Chapter 19

# 19 < The Wind Blows (4) >

***

It was an unusually warm winter.

So warm that Jin-hyeok often exercised in short sleeves, sweating even after a short run.

The family rarely caught colds, even in the coldest weather, but for some reason, Han Yu-young coughed every night. Both the local clinic and the city hospital diagnosed it as just a cold. But even with medication, the cough didn’t subside easily.

With her mother complaining of chest tightness and unable to sleep, Yu-jin often slept in her older brother’s room on the second floor. It wasn’t a hard decision since she already preferred her brother over her mother. It was also to avoid passing the cold to her young daughter.

“Honey, should we go to a big hospital in Seoul?”

“Oh, why bother? It’s common to catch colds in a warm winter. I’ll be fine with some rest.”

Han Yu-young, a born countrywoman, waved it off as nothing serious. Her voice came out hoarse and cracked.

“Alright…”

Son Kwang-yeon had no choice but to nod. He was the type to do anything for Han Yu-young. Seeing her complexion was good and there were no other symptoms besides the cough, he felt reassured. Still, he couldn’t help but worry, and his expression darkened.

Jin-hyeok’s face also turned gloomy, just like his father’s.

‘My heart aches so much.’

I wish I could be sick instead of my mom. Jin-hyeok set down his younger sister, whom he had been carrying in a sling.

“Yu-jin, your brother is—”

“Mom, mom—”

Before he could even finish, Yu-jin toddled over to her mother. As if she could read her brother’s mind. She’s such a thoughtful little sister.

He put on his work clothes—a thin aviation jacket he wore during autumn farm work.

From the shed, he grabbed a shovel, pickaxe, saw, and sickle.

‘I’ll need to put in some effort.’

He tied the tools together with a thin tire tube and slung them over his shoulder, heading to Choi Mi-kyung’s house.

Heheheh-.

Of course, Jang Gun-i, the dog, trotted alongside him.

Heheheh-!

As soon as they reached Choi Mi-kyung’s house, Jang Gun-i charged toward the yellow dog’s food bowl. Why does he do this when he’s not even hungry? What a little thug. Ignoring the dog, Jin-hyeok knocked on the door.

Ahem-. Clearing his throat, he called out in the most childlike tone he could muster.

“Excuse me. Is anyone home?”

The formal tone rolled off his tongue naturally. Satisfied, the corner of his mouth twitched upward.

Soon, the door opened, and a large shadow loomed in the doorway.

“Who— Huh?! Is that you, Jin-hyeok?”

It was Choi Mi-kyung’s older brother, Choi Tae-yang. He was home for a rare break during winter training. He was shocked to see Jin-hyeok, who looked as big as a middle schooler. He kept glancing back at his little sister, Choi Mi-kyung, peeking out from behind him. She’s so small, but you’ve grown so much.

It had been a while since they last saw each other. But still, how could a kid about to enter sixth grade grow this much? Must be the good food from a well-off family, he thought. Choi Tae-yang had grown up in a similar environment.

As he nodded inwardly, Jin-hyeok’s soft voice reached him.

“Hyung.”

Come to think of it, Jin-hyeok had never used the term “hyung” before.

It just came out naturally, like the way neighborhood kids would call each other.

For a moment, Choi Tae-yang grinned widely.

“Is your dad home?”

“Uh—”

“Mom and Dad went to the funeral.”

Choi Mi-kyung’s quick reply came from behind Choi Tae-yang’s large frame blocking the doorway.

“Ah…”

If they went to a funeral, it was likely a funeral, not a wedding. Leaving the kids at home suggested it was a funeral. Jin-hyeok turned away, disappointed. He had wanted to ask the father for help.

Just then, Choi Tae-yang’s voice stopped him.

“What are you doing with those tools?”

*

Thud! Thud!

Huff huff-.

Choi Tae-yang was strong. With a good build, he transferred to Taeyang Elementary School in town at eleven and joined the wrestling team. He continued wrestling through middle and high school, now in his seventh year.

His parents would shoo him away from farm work, fearing he’d get muscle pain, so he’d just pull on tubes in the yard when he was home. That’s why the ginkgo trees around Choi Mi-kyung’s yard all leaned inward.

An old shaman from the village had named him “Tae-yang,” hoping he’d become the hero of Taeyang Town.

Anyway.

“Oh man, this isn’t easy.”

As you can see, he’s not great at digging.

Heroes grab wrestling belts, not shovels.

