New Normal - Chapter 16

“Look at this kid, blaming everyone but himself. Who do you think you’re yelling at, huh? All this happened because you couldn’t act right in the first place. Why the hell do you think people talk behind your back? One minute they say you’ve got a kid, next minute you’re gay — can’t you at least pick one story and stick to it? Why do you have to do both—”

“Okay, okay, that’s enough. Just stop.”

Juwon finally raised both hands and shut his mouth, completely defeated. Chae Heejung looked like he still had more to say — his upper lip twitched like he was about to keep going — but he clicked his tongue in annoyance instead, giving up for now.

The worst part was that not a single word from his grandfather was wrong. Juwon really did keep blowing off women left and right. He’d ghost them, ditch them halfway through dates — and yeah, he’d given people plenty to misunderstand. He just… didn’t care much about romance. At least, not these days.

It hadn’t always been like that. He’d had plenty of flings before. He’d even tried being serious once or twice. But for some reason, nothing ever lasted. Starting something was easy. Keeping it going — that was the problem. It always ended the same.

“I feel like you don’t really like me that much… Be honest. Do you even love me?”

What was he supposed to say to that? He’d swear he’d done his best — spent money freely, made time when he could, treated them well enough. But no matter what he did, they’d still whine that it wasn’t enough. In the end, he always wound up being the jerk. One ex had even called him ‘a stuck-up, selfish piece of trash who thinks people are disposable.’

Like some propaganda broadcast from North Korea — the insults had been so colorful and vicious that, part of him almost understood… but really, he didn’t. What did I even do? He spent money, gave them his time, and made sure they didn’t lack anything. What more were they expecting?

It annoyed him to no end that he couldn’t understand them, and they couldn’t understand him. So he’d just cut ties. He never thought he held women to a crazy high standard, but the more he dated, the quicker he was to shut the door if something felt off.

So what, dating? Marriage? Give him a break.

He let out a sigh so heavy it could’ve cracked the floor. Chae Heejung glanced at him, mid-bite, clearly annoyed by the sound.

“Hey. I heard something interesting.”

“…What now.”

“I heard you even gave that girl a ride home. You, of all people — you, who’s usually cussing them out and causing scenes. Isn’t that something?”

Juwon leaned back a little as his grandfather pointed his chopsticks at him.

“It was nothing. I can at least pretend to have manners.”

“Manners, my ass. Even a stray dog would laugh at you if it heard that. Who do you think you’re trying to fool? I know you.”

“…”

“It’s all over your face. You didn’t hate her, did you?”

Chae Heejung grinned, so obviously entertained by the whole thing that Juwon shot him a glare. Truthfully… he had been a little shocked when he first saw her.

“Hello, I’m Shin Jisoo. I’ll be helping out with the contest.”

It was definitely her back then. So of course, he’d gotten all weirdly excited on his own, blurting nonsense right in front of her like some idiot — saying she looked better than he’d expected, asking if she’d gotten his message — rambling like a fool. He’d forgotten he actually liked girls who were a bit bouncy, maybe even a little cheeky. It was like suddenly remembering an old taste he hadn’t craved in forever.

But Shin Jisoo didn’t remember him at all. He’d felt a flicker of disappointment — then quickly noticed how stiff her shoulders were, how small she seemed. So different from the calm, confident woman she’d been on that video call. Probably dragged here against her will, he’d guessed, feeling another wave of mild disappointment.

She never really relaxed — kept glancing around nervously the whole time. And Juwon realized: Ah. She doesn’t remember me at all. And she couldn’t care less about me right now. If anything, that should’ve made it easier. He didn’t want to be there anyway. But instead… he got petty. He couldn’t help himself.

“Your nape is really pretty, by the way.”

He’d said it just to get a reaction — and she didn’t disappoint. That was it, though. He never planned to actually take it further. He’d told her right from the start he didn’t want to meet her again — he didn’t care if his grandfather messed with him, but dragging some random woman into it? He wanted no part of that.

”…A blind date? What blind date?”

In the end, all he’d done was spout nonsense to someone who didn’t deserve it — then topped it off by dropping his pants like an idiot. But the weird thing was… she couldn’t stop staring at him.

“I-I’m sorry.”

Her big eyes went even wider, like they’d pop right out, stuttering out an apology — but she couldn’t look away from his lower half. Yeah. She couldn’t look away. Even when Kang Susan had practically ordered him to drive her home, and he’d waved it off like no way — she’d kept sneaking glances. Even in the car, same thing. She’d pretend not to, then flinch like she’d seen something indecent every time she peeked. It was kind of stubborn, in its own way.

Juwon knew his d1ck was… well, above average. But still — he never expected she’d ask for his number because of that. It was so out of left field it almost made him laugh — especially from a woman who looked so prim and proper. She really wasn’t what she seemed at first glance.

She didn’t even ask him to drop her off — even though she was limping. She didn’t say anything like, Let me buy you dinner sometime, either. But then she’d randomly asked for his business card, acting all casual like she was just curious. He really should’ve realized then that something was off. But that damn curiosity of his got the better of him — and he ended up calling her.

