Vol 1 Ch 2

The traffic congestion in Seoul during rush hour was nothing new, but today, when the road was not clearing even after the green light turned on, it was particularly severe.

 

Was there construction somewhere again? He tapped the steering wheel and couldn’t stand it any longer, so he lowered the window. What flowed in through the crack in the door was unexpectedly loud voices.

 

“No, you were the one who reversed. How can you reverse on the road?”

 

“Oh, I’m going crazy. Who’s reversing? What if you suddenly cut in like that!”

 

This…. Was it a construction site or a fight?

 

When he leaned out the open window, he saw two men stopping their cars in the middle of the road and raising their voices.

 

It was a common sight. Eventually, other cars began to carefully swerve around the problematic cars. Yeonho did the same.

 

And it was when he barely brushed past the two cars with their rear and front bumpers stuck together. Their grumbling voices poured in again through the still-open window.

 

“I’ve been watching you, you young punk! If you can’t drive, don’t drive a car. Are you a birdbrain?”

 

“What, what did you say? Who are you to talk! You’re the one who ate chicken and pretended you didn’t!”

 

Again, a common argument and familiar idioms. But at this common and familiar exchange, Yeonho slammed on the brakes without realizing it.

 

The car behind him honked in surprise at the sudden stop! Did they think he was scolding them? The two drivers who had been arguing finally stopped and looked back at the line of cars. Someone took the opportunity to lower their window and add a loud voice.

 

“Hey, mister. Don’t block traffic and call insurance! You should know better than to act like fighting cocks.”

 

It was Yeonho again who felt a sense of satisfaction in the hand holding the steering wheel at the grumbling rebuke.

 

After a few seconds. The car behind him started honking repeatedly as if to say, ‘Why aren’t you going!’

 

‘Ugh, what the hell!’

 

Yeonho, who gritted his teeth at no one in particular, stepped on the accelerator with all his might.

 

***

 

A typical affluent neighborhood in Seoul with rows of houses with gardens. Among them, the two-story red brick house located in the inner part of the neighborhood was Yeonho’s family home where he was born and raised.

 

Familiar trees and flowers blooming according to the season…. As he passed through the familiar garden and entered the equally familiar house, a familiar voice flew in again.

 

“You’re 15 minutes late.”

 

It was none other than Seojin who scolded him, glancing at her watch.

 

Yeonho had become independent from his family home after graduating from college, and Seohee, one of his twin sisters, had gotten married, but the second sister, Seojin, still lived at home. Well, she didn’t spend much time at home either.

 

As expected, she hadn’t arrived long ago. There was a nearly untouched drink in front of Seojin, who was dressed in her outdoor clothes. Yeonho picked up Seojin’s cup instead of greeting her. As he gulped down the drink without hesitation, Seojin’s eyes narrowed even more.

 

“What. Were you thirsty?”

 

Thinking about the small accident (?) on the way here, he was more thirsty for curses than for water.

 

“Just. More importantly, where’s elder sister? Hasn’t she arrived yet?”

 

“She’s in the master bedroom. She seems to have something to say to Grandma.”

 

“Just the two of them?”

 

His head tilted, but as if she couldn’t stand it, footsteps were heard from inside the hallway. It was the Shin Youngok, the grandmother of the siblings, and Seohee, Seojin’s identical twin.

 

The two, who looked so much alike that they could have been stamped out of a bread mold, were rarely mistaken for Seojin and Seohee once they opened their mouths.

 

That’s because….

 

“Yeonho~! When did you get here?”

 

Unlike Seojin, she had an undeniably pure atmosphere, smiling brightly at the welcoming words. It was as if the two twins were born sharing the necessary emotions of joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure.

 

Seojin frowned as Seohee, who quickly approached, even grabbed his arm.

 

“It’s like a reunion of separated families.”

 

“I didn’t see you last time~”

 

“That’s right. You’re only seeing him after two months, why are you so happy? Anyone would think he was born to your older sister.”

 

The nagging continued, but Seohee was busy scanning Yeonho’s body.

 

“Are you eating properly? Your face looks rough. I know a good herbal clinic, should I get you some tonic?”

 

Annoying nagging in a different way from Seojin. Yeonho pushed Seohee away.

 

“How old am I to be taking tonics already? More importantly, where’s brother-in-law? Why are you alone? Didn’t you come together?”

