* * *
It made sense, in a way.
After all, not even Yoontae or his mother, Han Jaehee, had ever disliked him just because he was a weasel.
Naturally, he had assumed Yoontae’s grandmother would be the same.
But this?
This was a shock.
He knew vaguely that Yoontae didn’t get along well with his grandmother, but they had never spoken about it in detail.
That only made this moment all the more jarring.
Seeing Jeongseo’s genuine surprise, Jung Sunja let out a deep sigh and pressed her fingers against her temple.
“I know old folks shouldn’t interfere when young people fall in love. But don’t be so reckless about it. It won’t do you any good.”
“For me…?”
“Yes, for you, and for my grandson. I won’t tell you to break up right this second. But why do you have to be so loud and disruptive about your relationship? You can date quietly, can’t you?”
And just like that, Jeongseo realized why Yoontae’s grandmother had called him here.
A while ago, a post Yoontae had uploaded had caused quite a stir.
It had drawn attention to Jeongseo, and soon, speculation had started—people were curious about what kind of beastman he was, what his genetic traits were.
Thankfully, since Yoontae wasn’t as famous as his influencer sister, the gossip had quickly been overshadowed by a new idol dating scandal.
Jeongseo suddenly recalled something Park Doyoung had said to him back then.
〈Come on, Yoontae has standards. He wouldn’t date someone like that. I shouldn’t have even asked.〉
〈Honestly, there’s a difference between him and us.〉
Maybe Park Doyoung’s words weren’t entirely baseless after all.
The fact that it was Yoontae’s own grandmother—his blood relative—who thought this way… It left Jeongseo feeling disappointed.
And maybe even a little sad.
As his eyes drooped and he remained silent, Jung Sunja blinked a couple of times before clearing her throat.
“I know it’s rude to say something like this the first time we meet, so I apologize. But tell me, what on earth did you do that even I—someone who lives far away—had to hear about it?
“Well, at least you don’t seem like a bad kid. And you understand what I’m saying, so I’ll leave it at that. Anyway, young love is fleeting.”
Young love. Fleeting.
Jeongseo’s lowered gaze slowly lifted as he looked directly at Jung Sunja.
There was only one reason he had tolerated her earlier remarks, no matter how unfair they were—because she was the family of someone he loved.
He wanted to handle this as smoothly as possible, knowing he would likely see her often in the future.
But thinking of his relationship with Yoontae as something temporary?
That, he could not accept.
Because to him, this relationship was anything but fleeting.
His brown eyes gleamed with determination, and Jung Sunja’s brows furrowed slightly.
“I truly love Yoontae. Even if we fight, even if we face obstacles, I will do my best to work things out. I will not break up with him.
“And as you yourself said, the only people who have any say in our relationship are me and Yoontae.”
Neither of them looked away.
Eventually, Jung Sunja let out a dry chuckle, covering her forehead with her hand.
“This is exactly why I don’t associate with weasels. You can’t reason with them. Right?”
She had expected to hear a weak, reluctant agreement.
Something like: “That’s true… But don’t be so harsh.”
Instead, all she got was a deep, drawn-out sigh.
Jung Sunja turned sharply toward her side, narrowing her eyes.
But Han Jaehee, rather than backing her up, only glanced at the table with an awkward expression.
Ever since she had demanded to meet Jeongseo, Jaehee had been subtly trying to deflect.
Could it be…?
Jung Sunja’s gaze sharpened even further.
But instead of siding with her, Han Jaehee merely gave Jeongseo an apologetic look.
It was clear now.
This weasel had completely won her over.
Unbelievable.
Just how blind was that fool of a grandson?
Clicking her tongue, Jung Sunja muttered under her breath, “Some mother you are,” before taking a sip of her warm barley tea.
“So, what, you’re saying you plan to marry my grandson?”
“Yes. I want to stay with Yoontae.”
For a moment, Jung Sunja almost laughed.
A mere twenty-year-old, still so young, thinking love was eternal.
She had seen it countless times—passionate flames that burned brightly but fizzled out just as quickly.
That was youth.
“You might feel that way now, but give it time. You’ll understand what I mean. Marriage isn’t a simple matter. There’s a reason why beastmen marry within their own kind and social circles. Do you even realize how much people talk?
“I’m not going to force you two apart right now. But don’t get too attached.
