From fruit baskets bought at the department store food hall to a luxury tea set, the gongjin-dan was contained in a mother-of-pearl lacquerware box, giving off an especially expensive look. Though disguised with cheap kraft paper bags, it was obviously a gift that cost quite a bit of money.
“No.”
Having finished the inspection, Jun-wan refused the gifts on his own terms. At the firm tone, Yu-shin reacted as if he had expected this. Even so, he exchanged regretful glances with Chief Manager Min.
“Then… at least the gongjin-dan.”
Jun-wan stopped him with a look as he sneakily picked up one shopping bag. In the end, he had no choice but to put even that back down. The person has no flexibility at all. Yu-shin glared with wide eyes in protest, but it didn’t work at all on someone with a firm stance.
“What about the painting?”
Chief Manager Min handed over a paper bag she had kept separately to one side. Though the size itself was small, it was quite heavy due to layers of wrapping. Jun-wan personally took care of Yu-shin’s painting. Rather than roughly putting it in the trunk, he carefully placed it in the back seat and even meticulously fastened the seatbelt as if treating a person.
“Chief Manager Min Ae-gyeong. Please get in. I’ll take you home.”
“I brought my car, so it’s fine. Don’t worry about me and hurry along.”
Receiving Chief Manager Min’s farewell, both of them got in the car. On the way to the family home, Yu-shin looked out the window and sighed repeatedly. His white face was noticeably tense.
Jun-wan glanced sideways at that sight. Quietly swallowing the rising laughter inside, he adjusted his grip on the steering wheel.
“You said you weren’t nervous. What’s there to sigh about?”
“It’s a birthday celebration in name, but I feel embarrassed going empty-handed.”
Yu-shin seemed to regret having the gifts refused for a long time. Once again, the sound of a ground-sinking sigh was heard in the quiet car.
“Just conveying your heart is enough.”
“My heart was fully contained in there, you know? Inside those shopping bags that Jun-wan left behind.”
Yu-shin sneakily turned his head to look at Jun-wan. It’s not too late yet. He sent an earnest gaze asking if they couldn’t go back and get them right now.
He wasn’t someone who would be swayed by that. Jun-wan stubbornly looked straight ahead and said:
“The painting loaded in the back is much more valuable.”
“It doesn’t even have my seal on it. It’s not even Ungang’s work, so would it even get a proper appraisal?”
Well. Jun-wan couldn’t agree with that statement. Even he, who was completely ignorant, had been impressed when he first saw it. If his father, who had deep knowledge of art, saw it, he would surely be surprised.
After driving for thirty minutes, they arrived at Jun-wan’s family home. The 60-pyeong apartment was an old building, but due to its superior geographical location, its real estate value was at the top tier. Yu-shin looked with curiosity at the exterior of the apartment that seemed old enough to collapse at any moment, the residents’ appearances that contrasted with it, and the parked foreign cars, then followed closely at Jun-wan’s side.
“Welcome. You must have had a hard time coming.”
It seemed they were the last guests, as the entire family was waiting outside the front door. As if by appointment, warm welcomes poured out.
Yu-shin politely greeted the unfamiliar people. Jun-wan’s parents had somewhat strict impressions. The family tradition of the Cheongseon Park Clan emanated from their upright posture, and they preferred neat attire over flashy decorations. Despite their thin frames, they had a calm atmosphere—a style of gentle on the outside but strong on the inside, so to speak.
Since it was the first meeting after the marriage, it was inevitably awkward. As if understanding Yu-shin’s feelings, Madam Son, Jun-wan’s mother, deliberately smiled brightly and took care of Yu-shin. His eldest hyung and sister-in-law were similarly affectionate.
Amidst the hectic welcome, they stepped inside the house. As soon as they entered the living room, Yu-shin saw a large frame attached to the wall.
The landscape painting stretching 7 meters wide couldn’t help but catch the eye. The size itself was magnificent, and it was displayed like some precious treasure. It was Yu-shin’s representative work. He had heard about it, but seeing it actually hung up made his eyes spin.
“……”
He didn’t know how to manage his expression. More precisely, it would be correct to say he was embarrassed.
While Yu-shin was stuck in the living room just looking down at the floor, Madam Son moved busily and said:
“Is it okay to have dinner right away? The food’s been sitting for a while, so I’m worried it’ll get cold.”
“Yes. I’ll be right there.”
Jun-wan took Yu-shin and walked to the bathroom. While they took turns washing their hands at the sink, he examined Yu-shin’s face reflected in the mirror. His face was deathly pale with only his two cheeks red. Just looking at his eyes rolling around here and there, it was obvious his head was spinning right now.
“Relax.”
“No… I’m not nervous.”
Yu-shin opened his large eyes innocently. After reproaching Jun-wan, his stiff expression finally relaxed somewhat. Yu-shin also cooled the heat on his cheeks with his cold hands. While he blew small breaths, Jun-wan meticulously washed his hands. A faint smile formed on his lowered face.
