5.3

Chaeyoon has two choices.

She could either feel ashamed for not being able to reject the money and thus succumbing to it, or she could become a designer who creates jewelry of greater value than this money.

And so, Chaeyoon’s decision was clear. She chose the latter option and to shake off the uneasy feeling, she took a deep breath, ready to clear her heart.

“Should I start worrying about my daughter too?”

Ah-young sat down next to Chaeyoon, watching as her daughter’s thoughts settled.

“What’s there to worry about? I’m perfect in every way, except for not being born into a chaebol family.”

Chaeyoon spoke with a boastful tone.

“I know. You’ve inherited your parents’ superior genes and were raised so well that you shine wherever you go.”

“So, it ends up being a brag about you, Mom?”

“Where do you think your confidence comes from? It’s the power of genetics.”

Ah-young was at the top of Chaeyoon’s list of difficult opponents to beat in verbal combat; conceding early was often the best strategy.

“So, what is it you want to say?”

“Your father and I just want you to be happy doing what you love.”

“Yes, that’s why you gladly agreed to let me study abroad. I’m grateful for that.”

“How could I oppose it when you’ve prepared so thoroughly? You want to study what you love. But I want you to understand that what you love doing and what you are good at doing aren’t always the same.”

“Are you saying that I might not have enough talent to become a jewelry designer?”

“I don’t know that. You haven’t even started yet. But you’ve always been told you’re capable and talented.”

“Because I’ve worked hard.”

“Yes. And you’ll work hard abroad and achieve results. But it might be different from what you’ve experienced here. It’s a bigger world out there, with more talents gathered from all around.”

“I’m prepared for that.”

Chaeyoon clenched her fist.

“Don’t be like that.”

Ah-young gently unclenched Chaeyoon’s fist.

“Huh?”

“It’s not necessary to be proficient in something you love doing. But knowing your personality, I’m worried that you might not be able to tolerate not excelling at it.”

“Was that your worry?”

Chaeyoon was surprised; it was a concern completely different from what she had thought.

“Yes. Chaeyoon, it’s okay to not be good at it. You already excel in other areas. But if you decide to pursue what you love over what you are good at, just do it to the extent that you enjoy. Don’t push yourself too hard to the point of exhaustion. Do just enough to feel fulfilled.”

Ah-young’s hands tenderly brushed Chaeyoon’s hair, filled with affection.

“It might sound irresponsible to say this to a daughter going abroad at great expense. We’re not wealthy. I know your character well enough to say that. You always get your money’s worth.”

A look of faith was evident on Ah-young’s face.

“I’m really lucky to have such a wise mother.”

A wave of emotion surged through Chaeyoon’s heart. She embraced her mother tightly. When she first entered the room, she was filled with anger, but her mother managed to dissolve all those feelings.

“I’m lucky to have a beautiful daughter like you. You’ve always been my pride.”

The emotional moment continued as the two comforted each other with a warm embrace. Suddenly, another arm wrapped around them. Chaeyoon looked up to see who it was.

“Dad!”

“Let me join in too.”

“Haha, of course! Come here, Dad.”

Chaeyoon stretched out one arm to welcome her father into the embrace, holding him tightly. Could there be a better form of healing?

***

At the airport, Chaeyoon sternly warned Joo-eun, who had come to see her off.

“Just a heads up, Joo-eun, don’t cry. It’s cheesy to have family come to the airport, so I said all my goodbyes at home. It’ll be really annoying if you start crying here.”

“Why would I cry? I’ll be visiting you soon enough. No tears here.”

Joo-eun said in a cheerful voice.

Chaeyoon was glad. She was worried about her last time they parted ways.

“Right.”

Chaeyoon lifted her head to glance at Seokhyun standing behind Joo-eun. She wondered what would happen to their secret love affair once she, Joo-eun’s alibi, was gone.

Would they really take a honeymoon trip to New York?

“Be careful there. New York can be a dangerous place.”

Seokhyun handed over some self-defense items to Chaeyoon, fussing over her safety.

“How thoughtful. I hadn’t even thought of that. Thanks, I’ll make good use of them. And… take care of Joo-eun for me.”

“I’ll make sure Joo-eun is happy, so you can feel good about how things turned out.”

Seokhyun’s bright smile was reassuring to Chaeyoon.

“I guess it’s time for me to go.”

“Take care. Let me know when you arrive. I’ll come to see you soon.”

After a firm hug, Joo-eun let go of Chaeyoon.

“Okay.”

As Chaeyoon walked toward the departure gate, she glanced back to see Joo-eun still waving her hand. 

Despite her earlier declaration of not crying, Joo-eun’s eyes were brimming with tears, growing red. Chaeyoon quickly turned her head away; she hated seeing Joo-eun upset.

She wants her to be happy.

***

“Phew.”

Chaeyoon breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the test results, which were due every Friday. This marked the end of her 7-week diamond grading course.

Both the design process and the appraisal process were fun because she wanted to study. However, the appraisal process was a bit more intense because there was an exam, and she had to do it every week.

In the beginning, she felt like she would collapse after each test, but now she seemed to have adapted and was faring better.

T/N: Conversations in […] is in English as the setting is in New York.

[Chaeyoon, first place again?]

As Chaeyoon dealt with the mixed remarks from her classmates, she maintained her composure.

Jessie, whose parents own a large jewelry store in Milan, approached Chaeyoon and said a teasing suspicion.

[Maybe the teacher is secretly giving her the test?]

Chen, a Chinese student whose family had been importing diamonds for 25 years, joked, not quite in jest.

On the first day, he had confidently introduced himself, saying he knew quite a bit about diamonds after working under his father. Perhaps that’s why he seemed so frustrated, having never ranked first in the diamond grading.

[Chen, you might want to be careful with your words. That’s not only insulting to me but also to our teacher.]

Chaeyoon replied in a calm yet warning tone.

[Right. Everyone knows how much of a study bug Chaeyoon is.]

Jessie added, always showing a fondness for Chaeyoon, perhaps due to her love for K-pop idols.

[True. With not much else to show for, she’d better have good grades.]

There was a hint of sarcasm in Chen’s voice.