Chapter 34: The First Blue Fruit

No matter what kind of work you started, preliminary research was essential.

Just in case, I started by checking if there were any blueberry farms nearby. They would serve as valuable reference material.

However.

“There’s a cluster right in the next town over.”

“Huh? The next town?”

“Yeah. Over in Gwangdo-myeon, Tongyeong. There’s a whole concentrated area of blueberry farms.”

This was the witness testimony from Hyeongtaek, whom I hadn’t seen in a while.

“Why didn’t I know that until now?”

“Because it was established after you moved to Seoul. It’s not exactly small, either. They produce over 30 tons a year. I heard the profits exceed 800 million won.”

“Wow.”

For reference, Hyeongtaek was in the transportation business. It was a family business passed down since his grandfather’s time. Having been in the industry for so long, he boasted an unrivaled competitive edge in this area. Given the nature of his work, he was also well-informed about agricultural distribution and market prices.

“Actually, I met the owner over there recently and asked. Blueberries that used to be 25,000 won per kilogram have seen their wholesale price jump to 70,000 won this year. Prices are crazy these days, you know.”

Wow.

That was a threefold increase in market price in just one year. Even though agricultural and marine prices are known to fluctuate the moment you turn your back…

“Is that a greenhouse farm?”

“Yeah. Most of them in Tongyeong are. The sea breeze is pretty fatal to crops.”

True, the salt mixed into the sea breeze is particularly bad for fruit tree seedlings. If directly exposed, symptoms like new shoots drying up or leaf tips burning away often appear.

‘Goseong is also in the southern coastal region, so a greenhouse would probably be better for me too.’

The advantages of greenhouse farming were clear. First, you could move up the harvest time compared to open-field farming. Also, it was relatively safe from natural disasters like typhoons. Nevertheless, I hesitated inwardly.

‘After all, this isn’t ordinary land.’

Soil like Gelisol and the Snowflakes. A miraculous land that was frozen cold deep down yet brimmed with nutrients. In such a place, crops would likely grow well enough even in the open field. In fact, blueberries grown in the open field were generally known to have a deeper flavor and higher sugar content.

‘But the most important thing is consistency in quality.’

This wasn’t just a general supply deal. Most of the crops produced here would likely end up on the tables of VIPs. If that was the case, irregularities in fruit size, color, and shape were actually negative factors. Being hit by rain and sea breeze in the open field made such variations highly probable.

‘VIPs will want premium products that are perfectly managed.’

In that sense, a greenhouse would provide the perfect environment. Temperature, humidity, and even moisture could all be adjusted under my control. Of course, the initial cost would be significant.

*Vroom!*

As soon as my decision was made, I went to see a greenhouse installation specialist.

“Oh my? Isn’t this Seojun?”

“Hello!”

When I arrived at the shop, the owner’s wife greeted me warmly in place of her husband, Mr. Gisu.

“Is Mr. Gisu out somewhere?”

“He went to the market in town. But goodness, Seojun, how do you get more handsome every time I see you? You’re smart, tall, and good-looking. Ah, I wouldn’t have a single envy in the world if I had a son-in-law just like you.”

The owner’s wife showed this kind of personal interest every time she saw me. Of course, it was a reaction I was quite used to. To be honest, while it was less frequent now, when I first passed the bar exam and banners were hung up, every mother in town with a daughter was frantic to make me her son-in-law. Of course, because of the perfect deterrent known as my mother, all those attempts ended in failure.

“You don’t seem to age at all, Ma’am. You look even younger than the last time I saw you.”

“Oh, my. Listen to him. How can your words be so sweet?”

That was enough for the greetings. I got straight to the point.

“It’s nothing else, but I’d like to build a greenhouse at my place.”

“Huh? A greenhouse? How big?”

“About 1,000 pyeong for now.”

“1,000 pyeong?”

The woman’s eyes went wide instantly.

“Yes. How long would the installation take?”

“Hmm… if all our workers get on it, about two weeks? If we want to do the basic civil engineering properly, it might take a few more days.”

For some reason, her voice became animated. It wasn’t a 100-pyeong job, but a contract for a 1,000-pyeong greenhouse.

“May I ask what the price would be…?”

“Well, greenhouses are divided into standard and premium types. What kind of crops are you going to grow?”

“I’m planning to try blueberries.”

“Then the premium type would be better. Blueberry seedlings have shallow roots and are sensitive to moisture management, so an irrigation system is essential.”

