with it."
"Yeah... Because there's someone like dad, I can trust Eun-ha and get married. Dad is unconditionally on my side."
"Of course. Instead of that, why don't you just live with dad forever? I'm confident I can treat you better than Eun-ha."
"Yeah, should I?"
"Don't say things you don't mean..."
I can't win against my daughter.
Jung Seok-hoon chuckled.
The alcohol she poured tasted delicious.
He was very satisfied spending time with her like this.
Jung Seok-hoon, unable to resist the alcohol, fell asleep leaning on the sofa.
"What kind of disgraceful behavior is this the night before the wedding? Someone who can't even drink... Hey, you? Are you planning to sleep here? Shouldn't you go sleep in the master bedroom?"
Not long after, Min Su-jin, who had been waiting for an opportunity, approached.
She shook Jung Seok-hoon.
Jung Seok-hoon didn't respond.
She burst out laughing.
Then she took a seat next to where Jung Seok-hoon was sitting.
She toasted with Jung Ha-yang.
"─Dad is just worried. If he really opposed your marriage, he would have objected long ago. You should understand, Ha-yang."
"Yeah, I know."
"Mom is grateful too. When I married this person, I was very worried. I worried if I could get along well with you, what if you didn't treat me as your mom."
"When you and dad said you were getting married, I was so happy."
"Yes, I know. So thank you. I'm really glad our daughter is so good. Ha-yang, although I didn't give birth to you, you're my real daughter born from my heart. So I hope you won't forget mom even after marrying Eun-ha. Dad probably feels the same way."
"Yeah..."
As you live life.
Priorities keep getting pushed back.
For Jung Ha-yang, who grew up in her parents' arms, now the priority will be the family she builds with Eun-ha.
Ha-yang nodded while listening to Min Su-jin's words.
"─Be sure to be happy. Even after getting married, come visit home often and show your face."
While Jung Seok-hoon was sound asleep.
Min Su-jin shared drinks with Jung Ha-yang.
And at that moment─
"─..."
Leaning against the slightly open door.
Jung Ga-ram was secretly watching that scene.
☆
Eun-ha and Jung Ha-yang's wedding.
The wedding was held grandly.
It was held luxuriously and grandly as if to let the whole world know about their wedding.
The Alice Group prepared a lot.
Well, it's understandable.
A wedding on an even larger scale than when he married Han Seo-hyeon.
Even Eun-ha, who thought it was excessive when coordinating the wedding at first, now understood.
It was his second marriage.
Jung Ha-yang's marriage wouldn't be legally recognized.
Neither Eun-ha nor Jung Ha-yang could avoid social criticism.
But they couldn't hold the wedding quietly as if they had committed a crime.
If they did, they would be criticized for a long time to come.
So they had to go out boldly.
They had to show that this wasn't something deserving social criticism.
At the same time, by inviting well-known people and having them recognize the marriage, they had to make the world forcibly recognize their marriage.
In that sense, with the Fairy's wreath, you could say we've received enough recognition.
So Eun-ha invited the Fairy too.
Of course, the Fairy didn't come.
She was too busy with work, and there was concern she might be politically attacked if she attended a place that violated the law.
Instead, she sent a wreath so large that anyone could tell it was sent by the Fairy.
It was Im Ga-eul's passive expression of support for their marriage in her own way.
Surely tomorrow morning's news headlines would prominently feature the wreath sent by the Fairy.
On the other hand─
"─How much more congratulatory money do I have to give? Still, congratulations on your marriage."
"Thanks for coming. It's good to see you after a long time."
Other people congratulated them too.
After finishing the wedding ceremony.
Eun-ha met Kim Geon-ung, the direct descendant of the KK Group, during the group photo session.
Kim Geon-ung, who said he attended from the middle of the wedding because he had a lot of work, held out his hand for a handshake.
Eun-ha gladly shook hands.
Besides this, people everywhere grabbed him and wouldn't let go.
The wedding was very lively.
"─My newlywed life ended after just a year. Congratulations on your marriage, groom."
"Th-thanks..."
Of course, there were some incidents in between.
Han Seo-hyeon's attendance was inevitable to ensure people wouldn't think negatively about the second marriage at all.
They had to convey the message that Han Seo-hyeon, Eun-ha's first wife, happily acknowledged the marriage.
So Han Seo-hyeon attended.
