Mom waves a dismissive hand.“Oh, you know Min-woo.He loves tradition, but he says planning parties is ‘too much of a spectacle.’”
Ethan snorts.“That’s his way of saying he’d rather read research papers and judge his students.”
I nod.“And critique my life choices.”
Mom shoots me another look.
Joel chuckles.“Still the same Min-woo, huh?”
Mom’s expression softens.“Always.He’s looking forward to the ceremony, though.And don’t let him fool you—he’s the one who insisted we use the university’s cafeteria for it.”
I roll my eyes.Of course.My father might not be into “spectacles,” but he’d make sure the event looked prestigious enough to represent his name.
Joel hums, still too interested.“Well, can’t wait to see him there.Hope he still remembers me.”
Mom smiles, too pleased.“Oh, he remembers.Trustme.”
I squint.“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Joel hums into his coffee, far too entertained.“So, just to be clear—when he sees me, should I expect an immediate disowning glare or will there be abufferperiod before he tells me I’m a disappointment for going into music?”
“Oh, Joel, Min-woo doesn’tsaythings like that,” Mom says with another exasperated sigh.
Ethan snorts.“No, he just stares at you until you feel likeyoushould apologize for existing.”
I groan, already anticipating the headache this is going to cause.“I can attest to that.”
Mom gives me a pointed look over the rim of her teacup.“Anna, don’t be dramatic.Your appa is proud of you.”
I scoff.“Sure.In an‘if only she had gone into engineering instead of app development’kind of way.”
Ethan nods.“Or in a‘she has a good job, but imagine if she’d gone to med school’way.”
I point at Ethan and nod.
Mom purses her lips but doesn’t deny it.
Joel, of course, is soaking all of this in.“Man, I really did miss you guys.”
I glare at him.“Don’t be weird.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” he says, resting an elbow on the table like he’s settling in for a show.“Am Inotsupposed to enjoy the family drama I was deprived of for years?”
Ethan gestures with his fork.“See?That’s the real tragedy here.”
Mom, as if sensing my rising frustration, smooths a hand over the table like she’s tidying up the air around us.“Min-woo is looking forward to the doljanchi, end of story.And,” she adds, looking at Joel, “hedoesknow you’re back in town.”
Joel arches a brow.“That’s good, I guess.”
“And?”I say, drawing out the word, knowing full well there’s probably more to it than that.
Mom shrugs.“And nothing.He just saidhmm.”
I deadpan, but counter, catching Joel’s curious gaze.“I’d be scared.That’s worse thanah.”
Joel frowns, looking between us.“What’s the ranking system here?I need context.”
Ethan sets his fork down, suddenly invested.“Okay, sohmmmeans he’s filing it away for later, possibly as evidence against you.Anna’s right.You should be on high alert.”