A/N: The trial of Lee Yun Seok is chronicled in episode 48. The timeline for this chapter begins shortly after the verdict in his trial was announced. Without further adieu, here's installment # 5.

Love Conquers All Ways

Chapter 5

If Joong Hee ever truly thought about how his life has unfolded until now, then he'd realize his life resembled an insane roller coaster ride. After all, how could he possibly explain the changes he'd experienced in just the last few months? From having no real family to living with a remarkable one. From being selfish to being almost selfless. From never truly loving a woman to not being able to live without one now. It's through this prism that he can appreciate his current nervousness. The trial of Mr. Lee was concluding, and it was believed that a verdict was near. Although he would not be present at the trial, Mi Young promised she'd call to let him know the verdict one way or the other.

To an outsider, it might seem that Joong Hee would want the court to "throw the book" at Mr. Lee for the way that he was lied to about Mr. Lee being his father. Still, it took some deep soul searching, grace, and even love for Joong Hee to not only realize why Mr. Lee did what he did, but to even empathize with the man. In short, he was hoping beyond hope that Mr. Lee would not end up in prison.

As his phone rang, he could see the familiar 'Judo' light up on the screen. After a deep breath, he answered.

"Hi Mi Young-ah. So, how is it with ajjushi?" he asked.

"Well, Dad's not going to prison. Actually, the judge originally sentenced him to 6 months. But, he then suspended his sentence and is putting Dad on 2 years probation. So, as long as Dad stays clean, then everything's fine".

Joong Hee breathed a huge sigh of relief. He obviously understood the gravity of this moment – for Mr. Lee, for Mi Young, and for himself.

"That's great news, Mi Young-ah. Great news. It must feel like a new beginning for Ajjushi."

"He's still in some disbelief. But, he's also getting accustomed to the reality" she said.

"In any case, that's fantastic for him, you, and the whole family"

"Yes it is. In fact, my family is going to have a surprise dinner for him tomorrow to celebrate"

"That's a great idea, Mi Young-ah. Sounds like fun actually" In a sudden slip of candor, he then said, "I wish I could be there actually"

"Joong Hee-shi!" Suddenly, his ears started ringing loudly.

"What?! Did I say something wrong?" Joong Hee asked confusedly.

"Well, it's just that you've ruined my surprise!" Mi Young explained.

"Huh?" Joong Hee was more confused than before.

"You will be at the dinner tomorrow." Mi Young explained.

"What? But you just said that the dinner is with the family" It was clear that he really wasn't grasping the hidden meaning of her statements.

"Since the family is throwing this dinner together, I asked if I could bring a 'special guest' over and they agreed"

"Special guest? What is this 'special guest' business?"

It was now time for Mi Young to start feeling a little exasperated at her clueless boyfriend. "Joong Hee-shi. Do I have to explain everything to you? I'm going to formally introduce you to my family at dinner . . . tomorrow night."

As the words started sinking in, Joong Hee felt a sudden urge to leave the country ASAP.

"A formal introduction dinner?! But, Mi Young-ah. They all know me. And I know them too. Besides, how many meals have I spent with them as well?"

"But tomorrow will be the first as my boyfriend"

"Mi Young-ah. Don't you think you're going a little overboard with this?" Joong Hee grew more uncomfortable as time went on.

"Before Unni married Jung Wan, he came to introduce himself to our family. I know that you remember because you were there. Also, Ra Young introduced her boyfriend to us as well. So, now it's my turn" Mi Young factually pointed out.

"Mi Young-ah. You know that I would love to have dinner with your family. But, for you to introduce me like that, are you really sure that's a good idea?"

"Why? Do you think you're too good to meet my family?"

"No, that's not it"

"Oh, maybe I'm not enough of a girlfriend for you, is that it?"

"Mi Young-ah. Don't do this. You know I love you so much."

"I didn't ask if you loved me. I asked if you want me to introduce you or not."

He could hear a tinge of hurt now in her voice. Although he still wasn't comfortable with the idea, he was far less comfortable with the notion of his girlfriend being hurt – especially if he was the one who caused it. He then realized that he couldn't even hear her on the phone now.

"Mi Young-ah. Mi Young-ah. Hello? Are you still there? Mi Young-ah?!" After a few more awkward moments of silence, she finally replied.

"If I say yes, then will you agree to come?" she asked.

"Yes. I'll do anything for you. Just don't be upset, Ok?"

"So, you're really doing this? You won't back out at the last minute, will you?" Mi Young asked.

"I wouldn't dream of it!"

"Great. I'm really looking forward to tomorrow" she beamed.

"That makes one of us!" he thought.

"I love you. I love you. I love you" she gushed.

"You owe me. You owe me. You owe me."

"Oh, make sure you wear your best suit. And don't worry about me. I'll be sure to put on my best also – just for you" she teased.

"Can't . . . wait!" he meekly replied.

