CHAPTER 86: BLESSING

AFTER meeting three of Song Sihyuk’s cousins at the entrance of the mansion, Garam was now headed to the private study that, apparently, only Chairman Song Sanggyun could enter.

The others had to be invited first.

Sihyuk Hyung and I were invited there.

God, this was so nerve-wracking.

"Garam-ah, don’t be too nervous," Song Sihyuk said, holding Garam’s hand and squeezing it lightly. "If Grandfather bullies you, we’re leaving."

"Hyung, you’re so pessimistic," Garam complained lightly. "Why do you always think of the worst-case scenario?"

"It saves you the heartbreak."

"Aigooya."

"Aigooya. You’re copying my catchphrase again. Cute."

"How did it become your catchphrase? Almost all Koreans say that, you know?"

"I never heard you say that before, you know? It’s obvious that it just rubbed off on you."

Tsk.

Garam couldn’t deny that.

It’s also true that Sihyuk Hyung says ’aigooya’ a lot, and that I picked it up because of that.

"Cat got your tongue, babe?"

"Hyung, you’re so annoying. I can’t imagine how much your cousins must have suffered in childhood because of you."

"Yah. Don’t worry about my cousins. It’s pissing me off."

"Everything pisses you off, Hyung. And you hate everyone."

"Everyone but you, that is."

Pfft.

"Hyung, I can’t decide if that was romantic or cringe."

Song Sihyuk just chuckled. "Have you calmed down?"

Ah.

So, Hyung was being annoying on purpose. I mean, Hyung is naturally annoying sometimes. But, this time, he provoked me to help me get rid of my nerves.

And it worked.

"Thank you, Hyung," Garam said, smiling. He had calmed down after his energy depleted because of stressing out over Song Sihyuk’s provocation. "Hyung, Hyung. I noticed it earlier, but your house is like an art museum."

Song Sihyuk nodded in acknowledgement. "The two largest Korean architectural firms that built most of the museums in the country designed this house."

Oh, no wonder it had that vibe.

The Song Family’s house was big.

It was a mansion with several annex buildings. In fact, it looked like an apartment complex. And it also felt like a maze.

See?

Sihyuk Hyung and I have been talking a lot, and yet we haven’t reached the destination yet.

This house alone screamed wealth.

"Hyung, don’t leave me here," Garam said bluntly while tugging at the Alpha’s hand. "I’ll probably get lost if you do."

Song Sihyuk suddenly burst out laughing.

Aigooya.

My joke isn’t even that funny.

***

"LIM GARAM, isn’t it?"

Garam straightened up in his seat when the Chairman Song Sanggyun called his full name.

I can’t believe I’m seeing Chairman Song in person...

"Yes, sir," Garam answered politely. "My name is Lim Garam."

Introductions had been made already when Garam and Song Sihyuk arrived at the study earlier.

The study actually looks more of a private lounge room.

There was a fancy circular table with fancy chairs for six.

Drinks and different varieties of pastries were served on the table.

But Garam didn’t dare touch anything because the three prominent people staring intently at him were giving him anxiety.

It wasn’t just Chairman Song Sanggyun.

Vice Chairman Song Seokju and the former Olympic golfer Lee Wonjae were also there.

Sihyuk Hyung’s parents...

No wonder Song Sihyuk was so ridiculously handsome— he got both of his fathers’ beauty genes.

His husband’s parents were the classic example of an Alpha and Omega couple.

Hyung got his build from the Vice Chairman while he got his good-looks from Lee Wonjae-ssi. I mean, the Vice Chairman is also handsome, and Sihyuk Hyung definitely got his intimidating aura from his Alpha father. But Sihyuk Hyung looks more like his Omega father.

"I like your face, Lim Garam— it’s bright, just like what Mija said."

Hmm?

Garam didn’t really understand, but the chairman looked upbeat.

So, it must be a compliment.

"Thank you, sir."

"Mija only says two things about people she meets," Chairman Song Sanggyun said, and the old man was talking about the little shaman of their family. "If she says a person has a gloomy face, then it means that person will only bring misfortune to the family. But when she says someone has a bright face, then it means we must keep that person close to our family for good luck."

Aigooya.

Chairman Song really trusts the little shaman, huh?

"How do you plan to bring good luck to our family, Lim Garam?"

Oh.

Chairman Song Sanggyun’s question seemed lighthearted since the old man was smiling, but Garam could feel the weight of that question.

Translation: ’What can you bring to the table?’

Song Sihyuk frowned, but the Alpha didn’t say anything.

On the other hand, Vice Chairman Song Seokju and Lee Wonjae were obviously waiting for Garam’s answer.

So, this is a test.

"Sir, can I answer that question honestly?"

Chairman Song Sanggyun looked surprised by Garam’s question at first, but then he smiled and nodded. "Go ahead. Be as blunt as you want, child."

"Thank you, sir," Garam said politely. He could tell that Song Sihyuk was looking at him, but he ignored his husband for now. "To be honest, Sihyuk Hyung already lucked out when I agreed to marry him, even though he was such a bad adult when we met."

