CHAPTER 90: RETIREMENT PLAN?

"GARAM-SSI, I recently bought your latest album."

Aigooya.

Garam blushed when his Omega father-in-law brought out his group’s latest album from his stylish soft leather briefcase.

Their latest album was actually inside a box because of the merch inclusions.

"Appa, you could have just asked me for a copy. You didn’t have to buy it yourself."

"But I want to contribute to your group’s sales," Lee Wonjae said, handing the album and a pen to Garam. "Can you sign this for me?"

"Of course, Appa. Should we unbox it first?"

"Oh, right. I wasn’t sure how I should open it since this is the first time I’ve seen an album like this," Lee Wonjae explained, and it looked like his Omega father-in-law was a bit embarrassed. "I’m sorry, I can be a bit of a klutz sometimes."

"No need to apologize, Appa," Garam said while shaking his head. And then he started removing the plastic that covered the outer box. He used the sharp side of his wedding ring to help him unwrap the plastic. "And thank you for picking the ’Garam Version’ of the album, Appa."

Their group’s latest album, titled ’Apathy,’ had six versions.

Each member had one version, and the sixth version featured the entire group.

Of course, Garam knew that it was only natural that his Omega father-in-law would choose the ’Garam Version.’

Even so, he still wanted to thank Lee Wonjae.

"No need to thank me, Garam-ah— I’ll support you from now on."

Aww.

I’m touched. And I’m glad that I’m getting along well with my Omega father-in-law. The only one I need to worry about is my scary-looking Alpha father-in-law.

"Appa, look at the album inclusions," Garam said after opening the box. And then he pulled out two items from it: first, a dolphin keyring plushie. Second, a blue photocard holder with his name on it. "Dolphin is my animal representative, so the company made this plushie to represent me."

Lee Wonjae chuckled. "Very cute."

"Right? I also think the plushie is very cute, Appa."

"No, I’m talking about you, Garam-ah— you look so cute when you’re talking about something you obviously love."

Aigooya.

Now I’m shy.

"T-Thank you, Appa."

To be honest, Lee Wonjae didn’t look like he was already in his mid-fifties.

Appa could still pass as someone in his early forties. He looks young for his age. Plus, his skin is glowing— it looks so healthy.

Actually, his Alpha father-in-law also looked young for his age.

Appa and Abeoji are the same age, according to Sihyuk Hyung.

"What is this, Garam-ah?" Lee Wonjae asked while picking up the photocard holder. "Is this a keychain?"

"It’s kind of like a keychain, but it’s a photocard holder," Garam explained. "You can put my photocard in it and use it as a bag charm."

"Where can I get your photocard?"

"It’s included in the album, Appa," Garam said, and then he picked up the small envelope inside the box. "Ta-dah."

Lee Wonjae chuckled, and then he volunteered to pull out the photocards from the small envelope.

There were two photocards inside.

One was Garam’s solo ’selca’ while the other one was a group photo.

Of course, his Omega father-in-law was only interested in his photocard.

"Let me put the photocard in the photocard holder for you, Appa."

"Sure. Thank you."

After Garam put the photocard in the photocard holder, Lee Wonjae used both the plushie and the photocard holder as his bag charms.

And his Omega father-in-law looked proud of his new items.

"This is pretty creative," Lee Wonjae said. "I’m sure your fans are satisfied since the album inclusions are practical— they can use them as an everyday item."

Garam smiled and nodded. "That’s exactly the reason we chose a plushie and a photocard holder for our album inclusions, Appa. My group members and I suggested it to the company, and they approved it."

"Oh. So, you’re also involved in the album planning?"

"Yes, Appa. We’re lucky to have a team that listens to us."

"You’ll probably miss doing something as fun as that once you retire."

Garam’s smile froze. "Retire?"

"It’s expected for a chaebol’s spouse to give up their career once they marry into the family," Lee Wonjae said casually. "I had to retire as a golfer earlier than I wanted when I married my husband."

"But why would you retire just because you got married, Appa?"

"Because a chaebol’s spouse can’t be in the limelight. Chaebol families don’t like it when the media pays too much attention to them. That’s why both Mirae Unnie and I had to retire early when we married into the family," Lee Wonjae explained. "Plus, you need to give up your career in order to have a baby."

Oh.

Garam almost forgot.

His family doesn’t know that we’re not really trying to conceive a child.

