Chapter 109

< Stepping Through the Seasons (2) >

***

Before Yang Gang-wook could speak, Son Kwang-yeon beat him to it.

It was about the lingering doubts that SSS might have.

Even if they received instructions through Moon Seok-il, the idea of a middle school student controlling the security team was still hard to grasp. Even if he was the son of an important figure, he was still just a young student. Son Kwang-yeon, who couldn’t possibly ignore adult pride, wanted to address this before any conflict arose.

Of course, Yang Gang-wook had no complaints about Jin-hyuk. After all, Jin-hyuk was the one who recognized his worth at first sight and said the words he had always wanted to hear.

Still, a middle schooler is too young, isn’t it…?

“He’s better than me.”

“Huh?”

“My son is better than me. Even if I weren’t here, Hong Ki-jun would’ve assigned Yang Team Leader to my son, so I hope you don’t take it too personally.”

“Yes. Understood.”

Yang Gang-wook didn’t ask further and simply bowed his head.

Son Kwang-yeon patted Yang Gang-wook’s shoulder a couple of times, sitting in the front seat, to wrap up the conversation.

Despite appearing warm-hearted, Hong Ki-jun was the most cold-blooded person Son Kwang-yeon knew. Back in college, Son Kwang-yeon had cursed Hong Ki-jun, calling him “the kind of guy who’d keep studying even if someone died next to him.” There was even a time when Son Kwang-yeon’s appendix twisted, and he nearly died, but Hong Ki-jun only called an ambulance after he passed out from studying.

‘That damn bastard.’

Kk-. Thinking about that day made him laugh, but it also made him break out in a cold sweat. Of course, Hong Ki-jun had apologized profusely, saying he didn’t realize it was serious and thought it was a joke.

Anyway, Hong Ki-jun wasn’t the type to go out of his way for something that didn’t benefit him. Son Kwang-yeon had figured out that Hong Ki-jun’s ultimate goal was his son, Jin-hyuk. He was investing because he wanted something.

Yoo Se-ra was the same. She might seem like a woman with a few screws loose, but she was born into a chaebol family. She grew up sharpening her mind with calculations and politics. Having learned such things from her father since childhood, she had naturally internalized survival skills that set her apart from other women.

Outwardly soft, inwardly strong. She might look crazy on the outside, but her core was as tough as steel, and she wasn’t the type to be swayed by her husband.

‘Well, protect him well and raise him well, then use him.’

The car carrying Son Kwang-yeon slowly crossed the bridge over the dry canal.

There wasn’t even a breeze, but in the distance, a large persimmon tree was shaking wildly.

***

Persimmons were usually picked when the cold wind blew.

Jin-hyuk didn’t know why. No one had taught him, so he just imitated what the adults in other households did.

After finishing the busy farming work, they picked the fruit before it froze, so maybe that’s why the timing ended up like that. As he shook the persimmon tree, its bare branches adorned with orange and brown fruits, he thought that might be the reason.

‘Well, as long as we can eat it, it’s fine.’

Once a guy who lived like a robot following manuals, now relying on the rhythm his body had naturally adapted to—this was true analog sensibility.

Thud-, plop-.

The siblings, who had been laughing heartily, fell silent.

Jin-hyuk was tired, and so was Yoo-jin.

“Ugh, I’m so tired.”

Finally, Yoo-jin plopped down under the persimmon tree.

She pulled the bell attached to her hat and wiped her nose with it.

The clear snot on the bell, woven with yarn, sparkled in the sunlight. Fascinated, the baby stared at it with crossed eyes.

“Is our baby really tired?”

“Yeah-. Hehe-.”

Yoo-jin was smiling, but her eyes were droopy.

They still had a long way to go.

“Yoo-jin, go inside and have some cookies.”

Looking at her younger sibling, her cheeks were flushed red, and clear snot was running from her nose.

“Ugh-, ugh-.”

If she caught a cold, it would be a big problem, but Yoo-jin shook her head side to side. She probably preferred staying with her older brother.

“Ugh-.”

She patted his shoulder with her tiny hand.

She looked like a fairy, but her actions were unmistakably those of a countryside old-timer. Having grown up watching adults in the village, such behaviors came naturally to her.

“Ah, what should we do?”

Jin-hyuk placed his hand on his sore neck and looked at the persimmon tree.

