#( c: lorelai tseng 1 )

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LOCATION: Saturday morning Farmer’s Market WITH: @lorelai-tseng

It was truly a mystery what Hyun Woo hoped to achieve wandering through the stalls of fresh produce and local artisanal crafts. After all, it wasn’t like his hotel room was equipped with a full functioning kitchen. Even if it was, Hyun Woo would do little more than burn a few pans before resorting to calling for delivery or room service anyways. Nonetheless, there was something charming about seeing the families meandering through the rows, stopping to sample locally produced delicacies. Thinking of his own childhood, he could recall no such memories with his family. They would see each other for meals and as he got older, sometimes not even those.. There was never a carefree moment to just enjoy each other's company. So maybe the draw was about making an actual purchase and more about soaking in the simplicity of the activity that drew him to the bustling community market. As the thought passed his mind, his eye was drawn to a stall he was surprised to find, featuring a challenge that marked his childhood: dalgona candy making. Walking over, he poured the sugar mixture onto the thin metal sheet, trying to carefully maneuver around the edges of the star-shape to avoid breaking the thin sugar cookie. And as he struggled, the woman beside him made it seem like it was a walk in the park. Either she was exceptionally talented, or he was just very unskilled. “You're a pro. Mine always crack right as I’m getting to the end." Hyun Woo asked, far too focused on the task for what was supposed to be a lighthearted little game.

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Hyun Woo couldn’t say he was given the details of where they were. His father had insisted that he go see them and Hyun Woo, to get him off his back, agreed. It was just his luck that they were out. While he had nothing against her family, at that phase of life, Hyun Woo wanted nothing to do with anyone associated with his family. But more than that, he absolutely detested having to follow through on his father’s wishes. So, it was a blessing for him in that moment he was unable to go see them. Thinking back now, maybe it would have been beneficial for him to have seen them. If he had learned that Lorelai was in Providence Peak at that point, he would not have been caught so off guard by this interaction. For the first time since discovering her identity, Hyun Woo laughed easily. “I know it was a lifetime ago that we saw each other, but why does that sound like a compliment you give to a child?” She was only a handful of years older than him, but her comment made him feel like she was an auntie he was meeting for the first time after years.

As she shared why she was here, and he relaxed a touch, Hyun Woo’s eyes widened in surprise. “That's really amazing. I didn’t know you owned the Silk Road. We’ve taken international clients there in the past, and I was pleasantly surprised to see one in Providence Peak. Grateful as well, because it's been my staple during my stay here.” No wonder the flavors were so reminiscent of home. He couldn’t help but wonder what about Providence Peak made her choose it as her home office, especially considering that they had restaurants around the world. But he wasn’t sure if he ought to pry. “How long have you been in Providence Peak?”  @lorelai-tseng

When he informed her that apparently her parents had been out of London, she couldn't confirm or deny what he was saying. "Were they? Well I hope wherever they were, they were having a good time." Lorelai gave a nonchalant shrug, figuring if anything it was probably for business that they were going anywhere. They seemed to not know what pleasure was if they were hit in the side of the head with it. She gave Hyun Woo a nod as it sounded like they both were at about the same type of relationship with their parents. That did make her like him a bit more. "Well you certainly have grown to be rather handsome." She shared nonchalantly as she looked him over before he shared he was still new to the States. "Oh, I suppose it wouldn't make sense that you would know this, but shortly after your family came, I was sent to a prep school in New York. So I've been here quite some time. I own The Silk Road restaurants around the world, most are located inside Jade Palace hotels, but we have a few stand alone restaurants. Including one in Providence Peak and I've made it my home office of sorts."

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FIN.

Lorelai was happy to see that he didn't take any offense to what she had seen and in fact was laughing at what she had to say. "I don't think many people would call me nice, but considering the comparison I probably seem quite docile. It's a shame, because that was what I was going to ask next." She shared with a teasing smirk, hoping Hyun Woo would catch on that she was only being sarcastic. It was nice to have someone understand pretty exactly what type of environment she'd been raised in.

And she was even more shocked to hear him repeat something she'd said to others before almost exactly. Now it was time for her let out a small laugh. "That's precisely it. More of a challenge to be in a small town for me as well. I think we understand one another quite well." Lorelai noted as more of an observation. She was happy to hear that he had enjoyed the restaurant prior to her attachment to it. "Good, glad to know it. That would be good. I'll see you soon, Hyun Woo."

