Pig Government Official Side Story

-6-

In the women’s pantry on the 8th floor of Won Electronics’ External Relations Department, it was trendy to pack lunches containing fried tofu. What started as tofu sushi rolls being good for both taste and dieting had now expanded to regular tofu sushi, tofu udon, and even tofu hot pot. For the team leaders of External Relations Teams 1, 2, and 3 who prepared all possible tofu dishes in the pantry, there was another hot topic about a different kind of “married man” (yubu – a play on words as “yubu” means both fried tofu and married man in Korean).

“Did you see the article about the Executive Director?”

“The one where he went to the movies? Yeah.”

“What’s with that rider jacket? Is he an idol or something?”

“He’s so handsome like an idol, I had nothing to say.”

“That’s true.”

They were talking about Junjae, who had been married for half a year and was recently promoted from Managing Director to Executive Director. Following Jeonggwan’s strong insistence that they needed to watch the third installment of a hero movie (which they had waited three years for its release) in 4DX on opening day, Junjae had shown up at the busiest Yongsan theater after work. He had tried to avoid crowds by going late in the evening, but all theaters were sold out until dawn, so it was packed with people. When the handsome chaebol suddenly appeared, people took photos and uploaded them all over the internet, which eventually made it into the news.

“But it’s been a while since we’ve seen the real fairy.”

“Newlyweds usually gain weight. It’s because they’re happy.”

“Sounds like you’ve been married before?”

“Don’t say such horrible things.”

“Ooh-“

Junjae’s marriage had been a huge topic of public interest. Was it a Cinderella story where a chubby ordinary omega succeeded in marrying a handsome chaebol alpha? No, people wondered what happened to the fat boyfriend he was dating before marrying someone else. Jeonggwan had shocked the world by transforming himself so completely that people couldn’t recognize him at his wedding, but according to yesterday’s article, he had returned to his original appearance after six months, which was currently heating up the internet.

Of course, there were more insults than compliments. Comments like “This is a fraudulent marriage,” “If I were Won Junjae, I would’ve lost interest,” “Being an omega makes life so easy,” and so on. But since Jeonggwan had experienced this kind of thing before marrying Junjae, he coolly brushed it off as he entered ‘BAKE A CAKE,’ a bakery that had opened just two months ago.

“We’re sold out of bread.”

“Already?”

“I think it’s because of yesterday’s photos.”

“Wow. If I had known, I would’ve made more in the early morning.”

“You could use this trick once in a while when business is slow.”

Though the bread was too delicious for business to ever be slow. The employee casually muttered this while starting to make a glass of iced tea for Jeonggwan, the owner. Even though the weather had been warming up lately, Jeonggwan still sweated a lot when walking from home to the bakery after waking up late in the afternoon.

The exemplary employee at the bakery was 28 years old, the same age as Jeonggwan. He had visited when he heard a small bakery had opened in the neighborhood, and after being captivated by the taste, he had ended his unemployed life by beating 15:1 odds to get hired. He was shocked to find out that the owner was the husband of “that grandson” of the Won Electronics founder—not that he knew the founder, but he definitely knew the handsome grandson.

Though he had worried about whether a chaebol’s husband would be tyrannical, he already knew Jeonggwan was too warm, kind, and fun as a boss, so he decided to just carry on as usual and was now a loyal employee.

“Hyeyoung. Look at this.”

“Hmm… That’s a really rude comment.”

“I found it hilarious…”

“Can I laugh too, then?”

“It’s too late now. But I’m touched.”

Jeonggwan had burst out laughing on his way over after seeing a comment that read, [At this point, hasn’t he eaten the fairy?] under an article with his face blurred out. He showed it to his employee expecting an immediate laugh, but was surprised and then touched when she looked at it seriously and called the comment disrespectful.

Feeling refreshed from this unexpected healing, Jeonggwan cheerfully announced, “We’re closing today!” Although they were supposed to continue selling drinks until closing time even if the bread was sold out, the socially adept employee’s positive attitude earned her an early dismissal despite having two more hours left.

Cheering, Hyeyoung ran to the door to flip the sign to “Closed,” finished the accounting in three minutes, took off her apron, and left the bakery. Jeonggwan, who had been watching her fondly, also closed the bakery and left while making a phone call.

[Oh, son.]

“Dad. Can I come over for dinner now?”

[Of course! Come quickly. Is Junjae coming too?]

“I’ll ask and text you. He probably will.”

[Great!]

Although he brushed it off coolly, he could never get used to being insulted. Whenever articles like this came out or he heard nasty comments, Jeonggwan would go to his family home to eat with his family and forget the bad things while chatting loudly. Today, thanks to his employee, his mood had lightened earlier than usual. Thinking that he was truly blessed with good people in his life, Jeonggwan walked back home with a light step to get his car.

