Chapter 124

<Healer (5)>

***

Son Kwang-yeon, holding the baby on the waterway embankment, and Han Yu-young, holding an umbrella next to him, both watched in shock.

Their eldest son, lifting the snakehead fish with both hands.

“Uncle Jin-nam! How do you cook this?”

Without any strategy to release its strength, the snakehead fish thrashed wildly, slapping Jin-hyuk’s cheeks repeatedly with its tail. It was an instinctive struggle.

Yet, for some reason, Jin-hyuk kept grinning.

“Ah, well. I only know how to eat fish raw or in spicy stew…”

Jang Jin-nam scratched the back of his head and stepped back. Despite his muscular build, his face was pale with fear. The snakehead fish looked like a monster to him.

Jin-hyuk smiled brightly and looked at his mom.

“Mom! They say eating this will help with your milk supply!”

“No! No! I don’t want it!”

It was almost a scream.

Han Yu-young, clutching her cheeks and shaking her head vigorously, finally closed her eyes tightly.

How could anyone eat that? Nowadays, there are so many types of formula milk that you can just buy the right one for the baby. While it was heartwarming to see her usually quiet eldest son smiling so brightly, it was embarrassing to have him shouting about her milk supply all over the neighborhood.

Jin-hyuk’s face fell.

My mom…

Does she find me disgusting?

She probably closed her eyes because of the snakehead fish, but was it really something to scream about?

His grip loosened, and the snakehead fish fell with a splat.

‘Hiiing-.’

He wanted to sulk.

He wanted to take off his now mud-stained shirt, but there were too many eyes on him. Jin-hyuk sat down in a secluded spot. The overgrown reeds provided a cozy cover. He just wanted to rest and wiped the mud off his face.

Unconcerned with Jin-hyuk’s feelings, the waterway, half mud and half fish, was bustling with activity.

Even men from the neighboring village arrived on tractors and motorcycles, adding to the lively atmosphere. It was noisier than a rural school sports day.

“Catch it! Catch it!”

“Over there! There, there!”

Adults and children alike radiated more heat than the midday sun.

Jin-hyuk watched the chaotic scene with half-closed eyes and wiped his nose with his forearm. The mud he had just cleaned off smeared again.

It was the first time since returning to the past that he felt such a poignant sense of alienation.

Of course, it was all in his head, but being ignored by the person he loved most in the world made the fifteen-year-old boy feel lonely.

‘Like the tragic heroine.’

Or hero.

The feeling of being misunderstood and abandoned by the world.

He thought he was used to such emotions, but this time it felt more like a sense of loss. Unlike the emotions he felt in his past life, where he had no one to rely on, Jin-hyuk realized he was truly living a happy life now.

Everyone was laughing and having fun.

Meanwhile, the boring, quiet, and overly serious middle-aged teenager was sulking, feeling hurt by his mom’s rejection.

But he couldn’t linger in his brooding for long.

“Where did our oppa go? Where is he? Hiiing-.”

It was because of Yu-jin’s voice, wandering along the embankment looking for him.

Everyone was too busy laughing and making noise to hear Yu-jin’s worried voice, but Jin-hyuk wasn’t the kind of brother who couldn’t recognize his sister’s voice.

“Our oppa fell into the swamp and disappeared. Oppa-.”

Yu-jin started sobbing dramatically, like an actress.

‘Sigh, what kind of melodrama is this at your age?’

Jin-hyuk jumped up and waved to his sister.

Yu-jin, spotting her brother, also started jumping and waving. Anyone watching would think it was a family reunion after a long separation.

“Waaah-. Oppa-!”

After confirming his sister’s bright smile, Jin-hyuk went back into the muddy water.

He felt proud of himself for warming up to his sister’s concern. It was indeed time to grow up.

“How come there are so many fish here?”

“Right? Even with the political net, there are so many that didn’t get caught.”

Despite the drainage work that should have driven most fish downstream, all sorts of fish were caught in the middle and upper streams. From carp, catfish, snakehead fish, and bullheads to smaller species like minnows and freshwater shrimp, there were countless numbers. They filled several red rubber tubs, usually used as outdoor bathtubs in the summer, and the bottom of the waterway was still teeming with fish.

So no one paid attention when Jang Gun-i ran off with a fish in his mouth.

Only when the other dogs followed suit, each carrying a fish and running towards the house, did people start to take notice. It was fascinating to see the dogs racing with fish.

“What’s going on? They’re not cats, why are they doing that?”

“Maybe they got tired of eating dry food and wanted something fresh.”

The four dogs, possessed by stray dog spirits, soon reappeared.

Despite panting heavily in the heat, Jang Gun-i ran off again with another fish. Hong-si, Cheon-ma, and Gwang-ma followed behind.

“Did they already eat?”

“Probably buried it somewhere and came back-. Gandi-.”

How many times did they carry the fish back and forth? Hong-si, Cheon-ma, and Gwang-ma eventually collapsed in the reed forest, but Jang Gun-i’s race continued until sunset when people started to leave. He truly had endless stamina.

