Chapter 19: Eun-kyung, I Need You.

The night before.

Upon arriving at their luxurious mansion, U-jin and Diego were greeted by their diligent butler, who gracefully descended the grand staircase with the intention of assisting with their bags. However, Diego haughtily evaded the outstretched hands of the butler, not hesitating to even stick out his tongue in a childish act of defiance before disappearing into the residence.

"It appears that Young Master Diego is in remarkably high spirits this evening," the butler remarked with a warm smile, directing his gaze towards U-jin.

"Have they returned yet?" U-jin inquired, his voice filled with anticipation.

"No, Young Master. Their flight was unfortunately delayed," the butler responded apologetically.

"Excellent. I still desire a day of peace. Diego and I are scheduled to visit Ji-woo tomorrow, so if we return before them, please relay the message," U-jin instructed as he passed the butler, ascending the stairs.

"Of course, Young Master. As always, consider it done. And may I inquire about your dinner preferences for this evening?" the butler inquired, his desire to attend to U-jin's every need evident.

"I shall personally take charge of preparing dinner for Diego and Granny tonight. Kindly inform the kitchen staff to vacate the kitchen," U-jin politely replied, his determination evident as he stepped into the house.

U-jin made his way up to his room, proceeding to the spacious walk-in closet where he hung his school bag. Taking great care, he undressed and meticulously placed his school uniform in the laundry basket. Opting for comfort, he selected a sleek singlet, a pair of joggers, cozy socks, and plush slippers. He descended the staircase with a sense of purpose, gliding towards the now-empty kitchen.

Sighing softly, he washed his hands in the sink before opening the refrigerator. Retrieving a container of mushrooms that had been soaked overnight, U-jin emptied the water into a bowl, gently squeezing the excess moisture from the mushrooms with a paper towel, ensuring their dryness. Setting them aside, he then rinsed several cups of rice and placed them into a rice cooker.

U-jin skillfully gathered the necessary ingredients from the cupboards, meticulously preparing the batter. Utilizing potato starch, he expertly mixed the components until achieving a smooth consistency, devoid of any lump. With utmost precision, he incorporated the drained mushrooms, ensuring that each piece was thoroughly and evenly coated. Subsequently, he delicately placed these batter-coated mushrooms into a deep fryer, expertly adjusting the heat to a medium setting.

Simultaneously, he deftly embarked on his vegetable preparation task, gracefully slicing crisp carrots, fresh cucumbers, and bell peppers. With unwavering proficiency, he swiftly diced a succulent apple, a generous portion of crisp cabbage, and pungent onions. U-jin's remarkable dexterity and speed allowed him to complete the cutting and chopping process just as the mushrooms attained their golden, crispy perfection. He carefully removed the mushrooms from the fryer and gently placed them onto a clean paper towel, allowing them to cool momentarily before placing them back in the fryer for a second round, ensuring a delectably crunchy texture. Once fully cooked, he quickly and adeptly drained the excess oil using a fresh paper towel, maintaining the integrity of the dish.

Meanwhile, U-jin expertly heated a pan and added the squeezed water, previously drained from the mushrooms. Skillfully stirring the liquid over high heat, he brought it to a boil before reducing the temperature to a low simmer. Noticing that the rice cooker had alerted him to the completion of the rice, he swiftly turned it off and shifted his attention back to the simmering liquid. U-jin attentively allowed the water to thicken, skillfully stirring it until the desired consistency was achieved, at which point he promptly turned off the heat.

U-jin then effortlessly added the freshly sliced and diced vegetables to the pan, gently tossing them for a few seconds until they slightly wilted, resulting in a harmonious blend of flavours and textures. He then proceeded to pour the well-prepared sauce over the perfectly fried mushrooms, ensuring that every morsel was adequately coated. Taking great care and attention to detail, U-jin mixed the components together, thoroughly incorporating the sauce.

Now it was time for the grand presentation. With an air of grace and finesse, U-jin artistically arranged the stir-fried vegetables onto three distinct plates, ensuring each dish had a meticulous placement. He then expertly placed the rice into three separate bowls, carefully arranging them on two different trays. In addition, he selected a banana milk, a glass cup placing them on another tray.

U-jin then looked towards the kitchen entrance, "I know you are there, come out now" he commanded and two maids revealed themselves while blushing.

"Please come and help me with the trays" he requested. They then came in and he handed a tray containing two dishes to one of the maids before placing a bottled water onto it, "Take this to Diego's room" he ordered and she bowed before leaving.

He then took the tray that

contained the banana milk and a glass cup and gave it to the other maid before adding two bottles of water to it and then he carried the other tray that contained a meal for two and lead the maid upstairs to a room situated at the far end of the hall.

Knocking twice, U-jin and the maid entered the room to find a woman in her mid fifties sitting on a wheelchair in the balcony. He approached a tall round table, gently setting the tray down before skillfully pushing it to the center of the room then the maid dropped hers too and took all the items out of the trays and arranged them carefully on the table.

"Thank you" he said leading the maid to bow with a blush on her face before she left the room with the trays.

Then U-jin stepped into the balcony and stood by the woman's side, sensing his presence, the woman peered at him, her eyes scanning him intensely, before she silently propelled herself and the wheelchair back into the room, seemingly ignoring his existence.

U-jin, observing her actions, couldn't help but smirk. "Granny," he affectionately called out to her.

