TYW Ch 5.1

Rieul learned to arrange flowers from the florist teacher. She intended to put them in her grandfather’s room, but was told flowers shouldn’t be placed in a patient’s room, so she arranged small succulent plants in her grandfather’s room.

“Grandpa.”

“Yes, dear.” Rieul blushed.

“I’m Rieul, not a baby.”

Grandpa laughed heartily at Rieul’s answer. “In Korea, a beloved child is often called ‘dear’ (baby)—”

“Am I a beloved child?”

“Of course.” Grandpa, leaning on the bed in a slouched position, grasped Rieul’s soft hand with his rough hand.

“Our youngest granddaughter. The youngest baby.”

“Grandpa.”

“I’m having dinner with Lee Woogeon on Wednesday night. Is that alright?”

“Why not? Tell him to buy lots of delicious food.”

“It feels a bit strange.”

“What’s strange?”

“I don’t know, but every time I see Lee Woogeon, my heart beats fast.”

“That’s a good sign, right?”

“Good feel?”

“That’s right. Oh, Rieul.”

“Yes, grandpa.”

“You know David Kwon, right?”

“David… Ah, do you mean the son of US Congressman Chris Kwon?”

“Yes, David. He used to study at Caltech, right?”

“Yes, I remember. David.” Rieul smiled gently and answered.

“He’ll be joining Korea Electronics soon, and on Thursday, he’ll come to this house to say hello.”

“Really?”

“That kid likes you, you know.”

Rieul paused for a moment and felt awkward. “Grandpa—That’s our little secret. Secret.”

Grandpa laughed heartily. “Why, it’s a secret.”

“If Lee Woogeon hears it, he might be upset.”

“Let him be upset. He needs to know how popular and beautiful his wife is. He always thinks he’s the greatest person in the world. He needs to know that his wife is also popular and beautiful—”

“Grandpa—” Rieul felt awkward and held her grandpa’s arm— Grandpa just laughed heartily.

***

After sending her husband off in the morning, in the afternoon, Rieul took a traditional Korean cooking class, taught by an Andong cuisine expert, provided by her mother-inlaw. After class, Rieul quickly showered and dressed up, and when she looked at the clock, it was already past 3 PM.

She planned to meet her husband, Woogeon, at 4:30 PM. Rieul, while enjoying the colorful autumn scenery in Wooheonwon, walked slowly towards the front gate, where the car was waiting. As soon as she got into the back seat of the car, the car sped towards Pyeongchang-dong.

Arriving at the seafood restaurant that had been arranged according to Woogeon’s recommendation, dusk was falling, and the beauty of the colorful autumn was clear. The scenery was so beautiful that Rieul couldn’t help but exclaim, “Wow.”

Woogeon’s red car was already parked in the outdoor parking lot, and the car Rieul was in immediately stopped in front of the restaurant. Woogeon got out of the driver’s seat of his car.

“Perfect timing. I came early because I was worried about being late—”

“Be careful while driving. It’s okay if you’re late.”

Rieul approached Woogeon with quick steps, wearing an olive green autumn coat. Her face looked full of joy.

Lately, Woogeon’s face looked softer—When he first saw Rieul, he always looked upset and frowning, but now his handsome expression always looked relaxed.

“I wanted to show you this view. 4 PM dusk. The sun sets earlier now, so we can’t see it after 6 PM. Autumn in Pyeongchang-dong is very beautiful.”

“It’s very beautiful, Woogeon.”

“Did you say I’m beautiful?”

Woogeon smiled thinly with a slight joke, and Rieul laughed innocently. Woogeon pressed his lips to Rieul’s forehead affectionately.

***

The window behind the chef’s kitchen showed the beautiful autumn scenery in Pyeongchang-dong, which was clearly visible from their seats. The scenery was like a painting, so Rieul couldn’t help but admire it.

This sashimi restaurant, similar to a traditional Korean restaurant, was inspired by hanok (traditional Korean house) design, with a very neat and minimalist interior, reflecting simple Korean beauty. Woogeon ordered the set menu.

“Do you like sashimi?” Woogeon asked.

“Very much. Michael often bought me delicious sashimi. Also, there are many sushi restaurants in America,” Rieul replied. “But…”

Rieul looked around. There were no other guests in the restaurant except her and her husband. “Usually there’s no one at this hour, right?”

“That’s right, we booked this time—”

“Yes, I rented the restaurant for this hour. So we can eat leisurely.”

“Wow.”

Rieul stared at Woogeon with wide eyes full of admiration—Woogeon smiled casually at that gaze—Shortly after, the chef came and placed the cooked and thickly sliced sashimi on Rieul’s plate.

“This is like a rich person.”

“Yeon Rieul, this is indeed like a rich person.”

Rieul pouted. “All this is thanks to my husband, so I can move up in class.”

“Is that a problem?”

“It’s something I’m grateful for.”

