Minjun had come to understand Song Hyein on a much deeper level. He knew she was religious, but he hesitated when she unexpectedly asked him to attend church with her. Still, he agreed.

When he arrived at the church, her parents were already waiting for him at the entrance. He bowed politely and greeted them with respect. 

They showered him with compliments—praising his looks, intelligence, and achievements.

Though their words made him feel shy, he expressed his gratitude.

However, the attention didn’t stop there. As people they knew approached, Song Hyein's father introduced him proudly, emphasizing that he was Kang Minjun, the younger brother of Kang Xiumin. 

The mention of his brother stirred an unexpected discomfort within him. 

Each person they met regarded him with admiration, offering more praise and respect, which only made him feel increasingly uneasy.

During the mass, Minjun made an effort to focus on the scriptures and their interpretations. 

As he glanced around, he noticed how attentively everyone listened. He couldn’t help but reflect on his perspective as someone who had dedicated his life to neuroscience.

When the service ended, he thought it was over, but a Bible study followed, where attendees formed a circle to share their faith. One by one, they spoke until the pastor turned to Minjun to ask about his beliefs.

He swallowed hard, feeling the weight of everyone's gaze. A lump formed in his throat, making him speechless for a few seconds. He then turned slightly to Song Hyein, who was waiting patiently for his response.

He let out a quiet sigh, thinking to himself, I have to do this for Song Hyein.

###

Every Sunday, attending church with Song Hyein had become a routine for Minjun. By now, everyone at the church knew him, and some even tried to befriend him.

After the service, he would join Song Hyein and her parents for dinner, where the conversation often revolved around him—his career, his status, and the future of their daughter with him.

Song Hyein’s father frequently mentioned how he proudly told his colleagues that his daughter was dating Kang Minjun. Meanwhile, her mother repeatedly expressed gratitude, praising the Creator for blessing Song Hyein with the man they had always hoped for.

Minjun silently sighed to himself, doing his best to ignore the discomfort.

However, when it was just the two of them, Minjun felt at ease. One evening in Minjun’s bedroom, during their time together, he finally gathered the courage to bring up the idea of living together.

Song Hyein hesitated, but after a few seconds, she softly replied that she would need to ask her father first.

Minjun sighed quietly again, realizing he would need to be patient with this relationship.

When Sunday arrived, everything seemed normal—until dinner. This time, the tone of Song Hyein’s father had noticeably shifted.

Looking directly at Minjun, he cleared his throat and asked, "Seonsaengnim, did you ask my daughter if the two of you could live together?"

Minjun tensed slightly, sensing the seriousness in his voice.

Song Hyein’s father continued, "If that is the case, then I suggest you get married first."

Minjun’s eyes widened in surprise, caught off guard by the sudden proposal. For a moment, he found himself unable to respond.

Song Hyein’s father added, "Since you’ve been together for a year now. It’s time for us to meet your family, Seonsaengnim."

###

The long-awaited family dinner between Minjun and Song Hyein's families finally took place. Mrs. Han, together with Kang Xiumin and Lee Hawoon, joined the dinner. However, despite the warm atmosphere, Minjun couldn’t shake off his lingering uneasiness.

Mrs. Han expressed her delight in finally meeting Song Hyein. She complimented her beauty and intelligence, sincerely thanking her for being by Minjun’s side.

Meanwhile, Song Hyein’s mother once again voiced her gratitude to God, and Mrs. Han subtly smiled.

"May I know, Mrs. Han, what is your religion?" Song Hyein's mother asked a question that made the air in the room shift.

Mrs. Han's eyes widened slightly in surprise as she glanced at Minjun. He simply gave her a small nod.

"We don’t practice any religion," Mrs. Han said hesitantly.

At that moment, Song Hyein’s father spoke up firmly. "If they are going to marry, we encourage Kang-Seonsaengnim to convert to our faith."

Kang Xiumin, who had been sitting quietly the entire time, couldn’t help but smile, while Minjun looked amused.

Noticing Minjun’s subtle reaction, Song Hyein quickly intervened. "Let's not talk about that now, Appa," she said, trying to steer the conversation away.

As the conversation continued, Song Hyein’s father turned his attention to Kang Xiumin, showering him with praise for his success as a businessman.

Kang Xiumin offered a polite smile and brushed off the compliment. "Among the two of us, Minjun-ah was the one who truly achieved his dream," he remarked casually.

The conversation then took a sudden turn as the topic of marriage surfaced.

Song Hyein’s parents, emboldened by Minjun’s previous offer to live with their daughter, suggested that it would be best for them to get married.

