A Test of Temper and an Unexpected Ally
Yeong-a and Grandma Jangmi sat on the sunken stools in the courtyard, their hands moving mechanically as they cleaned the young radishes. Only a short while had passed when Hwigyeom emerged from the house, wearing a loose apron made of vinyl over his work clothes.
“Hey there, young man, come help me out.”
An old man standing near the soy sauce vat called out to Hwigyeom. He had Hwigyeom lift a large stainless steel basin, then began scooping up the seasoned fish roe from inside the vat with a massive ladle. Yeong-a kept her ears perked, watching the scene without saying a word.
“Do you know what that is?”
The old man asked bluntly. Neither Hwigyeom nor Yeong-a knew it, but the man had been listening to every conversation they’d shared over meals and had been watching them closely ever since.
“Is it young anchovy roe?” Hwigyeom answered without hesitation.
The old man’s stern expression finally softened.
“I see you’re not as clueless as you look.”
“I did some studying before I came over. My mother is very particular about food, and she’s had some excellent teachers over the years. How long is it usually left to ferment?” Hwigyeom continued.
“That’s right. For summer kimchi we use lightly fermented brine. Sometimes we take the clear, early spring water right after the brine is ready.”
“......In the dead of summer, a bowl of barley rice with that cold brine would make the heat disappear completely.”
This time Hwigyeom answered a beat late. The lines around the old man’s eyes deepened in satisfaction.
“That’s why we soak the young anchovy roe in spring and make spring kimchi.”
“Radish, mustard greens, and watercress?” Yeong-a’s eyes widened in surprise. Grandma Jangmi beside her looked just as astonished.
“You really don’t have a day off in all four seasons, do you?” Hwigyeom muttered.
“Me? I’ve earned my keep......” The old man trailed off, his gaze drifting to Grandma Jangmi. She coughed awkwardly and lowered her head.
“Did you bring some paper?” Hwigyeom’s lips curled into a neat smile.
“Of course.”
After the radishes were cleaned, salted, and seasoned, they moved to the sitting room. A few neatly arranged pieces of furniture filled the simple but elegant space. A thick cushion sat on the hanji mat coated with oil. Four people sat facing one another.
A small tea tray brought by Grandma Jangmi sat between them. The long shadows of the setting sun stretched across the floor.
Hwigyeom handed the old man a brochure he’d brought from the car. It contained a full overview of the Sokcho branch and a 3D rendering of the interior layout.
“From now on we will accept up to eight guests per day, following your traditional methods exactly. If my sister-in-law joins us, she’s welcome. For ingredients, equipment, and staffing, we will accommodate whatever you desire.”
The old man set the documents down in front of Hwigyeom without a word.
“What kind of teacher are you? I never taught you anything.” The old man’s tone was still transparent.
Hwigyeom kept his smile and offered more papers. “I’ve also written the terms for future product development. You’ll find them satisfactory. I heard the old gentleman’s second son is a lawyer. After you discuss it......”
“Enough with the old gentleman nonsense. The word ‘old’ alone is enough to make me sick!” The old man flipped through the pages with a stern face. Yeong-a poked Hwigyeom’s thigh lightly. Under Hwigyeom’s eyes, a tiny tremor ran through him.
“No matter what, you’re just a salaried worker. I’m done here. You may leave.” The old man stood without another word and walked out.
Grandma Jangmi looked helpless and apologized instead. “Oh, I’m so sorry. My mother is stubborn, you see.” Yeong-a, who had thought everything was going smoothly, was stunned. Hwigyeom remained completely calm.
“It’s fine.” Hwigyeom headed toward the soy sauce vat where the old man stood. The man didn’t even turn around.
“I came all the way from Europe to ask about some collar or whatever, but there’s no way I’d hire a green kid like you. Not a chance.” Yeong-a whispered softly to Hwigyeom’s ear as she followed. “Hyojang, just this once.” Hwigyeom shook his eyebrows and slowly repeated the words she placed in his ear.
“......What was that? You said something completely inappropriate about a young man’s mouth, didn’t you?” The old man suddenly turned. Hwigyeom didn’t miss a beat and recited his prepared line. “These conditions are made for your convenience. If you dislike them, you may choose to open a store or hire us directly. We will adjust everything according to what the old...... aunt...... wants.”
A sharp gaze swept over Hwigyeom. The corner of the old man’s mouth lifted. “Unlike the usual stuffy type, your words are refreshing. Old man, I actually find you easier to listen to than that so-called teacher.” Hwigyeom closed his eyes tightly once more.
“As long as I can keep my aunt here, we’re open to any conditions you’d like.” The old man chuckled. “It seems your wife has a sharp tongue. Well, a man who listens to his wife well usually does well with outside matters too.” Seeing Yeong-a’s bewildered expression, the old man smiled.
“Most men who act this way never face big setbacks. They think they’re all that, but there’s a wide gap between what they show on the outside and what’s really inside.” Soon the old man passed them and approached Grandma Jangmi, who stood a short distance away. He placed the jar filled with brine into her hands. “Keep the paper and give it to the second son.” “Yes, Mother.”
After the old man left, Grandma Jangmi approached Hwigyeom and Yeong-a to give her regards. “I’ve never seen my mother like that before. I’ll be counting on you from now on. Thanks to this, I can actually step out for a while.” As she spoke, she shared what her mother would like and what she might dislike.
The moment Grandma Jangmi vanished, Hwigyeom’s face twisted in anger. “You really......” Just as he turned to storm off, Yeong-a threw her arms around him from behind. “Kyaa! It worked! It worked! Uncle Park said that no matter how old a woman gets, she’s the same—always obeys!” Hwigyeom ended up chuckling despite himself. Had there ever been a day when his tongue was tied like this? Or one where he smiled after getting angry?
Back at the car, Hwigyeom called Sa Yunmi. “Auntie, I’m in Sokcho.” “Has the plan with the asset transfer been set?” The others had been talking about exile or whatever, but he knew better. There was a reason Hwigyeom had chosen the lowest position among the border areas presented by Chairman Sa Junghwi. It was the asset share held by Representative Sa Yunmi. While his mother had wanted it, Hwigyeom also believed the asset side of the group suited him best.
Of course, solving the root problem came first for him, but he wasn’t foolish enough to abandon his work. He also didn’t want just any position at the assets side. Marrying for political gain was out of the question. Sa Yunmi, who loved her hotel work, generously offered him up to secure his attention.
“Did you see my aunt say it in one breath? But I think even the table chef is reluctant. If so, we’ll have to follow a similar path. What if we bring someone over from abroad?” “That’s what I was going to say.” Hwigyeom explained the plan that had changed so dramatically to Yunmi. “Look. I can read people like a book. It’s definite. While we’re here in Sokcho, let’s stop by Yanggu too. I hear Byeon Jangmi still lives there—look into it.” Hwigyeom glanced at his watch. If it was just a quick visit, they could return to Sokcho by evening. He reserved the room in Sokcho for an early visit tomorrow morning.
“Yes, I understand.” The moment he hung up, Hwigyeom sent Yeong-a the resort land address in Yanggu. While entering the address into the navigation, Yeong-a gasped. “Huh? It’s near Mukwol Hermitage?” “Mukwol Hermitage?” Hwigyeom wasn’t sure why it sounded so familiar. Yeong-a continued excitedly. “Yes. It’s the temple where my grandmother lives. I was raised there too.”