“Wow-, Jang Gun-i is a real champion-. The others are all collapsed, but he’s still going-.”

“No wonder he’s called Jang Gun-i. He must be burying enough food for a lifetime-.”

“It’ll all rot, but dogs are just dumb like that-.”

There were too many fish. They took enough to eat and released the rest, including the smaller ones, into the lake downstream. Of course, some greedy folks from other villages took a few sacks full, but no one scolded them.

They probably planned to make carp juice at the health center.

“Old man-, you should rest at home today-. Have some carp stew and a glass of medicinal wine-.”

“Do you have good wine?”

“My son brewed some arrowroot wine, and it’s amazing-. It’s been aged for about three years-.”

“Alright, alright. I’ll follow slowly.”

Led by Choi Jang-hwan, who took care of Cheon Gil-ryong, the villagers also turned their steps home.

Their bodies were heavy from rolling in the hot sun, but their hearts were light as if flying after the rare event.

Jin-hyuk, about to head home, tilted his head.

His gaze lingered on some unfamiliar children looking at the dried-up waterway.

“Seong-chan, do you know who those kids are?”

“I don’t know-. They must be from the other village-.”

If even Yook Seong-chan didn’t know them, they must be new to the area.

Jin-hyuk beckoned the children over.

After a moment of hesitation, the tallest child approached. In his hand was a lightweight rubber basin clumsily patched with styrofoam and rope.

“Did you come to catch fish?”

“No? We came to ride a boat?”

Just one sentence was enough to tell they weren’t from the village.

Their Seoul accent was unmistakable. Their clothes were neat, and except for the tallest one, their skin was quite fair.

So they came with a basin to make a boat. Jin-hyuk had imagined doing the same as a child, so he understood.

“Hey, if you want to ride a boat, go down there-. There’s water there.”

“No. It’s dangerous to ride in that. If it flips, it’ll be a disaster.”

Jin-hyuk quickly stopped Yook Seong-chan’s kind suggestion.

“Did you come to visit relatives during the vacation?”

“No? We transferred schools-.”

“All three of you?”

“Yes. We’re siblings-.”

They said they had transferred to Eodong Elementary School.

Thirteen, ten, and six years old. The six-year-old must be the same age as Yu-jin.

Yu-jin, holding her mom’s hand from a distance, just blinked.

“Here, take some fish and ask your mom to make carp stew. Don’t ride in that thing.”

“Okay.”

Jin-hyuk removed the styrofoam from the rubber basin and filled it with carp.

Some of the carp were still alive and flapping, thanks to being kept in a puddle of water.

Jin-hyuk and Yook Seong-chan watched with satisfaction as the city kids struggled to carry the basin. Should they have helped?

‘Transferred schools…’

That’s unusual.

In a time when everyone is leaving the countryside for the city, they came to the countryside.

It must have been too heavy for the little ones, as the three siblings put the basin down several times to rest.

Then their mom came running and smacked their backs.

It was too far to hear what she was saying, but she seemed quite worried.

“Kkuk-. They must have sneaked out without their mom knowing-.”

“Did we ever do that?”

Jin-hyuk muttered.

“Playing in the water is dangerous-. We used to play in streams or sandy beaches. The waterway is deep and dangerous-.”

We couldn’t even go near the waterway because we’d get scolded by the adults-. Yook Seong-chan exaggeratedly gestured.

Jin-hyuk nodded at Yook Seong-chan’s response, his voice cracking and his beard starting to show.

The waterway wasn’t just deep; it was slippery, making it hard for kids who couldn’t swim to get out on their own.

With so many other ways to play, why take such risks?

They must not know how to play, having come from the city.

If they lived closer, we could teach them.

‘Mountain running, tidal flat racing, ginger cave digging, arrowroot digging, chasing pheasants…’

The list goes on.

They’d surely find it fun…

“Jin-hyuk, our eldest-. Let’s go home-.”

“Okay!”

He smiled at his mom’s call. Seeing her crescent-shaped eyes, he felt ashamed for misunderstanding her. Of course, mom wouldn’t dislike her son; it was just a momentary misunderstanding.

The giant snakehead fish was released into the lake. It was too big for anyone to dare eat. Cheon Gil-ryong’s words about it possibly being a guardian spirit of the waterway helped make the decision.

‘It’s not the 1980s; if mom’s milk doesn’t come, we can just use formula.’

Jin-hyuk picked up trash and put it in an empty sack. Burying it would only pollute the ground. It was better to collect it and dispose of it properly.

“Leave that alone.”

“Okay.”

He was about to collect the styrofoam the kids brought, but Cheon Gil-ryong stopped him.

‘Let’s hurry and wash up.’

With one hand carrying a sack of fish and the other a sack of trash, he walked barefoot back home. His slippers had disappeared, and he couldn’t find them.

*

As sunset approached, swarms of mayflies filled the air.