The main trunk stretched upward, splitting like a slingshot, with all its bark peeled off. It must have been unable to withstand Jin-hyuk’s constant climbing and playing as a child.

‘Thank you. You’ve left a mark on my life too.’

Back then, it was taller than his head, but now it only reached his chest. Jin-hyuk’s hand, stroking the once-playground, carried warmth.

Still, as befitting a persimmon tree, it remained tall and large, unreachable by a pole.

“Yoo-jin, take a rest.”

“Ugh-.”

Yoo-jin, too tired to answer, just nodded.

Spit-, Jin-hyuk spat on his hands and grabbed the pole again.

Leaving work unfinished wasn’t like Son Jin-hyuk. If it weren’t for his parents and younger sibling who loved eating, he might have left everything for the magpies. Unfortunately, his family loved food too much.

‘I’m fine with just rice and meat soup.’

Except for Jin-hyuk, the rest of the family craved all sorts of snacks.

Am I the only one who’s normal? Thinking about it, I’m the only ordinary one. Jin-hyuk continued to roll his head, following the flow of his thoughts. It was his way of staying alert during monotonous labor.

Then, reinforcements arrived.

“Need help?”

“Sure.”

Uncles from SSS, wearing pesticide hats, gathered one by one.

Some carried poles, others sacks.

Originally, they were told not to interfere with daily life, but since they lived in the same world, helping each other occasionally wasn’t bad. Besides, the winter snacks were to be shared with SSS, so Jin-hyuk didn’t refuse their help.

“Huh? That one looks ripe.”

As soon as someone spoke, a ripe persimmon fell to the ground. Luckily, it didn’t smash as it landed on a pile of fallen leaves. Jeong Sang-tae, who knew the taste of ripe persimmons, licked his lips and quickened his pace.

“Hey! You!”

Heheh-!

But Jang Gun-i was faster.

The dog, who had grown heavy and rarely left the house lately, dashed over as soon as the persimmon fell, grabbed it, and ran away. He kept looking back to see if anyone was chasing him.

Hahaha-!

While Jeong Sang-tae watched the dog’s retreating figure in dismay, the men’s hearty laughter cut through the cold air.

But not everyone could laugh.

‘Oh, our Jang Gun-i. How much did you want to eat…’

Jin-hyuk’s nose tingled. His eyes felt hot.

Jang Gun-i wasn’t the type to crave food before the family gave it to him, but since he was pregnant, he must have been curious about the taste. Thinking about the poor little creature who couldn’t speak, Jin-hyuk felt a pang of pity.

This little rascal, next time I see you, I’ll definitely neuter you…

***

Startled awake, the pink ribbon around her neck fluttered.

Clang, the gate opened, and a familiar figure entered, making Bbomi wag her tail.

“Why did you bring so much?”

“The chairman sent it because Madam is having morning sickness.”

“Dad, really…”

Upon hearing the news that his beloved daughter was pregnant late in life, Yoo Myung-sun sent a pile of cookies she liked through Kwon Je-hak. Kwon Je-hak didn’t forget to mention how he had pestered the CEO of Saint Trading in Hong Kong.

“He also said to take it easy with the sports foundation work and prioritize stability.”

“Why are you repeating what he said on the phone to Kwon Uncle?”

Yoo Se-ra pouted. Still, thinking it was out of fatherly love, she didn’t mind and skillfully unwrapped the cookie box, lifting the corners of her mouth.

“By the way, Soo-jung’s dad agreed to take over for a while.”

“Then the chairman will be relieved.”

Kwon Je-hak smiled warmly.

As if remembering something, Yoo Se-ra widened her eyes while munching on a cookie.

“Oh! I heard Dad covered all the rural construction costs?”

“Yes. From the security building to the sports center, the canal, and the track, the chairman said it was his gift.”

“Does he love his son-in-law that much?”

Yoo Se-ra tilted her head.

Her father, who had bought three cars for his eldest son when he turned twenty, was somewhat understandable, but spending such a large sum seemed excessive.

Seeing Yoo Se-ra’s childish expression, Kwon Je-hak chuckled.

“Who can understand the chairman’s mind? He said he decided to give a gift when Kwang-yeon’s family visited last time.”

Hmm-, a gift. Yoo Se-ra nodded.

Kwon Je-hak glanced toward the house.

“Where’s Soo-jung? It’d be nice to see her while I’m here.”

