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"Yixing, why is Liu Yifei here?" 
Jisoo's eyes widened in surprise as she watched the famous actress Liu Yifei sprint towards the palace after disembarking from a helicopter. She shook her head in disbelief, still getting used to the lavish lifestyles of the wealthy families in this country.
"You remember the cousin I told you about, the one with the overactive hormones?" Yixing replied with amusement.
Jisoo tilted her head, recalling the conversation they'd had back in Myeongdong about his cousin who was obsessed with a particular boy band. Her jaw dropped as the realization hit her - Liu Yifei, the renowned Chinese actress she had admired for years, was Yixing's cousin. "No way," she said, shaking her head in disbelief. It seemed too good to be true.
"Oh, yes way," Yixing retorted, chuckling. "And please, don't mention anything about that boy band, or she won't stop talking about them for hours. I learned that the hard way the last time I gave her the stickers we bought in Myeongdong."
Jisoo nodded, filing that information away. "Okay, I'll keep that in mind." She then grasped Yixing's arm, barely containing her excitement. "Oh, I can't believe I'm going to meet Liu Yifei. I'm so nervous!"
Yixing laughed, amused by Jisoo's fangirling over his cousin, something he'd rarely seen from her in the four months they'd known each other.
Jisoo and Yixing turned to the window to see who else was arriving. Yixing had been telling Jisoo about the guests who had been disembarking from the helicopters for the past hour. He explained that his father had three siblings, and he was the oldest. The second child of Yixing's grandparents was Yifei's mother, and the third was Yixing's uncle, who now ran their company in Taiwan. This uncle had twin daughters the same age as Jisoo.
Yixing said that compared to Yifei, these twin girls were quite different. As the twin girls descended from the helicopter with their parents, Jisoo could see what Yixing meant. They embodied the stereotypical look of wealthy, privileged girls - adorned in tight, short dresses, fur coats, heavy makeup, and lavish accessories. This was a familiar scene for Jisoo, who had encountered many such socialites through her mother's social circle.
"My uncle spoils them too much," Yixing commented, watching the cousins climb the stairs.
"Don't all fathers like to spoil their daughters?" Jisoo replied, peering out the window alongside him. "My father spoils me a lot too."
Yixing gave her a sidelong glance. "And I wonder why they can be so different from you," he said, eliciting a scoff from Jisoo.
After about fifteen more minutes, the sky had darkened. They were waiting for the last guest before heading to the living room where everyone was gathering. Jisoo was about to suggest going to greet Yixing's aunt and uncle's family when another helicopter approached the palace. Yixing took a deep breath, and Jisoo could feel his body tense as she saw his father disembark, followed by an older man.
Jisoo could understand why their presence made Yixing so nervous. Even from a distance, she could feel a strong, commanding presence emanating from the older man, whose sharp gaze shone from under his beret, his tall, broad-shouldered stature still bearing the glory of his youth.
"That's the big boss," Yixing said, reaching for Jisoo's hand and holding it tight. "Let's go."
Jisoo was acutely aware that all eyes were upon her as she descended the stairs with Yixing. She kept her chin high and a smile on her face, trying to appear confident, though it took tremendous effort to maintain her composure with Yixing's arm wrapped around her.
"Here comes the lady of the day," Yifei greeted them first as they reached the bottom of the stairs. Yixing introduced the two, and Jisoo had to restrain herself from appearing like an obvious fan of the famous actress. But she couldn't hide her eager grin.
"Yifei, this girl right here is apparently your biggest fan," Yixing teased, explaining that Jisoo had been "jumping-jumping like a bunny" in anticipation of meeting her. Jisoo wasn't about to let him get the upper hand, however.
"Yixing failed to inform me that my favorite actress happens to be his cousin," Jisoo said in English. "If I had known earlier, I would have brought all my Yifei merchandise for you to sign." For a moment, Yifei stared at them both in apparent confusion, as if she was struggling to comprehend the situation.
"That's a very bad joke, I'm sorry," Jisoo added quickly, feeling slightly embarrassed. But then Yifei burst out laughing.
"Oh, my God, you're so cute," the actress exclaimed, wiping tears from her eyes. "Yixing, I love your girl." She continued, revealing that Yixing had spoken of Jisoo endlessly, "like an overloaded hormonally fanboy."