Five minutes before the end of work, Junjae, who had been waiting for Jeonggwan’s call, answered with a gentle “Mmm” when the expected call came. He knew that Jeonggwan always wanted to visit his family home the day after an article came out. Junjae was relieved by Jeonggwan’s belief that laughing and chatting with family made his worries and negative thoughts seem insignificant.

[Hyung. I sold out of bread and am heading home now!]

“Congratulations. The bread must have been especially delicious today.”

[No. It’s the power of the article!]

“…Oh, I see.”

[To celebrate, I’m going to Dad’s for dinner. Let’s go together!]

“Okay. I’ll head there now.”

It seemed like he was now included in Jeonggwan’s family. Though he couldn’t immediately take the central place that came to mind when thinking of “family”—a position built on years spent with parents and siblings—Junjae thought that someday, when Jeonggwan thought of family, he would look for Junjae first. The thought made him want to smile, and Junjae considered himself seriously lovesick.

* * *

“What’s with the braised short ribs? And the seafood stew? And even stone pot rice?!”

“It’s for your health.”

“Mine? Or hyung’s?”

Though the table setting did change when Junjae came over, it was never this extravagant. Jeonggwan looked up in disbelief at his father who had brought out braised short ribs, seafood stew, and somehow even stone pot rice. Are you planning to open a restaurant? Are you trying to get hyung’s approval for a restaurant?

“You. Well, your mom had a dream the other day.”

“That’s right. How have you been feeling lately?”

“What do you mean?”

“Do you feel lethargic or anything like that?”

Not at all? I’m actually full of energy these days! Jeonggwan blinked at his parents as if asking what kind of dream would prompt such questions. “Thank you for the meal,” Junjae quietly murmured as he picked out rib meat and piled it mountain-high on Jeonggwan’s rice. Jeonggwan, suggesting that was enough, blocked Junjae’s chopsticks with his own without even looking when Junjae tried to add more.

“Well, your mom dreamed that you were riding a giraffe.”

“Can someone even ride a giraffe?”

“But they say it’s a conception dream.”

“Kup-!”

Following Jeonggwan’s signal to stop, Junjae had put the rib meat in his own mouth and choked in surprise. Jeonggwan immediately pulled out a tissue and held it to Junjae’s mouth. Then, glaring at his parents as if questioning why they would bring up such a topic, he snapped:

“We’re extremely careful with contraception.”

“Puhak-!”

“Ah, hyung. Please.”

Junjae, who had been drinking water to clear his throat, now sprayed it out. Fortunately, Jeonggwan, who had been wiping Junjae’s mouth, quickly covered it with his hand to prevent the water from spreading across the table. Jeonggwan wiped his hand with an expression that said “Why are you acting like this? You’re not a child.” Kim Jeonghyun and Jeongwon were holding their rice bowls close to their chests in case Junjae sprayed something again, while Youngjae was devouring the seafood stew aggressively, seemingly unconcerned.

“Still, just in case…”

“What do you mean ‘just in case’? It’s absolutely not possible.”

“Reeeeally…?”

Absolutely not? Are they not having relations at all? Is this actually a contract marriage? Jeonggwan’s father, perhaps from watching too many dramas, momentarily entertained all sorts of suspicions as he eyed Jeonggwan and Junjae skeptically. I heard there are many people faking marriages these days to get newlywed housing benefits… He scrutinized the couple with detective-like eyes, despite having a son-in-law who could build entire apartment buildings if he wanted to.

But this wasn’t like some morning drama plot—they genuinely had absolutely no possibility of pregnancy. Jeonggwan and Junjae were extremely careful with contraception because they wanted to enjoy their newlywed life for a long time, which meant they never worried no matter how passionate their nights were.

That’s why the dream Jeonggwan’s mother had wasn’t a conception dream. According to dream interpretation, it simply meant becoming famous, but the old-fashioned grandchild-wanting parents had interpreted it as they wished. Still, the dream wasn’t entirely wrong. After Jeonggwan’s mother had that dream, didn’t Jeonggwan cause a national sensation today? Even selling out all the bread.

“Anyway. It’s not happening. Not until I’m thirty-two.”

“…That’s quite far away then?”

“Yes. We want to enjoy being newlyweds. Right, hyung?”

“Yes.”

Having calmed down and resumed eating enthusiastically, Junjae nodded as Jeonggwan patted his back with a smile, and because Jeonggwan wanted it, Junjae smiled back in agreement. In the end, the only one who felt disappointed and at a loss was Jeonggwan’s father, whose back was sore from preparing the braised ribs, seafood stew, and stone pot rice.