By Zephyria 
“Uncle, Uncle, let’s play restaurant!”
“Uncle! Let’s sword fight!”
“Uncle! Give me an airplane ride!”
As the three nephews and nieces clung to Lee-eum, demanding this and that, Kim Malk-eum scolded the children, telling them not to bother their uncle because his legs hurt. With the three children together, it was noisy, but Yoon-ji, being the oldest, managed to take control and lead the children into the room with the toys.
After that, the table was set and the food was laid out. Lee-eum’s brother-in-law was very good at cooking and had a lot of talent for childcare and housework. Thanks to him, Noona was able to focus on her work and get to where she is now, as she often said.
“Lee-eum, did you get your physical therapy?”
“I’m going tomorrow. I was busy today.”
“I have a heating pack, should I warm it up for you?”
“It’s okay, Noona. It doesn’t hurt that much.”
Kim Mid-eum, who was listening from behind, chimed in.
“That’s why you shouldn’t go to the mountains. If you’re bored, come to our house and play with Yoon-ji.”
Hyung probably knows. That being held by Yoon-ji and repeating the restaurant game more than ten times is harder than going to the mountains. It would be fortunate if it ended with the restaurant, but if it continued with the beauty salon and hospital games, it would be as difficult as chasing criminals.
Soon, dishes from braised spicy anglerfish to ribs, japchae, and all sorts of other dishes were placed on the table. While everyone was admiring, Kim Mid-eum set the table for the children inside and brought them food separately. Then, he sat next to Lee-eum and subtly probed him.
“Tell me honestly. You didn’t go to the mountains alone, did you? You went with that psycho, didn’t you?”
All the family’s eyes were on Lee-eum. Even Hyung-soo, who usually didn’t show her feelings, was curious and asked him to tell them the story. Lee-eum tried to play dumb, but he knew that lying wouldn’t work.
“I didn’t go together on purpose… it just happened that way.”
Kim Mid-eum scoffed.
“Mom also met Dad by chance and got married. That’s what’s scary.”
“It’s not like that. I’m going to break it off.”
“You broke it off last time, didn’t you? Is she clothes? Do you break up every season?”
Kim Malk-eum cut him off when Kim Mid-eum tried to nag.
“Leave him alone. He’s old enough to take care of himself, why are you interfering? Mind your own business.”
“I’m doing very well, thank you very much.”
“Stop fighting and let’s eat peacefully. The food I made is going to get cold.”
At Hyung’s words, they stopped bickering and all picked up their chopsticks, saying they would eat well. He picked up a piece of braised spicy anglerfish and put it in his mouth, and the spicy and savory taste was amazing.
“Wow, this braised spicy anglerfish is crazy.”
“I know, it’s really good.”
“Kim Mid-eum, bring the alcohol. Don’t give any to Lee-eum.”
While everyone was filling their glasses, Lee-eum sipped on his cola. He only felt wronged that he couldn’t drink alcohol today because of his leg.
“Kim Yi-eum, do you want some? Do you want a sip?”
“Don’t. He’s taking medicine for the inflammation.”
“Noona, a man, you know. When he’s sick, he drinks alcohol instead of medicine. That’s what a man does.”
Kim Malk-eum shuddered. “You’re just like your father. You’re completely Little Kim Chun-sam. Ugh, it’s creepy.”
Everyone burst out laughing at that. Hyung resembled his father, but he didn’t like it when he was told that he did, and Noona said it was a case of hating one’s own kind. While they were laughing and chatting, Yoon-ji came and asked to borrow a cell phone to play music for her and her siblings to dance to.
As soon as he handed it over, Yoon-ji went into the room excitedly, and then music was heard and the children’s giggling and laughter could be heard. Then the music was cut off for a moment and then connected, and then cut off again and connected.
Before he could ask what was wrong, Yoon-ji spoke first.
“Uncle! Who is Choi Won-joon? It says, ‘Darling, can I go home?'”
Lee-eum got up with lightning speed and went to Yoon-ji and snatched the cell phone. When Yoon-ji’s eyes widened, he apologized, coaxed her, and then quickly came out. Everyone’s eyes were fixed on Lee-eum, and his ears became hot.
In the meantime, Kim Malk-eum stepped forward.
“Did he come? If he came, tell him to come this way.”
Kim Mid-eum was disgusted.
“Come here? Where is he coming? This is my house.”
“I’m curious too. What kind of person is he?”
“Me too. Call him to come.”
Even Hyung-soo and Hyung were telling him to call him. Noona got up and disappeared, saying she was going to the bathroom, and Lee-eum smiled awkwardly.
“I’m sorry. We’re really not like that.”
Kim Mid-eum patted Lee-eum on the shoulder and nodded.
