CHAPTER 13 – Rice Cake Soup (Part 1)

“Seo-yeon, bring this to your grandmother first.”

After washing her hands to lend a hand, Seo-yeon came out and Mi-seon held out a bowl of braised short ribs to her.

When she called to say hello on New Year’s morning, Mi-seon said that if Seo-yeon had nothing else planned, they could have tteokguk (rice cake soup) together for lunch. Since Seo-yeon didn’t have any other commitments on this holiday, she drove to Yangpyeong.

“Grandma was very hungry, so I prepared for her first.”

Seo-yeon picked up the tray. In front of her grandmother, sitting in the living room, was a small table with rice cake soup, and side dishes. Completely engrossed in a singing contest program, Grandma kept her eyes fixed on the TV as she scooped up some rice cake soup and slurped it noisily.

“Grandma, this is your favorite braised ribs.”

Seo-yeon set the bowl of braised short ribs down on the table, and the old woman picked up a piece briskly. After chewing for a while, she clattered her chopsticks down. Still staring at the TV, she said.

“Tasteless.”

“What?”

“The braised ribs aren’t tasty. They’re tough. They’re not as good as what your mother made.”

Seo-yeon smiled painfully. Suddenly, Grandma turned her head towards Seo-yeon and looked into her eyes.

“When is your mother coming back? She said she was going to the hospital, but why hasn’t she returned yet?”

Grandma’s eyes were cloudy and opaque like calcified. Her eyes darted around, searching for her mother.

Even when she was sick, Seo-yeon’s mother worried about her grandmother. Despite occasionally being stubborn and difficult, she had eventually found comfort in her mother-in-law’s love and care, saying that it was more comforting than her own mother’s care.

Despite everyone’s objections that she might collapse, Grandma had personally led Seo-yeon’s mother’s funeral with her aged body. Seo-yeon still remembered what Grandma had said at that time.

‘Let’s give her a good send-off. My daughter-in-law, let’s send her off better than anyone else. My daughter-in-law, may she be born as my daughter in the next life.’

With tears welling up in her eyes, Seo-yeon forced a smile.

“She’ll be back soon. The rice cake soup is getting cold. Please eat quickly.”

Upon hearing that, Grandma turned her head again. On the TV, a lady in a gorgeous dress appeared, swaying her body and singing enthusiastically. Her attention was quickly drawn to the TV, and she laughed at what was so funny and picked up her cutlery again.

“It’s ready. Come and eat.”

Mi-seon raised her voice to call everyone. Sangcheol, who had gone to the study to make a phone call, also came out. On the dining table, there were three bowls of rice cake soup with warm steam rising, along with braised ribs and various side dishes.

“What about Haewon?”

Seo-yeon asked as she took her seat. She thought Haewon was in her room on the second floor, but seeing the table set, it seemed like she was completely absent from home.

“She ate breakfast and went out.”

Mi-seon replied casually.

“She’s been working part-time lately. There’s a café nearby.”

Sangcheol, sitting across from her, said with an indifferent expression.

“Is there even a café open on New Year’s Day?”

“Maybe they’re busier because it’s a holiday.”

“She shouldn’t waste time and try to improve her TOEIC score. Tsk tsk.”

Sangcheol clicked his tongue. It was almost time for graduation, and Seo-yeon wondered if Haewon had any plans or not. If she wanted to find a job, she would need to build up her resume and credentials. His father and stepmother have a conversation about Haewon. Seo-yeon listened out of the corner of her eye and remembered Haewon’s face when she was still young.

It must have been hard for her to stay at home all day with her grandmother and stepmother when she was so young. Seo-yeon quietly picked up some rice cake soup and put it in her mouth. Mi-seon was still talking about Haewon.

“I wonder if she goes to her part-time job or goes out to play.”

Mi-seon shook her head and placed a piece of well-marbled ribs on Sangcheol’s plate as she said.

“She seemed depressed for a while, but ever since she started working part-time, she’s been holding onto her phone and giggling. She seemed so excited to go out again today.”

Listening to Mi-seon’s story, Seo-yeon felt strangely fortunate.

A home with no place to attach herself. Sehyun probably isn’t the best guy for Haewon. Perhaps it would be better for Haewon to find joy in doing something she likes rather than get caught between them. It wouldn’t hurt for her to meet new people.

Thinking about Haewon’s circumstances even when she came to eat rice cake soup was unexpected. It seems like just yesterday she was shaking when she found out Sehyun cheated on her. While she was amusing herself with her thoughts, Mi-seon asked her.

“Seo-yeon, Team Leader Lee Sehyun is coming tomorrow, right?”

“Yes, he probably will.”

Tomorrow, the first Sunday of the new year, was the Hanseong Group’s New Year’s gathering. While executives were invited with their spouses, it wasn’t necessary for their children to attend. This year, Seo-yeon received a separate invitation in her own name, so she decided to attend. She hadn’t attended for a few years since her first attendance when she was a university student.

Sehyun was talking about the New Year’s gathering, so he will definitely come. Just imagining them trying to pretend to still be a couple gave her a headache.

“The president and his wife will also be there, why don’t we have a formal introduction?”

Mi-seon spoke excitedly with a voice that made Seo-yeon feel dizzy just thinking about it. Seo-yeon forced a smile and replied.

“It might be a bit early for that. We haven’t really talked about it yet, and we’ve only met a few times because we’re both busy. I’ll discuss it with Sehyun slowly.”

