New Normal - Chapter 74

A heavy voice rumbled low, and Jungwon flinched. At the far end of the table, their grandfather sat back leisurely, waiting for an answer. But beneath the neatly combed silver hair, his eyes flashed like a predator’s.

“Come on, Grandpa. Drug? I stopped that ages ago. I just had a drink, that’s all. Barely even that.”

Despite his broad frame, Jungwon answered with exaggerated cuteness. Then, afraid his grandfather might press further, he quickly scooped up a big spoonful of rice and stuffed it in his mouth.

“When the hell are you ever going to grow up, huh? Tsk.”

The endless nagging slipped in one ear and out the other. Jungwon had no appetite, but he forced himself to keep eating as if nothing was wrong.

Why’s the meat so damn tough? Every time he chewed, the part of his skull that his brother had hit earlier throbbed. Half-heartedly poking around his bowl, he sneaked a glance to the side. His brother was eating too, though it looked more like he was just going through the motions than actually enjoying anything.

But his face looked unusually dark.

Maybe he was worn out from scolding his little brother the moment he got back from his business trip. Since earlier, Juwon’s face had carried an unshakable weariness mixed with some unknown worry. It wasn’t the first time. Was Chae Juwon… starting to get old? Chewing slowly, Jungwon stole side glances at his gloomy-looking brother when their grandfather suddenly spoke.

“Juwon, how are things with that young lady? Going well?”

Juwon’s chopsticks froze midair. At the same time, Jungwon’s ears perked up.

Young lady?

He looked up curiously, glancing between his brother and grandfather. Keeping his composure, Juwon set down his spoon and took a sip of water. He looked uncomfortable, but the subtle shift in his attitude whenever it came to women made Jungwon’s eyes sparkle.

“You have a woman? Since when? Who is she?”

“You don’t need to know.”

Juwon’s curt, decisive reply was like a wall shutting out his brother’s curiosity. Jungwon stared at him in disbelief.

“…Huh? What’s this? How does Grandpa even know, then?”

Juwon turned his head away, refusing to answer any more questions. But once Jungwon latched onto something, he never let go.

“No way, seriously? You’re actually thinking of getting married? How’d you meet her? A blind date? If Grandpa’s asking, she must not be some casual fling, huh?”

The flood of questions made Juwon’s eyebrow twitch slightly. Their grandfather, Chae Heejung, noticed and chuckled under his breath.

“This time, your brother seems to be serious.”

Hearing his grandfather, of all people taking Juwon’s side, Jungwon burst into laughter.

“Chae Juwon? Serious? Wow, now I’ve seen everything. That’s a first. For real?”

“Stop talking nonsense and eat your food. Mind your own business.”

“Why am I the only one out of the loop? I’m dying to know, you know? Who’s this sister-in-law-to-be? We’re all gonna find out eventually, so what’s there to hide?”

“I said drop it.”

Juwon’s gaze cut sharply into him, making his annoyance clear. Jungwon, who had been smirking, flinched at the sharp look but quickly covered it with a casual grin.

“You’ve always brushed women off, and now suddenly you’re acting all serious. It’s hilarious, that’s all. Not that it matters to me, but why the secrecy this time?”

Silence fell over the table. Their grandfather calmly continued picking at his food while observing the tension.

“Your brother and I made a little bet.”

“Grandpa.”

Juwon’s voice cut in sharply, a warning. But it was useless. Jungwon’s eyes lit up with curiosity.

“A bet? What kind of bet?”

Juwon exhaled, glaring between his grandfather and brother, as if giving up.

“Grandpa, let’s just call that bet off.”

That unexpected remark made Chae Heejung raise his brows, staring at his grandson.

“Suddenly? Why? Did you change your mind?”

Under his grandfather’s sharp gaze, Juwon hesitated for a moment before speaking firmly.

“No. It’s not that I changed my mind, it’s that the bet isn’t necessary anymore. I’m staying in Korea.”

Chae Heejung’s eyes widened in disbelief, then his face broke into a wide, radiant smile.

“Are you serious?”

“Yes. I mean it. There’s no reason to hesitate anymore. I’ll even… propose. It’s not set in stone yet, but she might go to Boston next year as a visiting scholar for a year. If she does, I’ll follow. If not, I’ll stay by her side. Whatever happens, I’ll go along with what she wants.”