The chairman and Song Sihyuk’s parents looked shocked by what he said.

But I’m not done yet.

"If you’re asking me what I can bring to the table, then I’m sorry to say this, but I can’t contribute to the growth of your company, sir. I have no interest in being involved in your family business," Garam said honestly. Since he and his husband had already decided to lie to his family about trying to conceive a baby, he didn’t want to add another lie to that. "But I can handle Sihyuk Hyung. I’ll make sure that Sihyuk Hyung’s awful personality won’t bring harm to the company and the family. Sihyuk Hyung listens well to me, so I’m confident that I can turn Sihyuk Hyung to a decent member of society."

Okay, admittedly, it sounded like Garam was insulting Song Sihyuk.

But I swear I mean no harm.

After all, it was true that his husband had an awful personality anyway.

So, I don’t think what I said was wrong.

Moreover...

"Pfft."

There he goes again.

Song Sihyuk tried to hold back his laughter, but he didn’t succeed.

It was a normal sight for Garam to see his husband laughing as if there were no tomorrow, but it was obvious that it was the first time that his grandfather and parents saw him laugh like that.

Chairman Song Sanggyun, Vice Chairman Song Seokju, and Lim Wonjae were looking at Song Sihyuk in disbelief.

I guess Sihyuk Hyung’s family doesn’t joke around each other that much.

Garam discreetly put his hand on Song Sihyuk thigh and pinched it to stop him from laughing, but his husband only laughed harder.

What’s wrong with Hyung’s humor?

But it seemed like Song Sihyuk wasn’t the only one with a broken sense of humor in the family.

Much to Garam’s shock, Chairman Song Sanggyun suddenly burst out laughing.

On the other hand, Song Sihyuk’s parents finally cracked a smile.

Oh, my.

Maybe I really am a funny guy?

"Garam-ah, my grandson," Chairman Song Sanggyun said, calling Garam’s name affectionately this time. "Welcome to the family. You may call me ’Grandfather’ from now on."

Whew.

I passed the chairman’s test.

Probably by being sincere.

Or funny.

Whatever the case, Garam smiled a relieved smile. "Thank you, Grandfather."

***

OKAY, now this is even more nerve-wracking.

After Garam gained Chairman Song Sanggyun’s blessing, the chairman sent him out with Lee Wonjae.

Sihyuk Hyung’s Omega father...

The chairman asked Song Sihyuk and Vice Chairman Song Seokju to stay because, apparently, the three had an important business to discuss.

I thought we were here to have lunch with the family...

"It seems like you and my son are together for real now."

Oh.

Garam was quietly following Lee Wonjae.

His Omega father-in-law volunteered to give him a house tour.

Who am I to say ’no?’

He learned from Lee Wonjae that the family lunch would take place in the garden, but they still had time before that.

It can’t start anyway without Chairman Song.

"Yes, sir," Garam answered politely to Lee Wonjae’s question earlier before he got sidetracked again. "Hyung and I have developed mutual feelings for each other."

Song Sihyuk said before that only his parents knew about their marriage.

It means his parents also knew that our marriage was a contract marriage at first.

"Let me know once you plan to hold a proper wedding ceremony," Lee Wonjae said, and then he abruptly stopped walking. Then he turned around and faced him. "And I hope we get invited to the wedding."

Oh, right.

Hyung and I only signed our wedding certificates.

"I don’t think we’re going to hold a wedding ceremony anytime soon," Garam answered truthfully. "But if Sihyuk Hyung and I decide to have one in the future, we’ll let you know, sir."

Lee Wonjae gave him a small smile. "Thank you, Garam-ah."

"No problem, sir."

"Sihyuk calls me ’Appa’ while he calls my husband ’Abeoji.’ You can call us that way, too."

Garam gasped out loud. "H-How can I do that, sir? But, with your permission, may I call you ’Father-in-law?’"

"You’ll have to call both of me and Seokju that way then, so it might be confusing sometimes. It will be easier for us if you just call us the way Sihyuk does. Don’t worry, it’s fine. We don’t mind, really."

Aigoo.

It seems like being stubborn really runs in the family.

After all, it looked like Lee Wonjae wouldn’t take ’no’ for an answer.

"I understand, A-Appa," Garam said shyly. "Thank you for being welcoming."

"You make our son happy, Garam-ah. I can tell by how he laughed earlier," Lee Wonjae said. "I’m the one who should be thanking you for being a part of our family. As you said earlier, my son is not exactly a good adult."

"Sihyuk Hyung isn’t a hopeless case, Appa. He can’t be a good and pure person anymore, but he can still be a decent adult."

Lee Wonjae chuckled while shaking his head. "My son really lucked out when he married you, Garam-ah."

Right?

Garam, although still feeling shy around his Omega father-in-law, nodded in agreement. "I may not bring in fortune to the family, but I’m sure ’taming’ Sihyuk Hyung counts as a blessing for all of us."

That was when Lee Wonjae burst out laughing.

Aha.

It turned out Lee Wonjae was also easily entertained like Song Sihyuk.

So, Sihyuk Hyung inherited it from his Omega father.

***

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