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Hyun Woo laughed easily when Lorelai relayed how a typical exchange would go with her family friends, truly wondering if everyone that hailed from their backgrounds lived the exact same life. How was it possible that the experience was not unique in the slightest? “It’s like I can hear the conversation playing out in my head. That’s why I was caught off guard. But luckily for me, you’re much nicer than any of the family friends I’ve had the displeasure of running into unexpectedly. I don’t know if I was prepared to answer about my entire life plan in the middle of a farmer’s market otherwise.”

It was interesting to him still that she chose to come to a place like this, especially when it sounded like she preferred the hustle and bustle of a city. It wasn’t like her presence was necessary it was only for business. He also found a way to run the company in SF while traveling to and from. Granted, it was a hassle and one that not many would take on. He himself might not have, but for his son. “But I guess you learn that about yourself here. And the change of pace might be nice for a little. A city is easier than a small town I think.” Because it was easy to occupy yourself in a place where everyone was rushing around for some reason or another. Slowing down, really living in the moment. That was the hard part. Gladly accepting one of the cookies, he nodded at her suggestion. “I will. It was already a staple for me and now that I know you’re the mastermind behind it all, I’ll definitely be stopping by.” Especially because he had a favor to request of her, one that he would much rather do in the privacy of her restaurant than in the middle of the market. “Maybe sometime next week?” | @lorelai-tseng

Lorelai gave a nod of understanding, though it'd been quite some time since she had been around people who she'd known since she was a young girl, she remembered the comments. "Right, I think I would be pinching your cheeks or telling you how big you are now, or if it's more like what family friends were like for me, a curt nod and comment about your looks then asking about your future and complimenting you on your success or if I'm unsatisfied by your response, an odd and at times terse goodbye." She didn't mind making fun of the world her parents had brought her up in.

"Yes, I'm not too much for peaceful, I enjoy city life quite a lot but it doesn't make for easy travel for some." Lorelai shared as she nodded as he commented about time flying. She couldn't agree more, but thankfully it hadn't really dragged a bit, except for maybe a bit of a hiccup here and there. "Yes well restaurants don't really serve well for a slow-paced environment. At least not successful restaurants." She teased Hyun Woo before handing over one of the cookies to him. "You should come by to say hello sometime. Perhaps we could catch up more."

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“No, no, definitely not.” He clarified quickly with a shake of his head. “It’s just,” now he felt almost embarrassed for bringing up the fact that her words reminded him of the exact kinds of things he’d been told growing up. Maybe she could relate, maybe she couldn’t. But he suddenly felt the need to explain. “I was reminded of home a little bit. Family friends saying that exact thing.” Usually with the implicit suggestion that he might be a suitable candidate ( because that’s how he was viewed ) for their daughters. A business transaction founded upon a self-serving compliment. None of which was what Lorelai intended. Hers was a genuine one, but perhaps Hyun Woo hadn’t shaken the duplicity of the life he left behind as much as he thought.

As she explained the choice to expand into the location, he nodded along. He didn’t know too much about business strategy or development. That was something that he was only just starting to learn, forced to do so if he were to shed his family completely. Of course, he would never be fully rid of them. But were he to understand the intricacies of management, maybe he’d be able to maintain an ocean of distance, seeing them only when necessary. “That’s great. It’s a nice place to set up a base. More peaceful than a full-fledged city and of course, better for me.” He reciprocated her smile with one of his own. “Time really has a way of flying. Sometimes enough that it’ s easy to forget to slow down.” The same was true in his case. It had already been a few months since he’d arrived and between work and reconnecting with his son, Hyun Woo also didn’t realize the passing of time. | @lorelai-tseng

Lorelai was curious at why exactly he was laughing until he clarified why and she thought about it for a moment. "Well, I suppose it could sound like that. But I definitely wasn't meaning it in a patronizing way. Just that you are handsome. I certainly don't think of you as a child. Do you want me to?" She gave a small shrug as she definitely didn't tend to get comments like that. Not to mention she wouldn't know the first thing to say to a child to begin with. So it was difficult for her to imagine saying that to anyone younger than Hyun Woo.

"It is, isn't it? Yes, I had not initially known much about Providence Peak, but one of my business partners has connections here and with there being a Jade Palace location here already, we felt it was somewhere to expand. Glad to know we are continuing to satisfy." Lorelai grinned a bit as she always enjoyed the praise when it came to her restaurant. It meant that if he was enjoying it and bringing others there they too would enjoy it and spread the word too. "I've been here since December of 2021 so I suppose that would be two years now. Goodness, I hadn't even realized that."