“Right. Soo-jung said she wanted to see Kwon Uncle, but she’s been busy lately.”

“Is she at the academy? She must have inherited her dad’s passion for studying?”

Remembering how Yoo Se-ra used to drool over books as a child, Kwon Je-hak couldn’t bring himself to say she took after her mother.

“It’s an academy, but not for studying.”

Yoo Se-ra sighed deeply.

Her daughter’s ambition was indeed ambition, but not for studying.

Hong Soo-jung was obsessed with sports.

Thinking she needed to grow tall to resemble her older brother, she took up ballet, gymnastics, swimming, taekwondo, tennis, and more, returning home exhausted every evening.

‘Well, at least the cookies are mine now.’

The cookies tasted several times better than before.

Is she trying to get fat?

***

By the time the sun set, the men had harvested over three sacks of persimmons.

‘That Choi Mi-kyung, she just ate cookies and left.’

Choi Mi-kyung’s basket was carried away by Yang Gang-wook.

His silhouette against the dimly lit field resembled a bear.

Inside the modest earthen house, a few men with knives sat around.

Ahem-, scrape-scratch-.

Only the sounds of clearing throats and peeling persimmons could be heard.

Some peeled the skin to make dried persimmons, while others placed them in basins to ferment under blankets. The fermentation would produce a smell similar to alcohol, but it wasn’t unbearable. After all, no one lived in this earthen house.

Though everyone was skilled with knives, except for Jin-hyuk and Moon Seok-il, the others were wasting too much fruit.

“Uncle Sang-tae, how about lighting the stove?”

The room was chilly, and Yoo-jin’s runny nose was concerning.

“Huh, should I?”

“Shouldn’t we fill the pot with water before lighting the fire?”

Jeong Sang-tae and Kang Heon-chang, demoted to stove duty due to their poor knife skills, stood up hesitantly.

“The dried fish hanging on the eaves is ready, so grill it while you’re at it. It’ll be delicious.”

At those words, Kim In-rang’s ears perked up like a horse’s.

“Then I’ll light the fire-.”

“No way! You have to say it properly! Geez-!”

Kim In-rang had no choice but to continue circling the room with Yoo-jin on his back.

Watching Kim In-rang crawl on all fours, Moon Seok-il suppressed a laugh.

‘The more I think about it, the crazier it gets.’

Having gone from special forces to a fixer, he somehow ended up in this rural backwater, affiliated with a group security company.

Starting the day by following Son Jin-hyuk’s morning run to Gubong Mountain, they had breakfast at the hobbit bunker he named, then spent the day as a liaison between Jin-hyuk and the SSS team. They kept an eye out for suspicious activity and helped with village chores.

Today, they spent the whole day trimming chives at Kim Eun-jung’s vinyl house. He didn’t know why, but while patrolling the village, he made eye contact with the homeowner and ended up in the vinyl house.

‘Is this the famous countryside hospitality?’

Suppressing an involuntary smile, he wiped his nose with the back of his knife hand.

The day before yesterday, he and Jo Il-hun foraged for herbs in Gubong Mountain.

Even for Moon Seok-il, who had survival training, finding herbs in the deep forest covered in fallen leaves was no easy task. How do you find herbs without leaves or stems? But Jo Il-hun was different.

He said winter herbs were good, and since you eat the roots, stems didn’t matter, and he found them just fine.

Jo Il-hun gave him a few roots of deodeok, saying they’d help with his weak circulation, and the cook made seasoned deodeok roast. He also gave one to Yang Gang-wook, who was so grateful he couldn’t speak, saying his wife would love it.

Anyway, they’ve been doing all sorts of things.

‘Now we’re sitting on the floor peeling persimmons.’

Having lived always on edge, focusing intensely on something, it had been a long time since he had experienced the changing seasons. The corners of his mouth curled into a contented smile.

Jin-hyuk, glancing at Moon Seok-il, moved his lips.

“Are your family members not coming?”

“They’re talking.”

It wasn’t something anyone could force.

Jin-hyuk had only suggested it, hoping they could live comfortably.

It would be nice if their families lived in town like the other SSS team members.

Still, Moon Seok-il said he was relieved to be able to stay in touch with his family often.

Jin-hyuk, who had been busily working, stopped and sighed lightly.

“Can you help me find someone?”