A few months later, once the company finally stopped feeling like a battlefield, Min Hyun found a free evening. The new system had settled nicely—staff punctual, accounts clean, profits rising. For the first time in years, he didn't have to run around fixing disasters.
It was late afternoon when Min Hyun stepped out of the old elevator. The apartment hallway looked exactly the same as when he'd left it two years ago. Same dim lights, same patterned wallpaper his mother refused to change.
He stood in front of the door for a long moment before pressing the bell.
His mother opened it halfway, then froze.
"...Min Hyun?"
He bowed his head. "Eomma."
She didn't say a word at first. Just stared at him like she wasn't sure he was real. Then her eyes sharpened and she grabbed his ear.
"You ran away and NOW you come back? After two years?!"
"Ow—Eomma—"
"Leaving only a LETTER? What kind of son does that?!"
He gently freed himself. "I deserved that."
She huffed, wiping her eyes quickly. "Come inside before the neighbors see."
He stepped into the familiar living room—old wooden furniture, a muted TV playing news, the faint smell of herbal medicine.
His father came out from the study, adjusting his reading glasses.
"You're back," he said simply.
"Yes, Father."
His mother crossed her arms. "Tell him what you did. Tell him how you disappeared in the middle of the night with nothing but a bag!"
His father spoke calmly. "I remember what he did."
His gaze fixed on Min Hyun. "I also remember telling you not to do something that foolish."
Min Hyun took a deep breath. "I know. You didn't approve of me leaving. But you weren't listening that night. You said the same thing over and over—that I shouldn't throw away my future for some young love."
"Because you were being impulsive!" his father shot back, voice firm. "Kang Jung-ho's conditions were absurd. No sane person would run off to 'prove themselves' like that."
"I had to," Min Hyun said softly. "For Soojin. For myself."
His mother frowned. "And you thought a LETTER was enough explanation?"
"That letter..." his father began, eyes narrowing. "...was the most irresponsible thing you've ever written."
Min Hyun looked at the floor. "I'm sorry. Truly. I wasn't trying to hurt either of you. But if I stayed that night, you would've stopped me."
His father didn't deny it.
Min Hyun placed two small paper bags on the table—the kind shops used before fancy packaging became common.
"I didn't come empty-handed," he said gently. "I brought things you like."
His mother opened hers—a delicate floral perfume imported from Europe, something she had always admired but rarely bought.
Her voice softened. "You remembered this? From two years ago?"
"I remember everything," he said.
His father opened his—an elegant fountain pen with a dark wooden body.
"This pen..." his father murmured. "I mentioned this once. How did you even find it?"
"I've been working hard," Min Hyun answered. "Working properly. Earning. Learning. I built something real, Father. The company is running smoothly now. Profits are rising. The team respects me."
His father studied him for a long, heavy moment.
"So you completed your ridiculous mission?"
"I did. Every part of it."
His mother let out a weak laugh of relief. "Aigoo... you really were out there trying to win Mr. Kang's approval."
His father's voice lowered. "Was all this truly for that girl?"
"Soojin," Min Hyun corrected gently. "Yes. But also for me. I didn't want to hide behind our family name forever."
Silence filled the room—thick, emotional, familiar.
Then, slowly, his father let out a long breath.
"Sit down," he said, not unkindly. "You look tired."
His mother quickly moved to the kitchen. "I'll heat the dinner! Aigoo, my son probably hasn't eaten real food in months."
His father placed the fountain pen back into its box.
"You're still reckless," he muttered. "But you're no longer a boy."
Min Hyun sat, feeling something loosen inside his chest for the first time in two years.
"...So," he asked quietly, "you accept the gifts?"
His father gave a small nod.
"And your return."
The TV hummed in the background, his mother clattered with pots in the kitchen, and the warm, familiar scent of home wrapped around him.
In this 1990s Seoul apartment—nothing fancy, nothing dramatic—Min Hyun finally felt forgiven.
Finally felt like a son again.
— TIME SKIP: SIX MONTHS LATER —
Winter had rolled into Seoul quietly, the kind that painted every shop window with thin frost and made people wrap scarves tighter as they hurried along the streets.
In those six months, Min Hyun's life had changed almost completely.
The company's name had grown enough that clients now came to them instead of the other way around. His team respected him without hesitation. And his parents—who once feared his recklessness—now watched him with a kind of quiet pride they tried not to show.
But none of that was the turning point.
The real turning point came on a cold Friday evening, when his mother placed a brown envelope on the dining table and said:
"Someone sent this to you. It came by courier."
