The quiet routine of Yura’s days was interrupted when she received word that Ru Shi’s grandmother would be visiting them. The news came through Ru Shi’s assistant, and though Ru Shi hadn't mentioned it to her directly, Yura knew the importance of the occasion.
Ru Shi's grandmother, an elegant and wise woman, was a figure of respect in their family. She had raised Ru Shi with values and had always been a source of warmth in his life. Yura had only met her a handful of times, but she knew how much she meant to Ru Shi.
Yura was determined to make a good impression. Despite the complicated emotions between her and Ru Shi, she didn’t want his grandmother to feel unwelcome or unappreciated. So, she decided to take matters into her own hands.
After asking the maid about Ru Shi’s grandmother’s favorite foods, Yura spent the morning in the kitchen, carefully preparing each dish with patience and attention. She wasn’t much of a cook, but today she wanted everything to be perfect.
She worked meticulously, making traditional dishes that the grandmother loved, including her favorite savory dumplings, slow-cooked beef soup, and a delicate lotus root salad. The kitchen was filled with the warm aromas of her efforts, and even the maid commented on how impressed she was by Yura’s dedication.
Yura wiped her brow and checked the clock. It was almost time for Ru Shi’s grandmother to arrive. She felt a mixture of nervousness and anticipation. Would the older woman like her cooking? Would she notice the distance between her and Ru Shi?
When the doorbell rang, Yura quickly washed her hands, straightened her clothes, and rushed to the door. She opened it to find Ru Shi’s grandmother standing there, looking as elegant as ever in a traditional silk hanbok. Her eyes sparkled with wisdom, and her warm smile put Yura at ease.
“Grandmother, welcome,” Yura greeted with a polite bow, her heart fluttering slightly.
Ru Shi’s grandmother looked her up and down with a soft smile. “Yura, it’s so good to see you, my dear. How are you?”
“I’m well, thank you. I’ve prepared some of your favorite dishes. Please, come in,” Yura said, leading her inside.
The grandmother looked pleasantly surprised. “You cooked for me? That’s very thoughtful of you.”
As they entered the dining room, Ru Shi appeared, having come back from a meeting just in time. He was surprised to see the table filled with his grandmother’s favorite dishes, and even more surprised to see that Yura had taken the initiative to prepare everything.
His eyes softened as he took in the scene—Yura, standing nervously beside the table, and his grandmother, smiling warmly at her. There was a moment of quiet admiration in Ru Shi’s expression, though he quickly masked it as he walked toward them.
“Grandmother, it’s good to see you,” Ru Shi greeted, hugging the older woman.
She patted his arm lovingly before sitting down. “It’s good to see you too, Ru Shi. Your wife has been so kind to prepare all of this for me.”
Ru Shi glanced at Yura, catching her eye for a brief moment. “She’s thoughtful like that,” he murmured.
As they sat down to eat, the atmosphere was calm, yet filled with underlying tension. Yura felt Ru Shi’s presence beside her, his gaze occasionally drifting toward her as they ate. His grandmother, however, kept the conversation light, complimenting Yura’s cooking and sharing stories about Ru Shi’s childhood.
“You know, Ru Shi was always such a stubborn boy,” his grandmother laughed, making Yura smile faintly. “But he has a good heart. He just needs someone to understand him.”
Yura glanced at Ru Shi, her mind swirling with thoughts. His grandmother’s words seemed to linger in the air, and though they weren’t said directly, Yura couldn’t help but feel that they were meant for her.
As the meal went on, Yura relaxed a little, feeling more at ease with Ru Shi’s grandmother. The older woman’s warmth and kindness made Yura feel welcome, and for the first time in a long while, she felt a sense of calm in their home.