“You thought well. What about you and Jeong Dae-han? I think he’s really good. He’s a good kid, he’s persistent, and above all, his heart is pure. He can’t be compared to anyone.”
Everyone asked who Jeong Dae-han was, and Lee-eum wanted to sew Kim Mid-eum’s mouth shut if he could. While he was making excuses that he was a childhood friend, Noona came back and the drinking party became more lively.
How much time had passed? The number of bottles increased, and everyone was laughing and chatting while telling old stories when the doorbell rang. Then Noona quickly got up and went out.
“Is someone coming?”
Noona didn’t answer, and the sound of soft voices was heard in front of the door, and then a man came in who was completely unexpected. Lee-eum was horrified to see Choi Won-joon, and Kim Mid-eum’s face was also crumpled.
“He’s a guest I invited. Please respect him.”
“Hello, I’m Choi Won-joon.”
Everyone’s expression was different when they saw Choi Won-joon greeting them. He was dressed more splendidly than usual and smiled like a picture.
“I didn’t have time to prepare a gift because I came in a hurry. Instead, this,”
Choi Won-joon handed over a shopping bag, and when Noona took it out, everyone’s mouths dropped open. It was an expensive liquor that all drinkers knew, and it was not easy to get on the market.
Where did he get that in such a short time? At this point, Noona is the most suspicious. Did she plan to call him from the beginning? But he doesn’t have the courage to argue. Picking a fight with Kim Malk-eum when he’s drunk is like risking his life.
“There’s gold trim on the bottle too. President Choi must really like gold?”
Won-joon smiled brightly at Kim Mid-eum’s slightly sarcastic words.
“I like gold, but I like Kim Yi-eum the most.”
Kim Mid-eum made a face as if he was vomiting, and Lee-eum didn’t know what kind of expression to make and was embarrassed. He wanted to take him out right away, but he was conscious of Noona’s eyes, and the rest of the family except for Kim Mid-eum were welcoming him, so he couldn’t help it.
Noona poured alcohol for Choi Won-joon and put snacks on a plate for him. Lee-eum hesitated when he saw that there were cucumbers in it. He hated it because it smelled fishy. But Choi Won-joon took a bite and smiled softly.
“It’s really delicious. Did you make it yourself?”
“My husband made it. Try this too.”
Lee-eum was speechless. He hates cucumbers, right? Noona praised him for eating so well, and soon the children came in droves and surrounded Choi Won-joon.
“He’s a handsome uncle!”
“He looks like Young-shik!”
“Uncle, aren’t you Young-shik?”
Won-joon smiled and said yes, and the children liked it. Choi Won-joon, who had won over even the children, continued to accept the alcohol that people gave him, and everyone was worried because he had a strong tolerance that wouldn’t be inferior to anyone.
Surely I don’t have to carry him on my back with this painful leg. But Choi Won-joon was as good at drinking as his family, and his face didn’t even change until the meal was over.
Get a grip. Open your eyes. Lee-eum woke up Choi Won-joon, who was sitting in the passenger seat. He was fine until he came out, but he passed out when he got in the car. He must have been drunk after drinking non-stop.
He was sound asleep, so he went to the convenience store and bought hangover drinks and water. Even then, Choi Won-joon had his eyes closed and didn’t even move. The heat continued until night, and something terrible could happen if he left him in the car, so he pulled him out of the car for now.
When he grabbed the staggering him, he turned around and smiled.
“Oh, it’s Lee-eum?”
“Walk properly. Before I abandon you.”
“Lee-eum’s ‘eum’ is the ‘eum’ in ‘lewd’!”
“Shut up.”
“Lee-eum.”
“What.”
“Give me a swing ride.”
This crazy. He was speechless and looked at him, and he was already going to the swing. Ah, I’m going crazy. Isn’t he like two personalities? Choi Won-joon, who was sitting on the swing, gave him a look asking him to push him, and Lee-eum had no choice but to push his back.
Squeak, squeak, the swing moving back and forth is unstable. It’s not going to break, is it? He sat on the empty swing next to him and waited, and Choi Won-joon turned his head and stared at Lee-eum. He looked fine on the outside, so he wondered if he was playing a prank.
“Tell me the truth. You’re not drunk, are you?”
“I’m drunk. Your family drinks well.”
“They’re originally alcoholics.”
Choi Won-joon smiled, saying, “Is that so?” and Lee-eum moved the swing. He wondered why he was riding this, but it was actually fun to ride. When was the last time he rode it? While he was thinking that, Choi Won-joon got up from the swing and came to the front and sat down on the floor.
Before he could ask what he was doing, he hugged Lee-eum’s legs and looked up at his face. His eyes were slightly unfocused in the streetlight, and his smile without pretense was not Choi Won-joon but really like Young-shik.