She walked over when it was time to take photos and said those words to Eun-ha.
Half joking, half serious.
Eun-ha was just at a loss.
"Why? Don't you like marrying me?"
"That's right... It's a happy day, so you should smile. Why are you being so awkward?"
"..."
Moreover, with Jung Ha-yang joining in.
Eun-ha didn't know how to respond.
He couldn't just say he was happy marrying Jung Ha-yang to Han Seo-hyeon.
But he also couldn't make a gloomy face with Jung Ha-yang next to him.
No matter what choice Eun-ha made, he would end up being criticized.
Even though I know they're joking, it's really hard to know how to respond.
Even if it's just a joke.
One of them could get upset.
If he answered wrongly, they could pick at it and he could be criticized throughout his married life.
Eun-ha looked around, desperately searching for someone who could tell him the right answer.
Ah, damn it...
But there was no one.
When their eyes met, his father shook his head.
His mother sighed.
Bruno avoided eye contact.
Julieta was watching with sparkling eyes full of interest.
He couldn't ask for advice since there was no one around who had made a harem.
In that situation─
"─Eun-ha, Ha-yang. Congratulations on your marriage."
"Ah, Yu-jeong..."
""...""
Lee Yu-jeong appeared too.
Jung Ha-yang, Han Seo-hyeon, Lee Yu-jeong.
Caught between the three, Eun-ha now wanted to run away.
Although they usually got along well and joked around.
The wedding venue created a strange atmosphere between the four people.
Fortunately, there was a savior.
"Why are you all so pretty today!? Like this, who can tell who the bride is? Well, you're all marrying Eun-ha, so what does it matter?"
"Still, I think Ha-yang unnie is the prettiest today! Is it because of the wedding? I want to get married too!"
"Eun-ae... I haven't even gotten married yet, and you're trying to do it before me?"
No Eun-ah, No Eun-ae.
They quickly jumped in while talking with other people.
And they cleared up the atmosphere that had started as a joke but became serious.
With the appearance of the new sister-in-law and young lady.
The three wives were able to put aside their hearts that were testing Eun-ha.
"Oh boy, you're dead now. Do well, don't make even one of them feel bad."
"Thanks, noona."
No Eun-ah suggested taking a photo with the Pandora Clan members.
Everyone readily agreed.
Eun-ha heard No Eun-ah's whisper as he followed them.
"Really... My brother is already getting married for the second time, but what am I doing now..."
"How old are you, noona? You're not at an age to think about that yet."
"You're one to talk."
"And there's no good person around you. You can do it slowly later, noona. It's fine if you don't do it like this."
"Hey, Eun-ha... If I look around carefully, there might be a good per..."
"Absolutely, absolutely don't meet someone like Chang-jin hyung."
"Sob...!"
"Well... I'll think about that after seeing how you do. If you become even a little negligent towards me after getting married, maybe I'll just go marry someone like Chang-jin."
"Noona is a hundred, thousand times too good for that, so please don't even joke about it."
"Phew, we'll see how you do."
Something like Han Chang-jin was seen in the middle.
But Eun-ha ignored him.
Nevertheless, Han Chang-jin, true to being
Meanwhile, Eun-ha gave the same advice to Eun-ae.
No, it was a warning.
"Eun-ae, what did you say earlier?"
"Huh? What did I say?"
"You don't need to get married because you're pretty, so don't say things like that."
""""...""""
He was still a siscon even after getting married.
Jung Ha-yang standing next to Eun-ha.
And people including Han Seo-hyeon and Lee Yu-jeong clicked their tongues hearing those words.
No Eun-ae just laughed.
She was happy to receive Eun-ha's attention.
"─Okay, I'll stop taking photos now! The short man over there! Don't stand in the back, come to the very front please!"
"Ah, shit... I don't want to go out..."
"And the person with wolf ears, please don't make strange expressions!"
"Everyone, this is our Lord's wedding, so let's quickly follow the photographer's instructions. This will be included in the Bible in the future, so shouldn't the photo turn out well?"
Although it was difficult to take just one photo.
Eun-ha was somehow able to take a photo with the Pandora Clan members.
─Huh?
Then Eun-ha's gaze turned to the people behind the photographer.
The first chairman of the Alice Group.
Min Jun-sik was there.
