After accepting the appointment to be the president of Global Plant Group (GPG), Mrs Gu decided to hold a dinner party for PA Kang n driver at home. Both PA kang and driver arrived and were warmly greeted by GSH parents.
Mrs Gu thanked both of them for helping GSH while he was at the hospital and them willing to follow GSH to his new appointment. "Omo, Ommanim you are too kind! GSH is a good boss to work with and we are indeed fortunate to be scouted by him again." PA Kang replied. Mrs Gu beamed from ear to ear.
Conversation continued, mainly between Mrs Gu and PA Kang. The topic of housing came up and PA Kang said the company has provided housing as the plant is located on the outskirts of Seoul, and they will be shifting during the weekend. "Really? The company does take care of you. Have you seen the place?" Mrs Gu asked, envious of their move and upset that GSH has not mentioned this at all. PA Kang explained how GSH fought for their housing benefits as it would not be feasible to communte between Seoul and GPG, and will be a house with a yard which is good for her pet dog. GSH started to panick and tried to silence PA Kang with his glares, while receiving glares from Mrs Gu. PA Kang even went on to say an ex doc is also currently staying in the same neighbourhood and how nice it will be to have a familiar face.
"Ex doc? Will he be working at GPG too?" "Aniyoh Ommanim! She is working at the rural hospital nearby. She is staying alone and will be good for us to look after each other!" GSH began shooting laser at PA Kang who obviously was enjoying his discomfort.
After PA Kang and driver left, Mrs Gu came down hard on GSH. "Aigoo, better we stay here in Seoul. So used to the environment here." Mr Gu answered. "Mo? Stay in Seoul? With the polluted air? And you want Son to commute thru and fore? Moving to the suburbs will be good for everyone and a yard for Nighty to run." "Yes yes. Move is good. Listen to your mother and go get us a house." GSH looked at his parents, his intention was to move to an apartment provided by GPG and now all his plans were all changed.
After the move, work became busied as the development of micro smart chips in clothing was kicked up a notch. Testing, reviews and problems at the GPG took up a good portion of GSH time. He still tried to see Dr Lee NoEul as often as possible but given their work hours, they kept in contact through messages. PA Kang played an important role, revealing GSH nature to LNE and their relationship is now more relaxed.
Mummy Instinct
Mrs Gu began to suspect GSH was seeing someone but didn't want to ask him outright and decided the best person was PA Kang. She brought Nighty over to PA Kang place on the pretense of a pet date. Coincidentally LNE was also there. Both LNE and PA Kang were caught off guard and tried their best to answer Mrs Gu questions and acted normally. Mrs Gu became interested in LNE, especially knowing she was the doc from the hospital previously and LNE obviously knew about Nighty well. PA Kang texted GSH to let him know that Mrs Gu has met LNE. GSH wanted to rush over but it would be a give away and decided to wait at home pretending not to know about the pet date.
When GSH came home, he was surprised to see LNE having dinner with his parents. "Back already? Come and have your dinner. LNE is from your hospital and she is well acquainted with PA Kang." "Hello President Gu. Ommannim is very kind to invite me over." GSH was speechless and Mrs Gu obviously enjoyed his discomfort. GSH made a passing remark about work and headed for his room, only to be ordered out to send LNE home.
GSH and LNE walked back, LNE commented how nice Mrs Gu was and how well she took care of Nighty. "How could you accept her invite for dinner? You should have just went home from PA Kang." "I did but both PA kang and Ommannim insisted since i am living alone." "Then you should have eaten at PA Kang!" GSH said, already calculating how much damage control he would have to do at home. "Anyway, Ommannim dotes on Nighty. He is looking more and more healthy." LNE said happily. "Plus it was nice to meet your parents." GSH looked at LNE in disbelief.
Back home, Mrs Gu waited for GSH and began to comment how nice LNE was and how well Nighty responded to her. "Since she is here alone, let just have her over for meals. She is like a stick insect, how to care for the children." "Ommannim, how can you call her a stick insect? And why should we feed her?" "I am feeding her and not we. It is nice to have a young lady around to talk to. You and your father are nothing but trouble makers." With that, Mrs Gu went into her room. GSH texted LNE "look what you have done" and LNE replied with a shock emoticon, bringing a smile to GSH face.
Visitor
LNE was became a regular visitor to the Gu household, much to the delight of Mrs Gu and discomfort of GSH. LNE would text GSH whenever she was being invited and GSH would choose the easy way out, avoid spending too much time at home with Mrs Gu and LNE.
One evening, LNE was again invited over and was helping Mrs Gu prepare dinner. GSH and Mr Gu sat in the living room watching TV, GSH kept stealing glances at the kitchen, secretly pleased that both of them were getting along well. Nighty was acting cute in the kitchen, begging for scrapes of food. "Ya, I know exactly how you feel." Mr Gu blurted out. GSH turned towards his father in surprise. "Your Omma is acting so scary now. I feel like a time bomb...." Mr Gu's voice trailed off, silenced by Mrs Gu's glare. GSH called Nighty, pretending to be annoyed with the feeding.
"Aiyoh! What a difference it makes with you around NoEul-ie! The men in this family never NEVER bother to lift a finger to help." "You always chased us out." Mr Gu retorted, meekly. "That's why having you around is like having a daughter." Mrs Gu commented, giving GSH a pointed look. LNE felt flustered by Mrs Gu's constant compliments. "Come and eat! Turn off the TV." Both Mr Gu and GSH sighed and silently obeyed.
