Chapter 233

“Ah, Seong-chan is shining the flashlight.”

No wonder it was so visible.

Well, I can’t hate him for that.

He’s just standing still, shining the light, but when you’re working in the dark, there’s nothing more important than having someone to light your way.

Yook Seong-chan continued speaking as he watched Jin-hyuk sharing the contents of his icebox.

“Is the rock even a couple of pounds? Can you lift it? Pfft— If you try to lift it, your legs might give out, and if your legs give out, you’ll need even more strength. If you drop it, your legs will be crushed. And if you get crushed, who’s gonna hear you scream in the middle of the ocean?”

It sounded like a plausible reconstruction of events to Jin-hyuk.

Perhaps Kim Chun-oh left this world at a young age like that. Holding onto unfulfilled dreams as regrets. A single moment’s choice marked the end of his life, so who could he blame?

Tsk-. The regret makes me lose my appetite.

If it happened on the tidal flats, Jin-hyuk, more than anyone, would empathize.

“That’s too bad.”

“Dad used to be incredibly strong since he was a kid. You know, Chun-sik’s uncle’s family raised cows, and their second uncle started with the cow he won at the Bongsan wrestling competition on Dano Day.”

Back then, it was Bongsan County. Seong-chan muttered as if exhaling, then paused to catch his breath.

“Even now, back in the day, a cow was worth a fortune. That family’s cows are still famous, right? Eun-jeong, that girl, lives like a princess thanks to her dad and uncles raising cows.”

To honor their younger brother who passed away, the Kim Chun-sik brothers decided to raise the cow Kim Chun-oh left behind. In the countryside, cows were usually used for plowing fields, and when they got old or when money was needed, they were sold. But no matter how hungry or tough things got, they decided they couldn’t sell or use the cow Chun-oh left behind for farming.

“I heard Dad helped out.”

Though Son Kwang-yeon didn’t show it, Chun-sik, after a few drinks, would hold Jin-hyuk’s hand and thank him.

The message Son Kwang-yeon emphasized to Chun-sik was simple. The price of cows fluctuates with the seasons, so they should buy more calves when they’re cheap and sell them directly at the market when prices are high. Feed prices are also affected by the market, so he advised buying in bulk when prices are low. Furthermore, Son Kwang-yeon suggested researching and growing their own feed crops, which led Chun-sik to grow corn and soybeans, buying cornstalks and soybean stems from neighbors at low prices.

To an outsider, it might seem like common sense, but for a frog in a well, it’s hard to act on such knowledge. Jin-hyuk, who invested in stocks by watching the market rather than specific industries, agreed with his dad’s logic but thought Chun-sik’s ability to persuade and take action was even more impressive.

“Changing someone’s mind is harder than rolling a boulder.”

In the end, it was all Chun-sik’s choice, and accepting the outcome was also Chun-sik’s responsibility. The Chun-sik brothers are truly brave people. They raised the cow and sent their younger sister to college in Seoul. Who knows who she met in Seoul, but her religious views got weird, and now her brothers sigh over it.

“Jin-hyuk, there’s a cow over there too—”

“Yeah, right—”

Seong-chan’s flashlight, swinging wildly, snapped Jin-hyuk out of his thoughts.

“Winning a cow through wrestling? That uncle was impressive even at a young age.”

“Their village used to be barren land, and everyone farmed to survive, so they were all strong. These bastards reclaimed the land, mixing rocks with sand to make fields. Can you believe farming on that? Rocks, stones, grandfathers, fathers—they all worked hard to make those fields. They even carried water from the reservoir with dung buckets. They said to avoid the sea breeze.”

It was a foundation built by bare hands.

The land, once more barren than a desert due to the salt, turned green solely because of the villagers’ efforts. That’s why Son Kwang-yeon didn’t use the land he bought cheaply for profit.

If outsiders came with bundles of cash to dig up the land they’d worked so hard for, just because the scenery was nice, how much would it hurt the villagers? They’re guarding the land to prevent outsiders from developing it. Even though they benefit from agricultural tax breaks, they still pay hefty property taxes.

The reason for limiting the height of the Sein Training Center, arranging it to blend with the surroundings, and enforcing the use of eco-friendly construction materials was all for the locals.

“You know, during the 6.25 War, dozens of guys with armbands came to our village from Jaedong to capture young men, but they got beaten up and ran away with their heads cracked. The older folks were evacuated to the mountains because it was dangerous.”

