Chapter 119

< The Special Mission Called Family (6) >

***

Jin Hyuk still remembers the day Yoo Jin was born. The emotions etched into his heart were too vivid and profound to be commemorated with just the dry word “memory.” Born in a humble yet cozy earthen house, Yoo Jin cried so loudly it seemed to shake the village. The experience of witnessing that miraculous birth was something no other older brother in the world could easily claim.

That baby is already six years old now. She reads the numbers on the wall calendar, excited that blue means Saturday, the day her brother comes home early from school, and red means Sunday, the day he doesn’t go to school at all. She even likes the black days, saying that after they pass, the blue days return. She’s a child who dislikes nothing.

She’s even learning the Thousand Character Classic from Grandpa Cheon Gil-ryong, who often visits. Though she’s more likely recognizing the characters as pictures rather than actual text, she can at least distinguish between “sun” and “moon.”

“Attention, bow to the teacher!” After finishing the end-of-day greetings, Jin Hyuk packed his bag.

“Class president, wanna play basketball?”

What kind of nonsense is this about basketball?

A friend who plays basketball every day after school, hoping to grow as tall as Jin Hyuk, called out to him, but Jin Hyuk didn’t even look back as he left the classroom.

Though it was still early summer, the season had already brought sweltering heat.

As soon as school ended, Jin Hyuk pedaled his bike toward the only obstetrics clinic in town. He was worried about his mom, and there was also someone he needed to meet.

“Waaaah! The baby! The baby!”

If it weren’t for the palm-sized secure phone he got through Moon Seok-il, he wouldn’t have known the outcome. Sneaking calls during every break, he finally got the news just before the last period.

Finally, Jin Hyuk and Yoo Jin’s younger brother, Son Jeong-won, was born.

“I should’ve just skipped school!”

When Yoo Jin was born, he could take care of his mom, but this time the timing didn’t work out. When he said he wanted to leave early because his mom was in labor, all he got was a sarcastic, “Are you the one giving birth?” Well, he expected that. His second-grade homeroom teacher doesn’t like him much. There were rumors that after last year’s Chuseok holiday, when he brought Yoo Jin to school, he got scolded by Lee Byeong-se. That’s probably why.

Adapting to the rapidly changing world, Han Yu-young didn’t insist this time and gave birth at the hospital. She was 34 years old. The expansion and development of the town, along with the opening of various hospitals, helped make this choice.

After weaving through cars and motorcycles, speeding through alleys and roads, he quickly reached the hospital.

Of course, his dad and Yoo Jin had already arrived.

“Where’s Mom?”

With his face flushed red from the heat and the rush, Jin Hyuk looked for his mom.

Son Kwang-yeon nodded with a bright smile, saying both the mother and baby were healthy.

“Ah, what a relief.”

What a relief indeed.

It was the best news. Though he heard it from Moon Seok-il, he needed to see it for himself to feel at ease. Jin Hyuk vividly remembered his mom’s life-and-death struggle when Yoo Jin was born. Overwhelmed by a wave of relief, his legs almost gave out.

Pulled by Yoo Jin’s hand, he entered the ondol-style single room.

Back when a teammate from the Sein Bio founding project gave birth, Jin Hyuk had visited a postpartum care center for the first and last time. This was a hospital, not a care center, but still. Back then, he hesitated to enter until the swollen-faced teammate smiled and gestured for him to come in.

His mom’s slightly swollen face reminded him of that teammate. Of course, his mom’s smile was much brighter and more beautiful, but there was no need to compare. Everyone is special and precious in their own way.

“Mom…”

“Welcome, our eldest son.”

Han Yu-young greeted her grown son with the same warm smile, cradling the newborn.

Eldest son. Why did those words resonate so deeply in this young man’s chest? Jin Hyuk’s face, trying hard to smile, turned into that of a bashful country boy.

“Brother, the baby, the baby—it’s my sibling!”

“Yeah, Yoo Jin. This is Jeong-won, your sibling.”

He patted Yoo Jin’s small head as she proudly showed off her sibling.

Though it wasn’t as moving as when he first saw Yoo Jin in the main room, the birth of a new life was still deeply touching.

