KFPCA 13

Chapter 13

After class, he even discussed it with Kim Seung-hyun.

“The professor today talked about the impact of Wang Yangming’s School of Mind on Joseon’s Silhak (Practical Learning)—isn’t there scholarly debate on that? I noticed what the professor said and what Maisie mentioned during their chat didn’t quite match.”

Kim Seung-hyun held her books and walked out of the classroom as she spoke. “Hmm… there are two schools of thought. One says it was a direct impact, the other says it was indirect, combined with the social conditions of Joseon at the time. I think that angle has quite a bit of research potential. Since this course requires a paper, I think that could be a good entry point.”

“I saw a list on the title page of your textbook—are those reference books? That’s so many. Do you have to read all of them?”

“Yeah, all of them. Otherwise, I’m doomed!”

Kwon Ji-yong took the books from Kim Seung-hyun’s arms. “So many books, plus you have to write course papers and literature reviews, and this is just for one class. So tough, wuli Sparkle~”

Now empty-handed, Kim Seung-hyun felt relieved. “Nothing I can do about it—that’s just how studying is. That’s why I have to work hard regularly.”

Kwon Ji-yong couldn’t do much to help, so he patted her shoulder and said with certainty, “If you need coffee, I can be your errand boy. I saw you have a coffee machine at home—I know how to use it. For the next month, coffee’s on me!”

“Thanks, wuli Ji-yong.” Kim Seung-hyun clutched her chest, feigning deep emotion. “I can’t even imagine how happy I’ll be this month, and I also can’t imagine how sad I’ll be after the month is over.”

“Ya! That’s a bit much!”

Kim Seung-hyun only had one class that day—it ended at 11 AM.

The timing was a bit awkward—not enough time to really get anything done at the library—so Kim Seung-hyun decided to show Kwon Ji-yong around campus, then head to the supermarket to buy some groceries and other things.

When she said “look around,” she really meant just that.

To Kim Seung-hyun, Yale was simply the school she’d attended for five years—it wasn’t really a tourist attraction.

So all she could do was show Kwon Ji-yong the lecture halls where she’d had classes, her usual spots in the study rooms, the dorm building she’d lived in, the main walkway she took to class, and the lawn where she’d taken her graduation photos.

Everything was fine up until the lawn—but when he saw it, Kwon Ji-yong’s mood soured.

**Author’s Note:**
*Made it all up, all made up.*
*The course schedule and visitor card are all my invention—everything serves the plot.*
*[Grammy warning]*
*Pink Dragon is so satisfying—passively making waves in the US again~ Ah, so good!*

**Chapter 9**

Yale’s undergraduate graduation ceremony takes place in mid-May. At that time, Kwon Ji-yong had been busy with tours and had missed Kim Seung-hyun’s graduation.

Back then, Kim Seung-hyun had sent him her graduation photos. She and her classmates had taken many pictures on that lawn—solo shots, group shots, and photos with her parents.

They’d attended middle school graduation together. Although they were at different high schools, since the graduation ceremonies were on different dates, they’d attended each other’s.

Kwon Ji-yong’s graduation ceremony—Kim Seung-hyun definitely couldn’t make it. He himself couldn’t even attend. Back then, he’d thought that since Kim Seung-hyun was in the US, he’d be able to come, which would make up for his own lack of a graduation ceremony.

But it hadn’t worked out, and Kwon Ji-yong deeply regretted it.

As Kim Seung-hyun chattered on, she realized Kwon Ji-yong had gone quiet. Turning around, she saw him staring at the lawn.

Reading his expression, she understood everything.

“Gwaenchanha. There’s still the PhD ceremony, right? You’ll have to set aside time for that.”

“Ne! I’ll make time for it.”

There was no point dwelling on the past. Regrets had already been made, so the only option was to try to make sure the future had none.

For the places they’d visited before, Kim Seung-hyun had only given Kwon Ji-yong a brief tour, since he’d be spending the next month here anyway and could experience them at his own pace.

There was only one place Kim Seung-hyun wanted to highlight.

The Woolsey Statue.

It was a bronze statue seated quietly on the lawn. The bronze surface had long been weathered by wind and rain, except for one toe that still gleamed.

“Ji-yong-ah, come here, let’s go see that.” Kim Seung-hyun pulled Kwon Ji-yong over to the statue. “Have you ever heard the story behind this bronze statue?”

Kwon Ji-yong studied the statue carefully, then shook his head helplessly. “No, I don’t know it.”

“It’s okay. Listen, and I’ll tell you all about it.” Kim Seung-hyun cleared her throat. “This elderly man is Theodore Dwight Woolsey, Yale’s tenth president. In Yale’s history, he represents a continuation of character.”

“President Woolsey was known for his rigor. Coming from a background in theology and classical studies, he often quoted Greek originals and Latin proverbs in his lectures. Some described his classroom as a classical ritual. But despite his rigor, he was also humane—when students fell ill, he would visit them in their dorms, bringing fruit and handwritten notes of encouragement. The handwriting was old-fashioned, and the words restrained, but they conveyed a gentle strength.”