The handwriting on the envelope stopped Min Hyun's heartbeat.
It was elegant. Firm. Distinct.
Mr. Kang's handwriting.
His father looked up from the newspaper. "Jung-ho sent something? After all this time?"
Min Hyun didn't answer. He opened the envelope carefully.
Inside was just a single sheet of cream-colored paper.
A letter.
He unfolded it.
"You've fulfilled what I asked for.Come see me at the house. We should talk about your future.— Kang Jung-ho."
That was it. No greeting, no unnecessary words. Just an invitation—no, a summons—that he had been waiting for two years to receive.
His mother gasped."So he finally acknowledged it?"
His father leaned forward slightly. "This means he accepts your efforts."
But Min Hyun's throat felt tight. Not from fear—but from the weight of everything those two years had meant.
His mother touched his shoulder."You should go, Min Hyun. Don't delay."
He nodded slowly."I'll go tomorrow morning."
He folded the letter with steady hands, but inside, he felt the ground shifting beneath him.
Because this wasn't just a letter.It was the door he had been knocking on for years.
And it was finally opening.
Next Major Turning Point Begins:
The next morning, he stood at the Kang estate gate—the same gate where Mr. Kang had once told him:
"If you want my daughter, prove you can stand on your own."
Back then, Min Hyun was just a stubborn boy with determination.Now, he stood here as a man who had earned his place.
The guard bowed, recognizing him."Young master Min-hyun, Chairman Kang is waiting inside."
For a moment, Min Hyun closed his eyes, letting the winter air sting his skin.
This meeting… would change everything.
Not just for him.For Soojin.For the future he had been fighting for.
He stepped inside the gate.
The turning point had finally arrived.
— The Meeting With Mr. Kang —
The Kang estate was quieter than Min Hyun remembered.No servants rushing around, no guests in the courtyard. Just the distant ticking of the old wall clock as he entered the main hall.
The housekeeper bowed slightly."Chairman Kang is in his study. He said to send you in."
Min Hyun nodded, steady steps carrying him to the familiar door—dark wood, polished, intimidating in its stillness.
He knocked.
A calm voice responded."Come in."
He pushed the door open.
Mr. Kang sat behind his wide wooden desk, reading glasses perched low on his nose, flipping through some documents. He didn't look up immediately. Only after closing the file did he lift his eyes.
Those eyes—sharp, calculating, unreadable.
"You came," Mr. Kang said.
"Yes, sir."
A brief silence settled between them before Mr. Kang gestured to the chair opposite.
"Sit."
Min Hyun obeyed.
Mr. Kang leaned back slightly. "I've been keeping an eye on your progress."
Min Hyun didn't react outwardly, but his fingers tightened just a little on his knees.
Mr. Kang continued, "Your company… no, the company you decided to take responsibility for—it has stabilized."
"Yes."
"You implemented a new system. Reduced losses. Gained three new clients."
"Yes, sir."
"And," Mr. Kang said, lifting a brow, "you did all of this without asking your father for a single won."
Because that was the condition.
Min Hyun answered firmly, "I had to prove I could stand on my own."
Mr. Kang studied him quietly, almost like he was scanning every layer of the young man sitting before him.
"Tell me," he said at last, "do you regret running away from your home for this?"
"No," Min Hyun answered without hesitation. "I regret hurting my parents, but not my decision. I'd do it again."
Mr. Kang's gaze deepened. "Even if you had failed?"
"Yes. Because I needed to try."
The older man exhaled through his nose—an unreadable expression flickered across his face, something between disbelief and reluctant approval.
"You were a boy when you stood here last time," Mr. Kang murmured. "Hot-headed, emotional, too impatient for your own good."
Min Hyun stayed silent.
"But now," Mr. Kang continued, "you look like someone who understands what responsibility actually means."
He slid a small folder across the desk.
Min Hyun frowned slightly and opened it.
Inside were clipped newspaper snippets and printed reports—articles about the company's recovery, a client praising their timely delivery, even staff members interviewed in a small business column.
Mr. Kang had been collecting them.
"You've been tracking my progress…"
"I told you to prove yourself," Mr. Kang said calmly. "So of course I watched."
He folded his hands on the desk.
"And I will say this now, Min Hyun: you did what I didn't expect you to do."
Min Hyun's breath caught.
Mr. Kang looked directly into his eyes.
"You fulfilled every condition. Without excuses. Without shortcuts. Without hiding behind your family name."A beat."You've done well."
The words hit harder than Min Hyun expected.
