Weeks had passed since their first date at Namsan Tower, and Su Bin Park and Tao Song had grown even closer. Despite the joy they found in each other's company, an unspoken tension lingered—Tao's parents' impending meeting with Su Bin weighed heavily on both their minds.
One evening, as they were enjoying dinner at Su Bin's apartment, Tao received a call from his mother. He stepped out to take it, his face tense. When he returned, Su Bin could see the concern etched on his face.
"What’s wrong?" she asked, her voice filled with worry.
Tao sighed, sitting down beside her. "My parents want to meet you this weekend. They insisted on having dinner at their house."
Su Bin's heart skipped a beat. "Do you think they’ll be okay with me?"
Tao took her hand, his grip firm and reassuring. "I’ll be there with you, every step of the way. Don’t worry, Su Bin. We’ll face this together."
The day of the dinner arrived, and Su Bin found herself standing in front of her mirror, meticulously choosing her outfit. She opted for a conservative yet stylish dress, hoping it would make a good impression. Tao arrived to pick her up, and together they made their way to his parents' house.
The Song residence was grand, a testament to the family's wealth and status. As they entered, they were greeted by Mr. and Mrs. Song, both of whom wore expressions that were polite but cool.
"Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Song," Su Bin said, bowing respectfully.
"Good evening," Mrs. Song replied, her tone clipped. "Please, come in."
They were led to the dining room, where a lavish spread awaited them. As they sat down to eat, the atmosphere was tense, the silence heavy. Tao tried to lighten the mood with small talk, but his parents seemed more interested in scrutinizing Su Bin.
"So, Miss Park," Mr. Song began, his voice carrying an edge, "tell us about your career plans."
Su Bin took a deep breath, meeting his gaze. "I’m currently working on a project to help those who have been wrongly accused, using my own experience to provide support and raise awareness."
Mrs. Song arched an eyebrow. "And how do you plan to support yourself with such a project? It doesn’t sound very... lucrative."
Su Bin felt her cheeks flush, but she maintained her composure. "I’m passionate about this cause, and I believe that making a difference is more important than financial gain."
Mr. Song exchanged a glance with his wife before turning back to Su Bin. "Passion is commendable, but practicality is essential. How do you intend to contribute to a household if you can’t earn a stable income?"
Tao, sensing the growing hostility, interjected. "Su Bin has a strong work ethic and a clear vision for her future. I believe in her and her abilities."
The rest of the dinner continued in much the same way, with Mr. and Mrs. Song probing Su Bin with questions that barely masked their disapproval. Su Bin answered each question as best as she could, but by the end of the evening, she felt drained and disheartened.
As they left the house, Tao could see the distress on Su Bin’s face. "I’m so sorry, Su Bin. I knew this would be tough, but I didn’t expect them to be so harsh."
Su Bin shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. "It’s not your fault, Tao. I just wanted them to see me for who I am, not where I come from."
Tao pulled her into a comforting embrace. "They will, Su Bin. It might take time, but they’ll see what I see—a kind, strong, and incredible woman."
The following days were filled with an uneasy silence. Tao's parents had made their disapproval clear, and it weighed heavily on Su Bin’s heart. She tried to focus on her work and her burgeoning project, but the sting of rejection lingered.
One afternoon, as Su Bin was working on her laptop, she received a call from Tao. "Can you meet me at the park near my office? There’s something I need to talk to you about."
Su Bin agreed, her mind racing with possibilities. When she arrived at the park, she found Tao sitting on a bench, looking thoughtful.
"Tao, what’s going on?" Su Bin asked, sitting down beside him.
Tao took her hand, his expression serious. "I’ve been thinking a lot about us, about my parents, and about our future. I had another talk with them, and it didn’t go well."
Su Bin’s heart sank. "What did they say?"
"They’re worried about my career and social standing," Tao said, frustration evident in his voice. "They think being with you will somehow diminish my opportunities."
Su Bin felt a surge of anger and hurt. "Why can’t they see that we love each other? Why is status so important to them?"
Tao sighed, his grip on her hand tightening. "They come from a different world, a different time. But I’ve made it clear to them that my future is with you, no matter what they think."
Su Bin looked into his eyes, seeing the resolve and love there. "Tao, I don’t want to come between you and your family."
"You’re not," Tao said firmly. "This is my decision, and I choose you, Su Bin. We’ll find a way to make this work, together."
Despite Tao’s reassurances, the tension with his parents continued to cast a shadow over their relationship. Su Bin found solace in her work, pouring her energy into her project. Tao supported her every step of the way, helping her navigate the legal and logistical challenges.
One evening, as they were working late in Su Bin’s apartment, she received a call from an unknown number. She answered hesitantly, only to hear Mrs. Song’s voice on the other end.
"Miss Park, this is Tao’s mother. I would like to meet with you privately."
Su Bin’s heart raced. "Of course, Mrs. Song. When and where?"
They arranged to meet at a quiet café the next day. Su Bin arrived early, her nerves on edge. When Mrs. Song walked in, she greeted Su Bin with a curt nod before sitting down.
"Miss Park, I’ll get straight to the point," Mrs. Song began. "My husband and I have reservations about your relationship with Tao. We believe it’s not in his best interest to be with someone of your background."
Su Bin felt a lump in her throat but remained composed. "I understand your concerns, Mrs. Song. But I love Tao, and he loves me. Isn’t that what matters most?"
Mrs. Song’s expression softened slightly. "Love is important, but so is stability and social standing. We’ve worked hard to provide Tao with every opportunity, and we fear that being with you might limit his future."
Su Bin took a deep breath. "I respect your perspective, but Tao and I are building something meaningful together. We support each other’s dreams and ambitions. I believe that with time, you’ll see that I’m not a hindrance to his success, but a partner in his journey."
Mrs. Song looked at her thoughtfully. "I see that you care deeply for him. We’ll see how things unfold. But know that we’ll always have his best interests at heart."
As Mrs. Song left the café, Su Bin felt a mix of relief and anxiety. She knew that winning over Tao’s parents would take time and patience, but she was determined to show them the strength and depth of her love for their son.
That evening, Su Bin recounted the conversation to Tao. He listened intently, his expression a mix of concern and admiration.
"You handled that with grace, Su Bin," Tao said, pulling her into a hug. "We’ll get through this, together."
With renewed determination, Su Bin and Tao continued to build their future. They faced challenges and opposition, but their love and commitment to each other remained unwavering. Together, they were ready to prove that true love could overcome any obstacle.
