By the time Ha-Joon finally came downstairs, breakfast had already turned into a full family meeting.
The dining room was loud. Very loud.
Nikki sat on his chair swinging his legs while drinking tea like a tiny old man.
Arisoo sat beside him correcting his posture every thirty seconds.
Min-Hyuk and Seo-Yeon were already there.
Do-Hyun sat beside Nisa, keeping an eye on her every five seconds.
Yoo-Na was scrolling through her phone.
Halmoni looked ready to judge everyone.
Madam sat at the head of the table like a queen overseeing chaos.
Mr. Kang.
Mrs. Kang.
And Hea-In had apparently arrived early too.
And almost every single person was glaring at Min-Ji. Again. Min-Ji smiled sweetly. Pretending not to notice. Pretending not to care.
Pretending she hadn't caused ninety percent of the household problems lately.
Ha-Joon walked in wearing a black dress shirt with the sleeves rolled neatly to his forearms.
His hair was still slightly damp from his shower.
The room immediately quieted. "There he is."
Halmoni pointed. "The victim."
Min-Ji nearly choked. Yoo-Na looked delighted.
Ha-Joon sat down calmly. "...good morning.
"No," Yoo-Na answered. "Good morning to everyone except Min-Ji."
The entire table immediately looked away trying not to laugh.
Min-Ji's smile twitched. Ji-Ah entered a second later carrying coffee.
The second she sat down beside Seo-Yeon, Nikki spotted her. "AUNT JIJI!"
The little boy launched himself out of his chair.
Ji-Ah barely caught him before he crashed into her. "There he is. My favorite dinosaur."
Nikki wrapped both arms around her neck. "We're leaving."
"I heard."
"I'm gonna miss you."
Ji-Ah dramatically gasped. "No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
He nodded seriously.
Very seriously. "I'm gonna miss Aunt Jiji."
Ji-Ah immediately hugged him tighter. "My heart."
Arisoo smacked Nikki's hand lightly. "We'll miss our flight if you keep hugging everyone."
Nikki pouted.
Then Arisoo sighed. "Nikki's father has been asking about you every day."
Min-Hyuk immediately looked up. "Really?"
She nodded.
Min-Hyuk placed a hand dramatically over his chest. "He misses me."
"You're a grown man."
"He misses me."
The entire table laughed softly.
Even Nisa. Even Do-Hyun.
Even Ha-Joon's lips twitched slightly.
Madam finally cleared her throat. "Enough."
Instant silence. "Your visas are ready."
Everyone immediately focused.
Madam continued. "You'll leave early tomorrow. Destination. Vancouver."
Hea-In visibly brightened. "Canada."
Min-Hyuk nodded. "Canada."
Seo-Yeon smiled softly. "Canada."
Yoo-Na muttered "As long as there are no chickens."
Ji-Ah almost spat her coffee.
Yoo-Na pointed immediately. "We're never discussing that again."
"Noted," Ha-Joon said.
Mrs. Kang looked excited. "Oh the shopping."
Mr. Kang nodded. "The shopping."
Everyone looked at them.
Mrs. Kang ignored them.
Ha-Joon calmly took a sip of coffee. "The city is cold."
Everyone nodded. "I expect everyone to buy proper clothes."
Another nod. "No complaints."
Yoo-Na immediately raised her hand. "No."
Her hand lowered.
Then Ha-Joon continued. "We'll shop after work today."
Min-Hyuk smiled.
Seo-Yeon already looked like she was planning outfits.
Hea-In seemed excited.
Ji-Ah was mentally packing twelve sweaters.
Meanwhile Min-Ji quietly unlocked her phone beneath the table.
Her fingers moved quickly.
A single message.
"We're leaving for Canada tomorrow. Make sure you're there too."
A reply came almost instantly.
"Yes, ma'am."
Min-Ji smiled faintly.
The Canada trip had ruined parts of her original plans.
That irritated her.
But she still had the video.
Still had leverage.
Still had time.
And most importantly she would be near Ha-Joon.
Across the table Madam continued speaking. "This trip is important."
She looked directly at Min-Ji.
Very directly. "This is your chance."
Min-Ji straightened immediately.
Madam nodded. "Win Ha-Joon's heart."
Mrs. Kang instantly joined. "Exactly.
Mr. Kang joined too. "Exactly."
Hea-In nodded. "Exactly."
Halmoni rolled her eyes so hard she almost saw another dimension.
Arisoo laughed. "Have any of you met Ha-Joon?"
Min-Ji's smile nearly cracked.
Internally?
She was screaming.
This family is impossible.
Your son nearly broke my back pushing me off him.
And now you're telling me to win his heart?
That man treats emotions like paperwork.
Externally?
Perfect smile.
Perfect daughter-in-law. "Thank you, Mother."
She bowed slightly. "I'll do my best."
Across the table Halmoni nearly snorted tea through her nose.
Ha-Joon ignored the entire conversation.
Professionally. Expertly.
Like a man who had learned survival.
Eventually he stood.
Immediately everyone looked up. "I need to leave."
Min-Hyuk sighed dramatically. "Me too."
Unfortunately.
He was also a CEO.
Seo-Yeon stood too.
Already mentally planning calls she needed to make. Including informing her father.
Ha-Joon grabbed his jacket.
Then looked toward Ji-Ah. "Don't be late."
Ji-Ah saluted dramatically. "Yes, Your Majesty."
His lips twitched.
Then he left.
Min-Hyuk followed.
Seo-Yeon after him.
The room became quieter afterward.
Then Halmoni suddenly looked at Ji-Ah.
Very seriously. "Make sure he eats."
Ji-Ah blinked. "He forgets."
Halmoni continued. "And make sure he sleeps."
Ji-Ah laughed softly. "We're not even leaving yet."
"You'll leave tomorrow and abandon this old woman."
Ji-Ah immediately reached over and squeezed Halmoni's hand. "We'll call. We'll send pictures. Videos too."
Halmoni tried looking annoyed.
Failed completely. Then suddenly Nikki jumped off his chair again.
"AUNT JIJI!"
He wrapped both arms around her waist.
Ji-Ah immediately hugged him back.
"When you come back..."
He looked oddly serious.
"...I might be taller."
The entire table laughed.
Ji-Ah kissed both his cheeks. "My little dinosaur."
Nikki giggled. "So don't worry."
She ruffled his hair gently. "You're with Mommy."
He nodded proudly. "And greet your dad for me."
"I will."
Ji-Ah smiled warmly.
Then stood.
Ready to leave.
After a while.
Near the staircase Arisoo appeared again.
This time with suitcases.
Two large ones. One small one.
And Nikki dragging a dinosaur backpack behind him.
The moment everyone saw them the atmosphere softened.
Goodbyes were always strange. A little happy.
A little sad. A little messy. Arisoo hugged Nisa carefully.
Promised to call every day Threatened Do-Hyun if he forgot vitamins.
Hugged Ji-Ah.
Argued with Yoo-Na.
Insulted Min-Hyuk affectionately.
Then finally stopped before Ha-Joon's empty chair.
Looking at it quietly. "...take care of yourself, idiot."
Meanwhile Nikki waved dramatically. "BYE EVERYBODY!"
And just like that another chapter of chaos prepared to leave the mansion.
While another one prepared to board a plane to Canada.