My Girlfriend’s Fortune: 3,141,592,653,589

Chapter 58: Suitable for Ages 12 and Up

TL: Aniea

“Welcome.”

“.......”

As soon as they parked the car in the VVIP-only parking lot and entered through the entrance, the staff who had been waiting in advance all bowed in unison.

Kim Ji-hye and Kang Byul, slightly flustered, bowed their heads with dazed expressions.

Although they had heard some of it while coming by car, it seemed difficult to remain composed when faced with it directly.

“You’ve arrived, CEO-nim.”

In the meantime, Secretary Yoon approached and greeted them. She also gave a slight bow to Kang Byul and her mother before continuing her work.

“Nothing happened while I was away, right?”

“Yes, all the VVIP customers who informed us in advance of their participation have arrived. They are currently enjoying their shopping.”

“How about the cultural performance?”

“The musical team has finished all preparations and is currently in the final rehearsal before the performance. Everything will be ready on time.”

“Please double-check again just in case, and since there might be unexpected visitors, I’ll have to ask everyone here to work a bit harder.”

Bow-

The staff all bowed their heads again at Kim Eun-ha's words. Unlike the business smiles they showed earlier, a warm sincerity was conveyed.

It was a scene that clearly demonstrated how much trust Kim Eun-ha had earned from them.

‘...She’s amazing.’

Kang Byul, who had been silently observing from behind, thought to herself without realizing it.

The sophisticated demeanor she was showing now was so different from the gentle image she had shown to her and Kim Ji-hye earlier. It felt like a proper display of what it means to be a career woman.

‘...It’s suddenly sinking in.’

The same realization dawned on Kim Ji-hye as well. She finally grasped who Kim Eun-ha truly was.

To her, Kim Eun-ha was just a lovely and pretty new daughter-in-law, but in front of others, she was the granddaughter of the Mirae Group and the owner of the department store.

She also realized the enormous gap between Kim Eun-ha and themselves. To the point where she wondered if it was really okay to leave things as they were.

“.......”

Swoosh-

Kim Ji-hye subtly moved her eyes to observe her son. Immediately, the corners of her lips curled up.

The atmosphere around Kang Woo-ju had changed at some point. He now looked exactly like Kang Joo-heon from <Peaceful Chaebol Life>, a drama she had watched more than a hundred times without exaggeration.

The dignified and serious aura of a chaebol was emanating from him like smoke. Even she found it hard to casually strike up a conversation.

‘My son has really grown up.’

The calm expression on Kang Woo-ju’s face had never looked so reassuring. The tension that had been unknowingly gripping her eased up completely.

Kim Ji-hye’s previously tense body began to relax. A hint of composure appeared on her face as well.

‘I mustn’t embarrass the two of them.’

When she first heard about participating in the VVIP-only department store event, she honestly felt a bit burdened.

After all, she had rarely visited a department store even as a regular customer, let alone as a VVIP.

Although she couldn’t refuse Kim Eun-ha’s request and followed along, she felt overwhelmed from the entrance itself.

‘...This is something you only see in dramas.’

Having dozens of staff lined up next to the red carpet, all bowing in unison—it’s something that an ordinary person rarely experiences.

However, seeing the confident expressions of Kim Eun-ha and Kang Woo-ju changed her perspective a bit.

It wasn’t that she gained confidence, but she didn’t want her timid appearance to become a burden to them.

- But Ji-hye unnie, are you really okay with this?

- What do you mean?

- What do you think? Chaebols are extremely picky about the other family’s background. Honestly, our family isn't in the same league as theirs. If you look online, everyone’s saying Woo-ju is just a trophy husband!

- .......

She recalled a conversation she once had with her younger cousin while in the hospital room some time ago. On the surface, she pretended to be worried, but in reality, she must have been jealous.

However, it was true that the words she had said had pierced her heart like a dagger.

Even if she couldn’t give her child wings, she thought a lot about how she shouldn’t hold them back.

'There's no need to forcefully put on airs.'

She doesn't try to imitate clumsily. That would only make her look more foolish.

