Chapter 147: MISSING PIECES
GARAM thought Song Sihyuk had a strange vibe around him while listening to Dr. Seong Kyungmin.
The Alpha arrived a few moments ago with a serious look on his face.
But it wasn’t like Song Sihyuk was in a bad mood.
Thank goodness.
The Alpha just really had some serious vibes around him while listening to the doctor.
Oh, well.
Anyway, Dr. Seong Kyungmin was explaining the things that he had already explained to Garam earlier.
Song Sihyuk listened attentively, asking relevant questions from time to time.
Garam didn’t want to admit this, but...
I guess Suhyuk Hyung can be a good father to Gunwoo.
"So, we need a nasal spray to help Gunwoo reduce the sensitivity of his nose towards pheromones," Song Sihyuk said, summarizing Dr. Seong Kyungmin’s explanation. "But we need to find one that is safe for children as young as my son."
"Yes, exactly," Dr. Seong Kyungmin said while nodding. "It’s not really recommended for children ages 6 and below to use a nasal spray. But I do recall a nasal spray suitable for kids 1 year old and above being released in the market before. If I remember correctly, it’s marketed as all-natural, non-steroidal, and drug-free. I’ll try to find it later and see if it’s still available."
"Alright. Thanks," Song Sihyuk said, and then he turned to Garam. "Don’t worry, Garam-ah. Even if it’s no longer available in the market, we have the means to produce an even better product."
Garam nodded because he knew that Song Sihyuk wouldn’t give him an empty promise.
Plus, he has the means to do what he said he would.
"Thank you, Hyung."
"You don’t have to thank me for the things I do for our son."
Garam didn’t know how to respond to that properly, so he just nodded.
I’m grateful, but I don’t want to appear too grateful when Sihyuk Hyung is just doing the bare minimum as Gunwoo’s father.
"I recommend teaching Gunwoo about pheromones as early as now," Dr. Seong Kyungmin said, causing both Garam and Song Sihyuk to look at the doctor at the same time. "Children are taught about Alphas, Omegas, and pheromones in elementary school. But since Gunwoo has a sensitive nose, I suggest teaching him early to avoid conflicts. As I observed earlier, your son has no filter. Yes, it’s normal for some children to be that blunt and honest. But some people might get offended if he suddenly tells them they stink. Not everyone will be as understanding as the young master."
"’Young Master?’"
"Kim Heedo was here earlier," the doctor explained. "The young master was in a bad mood because I refused to increase his suppressant dosage, so he walked out angry. Gunwoo caught a whiff of the young master’s stinky pheromones and told him he smelled bad."
"I-I apologized to that young man," Garam said immediately, afraid that Song Sihyuk might judge him as an incompetent parent. "I also made Gunwoo apologize to Kim Heedo-ssi. Our son isn’t rude, he’s just blunt."
"You didn’t have to apologize since Gunwoo only said the truth, and you didn’t have to make our son apologize either," Song Sihyuk said. "It’s Kim Heedo’s fault for not controlling his stinky pheromones."
Aigooya.
"Still, it’s not nice if Gunwoo starts telling people that they smell bad, Hyung."
"Garam-ssi is right," Dr. Seong Kyungmin added. "Moreover, we can’t let other people find out that Gunwoo can smell pheromones despite not being awakened yet."
Song Sihyuk didn’t comment on that topic.
"I’ll teach Gunwoo about pheromones," Garam volunteered. He wouldn’t expect Song Sihyuk to teach their son how to be polite, after all. "Hyung, you can’t tell our son that he shouldn’t apologize for stating the truth, okay? There’s this thing called ’manners.’ I know you’re not familiar with it, but that’s something I want to instill in our son..."
Oops.
Garam trailed off when he realized that he was being rude to Song Sihyuk now.
It didn’t help that Dr. Seong Kyungmin, who was usually reserved, suddenly laughed softly.
Me and my big mouth.
"I’m sorry for insulting you, Sihyuk Hyung..."
