Chapter 42: Robert’s Dinner Invitation

The carriage stopped in a residential neighborhood of Brooklyn.

Robert was waiting for him at the front gate.

“Boss! Welcome!”

“Thank you for inviting me, Robert.”

“Oh, you even brought a cake. You didn’t have to.”

From inside the house, the sound of children running could be heard.

Family.

There it was again, that word.

Robert’s house was cozier than he’d expected.

The moment he opened the front door and stepped inside, warm air wrapped gently around his face.

From the fireplace in the living room came the scent of burning wood, and from the kitchen drifted the savory aroma of roasting meat.

It was a space filled with the warmth that only the word ‘home’ could hold.

“Dad, is the guest here?”

At the top of the stairs, a boy who looked about five or six peeked out, his face still half-asleep.

“Yes, Tommy. Come down and say hello. This is my boss.”

Tommy hurried down the stairs.

Then he looked up at Lee Jun-hyuk, blinking curiously.

“Wow, he really is an Oriental!”

“Tommy! Mind your manners!”

Robert scolded his son in embarrassment, but Lee Jun-hyuk smiled and knelt down to meet the boy’s eyes.

“Hello, Tommy. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Mister, did you really come from China?”

“No, I came from a country called the Korean Empire. It’s different from China.”

“The Korean Empire? Do they have dragons there, too?”

Lee Jun-hyuk chuckled at the child’s innocent question.

“Well, I haven’t seen any dragons yet. But there are some very fierce tigers living there.”

“Really? Tigers?”

Tommy’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.

At that moment, Robert’s wife, Mary, came out from the kitchen, wearing an apron.

“Tommy, don’t bother our guest. Please come in, Mr. Lee. The living room is this way.”

The living room had a soft-looking sofa and an armchair, and a small rug was spread in front of the fireplace.

On the walls hung several family photos, including a wedding picture of a happily smiling Robert and Mary.

“Please, make yourself comfortable. I’ll bring out some tea in a moment.”

“Thank you.”

As Lee Jun-hyuk sat on the sofa, Tommy scooted over to sit next to him.

“Mister, what do people eat in the Korean Empire?”

“Well, we mostly eat rice. And there’s a very special food called Kimchi.”

“Kimchi? What’s that?”

“It’s cabbage pickled with spicy seasoning. It’s a bit hot at first, but the more you eat it, the tastier it gets.”

Robert chuckled from the side.

“Tommy seems to really like you, Mr. Lee. He’s usually very shy with strangers.”

Just then, Mary called from the kitchen.

“Honey, could you come here and help me with this?”

“Ah, yes, boss. Excuse me for a moment.”

Robert went off to the kitchen, leaving Lee Jun-hyuk alone with Tommy.

“Mister, are you really, really rich?”

Tommy lowered his voice, as if sharing a secret.

“Why do you think that?”

“Dad said so. He said his boss is an amazing man. He made a lot of money from sugar.”

Lee Jun-hyuk gave a wry smile.

Robert, you really should watch what you say in front of your son.

“There are things much more important than money, Tommy.”

“Really? What’s more important?”

“Family.”

Lee Jun-hyuk pointed at the family photo on the wall.

“Being together with your dad and mom like this, that’s the happiest and most precious thing in the world.”

Tommy tilted his head.

“Then, mister, don’t you have a family?”

For a moment, his heart ached.

The child’s pure question caught him off guard.

“I do. They’re in the Korean Empire.”

“Why don’t you live with them?”

“I’m away for a while because of work. I’ll be going to see them soon.”

At that moment, Mary came out carrying a tray.

On the tray were warm cups of tea and a plate of roughly shaped cookies that looked homemade.

“Oh my, Tommy didn’t bother you too much, did he?”

“Not at all. He’s a lovely and delightful child.”

Mary poured the tea as she spoke.

“My husband always talks about you, Mr. Lee. He says you’ve achieved remarkable things at such a young age and that he respects you very much.”

