* * *

“Why is the president preparing Kongja’s birthday party?”

“Because something small doesn’t suit you, Soo-jung.”

President Seo grinned.

“I’m free these days. Invite some people too. Can we invite my family?”

“Of course. But who else are you going to invite?”

“Leave it to me! I’ll make sure Kongja gets a fancy birthday party.”

Ma Soo-jung thought for a moment.

“Well, okay. If it’s you, you wouldn’t invite anyone inappropriate. You know not to invite reporters, right?”

“What do you take me for? Of course, I know. If it becomes a big deal, we’ll get criticized. Leave it to me. I’ll only invite those who are interested in you and your angel.”

Ma Soo-jung squinted her eyes.

“Can I trust you?”

“Trust me!”

“Feels like you’re trying to use this for business.”

Ah, I’ve been caught.

The boss bowed his head, glancing around nervously.

“Why? What? Not feeling it?”

Ma Soo-jung narrowed her eyes, then sighed deeply.

“Honestly, I’m not too keen on it. I might as well think about the future.”

“What? What do you mean?”

Ma Soo-jung blinked as she looked up at the ceiling.

“Our Kongja, he’s as cute as an angel.”

“Yes.”

“He loves cameras.”

Ma Soo-jung recalled the times she had seen Kongja.

Filming and premieres.

“Normally, kids would hate the noise.”

But Kongja loved those places so much he wouldn’t even sleep.

“Our Kongja seems like he belongs on stage.”

“Yeah, he really seemed like that at the premiere.”

“I’ve felt it several times. My instincts tell me this is certain.”

The boss nodded.

“Ma Soo-jung, your instincts are usually spot on.”

“So, it’s strange. Normally, I would kick out your sales pitch immediately, but I’m actually considering it.”

The boss bowed his head slightly.

“Thank you for not kicking me out.”

“Using my angel’s first birthday as a sales opportunity… it’s a bold idea, but if Kongja decides to go down this path…”

The boss grinned.

“It would benefit Kongja too, wouldn’t it?”

“Yes, well. I could help too. Building connections from a young age is a great asset.”

Ma Soo-jung straightened her head.

“Kongja is still young. But I’m not sure if I’m being too hasty just relying on my instincts.”

“True. He is still young.”

“It’s better to give him the choice when he’s older, right? And well, even if it’s not about that, for this first birthday party…”

Ma Soo-jung smiled brightly.

“Since people gossip so much about the adoption, I want to make it incredibly flashy.”

The boss scratched his head in agreement.

“I understand your feelings, Ma Soo-jung.”

“If they’re going to gossip no matter what, it’s better to make it grand.”

“Wow! As expected of Ma Soo-jung! Okay, we’ll do it. I’ll handle it personally!”

“What, really? I was going to leave it to a company.”

“I’ll find the company! Trust me!”

“Do you have time?”

The boss nodded.

“Yes. I’ve got plenty of time.”

Ma Soo-jung shook her head.

“Not many people take on extra work. Why do you?”

“I was a worker ant in my past life. Please, give me some work.”

“Well, alright then. Please make it grand.”

“Okay!”

The boss immediately started scrolling through his phone.

Watching him, Ma Soo-jung shook her head.

She thought of her beloved angel.

‘Am I being reckless?’

Ma Soo-jung let out a long breath.

The boss was already in action.

* * *

Huff, huff-

The breathing was rough.

Huff-

“Ah, I feel alive.”

It was easy to misunderstand.

I quietly looked around. I was still scared someone might see.

‘I used a coin, but she’s really addicted.’

Grandma closed her eyes, savoring the scent, then she met my eyes.
Her gaze immediately sharpened.

“What are you looking at?”

Ah, she could be a bit nicer!

‘Even though she’s addicted, she’s still the same.’

She was always a difficult person.

Grandma grumbled.

“What’s Soo-jung thinking, holding this mixed-breed’s first birthday party at a hotel in a week!”

Ah, that. I heard about it.

I smiled widely.

Thanks to that, Mom and Auntie An were incredibly busy.

“Why make it so extravagant?”

Indeed.

‘A first birthday party. Simple could be nice, but…’

Mom held me and said.

-Kongja, these days my image has improved because of you. But because some people are jealous, no matter what I do for you, they’ll criticize.

That was true.

-Plus, it’s Ma Soo-jung.

Maybe because she was at her peak now. She had always had enemies, but now it was worse.

-So, we’re going to make your first birthday party grand. If they’re going to criticize anyway, it’s better to make it grand.

Ah, my bold mother.

I bowed my head in respect.

-The boss is handling the invites, so entertainment industry people will probably come. I’m worried you might get tired.

Tired, you say.

‘I’ve been building up my stamina for this day.’

I flapped my hands and smiled.

‘Great.’

If it’s the entertainment industry, some key figures will definitely show up.

‘If I make a good impression, I could become even more famous.’

As expected, my mom was amazing.

‘Giving me such an opportunity!’

In this life, I was blessed to have her.

“Look at him, smiling weirdly again.”

Ah, I forgot.

I smiled brightly at Grandma.

“Grandma!”

“Grandma? Why am I your grandma?”

She was as stern as ever. Any other kid would have cried by now. I tilted my head and asked.

“Aren’t you my grandma?”

“Right. You’re an adopted kid.”

She was cold. Couldn’t she just let me call her Grandma?

‘But I need to win her over.’

I grinned and asked.

“Then, sister?”

For a moment, Grandma’s pupils shook.

‘She’s flustered.’

That’s what I was aiming for.

“Sister!”

“Ah, no. Do you even know what that means?”

“Yes! A pretty person!”

I pointed at Grandma with my short finger.

“Pretty person!”

Grandma’s pupils shook again.

Hehe.

‘Everything’s going according to plan.’

How do you like that! You can’t dislike me now!

Grandma said nothing. But I could see it.

‘Her cheeks are lifting.’

As expected. No one dislikes being called pretty or handsome.

“Uh, um. You do have an eye for people.”

Sure, I certainly have an eye for things.

“Hmm. Well, then, have a good time at the first birthday party.”

What can I possibly do well? I’ll just be carried around in my mom’s arms.

“Yes!”

“I’ll be off then.”

“Bye-bye, Grandma!”

Grandma slowly disappeared from my room.

As soon as she left, I sighed with my hand on my cheek.

‘She’s really a tough person.’

But I won’t give up!

One day, I’ll definitely hear her call me grandchild!

‘Anyway, I called her ‘nuna’ (big sister) on a whim.’

It’s more effective than I thought.

By the way, the first birthday party is just a week away. I couldn’t help but smile.

‘I’m looking forward to it.’

It’s like a grand debut party that my mom is throwing for me.

‘I should repay her.’

I lay back in the cradle, lifting and lowering my legs to exercise.

Plans started forming in my mind.

‘If I impress them directly, my value will rise.’

That day, I want to gain both connections and admiration.

‘Oh, I wish time would pass quickly.’

I kept lifting and lowering my legs, eagerly waiting for the week to pass.

* * *