"Well, now you know I'm not exaggerating," Yixing defended himself.
"Yeah, yeah, of course you're not," Yifei teased. "Anyway, I'm so flattered. Never thought professor Kim Jisoo would ever watch my movies. I'll invite you to my upcoming movie premiere. You have to come, okay? Promise me you will."
Jisoo beamed, "Of course I'd love to, that would be an honor."
"No, the honor is mine," Yifei insisted. "I'll give you a call when it's due. Oh! By the way, show me the diamond." The actress crooked her fingers, gesturing for Jisoo to extend her hand. When Jisoo did, Yifei squealed in excitement. "Oh, Yixing, you're so romantic, it's so pretty! I never thought you have this side on you, it's so disgusting. Pardon my words, but it's really not Yixing, you know. The idea of him to finally settle down, I can't believe you finally do this. I'm so happy for both of you! I hope you'll make it alive tonight with grandpa, he's hard to please, but I believe you'll slay him—"
"Okay, let's get you to greet the other guests," Yixing interrupted, spinning Jisoo around.
Jisoo was left with a look of confusion, catching Yixing glaring at his cousin. What did Yifei mean about making it "alive" with their grandfather?
"Hey, what was that about?" Jisoo asked, hoping Yixing would explain. But he simply brushed it off.
"She's talking too much, that's all," he replied calmly, redirecting Jisoo's attention to a group of people across the room. "Jisoo, I'd like you to meet my aunt, Yifei's mom, and my uncle."
As Jisoo conversed with Yixing's relatives, a part of her attention remained elsewhere. She couldn't help but overhear the twins discussing her dress in a disparaging manner, dismissing it as "so two-year last season" and a "rag." Jisoo scoffed mentally at their rude comments, though Yixing seemed unaware of their gossiping.
"She's trying to pull off chic, but it's totally failed. Who is she trying to cosplay? Bella Swan?" one of the twins scoffed.
"Which Bella Swan? The human or the vampire?" the other replied.
"That's not important, Mama. And the pumps, oh, no. She looks like someone going to a funeral. No, I can't see anymore, it's the pain for my eyes," the first twin lamented dramatically.
Jisoo couldn't help but overhear their scathing remarks. She had been playing the role of the "Chinese-dumb" girl, pretending not to understand their insults. But the more she listened, the more she questioned why she was allowing herself to be disrespected in this way, just to play along with Yixing. She felt stupid for letting them treat her so dismissively, when she understood every word they were saying.
"Ladies, I can hear you from here," Yixing suddenly interjected, sounding upset as he guided Jisoo away from the gossiping twins and towards his grandfather.
The old man was conversing with Yixing's parents when they approached. Yixing's mother noticed them and beckoned them over. Yixing greeted his father first, then turned to his grandfather.
"Oh, Yixing. Happy new year, Young Man," the grandfather said.
"You too, Yeye. I would like you to meet my fiancée, it's Kim Jisoo here," Yixing introduced.
Jisoo bowed respectfully. "It's nice to finally meet you, Sir, xīn nián kuài lè," she greeted formally in Chinese, having rehearsed the greeting with Yixing.
Jisoo felt a wave of nerves as she stood before Yixing's formidable grandfather. She had heard so much about the old man from Yixing's stories, and now she could see that Yixing hadn't exaggerated the strong patriarchal presence he emanated. Jisoo felt a bit intimidated, especially when the grandfather merely looked her up and down with a small, inscrutable smile and nod, rather than responding to her greeting.
The tension in the room was palpable, until Yixing's mother suddenly stepped in. "Alright, everyone. The dinner's ready, let me walk you all to the dining room," she announced, cutting through the awkwardness. She gave Jisoo a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder as she passed, and gestured for Yixing to escort Jisoo as well.
Jisoo followed Yixing, feeling a mix of emotion for what had happened. She knew this meeting with the grandfather was a crucial step in their engagement, and she was determined to make a good impression, despite her growing unease. The old man's taciturn response had left her uncertain, but she resolved to remain poised and respectful throughout the dinner.
