Chapter – 04
What kind of enterprise was the Cheongyeong Group? It was the ultimate conglomerate within the world of The Chaebolās Way of Loving. The very company that ranked number one in the nation’s business world. For context, Haenaās family company, the Hongil Group, was ranked fourth.
āFourth is still incredible, but for some reason, the number feels a bit humble in front of Cheongyeongā¦ā
As expected of the male leadās family in a romance novel, the Cheongyeong Groupāthe overwhelmingly dominant number one family in the business worldāhad two sons. And despite being the second son, the male lead was already slated to inherit the conglomerate. As for how such a thing was possible in a Confucian society that strictly adhered to the principle of primogenitureā¦
“Hey, Hong Haena. Are you ignoring me now when I’m speaking to you?”
Hmm. I guess now is not the time to be lost in thought. Haena returned to reality and stared at the two young masters sitting in front of her. Their cheeks were plump and fair, proof of how well they had been fed. They wore charming bowties, well-ironed shirts, and cute yet comfortable shorts. This kid, whose outfit practically screamed ‘I’m a rich family’s son!’, wasā¦
“Sorry. I was just thinking about something else.”
He was Baek Doyun, the male lead of this novel and the heir to the Cheongyeong Group. On the novel’s cover, he was drawn as a thoroughly handsome man in his late twenties, but right now, his childhood self just looked like a somewhat cute baby. Of course, he practically had ‘I am a troublemaker’ written all over his face. To think this kid would grow up to become that crazed, obsessively possessive male lead driven mad by love? I can’t picture it at allā¦ By the way, to pour out sharp remarks the literal second the two nannies went to fetch drinks. He pretended to be the world’s most well-behaved child when adults were around. What a two-faced kid.
“ā¦? Did you just apologize to me?”
Even a chaebol’s son uses the typical elementary schooler slang. Haena pondered for a moment. Having only encountered elementary schoolers through her past clients’ children, Haena had zero data on how to properly converse with kids this age.
“Got a problem with that?”
Ah. Was that not it? Seeing Baek Doyunās face turn red and blue, it seemed her answer was wrong.
“You piece ofā, youā¦!” “We haven’t seen each other in a while, let’s not fight, guys.”
Just then, someone stepped in between Haena and Doyun to mediate. It was Baek Jaehyun, the eldest grandson of Cheongyeong Group’s chairman and the second male lead. This little kid, who was probably about three years older than Haena, had a gentle and mature aura that was completely different from Doyun.
āHeās still just a kid, thoughā¦ā
Haena didn’t care much about either of the two brats. After all, both of them would eventually go half-mad over the female lead who would appear like a comet in the future. To Haena, they were her top priority to avoid.
āThough, of course, Baek Jaehyun doesn’t throw away his money for love.ā
The reason Baek Jaehyun had been a pretty memorable second male lead was that he wasn’t the typical, textbook second lead. The future Baek Jaehyun would love the female lead deeply, but he would ultimately choose the position of corporate heir over her. Meaning, he snatched up the very seat that Baek Doyun threw away.
āYeah, you’re at least realistic.ā
But despite that, Baek Jaehyun was still at the top of her avoidance list. Right now, he looked so pure and kind, but in reality, his true nature was entirely different. Baek Jaehyun’s true identity was the ‘mastermind, calculating second male lead’ā¦! He was charming when reading about him in a novel, but encountering him in reality just meant dealing with a crazy sociopath. He was the exact polar opposite of Haena, whose dream was ‘safety first’ānever getting fired and living a peaceful life on a lifetime salary.
“Hyung, you’re too nice, that’s your problem. That Hong Haena is a total psycho,” Baek Doyun grumbled with a pouty, sulking face.
A psycho? Thatās a bit harsh. Haena didn’t like Baek Doyun much anyway. First of all, the fact that this brat would become her arranged marriage partner in the distant future was already displeasing. While receiving a massive alimony package after a divorce wouldn’t be bad, the best option was simply not marrying this guy at all. Because in the original story, Hong Haena ended up giving up her position as the heir to Hongil Group by marrying him. In short, it was the single biggest mistake of Hong Haena’s life. It was absolutely baffling how Hong Haena, who usually loved splurging money, temporarily lost her mind to love and made such a foolish decision.
āBut I am different.ā
I am definitely going to inherit Hongil Group and live as a chaebol for the rest of my lifeā¦! I won’t settle for just some divorce alimony. Therefore, starting right now, I will completely ruin any chance of friendship with this brat.