It was fascinating to hear a fragment of the story from Seong-chan that Choi Mi-kyung’s grandmother had told on the day she passed away. Stories like this flow through time like water, passed down to future generations. Someday, Seong-chan’s kids will grow up hearing these old tales from their dad and develop an attachment to the village.

“Those who were weak either died or left for the city, leaving only the strong behind.”

Listening to it, it made sense.

None of the adults in Jin-hyuk’s neighborhood are frail or weak.

There’s even a family where the women are strong.

The mill lady who moved from another region and married into the village was a beautiful woman in Jin-hyuk’s eyes. She was a slim beauty who had competed in beauty pageants, but after marriage, working at the mill made her neck thicker and shoulders broader.

Just the other day, when the rice ran out and he went to pound rice, she was driving the forklift alone. Well, her case is different since she’s not a native and became strong through work, but she fits right into the village.

“Anyway, Chun-sik’s uncle had that kind of strength, so he trusted it and acted recklessly. But he couldn’t handle as much as you, Jin-hyuk.”

Whew—.

Even though Jin-hyuk was the one who exerted the strength, Seong-chan sighed deeply.

He talked about it as if it were someone else’s business, but his heart felt heavy too.

“Jin-hyuk, why aren’t you catching that?”

“Where?”

“Over there—”

Seong-chan swung his flashlight wildly.

“Can’t you see it?”

Where Seong-chan’s flashlight shone, a large crab was flipped over, struggling.

Upon closer inspection, its claw was pinned under a rock. Any other crab would have cut off its claw and escaped, but this crab, being a stone crab, couldn’t do that easily.

“Tough shell, huh? That’s a burden.”

“Guess being tough isn’t always good.”

The stone crab’s shell is so thick and hard that it’s not easy to break. Its joints are tough, making it hard to sever its legs. Thanks to its toughness, it can burrow under heavy rocks and swim through strong currents.

Jin-hyuk handed the crab that had been pinned under the rock to Seong-chan, who happily took it and shone the flashlight on it.

“Wow, look at how white its flesh is. It’s like Hae-won’s wrist.”

Oh, you rascal.

Hahaha—.

Even Seong-chan found his own risky joke absurd and bit his lip, laughing.

“Ah, I shouldn’t say stuff like that. I’m just having fun with you, Jin-hyuk. Who else would go mudflat digging with a TV star like you?”

At least he’s not completely off with his gender sensitivity. He admits his mistakes.

With that kind of character, he probably treated Hae-won like a princess and even got his ex-girlfriend to come back.

“Wanna taste it?”

Seong-chan removed the crushed claw shell and sucked out the exposed crab meat.

Slurp—.

“Mmm— This is the taste. Sweet, sweet. Ah—”

Jin-hyuk stared at the crushed crab.

“Tough shell, huh…”

Both his past and present selves were like the stone crab.

In the past, his heart was armored, and in this life, a mysterious power shielded him.

He couldn’t do anything about the past, but this time, he shed the armor and became human from a stone crab.

“Now, I just need to train the flesh.”

Though he’s gone through a weakening phase, he’s not content with just being human. Eventually, he’ll climb the ladder of strength again and become a superhuman athlete.

“Jin-hyuk, it’s getting heavy. Let’s go. The tide’s coming in.”

Seong-chan transferred a few conches of a size suitable for Jin-hyuk’s icebox. After a moment of hesitation, he also took out two octopuses.

“I’ll give some to Yoo Jin too. If Yoo Jin didn’t like octopus, I’d be dead by now.”

He must be referring to the high-explosive incident.

Well, anyone who was there that day would never forget the earth-shaking memory.

Seong-chan, chuckling, walked ahead.

He seemed motivated by the fact that he could walk faster than Jin-hyuk on the mudflats.

“Seong-chan, always be careful on your bike.”

“Ah, stop nagging. I’m the best driver—”

“…”

Study a bit too…

Not that he’s good at it, but at least enough to keep a conversation going.

He’s a dear friend with shared childhood memories.

“Wow! The wind’s warm. It was freezing back in March, huh?”

Yeah, March was really cold.

***

I gifted the dead stone crab to Jang Gun-i, who loves free meals.

I also offered it to the other guys who work hard to protect the house and family, but Hong-shi and the other dog friends just sniffed and showed little interest.

Even though it was late, the whole house was brightly lit.

“I’m home.”

For some reason, both parents and siblings were awake.

“Brother! What did you catch?”

“Yay! Daddy’s silly— What’s that?”

Jeong Won, who had been causing trouble at the hospital, didn’t seem tired and rushed over as soon as his brother entered the hallway.

“Want to see it yourself?”

