Chapter 61
Baek Yeong-related quest had only dropped Seo I-heum’s favorability by 50. With 50 favorability still remaining, and Seo I-heum’s behavior unchanged, Baek I-hae hadn’t felt anything particularly off.
He listened to her stories during meals as usual, and playfully smiled while pulling her away if she got too close to Seo Do-gyeom.
So, perhaps letting her guard down was the problem.
“Tonight, I-hae’s uncle is coming over, so everyone, be aware.”
Seo Do-gyeom and Seo-yeol’s movements froze. It was even more so because of the sudden declaration.
Of course, the most shocked was Baek I-hae, who had forgotten to even chew her food and stiffened.
“Wait, uncle? Is he really a decent guy? Why is some uncle suddenly showing up for our noona?”
It was Seo-yeol who eagerly voiced the questions on Baek I-hae’s behalf. Seo Do-gyeom was quietly observing Baek I-hae’s expression.
She first finished chewing the food in her mouth and waited for Seo I-heum’s response.
“He showed me the DNA test results, and after investigating, it turns out he’s a relative on I-hae’s maternal side.”
“At least it means he’s not some unknown person.”
Seo I-heum nodded at Seo Do-gyeom’s low voice. It was only after Baek I-hae had finally swallowed her food that she spoke.
“Do I really have to meet an uncle I’ve had no contact with until now?”
He was someone she didn’t even remember.
“Why does he want to meet me? To take me away?”
What could be the reason for showing up now, claiming blood ties? When no one was welcoming him.
“……You’re my guardian, sir.”
The end of Baek I-hae’s words trembled slightly. The men at the table weren’t so dull as to miss it.
Seo-yeol looked at her with a worried expression, and Seo Do-gyeom, sitting beside Baek I-hae, quietly took her hand.
“It wasn’t about sending you to live with relatives right away. He just kept contacting me, saying he wanted to meet you in person, and ignoring him might lead him to approach you directly.”
In that case, Seo I-heum thought it would be safer to meet him under his own supervision.
“If that’s all it is… You should have said that first. You made me tense for nothing!”
“My thinking was shortsighted.”
Seo I-heum coolly admitted his fault in response to Baek I-hae’s scolding. Only then could Baek I-hae manage a small smile.
Seo Do-gyeom and Seo-yeol likewise relaxed their tensed muscles. They’d been anxious, wondering if Baek I-hae, whom they’d thought would be with them forever, might leave.
‘I’m dating Do-gyeom, and there’s the quest too—there’s no way I’d leave this place.’
Baek I-hae was confident she wouldn’t care what this uncle said.
But when she actually met the man called her uncle, the situation shifted a bit.
“I-hae, my dear. I’m so ashamed to have only found you now. Please understand your incompetent uncle. After your mother died, I was so distraught that I didn’t think to take care of you.”
The man called uncle was utterly ordinary. He didn’t resemble Baek I-hae at all.
Whether burdened by the stares from the Seo family or because they were gangsters, the man fidgeted anxiously with his hands.
His nails had untrimmed dirt under them. It clashed somewhat with his neatly dressed appearance.
“I figured you’d be uncomfortable if a single guy like me took you in, so I thought I’d just watch over you for a while.”
Watch over her? It was a strange thing to say.
‘When a minor who lost her guardian was getting no help at all, he was just withholding assistance for that reason?’
Baek I-hae’s eyes narrowed. Her gaze slowly shifted to the woman standing quietly beside the uncle.
“I-hae…”
There was Jang Seul-gi, who had a surprised expression that soon turned teary.
Surprisingly, she was accompanying him under the name of the uncle’s daughter.
‘Jang Seul-gi is my cousin?’
It was absurd, but the DNA results and Seo I-heum’s investigation confirmed it was all true.
“When Dad told me, I just thought it was some poor kid in a tough spot—I had no idea it was you.”
Jang Seul-gi was the uncle’s daughter, but after her parents divorced, she lived with her mother. And not long after she suddenly declared she’d live with her father, this happened.
The man in the black hat who had been following Baek I-hae last time came to mind unbidden. She still hadn’t told Seo I-heum about it.