So, she decided to remain calm.

Just like her son standing beside her.

For now, that would be enough.

“...Mom?”

The first to notice her change was Kang Byul. She had been sticking close to Kim Ji-hye ever since they entered the department store, so she sensed it more keenly.

On the surface, there wasn’t much difference from before. But if there was one thing that had changed significantly...

‘...Her gaze has changed.’

Kim Ji-hye's new resolve had seeped into her gaze, and that look closely resembled that of Kang Woo-ju when he played the role of Kang Joo-heon.

Almost simultaneously, small smiles appeared on the faces of both Kang Woo-ju and Kim Eun-ha.

They didn’t say anything, but the admiration in their eyes was evident.

“Daughter-in... Oh.”

Kim Ji-hye hesitated for a moment as she was about to call Kim Eun-ha “daughter-in-law” as she usually did. She briefly wondered if it was appropriate to use that term in front of others.

Noticing this, Kim Eun-ha smiled gently and spoke up.

“Mother, there’s no need to worry about what others think. You can call me ‘daughter-in-law’ as usual. I really like that term.”

“...Really?”

“Hehe. In fact, I would appreciate it if you did.”

Kim Eun-ha stifled a quiet laugh, genuinely pleased. It seemed like Kang Woo-ju's parents were adjusting much faster than she had originally expected.

‘The young lady might still need some more time.’

On the other hand, Kang Byul, who had relatively less social experience, still had a somewhat bewildered expression.

Of course, it seemed like she had somewhat caught on to the atmosphere, but it was clear that she was putting on a bit of a show, trying to puff up her shoulders.

However, that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. After all, it’s impossible to change one’s mindset overnight.

In fact, it was probably Kim Ji-hye and Kang Woo-ju who were exceptionally extraordinary. But more than anything...

‘So cute-!!!’

Maybe it was because she was still a college student, not yet fully tainted by the ways of society, but everything she did was just so adorable.

Kim Eun-ha screamed internally, struggling to contain herself. When she looked at Kang Byul, it reminded her of a chick trying to show off by puffing up its tiny chest full of air.

And when she looked at Kang Woo-ju and Kang Byul side by side, it was clear to anyone that they were siblings, they looked so much alike.

‘...It’s an expression I could never see on Woo-ju’s face!’

Kim Eun-ha had to make a concerted effort to calm her twitching fingers. Otherwise, she might just reach out and pull on Kang Byul’s cheeks right then and there.

“CEO-nim.”

“Huh? Ah, yes.”

Ahem-

At that moment, Secretary Yoon called out to her in a cautious voice, snapping her back to reality. Kim Eun-ha quickly composed herself.

“Mother, and Byul, I’m sorry, but I need to go greet the VVIPs for a moment.”

“Don’t worry about us at all. There’s no need to feel sorry for doing what’s expected of you. I’m more worried that we’ve disrupted your schedule, daughter-in-law.”

“Not at all. Then, I’ll be back shortly with Woo-ju. Please make yourselves at home and take a look around. If you see anything you like, just let the staff know.”

“Oppa is going with you too?”

Kang Byul tilted her head, curious that Kang Woo-ju was going with her. In response, Kim Eun-ha maintained her warm smile and spoke softly.

“Yes. It’s just that I feel uneasy without Woo-ju by my side, even for a moment.”

Gasp-

Kang Byul covered her mouth with both hands in shock at Kim Eun-ha's bold words. Watching her, Kang Woo-ju, looking a bit exasperated, spoke up.

“You’re joking too much.”

"Oh my, I'm being serious though?"

"Wouldn't it be the other way around?"

“Come on, Woo-ju ssi should be more popular. Our department store has quite a few young, pretty, and wealthy female VVIP members, you know.”

“But none of them could compare to you, Eun-ha ssi.”

“Oh, stop it. You’re embarrassing me in front of people.”

Thump thump-!

Kim Eun-ha pounded on Kang Woo-ju's chest with her fist, as if embarrassed.