“Ha, you little rascal. Your big brother’s here, so open your eyes.”

Jin Hyuk scrunched his nose as he watched his squirming sibling in his mom’s arms. For some reason, he’d been crying a lot more since he got back.

A 14-year age difference—this kid’s practically a nephew.

Son Kwang-yeon, Jin Hyuk, and Yoo Jin sat side by side, protectively surrounding the baby. Though they all looked at the baby and mother with loving eyes, no one dared to reach out and touch the baby. It was too small and fragile. Like a true family, they all acted the same way.

Soon, there was a knock on the hospital room door.

“Who is it?”

Worried her sibling might get startled, Yoo Jin jumped up. When she opened the door, Moon Seok-il stood there holding a fruit basket. Behind him, Yang Gang-wook sniffled like a bear, peeking into the room.

“Congratulations, sir. Ma’am, you’ve worked hard.”

“Congratulations, boss.”

“Thank you, Team Leader Yang, thank you.”

It was the day of the birth. After a brief greeting, Moon Seok-il and Yang Gang-wook left to let the exhausted mother rest. Son Kwang-yeon, who shook hands with both of them, also stepped out into the hallway. After all, it’s only polite to greet congratulatory visitors. His lingering steps showed his consideration to let his wife rest.

Jin Hyuk patted Yoo Jin’s head and spoke softly.

“Yoo Jin, Jeong-won is a small and fragile baby, so now it’s your job to protect and take care of him.”

“Like you did, brother?”

Son Yoo-jin looked up at her brother with sparkling eyes.

Unlike her excitedly smiling sibling, the giant’s eyes were moist with tears.

“Yeah, like your brother…”

Now it’s Yoo Jin’s turn to play with and protect the baby.

Because big brother has to go to school.

***

Han Yu-young didn’t stay long at the hospital and was discharged after a few days. Being cooped up in a concrete building made her feel suffocated. And most importantly, the food didn’t suit her taste. Kim Soon-bok had also urged her to come home, saying she’d cooked a whole pot of beef seaweed soup.

– Why are you lying around there when you have a good home? Get back here right now!

“Alright.”

She burst into laughter so hard it made her nose tingle.

To an outsider, it might seem like she was scolding, but having known each other for years, Han Yu-young understood Kim Soon-bok’s heart. Kim Soon-bok had frequently visited to check on her when Yoo Jin was born, and now that life was more comfortable, it was only natural she’d step up again.

The house, finished with yellow soil, would be better for the baby than the hospital, and if the mother’s condition worsened, they could even do a steam treatment in the earthen house. Jang Jin-nam, who had a strange way of speaking but was skilled, was also eager to help with the postpartum care, so Son Kwang-yeon and Han Yu-young didn’t hesitate long.

Yoo Jin guarded her sibling like a protector, just as her brother had instructed.

“Lullaby, lullaby—our baby—sleeps so well, our baby—.”

Waaah!

Jeong-won didn’t seem to like lullabies much. With a scrunched face, he flailed his limbs like a crab.

Even a six-year-old like Yoo Jin knew it was time to switch to a different tune.

“Three bears are sitting on the stove, crying—.”

Giggle—.

It seemed Jeong-won was more in tune with Yoo Jin’s vibe.

Listening to her daughter’s strange song, Han Yu-young let out a light sigh.

‘Guess the kids take after their dad.’

I don’t have that kind of quirkiness. She thought, unconsciously nodding along to her daughter’s song.

***

A few days later, Hong Soo-jung’s younger brother was born in Seoul.

Hong Ki-jun, in the middle of an important schedule, rushed to the hospital upon receiving the urgent call. There had been no signs that morning, so the sudden rush was shocking.

Bodyguards disguised as secretarial staff tightly guarded the hospital room. Their somewhat dark expressions and the heavy tension in their eyes were palpable. Hong Ki-jun ignored the tingling sensation in his cheeks as he entered the room.

“You’ve worked hard. Really worked hard, Yoo Se-ra!”

“Oppa…”

Yoo Se-ra, lying on the bed, barely moved her lips. Her unfocused eyes stared at the ceiling. Her dry lips and the dried tears at the corners of her eyes hinted at her condition.