 

Seohee, who had a slightly disappointed expression at her brother keeping his distance, finally released the hand she had been holding.

 

“Jongsu went on a business trip. He was supposed to come back this week, but his schedule changed locally.”

 

Once a month at the shortest. Once every three or four months at the longest. Jongsu, the brother-in-law, boasted a high attendance rate at family gatherings led by his grandmother. Rather, it was Yeonho who often skipped out with various excuses.

 

‘If I had known, I would have skipped it too….’

 

Fatigue washed over him again at the unbalanced gender ratio, but it was impossible to skip it, thinking of Seojin, who had ‘kindly’ called him this morning.

 

Yeonho, suppressing a sigh, turned to Shin Youngok. He greeted her with his eyes, and she responded in kind. Instead of sitting on the sofa, she turned towards the kitchen.

 

“Now that everyone’s here, let’s eat.”

 

He had expected it since she told him to come home, but it seemed that today’s menu was home-cooked food. Yeonho’s eyes narrowed as he thought of the lady who was in charge of the kitchen at the main house. As plump as she was, she was overly generous.

 

He wouldn’t be able to leave before taking a digestive medicine today….

 

Resignation was evident in his slow steps towards the kitchen.

 

Even though he had complained so much, he had been accustomed to the taste of Jeonju’s wife, the kitchen helper, for almost 10 years before he became independent.

 

The table was full of food. She carefully watched the side dishes that Yeonho often reached for and asked with a smile.

 

“How is it? Is the pickled vegetable well fermented?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“I was thinking of Yeonho anyway, would you like me to pack some for you to take when you leave?”

 

Seohee, who had been busily stuffing her mouth, pouted at the question that came out as a matter of course.

 

“Auntie, what about me? I like pickled vegetables too… You didn’t even ask me.”

 

“Oh, you. Of course, we have some for our Seohee too~”

 

“Then I’ll have pickled vegetables and aged kimchi. Is there any marinated crab left? Auntie, Jongsu likes marinated crab.”

 

“Hey. Is this a side dish shop? Why are you guys trying to empty out someone else’s house?”

 

I only said ‘yes,’ but I was unfairly lumped in. I was about to say something, but Madam Shin, who had been quietly eating, picked up her water glass and put it down.

 

Jeonju-daek quickly read her expression. Then, muttering to herself, ‘I’ll have to see if there’s any aged kimchi left~’ she slipped out of the kitchen.

 

The three of them also sensed the strange atmosphere. As they stopped eating one by one, Madam Shin rinsed her mouth and looked at her grandchildren.

 

Usually, at this point, Seohee would be the one to ask, ‘What’s wrong, Grandma?’ But unlike her usual chatter, Seohee didn’t open her mouth. Yeonho, repeatedly sensing the suspicious atmosphere, looked back and forth between the two.

 

In that moment, Madam Shin opened her mouth.

 

“The reason I called you all home today is because I have something important to say.”

 

“……?”

 

“I have good news and bad news. Which do you want to hear first?”

 

Seojin and Yeonho exchanged glances. Seohee seemed to have some idea of what it was about. They said they had something to talk about between themselves… Could it be related to that?

 

They said the same thing as if they had rehearsed it.

 

“The bad news.”

 

“The bad thing.”

 

It was better to get hit first. Madam Shin seemed to have expected this, as she let out a chuckle. After a few seconds, she brought her hands together in front of her and moved her lips with a more solemn expression.

 

“You know Madam Kim of Mosan Paper, right?”

 

“Mosan… Is she a friend of Grandma’s?”

 

“Yes. I heard that Madam Kim has a great-grandchild now.”

 

It was an unexpected remark. Yeonho was speechless, and Seojin frowned.

 

“What? Why is it bad news that she has a great-grandchild? Isn’t it something to celebrate?”

 

“Of course. You know it well. Of course, it’s something to celebrate. But… what about me?”

 

“Huh?”

 

“How long do I have to keep celebrating other people’s good news? Other people’s children get married and have kids on time, but you guys… I’m the only one in that group who hasn’t seen a great-grandchild.”

 

Alas. As the complaints continued, it finally dawned on them. Yeonho quickly became serious. Seojin’s expression wasn’t much different.

 

Seohee was the only one who could be free from this scolding. Of course, Seohee was also the only one who could make excuses.

 

Naturally, the two turned to Seohee and pretended not to know anything.

 

“Oh, who isn’t getting married? We have a sister, right?”