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Beyond the manners that were drilled into him from the second he was born, he had been fishing for information on how frequently she spoke to her parents. After all, he wasn’t sure what the odds were that she would mention that she ran into him. After all, if he had he been on better terms with his parents, he would have mentioned running into her in Providence Peak of all places because of how unexpected it was. He imagined the same would be true for her. However, when she mentioned that she only spoke to them every so often, it made him breathe easy just a bit more. It wasn’t like she would tell them immediately, though it also wasn’t enough to fully remove the threat. “I'm glad to hear it. I tried to visit them the last time I was in London but I think they were out of country then.” He shared, now that he had recovered from the surprise of seeing her. There was still a touch of anxiety but he’d have to weigh the benefits of divulging his situation to a woman that was practically a stranger or taking the risk that it got back to his parents that he was here. “Likewise, they are doing fine. I only speak to them occasionally as well. And I'm good. Adjusting to being in the States for the foreseeable future. And yourself?” The small talk reminded him of what it was like when he met people that his parents knew. Even when Lorelai did nothing herself, the mere association forced him to fall back into his old, proper ways. | @lorelai-tseng

She nodded to confirm that was indeed her family and it had been so long ago that it had been even before her leaving London for New York to attend boarding school. So she really couldn't blame him and she also really hadn't thought much of him or his family besides the times surrounding their visiting. So she could imagine that it might be the same for him. Though she did wonder why exactly he was flustered, if it was just because of her being here or was there something more to it? "Yes, well that's true, I definitely wouldn't have expected to see you here either." She felt a little curious to know the answer to the question of why he was here, but at the mention of her family she gave a small polite shrug. It was of course just him being well-mannered to ask her, he wouldn't know what exactly her status was with her family. "I'm sure they're well. I speak to my parents every so often. What about yourself and your family?" She felt like it was only right to ask him back even if he too did not have much in the way of family to talk about.

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That he had to agree with. It was better late than never, which was why he was doing what he wanted now. Though, it certainly would have spared him years of regret had he decided to do this much earlier. Nonetheless, at the moment he could hardly worry about the past when there was a chance his future was in jeopardy. He felt his heart rate quicken slightly as he anxiously tried to scour his memory for a Lorelai. He had met plenty of people but no one with as distinctive of a name, given that the majority of the women in his circles were Korean as well. Which was why when she finally supplied her last name, he realized exactly who she was. Though they had met, as she correctly put it, a lifetime ago, he did remember the visits they made to London. In fact, when he was there on business a few years back, his father had insisted that Hyun Woo visit the Tsengs. Hence why his anxiety immediately increased. Though he might not have shared a close relationship with Lorelai, their families were certainly friendly. Enough that the fact she ran into him in Providence Peak could easily make it back to Seong Byung Ho and Kang Young Ja. “ No, no, I remember, of course, Lorelai Tseng. We visited your family in London a few times. I’m. . .” Hyun Woo had always been taught how to hold a conversation with just about anyone. And yet right now he faltered due to his nerves. “I'm just surprised to see you here. What a small world. . .” Too small, but who was asking him? “Um, how is your family?” @lorelai-tseng

"Ah, better late than never?" Lorelai had always done whatever she wanted for herself and perhaps that gave her the label of selfish, but it also gave her no sense of regret either. She had made all the choices and if something went poorly then that was just the wrong choice and she couldn't blame anyone but herself. Lorelai smirked as he somehow was abiding by what she was saying he should in a way. So even his little sense of going against what he was told he was also now going with what she was telling him. From the shock and lack of confusion on Hyun Woo's face, she realized it was indeed the younger man she had met all of one or two times. She gave a nod when he asked if they'd met before. "Granted it was pretty much a lifetime ago, so I do not expect you to remember it. Though I could pretend to be offended and tease you about the face that you should never forget me. Tseng Jeweler's is my parents' jewelry company." Technically it was her father's family's company but she was going to go into extreme logistics here.