Jisoo remained largely silent throughout the dinner. Flanked by Yixing and Yifei at the sizable round table, she found that the only ones making an effort to engage her in conversation were Yixing, Yifei, and Yixing's mother. Jisoo felt increasingly upset, and Yixing could sense her discomfort, throwing her guilty glances across the table. Though Jisoo knew exactly why Yixing felt that way, it was clear he didn't understand the source of her distress.
At one point, Yifei's mother remarked wistfully, "Yixing is a grown-up man now. It feels like just yesterday he was a little boy, running around the house playing hide-and-seek with Yifei. Now he's finding himself a woman for the future. I don't know whether to be happy or sad about it - I'm just so old now."
Jisoo watched Yixing's reaction closely, but he only responded with a small, tight-lipped smile, foregoing his usual translation of such comments. Jisoo couldn't help but steal glances at Yixing's grandfather, who merely smiled at the remark without offering any further input.
Then, one of the twins - Jisoo struggled to recall if her name was Xiaotong, Xiaogong, or Xiaolong - chimed in with a complaint. "Biaoge is no fun anymore. He only gave me 50,000 for the red packet this year, and when I asked about it, he said he used up all his savings to buy Jisoo a diamond ring. That's why he's being so stingy."
Despite the somewhat petty nature of the comment, Jisoo found it difficult to suppress a quiet laugh. It was truly remarkable to hear such a gripe coming from the mouth of a 26-year-old woman.
"Yixing didn't give you as much as previous years because you two are adults now," Yifei retorted, turning to tease the twins. "Try to learn from Jisoo here. You're the same age, and while she's out educating the nation's children, all you can do is waste money."
"Jie, that's too much!" the twin girl defended herself, interrupting the bickering. "We were just talking about Ge, why are you suddenly targeting us?"
The girls continued their lively debate about money and other matters, and Jisoo glanced over at Yixing, only to see him wave his hand dismissively while chewing on his grilled duck.
"Don't mind them, they're being senseless," he murmured to Jisoo. She remained silent, focusing on her own meal as the sisters continued their animated back-and-forth.
Truthfully, Jisoo found herself enjoying the scene, despite the girls' somewhat abrasive manner. Coming from a family where she had no siblings, Jisoo had never experienced the dynamic of sibling bickering and squabbles, where they would exchange barbs just to save face. Even with her own siblings, like Minseok, who was always level-headed, or Sehun, who would ultimately let her win their arguments, Jisoo had never truly engaged in that kind of lively, antagonistic exchange.
In a way, Jisoo envied the sisters' ability to so freely and passionately express their differences, even if it was done in a rather unrefined way. It was a glimpse into a familial dynamic she had never known herself.
"Jisoo, isn't it?" The grandfather finally turned his attention to her for the first time that evening.
"I was curious," he continued. "Why don't you tell us about yourself? Not everyone here is familiar with you."
Yixing tried to jump in and speak on Jisoo's behalf, but the grandfather cut him off. "Let the girl talk, Yixing. I'd like to hear it from her. Say something, brag about yourself."
As Jisoo met the grandfather's gaze, she recognized the challenge in his eyes. She wasn't sure if he was testing her language skills or evaluating whether she was truly worthy of his grandson's devotion. But one thing was clear - he did not mean any harm.
Jisoo knew that some of Yixing's family members had looked down on her when they saw her the first time. What they didn't realize was that she had grown accustomed to that disdainful gaze from a young age. Those dismissive looks only fueled her determination to prove her worth. She wouldn't be cowed or made to feel inferior. If anything, it sparked her resolve to show them that she was the equal of any man.
So, Jisoo straightened her shoulders and prepared to seize this opportunity to introduce herself and demonstrate her capabilities. She would not be intimidated, even by the patriarch of the family. This was her chance to assert her own value and worth.
Jisoo glanced sideways to see Yixing looking at her with a worried expression. Then she turned her gaze to Yixing's mother, who smiled encouragingly at her. When the mother nodded, as if signaling Jisoo to speak, Jisoo decided it was time to take center stage.
Jisoo smiled and began, "Sir, I'm currently a lecturer at the University of Korea. I earned double degrees in Philosophy and Politics & International Studies from Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich, and went on to complete a master's degree in the Philosophy of Science there as well. About a year later, I was granted a scholarship to study philosophy and ethics at Yale, where I also did my postdoctoral fellowship."
