To say that Aeyah was a hit with her Appa’s fellow soldiers was an understatement.

When she had her first visit – Aeyah clung to Joohyun until Yonghwa was able to coax her into going with him. On her father’s lap she made every soldier stop and pay attention to her.  She was dressed in a pretty pink frock with matching shoes, her hair held up with a pink bow.  At her mother’s prompting, Aeyah would make a small wave and smile at any one who stopped to greet them.

Resistance was futile.

When she felt confident enough she wiggled out of her father’s grasp and walked around the room.  Her ever protective brother right behind her. She would go up to each table and look at the families gathered.  She would shyly smile at the other children and the mothers.  Each time eliciting smiles and laughter from the other soldiers and their families.

“She’s such a charmer.” Yonghwa nudges his wife as they watch their little girl being given a piece rice cake and Jae solemly thanking the woman who had given the rice cake.

“Well, she definitely didn’t get it from me.  I was so painfully shy when I was young. Ask my Omma.”  Joohyun remarks.

“You’re charming Buin – you just don’t know it.” Yonghwa whispers into her ear. “You charmed me – the moment you stared at me from my doorstep.”

“What?” Joohyun laughs as she remembers the first time she met her Oppa. “I was so nervous. I thought you were Yoona Unnie’s boyfriend and I had to think in Korean in order to properly ask a question.”

They laugh and look fondly as their 2 children wander around the room.

Goodbyes were still hard but it was getting better.

6 months left to Yonghwa’s conscription….

“Madame – I’m so nervous.” Joohyun looks at mirror at Min Sun.

“Now don’t think about that Agassi – you’ll do fine.  You survived the elders specially Miss Jung – you’ll survive the CNB board of Directors.  Besides – Jihyo and Jiyoon will be there and it’s not like it’s your first time meeting them.” Min Sun experly twisted Joohyun’s long hair into a classic French braid.

“That was during charity functions, luncheons and office parties.  This time I’m sitting in Oppa’s chair. Listening to the CNB Holdings’ business matters. Being his wife and representative. I’m sure Shin Hye would find me amusing.” Joohyun replies.

“Now I’ll let you in on a little secret – you scored big points with Miss Jung in the last elders’ tea cermeony.  If anyone can survive a tea ceremony with her – then a shareholders’ meeting is a piece of cake!” Min Sun places the last hairclip to fasten Joohyun’s hair securely.

“Samonim was with me during the tea ceremony so I wasn’t so nervous.” Joohyun laughs a little when she remembers the tea ceremony that happened a month ago.

It was a Jung family memorial and as Samonim’s daughter in law, Joohyun was assigned the task of leading the ceremony. Although Samonim had trained her diligently for about 4 weeks – Joohyun was still terrified. She was leading the ceremony as the wife of the Jung Family heir as well as mother to the future heir.  All the other Jung wives were almost 10 years older than her.  Joohyun felt very much like a 12 year old.  She voiced her fears to her parents and while both comforted her – Joohyun yearned for Yonghwa’s presence the most.

She poured out her insecurities in her journals and cried herself to sleep. She dreaded the day.

When the day came, her Omma and Min Sun help her dress in her ceremonial hanbok. While they couldn’t attend the ceremony with her – both ladies tried to comfort a very nervous Joohyun.

“Samonim-“Joohyun whispers to her mother in law just before they enter the grand ballroom of the Lotte Hotel Seoul.”What if I forget the routine?”

“You won’t Joohyun. Trust me you will do fine.” Samonim pats her daughter in law’s shoulder.

“Besides if they say something to you I’ll just yell at them.” Hwejangnim butts in.

“Yeobo!” Samonim looks crossly at her husband. “Don’t terrify her even more.”

“Ddal – just to let you know you Ommonim fainted a few hours before her first ceremony. So you’re not alone.” Hwejangnim affectionately taps his daughter in law’s shoulder.

“I was pregnant at the time and the pressure was a lot for me.  Just be glad that this first ceremony is being done at the time you’re not pregnant.” Samonim gives Joohyun a little smile. 

The person who ruled the Jung family’s rules and traditions was Miss Jung.  She was Hwejangnim’s spinster aunt.  She presided over all the elder relatives like a dictator.  One had to be in Miss Jung’s good graces in order for the family to be at peace.