Despite the age gap, Choi Tae-yang felt close to Son Jin-hyeok, thanks to his little sister Choi Mi-kyung’s endless chatter. It was like feeling close to the legendary Hong Gil-dong without ever meeting him.

Anyway, he had asked about the tools out of curiosity.

‘I didn’t mean to offer help…’

Who knew he’d end up swinging a pickaxe and shovel in a dense forest? He couldn’t just ignore Jin-hyeok’s mission to dig up kudzu roots for his coughing mother. That one word, “hyung,” had softened his heart.

Breathless and back aching, he realized labor and sports were not the same. Different muscles, different breathing. But Son Jin-hyeok was something else.

‘Is he one with the shovel?’

It was as if the boy and the shovel had become one. He effortlessly cleared vines, roots, and leaves like flowing water. The forest had more rocks than soil, but Jin-hyeok didn’t care.

The target was hidden behind thick, twisted roots crossing a rock crevice. Yet, the elementary school student relentlessly dug with pickaxe, shovel, sickle, and hands. It was almost like…

‘A grave robber.’

Choi Tae-yang nodded as he caught his breath. That persistence must be why he’s good at studying. My sister Mi-kyung is persistent too, and she’s good at studying. Choi Tae-yang stood there, admiring Jin-hyeok’s grave-robbing skills.

While Choi Tae-yang alternated between admiration and contemplation, a kudzu root as long as an adult’s arm emerged. Judging by its shape, the thickest part was still buried. It was hard to tell how thick it would be.

“Jin-hyeok, step aside. I’ll handle this.”

Choi Tae-yang rolled up his short sleeves to show off his muscular arms. Though not great at digging, his strength was undeniable. With over 20 trophies from national competitions since he was thirteen and the ability to lift rice sacks with ease, this little root was nothing.

“Hngggg- Hnnngh-!”

‘He’s gonna poop, he’s gonna poop,’ Jin-hyeok thought to himself.

His squatting posture was perfect for it. If he really had to go, there was a shovel and dirt to bury it.

Huff huff-. Choi Tae-yang’s labored breathing made him seem pitiful. No wonder he only made it to Baekdu Jangsa (a wrestling title). I’ve been helping with farm work since I was young. I could lift a millstone with one hand at nine. Lost in thought, Jin-hyeok admired Choi Tae-yang’s bulging face and arms.

Heheheh-.

Even Jang Gun-i seemed to look down on Choi Tae-yang.

Despite the wrestler’s legs trembling with effort, the deeply embedded kudzu root wouldn’t budge. It was tough, neither breaking nor easy to cut.

Patting Choi Tae-yang’s shoulder, Jin-hyeok spoke like a child.

“I’ll do it.”

“Huff- Huff-, this thing’s really tough. Maybe just cut the top—”

Just as Choi Tae-yang, red-faced, crouched to catch his breath.

Jin-hyeok grabbed the kudzu root with both hands and let out a short grunt.

“Hup!”

Rumble-.

It was like thunder underground. The ground shook, and clumps of dirt rolled around.

Thud thud thud-.

The hidden roots were all pulled out. A massive kudzu root, over two meters long and as thick as an adult’s thigh. It was bizarre to see the monster that seemed impossible to pull out come so easily.

Choi Tae-yang muttered, eyes unfocused. Why did we even dig…?

“If you pull it out from the start, it’ll break.”

Thinking it made sense, Choi Tae-yang nodded.

I could’ve come alone. Jin-hyeok brushed off his hands. Maybe his hormones were kicking in, making him even stronger.

He sawed the kudzu root in half.

Handing the heavier piece to Choi Tae-yang, he spoke politely, as a child should. After all, he recently learned that children should be polite.

“Here you go.”

“Uh… okay.”

Choi Tae-yang instinctively received it with both hands, bowing slightly. His tone and strength were too mature for a child. Still, Choi Tae-yang was happy with his loot. I’ll secretly brew some alcohol with this.

Swoosh-. As they left the forest, a cool breeze blew.

Both the high schooler and the elementary schooler closed their eyes and took a deep breath.

“Take care.”

“Uh…”

Watching Jin-hyeok stride away, Choi Tae-yang thought.

‘I almost pulled it out myself.’

Just a little more strength, and it would’ve come out.

I just failed because I had to distribute my strength to my sphincter.

***

Son Kwang-yeon made a fuss. His son, who had disappeared, returned with a root thicker than a snake. It was adorable how he forced his feet into his wife’s slippers. Dad even has hair on his toes now.