“And stop making a spectacle of yourselves. That’s the reason I called you here.”
Jung Sunja appeared calmer than before, but her expression was even more resolute.
No matter how much she resented him, he was still her only grandson.
If he truly went through with marrying that weasel and even had children, there would be no greater disgrace.
Even now, rumors had already spread like wildfire throughout Dan-Gang, making it embarrassing to show her face.
A black panther—one from the distinguished Black Panther family, known for its superior lineage—getting involved with a weasel of all things.
Just thinking about it made her stomach twist.
Jung Sunja wanted nothing more than for her grandson to break things off immediately.
But she knew better—Pyo Yoontae wasn’t the kind of man to let go just because someone told him to.
That was why, despite her wishes, she couldn’t interfere directly in his relationship with Jeongseo.
But at the same time, she refused to give them her approval.
It was a contradictory stance, yet the only one she could take.
Watching his grandmother, Jeongseo thought he finally understood why Pyo Yoontae disliked talking about his family.
For a moment, he recalled a younger Pyo Yoontae, crying in the snow, and clenched and unclenched his fists beneath the table.
“I don’t want to give up on happy moments just because they might be difficult,” Jeongseo said firmly.
“Like you said, Grandmother, there may be hardships if I stay with Yoontae. But if I run away just because I’m scared, then in the end, I’ll be left with nothing.”
‘I understand that you’re worried, Grandmother, but the choices I make—I will take responsibility for them.’
With that, Jeongseo stood up.
Han Jaehee watched him with wavering eyes.
“I don’t think we’ll be able to have dinner together today, so I’ll take my leave now. And honestly, I’m not sure whether you’re worried about Yoontae or just your own reputation, Grandmother.”
Jeongseo grabbed his bag from the floor, briefly glancing at Jung Sunja before looking away.
The sheer audacity—a weasel daring to challenge a black panther.
Whatever mask Jung Sunja had been wearing completely shattered.
Her face twisted into a furious scowl.
At that moment, the door suddenly burst open, and Pyo Yoontae appeared, breathing heavily.
The only person truly shocked by his arrival was Han Jaehee.
Jung Sunja, caught off guard, stared at him before furrowing her brows and turning her glare toward Han Jaehee.
“Yoontae!”
Jeongseo smiled brightly and stepped toward him, but Pyo Yoontae quickly reached out, pulling him behind him protectively.
His face was cold as he met his grandmother’s and mother’s gazes.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“No, what do you think you’re doing? If you’re going to flaunt your relationship all over town, at least choose someone decent—”
The atmosphere was turning hostile.
Sensing the tension, Han Jaehee immediately stood up and gently pushed at Pyo Yoontae’s arm toward the door, her expression full of apology.
“Son, just go. I called Jeongseo here so suddenly that he hasn’t eaten anything yet. Jeongseo, I’m really sorry about today. I’ll send Yoontae some allowance, so you two go have a nice meal, okay?”
From inside the room, Jung Sunja’s voice rang out in outrage, demanding that they be brought back.
But Han Jaehee ignored her, waving them away instead.
Caught off guard by the unexpected move, Pyo Yoontae hesitated briefly before grabbing Jeongseo’s hand and quickly leading him out.
Once Han Jaehee stepped back into the room, Jung Sunja erupted.
“How dare you send them away when I was still talking? Where are your manners?!”
Rather than fear, Han Jaehee felt her face flush with heat.
“Mom, this is just… humiliating for us.”
That boy was willing to take responsibility for his own choices.
But had she, Han Jaehee, ever truly done the same?
Had she ever faced the consequences of her decisions head-on?
All she had ever wanted was for everyone to get along.
But now, looking at her mother—her expression hardened with deep wrinkles—she no longer seemed as terrifying as she once had.
Instead, Han Jaehee felt only a deep, hollow emptiness.
Ignoring the chauffeur offering him a ride home, Pyo Yoontae stormed out of the building, his face stiff with tension.
Jeongseo, still caught in his grip, was practically dragged along.
His steps fumbled, and he tripped over his own feet, stumbling forward.
Instinctively, he reached out for something to steady himself, but Pyo Yoontae was faster—he pulled Jeongseo into his arms, steadying him.
“Ah, thanks,” Jeongseo murmured.
He was relieved he hadn’t fallen, but as he glanced up, he suddenly froze.
“Yoontae… are you crying?”
* * *
