By Zephyria 
First, he removed the beer can that was precariously balanced on the tip of his fingers. Despite having drunk with gusto, half of it remained. Since it was non-alcoholic beer, there was no way he was drunk; he must have simply fallen asleep from exhaustion.
He turned off all the lights in the living room. The only light permeating the dark space was the nightlight that remained on at all times. The faint glow of the lamp soaked the room in warmth.
Kwon Young-je paced in front of the window while holding the baby. It was already past Ji-wan’s bedtime. As he patted her back, Ji-wan squirmed her plump limbs and whined. She clearly wanted a different set of arms.
“Shh, let’s let Daddy Hui-won sleep.”
At the low voice, Ji-wan, who had become quite capable of supporting her own neck, turned her head and followed the sound. Kwon Young-je gazed intently into the large eyes looking back at him. It was an utterly lovely face that resembled both himself and Hui-won.
“Good girl Ji-wan should go to sleep now, too.”
He spoke in a mock-stern voice, but the baby only smiled, seemingly enjoying it. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a hint of sleepiness on her face. A sigh escaped his tightly closed lips. Kwon Young-je adjusted his hold on the baby and gently patted her back with a light touch.
Sleep tight, my baby, in the front yard and the back hill…
While the quiet lullaby continued, Ji-wan blinked, leaning against her father’s shoulder. Perhaps feeling comfortable in the stiff yet warm embrace, drool leaked from her open mouth.
The lullaby stretched on as he wandered around the living room. Occasionally, his gaze drifted toward Hui-won. His hand instinctively reached out to brush back the disheveled bangs.
He only hoped that the ones he loved would fall into a deep, sweet slumber.
A few weeks later, Hui-won returned to the company after a long childcare leave. As always, it was a continuation of hectic, busy days.
Madam Im was taking full charge of looking after their precious daughter. While there was the downside of having to stop by the family home every day after work, it allowed him to work with peace of mind.
Currently, a meeting had been going on for three long hours. He was continuing discussions with officials from a university in Seoul regarding an industry-academic cooperation MOU with Apex.
A plan to hire about ten interns every year starting next year was being discussed. For the university, it was a golden opportunity for students to build their specs before employment. In particular, Apex was a conglomerate that had already extended its influence beyond Korea to a global scale. They were desperate to sign an exclusive MOU.
From Apex’s perspective, it wasn’t a losing deal, as they could secure an image as a ‘company contributing to the cultivation of future talent.’ However, they couldn’t accommodate ten people all at once, and the research center, in particular, was a part that required careful consideration due to security and rights issues regarding the interns’ research results.
Consequently, the meeting was running longer than scheduled. By the time it was finally wrapped up, the morning had long since passed.
“We should eat. Is there time to go out?”
“The next schedule starts at 3 PM, so we have some leeway. Is there anywhere you’d like to go?”
“How about the sushi Secretary Kim has been singing about since last night?”
At the mention of sushi, the corners of Hui-won’s mouth curled up slightly. He tried to hide his excitement and took out his phone with a calm face.
“Then I’ll make a reservation right—”
Tapping the screen, Hui-won stopped upon seeing a message that had just arrived. Unaware of the situation, Kwon Young-je, who had walked a few steps ahead, looked back. Hui-won’s expression was unusual.
He rushed back to the office and flung the door open. Inside, applause and laughter were in full swing.
Beyond the secretaries’ workspace, the open executive office was visible. The sound was originating from right there.
Surely not. With an anxious heart, he stepped forward slowly. However, the closer he got, the more his suspicion became reality.
Above all, the short, stout back standing there was far too familiar. It was a presence that absolutely should not be here.
“Kwon Ji-wan!”
The baby reacted to Hui-won’s voice and turned her head. Only her head turned while her feet remained stuck, causing her to plop down on her bottom immediately. Even so, she began to crawl forward, laughing happily. Madam Im, who had been watching, quickly scooped the baby up.
“Did your work finish well?”
Madam Im tilted her high nose up haughtily. Even while holding the baby, who smelled strongly of milk, her noble poise remained unchanged.
“Madam, what brings you here without any notice…?”
Hui-won greeted Madam Im cautiously. Although he now called her Mother, his response was as formal as before since they were at the company.
“I just wanted to get some fresh air.”
Madam Im took a seat on the sofa as if it were the most natural thing in the world. She cast her usual sharp gaze at the secretaries standing with their hands politely folded.
“Green tea would be good. Since there’s a baby, make it cold, and put it in a paper cup.”
As soon as the order was given, a rookie brought a cup of green tea on a tray. As everyone tried to tactfully excuse themselves, Madam Im suddenly spoke.
“There’s no need to leave; it’s fine to look at our Ji-wan.”
