The door opened wider.
Mr. Park stepped in first, smiling like sunlight had personally sponsored him.
He wore a tailored beige suit, crisp white shirt beneath it, no tie, just effortless authority.
His black hair was neatly combed back, a few silver strands glinting at the temples like medals earned from surviving three dramatic daughters and one reckless son.
Behind him came Jeon-Seo.
Sixteen.
All limbs and restless energy.
Black hair falling over his forehead in that careless way boys pretend is accidental.
He wore a fitted black jacket over a white tee, distressed jeans, and sneakers that probably cost more than his math grades.
He carried two shopping bags and scanned the house like he had entered a museum labeled: My Sister's Complicated Life.
"Wow," he said. "This place smells rich."
Ji-Ah closed her eyes briefly. "It smells like food."
Mr. Park laughed. "Both can be true."
Jeon-Seo suddenly spotted Seo-Yeon.
"Noona!"
He rushed forward and wrapped her in a dramatic hug, nearly lifting her off the floor.
"Put me down!" she snapped.
He froze mid-spin, then turned and noticed Ji-Ah standing there.
"Oh. Hi."
She stared.
He winced. "I was going to hug you second."
She smacked his arm lightly. "Liar."
Mr. Park stepped fully inside, taking in the room with calm interest. "So this is where all the chaos has been relocated to."
"Appa," Ji-Ah warned.
He smiled innocently. "What? I'm just observing."
Ha-Joon stepped forward first, composed as always.
"Good afternoon, sir. I'm Ha-Joon."
Mr. Park shook his hand warmly. "Ah, the famous Ha-Joon. I've heard your name so often I thought you were paying rent in our house."
The room chuckled.
Nisa followed, graceful and poised.
"Good afternoon, sir. My name is Chanyanisa."
Mr. Park blinked. "Chanyanisa?"
She nodded politely.
He grinned. "That is a name with presence. I feel like I should sit straighter just saying it."
Nisa smiled softly. "You don't have to, sir."
"I will anyway," he replied.
Do-Hyun introduced himself next with a respectful bow. "I'm Do-Hyun, sir."
Mr. Park shook his hand. "You look responsible. Thank you. Every family needs at least one."
"Appa," Seo-Yeon muttered.
"And you," Mr. Park said, turning to Min-Hyuk.
Min-Hyuk stood so quickly he almost knocked his knee on the table. "I'm Min-Hyuk, sir."
Mr. Park looked at him, then glanced at how close he was standing to Seo-Yeon.
He nodded slowly.
"Min-Hyuk," he repeated. "Good name. Strong name. Sounds like someone who files taxes early."
Min-Hyuk blinked. "I… try my best, sir."
Ha-Joon subtly looked away to hide a smile.
Everyone settled into the living room.
Mr. Park leaned back comfortably. "Ji-Ah called me and said, 'Appa, please come.' That's it. No explanation. When your daughter says please come without details, you don't ask questions. You just come."
Ji-Ah folded her arms. "I was busy."
"Yes," he nodded. "Busy being mysterious."
He glanced at Seo-Yeon, then at Min-Hyuk sitting close to her.
His eyebrow lifted just slightly.
Min-Hyuk immediately looked down at his hands like they had betrayed him.
Mr. Park cleared his throat lightly but smiled.
"Good. Everyone looks healthy. That means no one is secretly starving my daughters."
"We cook," Ha-Joon replied calmly.
"Excellent," Mr. Park said. "I raised them with strong appetites and stronger opinions."
Right on cue, Jeon-Seo's hand drifted toward an elegant vase near Ha-Joon.
Ha-Joon's gaze sharpened instantly and flicked to Ji-Ah.
She slapped Jeon-Seo's hand softly and whispered, "That costs more than 100,000 won. Unless you have that in your pocket, don't even breathe near it."
Jeon-Seo recoiled. "Why is everything here priced like a small car?"
"Because you break things like a natural disaster," she shot back.
Mr. Park laughed loudly. "He's been like that since he could walk. We stopped buying glass."