"No, don’t be ’sorry.’ I know that I have a bad personality, and I’m aware that people talk shit behind my back all the time. But this is the first time someone dissed me straight to my face," Song Sihyuk said, smiling while leaning against the chair. "It’s fun hearing you insult me, Garam-ah. Go ahead and say more."
"Stop being a freaking pervert, bastard."
That wasn’t Garam.
"What do you mean Garam-ssi was the first person to insult you directly?" Dr. Seong Kyungmin continued with his complaints. "I do that to you all the time."
Song Sihyuk clicked his tongue before glaring at the doctor. "Can’t you let me flirt in peace, you meddling idiot?"
Garam felt a shiver down his spine when he heard that.
That was Sihyuk Hyung flirting with me?
But why...?
***
"DAD, I don’t wanna go home. I wanna stay with Grandpa. Can’t we sleep at Grandpa’s house? I wanna see Granddaddy’s fishies, too!"
Aigooya.
Garam was quite stunned because this was the first time Gunwoo threw a tantrum like this.
His son refused to get up from the floor while hugging Lee Wonjae’s leg.
"Baby, don’t you miss Uncle Geon and Uncle Junho?"
Garam didn’t mention Mija because Song Sihyuk was standing next to him.
Better not trigger his memories of the kid shaman.
"I miss them, but I still wanna play with my grandads," Gunwoo continued whining. "I wanna feed the fishies!"
"Gunwoo-ya, stop being stubborn," Garam said, scolding his son for the first time in a long while. "We’re going home now."
Gunwoo looked startled because Garam rarely scolded his son.
He thought Gunwoo would be obedient now.
But no.
In fact, Gunwoo cried loudly while making a mop out of his body on the floor.
This kid is really throwing a tantrum, huh?
Garam was about to pick up Gunwoo and scold him firmer this time, but Song Sihyuk gently grabbed him by the shoulder.
"Just stay at my parents’ house tonight, Garam-ah."
Tsk.
Song Sihyuk then picked up Gunwoo from the floor effortlessly.
With just one swift move, his son was already in the Alpha’s arms.
"Gunwoo-ya, crying and throwing a tantrum is not a nice way to convince your dad to let you stay with your grandfathers longer," Song Sihyuk said sternly. "Plus, an Alpha should always be cool and composed."
Bullshit.
Garam wanted to complain about Song Sihyuk’s statement, but he changed his mind when Gunwoo suddenly stopped crying.
Hmm?
"Alpha? What is an Alpha, Daddy?" Garam asked, his face beaming with curiosity. "Are you an Alpha?"
"Yes," Song Sihyuk answered confidently. "Your grandaddy and I are both Alphas. And you’re going to be an Alpha, too."
Tsk.
Garam didn’t like how Song Sihyuk was already claiming that Gunwoo was going to manifest as an Alpha.
I mean, I feel the same.
But what if we were wrong?
"How about Dad and Grandpa?"
"They are Omegas."
"What are Omegas, Daddy?"
"I’ll teach you later," Song Sihyuk said, and then he turned to Garam. "Let’s all sleep over at my parents’ house. One night shouldn’t hurt."
"Is it safe to return to our house now, son?" Lee Wonjae asked worriedly. "Has everything been resolved already?"
"The investigation is still ongoing, but the house is safe now," Song Sihyuk said confidently. "Abeoji had already fired more than half of the household staff members. And we added more security."
Aigooya.
So, I guess it’s true that the food has been spiked.
"Then, is it safe to assume that my grandson was right?" Lee Wonjae asked curiously. "Our food was really tampered with?"
"Yes, Appa," Song Sihyuk confirmed while nodding. "Our food was sprinkled with a powder that triggers an Alpha’s rut."
Both Garam and Lee Wonjae gasped at the same time.
So, someone is targeting either Sihyuk Hyung or Abeoji. Maybe both. After all, both men hold the power over SG Group.
Garam noticed that his Omega father-in-law looked upset.