 

“Exactly. Why are you making a perfectly married woman a spinster?”

 

But it was a futile attempt. Madam Shin even slammed the table.

 

“You guys. Is Seohee the only one getting married? You’re old enough to think about finding your own partners. How long are you going to waste your time like this!”

 

“No, who wants to? I told you, I’m married to my work. I’m already so busy these days. Forget about marriage, do I even have time to date? Grandma knows that best.”

 

She was right. Even though it wasn’t as big as a major corporation, Yeonho’s family had been running a food company for three generations as a family business. And Seojin, the second child, was taking over as the successor, following in the footsteps of her grandmother, the owner of the company.

 

Usually, the eldest child or son would inherit the family business, but Seohee, who had no ambition, had no talent as a businesswoman, and Yeonho had no interest in the family business whatsoever.

 

When Madam Shin chose Seojin as the successor, they both welcomed her choice without complaint.

 

Still, using it like this was another matter. Yeonho glared at Seojin as their united front rapidly crumbled.

 

“Are you the only one who’s busy? I’m busy too, you know?”

 

“Right, you must be busy. Chasing after guys. Who is it this time? An actor or a singer?”

 

“That’s low. Are you going to be like this?”

 

“Stop it. Can’t you two lower your voices? You guys always have to say ten words for every one word!”

 

As their voices grew louder, Madam Shin raised her voice as well. The two, sulking, turned their heads in different directions.

 

But there was no point in arguing here. Seojin, who had been coldly calculating, changed the mood first.

 

“Okay. I understand that you want to see a great-grandchild. But you shouldn’t be doing this to us. Even if you just look at the timing, my sister is the first in line to have a child, so why are you doing this to us?”

 

“What my sister said is a hundred times right.”

 

Yeonho didn’t miss the chance and quickly nodded when Seohee, who had been ignoring the three people’s dispute, stuck out her tongue slightly.

 

“Sorry. That’s a bit difficult.”

 

“Difficult…?”

 

“What is it? Sister, are you a DINK? Did you and brother-in-law decide not to have children?”

 

“It’s not that I’m a DINK, but……”

 

Seohee trailed off at the barrage of questions. Then, glancing at Madam Shin, she put on an awkward smile.

 

“I told Grandma in advance… Jongsu has Azoospermia.”

 

“What……permia?”

 

“In simple terms, he has no sperm.”

 

Seohee clearly spoke words that Yeonho could easily understand this time. Yeonho and Seojin’s movements stopped at once. Without realizing it, their gazes went to Yeonho’s crotch.

 

‘So, it’s… empty here??’

 

This year marked their fourth year of marriage. To be honest, there had been no news of a child till now. Still, matters regarding children were something for the couple to handle on their own, so he assumed they were taking care of it. That was why he hadn’t said a word until now…

 

It was hard for everyone to manage their expressions. In some ways, it was fortunate that Jongsu wasn’t here.

 

“Are you sure? Did you go to the hospital?”

 

“The sperm concentration should be 20x106ml, but it’s lower than that. I’m not infertile, but I’ve been diagnosed with subfertility.”

 

Seojin, who had been just moving her mouth, touched her forehead at the added explanation.

 

“Ha…. brother-in-law is a seedless watermelon….”

 

Even though it was just a mutter, it was a high-decibel mumble. Yeonho reflexively read Seohee’s expression.

 

But sometimes Seohee was worse than Seojin. Even with words that could be offensive, she widened her eyes. Then, the words she uttered with such confidence were…

 

“Hey. Seedless watermelons are much more expensive, you know? They’re easy to eat and so sweet!”

 

Once again, it was fortunate that her brother-in-law wasn’t here.

 

Maybe the business trip was an excuse, and that’s why he didn’t come today?

 

Over the silent table, Yeonho barely waved his hand.

 

This was definitely bad news. To avoid indigestion, a change of atmosphere was essential.

 

“Then what’s left? You said there was good news too.”

 

If it was comparable to this, ordinary good news wouldn’t be enough. Was his expectation somewhat correct? Unlike before, Madam Shin began to rummage through her purse with a bright face.

 

Before long, a flat envelope was placed on the table. The gold envelope with the torn seal looked unusual at first glance.

 

“What is this……?”

 

Yeonho, who didn’t readily touch it, was wary. In that moment, Madam Shin pulled up the corners of her mouth once more.

 

“A marriage proposal.”