As he hung up the phone, he was still struggling to grasp what just transpired. More importantly, he couldn't understand why Mi Young was so anxious to introduce him to her family like that. Was she afraid that he'd get bored and stray from her? Did her dad's trial affect her more emotionally than she's letting on? Or, could it really be as simple as she just wanted to show off her new boyfriend who just happens to be already familiar with her family? Whatever the reason, he still couldn't quite warm up to the idea. So, he did what he sometimes does in sticky situations like this. He turned to a sympathetic, if not mute, set of ears.

"Al. You're not going to believe this. Mi Young has invited me to her family's house for dinner tomorrow. But, she's going to introduce me as her boyfriend to them. Can you believe this? Does that make any sense?" Though he didn't receive a response, he continued on.

"I mean, why would she do this? It's supposed to be a celebration because Ajjushi's not going to jail. Instead, I might end up being a center of attention. Why? Why would she do this?" As Al's obvious silence continued, it slightly fueled Joong Hee's exasperation.

"Why don't you ever help me when I really it, huh? Are you just here for lettuce and fresh air?"

"I know, I know. I'm sorry, Al. You're actually a great friend because you do listen. I do appreciate that." As he rubbed Al's shell, he asked, "By the way, you like Mi Young-ah, don't you? I really picked a great girl to love, didn't I? You DO like her too, huh? Great minds think alike" As he finally got out a laugh, he suddenly felt less apprehensive about the upcoming get together.

As Mi Young hung up her phone, she couldn't quite believe what she had just done. At one point in her life, she truly believed that she'd never have a boyfriend. Yet, here she was, one short day away from introducing a remarkable young man to her family. Though she might have might have felt a little apprehensive, her sheer excitement overruled any such discomfort. The look of love was so thoroughly plastered onto her face that she was oblivious to a looming, yet harmless, presence behind her.

"What are you doing?" It was Ra Young.

"Oh. You startled me. Why do you keep sneaking up on people like that?!" Mi Young asked in exasperation.

"Because it's my civic duty, of course" Ra Young said with a grin. Suddenly, she noticed that her sister was still tightly holding her phone. "Who were you talking to?"

"No one" Mi Young practically jumped out of her skin.

"No one? That's strange. I'm not aware of anybody in all of Korea named 'No One'" she coyly replied.

"It's none of your business".

"None of your business. I don't know anyone whose named that either." Then, Ra Young gave her sister a more inquisitive look. "You know, you've been acting very strange lately. And now you're bringing someone over for dinner tomorrow. What's going on? Are you seeing someone behind our backs?" With Mi Young's silence, Ra Young eyes grew wide as saucers.

"You are! You are seeing someone, aren't you? Daebak!" she exclaimed.

"I . . . I am not! You can't prove it!" Still, Mi Young knew that she had been found out.

"Wow, you have a boyfriend!" As per her "civic duty", Ra Young did her best to spread the news.

"Unni has a boyfriend! Unni has a boyfriend! Unni has a boyfriend!" she happily sang. It took a little strength for Mi Young to finally muzzle her little sister.

"Will you keep it down?! Ok. I am seeing someone right now. Happy?!"

"Who is it then? What's his name? Is he cute? More importantly, is he made of money?" Ra Young asked.

"You'll find out tomorrow like everyone else."

"Unni, you're no fun!" Ra Young then stuck out her tongue in pure disgust and left the room.

As she stared at her phone, it suddenly dawned on Mi Young as to why Joong Hee might feel uncomfortable about the upcoming dinner. She truly understood that he must have felt somewhat blindsided by her idea. As if to make amends, she sent him a quick text. Any aspiring transcriptionist could come up with the following unedited "conversation".

MY: "What are you doing?"

JH: "Not much. You?"

MY: "Not much. Are you upset with me?"

JH: "Of course not. Why?"

MY: "I think I may have surprised you before"

JH: "You think?!"

MY: "Ok. I know ;)"

JH: "Well, at least you know now :)"

MY: "Still nervous?"

JH: "No . . . maybe a little"

MY: "Don't be. I'm sure my family will love you ;)"

JH: "Very cute"

MY: "That's it? I'm just cute?"

JH: "No. You're beautiful"

MY: "Why do you keep doing that?"

JH: "Doing what?"

MY: "Make a girl feel special?"

JH: "It's a burden. Such a heavy burden ;)"

MY: "Haha. I need to go."

JH: "Already? Stay on a little longer"

MY: "Want to but can't. See you tomorrow"

JH: "Sweet dreams. See you tomorrow"

As both of their phones finally got a much needed break, Joong Hee and Mi Young's smiles received no such respite. It's as though their synchronicity in love extended across the Korean landscape. While they couldn't be totally sure as to how her family would react to their stunning news, they did know one thing. The term "family dinner" would hold a brand new meaning to both of them – in more ways than one.

A/N: As usual, any and all reviews are welcome!