Sangcheol nodded. Perhaps it would be better for her to greet the chairman and then excuse herself and leave early. Since a long conversation wouldn’t be pleasant, Seo-yeon changed the subject.

“By the way. The gold-colored square bag that Mother was looking for has arrived at the store.”

Mi-seon’s eyes sparkled at Seo-yeon’s words. She couldn’t believe that a gold-colored square bag was so rare, unattainable even with money. Mi-seon had asked Seo-yeon for it a few times, but each time, it had been snatched up by someone who had a reservation first.

“Fortunately, Chairman Kang’s wife canceled her reservation saying she found it at another branch.”

“Oh, really? Honey, it’s the square bag. The square bag.”

Mi-seon looked at Sangcheol, her eyes shining. Sangcheol made a loud cough sound and looked away.

“I can hold it until tomorrow.”

Seo-yeon’s words made Mi-seon smile widely as she looked at Sangcheol. Mi-seon urged him, “Honey, what do you think? Hmm? Hmm?” As Mi-seo nudged him, Seo-yeon asked Sangcheol.

“Dad, what do you want me to do?”

Sangcheol showed a resigned expression. Mi-seon laughed joyfully. Hearing that sound, Seo-yeon began to eat her rice cake soup again.

After finishing the meal, Seo-yeon set off back to Seoul. The sky outside the car window was high and clear. The panoramic view was refreshing. Seo-yeon drove slowly along the Bukhan River.

She saw a rest stop in the distance. She thought about stopping and buying a cup of coffee, but suddenly, her cell phone rang. A familiar name popped up on the screen.

[CEO Hwang Dojun]

Why today, of all days? What does he want on the first day of the new year?

After checking the caller ID, Seo-yeon left the phone ringing. She hoped it would hang up on its own, but the phone stopped ringing for a moment and then started again. 

Persistent indeed. 

Even so, she refused to answer. The phone ringing sounded like it was talking to her. Seo-yeon sighed and pressed the speakerphone button.

“Yes, CEO.”

She forced her voice to sound cheerful to hide the fact that she didn’t want to answer.

— What are you doing now?

Dojun’s voice echoed through the space.

“I just had lunch at my parents’ house and I’m on my way home.”

— Are you driving?

“Yes.”

Please hang up quickly then. Oh, before that, I should ask about his well-being. 

Seo-yeon politely asked Dojun.

“How have you been, CEO? Have you eaten?”

Her voice came out disgustingly cheerful even though her mouth wasn’t properly rinsed. At times like this, Seo-yeon felt like she was like a vending machine. Put in a coin and press firmly, and it would automatically spit out the pre-set comment, like a vending machine.

— Not yet.

Dojun’s response was short. 

Oh, okay. You haven’t eaten yet. If you haven’t eaten, why are you calling me instead of having a meal?

Thinking that he must have something to say, Seo-yeon waited for a moment, but Dojun remained silent. 

If you called, then say what you need to say. Why do you keep pausing? 

Unable to wait any longer, Seo-yeon asked first.

“May I ask what you called for?”

— Just because.

Just because?

Seo-yeon was dumbfounded. She couldn’t believe it, calling on the first day of the new year, a legal holiday marked in red on the calendar, he called, just because? It was unbelievable. As she brushed her hair in disbelief, Dojun spoke.

— I was curious if you will also attend the New Year’s gathering.

“Yes, I will be attending.”

— So, will I see you tomorrow?

What should I say in response to that?

She can’t just say, “Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow,” nor tell him to hang up if he had said everything he wanted to. After some thought, Seo-yeon brought up work-related matters.

“Did you like the outfits I put together for you on Friday?”

— I haven’t had a proper look at them yet.

“If you don’t like them, please let me know anytime. I’ll come visit again.”

As soon as she finished speaking, she realized her mistake. She shouldn’t have said she’d visit again.

Saying she would visit again if the clothes weren’t to his liking was something she often said when she played the role of Chairman Hwang’s shopper.

But it’s not Chairman Hwang Ilhyun now, it’s Hwang Dojun. He had no intention of resetting the clothes. She frowned in annoyance at her mistake, but Dojun’s voice rang out.

— Let me check now. Just a moment.

What? Surely he didn’t actually mean that, right?

While Seo-yeon panicked, there was silence on the other end of the receiver. She could faintly hear Dojun moving around, the sound of the door opening, and the sound of clothes rustling from being hung up. After a suffocating amount of time passed, Dojun spoke.

— Um… they’re not as good as I thought.

As Seo-yeon was taken aback and struggled for words, Dojun spoke slowly.

— I think you’ll have to come again.

Seo-yeon gripped the steering wheel tightly and said to Dojun.

“Then I’ll come back on Monday afternoon and set it up again.”

She replied with clenched teeth, and then Dojun spoke slowly.

— What am I going to do? They’re clothes for the New Year’s gathering.

Ugh.

As anger surged up to her throat, Dojun spoke again.

— Fortunately, I have time now.

Now? Is he telling me to come now?

“Now?”

In Seo-yeon’s voice, unable to completely hide her surprise, Dojun replied.

— Should I just go as it is then?

Haa……. Seo-yeon bit her lips tightly and took a deep breath.

I’m crazy, why did I make such a mistake?

“Alright, I’ll be on my way.”

She pressed on Dojun’s home address in the navigation’s recent list. The estimated travel time was about 40 minutes. Seo-yeon turned the steering wheel.