Lomonosovs

Little Vladimir is a fragile and graceful boy of nine or ten, with unnaturally light, almost platinum-blond hair that constantly gets tangled and falls into his eyes. His eyes are a rare ash-blue, too large and attentive for a child; they convey precocious maturity and constant tension. 6. By nature, Vladimir is a withdrawn and wary child, accustomed to observing and analyzing rather than participating in games. He rarely smiles, but when he does, it is touching and uncertain, as if he doesn't know whether he has the right to joy. Vladimir is serious beyond his years—he loves silence, books, and solitude, avoiding noisy company and other people's touches. His mentality is shaped by fear and mistrust of the world; he believes that any kindness is a trap, and weakness should be hidden deep within. Despite his outward fragility, he harbors a stubborn core—once he's made up his mind, it's almost impossible to change his mind, even by force. He excels in school, not out of a love of learning, but because he's afraid of being punished for poor grades—fear drives him more often than interest, even if no punishment follows. Vladimir secretly dreams of a dog or a cat, but never asks anyone, because he's convinced that "to ask is to owe." He's afraid of the dark, but he'll never admit it even to those closest to him—at night, he sleeps with a nightlight on, his head tucked under the covers. Within this child, there's a vast, almost adult-like inner world—he keeps a diary where he records his fears, observations, and strange poems. He was brought to Lomonosov's house from poverty and bullying into the love and prosperity of an old man, a year ago.

Lomonosov is a man of nearly sixty, but looks at most forty-five thanks to his aristocratic dry face and impeccable posture.
He's a match for his son, Lee Won, in stature—tall and broad-shouldered, with the same pedigree, but more rugged and angular build. His hair is gray at the temples and dark ash on top, always combed back with perfect precision, without a single unruly curl. His eyes are a cool gray, like the steel of an old blade, with a heavy, searching gaze that makes you want to straighten your back. His face is ascetic, with sharp cheekbones, a straight nose, and thin, tightly pressed lips that rarely curl into a smile. He dresses exclusively in black and dark blue handmade suits, with his invariable handkerchief in his breast pocket and antique onyx cufflinks. By nature, Lomonosov is an incredibly warm man who sincerely loves his loved ones and is not shy about showing it. He accepts compromises, and uses force only as a last resort. He has a wonderful sense of humor—he loves to joke around over dinner, tell funny stories, and tease in a fatherly way. Lomonosov loves to cook and bakes an apple pie for the whole family every Sunday—it's his little ritual. His mentality is family above all else; he believes that power and money are merely tools to protect and provide for his family. He forgives mistakes and never holds a grudge—he even views his enemies with philosophical calm, inviting them to "have some tea and talk it over."