TOIGC 02

Chapter 2 …

What a 43-Year-Old Baby Grabbed at His First Birthday (1)

Choi Yoongi.

It was only after becoming an infant that Kim Chanyeol finally received the name he was meant to have all along. That meant he had completely parted ways with his disastrous past life as “Kim Chanyeol.”

“Yoongi, say Mama. Ma-ma.”

Even through a baby’s blurry vision, he could tell she was a truly beautiful woman in her early twenties.

“No, no, his first word should be Dada. Say Dada!”

Another blurry figure—a young man—entered Choi Yoongi’s field of view.

“I’m telling you, he should say Mama first.” “Come on, it’s gotta be Dada!”

Lying in his crib and watching their faces with undeveloped eyes, Choi Yoongi felt pure bliss. It had been four months since he reclaimed his rightful life, and during those four months, he had been showered with what could only be described as boundless love.

<Must be huh? nice,>

Yoongi’s face instantly scrunched up. It really had been four wonderfully happy months. The only problem was that Choi Deokbae had been floating around him the entire time.

<Hey, Man, Shouldn’t Who about at back be descendants do face! first got how in is kidding life look me? old place? raising real saying thanking that the they think totally useless… weren’t with you your>

While Deokbae clicked his tongue in disapproval, Park Yeonji quickly scooped Yoongi out of the crib.

“Oh dear, look at Yoongi’s face. I think he pooped.” “Don’t babies usually cry when they poop?” “Our Yoongi hardly ever cries, remember? That’s why we have to check on him often.” “Now that you mention it, my friends said they couldn’t even sleep when their kids were babies. We really lucked out.” “He’s already such a good boy.”

Though he couldn’t speak yet, his mind was that of a grown adult. Yoongi never cried unless he actually needed something, which only made Choi Cheolho and Park Yeonji shower him with even more affection.

“Huh, it’s totally clean?”

As Yeonji checked his diaper with a puzzled look, Deokbae let out a cackle.

<Heh, Ah, If I’d a already did didn’t down embarrassment. forty front getting guy his in it kill lady. me, myself of once, out over pants pretty pulled that wait, were you you?>

Yoongi desperately wanted to tell him to shut the hell up, but what could a four-month-old who could barely babble actually say? Knowing this all too well, Deokbae took extra delight in teasing him.

<If Ah, I a after alcoholic an and another been down for hadn’t home in into it killed nurse nursing out pants pulling really seen should’ve stuck that. turned twenty would’ve wreck. years, you your yourself>

As Deokbae kept pushing his buttons, Yoongi summoned every ounce of willpower to force out the word “Shit!”

“…Da!”

Unfortunately, what came out was something entirely different.

“Honey! Did you hear that?”

With a voice overflowing with emotion, Cheolho swept Yoongi—who still didn’t have his diaper back on—up into his arms.

“Huh?” “Our Yoongi called me Dada!” “I didn’t hear it, so it doesn’t count!” “No way, he definitely said Dada! Bha-ha-ha!”

There sat Cheolho, utterly ecstatic, and Yeonji, pouting over losing the first word. And then there was Yoongi, going crazy because he couldn’t even swear properly.

Life as a baby was simple, but Yoongi was genuinely happy.

Everything is great… except for one thing.

That single flaw was Deokbae, who hovered nearby and chatter away without a second’s rest. Except for when Yoongi was sleeping, Deokbae was practically running his mouth non-stop.

<Did Ah, Daewongun? Heungseon I L.A. a about at ever forty-two… gambling gambling, games me of played quick reminds speaking tell that the time to took trip when with you>

If Yoongi could talk, he would’ve asked him if he used to be a professional chatterbox in his past life. Sadly, he could only blurt out a few simple noun-like sounds. Even now, as he approached his first birthday, speaking in full sentences was still out of the question.

Creak—!

The door to the nursery opened, and a man in his mid-fifties stepped inside. He had a stern expression when he first turned the knob, but the second he locked eyes with Yoongi, his face brightened into a broad smile, and he scooped the baby into his arms.

“Aww, look at my grandson!”

He immediately started bouncing and cooing at the baby—a side of him that was completely unrecognizable compared to the “demon” his employees called him during staff meetings.

“G-G-Grand… pa…” “Bha-ha-ha! That’s right, I’m your grandpa! Grandpa! Look at you recognizing me already—you’re gonna accomplish great things!”

As his very first grandchild, Choi Gihyeon’s love for Yoongi was immense.

“Father, you were in here?”

Park Yeonji walked over to Gihyeon, carrying a coffee tray that she set down on top of a cabinet.

“What reason would I have to come over here if not for Yoongi? Honestly, I’d love to have you all live in our main house, but your mother keeps insisting against it…”

Seeing Gihyeon’s visibly disappointed expression, Yeonji let out a soft laugh and covered her lips with her palm.

