Translator: Nox

Chapter 13

13. Like a Dad

The pediatric clinic, open late, was full of children. Naturally, Naeun's return home was delayed, so she called first.

"Jiho's sick. He seems to have a fever, so we're at the hospital. We might be late getting home."

-Minho's been waiting, keep looking at the door even without saying anything.

"Yes. Minho understands even if he doesn't speak, so please tell him Jiho's sick and went to the hospital."

-Yes, understood.

After calling Lee Yeosa, Naeun hesitated before calling Kangwoo too, since it involved Minho.

-Hello.

"This is Jiho's mom."

-Yes, go ahead.

"Jiho's sick, so we came to the pediatrician. It's crowded, so we'll be late."

-Which hospital?

"Not far from the kindergarten."

-Got it.

Kangwoo just said he'd noted it and hung up. Naeun waited nearly an hour before seeing the doctor. Jiho was already slumped against her on the chair, breathing labored with raspy sounds.

"It's the trending cold going around. Tonsils are swollen too—better skip kindergarten tomorrow and rest."

The doctor noted something on the chart, speaking cautiously. His expression was calm but serious.

Naeun gripped Jiho's small hand tightly and asked the doctor,

"Can't he just go to kindergarten and rest there? I'm the kindergarten teacher."

Her words held a desire for Jiho to rest but caution about burdening the other children.

The doctor shook his head with a gentle smile.

"It could spread to the others. It's highly contagious right now, and the fever might spike more."

He closed the chart and looked at Naeun earnestly.

Naeun nodded glumly at the doctor's words.

"I see."

She couldn't hide her worry looking at Jiho's swollen tonsils and fever-flushed face.

The doctor reassured her.

"A day or two of rest should do it. This cold spreads easily to other kids too, so better rest at home than kindergarten."

"Yes."

She called Lee Yeosa. She'd asked for a report, so Kangwoo picked up right away after a few rings.

"The doctor who saw Jiho said."

His presence was always striking, but in this space full of children and parents, his calm, cool aura felt especially out of place. Standing with one hand in his pocket drew everyone's eyes.

Naeun approached him with a puzzled expression.

"CEO, how did you get here?"

Her greeting carried surprise. Kangwoo nodded lightly at her.

"You said the child's sick. No car, so I came to give you a ride on my way."

His tone was matter-of-fact, but his presence here was astonishing.

Sounds just like Jiho's dad.

Naeun paused before speaking.

"Thank you."

Taxis were scarce this late—it was a huge help. Thinking it fortunate, she glanced at Jiho with a smile, then cautiously told Kangwoo,

"Jiho has the trending cold. Worried Minho might catch it."

Kangwoo glanced at Jiho and smiled faintly.

"Kids grow up getting sick. Let's head home first."

Kangwoo looked at Naeun holding Jiho's hand. Her face seemed paler than usual from worry, making her look more fragile and beautiful.

Damn, why does she look pretty even now?

Kangwoo clamped his mouth shut, feeling pathetic. Naeun nodded at his suggestion to go to the car and headed there. His words to "ride with him" felt overwhelmingly authoritative.

Jiho, who'd gotten a shot, fell asleep right away in the car. Naeun sat in the back with him, face clouded with concern. Kangwoo spoke via the rearview mirror.

"Don't worry too much."

"Ah, yes. Maybe keep Minho in the main house tonight. With Jiho sick like this, Minho might catch it too."

"We'll see when we get there."

Just then, a call from Lee Yeosa—Minho had a fever. Naeun said urgently,

"That might be the trending cold—should go to the hospital."

-The family doctor came. It's the trending cold. Got a shot and sleeping now.

"I see. Both caught it, but Minho went home early, so I didn't notice."

As she entered the gate holding Jiho, Gyeonghye stood in front. She eyed Naeun and Jiho sharply and spoke.

"Teacher Han, you're just now coming?"

Irritation laced Gyeonghye's voice. Naeun answered cautiously under her sharp gaze.

"Yes, Chairwoman. The child was sick."

Naeun tried a warm smile while checking Jiho, but tension lingered from Gyeonghye's stiff expression.

Gyeonghye scanned Jiho up and down.

"Is the child weak?"

"No. Our Jiho's very healthy. Just caught the trending cold."

"Trending cold? Then our Minho too..."

Gyeonghye frowned suspiciously.

Naeun nodded.

"Yes, Minho caught it too—the doctor came and went."

Naeun added calmly, considering Gyeonghye's worry for Minho. Gyeonghye crossed her arms, sighed, and spoke coldly.

"Kindergarten's the problem. Did our Minho catch it from Jiho?"

"They got sick around the same time, so probably not."

Naeun answered calmly despite the surprise.

"Having two kids is the issue."

Naeun thought the cold spread naturally from playing together, but Gyeonghye's tone remained cold and stern.

"Kids get sick growing up. Don't worry too much. Minho's uncle seemed healthy as a child."

Naeun spoke softly to reassure her.

Gyeonghye lifted her chin proudly at Kangwoo.

"Our Kangwoo never got colds much growing up."

Pride for her son filled her voice. Naeun glanced at Kangwoo briefly and nodded.

"Yes."

"Caring for kids while working must be hard—maybe not caring well led to this cold?"

The cold words continued, and finally Kangwoo stepped in.

"Yes. We'll head in, Chairwoman."

"Teacher, let's go inside. Holding the child like that might make him cold."

Gyeonghye watched Naeun and Kangwoo head to the annex, then followed. With Minho sick, she needed to check. By the time the three arrived, the briefly napping kids were starting dinner.

"What's this?"

Gyeonghye asked. The table was all vegetables.

"Feeding the kids only grass?"

"No."

"Then what's this?"

Gyeonghye eyed the vegetables.

"Eating in order: veggies first, then protein, then carbs—it's better that way."

Recalling full-table meals, Gyeonghye clicked her tongue.

"What's that matter? I fed our Kangwoo everything—rice, veggies, meat—all together growing up."

Naeun didn't yield. She knew clashes arose between grandmas and young moms over kids' meals. Not like the old days of adults' side dishes with rice in soup—no big issues then, but now it differed.

Meal order mattered: veggies first, then protein, carbs. Especially young kids—low salt/sugar was the trend.

Gyeonghye watched Jiho munch chicory in shock.

"You don't put dressing?"

"A little. But it's tasty. I like this."

He then picked up bell pepper.

To Gyeonghye, it was incomprehensible.