27.1

Seonkyung is sure that her father-in-law must have already completed his investigation of Chaeyoon. His silence almost certainly confirmed it.

“You think my position in the family isn’t significant, huh? It’s okay if you call me ‘mother’, so what’s the problem?”

Seonkyung narrowed her eyes, adopting an authoritative posture.

Of course, Chaeyoon wasn’t intimidated by this.

“It’s just being cautious. After the formal meeting, I’ll definitely change how I address you.”

Chaeyoon giggled and smiled amiably.

Was she implying that they might not end up getting married after the meeting, so she would change how she addresses her if the marriage was certain? She’s oddly thorough even in trivial matters.

“Even if it’s just to hear you call me ‘mother’, I will absolutely marry you two off.”

Seonkyung said through gritted teeth. Her voice was uncharacteristically cold, but her resolve was fierce.

Honestly, whether she was called ‘mother’ or ‘chairman’, Seonkyung wouldn’t usually care given her nature. The reason this trivial matter annoyed her was due to Chaeyoon’s attitude—always pleasing and polite yet maintaining a deliberate distance.

Chaeyoon’s attitude of “I’m not part of the family yet, so this is where I draw the line.” kept frustrating Seonkyung. That’s why she ended up pushing the marriage, instead of the two of them begging for it.

“Well, I’d be grateful then.”

“Are you really grateful? Never mind, go dry your hair before you catch a cold.”

Seonkyung waved her hand dismissively and gracefully sat on the sofa.

“Yes. Would you like something to drink?”

“Yes, see, daughters-in-law are indeed better than sons. Could you get me a drink?”

“She’s not your daughter-in-law yet.”

Seonho playfully objected as he sat down opposite her.

“Alright, future daughter-in-law. Happy now?”

Chaeyoon smiled slightly as she looked at them.

They seemed like they could understand each other well, given their similar personality and appearances, but instead, they bickered constantly, like Tom and Jerry.

Still, Seonho said this was their way of showing closeness. Apparently, they didn’t even talk this much before.

“What would you like? Coffee? Tea? Or maybe juice?”

“Something cold, please.”

“Ah, I made some fruit ade. How about that?”

“Sure, that will do.”

Chaeyoon took out the ade she had prepared from the fridge and poured it into a glass for Seonkyung.

“Oh, the color is really pretty.”

Before tasting it, Seonkyung admired the beautiful pink hue of the ade.

“Mrs. Ko sent me some fruit tea and the recipe. I made the concentrate just like she said, and it turned out great.”

“Mrs. Ko sent you tea again?”

Seonkyung’s eyebrows twitched as she took a sip of the ade. Mrs. Ko had liked the jewelry Chaeyoon had made and had been in frequent contact with her ever since, claiming to be a patron.

“It tastes good.”

“I talked to her a few days ago. She was working on some recipes and asked me what I thought about this new tea she developed.”

“How nosy. Why is she telling a busy girl about tea flavors? Shouldn’t she be asking her own daughter instead?”

“Mother, you come to see Chaeyoon more often than her mother does.”

Seonho interjected cheekily, proving himself to be Seonkyung’s antagonist.

“Before coming, I make sure to ask Ah-young, no, your future mother-in-law, if she wants to come too. But she’s been busy and hasn’t been able to come.”

Thinking about it, maybe it would be bothersome if the future in-law visited often too.

But shouldn’t Chaeyoon be closer to her future mother-in-law than her friend’s mother?

Seonkyung pursed her lips.

“My mom is like that. In a good way, she lets me be free, in a bad way, she’s like being neglectful. She’s been busy learning new things lately. Anyway, enjoy your drink. I’ll go dry my hair.”

Chaeyoon went to dry her hair.

“Don’t you want to get married?”

Once alone, Seonkyung asked Seonho.

“Of course I do.”

“Then why are you treating me this way?”

“Will you visit less often once we’re married?”

“That’s unlikely. Haven’t I told you? Mothers-in-law love their daughters-in-law.”

“Is it really just your daughter-in-law you’re going to love?”

“Well, you’re lucky, aren’t you? Getting married to Chaeyoon?”

As they engaged in their childish spat, Chaeyoon returned to the living room, her hair dried.

“By the way, what’s our flight time? Shouldn’t we hurry?”

“Take it easy. We’ll schedule the takeoff when it’s time.”

Chaeyoon tilted her head slightly, not immediately grasping Seonkyung’s remark.

“Did you come on a chartered flight?”

T/N: A chartered flight is a flight that is booked outside of a traditional airline schedule and rented by a specific group of passengers for special use. 

