ALL NOVEL 07
07
Some might say that Yeon Ji-ho, who had no interest in the pension work, was just a jobless person with nothing to do, but while he was indeed jobless, he was far from idle.
From spring to summer, he was busy tending to the vegetable garden, harvesting in the fall, and preparing kimchi in the winter. In between, as he cooked, cleaned, and did laundry, the day would pass in the blink of an eye.
And now it was early summer. The spring breeze was still gently blowing.
“I have quite a bit to do today.”
“Okay.”
“…So how about you rest inside?”
Standing in front of the vegetable garden, Yeon Ji-ho scratched his head as he looked at Set, who had followed him out. Since breakfast was over, he should have been doing his own tasks, but instead, he was just trailing behind Ji-ho.
“Am I bothering you?”
Of course, he had spent time with his parents when they were around, but it had been quite a while since he had been on his own. So, even though he was used to doing things alone, Yeon Ji-ho hesitated before speaking.
“Not really. It’s just hot, you know? The sun is high in the sky right now.”
“This level of heat doesn’t bother me.”
“Seriously.”
With a short click of his tongue, Yeon Ji-ho took off the straw hat he had tied around his neck. Then, he placed it on Set’s head.
Set quietly gazed at Yeon Ji-ho’s face, which shone bright white under the sunlight. The straw hat made it look like only he was shaded from the sun.
“Well then, just follow me. It’s a small garden, so it’s not dangerous to do it alone.”
“…Okay.”
Set quietly followed behind Yeon Ji-ho, who soon went to the faucet behind the house and began filling a large watering can with water. When it was about two-thirds full, Yeon Ji-ho strained and lifted it high.
Watching this, Set quickly approached and took the watering can from Ji-ho’s hands. He felt uneasy seeing Ji-ho, who looked so fragile, trying to lift it.
“Uh, I can carry it.”
“With one hand?”
“…No, are you saying to lift it with one hand?”
It didn’t look like it, but the watering can was quite large, meant for watering the entire garden. Of course, Yeon Ji-ho could lift it with one hand, but he didn’t have the strength to carry it lightly while watering the garden.
However, Set walked over to wherever Ji-ho pointed and quickly watered the plants. The garden was surprisingly large for a vegetable patch, thanks to Ji-ho’s yearly ambitions to expand it, and Set moved around without any complaints.
“You really have great strength.”
“You’re just weak. I feel like you’d break if I touched you.”
“Excuse me?”
At the casual remark that sounded so sincere, Yeon Ji-ho turned his head sharply. But Set merely turned his head away as if he hadn’t said anything.
Yeon Ji-ho decided not to correct him. From this morning’s workout to now, seeing his strength, it did seem like he could easily break someone like Ji-ho.
“What’s next?”
“Laundry. I can really do this by myself. Just running the washing machine is all it takes.”
“Washing machine? What’s that?”
Set’s eyes sparkled with interest. Sensing that he wouldn’t easily let it go, Yeon Ji-ho closed his mouth with a hum.
***
In the end, they did the laundry together.
Whenever Yeon Ji-ho put something into the washing machine, Set would ask what it was, and when he pressed a button, he would ask how it worked. After carefully listening to the operating instructions, Set nodded and committed everything to memory for the next time he would do it alone.
“How about we have some simple noodles for lunch?”
“Noodles?”
“Pasta. It’s easy, so I make it often.”
Standing in the middle of the kitchen shaped like a ‘디’, Yeon Ji-ho smiled as he took out somyeon (thin noodles). Set nodded, not even knowing what noodles were.
First, he boiled the broth, then cracked two eggs and whisked them. He took out a square frying pan and carefully cooked the eggs over low heat when he suddenly noticed the large figure beside him.
“…What should I do?”
He was someone who seemed desperate to help. Yeon Ji-ho lightly said while carefully cooking the eggs.
“Just eat it deliciously?”
“I don’t need you to tell me that…”
“Listen, Set.”
Since yesterday, he had realized something. Set was not someone who was used to leaving everything to others and just resting.
Perhaps it was because he had lived his whole life being exploited. The late Duke Gorgon, Set’s father, was not someone who would allow him to rest.