Hong Ki-jun’s heart sank. There wasn’t much time, but he couldn’t afford to get lost in his emotions. Suppressing his welling tears, he gently held his wife’s hand.

“Yeah, it’s okay.”

“…Pork.”

Hong Ki-jun quickly leaned in closer. All he heard was a faint breath. Though gripped by a foreboding feeling, he knew he couldn’t miss what she was trying to say.

“Me…”

Hong Ki-jun nodded slightly. Keep talking. I’m listening. Our kids, I’ll—

“Jokbal…”

Is that German?

Closing his eyes tightly, Hong Ki-jun spoke softly but clearly.

“Say it again. Stay with me.”

“I want to eat jokbal—.”

Damn it, this crazy woman.

Hong Ki-jun sat up abruptly, unable to cry or laugh, and locked eyes with Yoo Se-ra. He wanted to get angry but couldn’t. A tear rolled down Yoo Se-ra’s cheek.

“Waaah, Dad won’t buy it for me…”

Yoo Se-ra covered her eyes with her arm and started sobbing, muttering “jokbal, jokbal” over and over.

‘So that’s why you’re crying…’

Well, she ate whatever she wanted using the baby as an excuse, but now that she’s given birth, the treatment has changed. Sigh—. It’s not something to do in front of the mother, but he couldn’t help but sigh.

“Where’s your father?”

“Ahem—. He’s with Soo-jung and the newborn.”

“But can you even eat jokbal?”

Hong Ki-jun wiped the moisture from his wife’s eyes with his thumb and asked.

Yoo Se-ra grinned widely. He’s going to buy me jokbal, isn’t he? My husband really is the best.

Though her smile wasn’t evil, Hong Ki-jun’s neck stiffened.

‘She’s like a demon.’

*

“She didn’t suffer much. She gave birth smoothly as soon as she arrived at the hospital. It almost seemed like she held out just to give birth here—whoosh.”

The doctor explained that thanks to her regular exercise, even after giving birth, her physical strength and health seemed better than most men. Hong Ki-jun sighed in relief.

Munch, munch—.

Look at her now. She’s tearing into a pig’s leg like a beast.

It’s like a live pig eating a dead pig.

Kim Cheol-min went all the way to Namdaemun to buy this jokbal. They said it had no additives, so it should be fine for the mother to eat.

The baby lay on the bed, staring blankly. The nurse had brought him over on a mobile bed for the family meeting, and he looked too robust and alert to be a newborn.

Hong Soo-jung, who was poking the baby’s hand with her finger, asked.

“Mom, why is Soo-hyuk named Soo-hyuk?”

“Munch, munch—. They said it’s because they wanted him to resemble Jin Hyuk, so they gave him a similar name.”

Hong Soo-jung’s mouth dropped open.

Are they stupid? Why would they want him to look like someone else’s son?

Our parents are really weird.

When she looked up at her grandfather Yoo Myung-sun to raise the issue, her mom added.

“Grandpa named him. He said it’s a good name.”

Yoo Myung-sun closed his eyes slightly and nodded with a smile. Then, he picked up some radish with his chopsticks and placed it on his daughter’s plate.

He was the type to stay quiet, fearing that if he spoke, he’d sound like an old man nagging.

This family really makes you sigh.

With narrowed eyes, Hong Soo-jung warned the baby sternly.

“Soo-hyuk, you better listen to your big sister. I’m nine years older than you—.”

“Hahaha—! Soo-jung, don’t make Mom laugh. Her stomach still hurts.”

Yoo Se-ra, holding a pig’s leg in one hand, held her stomach with the other as she laughed.

Hong Ki-jun, who had been making eye contact with his son, muttered while keeping an eye on his wife.

“We probably won’t be able to visit Jin Hyuk’s family for a while, so maybe we should give Soo-hyuk a sibling…”

What?

Yoo Se-ra, furious, raised the pig’s leg like a club. She didn’t care if Yoo Myung-sun saw. Still, she held back her curses out of respect for her dad. Instead, she shot him a glare filled with unspoken profanities.

That jerk, seriously…