It was essentially an invitation to stare. Madam Im was dying to show off her precious grandchild.
The baby’s fancy clothes were incredibly ornate. Though it wasn’t obvious, the cotton t-shirt, yellow pumpkin pants, thin tights, and the palm-sized cardigan were all luxury brands.
On the other hand, Madam Im, who was in the midst of an unexpected twilight childcare period, had left behind the jewelry that had been like a part of her body and her thick eyeliner. Without makeup, she was no different from any other grandmother. Yet, her expression looked quite satisfied.
Just then, Madam Im rummaged through her bag. From inside the lambskin bag, which was prone to scratching, a bottle of barley tea emerged.
“Shall Ji-wan have some tea with Grandmother too?”
When handed the bottle, the baby, who seemed quite thirsty, vigorously sucked the barley tea through a silicone straw. Although she was standing on the sofa in sneakers that had never touched dirt, her height didn’t even reach a person’s upper body.
Kwon Young-je sat down in front of Madam Im. His cold, stiff face was clearly displeased. He even let out a rare sigh.
“You should have contacted us. What do you mean, just showing up suddenly?”
“Have I come somewhere I’m not allowed to come?”
Madam Im snapped back sharply. Even without a trace of makeup, her characteristic sharp edge and aura overflowed; she truly was a formidable woman.
“Right, Ji-wan-ah?”
However, when speaking to the baby, her eyes softened and she used baby talk. The secretaries, hearing Madam Im’s baby talk, all flinched and stared into empty space. If they laughed, it would be the end.
Madam Im, being an expert at reading the room, quickly picked up on the stiff atmosphere. Without fail, a sharp glare flew their way.
“Why is everyone so quiet? Isn’t my grandchild pretty?”
“She’s so pretty, Madam.”
“How can she be such an angel!”
The secretaries poured out praises. It was no different from a semi-threat, but it wasn’t entirely a lie. Kwon Young-je and Hui-won’s baby had a remarkably beautiful face.
With large eyes and long eyelashes, the baby was like a doll itself. Her curly hair had a brownish tint, resembling Hui-won.
“Honestly, not all babies are pretty. But Ji-wan is truly beautiful.”
When Secretary Lee offered a sincere compliment, Madam Im’s expression became coy. She was inwardly hiding how much she loved it.
“Our Ji-wan is definitely an Alpha. I can just feel it.”
Madam Im made a diagnosis while looking at the baby, who hadn’t even formed pheromones yet.
“She’s already walking at one year old. Look at her now, her legs are so strong.”
“Anyone walks at this age,” Kwon Young-je remarked. Of course, Madam Im didn’t even pretend to listen.
“She’s already started talking. Do you know how well she says ‘Daddy, Daddy’?”
Just then, Ji-wan said, “Ah-bu.” Madam Im clapped her hands. Oh my, she must have understood what I was saying! My brilliant baby!
She was incredibly excited over mere babbling. As the grandmother’s doting continued, the baby, feeling happy in turn, wiggled her hips. Clear drool flowed from her mouth.
Unable to watch any longer, Hui-won reached out and took Ji-wan. Being held in her father’s arms, she beamed, revealing her rice-grain-like bottom teeth.
Kwon Young-je used his handkerchief to wipe the drool flowing from the baby’s mouth. Being human, his cold eyes inevitably softened when looking at his daughter.
After making eye contact with Ji-wan for a while, he regained his composure and spoke coldly.
“Everyone, go back to your work.”
Hui-won also took the opportunity to slip out. As the grandchild disappeared from sight, Madam Im’s face was full of regret.
While Kwon Young-je and Madam Im had their private talk, the staff of the secretary’s office gathered to properly admire the baby.
“Can I hold her just once?”
“Yes, of course.”
Ji-wan wandered around, being passed from person to person. Having grown a bit, her shyness had mostly disappeared lately. At the sight of her beaming smile, everyone, like Madam Im, began using baby talk.
“No, but… doesn’t she look exactly like the Vice President? It seems she looks more like him as she grows.”
“Secretary Lee, you think so too?”
“Yes, haah. What will our little miss become when she grows up? What did she grab during her first birthday grab?”
Hui-won paused for a moment before answering as he took the baby back. After a while, he spoke.
“…The official seal.”
“Oh my, she’s going to inherit the company.”
The President who would lead Apex in 30 or 40 years was right before their eyes. With eyes clear as glass and drool leaking, she looked very reliable.
Hui-won returned to his spot and sat the baby on his desk. He moved important documents far away and placed post-its or a mouse—things Ji-wan might be interested in—in her hand.
Hui-won gazed at his child as if looking at the world’s most precious treasure. He had missed her already, and meeting her at the company doubled that joy.
It didn’t matter what she became in the future. Because he and Kwon Young-je would raise her with all their love.