“During his tenure, he actively promoted curriculum reform, encouraging broader academic exploration, making freedom and reason part of the school’s spirit. Some say Yale’s refinement, restraint, and quiet sharpness began with him.”

“Most importantly, touching the toe has another meaning.” Kim Seung-hyun didn’t keep him in suspense. “Apparently, when Yale and Harvard often played football against each other, whenever President Woolsey came to watch, Yale always won. He brought luck to Yale, so people started touching the statue’s foot, believing it would bring good fortune.”

Kim Seung-hyun urged, “Ji-yong-ah, touch it a few more times! You’ve been so unlucky lately—rub it and change your luck.”

Kwon Ji-yong had been completely absorbed in the story, but Kim Seung-hyun’s comment made him laugh.

Aigoo, his friend really was special!

Other people would avoid this topic entirely, afraid of touching a nerve.

But Kim Seung-hyun? She invited him to the US to clear his head, yet she bluntly told him he’d been having bad luck lately.

Even though he found it amusing, Kwon Ji-yong still followed Kim Seung-hyun’s urging and touched the statue’s gleaming toe.

One hand wasn’t enough—Kim Seung-hyun made him alternate between both hands.

Kwon Ji-yong obediently placed both hands on it, and Kim Seung-hyun immediately pulled out her phone to take a picture. “I’ll take a photo and send it to you. Keep it on your phone so bad luck won’t dare come near you.”

“Okay~” Kwon Ji-yong cooperated by looking at the camera. After Kim Seung-hyun finished taking the photo, he suggested, “Let’s take a photo together—right in front of this statue.”

“Sure.” After getting a photo she was happy with, Kim Seung-hyun directed Kwon Ji-yong to hold the phone. “You take it—your arms are longer.”

“Hehehe… okay~”

They took a few selfies, but Kim Seung-hyun wasn’t entirely satisfied—they were too close up and couldn’t get the whole statue in frame.

Kim Seung-hyun looked around and grabbed a passing classmate.

Thanks to the fact that Kim Seung-hyun had done her undergraduate degree at the same school, she knew plenty of people. Even though they might not have the same advisor now, people were always happy to help take a photo.

Kim Seung-hyun handed her phone to the classmate, explained what she wanted, and then stood back next to Kwon Ji-yong.

“Hurry, hurry, strike a pose—she’s in a rush to get to the cafeteria.”

Kwon Ji-yong, who laughs easily, couldn’t help but chuckle, but he quickly put his arm around Kim Seung-hyun’s shoulder and posed for the camera.

The classmate adjusted the angle and captured the moment, then admired the photo herself.

When she handed the phone back to Kim Seung-hyun, her gaze flickered between the two of them. “Blair, you guys are such a cute match!”

Kim Seung-hyun paused, then laughed. This was already the second time today someone had gossiped about their relationship.

“Nora, this is my very good friend.”

Clearly, the classmate named Nora wasn’t buying it. She winked at Kim Seung-hyun, her expression saying, *I know—it’s only a matter of time.*

Kim Seung-hyun just smiled and didn’t argue further.

Kwon Ji-yong had watched the whole exchange and smiled too. Watching the classmate leave, he said, “Seems like people are always nosy, no matter what country you’re in.”

“Can’t help it—people need something to entertain themselves.” Kim Seung-hyun opened her photo album. “Let’s look at the pictures first.”

Although Nora was a bit gossipy and stubborn, she really did take good photos.

The weather was perfect. Kwon Ji-yong’s first day in New Haven was a clear, sunny day.

Under the blue sky and white clouds, amidst the green grass, the bright sunshine was enough to sweep away all the gloom from anyone.

In the photo, Kwon Ji-yong wore the most basic black sweatshirt and black jeans, a hat on his head, and a smile so wide it showed all his teeth on his makeup-free face. He held Kim Seung-hyun’s books in his arms and looked no different from the youthful, energetic college students on campus.

Beside him, Kim Seung-hyun wore a black sweatshirt and light-colored jeans, her black hair tied up in a bun, her campus ID hanging around her neck, and a big smile on her face influenced by the person next to her.

Both of them tilted their heads toward each other, and the hand Kwon Ji-yong had on Kim Seung-hyun’s shoulder was flashing a peace sign.

It really was a great photo.

Objectively speaking, they did look good together—no wonder the classmate said what she said.

Kwon Ji-yong was also very satisfied with the photo and immediately had Kim Seung-hyun send it to him.

The two idiots stood in the sun passing photos back and forth, completely ignoring the fact that even October sun could pack quite a punch.

By the time they realized it, their hair was already hot from the sun.

Continuing along the shaded path, they arrived at Yale’s most beautiful cafeteria—Mons Dining Hall. With its high ceilings and stained glass windows, it was visually stunning.

“Want to eat at the cafeteria? This is the one people say looks like a Harry Potter filming location.” Kim Seung-hyun waved her campus ID temptingly. “My treat.”

“That would be perfect.” Kwon Ji-yong was also curious to try the cafeteria that Kim Seung-hyun had eaten at for four years and might eat at for another five.

Walking into the dining hall that looked like a Harry Potter castle, they saw the day’s menu not far from the entrance.