“You flatter me.”

“No, it’s true. Ever since my husband started working for you, he’s been so happy. He says he’s found a good person to work for.”

Lee Jun-hyuk took a sip of tea.

It was warm black tea.

The cookies were rich with butter flavor and had a sincerity you couldn’t find in anything sold in stores.

“Dinner is almost ready. We didn’t prepare anything special, but we made it with care, so I hope you enjoy it.”

They moved to the dining table.

The main dish was roast beef.

Perfectly cooked meat, roasted potatoes, and vegetables sautéed in butter were served appetizingly on the table.

It was the classic, and the warmest, of American home-cooked meals.

“We usually pray together before eating. Would that be alright with you?”

Robert asked cautiously.

“Of course.”

The family held hands.

Lee Jun-hyuk took the hands of Robert and the small Tommy beside him.

Tommy’s hand was small and warm.

“Lord, we thank you for allowing us to share this delicious meal with such a precious guest today. Please bless this food, and always watch over our family and Mr. Lee. We pray in Jesus’s name. Amen.”

“Amen.”

It was the first time in a long while—or perhaps in his life—that he’d heard a family prayer like this.

In his previous life and in this one, he couldn’t remember ever sitting at a table and praying with family.

“Please, eat as much as you like.”

Mary gently cut the tender meat and placed a generous portion on his plate.

“It’s really delicious.”

“I’m glad. Honestly, I was a bit worried that you might not like our food.”

“I enjoy American food as well. Especially home cooking like this, full of care—it couldn’t be better.”

As they ate, they shared various stories.

Robert spoke of his awkward college romance, and Mary told the story of how they first met.

“We first met in the church choir. He dropped his music score, and I picked it up for him.”

“That’s when I fell for her at first sight.”

Robert looked at his wife with loving eyes and smiled.

The deep affection between the two was palpable.

“When was Tommy born?”

“Six years ago. He was a gift from God, two years after we married.”

Mary gently stroked her son’s head as he started to nod off.

Watching this ordinary, happy family, Lee Jun-hyuk was overcome by unfamiliar feelings.

Was it envy, or was it longing?

“Mr. Lee, do you plan to get married soon?”

Mary asked gently.

“Ah, well…”

“Oh my, I’m sorry. Was that too personal?”

“No, not at all. Actually… there is someone I care about.”

At those words, Robert’s eyes sparkled.

“Oh-ho, really? Can you tell us what kind of person she is?”

“It’s still… we’re just getting to know each other slowly.”

“She must be a wonderful person.”

Mary smiled warmly.

“If Mr. Lee has feelings for her, I’m sure she is.”

After the meal, they had sweet apple pie for dessert. Tommy had already fallen asleep in his father’s arms, and Mary took him upstairs.

In front of the fireplace in the living room, only Robert and Lee Jun-hyuk remained.

“Boss, thank you so much for coming tonight.”

“Thank you for inviting me, Robert.”

Robert added more wood to the fireplace. The flames crackled and danced pleasantly.

“It’s a wonderful thing, having a family.”

Lee Jun-hyuk gazed at the fire and spoke quietly.

“Yes. It’s what I’m most grateful for in life.”

“Robert, you truly love your family.”

“Of course. The reason I get up every morning and work hard is all for my family.”

Robert spoke with a serious expression.

“Boss, you’ll have a wonderful family of your own soon. And I’m sure you’ll see your family back in Korea before long.”

“I hope so.”

“No, I’m certain of it.”

After 9 p.m., Lee Jun-hyuk rose from his seat.

“I should get going now. It was a truly pleasant and warm evening.”

“Already? Won’t you stay a little longer?”

“No, Tommy needs to sleep, and it’d be rude to stay too late.”

Mary came down from upstairs.

In her hand was a paper bag.

“Mr. Lee, please take this with you.”

Inside the bag came the sweet and savory scent of freshly baked cookies.

