New Normal - Chapter 56

Like most grad students, Jisoo was juggling her PhD dissertation while also working on a project with her advisor and Professor Kim Suyeon. It wasn’t the kind of work that kept her stuck in the lab all day, so she could balance it with other things in her life.

Her grandmother, Changja, gave her a sideways glance that wasn’t entirely disapproving.

“Guess you can’t fool bl00d… you’re an artist like your grandfather, driving people nuts with your work?”

Despite the teasing, there was nothing but worry and affection in her eyes.

Back in high school, Jisoo had secretly pursued art behind her family’s back. When she got into art school, her mom objected, but it was Changja—the stingiest in the family—who paid her tuition without hesitation. And when Jisoo continued on to grad school, it was Changja who was happiest about “finally having a PhD in the family.”

“Grandma, you always say stuff you don’t mean. And I’m not unemployed. You know I start teaching next week, right?”

This semester, Jisoo had been assigned a small section of a lifelong education program at University A—a 16-week course involving museum field operations. She wasn’t the main lecturer, just part of a team.

It was all thanks to Professor Kim Suyeon.

Normally, adjunct positions for the fall semester closed between May and June, so she’d thought it impossible—especially after the whole art forgery scandal. She hadn’t even dared to imagine teaching again.

“…Really?”

Her grandmother’s voice softened. Jisoo, lips jutting in mock annoyance, ran a hand down her back.

“Really.”

“And Harvard?”

Jisoo shot her grandmother a look before heading toward the kitchen. “Still working on it.”

Her advisor had already given her a heads-up about the Yenching Institute program, and she’d been preparing diligently—getting feedback multiple times. She had no idea if she’d be accepted, but a 10-month fully funded opportunity like that didn’t come often. She didn’t want to miss her chance.

After all, if life had taught her anything recently, it was that you never knew which rope might save you—so you grabbed them all.

“I see an axe. A big one, ready to cut down a tree. An axe means a noble person’s help. Someone who can turn misfortune into good fortune.”

Thinking back, Master Seok’s words weren’t wrong. During the forgery incident, she thought her life was over… but things had steadily shifted for the better.

Jisoo came back from the kitchen with a basket of chestnuts to peel, but her grandmother snatched it away.

“No, no, leave it. You’ll cut your hand. An unmarried girl shouldn’t be doing this kind of thing.”

Jisoo let out a laugh. “Grandma, since when do you care about that?”

“Since just now. Go to your room, study, and finish that dissertation.”

“Earlier you were telling me to get married, now you want me to study. Which is it? And besides, you know I’m better at sculpting than most of the kids in the sculpture department, right?”

“Pfft, peeling chestnuts isn’t sculpting.”

“Sure it is.”

Her quick-witted banter made Changja laugh in the end. As her grandmother kept peeling, Jisoo, now bored, popped a peeled chestnut into her mouth.

“Wow, Grandma, your hands are amazing.”

“Of course. I’m a hundred times better than your grandpa ever was.”

“Guess that means you’re a great cook too, right? The owner of a famous restaurant?”

“Famous? Ha! Not just famous—the best. I used to boil a whole cow every single day, you know.”

Jisoo’s grandfather, Sangjo, had been a struggling painter, barely making ends meet painting movie posters. Before she opened her restaurant, Changja had done every job imaginable—housekeeping, market sewing, you name it.

Now in her old age, she’d passed the restaurant to Jisoo’s uncle, but she still insisted on checking the seasoning in the soup herself.

“Jisoo, you know what the scariest thing in life is? Going hungry. There’s nothing worse. I’ve done anything and everything to survive. But there’s one rule I’ve never broken—never did anything shameful. Not once. I can look up at the sky without guilt. Got it?”

It was a speech Jisoo had heard a hundred times, so she just nodded lazily.
“Yeah, I know.”

“Still… life’s strange. Thought I’d be a kitchen maid forever.”

“And now you’re a poet, Grandma. Gwak Sohee.”

At the mention of her pen name, Changja chuckled shyly. “Oh, get outta here.”

Ever since she’d gotten free rides on public transport, she decided it was time to do what she really wanted—so she started writing poetry. Now she was a published poet.

When she finished peeling the last chestnut, she asked, “So, Jisoo… you seeing anyone these days?”

The sudden shift in topic made Jisoo look up awkwardly.

“A guy?”

“Yeah. You should enjoy life. And you’ve got free time now. When else are you gonna date? You’re at the best age for it, yet all you do is school, home, school, home. Are you a test prep student or something?”

The truth was… she is dating. It had been a while since her last relationship, so even though it’d been months, calling him her “boyfriend” still felt strange.

She was dating Chae Juwon. But like Jung Hayoon once said, she didn’t want to put such a simple label on what they had.

Juwon was different from every guy she’d met before. Maybe it was because they were still in that honeymoon phase, or maybe because their physical chemistry had clicked right away, but Jisoo felt herself falling deeper.

Still, she was sure of one thing—her feelings wouldn’t flare up fast and burn out just as quickly.
He was like watercolor seeping into her life—slow, steady, coloring every corner of her days.

What had started for ridiculous reasons had turned into genuine affection. She liked so many things about him now—the way he offered exactly the comfort she needed, the maturity that helped her make the best choices.

When she decided to quit her job, when she faced tough decisions, he hadn’t smothered her with fake reassurances or sweet nothings. Instead, he gave her sincere advice and steady trust, as if he’d always be there.

“If you succeed, I’ll be even happier. Honestly.”

Juwon’s words were always genuine. That grounded sincerity calmed her when she got impatient. He never rushed her. He waited. He believed that whatever direction they went, it would be a good one.

She’d never had that kind of stability in a relationship before. Her past romances had been full of discomfort, anxiety, and tension. But with Juwon, she was just… at ease. Even she was surprised she could be this comfortable with someone.

“You’ve been looking brighter lately.”

Mikyung had said that recently. Jisoo brushed it off at the time, but inside, she was startled. She hadn’t noticed her own expression changing. Even Changja sometimes stared at her like she’d noticed something. Maybe it was her sharp intuition.

She hadn’t told her family about Juwon yet, but someday…

Her thoughts were interrupted by the buzz of her phone in her pocket.
Speak of the devil.

She checked the screen, trying not to look too eager—it was Juwon. He hung up quickly and sent two messages in a row:

[Chae Juwon: I miss you. When are you done?]
[Chae Juwon: Does it always take this long to get ready for a memorial service?]

His uncharacteristic whining made her bite her lip to hide a smile.

They’d planned to go to the department store after the preparations. He’d ordered a custom-made necklace for her recently, and today the seller had called to say it had arrived.

[Shin Jisoo: All done.]
[Shin Jisoo: But I can’t stay long. Lots of dishes to do, and the service starts at eight.]

Almost immediately, the “1” disappeared from the chat.

[Chae Juwon: Okay. Call me when you’re done.]

Smiling, she slipped her phone back into her pocket.

“Grandma, what dating? Out of nowhere…”

She grumbled just for show, but when she looked up, her grandmother was staring straight into her face. Jisoo froze.

“…What?”

“Is he a good guy?”

The direct question caught her off guard. She fumbled for words, but Changja just gave a knowing snort. Mikyung poked her in the side with an elbow.

“See, Mom? I told you she’s seeing someone.”

“What are you two talking about? Seriously…”

“Oh, please. Look at you—used to mope around, now you’re grinning every day like your face is gonna split in half.”