Page 276 of Scarbound

Noeul immediately became suspicious. “What?”

“I’ll compliment her differently.”

He waited.

“My son has excellent taste in men.”

Noeul froze. The knife stopped halfway through a carrot. He carefully set it down, his face flushing. “You…” His eyes widened. “You know?”

Yujin laughed. “What mother doesn’t know who her child is in love with? Besides, my son never stops talking about you. Noeul hyung did this. Noeul hyung said that. Noeul hyung beat me at this.”

She mimicked Duri’s voice badly enough that Noeul laughed. “Now I see where Duri gets his humor.”

“Thank you.”

“That wasn’t a compliment.”

“I accepted it as one.”

Noeul shook his head, smiling. The smile faded slowly. “You’re not…” He hesitated.

Yujin waited.

“You’re not angry that he likes a man like me?”

Her expression changed. Not offended. Confused. “A man like you?”

Noeul looked down. “You know what I mean.”

“No, actually. I don’t.”

He didn’t answer.

Yujin leaned against the counter. “I did a wonderful job raising Duri, remember? You praised me yourself a few minutes ago.”

Noeul looked at her.

“So I trust him. I won’t interfere in your relationship,” Yujin continued before he could respond. “That’s between the two of you.” She smiled warmly. “But I know how deeply my son cares about you. And from what I’ve seen these past weeks, I understand why.”

Noeul lowered his gaze. He wasn’t ready to answer that. Yujin seemed to understand, so, naturally, she ruined the seriousness herself.

“And if everything works out, perhaps one day you’ll call me eomma.”

“Mrs. Kang!”

Yujin laughed. Noeul covered his face with one hand. “Please stop.”

“You’re very easy to tease.”

“You really are Duri’s mother.”

“I should hope so.”

Noeul laughed again. This time, the sound came more easily. He looked around the kitchen, then at the ingredients spread across the counter. “How about I cook tonight?”

Yujin raised an eyebrow. “You’re taking over my kitchen already?”

“You said you’ve been wasting valuable talent.”