“You seemed to really enjoy the cookies earlier, so I baked some more for you.”

“Oh, thank you so much.”

“Really, it was our pleasure. Please don’t feel any burden, and visit us again anytime.”

Robert, who saw him off to the door, spoke.

“Boss, remember how you once said you wanted to create a company that feels like a family?”

“Yes, I did.”

“Watching you today, I truly believe you’ll make it happen. You genuinely value people.”

Lee Jun-hyuk patted Robert on the shoulder.

“Thank you, Robert. Thanks to you, I had a truly warm evening.”

Outside, the cold night air filled his lungs.

But his heart felt as warm as if he were still by the fireplace.

On the carriage ride back to the hotel, he took out one of the cookies Mary had packed for him.

Its sweet, buttery flavor filled his mouth.

“Family.”

That word circled in his mind all evening.

Feelings stirred in him as he watched Robert’s family.

A warmth—and at the same time, a longing that ached in one corner of his heart.

“My family in Pyongyang must be gathered around the table, eating dinner right about now…”

Father and Mother, and the five younger siblings whose faces he barely remembered. How lively and noisy must a table with eight people be?

He arrived at the hotel.

Entering his room, he took off his jacket and sat at his desk.

From the drawer, he pulled out Soo-yeon’s letter and reread it.

“Oppa, I really miss you.”

The final line of the letter rang even louder in his heart than before.

Lee Jun-hyuk took out fresh stationery.

Just writing what he had earlier wasn’t enough.

There was so much more he wanted to say.

So much he wanted to share.

“I should add one more postscript.”

In the end, he picked up his pen.

Another postscript: Today, I was invited to dinner at an American friend’s house. He has a six-year-old son, and it made me think of our youngest, Miyeon. Miyeon must be quite talkative now, right? I wonder what she likes, what games she enjoys—I’m so curious.

He paused for a moment to collect his thoughts.

Then he wrote again.

To be honest, I’m curious about all of you. Soo-yeon, you said you’re seventeen now, right? What dreams do you have? Jeonghun wants to become a Judge, and Mincheol is still the mischievous one. I’d like to know more about Hayeon, too—what kind of person she is.

The letter grew longer and longer.

But he couldn’t stop.

Seven years was such a long time. There was so much of their lives he had missed. But from now on, he wanted to start again. Even if we’re far apart, I hope you all know that my heart is always with you.

At the end, he added the most important line.

And truly, this December, I will go to Pyongyang, no matter what happens in the world. Until then, I hope everyone stays healthy and happy.

He read over the letter again.

It felt much more heartfelt than before.

At that moment, the telephone rang.

“Hello?”

“Boss! It’s Yu Ilhan!”

It was Yu Ilhan again.

Does this man ever stop working, even on weekends?

Ah, did weekends even exist in this era?

“What’s up at this hour, Yu?”

“Ah, sorry, but I have some really exciting news!”

His voice was genuinely excited.

“What is it?”

“I just spoke to the factory owner, and he says we can finish construction a whole week ahead of schedule! That means we can start test production by the end of March!”

“Really? That’s incredible news.”

“Right? So, even though tomorrow’s Sunday… if you have time, could you come to the factory in the morning? I want to show you the progress myself.”

Yu Ilhan’s enthusiasm was truly something.

“Sounds good. What time shall we meet?”

“How about 10 a.m.?”

“Alright. See you at the factory tomorrow.”

When he hung up, it was already past 11 p.m.

He lay in bed, but couldn’t sleep.

So many emotions had stirred in him today.

Robert’s warm family.

His beloved family in Pyongyang, alive and breathing through their letters.

And suddenly, Catherine came to mind.

“Next Friday, I’ll have to talk about family.”

He wanted to tell Catherine about the letters from Pyongyang, and share his plans to visit his family in December.

How would she react?

Outside his window, the night view of New York sparkled.

The city lights glittered like stars.

“Nine months until December.”

There was a mountain of things to do before then.