The woman abruptly halted her wheelchair and turned to face U-jin, her expression livid. "I have told you countless times to stop calling me that. Do I truly resemble a granny to you?" she retorted, her voice laced with frustration.

U-jin, standing tall, met her gaze confidently. "It is not about appearance, Granny. From a technical standpoint, the fact that you gave birth to my mother makes you a grandmother," he replied with a hint of amusement.

"You insolent child..." she sighed before turning away and gracefully making her way towards the round table. U-jin followed suit, taking his place in the chair.

"What on earth is this?" the woman exclaimed in a fit of rage.

"This, my dear Granny, is a delectable dish of sweet and sour shiitake mushrooms with a side of fragrant rice," he calmly responded as he deftly picked up his chopsticks and began to savor the flavors.

"I want meat, not these pitiful mushrooms and vegetables!" she screamed in frustration.

"Vegetables are incredibly beneficial for your health," U-jin countered.

"Do you think I care about my health? As long as I consume meat, I am convinced that I will live longer than if I were to eat these tasteless vegetables. And do you know why?" she snapped, yet U-jin continued to enjoy his meal, unfazed by her outburst. In a moment of unchecked anger, she slammed her hand on the table.

Taken aback, U-jin looked up at her. "Granny, take a good look in the mirror. Your complexion has suffered, and I've read that mushrooms can improve the skin and give it a radiant glow. Besides, there's also banana milk here," he gently coaxed, hoping to sway her towards giving the dish a chance. Nevertheless, she made no effort to eat, prompting him to rise from his seat and head to the door to open it.

"Diego!" he called out loudly.

"Fine," she grumbled in defeat, finally yielding to her hunger and digging into her meal.

U-jin couldn't help but smile as he was about to close the door. However, Diego intercepted his attempt, breathless from his rush. "Granny doesn't want to eat, so can I..." U-jin swiftly shut the door before Diego could finish his sentence, returning to his seat and resuming his own meal.

As they neared the end of their feast, U-jin caught his granny's piercing gaze fixed upon him. Maintaining his composure, he spoke up, fully aware of her unspoken question. "If you have something to ask, Granny, please do so," he said calmly as he continued to enjoy his food.

"When will you make me a great-grandmother?" she asked, causing U-jin to momentarily choke on his food.

"What?" he gasped, caught off guard by the unexpected question.

"Don't you want to move from calling me granny to calling me a great-granny, just to annoy me even more?" she playfully prodded.

"Well, perhaps in the next twenty years, or maybe never at all," he replied, trying to regain his composure. In response, he received a swift smack on his hand.

"What do you mean by that? Diego has already found a girlfriend, and what's more surprising is that she turns out to be Ji-woo," she said with increasing frustration.

"I know, it makes it even easier for me to avoid getting engaged to her. At least she is still marrying into our family, right?" he replied with a wide smile.

Granny sighed as she took a sip of her banana milk, then turned her attention back to U-jin. "Isn't there anyone that you like at all?" she asked genuinely.

U-jin remained silent, his gaze fixated on the remaining mushrooms on his plate.

"U-jin, I want to see you happy before I leave this world," she said with sincerity.

"I will be," he replied, but the woman squinted her eyes at him. He looked down and closed his eyes, only to reopen them and meet her gaze. "Actually... I do have someone... maybe, I guess."

Granny's eyes widened as she clasped U-jin's hands. "What does she look like? Where is she from? Do I know her? What is she like?" she bombarded him with questions.

"I don't know how to explain it," he said hesitantly.

"Don't worry, what matters is that you like someone. Have you confessed to her?" Granny pressed, her curiosity piqued.

"I can't," U-jin replied with a tinge of sadness in his voice.

"Why not? Don't you like her?" Granny questioned, concern evident in her voice.

"I do," he admitted, his words barely above a whisper.

"What's the matter, then? If you like her, you don't need to hesitate," Granny reassured him, leading him to the balcony. She stood by his side, offering support.

"I'm terribly afraid... I refuse to be abandoned once again. Mother has already left me, and the person I have developed feelings for is far from ordinary. What if uttering those three words will convince her to stay with me against her will? What if..." he trailed off, his hand gently caressing his face.

"If you truly love her, then you must allow yourself to be selfish. Speak those words," she insisted, reaching out to hold his trembling hand.

"I... I... I cannot."

"Say it, for goodness' sake," she urged, her voice filled with determination.

"I have affection for her....I....I need her in my life," he stammered, his words hanging in the air.

"Be brave and forthcoming," she encouraged him, her eyes filled with warmth.

"I need her," he finally admitted, his voice growing stronger.

"Good. When you encounter her, do your utmost to captivate her heart, so she won't feel compelled to depart," she advised, a glimmer of hope in her eyes.

"But mother abandoned me..."

"Your mother saved you, U-jin. I want you to fight for your happiness," she reassured him, her voice emanating compassion.

"Even if it means sacrificing my brother's happiness?"

"Wait, you have feelings for Ji-woo?" she asked in shock.

"No, it's a complicated situation. I will explain later. Good night, Grandma," he said softly, planting a gentle kiss on her forehead. He made his way to summon a maid to clear the dishes before retiring to his room. After a refreshing shower, he found himself standing in front of the bathroom mirror, leaning against the sink.

A smile spread across his face. "Eun-kyung, I need you. Make sure to find your way back to me."