When his brother opened the icebox lid, Yoo Jin stepped aside so Jeong Won could see inside.

“Wow! There’s so much! Yay! Octopus!”

“Yay!”

Yoo Jin cheered, and Jeong Won clapped, not really understanding what was going on.

It’s a relief that he wasn’t traumatized after the day’s events. Watching his youngest sibling smile brightly, Jin-hyuk felt a weight lift from his chest.

Now, if only Mom is okay.

“Yoo Jin, where are Mom and Dad?”

“Third floor. The study.”

“At this hour?”

“They’re looking for something.”

What could they be looking for at this hour, leaving the kids alone in the living room?

“Don’t touch it, it’ll hurt. Yoo Jin, take care of Jeong Won.”

“Okay, hehe—”

“Yay yay. Does it hurt? Daddy’s silly—”

“Haha, yeah. I’ll be back from the study.”

After patting Jeong Won’s cheek, who had started babbling more, Jin-hyuk headed to the third floor.

Taking two steps at a time, his knees, tired from the mudflat, ached.

In the past, he didn’t know pain, but now, the human body sends appropriate pain signals at the right times. Maybe that’s why it’s easier to manage. If you get the signal and go to the hospital, you’ll somehow survive. That’s where the saying “live to a hundred” comes from.

“Brother, did you find it?”

“No. Everything’s here except Paradise.”

Hearing his parents’ conversation at the study entrance, Jin-hyuk quietly stepped back.

“Mom’s mental state seems fine.”

Since it’s not where it originally was, Dad wouldn’t see it. I’d like to tell them where it is to save them the trouble, but no. If I tell them where the videotape is, they’ll be disappointed.

“I’ve only watched it five times.”

“Paradise,” starring Phoebe Cates.

It was a movie with a great setting and narrative.

No other thoughts about it. Anyway, I don’t know.

In an era where videos are distributed on CDs, I have no attachment to videotapes.

Scratching his head, Jin-hyuk left his parents diligently searching the study and headed to the kitchen.

“Yoo Jin, wait a bit.”

“Okay! I’ll play with Jeong Won. Brother! Let’s play hide and seek tomorrow—”

“Yay— Daddy’s silly—”

“Sure.”

I’ll have to be the seeker again, but for Yoo Jin, who giggles and enjoys watching me search for her, I’d even do a dance.

Filling a pot with water, he turned on the gas stove and picked up a toothbrush.

He needed to clean the impurities off the conch and crab shells.

Scrub scrub scrub—!

Snap—. The struggling crab pinched him.

“Ouch—. This guy bit me.”

“Brother! Are you okay? Did it hurt a lot?”

Where have I heard that before?

When his brother’s response was delayed, Yoo Jin grabbed his leg and started shaking it.

“Huh? Does it hurt a lot?”

“Yay— It hurts—”

“It’s okay, it’s okay.”

Ugh, my finger hurts, and my siblings are making it worse.

But I have to finish what I started.

Scrub scrub scrub!

He scrubbed so hard that the crab and conch shells looked like gold medals with the plating worn off.

Now, he put the conch and crab into the pot, added the octopus he’d rinsed after rubbing it with salt, and left the lid slightly open to let the steam out. Non-seasoned seafood stew, complete.

“Are you adding salt?”

“Yay— Not yet—”

“They just came from the sea, so they’ll get salty as they cook. If it’s too bland, we can add some later.”

The siblings, who were supposed to be playing with toy cars, followed Jin-hyuk around, being a nuisance.

But this is the joy of living with young siblings.

“Here, Yoo Jin first.”

He handed Yoo Jin the most plump leg from the red-cooked octopus.

Yoo Jin doesn’t like it cut short. She enjoys holding it whole and tearing into it, like a Tyrannosaurus rex. At least she’s evolved from when she was a baby and doesn’t carry a whole octopus around anymore. When she was little, she used to run around waving an octopus like a kite.

Tap tap tap—.

He gave Jeong Won finely chopped octopus legs on a plate.

Even though he could give her bigger pieces, after the day’s events, it’s better to be cautious.

“Yum! It’s delicious!”

“Yay— Yummy—”

Jeong Won sat on the kitchen floor, bouncing her butt.

Watching his siblings tear into the tenderly cooked octopus, Jin-hyuk couldn’t help but smile.

“Ah, I’m tired.”

The sea breeze and mudflat had drained his stamina, and the red light was on his energy gauge.

His face, battered by the salty wind, stung.

“But I’m proud—”

It’s the life I chose.

Hehe.

By the way, when am I gonna exercise?