Min Jun-sik smiled with a benevolent face and drew his hand across his neck with the hand not holding his cane.
─Just try making Ha-yang cry, you bastard.
I understand what he means well.
He nodded seeing Min Jun-sik, who was still healthy despite his advanced age.
Jung Seok-hoon was like that, Min Jun-sik was like that, and the families of the other wives were like that too.
There were many people around who would stab him in the back if he did wrong.
I really need to treat my wives well.
Eun-ha resolved once again.
☆
Due to having a lot of work this time too.
They decided to go to Incheon for their honeymoon.
Although the Donghae Group offered to let them spend a luxurious life in Jeju Island, they had no choice due to having a lot of work.
They needed to be close to the Pandora Clan at all times.
It can't be helped since the Pandora Clan hasn't fully gotten on track yet.
Later when we really have time, I should take a trip to Jeju Island with Seo-hyeon and Ha-yang. Yu-jeong too, of course.
In front of the wedding hall.
Eun-ha looked for the vehicle waiting to take them on their honeymoon.
It had a luxurious exterior, too much for just two people.
It was Min Jun-sik's consideration.
Eun-ha turned around after getting a hint from Jung Ha-yang.
Several people had followed the two outside.
"Then we'll be going."
"We'll contact you when we arrive!"
After saying goodbye to people.
Eun-ha opened the back seat door.
Then he tried to escort her into the car.
Right at that moment─
─Whoosh!
Suddenly, Jung Ga-ram, who had been sticking to Min Su-jin's side, jumped out.
Now 11 years old.
Jung Ha-yang's younger brother
Jung Ga-ram, Jung Ha-yang's younger brother who was now 11 years old, quickly ran to Jung Ha-yang.
"Ga-ram?"
"No, you can't go."
As if not wanting to let her be taken away.
Jung Ga-ram tightly hugged Jung Ha-yang, who was expressing confusion.
Then he looked at Eun-ha over her shoulder.
He seems to dislike me.
For taking Ha-yang away.
Eun-ha realized the boy's feelings.
But it was unavoidable.
From Jung Ga-ram's perspective, it would seem like he was taking his sister away.
It was impossible to persuade Jung Ga-ram.
If there was someone who could persuade him, it would only be Jung Ha-yang.
"Our Ga-ram. You know noona loves you a lot, right?"
"Yeah..."
"Noona's not going anywhere. So don't worry. Will Ga-ram take good care of Dad and Mom until noona comes back?"
"Yeah."
"When we come back from the trip, noona will buy lots of things Ga-ram likes."
"Do you like Eun-ha hyung that much? More than me?"
"I like Ga-ram the most."
"Really?"
"Of course. So will you let go of these hands now?"
In front of everyone.
Jung Ha-yang patted Jung Ga-ram.
She stroked his head and kissed his cheek.
Jung Ga-ram's face brightened.
Then he showed a proud face towards Eun-ha as if to show off.
"Eun-ha hyung."
"Yeah, what is it Ga-ram. No... brother-in-law."
"Don't make our noona cry."
"...I won't, if only because I'm scared of you, brother-in-law."
Jung Ga-ram putting on a stern expression.
Eun-ha took Jung Ga-ram's warning seriously.
Only then did Jung Ga-ram release his hands that were hugging Jung Ha-yang.
"Noona, have a good trip. You too, Eun-ha hyung."
"Yeah, we'll be back."
"Don't worry about Ha-yang."
Eun-ha helped Jung Ha-yang into the car.
Then he said goodbye to everyone again and instructed the driver to depart.
As the vehicle started moving.
"Just try making our noona cry."
Jung Ga-ram clenched his fist while watching the departing vehicle.
Meanwhile, there were people watching the departing vehicle like Jung Ga-ram.
"How nice. Going on a trip and all."
"Some people get married twice and go on honeymoons while we have to go to work again."
"Ha-yang looked pretty."
""""...""""
Cha Eun-woo, Jin Seo-na, Yeo U-bi.
The three muttered enviously.
The men next to them couldn't say anything.
At least Mok Min-ho spoke up as a representative─
"─Getting married at our age..."
"Hm? What did you say?"
"...Nothing."
Mok Min-ho quickly shut his mouth.
Choi Eun-hyeok and Yoo Nam-hoon already knew from experience.
That staying quiet is the best course of action.
☆
And so night falls.