His words were dry, like he was reporting to a superior, but the effect on his grandfather was profound. A deeply moved smile softened the stern old man’s face. He drew a long breath, then nodded slowly.

“Good. Juwon… you’ve made the right decision. I….”

Choked with emotion, his voice trailed off. Juwon looked away, uncomfortable, while his grandfather’s eyes brimmed with tears.

Jungwon stared blankly between his grandfather’s trembling joy and his brother’s conflicted face, utterly thrown off.

What the hell is going on? So much must have happened to his brother while he was gone. Chae Juwon deciding to stay in Korea, voluntarily? And for a woman? It made no sense. His brother was always rational, self-centered, and never gave his heart away easily. And now he was ready to put everything on the line for one woman?

While Jungwon sat there slack-jawed, their grandfather tapped the table, unable to hide his delight.

“…I’ve waited so many years to hear you say that. I’m glad, Juwon. Truly glad.”

“Sorry it took me so long to decide.”

“Don’t be. The fact you’ve made up your mind is more than enough for me. Well done.”

Bowing his head slightly at his grandfather’s heartfelt words, Juwon stood, as if he couldn’t bear to stay under that emotional gaze any longer.

“I’ll take my leave first.”

Jungwon silently watched his brother’s back as he walked away from the table. His heavy yet determined demeanor made Jungwon tilt his head in confusion.

Unlike Jungwon, who had lost their parents so young he barely remembered them, Juwon had felt the full weight of that sudden loss. The grief had hardened him, made him strict with himself. Even when he dated, his closed-off heart never allowed relationships to go deep.

Jungwon remembered all of it. And he’d often recognized a reflection of himself in his brother’s loneliness.

So for that same brother to finally decide to settle down with someone—it was shocking beyond belief.

He himself was still reckless, living as he pleased, so the contrast made the change in his brother all the more startling. To think he’d found someone he could even consider marriage with. Who on earth was this woman, to move Juwon like that?

Snapping out of his daze, Jungwon leaned closer to his grandfather.

“A bet? What kind of bet, Grandpa? And what’s with hyung acting like this all of a sudden?”

Watching Juwon’s retreating back, Chae Heejung slowly turned his gaze back to his younger grandson. Taking a sip of tea, he finally explained.

“I told him that if he ever met someone he truly loved, I’d give him the house in Myeongnyun-dong.”

“What? You’d give him the Myeongnyun-dong house?”

Jungwon blurted out in shock.

“Yes. But he’s already thrown that away himself. Bet or no bet, his mind’s already made up. Even I didn’t expect him to be this resolved.”

Jungwon gaped, finding it hard to believe. The brother he knew—the Chae Juwon he knew—wasn’t someone who settled down easily. Work always came before women. He was never one to get swept away by emotions.

And yet—love?

Jungwon was speechless. The thought that his brother had actually fallen in love, that he’d found someone he was willing to devote himself to, was staggering.

What kind of woman could she be, to change him like this? Jungwon’s eyes shone with anticipation as he turned back to his grandfather.

“So who is she? Do you know her too?”

Chae Heejung sipped his tea with a warm smile.

“Of course. And she suits him perfectly.”

“I know her too? Who is she? What kind of person is she?”

His grandfather only gave a mysterious smile.

“Wait and see. You’ll meet her soon enough.”

***

The clear sky was nearly translucent blue, with clouds drifting by slowly like paint brushed across a canvas.

“The buildings are in better condition than I expected. Structurally sound, too. We should be able to cut costs quite a bit. Especially if we just reinforce the roof and outer walls.”

“Yes, there were a few leaks found in the roof, but if we fix those properly, it won’t be a big issue. However, we’ll still need to submit the official safety inspection results when we apply for design approval. Do you have those prepared?”

While Chae Juwon carefully reviewed the redevelopment plans and discussed details with the city official, Jisoo sat there, still stunned, staring blankly at him.

How could he possibly be here?

[I’m flying back from New York tomorrow. Let’s talk once I’m back. Please make time for me.]

That was what his message had said. Jisoo had replied that she needed more time to think. He’d read the message but hadn’t answered.

And now, he somehow knew about the very meeting she was attending, and had shown up, sliding naturally into the discussion as if he belonged there.