"After you give birth to an heir, you have the choice to either be a hands-on parent or work for the company," Lee Wonjae explained. "Since our Sihyuk grew up like that, I guess you already know what I chose."

Pfft.

"I regret not being a hands-on parent while Sihyuk was growing up. But Father-in-law has always been fond of my son. So, even if I wanted to, I couldn’t spend more time with my own child since the chairman would often summon him to teach him about the business," Lee Wonjae said, sighing while shaking his head. "I didn’t want to die of boredom, so I decided to work for the family. That’s how Father-in-law ended up entrusting SG Group’s sports teams to me."

Oh, right.

Chaebol families own and sponsor professional sports teams.

Actually, Garam remembered that he looked Lee Wonjae up on the internet.

"Appa, you’re the new chairman of the Korea Professional Golfers Association, right?"

"Yes, that’s correct. I also manage the baseball team that SG Group owns, as well as the teams from other less-known sports," Lee Wonjae answered. "So, even though I retired as a golfer, I’m still involved in the sports world. That makes me quite happy."

And Garam could see that.

I’m glad that Appa is happy even after retiring early to have a family.

"SG Group doesn’t own an affiliate company related to music or the entertainment industry in general," Lee Wonjae said worriedly. "But don’t worry, Garam-ah. I’m sure my son will take care of everything for you— especially once you get pregnant."

Garam could only smile awkwardly.

I know that Appa is only talking about my retirement as if it’s already set in stone because he doesn’t know the truth— the truth that Sihyuk Hyung and I lied to the family about trying to conceive a baby. But why am I suddenly feeling scared?

"Garam-ah, are you alright?"

"Y-Yes, Appa..."

Garam trailed off when his stomach growled loudly.

Oops.

***

SAVED by the bell.

After Garam’s stomach growled pretty loudly, Song Sihyuk had finally returned to the room,

And the best part?

His husband brought him a plate of grilled meat and a bottle of orange juice that he liked during the luncheon.

Sihyuk Hyung knows which food and drink I liked the most, huh?

"Thank you, Hyung," Garam said after he was done eating. "I’m full."

"Are you sure?" Song Sihyuk asked while wiping the corner of his mouth with a table napkin. "I can get you another serving if you want."

Garam shook his head, and then he grabbed the empty bottle of juice. "I like this orange juice, Hyung. I’m not familiar with this brand, though. And we don’t have this at home. Where can we get this?"

Song Sihyuk opened his mouth to speak, but somebody else beat him to it.,

"We can send you some, Garam-ah."

Oh, I almost forgot that we’re in the same room as my parents-in-law.

Garam ate his meal in the guest room because Song Sihyuk didn’t want him walking to the dining hall when he was so hungry his stomach kept growling.

While he was eating, his Alpha father-in-law came to visit his Omega father-in-law. If Song Sihyuk brought meat and juice for Garam, Vice Chairman Song Seokju brought a bottle of wine and a plate of prosciutto

, focaccia, and giardiniera.

I got familiar with those foods because Sihyuk Hyung likes them.

"Our Sihyuk doesn’t like that orange juice brand because he thinks it tastes like vitamins," Lee Wonjae said while looking at Song Sihyuk teasingly. "In that sense, that boy is still a child."

"Appa, please," Song Sihyuk complained lightly. "What are you telling my wife?"

"Your appa didn’t lie, though," Vice Chairman Song Seokju said in a scolding tone. "You threw a tantrum when you had that juice for the first time. To think you were already in high school at the time..."

Pfft.

Garam thought it was fun to see Song Sihyuk looking embarrassed.

It’s a rare happening.

"Hyung has a cute side, too, huh?"

Song Sihyuk glared at Garam playfully. "Are you teasing me, babe?"

Garam just shrugged, and then he turned to his parents-in-law with a polite smile. "We’ll be grateful if you send us the orange juice, Appa, Abeoji. Thank you in advance."

Fortunately, his parents-in-law looked satisfied with Garam’s politeness.

Whew.

And, thankfully, my in-laws aren’t snobs.

"Lim Garam."

"Yes, Abeoji?"

"When will you quit being a celebrity?" Vice Chairman Song Seokju asked bluntly. "I’d like it if you stop keeping your marriage to my son a secret. Your grandfather is of the same opinion."

Oh.

For some reason, Garam felt a shiver down his spine.

Is losing my career the price I have to pay for marrying into a chaebol family?

***

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