"Let’s talk about it in detail later," Song Sihyuk said. "Garam-ah, I need to talk to you about something else, too."
Garam knitted his eyebrows. "About what, Hyung?"
"About Mija," Song Sihyuk said bluntly, giving Garam the chills. "How’s the kid, Garam-ah?"
Oh.
Oh, no.
***
"DAD, I’M sorry."
Aigooya.
Garam’s heart almost melted, thanks to Gunwoo’s adorable apology.
Right now, they were in the backseat of the car (that Jung Han was driving).
Their son sat between Garam and Song Sihyuk.
Lee Wonjae, his Omega father-in-law, chose to ride in the car that they used to come to the hospital.
"It’s alright, baby," Garam said gently. "Dad is surprised that you cried, though. You don’t usually do that, after all."
"But Dad said it’s okay for me to cry," Gunwoo said innocently. "So, I cried."
Aigooya.
My lesson has backfired on me.
Song Sihyuk, who probably realized that, laughed. "My son is obedient, isn’t he?"
Tsk.
"Gunwoo-ya, it’s okay to cry if you want to cry," Garam said. It wasn’t like his advice was wrong in the place. "But please don’t use crying as a means to get what you want. If possible, talk to me first, okay? And you can’t always get what you want, baby."
"Why not?" Song Sihyuk complained lightly. "Gunwoo is my one and only son. He can get whatever—"
Thankfully, just one glare from Garam and Song Sihyuk immediately shut his mouth.
I won’t let this hyung meddle with how I raise my son.
"Gunwoo-ya, you should always listen to your dad," Song Sihyuk said, smiling ’innocently.’ "Your dad is always right, son. Do you understand?"
Aigooya.
"Yes, Daddy," Gunwoo said cheerfully. "I will always listen to Dad!"
Haaah.
Garam was starting to get worried.
My baby likes Sihyuk Hyung too much.
***
"GRANDDADDY, I’m back!"
Garam could only sigh while watching Gunwoo run straight to Song Seokju as soon as he put his son down.
My son also likes his grandfathers too much.
"Sweetheart, don’t run," Lee Wonjae said worriedly while following Gunwoo. "You might trip."
That was also what Garam wanted to say to his son.
But his Omega father-in-law beat him to it.
"It’s okay, honey," Song Seokju said to Lee Wonjae while picking up Gunwoo. "I got our grandson."
Garam thought his Alpha father-in-law was still fit for his age.
Gunwoo is pretty heavy, but Abeoji picked him up effortlessly. I guess that’s an Alpha for you.
"Granddaddy, I wanna feed the fishies!"
"Alright, sweetie. Let’s visit the koi pond again."
"Grandpa, come with us~"
"Yes, yes. I’m going with you."
Huh?
Garam suddenly felt lonely that Gunwoo had only asked his grandfathers to come.
How about me?
To be honest, he also felt a bit betrayed that Lee Wonjae seemed to have forgotten about him.
That his Omega father-in-law was okay with leaving him with Song Sihyuk alone.
But I can’t get upset because I like how Appa pays attention to my son.
Garam’s idle thoughts were interrupted when Gunwoo finally looked at him.
He kind of anticipated that his son would invite him to join them, but...
"Bye-bye, Dad!" Gunwoo said cheerfully while waving at him. "I’m gonna play with Granddaddy and Grandpa!"
Aigooya.
Garam could only wave his hand, slightly sad.
Now I’m left with Sihyuk Hyung.
"Don’t sulk, Garam-ah."
"I’m not sulking, Hyung."
"You’re pouting."
Garam immediately covered his mouth with his hand. "I’m not."
"Cute."
"Hyung said we need to talk, right?" Garam asked, changing the topic. He didn’t want to dwell on the fact that Song Sihyuk kept ’flirting’ with him. "You mentioned Mija earlier."
"Ah, right. We need to talk about that, huh?" Song Sihyuk fell silent for a moment. "But, Garam-ah— are you going to tell me why Mija left the family and hid with you if I asked?
***
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