Peninsula: 72 Hours of Blind Dates

Han Xijun used to think his mother was childish.

It can't be called childish; it's more like the competitive spirit that people of our parents' generation all have.

Wu Haiyuan's parents have both met Han Xijun.

If I don't see Wu Haiyuan in Incheon, wouldn't that be like falling behind?

Han Xijun turned to look at the dining table and said into his phone, "Mom, she has a lot of things to do tomorrow."

"Didn't you also temporarily put your work aside? Is Wu Haiyuan not up to the task?"

"It's not that it's impossible, it's just that I had already prepared to visit her family in Incheon, while she wasn't prepared at all."

"No need to prepare anything, we just want to see her and have a meal together."

"But she has burdens."

"Son, I've already told you everything. It's up to you to decide what to do. I won't be sad, and your father won't be upset either."

I vaguely heard my father say on the other end of the phone, "Why are you dragging me into this?"

"Don't say anything." "Okay, okay, I won't say anything."

What can Han Xijun do?

He couldn't bring himself to refuse his mother.

The only answer I could give was, "I'll ask her first, and then I'll text my mom."

"Okay, Mom will wait for your message."

After ending the call, Han Xijun took a deep breath, opened the door, and went inside.

He wondered if it was a bit impolite to only invite Wu Haiyuan, since Wu Haiyuan's parents were also present. Not asking them would be tantamount to ignoring the two elders.

Anyway, I'll invite them first. My mom bought the ingredients, so if we go together, we can entertain them well.

"Phew~"

With a sigh of relief, Han Xijun put on a smile and walked back to the dining table.

Just then, the middle-aged woman served the dishes. In addition to the cold sashimi, abalone slices, raw baby octopus tentacles, and seafood soup she ordered, the middle-aged woman also gave her a seafood pancake as a complimentary gift.

One bottle of mulberry wine, two bottles of spirits. Mulberries are a common fruit in many rural areas; they are sweet and grow on mulberry trees that are easy to climb.

When I was a child, my teacher told me about raising silkworms in class. Silkworms eat mulberry leaves and spin silk that can be used to make silk clothes or silk quilts. The finished products are very expensive.

It truly doesn't waste anything; mulberries can be eaten as fruit or used to make wine, making full use of everything.

It tastes sweet, and with the addition of alcohol, there might also be added sugar. Han Xijun took a small sip but couldn't tell the difference; after all, he wasn't a beverage expert.

Mom also poured Wu Haiyuan a glass.

She has already passed her coming-of-age ceremony and can now have a drink with her family.

While pouring the wine, Mom casually asked Wu Haiyuan how he celebrated his coming-of-age ceremony, and whether he did it with Han Xijun.

It was just a casual question, and Wu Haiyuan hurriedly grabbed chopsticks and tore off some tissues.

The usually calm Han Xijun looked at the flustered Wu Haiyuan and said, "What are you looking for? Your aunt is asking you."

"what?"

Han Xijun said, "I accompanied Haiyuan to her coming-of-age ceremony. Originally, my sister was supposed to accompany Haiyuan that day, but I asked her to help me. That's the day I confessed to Haiyuan."

"Oh my, I wanted to ask how you two got together, but I was afraid it would be awkward if I asked. Since you've already said it, Hee-joon, did you confess first? I thought it was Hae-won who confessed." Oh Hae-won exclaimed, "Oh my god~"

She was somewhat dissatisfied.

Does everything related to Han Xijun have to be done by someone else taking the initiative and making the effort?

I'm not bad myself.

Although she's not as pretty as Seol Yeon-e or Bae Jin-sol, and doesn't seem to be as pretty as Lily, Ji-woo, or the maknae, she's not going to pursue Han Hee-joon just because of his looks.

It's not like I haven't seen handsome guys before.

There are quite a few handsome guys at JYP Entertainment.

Wu Haiyuan had seen Nichkhun before he gained weight, as well as Bang Chan and Lee Yong-bok, when he was still a trainee.

Wu Haiyuan's mother stared at Han Xijun.

Han Xijun knew perfectly well that Wu Haiyuan's mother wanted to hear the rest of the story, but it was best not to tell her. Wu Haiyuan would be so embarrassed he wanted to disappear, especially in front of his parents...

Han Xijun said slowly, "That was a call from my mother."

With a single sentence, the topic was successfully changed. Wu Haiyuan, sitting next to Han Xijun, couldn't help but become curious.

Wu Haiyuan's mother asked, "Was that a call from your mother?"

Han Xijun nodded and said, "Yes, before I came to visit your parents, I called my mother and told her about my relationship with Haiyuan. They returned to Incheon from Busan today."

"Knowing that I'm with my aunt and uncle right now, my mom wants to invite everyone over for a simple meal tomorrow."

That's definitely how it has to be said.

Wu Haiyuan's father asked, "Your mother invited Haiyuan, right?"

Han Xijun gave an awkward laugh.

Judges really do have superpowers; they can see through many things that others can't.

Wu Haiyuan's mother originally intended to accept the invitation.

As it turned out, Wu Haiyuan's father beat him to it, so all we could do was say, "Your parents want to see Haiyuan, so we won't go. We'll wait for a chance for the two families to sit down together for a meal and get to know each other."

It's actually a process.

If they weren't already acquainted, the meeting between the two families would typically be a formal introduction and a time to discuss Han Xijun and Wu Haiyuan's wedding arrangements. This would include things like the house, the car, the location of the wedding ceremony, who the guests would be, and any other preparations needed.

Han Xijun was not impolite; he got to the point.

Wu Haiyuan's parents also understood Han Xijun.

Wu Haiyuan was frightened.

He took a sip of ice water and said, "You suddenly want to see me?"

Han Xijun turned to look at Wu Haiyuan and said, "Yes, I just found out they suddenly returned to Incheon from Busan. I just wanted to see you. Do you have time tomorrow?"

They were planning to go back to Seoul.

I never expected this to happen.

There is definitely time.

The group's variety show will only start filming next Monday, and the manager also told Wu Haiyuan to take care of his family matters over the weekend.

The question is, should we agree immediately?

But he hadn't prepared anything. Wu Haiyuan guessed that Han Xijun must have made thorough preparations before going to his house; that's the kind of person he is—he doesn't fight unprepared battles.

What should I do?

Han Xijun noticed Wu Haiyuan's worry and comforted him, "If you have time, I'll pick you up tomorrow morning and we'll go to the mall to buy a gift."

It was said openly in front of Wu Haiyuan's parents.

Wu Haiyuan's parents spoke almost simultaneously: "Daughter, you need to make time for this. Go shopping for a gift with Xijun tomorrow morning. He knows what kind of gift would be suitable."

This is a very big deal.

Wu Haiyuan is the main character.

But it felt like I didn't need her permission.

Everything had been arranged by her parents and Han Xijun; all she had to do was follow their instructions.

Han Xijun continued, "If you don't have time or are really not prepared, I'll tell my mom next time. It doesn't necessarily have to be a last-minute dinner meeting."

Wu Haiyuan's parents hesitated to speak.

Since Han Xijun had personally come to visit, Wu Haiyuan couldn't be impolite. Fortunately, Wu Haiyuan nodded and said, "I have time. I'll ask the company for leave. I can manage."