TeamWork
Mrs Gu commented how challenging for LNE to live alone here and work long hours at the hospital, how GSH was still keeping such long hours at work especially with the development phase. Suddenly, she threw a question to GSH on what age group of consumer he should be targeting. GSH was taken aback, unable to grasp what exactly his mother wanted. "Children! Children! Parents will spend on their kids while cutting back on themselves. NoEul can help you since she is a paeds dr." LNE nodded politely, having grasped the dynamic of Gu household. "President Gu, do let me know if you need any help." "What President Gu? You are no longer his employee. Just call him by his name, Seung Hyo ssi. Don't be so formal with us." Mrs Gu added. "Yes Ommannim." LNE again politely replied. GSH smiled, his mother was indeed a sly woman.
Back in the GPG, PA Kang was now openly taking LNE calls infront of GSH. GSH still maintained an annoyed look, pointing out to keep all personal calls to minimum. PA Kang retorted back that LNE could be a great help and perhaps could be hired as an consultant during the testing and review phase. GSH did think of this but was hesitant as he did not want work to come between them again. Besides, Chairman Choi was still watching him like a hawk and waiting for the opportunity to find fault with him. After much deliberation, GSH decided to broach this idea to LNE first before proposing to Chairman Choi. LNE readily agreed, on the condition that the clothing be made affordable to all. Chairman Choi was agreeable, since this technology has great potential and would generate great income, plus propel the Group to be the leader in healthcare.
"Great news! Let's have our 1st team dinner to celebrate! I will make the reservation and you let LNE know." GSH sighed, knowing both PA Kang and LNE would likely get drunk again.
Driver GSH
Mrs Gu learnt that LNE intend to make a trip back to Seoul over the weekend to visit her parents and immediately suggested that they travel back together, using Nighty vet visit as an excuse. LNE offered to drive them, sparing GSH as he had tons of reports to review. "Aigoo, No Eul ie no need. Seung Hyo will drive. You are just like a precious daughter to me and how can i allow you to drive such a long journey." GSH was speechless, what is he to his mother, minced meat? Despite of the protests by LNE, the decision has been made and preparations were made for the trip.
Having said LNE was like a daughter, Mrs Gu now took every opportunity to call her as daughter, much to the amusement of GSH, LNE and Mr Gu.
On the drive to Seoul, Mrs Gu assured LNE that GSH will drive her back and the Gu family would be staying at their Seoul apartment. Perhaps LNE parents would like to have dinner together. Upon hearing this, GSH almost got into an accident and earned a reproach from MrsGu. "Why would her parents have dinner with us?" Mr gu asked. "Why not? I am sure they would be curious about Seung Hyo too. YA drive properly!" Mr Gu just nodded, he also hoped that GSH would settle down soon and LNE was indeed a nice young lady. LNE looked at GSH for help but GSH kept his eyes firmly on the road with a satisfied smile.
The Family Dinner
Both set of parents decided to have dinner together, GSH was
not looking forward to meeting LNE parents so soon but was powerless to change
what Mrs Gu had decided. As both families sat down, the mothers began to
exchange small talk while the fathers just mumbled some greetings. Mr Gu began
to compliment Mrs Lee for raising such a beautiful and capable daughter. Both
mothers began chatting happily. GSH could feel Mr Lee doing a mental checklist
on him, a mental checklist of suitable Son-In-Law checklist and all the items
were checked as “FAIL”. GSH tried to signal LNE to help him out but LNE ignored
him and joined the mothers’ conversation. “So what is your job experience? I
heard that you were only with the hospital for a short while and caused quite a
stir.” “Ah Pa! where did you hear this from? SeungHyo ssi did his best there
and the changes he made were for the interest of patients.” Mr Lee could see that
LNE trusted GSH as she had a good eye for a person’s character, so he decided
to drop the matter. Mrs Lee tried to
lighten the mood by telling her husband off. Just then the door opened and the
Ye bros walked in. GSH began to start feeling annoyed just at the sight of Ye
JinWoo.
“Hello, Ommanim and Apanim.” The Ye bros bowed politely. LNE
broke into a big smile, much to GSH’s annoyance. Mr Lee introduced the Ye bros
to the Gus, saying they were like his adopted sons and YJW was LNE classmate in med school and
worked together in SangKook Uni hospital. “Apanim, you have no idea how GSH
made LNE life so miserable when he was president there.” “Oh really? I can’t
let my precious daughter suffer for whatever reason or situation.” Mr Lee said
pointedly at GSH. “Apanim, don’t listen to JW. He is just a disgruntled
employee. GSH is an honourable man and he put in so much effort to change the
corrupted hospital culture.” YSW said. Mr Lee obvious trusted YSW. YJW mumbled
SW was such a betrayer.
Dinner went on smoothly and Mr Lee seemed to warm up against GSH. To Mr Lee, GSH seems trustworthy and YSW (whom he knew had a crush on LNE) had a high option of him. As a salary man and someone who followed news regarding Hwajeong Inc, Mr Lee could understand the difficulties GSH faced while at the hospital and how he chose to react and protect his employees.
GSH was grateful for YSW's high option of him, as a professional and a friend. Never had he met a more honourable man than YSW and was grateful for the opportunity to have met and worked with him during the medical audit.
The dinner ended peacefully with Mr Lee showing his approval by pouring and allowing GSH to pour him a drink.
The next day, both families decided to have brunch together before the Gus and LNE headed back. Mrs Gu began to heap praises on LNE and how well Nighty took to her. The Lees were grateful for the care and concern shown to LNE by the Gus, and thanked them profusely.