He had to make the radio station a success, get the Radio Station on track, and continue his studies at Columbia University.

But now, he wasn’t alone.

He had reliable colleagues to work with.

He had Catherine, with whom he’d spend every Friday.

And he had a family far away, always supporting him.

“I can do this.”

Lee Jun-hyuk closed his eyes.

Tomorrow would be another busy day.

But now, that busyness was no longer a burden, but something he looked forward to.

That night, Lee Jun-hyuk had a dream.

In his dream, he was standing by the Daedong River.

A spring day on the Daedong River.

Just like in Soo-yeon’s letter, peach blossoms were blooming profusely along the banks.

And beneath those flowering trees, his seven family members were waving and waiting for him.

***

Sunday morning.

Lee Jun-hyuk woke up earlier than usual.

Sunlight streamed through the window, especially bright.

It felt as if spring had finally arrived.

After a simple breakfast, he headed for Brooklyn.

The Sunday morning streets were quiet.

Most people were either at church or resting at home. But Yu Ilhan would no doubt be at the factory.

“He really is something.”

Yu’s passion was hard even for Lee Jun-hyuk to keep up with. In fact, it inspired him.

He, too, needed to work just as hard.

At the factory, as expected, Yu Ilhan was there in his work clothes, inspecting equipment.

“Boss! You’re early!”

Yu Ilhan wiped grease from his hands as he approached.

“Working even on Sunday—truly impressive.”

“Oh, it’s nothing. This doesn’t feel like work to me. Watching my dream become reality is just so exciting.”

The two men entered the factory.

Even on a Sunday, several workers were there.

They were busy removing old equipment and installing new machinery.

“Look here, boss!”

Yu Ilhan began explaining in an excited voice.

“This is the raw material intake. The conveyor belt will run this way. And over there is the new, state-of-the-art sterilizer we just brought in.”

His eyes sparkled like a child’s.

Just seeing the factory of his dreams become reality seemed to fill him with happiness.

“The workflow is really efficient.”

“Isn’t it? I spent a few sleepless nights designing it. Everything I learned at 06 is finally coming into use.”

Lee Jun-hyuk suddenly became curious.

“By the way, Mr. Yu, aren’t you married?”

“What?”

Yu Ilhan grinned sheepishly.

“Not yet. Actually… there’s someone I care about.”

“Oh-ho, who is she?”

“She’s a friend in med school. Her name’s Homari—she’s Chinese-American. Incredibly smart and determined. Even when everyone tried to talk her out of becoming a doctor, she stuck to her path.”

Yu Ilhan’s voice was filled with deep affection.

“Then why haven’t you confessed yet?”

“I need to have something to offer her. She’s going to be a doctor, and I was just a regular office worker. I’ve only just started my own business…”

“There’s no such thing in love.”

Lee Jun-hyuk laughed.

“Just tell her honestly how you feel. If she’s the kind of person you say, what woman could refuse someone like you?”

“Boss, does that mean there’s someone you care about, too?”

Yu Ilhan asked, catching on quickly.

“You’re saying that like you know something.”

“Well, there’s someone I’m just starting to get to know.”

“What kind of person?”

“She’s a student studying economics. Very smart, warm, and bright as sunshine.”

The two men exchanged knowing smiles. Both their work and their love lives were just beginning.

At that moment, one of the workers approached.

“Mr. Yu, could you take a look at this piping connection?”

“Ah, yes, I’ll be right there.”

Yu Ilhan hurried off.

Left alone, Lee Jun-hyuk took a look around the factory, which was being transformed before his eyes.

“It’s really beginning.”

From a sugar plantation in Cuba to a food factory in New York.

There was still a long way to go, but the joy of achieving things step by step was real.

He didn’t leave the factory until afternoon.

“Shall we have lunch together, boss?”

Yu Ilhan suggested.

“There’s a really good Chinese place nearby. Homari introduced it to me, and it’s fantastic.”