“Ho-ho, Mother has such a modern mindset, after all. It’s thanks to her that I was able to marry into this family in the first place.” “Well, she did have some influence there, I suppose.” “Shouldn’t I have gone with her today?” “Nah. Once that woman makes up her mind about something, she always goes through with it. It’s just thread, a pencil, and money—I have no idea why she needs to prepare so much for a simple birthday event.”

Though he clicked his tongue, Gihyeon’s expression clearly showed how much he was looking forward to Yoongi’s first birthday celebration today.

“Still, I’m so grateful that you and Mother cherish our Yoongi so much. Thank you, really.” “How could I not adore him when you gave us such a precious grandson? I’m just glad he takes after you instead of Cheolho.”

Cheolho was tall and built like a tank, but he was by no means handsome.

“Oh, stop it. Yoongi doesn’t take after his father or me—he’s handsome because he takes after you! Just look at his nose, it’s the exact spitting image of yours.” “Is that so? Ha, really?”

Even knowing it was flattery, Gihyeon couldn’t help but chuckle in delight.

“Oof, I lost track of time hanging out here. I’ll step out for a bit.”

Although Samwoo Trading was a well-known company in the region, it was exceptionally busy as it began expanding beyond its local borders. That went for both Gihyeon and Cheolho. Company employees had even shown up at the birthday venue to attend and deliver status reports, leaving the two men with plenty of work to handle.

“Oh, Father, honestly…”

Yeonji smiled as she watched Gihyeon rush out, then picked up the coffee tray to leave the room.

“Sister-in-law!”

The door suddenly swung open, and her sister-in-law stepped in, causing Yeonji to nearly drop the tray.

“Oh my!”

Barely catching her balance, Yeonji set the tray back down on the cabinet.

“Oh, I’m so sorry, Sister-in-law.”

It was Park Gyeongja, a 24-year-old woman and the wife of Cheolho’s younger brother. She offered a sly grin, trying to put on an apologetic face.

“No, it’s fine. But what brings you here?”

Yeonji wasn’t particularly fond of her. Yeonji was twenty-two. According to the strict family hierarchy of the 1960s, Yeonji was technically senior to Gyeongja within the household despite being younger. Of course, knowing she was younger in actual years, Yeonji had initially tried to treat her with respect, but Gyeongja only used that to look down on her. Eventually, Yeonji started treating her with strict formality. As a result, their relationship had turned quite cold—which made Gyeongja’s sudden appearance in the nursery all the more unusual.

“My goodness, what’s wrong with an aunt coming to see her nephew? Today is Yoongi’s first birthday, after all.” “Is that so? How unusual. You never cared before.”

Since it was just the two of them, Yeonji’s words were sharp as a razor.

“Don’t be like that on a day like this. It’s a family celebration, isn’t it?”

Still, Yeonji didn’t lower her guard. She hadn’t forgotten the time Gyeongja came over while sick with a cold and ended up passing it to Yoongi.

“Anyway, let’s talk outside.” “Aww, let me just see my nephew for a second…” “I said, let’s talk outside.”

Standing at only 156 cm, Gyeongja was no match for Yeonji in physical strength. She was promptly pushed out of the room, leaving only Yoongi and Deokbae inside.

<Look At She That a and at back but cold deliberately doesn’t gave girl. got in? it? last least nerve now on rough seem she she’s sick still. that the then, this time, to waltz was wasn’t you>

Recalling the memory of almost developing pneumonia and having to be hospitalized for a while, Yoongi’s face darkened.

<Anyway, ‘no.’ ‘yes’ From Hey, How’s I Pretty That a and at basic boring can can’t conversation. even extend finger fingers for gestures, good, have if it’s least make now on, one properly. right? say since something, sound? speak still talk, terribly that two way we when you>

Yoongi calmly extended his middle finger and held it up toward Deokbae.

<You Great! idea? like the> “Screw.” <Ah, Fine What about come could couldn’t first? it, of one say should talk then. think to we word, you you?>

Deokbae’s shameless self-absorption was enough to drive Yoongi up the wall, but the ghost’s mouth showed no sign of stopping.

<Speaking Chanyeol. I Kim So about ask: birthday don’t first how in know let life? like lived me much of party past really was were what when which, you your> As if I’d know that!

As if reading his mind, Deokbae looked at Yoongi’s expression and followed up.

<I Is a and being between big but difference had have mean, might must not old, one one? or party pictures remember something. that there this year you>

Yoongi tried to recall his first birthday as Kim Chanyeol. But of course, nothing came to mind.

Come to think of it, I didn’t even have a first birthday photo.

Given the state of that violent butcher couple, Yoongi was dead certain they hadn’t bothered throwing him a party at all.

<Well, I about based before didn’t family guess it killed makes me on one. sense that they throw told what you your yourself,> You’re just going to keep talking to yourself anyway, so what does my answer matter?

Letting out a sigh in his head, Yoongi simply closed his eyes. Babies slept so much that just closing his eyes was usually enough to drift off.

<I’m because finally gather it like managed now only seems telling this to together… you you’ve yourself>

Hearing Deokbae’s tone suddenly turn dead serious, Yoongi kept his eyes closed but listened closely.