Then Mr. Kang spoke the sentence Min Hyun had waited years to hear:
"You have my permission."
Min Hyun blinked. "Permission…?"
"To be with Soojin."
Everything inside him went still—like the world paused for one long moment.
Mr. Kang's voice softened slightly."She is my only daughter. I needed to be sure that the man beside her wouldn't crumble under pressure. That he had the persistence to protect her."
He closed the folder.
"Now I know."
Min Hyun lowered his head, voice steady but filled with emotion."Thank you, sir. Truly."
But just as he started to rise, Mr. Kang added:
"However."
Min Hyun froze.
Mr. Kang's tone shifted—calm but carrying weight.
"There is one more thing."
Silence stretched.
A chill ran down Min Hyun's spine.
This wasn't over yet.
— Next Scene: Soojin Arrives —
Before Mr. Kang could say anything more, there was a soft knock on the study door.
"Abuji? Are you busy?"
The voice was gentle—familiar in a way that made Min Hyun's heartbeat stumble.
Mr. Kang replied, "Come in."
The door opened, and Soojin stepped inside.She was still wearing her university cardigan, textbooks pressed to her chest, hair tied in a loose ribbon. She froze the moment she saw who was sitting there.
"…Min Hyun?"
For a second, neither of them moved.
She looked surprised—shocked, actually—as if she hadn't expected to see him anywhere near this house ever again.
Mr. Kang spoke calmly, "You came at the right time."
Soojin blinked, looking between her father and Min Hyun. "What's going on?"
Mr. Kang closed the folder on his desk. "Sit, both of you."
She sat slowly beside Min Hyun, still staring at him with a mixture of relief, confusion, and something softer she tried to hide.
Mr. Kang leaned back in his chair.
"I called you both because this matter concerns the two of you," he said. "I've seen what Min Hyun has done these past years. I've already told him that he fulfilled the conditions I set."
Soojin's lips parted in surprise. She glanced at Min Hyun."You really… you really did everything my father asked?"
He nodded quietly. "All of it."
Her eyes softened—guilt, admiration, and lingering affection mixed into one expression.
Mr. Kang raised a hand, stopping any further talk.
"However," he said, "before anything is decided, the two of you need to talk. Honestly. Face to face."
He stood up from his chair.
"I want to know whether you truly want to be together—or if this is just a feeling you both have been holding onto because of the past."
Soojin lowered her eyes for a moment.
Mr. Kang continued, "If you both decide you want this—then I will approve."
Min Hyun let out a quiet breath.
But then Mr. Kang added, voice firm but fair:
"But this time, it won't only be my decision. You will also need approval from Min Hyun's father."
Soojin looked up sharply. "Why?"
"Because relationships aren't just between two people," Mr. Kang said. "They are between families. It is the 1990s. Reputation, stability, future security—they all matter."
Min Hyun nodded slowly. "I understand."
Mr. Kang gave them both a long, steady look.
"I will give you some time alone," he said, stepping toward the door. "Talk. Be clear with each other."
Before leaving, he paused and added quietly:
"If, after speaking, you both decide to move forward… I will not stand in your way."
The door closed behind him.
Now it was just Min Hyun and Soojin.Silence filled the room—heavy, emotional, unspoken years sitting between them.
Soojin held her books tighter against her chest, voice barely above a whisper.
"…You came back."
"I promised I would," he replied softly.
Her eyes glistened.
"And… you really did all that because of me?"
He turned toward her fully.
"Because of you," he said, "and because I wanted to become someone worthy of standing next to you."
Her breath hitched.
Outside the study door, the winter wind brushed against the windowpane. Inside, the only sound was the quiet beating of hearts that had waited too long.
This was the moment everything would change—again.
Scene 3 — The Quiet Conversation (Revised)
Soojin sat with her hands placed neatly on her lap, the faint scent of old wooden furniture filling the quiet living room. Min Hyun's parents observed her with different eyes—his mother warm, his father unreadable.
After a moment of silence, his father spoke first, voice calm but sharp enough to cut through the air.
"My son left home because of you."His steady gaze didn't waver."He sacrificed comfort, safety, and our name. He built a company from the ground up just to prove he could give you a stable home."He leaned slightly forward."What did you do in those two years?"
Soojin didn't flinch. She took a breath, straightened her shoulders, and answered without hesitation.
"I thought very carefully about my future," she began."And I realized I'm not suited for business. I can't handle risks, debts, or the stress of large responsibilities like he can."
She looked directly at him—steady, respectful, but not intimidated.