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Hyun Woo considered her statement, the corner of his lip curving up thoughtfully when she noted that she did not subscribe to doing what she should. After all, his life had been nothing but a series of shoulds and oughts to which he abided. Even to this day, Hyun Woo was doing what he should, rather than what he wanted. “I could have used that advice years ago,” he replied lightly, being cryptic as he bought another sugar candy to punctuate the tiny rebellion inspired by her suggestion. Now if only he could do the same on the larger, more important matters. But like with everything, this too would require baby steps. An extra candy today, a full blown confrontation tomorrow. Lost in his own thoughts for a second, he snapped back to reality when she mentioned the name of the very family he had been thinking of too. He was stunned, a fact that his features undoubtedly conveyed. After all, while there were people in town that he knew, they were from his own contacts. No one knew of his family. Or so he thought. An affirmative answer wasn’t needed, seeing as his reaction was answer enough. Nonetheless, Hyun Woo nodded at the question. “Yeah…have you, I mean we, met before?” The question he hesitated to ask before fell from his lips with ease now that she’d identified him. And he couldn’t help but worry slightly about the implications if so. Had he been calmer, he would have placed her as Lorelai Tseng the second that she verified that she knew their family. Unfortunately, his mind was malfunctioning due to surprise. Enough to fail to answer the follow up small talk that seemed rather frivolous given the more pressing issue at hand. @lorelai-tseng

"I don't believe in being told what should be done. So I really would just encourage you to continue what you're doing." Lorelai said with a smirk, knowing he probably just meant from a doctor's perspective. But societally she felt like people put too much emphasis on what other people were consuming and that felt rather invasive. It was finally when he shared what his name was that it clicked in place. Of course it would have to do with her parents which was why she'd found the knowledge buried in her memory. She'd found a lot of information that she was supposed to remember in her parents' previous hopes for her being part of the business to be tucked away. "Hyun Woo. As in Seong Hyun Woo? Your father is Seong Byung Ho?" It could just be coincidence, but she needed this answered for her own clarity. She let out a small laugh when at his question, finding it come off a bit more like a pick up line. "I do, yes. Weekly usually. And yourself?"

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On his part, Hyun Woo had never been great with remembering facing and names. It was drilled into him from a young age, but maybe it was because his brother had a natural talent for networking that he was the face of the company. He was groomed to take over, not only because of his seniority, but his talents. Which was why despite also feeling like this stranger was familiar for some reason, Hyun Woo couldn’t precisely place from where. “I’ll have to give that a try next time. I already have more sugar than I should eat.” She shared her name, Lorelai and he wracked his brain to try and place her. And though he may have otherwise asked, Hyun Woo avoided mentioning anything lest she think he was trying the old ‘have we met before’ pick-up line. Especially when he wasn't confident in this hunch that they'd met before. “Hyun Woo. It's nice to meet you, Lorelai.” Meeting her outstretched hand with his, he tried to subtly study her features to see if he could figure out why she was so familiar. "Do you come here often?" @lorelai-tseng

She let out a small laugh as she watched him clap for her, amused by his attempt to flatter her. But again Lorelai felt like she'd seen the man before, and was having a hard time brushing off the feeling. Even as he spoke to her, her eyes going to his failed attempt. "I think it's really a lot about how you move your wrist." She shared with a small smile before picking up the ones she'd finished, and decided although she could probably do this all day in a hyper-focused state that she'd stop at that. "I'm Lorelai." She shared extending her unoccupied hand, wondering if that she could ring a bell in the man's mind so she could answer her question.

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Seeing as his cookie snapped rather early on, Hyun Woo gave up on the task of trying to maneuver his way around the edges, choosing instead to focus on the task of consuming the treat instead. He’d had his fair share of practice in the past too, and yet he’d never been able to master the art. It wasn’t a lack of patience or care, since this was the same man that had worked with circuitry in school for hours in the past. So maybe there was some special skill involved with this particular challenge that he had never cracked. As if she read his mind, she shared that she’d picked up the skill from the ‘best of the best,’ leaving him curious as to both who that could be and more importantly what that skill was. As she finished extracting yet another perfectly shaped star, he gave a silent round of applause with an easy smile. “Would you be willing to sharing that wisdom with a hopeless stranger?” To punctuate the point, he held up the clearly broken candy as evidence that he was in fact, doomed to fail. @lorelai-tseng

One of the more fun aspects of coming to the market each week was there was always at least one unique booth that had not been there previously and this week was no different. There was something extremely nostalgic when she saw the booth, though she couldn't remember the last time she partook in the candy making, with the assistance of having a rather delicate and swift touch, she was faring well. Lorelai had been so focused on the task that she had not been paying attention that she'd had an audience member. "Ah yes, well I will say I've had a bit of practice in the past. I learned the skill from the best of the best." She'd had one auntie who spent her whole life perfecting her skill and when she would visit her on the rare occasion, she would assist in the process being given some of the profit to treat herself on something. When she was finally done with her third star, she looked up towards the man who had complimented her.

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