Woogeon chuckled in a low voice. Rieul, unintentionally, stared at her husband who looked increasingly handsome.

Has he always been this good? Has he always been this gentle? In the past, she only thought of him as a scary person.

“By the way, I heard a guest is coming on Thursday.”

“Yes, David.”

“Do you know David?”

Woogeon held the chopsticks and looked at Rieul in confusion.

“I’ve eaten with Grandpa and David’s family a few times in Seattle,” Rieul said, dipping the chewy and hard sea cucumber, which had a good texture, into the oil sauce and bringing it to her mouth to bite slowly.

“Are you close to David?”

“Yes, we’re close. David is a good person,” Rieul replied with an innocent smile.

When Rieul looked at Woogeon, his eyebrows furrowed again, showing discomfort as before.

“What’s wrong with you?”

“What do you mean?” Woogeon drank a bottle of soju and didn’t look at Rieul.

“Your eyebrows are furrowing like that again”

Rieul mimicked the furrowed eyebrow expression, and Woogeon chuckled in confusion.

“It’s not that.”

“Does David make you uncomfortable?”

“I’m close to David. But I didn’t expect you to know David.” Woogeon said casually, sipping soju, then suddenly furrowed his eyebrows sharply.

“Woogeon?”

Woogeon laughed heartily, looking confused, then leaned back in his chair and raised his eyebrows. He gently bit his lower lip.

“Woogeon, your lips will get damaged.”

“Is Liv your English name, Yeon Rieul?”

“Yes. How do you know?”

What is this situation again?

***

David, a third-generation Korean-American, is the son of a US Congressman and a professional who was accepted into the planning division of this Korean electronics headquarters on his grandfather’s recommendation—Woogeon also met David a few times when he traveled to California for work. Each time, Woogeon heard stories about his wife, Yeon Rieul, whom he didn’t know before, through David.

David liked Rieul, or rather, his wife, Yeon Rieul. Or, does he still like her? The name “Rieul” was very common, but Woogeon never thought that Rieul was his wife, Yeon Rieul.

“Why is that, Woogeon?”

“Are you close to David?”

“Just a casual relationship—”

“Is that so?”

“Of course. There’s nothing to doubt.”

Woogeon looked at Rieul sharply, then took a piece of sashimi with chopsticks and touched it to Rieul’s lips. Rieul, who was still young, widened her eyes, then looked away and gently accepted the sashimi like a little bird pecking at food.

“Yeon Rieul.”

“Yes, Woogeon—”

“Mint Chocolate Latte—How about we have Mint Chocolate Latte after eating?”

“Wow, that’s great!”

Seeing Rieul welcoming with wide eyes, Woogeon laughed.

“What do you like?”

“Between Mint Chocolate Latte and Woogeon, which do you like more?”

Rieul looked surprised, her ears flushed with embarrassment.

‘How cute.’

“What about Woogeon?”

“What do you mean?”

“Sometimes you’re childish.”

“Childish?”

“How can you compare Mint Chocolate Latte with Woogeon?”

“So you’re saying you like toothpaste flavor more?” Rieul puffed out her cheeks and sighed deeply.

“I like Mint Chocolate Latte, and I also like Woogeon.”

“That’s unclear wordplay, an expression that only tries to please both sides. That’s not the answer I want—”

Rieul looked at Woogeon annoyed and snapped a little. Her annoyed face made people feel impatient and made Woogeon smile thinly. Rieul bit her lip. Anyway, she was very cute.

“I like Woogeon more.”

Woogeon’s eyebrows furrowed. He felt a strange throb in his heart.

‘Ah, it really feels hot.’

The hot sensation spread to the top of his head, and Woogeon was forced to grip tightly as his vision suddenly felt shaky.

David, a 24-year-old computer engineering major, wasn’t very interested in women. So far, he didn’t seem to have any interest, and people thought so.

“Bro, I have a question.”

“What is it?”

“What should I do to a woman?”

“What?”

This happened a few years ago, around the time of the annual CES in Las Vegas. When he went to Las Vegas, Woogeon stopped by California to visit David. They were college students who rarely met, so they ate together and drank a little alcohol at a Korean tent bar. David, who was usually known among engineering students as a bright student who only focused on studying, didn’t care much about fashion or appearance—he was a very typical nerd.

“What should I do to that woman?”

“David, is there a girl you’re interested in?”

David’s face turned red. The eyes outside the silver glasses frame moved with difficulty.

“She’s beautiful. Younger than me, but spirited and strong. Her gaze is intelligent and friendly. Every word she says is very warm. The world around her is only dark, but she shines like a pearl that emits light. Her voice is low. Like a ‘do’ on a piano. Her voice is low, but steady and full of warmth. She’s not tall, but she always stands upright and holds her back straight. When talking to her, it feels like my soul is purified.”

It was clear he was the type to idealize his partner, who had never experienced dating before.