The sound was a bit too heavy to be just a simple display of affection, and Kang Woo-ju’s face even twisted in pain. However, aside from Secretary Yoon, who knew the situation between the two, no one else noticed this.

“.......”

Watching the two exchange words that would make even a drama script seem cheesy, the others could only shake their heads as if they couldn’t believe it.

Seeing them act so lovey-dovey right in front of her, it made all the rumors circulating online seem utterly baseless.

‘...Are they really dating?’

Even Kang Byul, who had been skeptical about their relationship, couldn’t help but think so, which eased her tension considerably.

“Hurry. Or rather, take your time coming back.”

“Thank you for your consideration. Oh, and by the way…”

“Hmm?”

Out of nowhere, Kim Eun-ha leaned in close to Kang Byul’s ear and whispered in a voice only she could hear.

“You don’t need to worry so much. The thing you’re concerned about won’t happen. So just relax and enjoy yourself for now.”

“Huh? What do you me...?”

Before Kang Byul could fully grasp the meaning behind those words, Kim Eun-ha straightened up again.

She then flashed a quick smile at Kang Byul before reaching out to link arms with Kang Woo-ju.

Only then did Kang Byul realize the meaning behind Kim Eun-ha's words, and her eyes widened in surprise, feeling as though her thoughts had been completely read.

“Well, we’ll be off then.”

Bow-

Without giving Kang Byul a chance to respond, the couple bowed slightly and turned to leave the entrance.

“Sweetie, what’s the matter?”

“...Oh, it’s nothing.”

As she watched the two of them walk away, Kang Byul found herself lost in deep thought.

  *

A little time passed.

After distancing ourselves from the others, Kim Eun-ha and I spoke in hushed tones, low enough for only the two of us to hear.

“Is it really necessary to go this far?”

“Of course it is. Our VVIPs are all influential voices in this industry. By tomorrow, rumors will be all over the place.”

“I think we’re already at the limit. If this goes any further, it won’t just be a matter of brushing it off as a ‘male friend’ anymore.”

“Woo-ju ssi, do you remember the first thing I said?”

As she spoke, Kim Eun-ha tightened her grip on my arm. The increased contact between us stirred a primal desire, which I tried to suppress while recalling our first meeting.

It wasn’t that long ago, so it didn’t take long to figure out what answer Kim Eun-ha was looking for.

“If you mean the first thing you said.... No way?”

“That’s right.”

Kim Eun-ha suddenly stopped in her tracks.

I halted my steps as well.

When I turned to look at her, I was greeted by Kim Eun-ha’s playful, teasing smile. At that moment, I realized that the inevitable had come.

I had somewhat anticipated it from the moment we entered the VVIP event with my family, but wasn’t this progressing a bit too fast?

“Eun-ha ssi, one more time....”

“Shh.”

Suddenly, she spun around and stood in front of me. Then, she placed her index finger on my lips, signaling me to stay quiet.

The soft touch of her finger left me momentarily dazed.

As if entranced, I looked down at her, and Kim Eun-ha boldly leaned her face closer to mine.

Just as I was about to step back in surprise, she grabbed my chin with both hands, holding me in place.

“Woo-ju ssi. Don’t turn your head. Just quietly listen to my voice. Someone behind us is watching us right now.”

“......!?”

“It’s probably one of our department store’s VVIPs. They can’t see my face clearly because you’re blocking me from their view. Anyway, I think this is the perfect opportunity.”

“Opportunity?”

Kim Eun-ha let out a sly smile. It was different from her usual mischievous expression, more like a carefully calculated, mischievous grin.

“I’ve been too complacent. These people aren’t the type to be fooled by clumsy puppy love. So from today on..."

Gulp-!

Anticipating what she was about to say next, I swallowed hard without realizing it.

Kim Eun-ha’s face drew even closer to mine. By now, our noses were practically touching, and she continued in a whisper.

“I’m going to raise the rating from ‘suitable for all ages’ to ‘12 and up’. Make sure you keep up with my pace.”

“Okay, w-wait...”

Thump-

Before I could say anything more, something soft pressed against my lips, silencing me.