"Hmm, it's an interesting answer." He leaned lazily on the sofa and in an instant, the friendliness on his face disappeared.

However, as I didn't want to linger in this place, I immediately asked him about the point of the conversation, "What do you want to show me?"

Lifting his gaze, he stared at me silently with a cold gaze. He then replied casually, "Nothing."

Hearing his answer, I instantly became angry and stood up immediately while saying, "Nothing?! You're wasting my time!"

"Hey, hey, relax, just relax. there's nothing I would show you but there's something I will tell you, and this is important." With a pause, he sat up straight, then continued, "If I was straightforward, you would never want to come here, right?"

I stared at him angrily before sitting back down. "Then, what is it?"

Chuckling, he took a sip of his tea before saying, "You really look like my brother. He doesn't like chit-chat at all. But, before we get to the point, I'd like to discuss something. What about your business? I heard, my brother is quite close with Lee, is that true?"

"Yeah. But they're just colleagues. They ain't that close."

"Heh, no way ... then, what about you? Are you also in business with him?"

I was reluctant to answer, but since I couldn't urge this situation, I replied briefly, "No."

"No?"

Grinning, I took a sip of tea before answering in clearer words, "I mean, not yet. I haven't had any cooperation with him yet at the moment, but soon, we will. In a different company, and for the realm of property. My father asked me to do it."

"Huh?" Nam Yongsun laughed. "That's ridiculous. How can my brother still trust that kid? I even remember vividly the time when he took my company down to zero. And, what hurt me was my brother on good terms with him in business. I felt betrayed at that time."

It sounded like a subtle sarcasm, or did he just quip himself? The two of them weren't that different in playing in the business world. He had even trying to stab his own brother in the back.

However, since I didn't want to show any emotions, I tried to speak calmly, "Yes, but you should know that it has nothing to do with my father. After all, this matter has also been resolved, right? You shouldn't bring this up again."

"Interesting." He smiled. "It seems, you know it quite clearly, even though it happened long before you returned from abroad. Did my brother tell you?"

"Yes, he did. He told me everything."

He chuckled.

"Brother Kim!" A woman's voice was heard in our pause all of a sudden.

The voice was so familiar that I immediately turned my head to look at the person who had just called out to me with a dominant cheerful tone.

As soon as I turned my head, a small woman had already jumped at me and almost spilled the tea that was on the table. She then sat beside me, and spoke in a shrill tone that almost made me deaf, "Brother Kim! You came back, since when?!"

"Ah In?" I frowned tightly at her. At first, I didn't recognize her and after a few seconds of observing her face, I was convinced that she was Nam Ah In, a smile appeared without me knowing it. "You, are you Ah In? You're an adult now."

Hearing my words, she immediately frowned. "How could I be a little girl all the time!"

Time flew really fast. It had been sixteen years since I saw him last time. We were ten years apart. Since our last meeting, she was just a little girl.

However, now, time turned a little girl back then into a mature woman, who wore a dark miniskirt with a tight white shirt and treads on elegant high heels, exposing long legs with beautiful curves of her slender body.

I barely even recognized her, but her voice and demeanor immediately convinced me that this grown woman beside me, who was hugging my arm and acting spoiled, was the little girl I had ever known.

Physically, she had completely changed, but mentally, she had not even changed at all.

"Ah In, hurry up and leave now. Your driver has been waiting for you since earlier." Nam Yongsun spoke in a commanding tone.

Frowning, Ah In immediately stood up. "This is my first meeting with my Brother Kim," paused, she turned to me and said, "Brother Kim, I have to go now. Wait for me, I'll be back soon as my business is done."

After her words, she then left, walking gracefully like a career woman full of charm to the door.

A few seconds after Ah In left, Yongsun spoke again, "What do you think, she has grown into a beautiful woman, right?"

I nodded, then took a sip of my tea.

"Aren't you interested in her? Forget about family. If you want, I can marry you off to my daughter. I mean it. I can persuade your father."

That was a ridiculous joke. I almost burst out laughing, but I didn't want to lose my dignity. So, I just smiled and spoke casually, "Mr. Nam, don't waste your daughter's life. I am already thirty-four years old, Ah In is still very young at her current age. She has indeed grown as a beautiful woman, she deserves to get someone whom she loves."

To be precise, for now, I was into someone else and had no interest in others anymore. This feeling was earnest.

"Too bad. But, about this marriage. I mean it."

Hearing his tone turn serious, I froze for a moment then glared at him, "Heh, I'm not going to marry your daughter."

He chuckled. "Not my daughter. But, this is my colleague's daughter of Hwang family."

Hearing about this, I immediately frowned at him. There was a sudden feeling of surprise in my chest and made my heart beat faster. Now, I understand why he asked me to come specifically to meet him and why my father said such things. Everything was obvious because of a marriage offer.

"Her father is my business partner for almost eight years. He has a daughter named Hwang Mihyun, the same age as Ah In. She studied Nuclear Engineering at one of the top universities in England and is very skilled in that field. She has received many awards for her achievements and has contributed a lot in the Field of Nuclear Development."

"Mr. Hwang and I have talked about this before about a year ago. I said that I also have a nephew who is currently in France and says a lot about you. He is also interested in you and wants to strengthen the relationship with your family through marriage. So when I found out that you had returned from France, I immediately told your father."

"No. I don't want to. She's too young. I haven't thought about marrying anyone either," I replied firmly.

"Forget about it. Don't miss this opportunity."

He took out a photo and showed it to me. I grabbed it and saw a beautiful woman with long flowing hair, posing gracefully in the photo.

"It will also be good for the development of your business. The Hwang family is one of the most respected families in South Korea. They are rivals of your father. That will expand your connections later."

Staring at the photo for a moment, I laughed hollowly. I didn't know exactly what I was feeling right now, other than the stubborn refusal in my heart. I threw the photo away in front of him, then stood up and turned around to quickly get out of this place.

However, Kim Yongsun immediately spoke firmly, "You will insult them and you will embarrass your own family."

"I'll take care of my own businesses," I spoke without turning my head and walked out of this place.

The anger in my chest gradually became clear. So, to avoid the madness that could out of control, leaving this place was the right choice.

While in the car, I took my cell phone out of my coat pocket and immediately called Kim Myungdae.

"Have you spoken to your uncle?" His voice sounded weak but still in a predominantly cold tone.

"Yes, I have, and I refused."

He paused for a moment, then spoke, "What's your reason then? The daughter of the Hwang family is already perfect. I hope you give the right reason." While speaking, disappointment and surprise were held together in his throat.

I sighed. "Dad, look, I'm working on project development. I can't think about marriage right now. Didn't you say you would accept my decision?"

"But, how long will you be single?"

"Please, I don't want to talk about marriage right now."

There was a long pause before he replied in a disappointed voice, "Heh, all right, it's up to you then."

After that brief conversation, I immediately booked a plane ticket to go to Jeju, to attend a meeting.

Today was really tiring. After receiving the news that Chunghee disappeared, I had to get another offer to get married. It almost drove me crazy that same day.

***