As the words poured out in Jisoo's fluent Mandarin, all eyes were on her. Some of the guests, especially those who had earlier dismissed her as a Chinese non-speaker, were now gaping in surprise. Jisoo turned to look at Yixing, and saw his eyes widen in apparent disbelief, as if he was struggling to reconcile the woman before him with his preconceived notions. Yixing's mother, on the other hand, was beaming with pride.
Jisoo inwardly relished the reactions of these people. She wasn't being rude or disrespectful, but simply asserting her own worth and capabilities in the face of their prior disdain. This was her moment to shine, and she was thoroughly enjoying it.
"And a year ago, I was appointed as a professor specializing in ethics and ancient Chinese philosophy. Since then, I've returned to Korea to serve my country," Jisoo concluded.
At first, the table fell silent, as if everyone was stunned and trying to process the reality of Jisoo's impressive credentials. But then, Yixing's grandfather broke the silence with a hearty laugh and a nod of appreciation.
"An expected scene from the daughter of Kim Jungyoon. You truly are your grandfather's spitting image," the grandfather commented.
Jisoo was surprised to hear Yixing's grandfather mention her own grandfather. "You know my grandfather?" she asked the old man, but it was Yixing's father who responded.
"Sir Kim Youngsam is my father's old friend," he explained.
"Who's Kim Youngsam?" Xiaotong's twin asked.
"He was the former president of South Korea. Didn't you learn about that in school?" Yifei replied with a slight hint of exasperation.
"I can't even remember the names of our own country's presidents, why would I know about hers?" the twin retorted.
Jisoo had to suppress a laugh at the exchange, but once the joke passed, she noticed a change in the atmosphere. There was a sudden warmth in Yixing's grandfather's demeanor, a rare sight that had the others at the table exchanging confused glances.
"I had great respect for your grandfather," the old man said, shaking his head. "His struggle to become president and his subsequent anti-corruption campaign were truly admirable. He was the only one with the courage to arrest his two predecessors. His policies were enormously beneficial for our country's business development. If it weren't for him, Zhang Dong Petrochemical would never have been able to expand into South Korea. I'm greatly indebted to him."
Jisoo could only smile as she listened to the high praise for her grandfather. She didn't know much about the details of his political career, as his presidency had ended before she was born. But she was still immensely proud of him, especially upon hearing such glowing accounts.
"A professor at such a young age, you must be truly brilliant," the grandfather remarked.
"It's just been a stroke of good fortune, sir," Jisoo replied humbly.
"It's highly unlikely that you've simply been lucky to become a professor at such a young age," the grandfather said. "It must be the result of your hard work and sagacity - your ability to know what you want to do at each stage of your life. I have a deep appreciation for women with ambition, as it's that drive that allows us to complete tasks, excel at things, and even venture into new endeavors. It's truly a shame that the women in my family don't seem to share that trait. I've always wished that at least one of them would inherit it from my late wife. But I suppose an old man can only dream..."
The grandfather glanced at the twins and their mother, who immediately protested the implication, but no one seemed to pay them much attention.
Turning to Yixing's father with a smile, the grandfather continued, "To have the granddaughter of Kim Youngsam in the family is a great honor. I should give him a call - it's been far too long." Then he looked back at Jisoo. "Please, just call me Yeye, like my other grandchildren. 'Sir' is far too formal for my liking."
Jisoo nodded in agreement. "Yes, Yeye."
For the first time that evening, Jisoo also noticed a smile on Yixing's father's face. He nodded obediently to the older man and said something in a low voice to Yixing. But Jisoo's attention was quickly diverted as Yixing took her hand in his lap and squeezed it, catching her focus. She realized she hadn't paid much attention to him during her brief conversation with his grandfather, and now she could see the relief and happiness on his face. Glancing around, she caught Yixing's mother's approving thumb gesture, and Jisoo couldn't have been more content.
* * *
The dinner conversation continued to flow, the atmosphere warming as the ice between Jisoo and the grandfather melted. He even began actively participating in the discussions. Yixing, meanwhile, couldn't seem to take his eyes off Jisoo whenever she spoke in Mandarin, clearly amazed that she was fluent in his language - something he hadn't expected.