Arrange Marriage

CHAP 49

Chapter 49: The Babble Battle
Mingyu walked into the living room, wiping his hands on a kitchen towel after finishing up lunch preparations. He was expecting to see the usual scene—Wonwoo sitting on the couch, maybe reading a book or reviewing work files while keeping a watchful eye on their daughter. Instead, what he found left him frozen in the doorway, fighting back laughter.
There was Jeon Wonwoo—the mafia boss who could silence a room with a single glare, the man whose authority no one dared to challenge—currently crouched on the carpet, engaged in a heated "discussion" with their one-year-old daughter, Somi.
“No,” Wonwoo said firmly, his deep voice steady but exasperated as he pointed to the spilled building blocks. “We don’t throw toys at Appa. That’s not nice.”
Somi, sitting on the floor in her pink onesie, looked up at him with wide, defiant eyes. She babbled loudly, her little fists waving in the air as if to emphasize her point.
“Don’t give me that tone,” Wonwoo replied, crossing his arms. “I don’t care if you’re upset. You’re not getting another snack until you clean up your toys.”
Somi pouted, her bottom lip sticking out in an exaggerated display of her discontent. Her babbling grew louder, almost scolding in nature, her tiny fists pounding on the floor as she made her displeasure known.
“You can pout all you want,” Wonwoo said, shaking his head. “It’s not happening.”
Mingyu couldn’t hold it in any longer. He leaned against the doorframe, laughing so hard he had to clutch his stomach.
Wonwoo’s head snapped up, his cheeks flushing a deep red when he saw his husband watching the spectacle. “Mingyu,” he started, his tone caught between embarrassment and annoyance, “this isn’t funny.”
“Oh, it’s hilarious,” Mingyu managed between chuckles, walking over to the scene. “Are you seriously arguing with Somi right now?”
“She started it,” Wonwoo grumbled, pointing at their daughter, who immediately clapped her hands as if she’d won the battle.
“Of course she did,” Mingyu said, scooping Somi up into his arms. She giggled triumphantly, snuggling into her papa’s chest while shooting a cheeky glance at Wonwoo. “She’s one. That’s what babies do.”
“She knows what she’s doing,” Wonwoo muttered, standing up and dusting off his pants. “She has that look on her face like she’s won.”
“Well, to be fair, she kind of has,” Mingyu teased, smirking at his husband. “You’re literally having a debate with someone who can only say ‘dada’ and ‘no.’”
Wonwoo sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “It’s not easy when she’s this stubborn. She gets it from you.”
“Me?” Mingyu gasped, pretending to be offended. “Excuse you, but Somi clearly inherited her attitude from you, Mr. Mafia Boss who doesn’t back down from a fight—even if it’s with a baby.”
Wonwoo rolled his eyes but couldn’t stop the small smile tugging at his lips. He reached out to gently stroke Somi’s hair, his frustration melting away as she let out a happy coo, grabbing his finger with her tiny hand.
“She’s going to be a handful,” Wonwoo murmured, his voice softening as he looked at his daughter. “But I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Mingyu smiled, leaning over to press a kiss to Wonwoo’s cheek. “Neither would I. But maybe next time, don’t try to out-argue her. She’s got you wrapped around her little finger, and you know it.”
Wonwoo huffed, though the blush on his cheeks betrayed him. “Fine,” he admitted quietly. “But don’t tell her that. She doesn’t need to know she’s already winning.”
Mingyu laughed, cuddling Somi closer. “Oh, trust me. She already knows.”
As the three of them settled back into their cozy home life, Wonwoo couldn’t help but think that even losing an argument with his daughter was worth it—as long as it meant he got to spend these precious moments with the two people he loved most in the world.