Family.

The typical family consists of a father, a mother, and perhaps several siblings.

Yes.

In the public eye, in our judgmental society, this is seen as the perfect family. When your mother and father are perceived as a match made in heaven, always displaying love towards each other and avoiding any scandalous behavior.

When you have a caring brother or sister who is seen as flawless by the public, a role model for everyone.

There you have it - one happy family!

But even fools know that's not always the case.

Let's reevaluate the true meaning of family once again.

Open your eyes. Learn from the heart.

What is the true meaning of family?

***

"Fuh! Fuh!" Peony hastily blows on her fingers, which had just touched the hot pot. A grand feast is spread out on the dining table.

"P, is today your birthday?" asks Red, emerging from the bathroom with her fiery red hair.

"Uwu, a brand new hairstyle?"

Red nods.

"Really?" Peony responds, unfazed by the question.

Smiling, Peony presents a plate of japchae, a dish made with glass noodles. Red's eyes widen as her head turns towards the plate.

That's everyone's favorite dish.

"Wow! Are we having a birthday celebration?" Blue chimes in from outside, flicking his blonde-blue hair while gazing at the dining table.

"No, it's not for anyone's birthday. I just want to celebrate Grey," Peony replies, exchanging a glance with Red.

"Grey?"

"She's coming home today. So, we should celebrate, right? She's healthy and back on her feet. That's wonderful news!" Peony grins broadly.

Red appears sour, while Blue seems confused by Peony's behavior.

"We... We never celebrate anything except birthdays," Red says.

"Sometimes, we even forget to do that," Blue's voice almost fades in the air.

"No wonder this house feels gloomy," Peony's comment startles them.

"My mom always said that celebrating the good news, even small achievements, brings happiness into someone's life. It makes them feel appreciated and recognized. As a family, we should be each other's supporters, don't you think?"

Red and Blue exchange glances.

"Who said we're family? He's strictly business!"

"Seriously, I don't want this peasant to be my sister, not in a million years." Red gives Blue a hard whack on the back.

"Ouch!"

"Who's a peasant, huh?"

"You'll always be my peasant, you freaky art lover dumb-"

"Call me that again, and I'll pluck out your eyes..." Red grabs a spoon from the table, pointing it at Blue. He doesn't hesitate to fight back, grabbing another spoon to deflect the attack.

They engage in a childish sword fight, with Peony caught in between.

"Let's see how fast you can dodge this..."

"Bring it on, bitch!"

They taunt each other, while Peony acts as a shield in between. The sound of clashing spoons echoes as they strike each other.

"Guys... Please..." Peony tries to escape, but the two childish adults refuse to let her go. They continue their fight, circling the dining table.

"Guys... I have work-" Peony feels dizzy as she moves in circles between their endless bickering.

She's had enough.

"Enough! Stop it, you two!"

With one hand pinching Red's left ear and the other hand pinching Blue's right ear, Peony pulls them closer, making them stand in front of her. With her small, energetic frame, she drags them both to the family room.

Red and Blue whimper, trying to cope with the stinging pain from Peony's sharp fingers.

"You want to fight, huh? Go ahead, fight here! Stab each other with those spoons, let's see who dies first..." Peony throws out a sarcastic remark.

"P!"

"Ah, help me! Mommy!"

"Oh, now you scream... Who was acting tough before, huh?" Peony tightens her grip on their ears, causing Red to scream at a high pitch.

"Okay, okay... We give up..."

"No more fighting... Promise..." says Blue.

Peony releases them.

She smirks.

"What happened here?" Just as they were about to catch their breath, a voice from the front door startled them. Both of them quickly assume a polite position when they realize who the owner of the voice is.

Peony lifts her head and meets the gaze of the man standing at the door.

In his early 30s, dressed in a suit, he gives them a piercing gaze as he walks in with a charismatic aura. A woman follows him from behind, tall, and wears a black jumpsuit with a Hermes bag in her possession.

Who are they?

***

"Feeling good?" Yu asks, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. Grey nods, fastening her seat belt and settling into the car seat. She runs her fingers through her freshly cut, silvery undercut bob, a drastic change from her previous look.

Having spent too long confined to a hospital bed, Grey decided a fresh haircut was just what she needed to shed the grungy feeling that had clung to her. It was amazing how a simple haircut and a well-done manicure could make her feel alive again, especially after the near-death experience she had endured.

She wraps a white snow sweater around her, treasuring it dearly. The soft material brings her comfort as she subtly settles into the passenger seat. Yu glances at her and chuckles softly.

"You're excited," he remarks.

"I am not," Grey retorts, feigning nonchalance. She knows Yu has a keen eye for details and suspects he has caught onto the significance of the sweater.

Unwilling to give in to his teasing, she tries to divert his attention. A week ago, when Peony visited her in the hospital, Grey had initially pretended not to care.

But the warmth of Peony's touch and the genuine smile she bestowed upon her had melted Grey's, cold heart. In a simple act of kindness, Peony noticed Grey's cold hands and offered her the sweater.

Grey had feigned resistance, but Peony gracefully draped the sweater over her shoulders, ensuring she would not feel the chill.

At that moment, for the first time in her life, Grey felt a sense of warmth and love. For years, she had questioned her existence, having been abandoned by her parents, fighting against a harsh world, and enduring a hostile environment.

Love had always eluded her until Peony entered her life and their family.

Now, Grey realizes the true meaning of home and family.

"She kept prying, asking all sorts of questions. What you like and what you hate," Yu comments, smirking.

"What did you tell her?" Grey asks, curious about their conversation.

"Hmm... I told her I know nothing about you," Yu replies with a hint of mystery, steering the wheel toward the junction near their house.

"Should we start..."

"I don't think so-"

"Yeah, it would be kind of awkward..."

A heavy silence fills the car as they contemplate the complexities of their conversations.

Deep down, a smile tugs at Grey's lips. She is grateful to know that there is someone who genuinely cares about her, someone who has melted the icy walls surrounding her heart. Peony is a gem in her life.

As the car slowly approaches their house, Yu's brow furrows. He accelerates, nearly flying out of the car seat as he catches sight of something he'd rather not see-a black sedan parked outside their house.

They have an unwelcome visitor.