Honestly, with that miracle soil, irrigation probably wouldn’t be an issue at all.

‘But it’s better to have the good stuff.’

This was a business labeled “Premium,” after all. And the department store people would definitely be coming for on-site inspections. I heard that besides that, the premium type had reliable automatic ventilation, heating pipes, double-layered plastic, and a control system.

“The premium type usually costs at least 100,000 won per pyeong, but I’ll do it for 80,000 won for you, Seojun. It’s not like our families are strangers.”

80,000 won per pyeong. To put it simply, 1,000 pyeong was 80 million won.

‘…Should I just sign the contract now and tell them I’ll take the 300 million later?’

Such a silly thought crossed my mind for a moment. Regardless, I would be raking in money soon enough.

“Please take care of it.”

“!”

The woman’s face brightened instantly.

“Yes, yes. I’ll nag my husband to make sure the work is done properly. Thoroughly!”

“Thank you. I’ll wait for your call.”

As I was about to leave the shop.

“Seojun. But isn’t this deal a bit too cool? You didn’t even try to haggle once.”

The woman’s playful voice reached my ears.

“You’re not the type of person to rip me off.”

“!”

Startled, the woman wore a satisfied smile.

“This is exactly why I like our Seojun. I really should just stick my daughter right next to you…!”

Whoa, wait. Who is she trying to send to their doom?

“High schoolers are off-limits.”

“Can’t you wait just two years? I’ll send her over right after graduation.”

“The age difference between us is too much.”

“I don’t mind at all.”

“Hanna will probably hate me.”

“She’s always singing about how handsome Seojun is!”

Somehow, in this battle of spear and shield, I felt like I was losing.

“Ma’am…”

“Hohoho. Sorry. Since you look so troubled, I just wanted to tease you more. Anyway, I’ll tell my husband to install the irrigation system for free. That’ll take a bit more off the payment. And if you have plans to expand the greenhouse later, I’ll throw in one 100-pyeong greenhouse for free as a service.”

As she said that, she winked.

“A special service just for our kind Seojun.”

…They say a single word can pay back a debt of a thousand pieces of gold. The old saying was truly right.

***

The owner’s wife must have really put in the effort. Day after day, the greenhouse rose at a rapid pace over the reclaimed land. However.

“This is madness! Are ya building a plastic tent there now too!?”

Seeing that sight, the neighbor, Old Man Gu, came barging in immediately.

“If crops don’t grow here, ya better tear it all down yerself!”

“Wait. What’s wrong with that old man again? Didn’t you say you explained clearly that this is your land?”

Hyeongtaek, who happened to be visiting, was about to step forward when he couldn’t take it anymore.

“Leave him be.”

“!”

My father quietly made his appearance.

“Hyeongtaek, are you here?”

“Salute! Hello, Sir.”

Hyeongtaek gave my father a crisp salute.

“Yeah.”

“But looking at him in person, Old Man Gu’s dementia seems to have gotten worse. Wouldn’t it be better to say something to him?”

“Hyeongtaek, don’t you know? Why that man is actin’ like that.”

Only then did Hyeongtaek fall silent.

“What do you mean by that?”

Unable to contain my curiosity, I asked.

“He’s actin’ that way ’cause he’s lonely.”

“Suddenly?”

“His wife, who he spent over 40 years with, passed away last year.”

“!”

My eyes widened at that.

“In reality, he probably has no intention of actually suin’ or anything. Even if he’s at home, there’s nobody to talk to, and his friends all left long ago ’cause of that prickly personality of his. That’s why he’s out here doin’ this every single day.”

“…”

No wonder Father didn’t say much to him.

‘…So there was a situation like that.’

Having made up my mind, I approached Old Man Gu.

“Mister!”

“What, ya brat!”

“Don’t you remember? You made a bet with me! You said you’d back off quietly if I managed to grow crops here. Surely you didn’t come here to interfere because you’re scared I might actually grow something?”

“What’d ya say, ya rascal!? Ya sayin’ I’m doin’ this ’cause I’m scared!?”

Hyeongtaek, quick on the uptake, stepped in and supported my words.

“It looks that way to me too.”

“Haha. These little runts sure have a talent for makin’ people laugh. Fine. I’ll be watchin’ right here with these two eyes. Go ahead and try to grow somethin’ good here.”

I wasn’t sure if it was just my imagination, but somehow… Old Man Gu’s face looked somewhat joyful as he spoke.

“Are you going to stay here the whole time?”