"I chose a path I can maintain with honesty and peace.""I passed the civil service exam."
His mother's eyes widened a little.His father's hands stilled.
Soojin continued, voice clear:
"My salary isn't huge. But it's secure. My life is stable. I have medical coverage, job protection, and enough benefits to live without fear."
She folded her hands again, but this time with quiet pride.
"Even if my parents or you don't approve of him… the life I have now is something I earned."She paused."…and I earned it thinking of him."
The room fell into a stillness.
Min Hyun's father studied her expression—no excuses, no shaking, no shame.Just truth.
Min Hyun watched quietly from the side, his chest tightening with relief and something deeper.
Finally, his father leaned back with a breath he didn't realize he was holding.
"…At least you didn't waste those two years."
His mother smiled softly."You've grown into a fine young woman, Soojin-ah."
Min Hyun stepped forward."I wanted both of you to speak honestly. No misunderstandings left."
He exhaled, almost like he was letting go of something heavy."You both worked hard in your own ways. If your decision is mutual…"
A faint, barely noticeable smile touched the corner of his lips.
"…you'll have my approval."
Soojin rose and bowed politely, warmth blooming in her chest."Thank you, ahjussi."
Min Hyun met his father's eyes for a brief second—gratitude, relief, and long-awaited peace passing between them. Then he turned to Soojin.
He extended a hand slightly, not to touch but to guide."Come on… let's talk."
The Balcony Promise
The balcony was small, overlooking the soft lights of Seoul drifting through the dusk. A cool breeze slipped between them as they stepped outside, closing the wooden door behind.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Soojin rested her hands on the railing, gathering her thoughts. Min Hyun stood beside her, close but respectful, like he was afraid of rushing anything after all these years.
He finally smiled."You came running here the moment I called… still the same Soojin."
She laughed softly. "And you're still the same Min Hyun who throws big news like bombs."
He leaned his elbows on the railing."Big news?""Your father just gave approval," she said. "That's… not small."
He looked at her then—really looked—like he was memorizing her face under the fading sky.
"Soojin… can I ask you something?"
She turned toward him, heart pounding."Yes?"
His voice was gentle but firm, as if it had been waiting years to come out.
"Do you… still want a future with me?"
She didn't answer immediately. Instead, she stepped closer, her tone soft and teasing:
"Why do you think I passed civil service? To raise cats by myself?"
He blinked, then laughed, the tension breaking.
She continued, this time with sincerity shining through:
"I did think of our future, Min Hyun. Every step. I just… needed a life I could hold steady. Something I could bring into a marriage without fear."
His smile softened, eyes warming.
"Then… should we talk about it properly? Our wedding?"
Soojin's cheeks warmed, but she nodded."Yes. Let's."
He straightened, turning his body toward her fully.
"Alright," he said, voice low and warm. "Tell me how you imagine it."
She looked up toward the sky, thinking."Something small," she said. "Not a grand hotel or fancy banquet. Just a simple hall… with our families… close friends. Enough for us to breathe without pressure."
He chuckled."That sounds perfect. I never wanted a big one. Just you walking toward me… that's already everything."
Her heart fluttered.
He added, softly:"I want your parents there too. That's important."
"Yes," she whispered. "Mine and yours. Together."
"And the dress?" he asked playfully.
"I don't need anything extravagant," she replied, shy but smiling. "Just something that feels like me. You?"
"I'll wear whatever makes you happy," he said. "Even if it's something uncomfortable."
Soojin laughed."Then wear comfortable clothes. I don't want you limping in our wedding photos."
He leaned slightly closer, voice dropping:
"Soojin."
"Hmm?"
"After the wedding… come home with me. Let's start our life together without running away, without fear."
Her breath caught for a moment.
Then she nodded, eyes soft and certain."Yes, Min Hyun. I'll come home."
He smiled—bright, relieved, a little overwhelmed."Then… we're really doing this."
"We are."
The evening breeze carried their shared promise—the kind that had waited years, crossed misunderstandings, and landed right here, on a quiet balcony in Seoul.
Min Hyun gently reached out and took her hand—not sudden, not rushed. Just steady.
And she held on.
Their wedding wasn't set yet, but the decision—their decision—felt more real than any date on a calendar.
A new beginning, finally within reach.
The Wedding They Deserved
The wedding hall in Seoul shimmered under warm golden lights, the kind that made everything look soft, magical, and a little unreal. The Kang family had spared no expense this time — not because of pride, but because they truly wanted to celebrate this chapter of their son's life. Crystal chandeliers cast dancing reflections, white lilies and soft pink peonies lined the aisle, and a gentle instrumental version of a classic 90s love song filled the space.
