Tak-hyeon, having looked at Seong-ho for a long while, burst into loud laughter.

"Ha ha ha."

Letting out a laugh full of satisfaction, Tak-hyeon spoke loudly to his children seated around him.

"That's the kind of confidence I wanted to see. Not begrudging some measly billion won."

At those words, Mun-jong and the others hung their heads.

And they turned resentful looks toward Chang-jong, who had gotten them all scolded together.

Under those looks, Chang-jong spoke to Tak-hyeon in a voice full of injury.

"Father, still, a billion won for one player isn't a small amount..."

"That's exactly why I'm telling you to try it yourself."

Tak-hyeon jutted his chin toward Chang-jong and said, "Don't just run your mouth — win a championship and prove your point."

"That's..."

"If you can't, then keep quiet."

At Tak-hyeon's words, Chang-jong finally hung his head.

Tak-hyeon looked down at Chang-jong with a pitying expression, then rose from his seat.

At that, Hyeon-ju Bang — Mun-jong's wife and the eldest daughter-in-law — called out to Tak-hyeon in a flustered voice.

"Father, the meal isn't quite ready yet..."

"Never mind."

Tak-hyeon waved a hand at Hyeon-ju Bang and turned away.

"I've lost my appetite. Eat amongst yourselves."

"Father."

Min-yeong Oh called out to Tak-hyeon in a worried voice as well.

But even at his daughters-in-law's calls, Tak-hyeon, his irritated mood unimproved, went up to his study.

Once Tak-hyeon had left, Suk-ja frowned and scolded Chang-jong.

"Why did you have to say something so pointless and rub your father the wrong way?"

"I was just..."

"Your older brothers stayed quiet — why did you have to speak up? Do you think you're smarter than your brother and sister?"

"Mother, that's not it..."

"You're the fourth. Just watch what your brother does, and help if it looks like he needs it. Understood?"

With even Suk-ja scolding him, Chang-jong couldn't lift his head.

"What have you got to be so proud of, holding your head up like that?"

Suk-ja, contrasting the bowed Chang-jong with Seong-ho, who kept his head held straight, furrowed her brow deeply.

Seong-ho wanted to…