And what did he get?

“Ah, Juwon-ssi. I’m a bit busy right now. I’ll call you back when I can.”

That was it. The woman who’d said I’ll call you later never called. When Juwon texted her later just to check — nothing. Left him on read. The infamous read but no reply. He’d never been treated like that in his entire life, so it threw him off.

…Did she find someone even bigger?

Sure, he’d reached out half as a joke, but getting ghosted like that still bugged him. He’d never met a woman so completely uninterested in him. Well — to be exact, uninterested in him but very interested in what was in his pants. That thought gave him a sudden headache.

Right then, his grandfather, sitting across from him, cleared his throat. Pulled out of his swirling thoughts, Juwon forced himself to focus again.

“There’s nothing more to it. I just gave her a ride home. That’s all.”

His flat reply made Chairman Chae click his tongue, disappointed.

“Look at you — tall, healthy, decent face — why’re you so boring? If it were me at your age, I’d have settled this at the wedding hall by now.”

“Yeah, well, that’s how you ended up with four kids at my age, right?”

Juwon shot back, sulky. Chae Heejung studied his sulky grandson, like he’d just confirmed something. Then he pressed on.

“You really didn’t talk to her again? Nothing? It’s been more than two weeks. Something should’ve happened by now.”

“…I don’t know. I’ve been busy.”

Heejung folded his arms, the corner of his mouth curling up.

“Guess you really did like her, huh?”

“…What do I know?”

The more he talked, the more trapped he felt. Annoyed, Juwon raked a hand through his hair. Was it because of that first impression? Or because she turned out so different from it? Or was it just pride — the kind that flares up when someone doesn’t care about you? It had been a while since he’d been interested in anyone, but he refused to admit it.

What is she, anyway?

He told himself it was just because it’d been too long since he’d last had s3x. Simple as that.

Watching him like he could see right through his skull, Chairman Chae let out a sly laugh.

“You brat… This all got tangled up because you didn’t follow my advice.”

“What advice. What got tangled up now?”

“What did I say? If you like her, trip her up right away and get her in bed.”

“Grandpa! You can’t just say stuff like that. That’s basically a crime. Who jumps people like that?!”

“Who said anything about jumping her? You gotta ease her in, seduce her. What you did — whipping it out — that’s the crime. You’re not a flasher in a trench coat, for god’s sake.”

“Ugh, seriously!”

Juwon practically growled, genuinely ticked at his grandpa’s obsession with bringing up his junk every chance he got. He sounded like a sulky teenager. Heejung just laughed, all phlegmy and amused.

Juwon glared at him, then switched the topic, desperate to escape.

“Can we please not talk about that anymore? By the way — I heard you met Kang Susan recently.”

“Yeah.”

“How was he? He seemed pretty stressed lately with all the drama. Is he doing okay?”

Juwon’s voice softened with real concern, and Heejung slowly nodded.

“Well, yeah, but… You know Kang Susan. He’s not the type to keel over from something like that. You just worry about your own damn business.”

Chairman Chae’s dismissive answer made Juwon click his tongue. And of course — right then — his mind drifted back to Shin Jisoo. She’s probably fine, right…? He brushed it off. That art forgery mess had died down fast anyway — she’d be fine.

“By the way, Grandpa — why is it always naengmyeon with you? Doesn’t your head freeze?”

Juwon poured him a cup of hot broth, smoothly changing the topic. The old man, bald on top, shot him a look as he took the cup.

“Listen here. At my age, having this much hair is a miracle. And don’t act like you’re not the reason my insides are on fire half the time.”

“You know, naengmyeon’s not exactly a cure for heartburn.”

Juwon’s petty jab made Heejung snap back right on cue.

“Diet therapy is therapy too.”

Juwon shook his head, fully defeated.

Two years ago, his grandpa needed heart surgery. Juwon had dropped everything — his long stretch living between the US and Europe — and flown back home the second he heard. Coronary artery blockage — they’d had to put in a stent. It was a big procedure at his grandpa’s age, and they hadn’t hesitated for a second. Thankfully, the recovery had gone well. Like the doctor said, they’d caught it in time. It was luck, really.

“You ate? If you haven’t, order something. Get some mung bean pancakes. There’s pork too.”

“I’m good. I’ll just get fat.”

“You’re young — you could chew iron nails and be fine. Don’t tell me you’re picky. A man needs fuel, you hear me? Appetite is desire, desire is stamina, and stamina is national power. You keep skipping meals, you’ll shrivel up when you’re older. Back in my day, I ate seven meals a day.”

Juwon snorted into his broth, half-amused. He’d heard this old rant so many times it could be carved in stone — but seeing his grandpa fuss so normally made him feel oddly relieved. He looked like his old self again.

“Anyway, you said you had something to tell me. What is it? Please don’t say the big advice was to eat more rice and not to drop your pants in public.”