Ji-Ah clapped once. "Alright. Let's eat before someone damages the property."
Mr. Park stood up cheerfully. "Food first. Serious conversations later. That is the rule of every wise father."
He looked at Min-Hyuk and winked lightly. "Eat well. You'll need strength."
Min-Hyuk swallowed.
Seo-Yeon elbowed her father gently. "Appa."
"What?" he said innocently. "I'm just being welcoming."
And with that, the whole group moved toward the dining table, tension dissolving into laughter, warmth, and the very real danger of Jeon-Seo touching something expensive again.
The dining table looked like a festival had decided to settle down politely.
Plates passed. Chopsticks clicked. Steam curled upward like quiet applause for Ji-Ah's effort.
Mr. Park took a bite, chewed thoughtfully, then widened his eyes in theatrical shock.
"Ji-Ah cooked this?"
Jeon-Seo nodded seriously while stuffing his mouth. "At home she doesn't even enter the kitchen. She enters, looks offended, and leaves."
Ji-Ah kicked him under the table.
Mr. Park laughed. "You've improved. I'm proud. Growth! Character development!"
"I can cook," she muttered.
"Yes," Jeon-Seo added, "under supervision."
Another kick.
Mr. Park turned toward Ha-Joon, expression shifting into curious dad mode.
"So," he began casually, "tell me about your business."
Ha-Joon set his utensils down calmly. His answers were steady, confident without being boastful. He explained expansion plans, long term goals, the structure of the company. He spoke like someone who had rehearsed success in his head long before it happened.
Mr. Park listened closely, nodding.
"I like you already," he declared suddenly.
The table paused.
"You speak clearly. You think before you answer. That is dangerous in a good way."
Ha-Joon inclined his head slightly. "Thank you, sir."
Do-Hyun added a few supportive comments about recent projects, naturally stepping into the conversation. Mr. Park acknowledged him warmly.
"Good teamwork," he said. "I approve."
His gaze shifted to Nisa.
He blinked.
"Chanyanisa," he said carefully, noticing the ring on her finger. "Are you married?"
Nisa smiled politely. "Not married, sir. Engaged. To Do-Hyun."
Mr. Park's face lit up like someone had just announced free dessert.
"Engaged?!" He clapped his hands once, delighted. "Ah! Congratulations! Very good, very good!"
Do-Hyun straightened instinctively.
Mr. Park pointed at him playfully. "You. Take care of her properly. Or I will come back."
Do-Hyun nodded immediately. "Yes, sir."
Mr. Park beamed like a classic drama father who had just approved a subplot.
Then he sighed dramatically and leaned back.
"You know," he continued, gesturing toward Ji-Ah, "this one is sometimes… hard work."
Ji-Ah froze mid-bite.
"She argues. She overthinks. She acts strong even when she is tired." He smiled fondly. "Whoever deals with her is trying."
There was a small pause.
Ha-Joon looked at Mr. Park calmly. "I don't mind trying."
The words were simple. Direct.
Mr. Park studied him for a second longer than before.
Then he nodded slowly. "Good answer."
He added, voice softer now, "She also doesn't like people shouting. Since she was young."
Ji-Ah's hand paused on her glass.
The air shifted slightly.
Mr. Park continued gently, unaware of the ripple. "If someone raises their voice too much, she goes quiet first. Then stubborn."
Ji-Ah blinked once, caught off guard. A memory flickered behind her eyes but she buried it quickly.
She set her glass down.
"So!" she cut in brightly, turning toward Seo-Yeon. "Seo-Yeon hasn't said anything. Appa, ask her about work."
Seo-Yeon narrowed her eyes slightly, sensing the dodge.
Mr. Park looked between them, then let it go with a small smile.
"Ah yes. Seo-Yeon. Tell me everything."
The conversation shifted again, laughter returning, but Ha-Joon's gaze lingered on Ji-Ah for a second longer than usual.
Not teasing.
Not distant.
Just… thinking.