The two men went to a small Chinese restaurant in Brooklyn.

The sign read ‘Kumryung Restaurant.’

Without even looking at the menu, Yu Ilhan ordered japchae rice and tangsuyuk.

“Are those Homari’s favorites?”

“Uh, how did you know?”

Yu Ilhan looked embarrassed.

“It’s written all over your face.”

Lee Jun-hyuk laughed.

The food was truly delicious.

Authentic Chinese cuisine, alive with flavor.

“How did you meet her, boss? The one you care about?”

Yu Ilhan asked cautiously.

“At the university library. Last year, I dropped a very precious watch, and she picked it up for me.”

“Wow, that’s real fate.”

“Yes. I think so, too.”

The two men ate in silence for a moment, each thinking of the person in their heart.

“Boss.”

Yu Ilhan set down his chopsticks.

“This time, I’m going to muster the courage.”

“You’re going to confess?”

“I’ll at least ask her to meet. Invite her to our first product launch party and see how it goes…”

“It’ll go well.”

Lee Jun-hyuk said sincerely.

“No one could turn down someone like you.”

After lunch, they stepped outside.

Brooklyn on a Sunday afternoon was peaceful.

Bidding farewell to Yu Ilhan, Lee Jun-hyuk took a carriage back to Manhattan.

“Should I muster my own courage?”

His relationship with Catherine seemed to be at the point where it needed to move forward. Meeting every Friday was wonderful, but his desire for something more was growing.

He arrived at the hotel.

Back in his room, he found another letter on the desk.

“Another one from Pyongyang?”

But this one was different.

The sender’s address was in Manhattan.

He opened the letter.

To Mr. Lee Jun-hyuk,

I apologize for this sudden letter. I am James Smith, professor of economics at Columbia University.

I heard through the department office that you are returning to your studies. If you have time, I would like to meet and talk with you next week.

I have a very special proposal to offer you.

A letter from a professor? What kind of proposal could it be?

Lee Jun-hyuk put the letter down and looked out the window.

The sun was setting.

Another day was coming to an end.

Tomorrow was Monday. The real work week would begin.

He needed to finalize the Radio Station contract, interview new employees, and continue to check on the progress at the factory.

And on Friday.

He would see Catherine.

“This time, I’ll have to talk about family.”

He wanted to tell her about the letters from Pyongyang, and about his plans to visit his family in December.

How would she react?

At that moment, the telephone rang.

“Hello?”

“Hello, is this Mr. Lee Jun-hyuk?”

A clear, gentle female voice, unfamiliar yet pleasant.

“Uh, and you are?”

“I’m Homari. Yu Ilhan’s friend.”

Lee Jun-hyuk was surprised.

“Ah, yes, hello.”

“I’m sorry for calling out of the blue. I just wanted to ask how Yu Ilhan’s been lately. He hasn’t been in touch much, so I was worried that something might’ve happened.”

Her voice was filled with genuine concern.

“Oh, he’s doing very well. I saw him at the factory today, and he looked very happy.”

“I’m glad. Truly glad.”

There was relief in her voice.

“Miss Homari.”

Lee Jun-hyuk added.

“Yu Ilhan talks about you a lot. He seems to care about you very much.”

“…Really?”

Her voice trembled slightly.

“Yes. Today, he even took me to your favorite Chinese restaurant.”

From the other end of the line, he heard a small, soft laugh.

“That fool. He always wants to go there.”

“You’ll probably see him soon. He wants to invite you to the launch party for the first product.”

“Is that so? Then… I’ll have to go.”

After the call, Lee Jun-hyuk smiled.

Those two, they’re really thinking of each other.

“Is that what love is?”

Thinking of each other, but not being able to take a step forward.

Waiting, hesitating.

“Am I the same?”

The night grew deeper.

He needed to get some rest for tomorrow.

But sleep wouldn’t come.

His mind was filled with thoughts of the coming Friday.