Song Hyein’s mother eagerly expressed her desire to be part of the prestigious Kang family. "It would be an honor. People would think so highly of us," she gushed.

However, the discussion soon shifted when Song Hyein's father brought up the subject of inheritance. He pointed out that since Kang Xiumin only had two daughters, there was the lingering question of who would eventually inherit their family company.

"Let’s be honest, men have always been destined to reach the top."

"Excuse me?" Lee Hawoon interrupted.

But before she could say more, Kang Xiumin subtly tapped her lap under the table.

Song Hyein’s father pressed on, looking directly at Kang Xiumin. "If my daughter and Kang-Seonsaengnim had a son, wouldn’t it be ideal for him to inherit the company? Don’t you agree, sajangnim?"

A smirk tugged at the corner of Kang Xiumin’s lips as he leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. "Are you suggesting that Minjun should marry your daughter purely for love? Or is this more about securing a future connection to our company?"

A frown settled on Song Hyein’s father’s face. "Are you implying that we’re trying to take over your family’s company, sajangnim?"

"Can I ask you, Mr. Song, why your daughter become a doctor?" Kang Xiumin suddenly asked.

"Because we wanted her to be a doctor. There is no doctor in our clan because no one was smart enough and hard worker that she is. Her uncle is already a prosecutor, but since she's a woman, we recommended that she should be a doctor." Mr. Song said with confidence.

Kang Xiumin’s smirk didn’t waver. Instead, he turned his attention to Song Hyein. "Hyein-shi, do you like to be a doctor?"

Song Hyein's eyes widened at the sudden question. She tried to speak, "Yeah, because... that what's my parents want for me."

"Have you ever thought to become someone else before turning to a doctor?" Kang Xiumin asked further.

Song Hyein was taken aback by his question. She looked at her parents, thinking of a possible answer that would not offend them, until she spoke. "Being a doctor feels good now."

Kang Xiumin could not help but smirk on the side of his lips, but he continued. "Hyein-ssi, would you mind telling everyone why you love my brother?"

Song Hyein’s eyes widened, her lips parting in surprise. Before she could answer, her mother spoke on her behalf. "They are meant to be together—it was planned by the heavens."

But Kang Xiumin was unfazed. "That’s not what I asked, ma’am. I was asking your daughter." He then returned his gaze to Song Hyein.

Under the weight of everyone's stares, she began to panic. "I… Oppa and I are both doctors, and we get along well."

A quiet sigh escaped Kang Xiumin’s lips before he shifted his gaze back to her parents.

"I once met a girl. I asked her why she loved the boy. Did she love him for his looks? Because he was smart? Because he was wealthy?"

A small chuckle escaped him as he recalled the memory. "She simply smiled at me—a smile that told me my question was ridiculous, yet at the same time, it revealed what she truly felt for him."

Minjun turned to Kang Xiumin and was surprised by his remarks.

"How dare you compare my daughter’s feelings to some girl?" Song Hyein’s father snapped.

Kang Xiumin merely smirked. "That girl was a lot like your daughter—charming and intelligent. And, coincidentally, also a doctor."

"Yeobo…" Lee Hawoon murmured, placing a gentle hand on his arm.

"But I suppose love is different for everyone." Kang Xiumin continued before shifting his gaze back to Song Hyein. "I apologize for putting you on the spot. I just wanted to understand the woman who might marry my younger brother—not because we demand a woman of high status, but because I want someone who sees Minjun as a flawed man—not just for his achievements or his hierarchical status."

Song Hyein’s expression froze as she absorbed his words.

Kang Xiumin then turned back to her father. "Let’s make this clear, Mr. Song. As for marriage, I will leave that decision to Minjun. He has always made his own choices in life."

"My daughter should be the one to decide that," Song Hyein’s father countered.

"Fine. Then let’s allow them to decide for themselves." He then turned to Minjun.

Minjun, who had been quietly observing, felt his emotions stir. His brother’s words had struck something deep within him. But he had wanted this relationship to work.

He truly did.

He didn’t want to be the reason for another woman’s heartbreak. He had been certain that he wanted to live with Song Hyein—but now, with the sudden push for marriage, something inside him shifted.

It wasn’t that Song Hyein lacked anything. Rather, it was the way her parents were forcing their beliefs, speaking dismissively to his family, and prioritizing wealth and status above all else.

Minjun suddenly recalled something Minjin had once told him: a relationship isn’t just about the couple. It also involves their families.

A bittersweet realization settled in his mind as a lyric from a Taylor Swift song surfaced in his mind:

"Does it feel like everything’s just like second-best after that meteor strike?"