“Think of it as a vacation here.”
“What?”
“What I mean is, since you’ll have to go back soon, it would be nice if you could relax here.”
“…”
Of course, there was no way for him to return. However, seeing the one-way gate still left in his closet, it was clear that he would be able to return someday.
So, shouldn’t this man, who had lived a life of hardship, be allowed to rest in his own home?
But upon hearing those words, Set’s face only hardened further. He looked somewhat anxious and hurriedly said.
“Don’t feel sorry for making me work.”
“Huh?”
“You’re providing me with enough good food and shelter. So I… want to help you.”
“No, I’m telling you to rest!”
“I want to help.”
A fierce back-and-forth ensued. By now, Yeon Ji-ho had finished cooking the eggs and let out a short sigh before gathering zucchini, a cutting board, and a knife, placing them in front of Set.
He had no choice but to do something, or Set would continue to harden his expression. Yeon Ji-ho first demonstrated how to cut the zucchini in front of Set.
“Can you cut it like this?”
“Sure.”
Set quietly looked down at the cutting board in front of him. Then, gripping the knife, he stared intently at the zucchini with a somewhat tense expression, and soon began to chop it, holding his breath. Surprisingly, his chopping was very steady and quick.
“Wow…”
Hearing the crisp sound of chopping, Yeon Ji-ho glanced at the cutting board while washing the carrots. He looked at Set with a surprised expression and said.
“You’re better than me! I should have let you do this sooner.”
“…”
Set didn’t respond, but his reddening earlobes spoke for him. Moreover, it seemed like his skill in preparing the zucchini had picked up a bit of speed.
Once the zucchini was done, Yeon Ji-ho presented the washed carrots on the cutting board as well. He told Set to cut them in the same shape, and with a brighter expression, Set began chopping away.
Seeing him look somewhat happy, Yeon Ji-ho chuckled and took out the ingredients for the seasoning. If he had known Set would enjoy it this much, he would have just asked him to do it from the start.
“Done. Now you just need to pour the broth. I’ll carry it, so you grab a fork and go to the table.”
“Okay.”
Having already seen where the utensils were in the house, Set picked up a fork and headed to the table. Meanwhile, Yeon Ji-ho took out bowls, piled the somyeon and prepared ingredients, and poured the broth over them.
Just as he was about to carry both bowls to the table.
– Ding dong…
Set’s head whipped around like lightning. It was towards the direction of the sound.
Yeon Ji-ho was also momentarily surprised, but he soon placed the bowls in front of Set and where he would sit, saying.
“Someone’s here. I wonder what it is? Is it mail?”
“I’ll go out with you.”
“No, no. It’s fine. Just eat first.”
Waving his hand, Yeon Ji-ho left the living room, leaving Set alone at the table. Set stared intently at the banquet noodles he had partially made, waiting for him without taking a single bite.
In the meantime, voices could be heard from the hallway leading to the living room.
“Mr. Seon-rok, what brings you here?”
“Oh, I stopped by the mill and pressed some sesame oil, and the smell was amazing, so I came to share it. Also, to see your face. Hahaha!”
It was the voice of an old man. Set opened all his senses like a sword master and focused on the conversation. Even knowing he was eavesdropping, he couldn’t stop.
“Is Mr. Soo-cheol doing well?”
“What can I say? He’s been pestering me to bring you over. He’s making spicy braised hairtail with radish for dinner later. Want to come?”
“You’re just going to use me as an excuse to drink makgeolli again, aren’t you?”
Yeon Ji-ho treated people with the same cool demeanor he had with Set. It felt strange.
“Hmm, what’s that delicious smell? Ji-ho, you’re eating alone again, aren’t you? Come to my house and eat together.”
“I just made some simple noodles.”
“Wow, are you having a feast? Can I have a bite too?”
This time, Yeon Ji-ho was momentarily silent. Set closed his eyes and imagined his expression. He was probably scratching his head, pondering.
Set unconsciously clenched his hands tightly. Reject him. Please reject him. It was the first time he had earnestly wished for something from a god he hadn’t sought even when he was dying in the flames of disaster.