Cheon Gil-ryong, who had stayed until the end to watch over the waterway, waved his pipe to shoo away the flies. His loose Hawaiian shirt fluttered with each movement.

‘What a strange sight.’

Cheon Gil-ryong’s gaze followed the three siblings who had already disappeared into the distance.

The eldest’s face clearly showed signs of a short life. If something happened to the child, it would ruin the festive mood. So he watched carefully, and when Jin-hyuk removed the styrofoam from the basin, the signs of a short life disappeared. The dark haze around the child’s eyes vanished like a seed flying away.

Cheon Gil-ryong stared at the two pieces of styrofoam lying on the ground.

‘They were fated to drown today.’

Interesting, very interesting. What a fascinating world. Cheon Gil-ryong, holding the styrofoam, followed Jin-hyuk from a distance, muttering to himself.

It wasn’t pleasant to guess someone’s end. Reading fortunes and glimpsing destiny always left him feeling heavy and coughing like a consumptive. His brother Cheon Gi-ryong was the same. The hospital always said there was nothing wrong. But after passing on the role of guardian spirit to that boy, the chest pain disappeared as if washed away.

Jin-hyuk’s back, walking barefoot in pain, looked broader than ever.

Unlike his brother Cheon Gi-ryong’s, it didn’t seem lonely.

‘You must not know, but you’re quite talented.’

His mustache spread out like a fan as he smiled.

Jin-hyuk yelped as he stepped on sharp gravel.

“Ouch-!”

***

Though it was sunset, the day was still long.

The SSS agents, tired but with bright expressions, stopped walking.

Son Kwang-yeon, carrying the baby, had stopped. Ahead, Yu-jin and Han Yu-young were sitting on the bridge, looking into the water.

“There were no fish earlier.”

“Really. Where did the fish come from?”

It had only been a few days since they started filling the waterway, so it was normal for there to be no fish. But now, fish were swimming in the waterway. From palm-sized fish to forearm-sized ones. The water was clear enough to see them.

“Maybe Jang Gun-i brought them?”

Jin-hyuk cautiously guessed.

There was no other explanation.

“He must have moved the residents along with the water.”

Jang Jin-nam, nodding, lowered the sack from his shoulder.

The fish, smelling the water, thrashed wildly.

Jang Jin-nam tossed the smaller ones back into the waterway.

Plop-, plop-.

It was beautiful to see them return to where they belonged, diving in like professional divers.

The joyous movements of life narrowly escaping death.

The conscience embedded in human hearts responded.

Moon Seok-il and Yang Gang-wook also started rummaging through their sacks. Other SSS agents began releasing fish as promised.

Splash-. Splash-. Jin-hyuk even poured his sack into the waterway.

Feeling everyone’s eyes on him, Jin-hyuk scratched the back of his head.

“There’s plenty to eat besides fish. Freshwater fish are a hassle with all the bones…”

Everyone nodded and poured their sacks. No further explanation was needed.

Then it happened.

Splash-!

The giant Jang Jin-nam jumped into the water.

The sound of his entry was as startling as a boulder hitting the water, splashing everywhere.

“Ah, you scared me.”

“Jin-nam, what are you doing?”

No one was worried.

Though he became a chef after discharge because he enjoyed cooking, Jang Jin-nam was a former UDT member. No one would worry about a UDT member drowning.

A few seconds later, Sploosh-! A much cleaner Jang Jin-nam surfaced. He started collecting the fish floating on the water. Moving only his ankles, he playfully kicked the water. Lying on the surface, collecting fish, he looked like an otter.

Feeling the weight of everyone’s gaze, Jang Jin-nam smiled awkwardly.

“Let’s eat the dead ones-. Spicy stew is good in the summer.”

Yang Gang-wook, worried Han Yu-young might feel awkward, took off his shirt and joined Jang Jin-nam.

“The water’s clean, let’s swim before we go.”

Splash-! Sploosh-!

The once clear water turned slightly murky. Those watching from the bridge and those flailing in the water all laughed refreshingly.

“Hee-ha!”

Myeong Hyeon-woo let out a cowboy-like cheer, lifting everyone’s spirits.

“Jin-hyuk, aren’t you coming in?”

At Son Kwang-yeon’s question, Jin-hyuk just smiled and shook his head.

He wanted to jump in, but he had something to do.

“I need to give Jang Gun-i some dried fish.”

No one knew why Jang Gun-i had been carrying fish.

They just thought the good dog had done a good deed. Jang Gun-i often did commendable things.

If you do a good deed, you should be rewarded and praised. Even if you didn’t do it for a reward, unexpected rewards are the happiest. It was one of Team Leader Son Jin-hyuk’s ways of managing people.

Jin-hyuk muttered as he walked home, “Jang Gun-i is better than me.”

Son Kwang-yeon, carrying the baby, followed behind, drooling.

“Jin-hyuk-. Did you hide some? Dad wants a few-.”

“Hehe-.”

It was good to see his dad’s silly side again.

The silly son smiled and quickened his pace.