When Yonghwa just shy of 22 years married Joohyun – both Hwejangnim and Samonim had to exercise all their influence in order for the marriage to be accepted by the family.  Joohyun was not chosen and vetted by the Jung family and they would only be seeing her for the first time if they attend the wedding.  Miss Jung had initially flat out refused to attend the wedding so Yonghwa’s parents had to have a talk with a great number of relatives to get them to attend.  It was only when she learned that Joohyun’s baby maybe a boy did Miss Jung relent and attend the wedding ceremony. No Jung baby boy was ever going to be born a bastard – she declared. Yonghwa’s parents especially his mother had to endure an hour long sermon on how Jung heirs are supposed to be raised.  Thankfully, Yonghwa and Joohyun never knew of this.

Truth to tell Samonim was terrified for her daughter in law.  The Jung elders were a snobby sort.  The fact that Yonghwa married Joohyun while she was pregnant was something that they were all unlikely to forget. No matter what - Joohyun had to succeed in being Samonim – this was something that Samonim was going to make happen. No matter what no one not even the Jung family would question her son’s choice of Joohyun as his wife.

The grand tea ceremony was to start as soon as the elders had taken their places.  Everyone was dressed in royal blue – sigfying their status as Jung and the in laws in shades of light blue.  Joohyun herself was dressed in a beautiful hanbok that was originally sewn and detailed by Samonim’s own mother. Her teal and royal blue combination signifying that she was the wife of the heir.

Breathing in out to relax herself – Joohyun went back to the time when her Appa helped her calm down before a recital.  They would breathe in and out together and close their eyes.  Only this time Joohyun imagined that Yonghwa was there with her.

Joohyun began the hour long ceremony honoring the Jung ancestors. Her mind going thru the procedures and nuances like she was executing an intricate piano piece.

For what felt like the longest hour in her life, Joohyun finishes the cermeony and together with the other wives bow down to their parents in law and husbands and serve them tea.

At the formal end of the ceremony, Joohyun bows to Miss Jung, thanking her for the honor of presiding over the ceremony.

“How long before my grand nephew comes back?” The old lady asks Joohyun.

“In 6 months Yonghwa Oppa will be back Grand Aunt Jung.” Joohyun replied – so nervous that she forgot to give her husband his proper title.   Joohyun immediately realizes her mistake and tries to correct it. But the older lady was faster.

“Nampyeon. He is no longer your college boyfriend but your husband. Please give the correct title especially when you’re with the family after all you are his wife. ” The old lady replies. “You did a good job in the ceremony. Samonim trained you well.” Then with a slight nod the old lady went to sit at the long table with the other elders.

Joohyun felt her face heat up and looks down. Her hearts was thumping loudly, it was the closest thing to acceptance that the old woman had ever given her. Then she felt a light tap in her arm, she looks up to Samonim’s smiling face. They smile at each and walk together to their table where Hwejangnim and her 2 children were waiting for them.

That night she wrote 3 long pages for her husband to read.

“Yah – Agassi – you’re staring into space again. It’s almost time to go.” Min Sun’s words pull Joohyun back to the present.

“Mianheyo Madame – my thoughts were far away.” Joohyun smiles at Min Sun.  “I better go down and wait for Hwejangnim.”

Her mother in law came down to see them off.  Gently reminding her husband to take care of Joohyun and not let her be too overwhelmed by the meeting.

“Ah- Samonim of course. Jihyo and Jiyoon will not let her be neglected.” Hwejangnim laughs and gently taps his wife’s shoulder. “She’ll come back safe and sound and ready for your next charity function.”

“She can’t – she has to study for  her finals.” Samonim responds. “Don’t worry about the children, Ddal – your Omma and I are taking care of them.”

On her way to CNB Holdings, Joohyun looks at her little notebook. During her last visit with Yonghwa, he’d given some pointers with regards to the shareholders’ meeting.  He told her to ask Jihyo about Hwejangnim’s presentation and also to pay attention to the reports of each corporate president and ask questions if she felt that she wanted to understand something better.  It was her perogative, Yonghwa pointed out, because she was his wife. She smiles at the thought – she wasn’t even quite 25 yet - what intelligent question could she ask a president of a corporation? Nothing.

“Ddal- you’re smiling by yourself.  Did you remember your nampyeon?” Hwejangnim asks her. His daughter in law looked very grown up in her dark blue dress, her hair all done and pearls on her ears.  He was reminded so much of his own wife when she first attended the shareholders’ meeting. Except Samonim was with him. Joohyun would be attending alone and as his son’s representative.

“Did he give you questions to ask?” He smiles at Joohyun.

“Oppa just gave pointers and he said it was up to me to ask questions if I wanted.” Joohyun replies. “And I hope you don’t mind – I asked Jihyo unnie to give me an advance copy of the CEO’s report. Oppa said I should know it beforehand.”