They tried to hurry out to help, but the table was already set. Befitting a birthday table, it was filled with a feast enough to bend the table legs.
Yu-shin sat obediently in his designated seat. With so many family members, it felt bustling. When two baby chairs were added, the wide table was filled without any empty seats.
Yu-shin surveyed the neatly arranged brass bowls. It was a formal Korean table setting he was seeing after a very long time.
“You… made all this yourself?”
“Someone helped me. I’m embarrassed there’s not much prepared. Please eat a lot.”
Madam Son, sitting across from him, surveyed the dishes laid out on the table. As if not quite satisfied with something, she rearranged the plate positions several times.
“Jun-wan told me you can’t eat spicy food. This seasoned leaf vegetable dish has cheongyang peppers in it, so it’s much spicier than it looks. It’s better to be careful with this one.”
“…Ah, yes. Thank you.”
“Do you like steamed croaker by any chance? It came up from Beopseongpo this morning and was steamed so well there’s no fishy taste at all. It’s precious, so try it once.”
Yu-shin, holding his chopsticks, sneakily glanced to the side. Jun-wan, who had completely ratted out his eating habits, was thoroughly maintaining ignorance.
Light conversation between family members went back and forth over the table. The one leading the conversation was mainly the eldest hyung, Park Jun-seo.
Since he was so good with words, there were no gaps in the conversation. Especially when the babies became the topic, the family members all laughed without exception.
Talk about Jun-wan’s professorial appointment also came up. Minister Park, who had been sitting solemnly the whole time, casually tossed out a remark.
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
Jun-wan also responded calmly. As expected of father and son, their tones were similar. Starting with that, Minister Park began to deliver a lengthy speech.
“Universities have been called the cradle of intellect since ancient times. Korea University in particular is the ivory tower representing our country, isn’t it? Just because you’re teaching them, never think you’re in a superior position. Don’t be pretentious and always maintain a humble attitude.”
Old-fashioned admonishments continued on and on. Everyone seemed accustomed to it, treating Minister Park’s advice as background noise. Yu-shin also read the mood and quietly continued his meal. He refrained from showing any awkwardness as much as possible and chewed his food thoroughly.
“Mother, all the food is delicious.”
It wasn’t just for courtesy—the food really suited Yu-shin’s taste. Then Madam Son gave a bright smile. She even piled food that was far away high on an empty plate and handed it over.
“Try this too. This was made by the woman from Haeju who’s worked at our house for a long time—it’s clean and delicious.”
“I’ll enjoy it.”
The wheat pancake rolls filled with seasoned meat and various julienned vegetables seemed to have quite a lot of care put into them just by looking. Yu-shin picked up the wheat pancakes and also put a few on Jun-wan’s plate in front of him.
“……”
He felt a glancing look. Yu-shin sent an eye signal to eat together. Instead of responding, Jun-wan obediently moved his chopsticks.
The moment Jun-wan took a bite of the wheat pancake, he froze. When he looked to the side, Yu-shin was also just about to take a bite.
“Yu-shin.”
In his urgency, he called out the name directly. The moment Yu-shin firmly closed his molars, his expression hardened. There was peanut sauce inside.
With wide eyes and cheeks bulging, chewing stopped. The sauce with peanut’s distinctive taste spread to every corner of his mouth in an instant.
He could neither swallow nor chew. Not knowing what to do, Jun-wan spread his palm in front of Yu-shin’s mouth.
“Spit it out.”
Yu-shin had no time to think and spat out what was in his mouth. The food mixed with saliva poured onto the flatly spread palm. Jun-wan grabbed it as if it were nothing and stood up from his seat.
He took Yu-shin to the nearby sink and had him rinse his mouth. He never made a fuss at all. With the calm and systematic aftercare, Yu-shin’s surprised feelings also subsided.
“Did you eat it?”
“…No.”
“Rinse your mouth more.”
While the rinsing continued several times, the surprised family members stopped eating and stood up awkwardly, each in their own way. Madam Son in particular was very startled and followed them to the sink.
“What’s wrong, what happened?”
“Peanuts.”
Jun-wan quietly answered while washing his dirty hand. Unlike the two calm people, Madam Son was quite restless.
“Oh no. But I definitely told them not to use peanuts.”
“It’s okay, Mother. I didn’t eat it.”
Yu-shin said while wiping his wet mouth. As if the dining atmosphere had been ruined because of him, he deliberately smiled brightly.
He escorted Madam Son, who was at a loss with apologies, back to their seats.
“Don’t you need to go to the hospital? You’re not itchy or swollen anywhere?”
“No, I’m fine. I apologize during the meal.”
Adding a courteous apology, Yu-shin deliberately acted as if nothing was wrong. To show he was fine, he also diligently pushed food into his mouth.
“Kim Yu-shin, tell me right away if there’s anything wrong.”