Guests whispered in admiration.
"It's beautiful.""They look so happy.""After everything they went through… they deserve this."
Soojin stood behind the bridal doors, her hands lightly trembling, not from fear — from joy. Her dress wasn't overly extravagant, but elegant: soft silk that flowed like water, delicate lace at the sleeves, and tiny pearls sewn across the bodice, glimmering quietly as she breathed.
Her mother dabbed her eyes."You're truly glowing, my daughter…"
Soojin smiled, steady and calm."I'm ready, eomma."
The doors opened.
The music swelled, and the crowd turned.
There stood Min Hyun at the altar — eyes widening, lips parting, breath catching as if the world paused for him alone. His suit was classic black but perfectly tailored, rich fabric, silver cufflinks, a clean white boutonnière at his chest. He looked like a man who had waited years for this moment… and could finally breathe.
His father whispered softly beside him,"She's beautiful. Go on, son. Don't cry."
His mother sniffled loudly and smacked her husband's arm."Don't tease him on his own wedding!"
As Soojin walked down the aisle, every step felt like a chapter closing and another opening. She locked eyes with him — and he had that same boyish smile he wore the day they first met.
When she reached him, Min Hyun exhaled like he'd held that breath for years.
"You came all the way to me," he whispered.
Soojin smiled. "I told you I would."
The ceremony began. Their parents were seated proudly together at the front — a sight even they once thought impossible.
The officiant spoke of love that perseveres, of young hearts that grew up and returned to each other, stronger and wiser. When the vows came, Min Hyun's voice shook slightly:
"Soojin… I'll never run away from life with you. Let's build it together. Slowly, honestly, without fear."
She responded, eyes glistening but steady:
"Min Hyun, I'm not the girl who was afraid of the future anymore. I chose a life I can share with you. So let's make a happy one… hand in hand."
There wasn't a dry eye in the room.
When the rings slid onto their fingers, cheers erupted even before the officiant finished declaring:
"You are now husband and wife."
Min Hyun pulled her into a tight, warm embrace, then kissed her gently under the glow of the chandeliers — the soft kind of kiss that holds years of longing, forgiveness, and quiet promises.
The celebration that followed was overflowing with joy:
The buffet tables were filled with the best dishes — traditional Korean, elegant Western plates, steaming pots of soup and fresh fruit.
Their friends from Busan arrived laughing, hugging Soojin tightly, teasing Min Hyun.
Even the old bakery aunty cried shamelessly into her napkin.
Min Hyun's father raised a toast, voice warm for once:"To the woman who made my son a man… and to the son who proved he could stand steady. May this home be full of laughter."
Everyone clapped loudly.
Soojin and Min Hyun danced slowly under a soft spotlight, her head resting on his shoulder, his hands gentle yet secure around her waist.
"You happy?" he whispered.
She nodded against him."More than I ever imagined."
He closed his eyes, letting himself memorize the feeling."Then this was worth everything."
The hall glowed brighter, music drifted like silk, and laughter filled every corner.
It was a wedding born from struggle, grown through years, and ending in pure, unquestioned happiness.
A new life — their life — finally began.
The Honeymoon
The small seaside resort was quiet, far from the glittering city lights of Seoul. The gentle waves lapped against the shore, and the salty breeze carried the soft scent of freedom — the first they had truly shared together, alone.
Soojin leaned against the balcony railing, hair catching the last rays of the setting sun. Min Hyun stood behind her, arms wrapped around her waist, chin resting lightly on her shoulder.
"It's beautiful," she murmured, eyes following the sun as it sank behind the horizon.
"It's nothing compared to you," he whispered, tilting his head to press a soft kiss to her temple.
She laughed softly, turning to look at him. "Stop being cheesy."
"I can't," he said with a grin. "Not today. Today… everything feels perfect."
They walked hand in hand along the empty beach, sand cold beneath their feet. Their laughter echoed, mingling with the sound of the waves, light and unburdened.
Later, sitting on a small blanket under the stars, Min Hyun passed her a cup of tea.
"To us," he said simply.
"To us," she replied, clinking her cup softly against his.
No promises needed, no worries about the future — just two hearts finally at peace.
And for the first time in years, Min Hyun let himself relax completely, knowing that wherever life would lead, they would face it together.
For the first time in years, Min Hyun could breathe—and with Soojin by his side, the future felt like something they could finally face together. But is this happiness long lasting ........?