Ryu Ji-ho attempted a joke, but the serious expressions on his parents' faces remained unchanged.
"You started delivering newspapers to pay for your taekwondo classes?" his father asked in a stern tone.
"It's not just because of that," Ji-ho replied, lowering his head.
"So, you're afraid that if you asked your mother for money, she wouldn't give it to you? So, you decided to act on your own?" his father continued, raising an eyebrow.
Ji-ho took a deep breath. "I apologize for deciding to work without discussing it with you both first. But this isn't just about the money."
"Then what is it really about?" his father pressed, still sounding calm yet firm.
Ji-ho lifted his head, meeting his parents' gaze with determination. "Dad, you work tirelessly at the office every day, even working overtime to support our family. Mom is also busy with her side jobs. I want to live as diligently as both of you. I want to learn and work hard, not just for the family, but for myself, too."
