He’s a Fox Ch 50

Chapter 50

In one hand she carried a heavy grocery bag, in the other she dangled her youngest like a handbag—such was the striking entrance of Hohyun’s eldest sister-in-law. She dumped the groceries down and immediately grabbed his face, tilting it this way and that. After several anxious seconds, she sighed with great relief.

“Those twins made such a ruckus I thought something awful had happened—but you look fine.”

“…What did they say?”

“They ran in wailing you’d probably fallen for some recruitment scam. But looking at you… nope. Not the face of a man swindled.”

She scanned him, gleaming skin, steady eyes. Not like someone devoured by stress. Reassured, she turned back to her bags. Hohyun, meanwhile, recalled the frantic conversation with Yejun and Yejin. How on earth did ‘unemployment’ turn into ‘scam victim’?

Best to cut off rumors before they spread. If any seed of suspicion remained, it would blossom into endless interrogation once the parents returned. He spoke firmly,

“There’s absolutely no scam. The pay’s generous, the work itself isn’t hard. And the people around me are very kind—so don’t worry.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Honestly, they’re almost too kind.”

“Well, your last boss was garbage. At least not this time. Good.”

“Y-yeah… good…”

But mid-word, he hit a wall. For with mention of “the boss,” the sharp face of Kangwoon materialized again—gold eyes, pressed suit. He bit down on the thought, |Stop. Don’t think about him.| But could one stop? His body stiffened, puppet strings cut, eyes glazed.

She noticed. Her intuition sparked—yes, not a scam. But something unusual had happened.

In the meantime, his youngest niece wriggled from her mother’s arms and reached for him.

“Uncle…”

That voice snapped him back. “What’s up, Seon-i?”

“How many nights are you staying this time?”

He folded her small fingers one by one. Exactly two. Holding her gaze, he answered:

“This many.”

“Really?”

Thinking it was longer than expected, she sparkled, eyes curving upward. He hugged her and planted an exaggerated kiss upon one plump cheek. She laughed, delighted.

Meanwhile, the twins recoiled in horror.

“Ew… does Seon like that…?”

“Gross…”

Boys raised on minimal parental affection, they found both the kiss and her acceptance incomprehensible. But Seon-i, unlike them, adored touch—her tail wagged steadily as she cuddled happily into him.

And as he squeezed her, a smaller cub entered his head. Yuri. Was she meeting her grandparents now?

Impulsively, he fished out his phone. “One second, Seon-i. Uncle’s just going to text.”

“Mm-hm.”

Still nestled against his chest, she allowed it. He wrote: Did you arrive safely? Is Yuri doing well? Expecting delay, he nearly dropped the phone when it buzzed instantly.

Wait—it’s not a message. It’s… video call.

He tapped in surprise.

“Moong-moo Oppa!!”

Yuri’s toddler-rough voice boomed, echoing through loudspeaker. His nephews snapped around, ears pricked at once. Having no idea three fox kits were listening, the tiger cub babbled excitedly, words tumbling too fast. Before Hohyun could interpret, the feed cut off.

Puzzled and frowning, he debated calling back. Too late—the twins lunged.

“Who was that?”

“A kid?”

“Sounded younger than Seon—was that an actual baby?”

“Hey, hey—one at a time,” he scolded with mock severity, puffing through his teeth like an adult. They smirked at him, unimpressed. “It wasn’t even a big question!”

Then came the interrogation, rapid-fire.

“Why is a baby calling you?”

“Didn’t you say you worked at a company?!”

He fumbled. “…It’s complicated. Think… babysitter work.”

“Whoa…”

They looked at Seon-i, snug on his chest, lids drooping, utterly serene. Then they exchanged glances and nodded solemnly.

“He’s found his calling.”

“He can do this.”

“…Thanks,” he muttered, feeling oddly as if grilled by world-weary bosses, not eleven-year-olds.

But then the door lock clicked again. The twins jolted, ears flicking. Moments later, they bolted.

“Dad!!”

Through the entry stepped a mountain: black-haired, kind-eyed, broad as a house—the eldest brother, Ye Jinhyun.

The twins clamped onto each arm. He bore both without a flinch. Strength of a giant dog. Jinhyun’s size dwarfed even the furniture; the ceiling low seemed lower. His eyes scanned: “Where’s Seon, my littlest…?”

Finding the baby already perched atop Hohyun, he smiled warmly and strode close.

“Hyun-i, you’re home.”

“Mm.”

“Good. Mother’s been missing you. And Lee-hyun too.”

He studied his youngest sibling softly. Last time, Hohyun had looked skeletal with work stress. Today—colorful, cheeks full. Big brother’s intuition sharpened. “So. Did you… quit?”

Hohyun blinked. “…Sister-in-law told you?”

“No. Just my eldest sense.” His smile was calm, sweet. He headed for the master’s room, dwarfed children still dangling bright on his arms.

The fox could only sigh. Why wasn’t I born like them? Giant dogs, strong, tireless. Instead he was a fox, frailer frame. His parents would have clicked their tongues at such envy, because truth was—weakness was not species-born. Another brother was a fox too, and he was strong. Hohyun’s frailty? Simply lack of training.

Shaking out his stretched legs, he nuzzled Seon’s hair. The scent was warm, childish, soothing. Until—his thought perked. He had a question.

“Yejun, Yejin—come here.”

“…Why?”

“Just a question.”

Sighing, they shuffled. “What snack do you like the most?”

“Muffins.”

“And you, Jun?”

“…Depends. But if I must pick? Ice cream.”

“Of course.” He could picture their freezer stuffed like a squirrel’s nest.

Finally, he asked little Seon:

“And you? What’s your favorite?”

Eyes lowering shy, Seon pressed his face against his uncle’s chest, mumbling:

“…Uncle.”

Favorite snack… was him.

The blow struck hard, making him groan. Heart collapsing, then inflating, he sat up, clutching the boy.

“Really? Uncle is your favorite? Uncle loves Seon the most, too.”

The toddler shone with joy, smiling as though he had swallowed sunlight.

Jin, unimpressed, whispered: “…Seriously disgusting.”