“I knew you were close with Do-gyeom, but I didn’t know about these circumstances. Don’t worry. I’ll keep it a secret from the class. Some kids might think it’s weird if they hear you’re staying at a boy’s house.”
Jang Seul-gi approached with a bright smile and gripped Baek I-hae’s hand. But the words she spilled, as if considering her feelings, oddly brought discomfort.
“I’m really glad it’s you who’s going to live with us from now on.”
Her tone was as if certain Baek I-hae would go with them. When she even tried to hug her, Baek I-hae instinctively stepped back.
Jang Seul-gi’s dark eyes followed her.
“I didn’t know you were my cousin—honestly, I’m a bit surprised. But I have no intention of living with my uncle.”
“…Why? We’re family, and the Seo Do-gyeom side are strangers. Family should live together, I-hae.”
Family.
It was the magical thing Baek I-hae had truly wanted, yet why did it sound so unpleasant in this moment?
“Yes, I-hae. I understand it’s confusing, but don’t decide right away—think it over slowly. Your late mother would want you to live with me too.”
The man called uncle chimed in from beside Jang Seul-gi. He, too, seemed utterly convinced Baek I-hae would come to their side.
Why, though? Why were these two so sure she’d join them? It was puzzling.
“The decision is I-hae’s to make. Please don’t pressure her.”
As Baek I-hae struggled for a moment on how to respond, Seo Do-gyeom wrapped his arm around her shoulder and spoke for her.
From the other side, Seo-yeol stepped forward, crossing his arms with a displeased look as he added his piece.
“You think sharing blood makes you family? You couldn’t even provide proper help when it was needed.”
“Seo-yeol.”
Of course, he quickly backed down at Seo I-heum’s reprimand.
Seo-yeol hid behind Baek I-hae, glaring at Jang Seul-gi and the uncle with evident dissatisfaction.
“It’s not something to decide today, so let’s have the meal first.”
Seo I-heum guided the two to the dining room. Baek I-hae, seated with Seo Do-gyeom and Seo-yeol on either side, met eyes with Jang Seul-gi, who was watching her from across the table.
[Supporting villainess, Jang Seul-gi, feels displeasure.]
The moment their eyes met, she smiled with her eyes, making Baek I-hae think she’d misread the status window. Baek I-hae smiled back at her while glancing at the fading status window.
‘Displeasure?’
Why, though? Whether it was because she still had feelings for Seo Do-gyeom, or because Baek I-hae hadn’t accepted her proposal, she couldn’t tell.
Contrary to the tension, the mealtime was ordinary. Mostly, it was conversation between Seo I-heum and the uncle.
Even with his blank expression, Seo I-heum knew how to host guests, and the uncle, excited by his demeanor, chattered away enthusiastically.
‘He does resemble me in one way. Being talkative.’
As Baek I-hae mechanically ate her food, a drink was placed beside her.
Turning her gaze to the rough hand, unlike the housekeeper’s, she saw a familiar face. It was the organization member who had kindly opened the door for her and Seo-yeol last time when they tried to go out.
When their eyes met, he smiled wordlessly, and Baek I-hae bowed her head slightly in thanks.
[Supporting villainess, Jang Seul-gi, inwardly sneers.]
Why was Jang Seul-gi popping up that status window in the middle of eating?
‘I don’t know what she’s thinking, but one thing’s clear.’
The actions approaching Baek I-hae to befriend her weren’t from pure goodwill.
Now, though, she had to find out the reason. If it was simply jealousy over Seo Do-gyeom, she could ignore it.
‘It’s not connected to the man who was tailing me last time, right? Maybe I should discuss it with sir after all? I stayed quiet because it seemed like overreacting.’
But speaking rashly without evidence? It was all just suspicion, no proof.
And she couldn’t exactly say she saw status windows, so it was an even bigger headache.
‘Plus, sir’s favorability isn’t like before. What if I bother him unnecessarily and get rejected?’
Her resolve not to trouble Seo I-heum was a bit stronger than her anxiety.
Baek I-hae vowed to herself to discuss it once she had evidence.
If she’d told Seo I-heum then, might the future have changed a little?
For the current Baek I-hae, it was something she couldn’t know.