“David, that woman won’t be as great as you say. You admire her too much.”

“No, she’s great. Really a beautiful woman. She’s different from the disposable women you meet.”

“I don’t think those women are not special. They are also amazing, that’s why I want to meet them even once.”

David pursed his lips.

“Anyway, how to attract a woman’s attention? No matter how good I am to her, she only sees me as a same-sex friend. She feels comfortable and thinks I’m younger than my age.” “David, whether it’s the same sex or different sex, humans are weak to looks.”

“You’re cool enough. I’m not blaming you. But appearance is also an attraction factor that can attract attention. At least try to change your style. To be attractive rationally. I’m not saying you have to be a popular quarterback. At least your body and dressing style should make women feel you have a masculine side.”

“Alright, thank you, Hyung.”

“What’s her name?”

“Liv Greenwood.”

***

Rieul faced her friend whom she hadn’t seen for a long time, with a radiant face.

David had changed since the last day he saw Woogeon. The body lifted with weights was cut to look good and made into muscle, and the glasses used every day were changed to lenses. His hair wasn’t the stuffy feeling that covered his forehead, but beautifully parted and fresh-looking hair. He came in a suit, not a crumpled shirt or cotton pants.

“David, you’re amazing.”

Grandpa always praised David since he arrived at the house. David touched the back of his head with an embarrassed expression.

After finishing dinner, they were drinking tea while eating fruit after the meal. David’s gaze inevitably wandered from time to time to Rieul sitting next to Woogeon. Woogeon was heartbroken and ignored the gaze, but there was sadness and sorrow in David’s eyes looking at Rieul.

‘It’s rude to look at someone else’s wife like that, David.’ “I never thought our David would be so amazing. Very cool.”

David humbled himself with words that fanned his grandfather. “No. Bro, no, Woogeon Hyung told me to change.”

“Woogeon?” Grandpa reacted as if he had never heard of him.

Woogeon looked at David with a dry look. David, who had seen his eyes, couldn’t handle it properly and looked away.

“By the way, Grandpa.”

“Yes, David.”

“Is Rieul going to marry Woogeon Hyung?”

At David’s question, Grandpa brought ginseng tea and laughed heartily.

“Don’t you know that, Woogeon?”

“What do you mean?” Woogeon replied with an annoyed expression.

“That kid talks briefly. All, David told me, ‘Please help me date Rieul.’“

“Michael!” His wife, Rieul, blushed, then hurriedly called her grandfather.

“I know.”

“You know?”

His grandfather looked satisfied, and his wife, Rieul, also looked surprised. Woogeon stared at David for a long time. David also blushed, his ears looked red. His appearance had changed, but his body was still awkward.

“I like Liv, so I asked Hyung for advice.”

“To that kid? Why him? Someone without principles.”

“I’ll live with principles from now on.” Woogeon’s answer made Grandpa laugh heartily. ‘Why does that person laugh so often?’

“Hyung, don’t tell me you’ve known Liv since then?”

“I only met my wife recently. I didn’t know before.”

Woogeon’s answer made David look thoughtful, then he looked at Rieul.

“Liv, congratulations—You and Hyung are very compatible.”

“Thank you, David.”

“I didn’t know Michael would match Woogeon with Liv—In the past, when I really wanted to get close to Liv, he always said it was impossible.”

“You think he would match you with someone better?”

Grandpa smiled broadly, as if very happy.

‘Is he teasing?’

“No, I never imagined Woogeon would get married. Woogeon is popular, and it seems there’s no woman he likes.”

“I like my wife—” Woogeon said while drinking coffee.

The gaze of David, Grandpa, and his wife immediately turned to him.

Rieul felt anxious because Michael kept talking about her and David—Although it was said to be a secret, Grandpa casually talked about the conversation between David and her. Her husband, as usual, furrowed his eyebrows, showing all his dissatisfaction on his face—He seemed angry.

“I like my wife.”

Rieul was startled and almost dropped her teacup.

“My wife is charming. No one can dislike her.”

David’s face turned red.

“But, Hyung once told me. You said I idolize my partner too much. Do you think I still idolize Liv now?”

“No, David, you’re right. My wife is a very beautiful and amazing woman.”

Rieul felt her face flushed and her body felt hot

‘Why is this conversation turning this way?’

Rieul looked at her grandfather, hoping he could help. Grandpa’s eyes sparkled with joy. When Rieul showed a confused expression, Grandpa just blinked as if to say “just be quiet.”

“I’m still in the process of getting to know my wife—But David, as you said, my wife is tough and strong. And more importantly, now my wife likes me more than mint chocolate latte.”

There was a look of victory on Woogeon’s face.

David’s face stiffened—

“Alright, Woogeon. David, stop too. I’m embarrassed.”

“Hyung, your relationship is always shallow. Don’t hurt Liv.”

“Rieul is my wife, David. You don’t have to worry, I’m trying my best.”

***