Seonho asked in a tone that mixed surprise and admiration.

“Yep. I don’t like dealing with the crowds.”

Chaeyoon’s mouth dropped open at Seonkyung’s words.

She had assumed first class, but a private jet was on another level. It underscored just how extravagantly wealthy their family really was.

“Would it be too much interference from a prospective mother-in-law to go get our hair and massages done together, and shop for clothes to wear at the formal meeting when we arrive?”

Seonkyung asked with a haughty expression.

“Not at all. My hair was a mess anyway. I really appreciate your care.”

“Your mom agreed to join us too.”

“Thank you.”

“I should be the one thanking you. It’s great that your busy mom agreed to come along.”

Seonkyung sighed deeply and sipped her sweet ade. 

These mother-daughter dynamics were oddly complex yet not straightforward.

***

The day before the formal meeting, Seonho was invited to Chaeyoon’s home and sat across from her parents at the dining table. Seonho was not usually nervous, but today he felt a bit tense.

“I’m not great in the kitchen, but I thought I should cook at least once for my future son-in-law.”

Ah-young spoke cheerfully, smiling at Seonho.

“Did you really make this, Mom?”

Chaeyoon asked, her eyes widening.

With dishes like braised short ribs, spicy skate salad, glass noodles, salmon salad, beef radish soup, and various side dishes, it didn’t seem like her mother’s handiwork.

It smelled like my aunt’s food.

“Who cares who made it? As long as it tastes good, right?”

Ah-young deftly avoided directly claiming credit, hinting that it was indeed the aunt’s culinary skills.

“Where’s Auntie? She should have stayed for dinner. Her cooking is really delicious.”

Chaeyoon openly mentioned her aunt.

“You can see her next time. It’s your fiancé’s first visit to our home, it’d be uncomfortable with too many adults around.”

Ah-young seemed to have no intention of insisting that she cooked, acknowledging that her sister had made the food.

“Eat up. You can be sure of the quality since my sister-in-law made it.”

Chaeyoon’s dad said gently with a smile.

“Ah, yes.”

Seonho was somewhat culturally shocked to see such gentle smiles from men. Apart from his grandfather’s occasional cheeky grin, his father and older brother didn’t smile.

“These are all my favorite foods.”

Chaeyoon’s eyes sparkled with delight.

“Really? These are your favorites?”

Knowing these were her favorites made Seonho take a closer look at the dishes.

“Have you ever tried spicy skate salad?”

Chaeyoon pointed at the brightly seasoned skate and asked.

“Skate? I don’t think I’ve ever had it.”

“Try some.”

Chaeyoon picked up some with her chopsticks and placed them in Seonho’s rice bowl.

“Hey, it can be tough for first-timers, so don’t force him.”

Ah-young cautioned Chaeyoon.

“You won’t know if you can eat it until you try. It’s hard to find spicy skate salad in London. Eat it while you can. If you can’t, just swallow it.”

“Shouldn’t I spit it out?”

“Why waste it? Just gulp it down. I gave you a small piece, you won’t die.”

“The way you’re saying it is making me really nervous.”

“It is tasty! Don’t come asking for it later in London.”

“That’s right, it can be surprisingly addictive.”

Chaeyoon’s dad chimed in with a dignified voice.

“But everyone has different food preferences, so don’t force it. If you don’t want to eat it, that’s fine.”

“Mom, are you already taking the side of your future son-in-law?”

Chaeyoon pouted her lips playfully.

“Is this taking sides? It’s merely being rational, sweetheart. You wouldn’t like it either if someone forced you to do something you dislike.”

“That’s true. If you don’t like it, don’t eat it.”

Seemingly convinced by Ah-young’s words, Chaeyoon backed down.

“I’ll try it though.”

Seonho took a bite of the spicy skate salad. The tangy sweetness and chewy texture spread throughout his mouth.

“How is it? Not too bad, right?”

“It tastes kind of like cucumber salad. It’s unique.”

Seonho nodded, then swallowed with an audible gulp.

Chaeyoon giggled at his reaction. Perhaps because they were at her home but Chaeyoon was more excited than usual, acting younger. It was true about what she said that she tended to act more affectionate at home.

Seonho had seen Ah-young in different settings when she worked as Mrs. Ko’s secretary, and her demeanor at home was quite different from her professional persona. Everyone seemed relaxed and happy.

It was a light, bubbly atmosphere. It was the atmosphere that emanated from Chaeyoon in her childhood, which Seonho could not understand back then.