“Didn’t you learn in kindergarten that you shouldn’t use such bad words?” “ā¦?” “?” “I learned it. I guess you need to go back to kindergarten.” “Wh-What?!”
Baek Doyun huffed and puffed as he jumped to his feet. Yeah, go ahead, you just have short little baby legs anyway. I’m not scared at all. Right now, I’m taller than you.
“My kindergarten teacher taught me everything, so I don’t use bad words and only use pretty words. I guess you didn’t learn, Doyun? Then you should go back to kindergarten and learn again. In the youngest baby class.” “You, yooou. Yooouuu.”
According to the setting, Hong Haena and Baek Doyun were the same age. For a kid trying to act like an adult, an attack on their age is the most effective. Since it was probably his first time facing such a harsh counterattack, Baek Doyun’s eyes began to well up with tears.
“I’m going to elementary school next year and becoming an older sister. But they say Doyun can’t go to elementary school and has to go back to the baby class in kindergarten. Ebebe. They say Doyun has to be Haena’s younger brother.” “No, I’m not! I’m not your younger brother! I’m going to elementary school too! Next year!” “Nope, wrong. My teacher said bad children can’t become elementary schoolers and have to stay babies who attend kindergarten forever.” “No! Who said that?!” “Our teacher.” “!”
Baek Doyunās jaw dropped in absolute shock. Rightā¦ at this age, the teacher’s word is the absolute truth and the lawā¦ By the way, to Haena’s kindergarten teacher whose name and face I don’t even knowā¦ I’m using your name a lot as an excuse todayā¦ I’m sorryā¦
“There’s no way! My teacher, wah, my teacher said I’m going to be a brave older brother! She said I’m all grown up now!” “Then does your teacher know you use bad words? She doesn’t, right? I’ll have to go to kindergarten on Monday and tell on you. That Doyun can’t go to elementary school because he uses bad words.”
The threat of telling the teacher must have been truly terrifying, because exactly three seconds later, Baek Doyun burst into loud, sobbing tears.
“Waaaaah!”
Hmm, Child Doyun. Shall we deliver the final blow?
“Oh? You cried, so I guess Santa Claus won’t bring you any presents?” “Noooo!”
“Lady Haenaaaaā¦”
The nanny held Haena’s hand with a thoroughly distressed face. Hmm. I do feel a bit sorry for the nanny. When Baek Doyun started crying loud enough to shake the house, both Haena’s nanny and Doyun’s nanny came rushing back in a frenzy. Doyun’s nanny picked up the sorrowfully weeping Doyun to comfort him and left the room, leaving behind Haena, Jaehyun, and Haena’s nanny.
“What should we do about this? If Young Master Doyun is this upsetā¦ the Chairman will be furious tooā¦”
Ah. Getting scolded by the Chairman sounds unpleasant. Just as Haena was about to speak up, worried that her nanny might get blamed,
“It’s not Haena’s fault that Doyun cried,” Baek Jaehyun interjected.
“!” “Oh dear, really?”
Surprised, the nanny turned to look at Jaehyun and asked.
“Yes. Haena didn’t really say much, but Doyun is just soft-hearted and cried, so please don’t worry. I will explain it well to my grandfather.” “Thank you so much for saying that, Young Master.”
What the? Why is he taking my side? Anyone could see that I was clearly the one who made Baek Doyun cry just now. Haena scanned Baek Jaehyun with eyes full of suspicion. Then again, he was the young master who had stood by and watched without blinking an eye while his brother cried. He definitely seemed to have an ulterior motiveā¦
“Haena must have been very startled when Doyun suddenly started crying too. As the older brother, I should have comforted him well, so it’s my fault for failing to do so.” “Not at all, Young Master. Friends can have little arguments and cry. It is not your fault at all, Young Master Jaehyun.”
The nanny smiled warmly at Jaehyun.
“CEO Baek must feel so reassured to have Young Master Jaehyun. What a wonderful and mature son.” “No, it’s not. It’s only natural for me to do.”
After flashing a perfect smile that looked like it belonged to a textbook child model, Baek Jaehyun turned his head toward Haena.
“Haena, do you want to eat the remaining cake with me? You like cake, don’t you?” “ā¦!” “That’s a wonderful idea, Lady Haena. The two of you should enjoy the remaining dessert. I will stay withā” “No.”
Right then, Baek Jaehyun flashed a smile that could melt just about anyone.
“I will take care of Haena. Please go check on Doyun, ma’am.” “Pardon? Butā” “Don’t you trust me?” “!”
Wow. It feels like I’m watching a morning soap opera.