“Wooow, it’s huge! Look at this thickness.”

Son Kwang-yeon held up the kudzu root, comparing it to his arm and leg.

When he held it near his groin, he even pouted his lower lip. His competitive spirit was evident, but it was a pointless challenge.

Jin-hyeok sighed and turned his head. Why are you comparing it there?

“Did our Jin-hyeok dig this up for mom?”

Just then, his mother came out holding Yu-jin. His father had transformed back into a dignified Seoul man, as if nothing had happened.

“Mom, if you boil this—”

“Yes. It’ll be delicious. But my cough is gone now.”

Did something good happen while I was just digging up kudzu roots?

Her voice was clear now, no longer hoarse and cracking.

“Holding the baby must’ve warmed me up and made me feel better.”

Is that a saying or a fart, mom? Jin-hyeok’s lips twitched as if he were about to retort. Country adults say the strangest things.

But it was a relief she looked genuinely better.

Yu-jin, giggling as she patted her mother’s neck, seemed like a little treasure.

“Jin-hyeok, what should we do with this?”

“Let’s brew alcohol or something.”

Uncle Hong Ki-jun will love it.

Jin-hyeok cleaned the kudzu root, chopped it with a cleaver, and laid it out on the porch. Once it dried, he planned to make tea.

While Jin-hyeok worked, Son Kwang-yeon…

Sip sip sip-.

“Mmm-. It’s juicy and bitter. Tasty.”

“……”

***

On cold days, they rode sleds, and on warm days, they caught loaches all vacation long.

While neighbors sold them at the town market for extra income, Jin-hyeok and his dad, not needing the money, caught just a few for fun, exercise, and play.

On particularly warm days, his mother, Yu-jin, and even Jang Gun-i would join to guard the rice paddies. During those times, his dad would snap photos with his film camera.

“Whee-, what’s the name of that pretty lady over there?”

“Oh my, ho ho ho.”

He never forgot to crack old-fashioned jokes, unbecoming of a man not yet forty. But since his wife played along, he kept it up. I shouldn’t act like that, Jin-hyeok thought.

Just then, Hong Ki-jun, who had come down from Seoul yesterday, let out a shout.

“Wahaha-! This is fun! Soo-jung! Dad caught a loach! Hahahaha!”

Hong Ki-jun couldn’t be left out of the digging. In fact, he seemed to enjoy it. He advertised his catch as if it were a trophy, his loud voice making the neighborhood dogs bark.

Hong Soo-jung, clinging to Jin-hyeok like a leech, didn’t even glance at her father.

‘Raising a daughter is pointless…’

Feeling awkward, Hong Ki-jun focused on catching loaches. His posture and movements were too perfect for a city guy. Military service really changes people.

While Hong Ki-jun dug furiously, Jin-hyeok skillfully dug holes, and Hong Soo-jung quickly placed the loaches in a basket. They were a dream team.

“Oppa, is this tasty?”

“Yeah. It’s good.”

“Do we dry it like mudfish?”

“No. We boil it into soup.”

“Oppa, this one looks like a snake.”

“Yeah, it does.”

It was an eel.

While catching loaches, eels would often appear. Similar to loaches but longer, slipperier, and tougher. Old country folks would throw them away, saying they were inedible, but some said boiling them like eels was good for joints.

Though it was gross, Hong Soo-jung didn’t freak out and examined it closely.

“Can we eat this snake too?”

“Sure, we can. Once it’s boiled and chopped up, no one will know what it is.”

Squatting in the rice paddy, Hong Soo-jung looked up at Jin-hyeok.

This oppa has been talking more lately. He used to give such short answers, it was like he had constipation. I guess men change depending on the woman.

Just then, she remembered something her parents had argued over while fighting for the last slice of pizza. Mom probably won.

– “The one who puts saliva on it owns it.”

– “I put saliva on you, so you’re mine, and so is the pizza.”

The little city girl nodded solemnly, having an epiphany.

She took off the sock she was using as a glove.

Then, she poked her tongue with her index finger and tapped Jin-hyeok’s cheek.

“Huh? Why?”

Confused by the sudden move, Jin-hyeok asked, but the little girl just giggled, head bowed, muttering about pizza.

Click-.

Seizing the moment, Son Kwang-yeon snapped a photo.

Having witnessed her daughter’s mischievous act, Yoo Se-ra narrowed her eyes.

‘That little brat?’