“That’s good.  You know my son made my first presentation when he was 12 years old?” Hwejangnim chuckles. “He taught Jihyo those programs that they use nowadays for presentations. Cheeky boy.  He even took a day off school to attend, Samonim was mad at me for making him skip school. But yes, your husband is very much hands on in our business – ever since he was young.  I’m blessed to have son like him.” Hwejangnim had to look away, blinking his tears back as he lightly taps Joohyun’s hand. “Don’t be afraid arrasso?  If you find any of them disrepectful I’ll yell at them.”

Joohyun had to laugh despite of her tearful eyes. “Thank you Hwejangim.” She blinks and takes deep breathes to relax.  Samonim told her that everyone would scrutinize her from her looks, to the way she walked and talked.  Her behaviour and decorum must be beyond reproach not just because she was Yonghwa’s wife but because she was Hwejangnim’s daughter in law.

Joohyun opens her phone and once again reads her mother in law’s last text to her: If all else fails Ddal, you can always stick close to Jihyo and Jiyoon until I come for the luncheon.

The car pulls up the CNB Holdings building and Joohyun steps out of the car. Ahjussi gives Joohyun’s hand a squeeze and a wink.  Joohyun smiles and slightly bows.

It was totally unnerving to walk past a line of people who were bowing. Joohyun fixes a small smile on her face and bows slightly. Hwejangnim just walks straight past them and heads for the executive elevator. Between the 2 of them – Joohyun and her father in law had 8 guards including Yongguk.

“Ah-Ddal – your husband hates having people line up to bow to him.  He told me he would abolish that when he becomes Hwejangnim. Cheeky!” Hwejangnim gives a little laugh.  Joohyun was glad that Yonghwa found the experience as uncomfortable as she did.

They head for Hwejangnim’s office and were greeted very warmly by Jihyo and Jiyoon.  Joohyun was very glad her father in law’s assistants were very kind to her and had taken her under their wing.  The 2 older women told her that she looked very mature in her dress.

“Don’t be too nervous Hyun-ah.  They can sense that.  Just try and look like you’ve done this several times." Jihyo gently rubbed the young woman’s cold hands.

“And don’t - please don’t be intimidated by Shin Hye – arasso? She’d been coming to this for as long as Yongie was. She hadn’t come in the last 2 years but maybe she knew you were coming and of course she had to come as well.” Jiyoon remarks. “It’s a good thing our Yongie had the good taste of marrying you and not her.”

“Unnie!” Joohyun’s face turns red and she gives a nervous laugh.

“There – I’ve gotten some color on your face!”  Jiyoon snickered. “Did you review the report?”

“Deh, Unnie.” Joohyun nods.

“Good – now be prepared to be bored or interested for the next hour and 45 minutes.” Jiyoon holds Joohyun’s hand and ushers her to the board room.

When she enters the board room Joohyun felt all eyes on her. Jiyoon pulls out a seat right next to Hwejangnim. She smiles at her father in law.

“Ah – Ddal – your Appa told me to tell you something.” Her father in law’s eyes were twinkling, reminding her so much of Yonghwa.

“What it is Hwejangnim?” Joohyun leans closer.

“He said you should take at least 3 short breaths and 1 deep one for 3 intervals.” Hwejangnim chuckles.

Joohyun covers to hide her nervous laugh.  Trust her Appa to come to her aid. And like the filial daughter that she is – Joohyun straigthens up and does the breathing exercises that she used to do with her Appa.

Shin Hye was at the far end of the room when Joohyun comes in.  She was dressed in a Gucci bottle green business suit.  Her pregnancy wasn’t showing yet so Shin Hye felt that she looked her best. Her doctor told her that she was carrying a boy – both her father and husband were ecstatic.

Joohyun as usual looked pale and ethereal in her Valentino beige and taupe shift. As Yonghwa’s wife and representative, she was seated on the right side on Hwejangnim. Very Samonim like, Shin Hye had to admit. She just hoped that Joohyun could keep up the façade during the presentations.

When the presentations began Joohyun listened to them.  She would take down notes and refer to the hand outs. Several times Hwejangnim had to look at her and fondly smile.  His son never took down notes but then Yonghwa had read all the reports before the meeting came courtesy of Jihyo. His daughter in law was in the middle of reviewing for her finals and had 2 little children.  So Hwejangnim doubted that she had taken the time to get advance copies.

But then he was very much surprised when during each Q&A section Joohyun a