Jo Sung-hyun kept his promise.
Since he got permission from Park Jung-won, there was no reason for him to break his promise.
Chae-yoon fell asleep leaning on Jo Sung-hyun's shoulder, and in the meantime, Yumi was eating cake with a happy face.
Slow Rabbit.
It was a famous cake shop, and luckily they were able to get there before closing time.
They were the last customers.
There was no one else, just Yumi, Jo Sung-hyun, and Chae-yoon.
A woman who was either a part-timer or a boss didn't recognize Yumi, who was wearing a hat, and was checking her smartphone.
"Is it good?"
"It's no joke. I went through so much trouble to eat this."
Yumi said that and pushed the cake slightly, telling him to try it.
Fresh strawberry chocolate cake.
He wasn't really into cake, but he didn't hate it either, so Jo Sung-hyun took a bite of the cake.
The sweet chocolate flavor filled his mouth.
When the sweetness of the chocolate was about to get cloying, the strawberry came in and balanced it out.
"It's not bad."
"Right?"
Yumi said in a cheerful voice.
She took a bite of the cake and opened her mouth.
"But oppa, when did Chae-yoon start playing the piano? She was really good today. No, not just good, she played my song without any sheet music."
"She heard it a few times. I played your album that you're preparing at home."
"No, how can she play it on the piano just by listening to it a few times? A 7-year-old?"
"...It's not impossible, but I'm amazed too."
Jo Sung-hyun scratched his cheek and said.
It was amazing no matter how many times he saw it.
"It might be a bit... presumptuous of me, but oppa. I think Chae-yoon should do music, you know? In some form or another."
Yumi said.
Jo Sung-hyun could only nod his head at her words.
She was right.
Chae-yoon liked music herself, and she had a great talent.
Just look at today, she showed a talent that was far beyond ordinary.
There might come a moment when he really had to make a choice.
Giving up music and swearing never to do it again, or helping Chae-yoon to do music.
He had to choose one of the two.
Jo Sung-hyun already knew to some extent.
The moment was not far off.
And that moment came a little earlier than Jo Sung-hyun had thought.
---
The next day, after a long time, Jo Sung-hyun took Chae-yoon to his parents' house after work.
Chae-yoon, who was still not fully recovered from yesterday's fatigue, ate and fell asleep early.
Leaving Chae-yoon sleeping on the living room sofa, Jo Sung-hyun talked with his parents.
"What? Chae-yoon earned money?"
"Yes. 200,000 won."
What else could Jo Sung-hyun have to talk about.
It was just a proud parent moment.
When he mentioned that Chae-yoon had earned money, Lee Soo-hyun was surprised and widened her eyes.
"200,000 won? Hey, Chae-yoon is better than you."
"...Chae-yoon is the best."
Jo Sung-hyun nodded in response to his mother's words.
Although Lee Soo-hyun said it in a joking manner, Jo Sung-hyun sincerely believed that Chae-yoon was better than himself.
His father, Jo Jae-wook, chimed in.
"How did she earn the money?"
"She filmed a music video. Our company's artist is releasing a mini-album, and they urgently needed a young child who could play the piano for the music video."
"Are you making our daughter work like a hired hand?"
"Honey! Hired hand? Even if you say it like that..."
Lee Soo-hyun hit Jo Jae-wook's arm at his words.
Hired hand.
Jo Sung-hyun chuckled at the expression he hadn't heard in a long time.
"I don't know. I just want to let Chae-yoon do what she wants."
"...I'm against it."
"What?"
"My granddaughter being a hired hand. What did she do wrong to be a hired hand?"
Jo Sung-hyun looked at Jo Jae-wook and said.
“If Chae-yoon wants to do it, what's wrong with it.”
"It's this era, and you say she can't be a hired hand. I really can't understand. Does your son work as a hired hand?"
Lee Soo-hyun also seemed puzzled and glanced at Jo Jae-wook.
As the two of them countered each other, Jo Jae-wook seemed to have nothing more to say and fell silent for a moment.
"No matter what, she shouldn't be a hired hand..."
"Alright, have some fruit."
Lee Soo-hyun put a piece of fruit into Jo Jae-wook's mouth, cutting off his words.
She glanced at Chae-yoon, who was sleeping well, and continued.
"Understand him. Your dad is a bit stubborn."
"I'm right here, you know?"
"That's why I'm saying it. You should know that you're stubborn."
Lee Soo-hyun hit Jo Jae-wook's arm and said.
Jo Sung-hyun chuckled at the sight of the two of them bickering after a long time.
"Whether she's a hired hand, a singer, or an artist... Chae-yoon will do it if she wants to, and stop if she doesn't."
"But you should have big dreams when you're born."
"Our Chae-yoon has a huge dream."
"What is it?"
"A mermaid princess."
"A mer... what?"
As if it was absurd, Jo Jae-wook looked at Jo Sung-hyun.
He narrowed his eyes and looked at Jo Sung-hyun, then shook his head.
His lips were slightly curved.
Even if he spoke a bit harshly, Chae-yoon was still Jo Jae-wook's granddaughter.
He couldn't hate her.
"She's still young."
"You should just say she's cute, why do you have to say that."
Lee Soo-hyun muttered, geez.
She quickly changed the subject.
"So, what are you going to do with that 200,000 won?"
"Nothing much. I'll save it in Chae-yoon's bank account for later. She'll need money when she grows up."
Jo Sung-hyun answered.
He didn't know where it would be used, but he planned to save it for now.
So that Chae-yoon could use it when she really wanted something later.
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