Swipe Right for Love | WinRina

Chapter 9

The Kim residence was abuzz with the familiar, cozy chaos of a family dinner. The grand dining room, with its polished mahogany table and ornate chandeliers, was filled with the aroma of home-cooked delicacies. Her mother's signature kimchi stew simmered gently on the stove, the rich scent mingling with the tantalizing fragrances of roasted meats and freshly baked bread. The soft hum of conversation flowed around Minjeong like a gentle tide, but her focus was fragmented, her thoughts drifting to a certain law student with a bright smile and a playful kitten.

"Minjeong, are you listening?" Her mother's voice cut through her thoughts, snapping her back to the present. She looked up to see her family's expectant faces turned towards her.

"Sorry, what was that?" Minjeong asked, forcing a polite smile.

Her older brother grinned, clearly amused. "We were just asking about your love life again. Mom's starting to worry you're planning to stay single forever."

Minjeong's mother nodded in agreement, a hint of concern in her eyes. "Minjeong, dear, you know we just want to see you happy. Have you met anyone special yet?"

Minjeong tensed, feeling the pressure she had anticipated. This was the exact situation she had been dreading—another round of her family prying into her personal life. She hesitated, debating whether to mention Jimin. The thought of her family bombarding her with questions was daunting, but even worse was the idea of them insisting she bring Jimin to their next dinner.

That's crazy, Minjeong thought to herself, her mind racing. I'm not even sure what we are yet.

Her silence stretched a bit too long, and her sister-in-law raised an eyebrow, smirking. "You're blushing. You've definitely met someone."

Minjeong could feel the heat rise in her cheeks, her mind scrambling for a response. Were she and Jimin dating? Are they girlfriends? They had grown even closer ever since Minjeong returned, spending more time together, and there was no denying the connection between them. But they hadn't exactly defined their relationship. Were they just seeing where things would go, or was it something more?

The uncertainty gnawed at her, and the thought of sharing her confusion with her family felt overwhelming.

"I've been really busy with work," Minjeong finally said, evading the question. "I don't have much time to think about dating right now."

Her mother's eyes softened with sympathy. "I understand that work is demanding, but don't let it stop you from finding happiness. Life is too short, Minjeong."

Minjeong's older brother chuckled. "Come on, Minjeong. Even if you're busy, you can still make time for someone special. You're not getting any younger."

Her sister-in-law chimed in, "You know, Mom's been telling everyone about how you're still single. She's starting to think about introducing you to her friends' sons and daughters."

Minjeong's mother nodded, looking at her with a mix of hope and concern. "We just want you to be happy. It would be nice to see you settle down."

Minjeong's heart pounded as she fought to maintain her composure. The pressure was mounting, and her resolve to keep her private life private felt increasingly fragile. She wished she could just explain her confusion, but the words wouldn't come.

"I'm not sure how to explain it," Minjeong said finally, her voice trailing off. "It's complicated."

Her brother's grin faded slightly. "Complicated how? Is there someone in particular you're interested in?"

Minjeong's mind raced, grappling with how much to reveal. The idea of her family prying further was overwhelming, and she wasn't ready to face the potential fallout.