“Why? Is just watchin’ an interference too!?”

“No, it’s just that it’s almost time to eat. They say even the most beautiful scenery is better on a full stomach, so let’s start with a meal.”

At that moment, Old Man Gu stopped moving.

“…Eat? With me?”

“Yes. And it would be even better if you could help us with our work afterward to help with digestion.”

“…”

After a moment of silence, Old Man Gu laughed, revealing his few remaining teeth.

“…Oho. This tiny brat finally shows his dark intentions. Tryin’ to make a withered old man work!”

“For the record, I’m confident I won’t lose even at farming.”

“I’ll accept yer challenge. I’m gonna eat a lot instead of takin’ wages, so don’t ya go whinin’ later.”

Old Man Gu walked past us and headed toward the house with my father. In that fleeting moment, I saw it. Though faint, there were clear smiles on both of their faces.

“Baek Ji-gang. You raised your kid well. I’m jealous.”

“If you’re sincere, then stop bein’ so grumpy, Brother. If you’re really bored, I’ll play with you.”

“What’d ya say?”

Was this sight also an illusion? My father’s shoulders, as the two walked side by side, seemed to rise ever so slightly.

***

During the past week.

“…”

Jaejun’s face had visibly withered away. Then, after much agonizing, he made a decision on his own.

“You guys just debut without me.”

“!”

It was a bombshell statement made while all the members were gathered.

“That’s what CEO Bang was thinking originally anyway…”

Of course, those words couldn’t even continue.

“Ah, what are you talking about again, Jaejun!”

“Stop talking nonsense. I told you I could hit you even if you’re older, right?”

“I agree with what Liu said.”

“Stop saying things that’ll bring divine punishment.”

Even Jea, who usually didn’t talk much, reacted immediately.

“Guys, let’s drag him out right now. I think Jaejun’s overthinking again.”

“Okay. At times like this, we should just exhaust his body. So he can’t think about anything.”

“Right, let’s help with the farming. I’ve completely adjusted to it now.”

“Hey, hey. Let go. I said let go! Are you going to let go?”

Regardless of what Jaejun said, the members grabbed him by his limbs and dragged him outside. They headed toward the reclaimed land where they had already been working hard for the past week. Of course, the one most excited in that process was Baek Seojun’s father.

— There, the irrigation ditch! Dig it to a consistent depth! Does that look the same as the top part to your eyes?

— Yes, sir! I shall follow your orders, Father!

At least here, he was no different from an iron-blooded commander. For the record, the members could now understand the dialect perfectly. And there was another new family that had settled in this vast reclaimed land.

“Squeak!”

“Otter!!!!”

Seol screamed loudly upon spotting an otter. But that beast…

“…Why does he look strangely happy?”

“Does he look that way to you too?”

“Yeah. That guy, he seems happy because people recognized him.”

The members’ thoughts weren’t wrong.

— He’s dying of joy because he’s getting attention!

— He’s an attention-seeking weasel!

The Snowflakes also began to sparkle around the otter. Right then.

“Oh!? What’s that!?”

Jin-woo’s eyes widened.

“There’s one more otter?”

“Wait, a couple…?”

“Damn it. I lost. Even a mere otter has a partner…”

“Wait, wait. The otter next to it has a bulging stomach.”

“!”

There was no doubt. This was…

“P-Pregnant…?”

“Wow, did they even skip steps!”

“Baby otter…?”

Seol’s eyes sparkled instantly.

— It’s a baby!

The speed at which the Snowflakes gathered increased even further.

“Jaejun. Don’t just stand back there, come here and look!”

“Yeah, I’m looking.”

His voice still lacked strength, but some life returned to Jaejun’s pupils, which had looked like those of a rotten pollack.

‘At this point, we have to do something.’

At that sight, the members of Re-Vive also made a quiet vow. They decided they must build a home for those little guys today.

***

It had been only a week since the blueberry seedlings were planted. Of course, they weren’t planted in the greenhouse, which was still under construction, but in the open field next to it. Since I didn’t know the exact effects of this land, a comparison between the two would be necessary. However…

“…Is this right?”

The first harvest of the reclaimed land was born. The blue gift of the north. The blueberry seedlings had miraculously borne fruit. It was a truly explosive growth achieved in a short time.

“No, the speed isn’t the important thing.”

I shook my head lightly.

“How will it taste, and what will the effects be?”

At the same time, I quietly looked down at the seedlings. Of course, the first person to taste those blueberries had already been decided.