Chapter 32: The House That No One Remembered

Fortunately, the misunderstanding was cleared up quickly.

That was thanks to No-Rani and Naru coming out right away to stand beside Siwoo.

“Uncles, come here!”

“Hello.”

“Siwoo, let’s go over there. Isn’t there a big comfy chair on that side?”

“Okay, we’ll go play over there.”

“Uh, sure.”

The kids, who had made their entrance like a storm, left just as suddenly.

Now, only three people with heads full of questions remained.

“Hey, Changseong.”

“Wasn’t that lucky?”

“If you’d been just a little later, we would have called the police.”

“…That could have ended horribly.”

If the kids hadn’t shown up just in time, we might have been branded with the Imprint of a Criminal in an instant.

Then I’d really never be able to live here.

“You’re not planning to keep talking out here, right? Let’s go inside.”

I led my three friends into the living room.

“Whoa.”

“This living room’s great. It’s really well taken care of.”

“With this much space, isn’t it like a playground? You could play soccer in here.”

“Don’t you dare. If anything breaks, it’ll be a headache to fix.”

Well, even if something did break, this magical house can restore it all.

As long as you don’t burn it down.

No, actually, I wonder if even burning it down would just bring it back.

“You brought the watermelon, right?”

“Yeah. Here, I picked out the best one.”

“I’ll make some Fruit Punch, so you guys just start with the snacks I set out.”

“Sounds good.”

I took the watermelon Hyeon Ung brought and headed to the kitchen.

Making Fruit Punch isn’t hard.

If the watermelon is delicious, you don’t need many ingredients.

Cut it in half and scoop out the inside into chunks.

Add soda and ice, then finish with some Cocktail, and that’s it.

Simple, but delicious Fruit Punch is ready.

“If I just leave it at this, it feels lacking.”

To make it even better, I opened the cupboard and took out a few Herbs.

I crushed the Herbs according to the right blend and sprinkled them on top of the Fruit Punch.

Sprinkled like dots, the Herbs elevate the flavor even more.

And as a bonus, they help with hangovers.

“Since the watermelon’s good, you can throw this together any old way.”

It was worth all the hard work the Hyeon siblings put into growing them.

When I brought the Fruit Punch to the living room, I was greeted with a slightly absurd scene.

“What’s up with you guys?”

“Oh, snacks. Snacks.”

“Hurry up and sit down. Have a drink.”

That whiskey bottle rolling on the floor was a new sight for me.

I didn’t think they’d finish a bottle in the short time it took me to make snacks.

From the untouched state of the snacks I’d set out, it was clear they’d just been drinking.

Unbelievable. Really.

“If you keep drinking like this, your liver’s going to curse you.”

“Hey, try this. If you eat the snacks, your tongue’s going to curse you.”

Kihyun brought a glass up to my nose.

A deep, rich aroma rose from the glass—I didn’t need to see the price tag to know.

This stuff is expensive.

“How much did you even pay for this?”

“Does that matter?”

“What’s important is who you drink with.”

“That’s true, but…”

Why do I find it so hard to trust anything these drunken guys say?

I shrugged once and knocked back the drink in one go.

The moment it hit my tongue, the liquor burst with heat and a rich flavor.

Notes of honey and Ork Barrel, mixed with the scents of various fruits.

Getting to drink something like this for free is a privilege.

“This is really good.”

“Right?”

“Do you know how much I spent to buy that?”

“When I brought it home, Dad nearly had a fit, said he’d kill me.”

“If you don’t splurge on luxuries like this, what’s the point of farming?”

Hyeon Ung said this and drained the last drop from his glass.

“Ahh, that’s good.”

“Really. I wonder if we’ll ever drink something like this again?”

“We just need to earn more and buy another.”

“Easy for you to say.”

Then, out came another bottle of whiskey.

I recognized that one.

It’s a whiskey that costs nearly 300,000 won a bottle.

They really came prepared today.

Hyeon Ung opened the new whiskey without any sign of regret.

When he spends, he spends boldly.

As he refilled our glasses, he sighed.

“Watermelon farming hasn’t been going so well lately.”

“I thought the quality was up?”

“It’s not fully back. Compared to before, we’re still short on Special Premium Grade. And watermelon prices have fallen, too.”

“It’s those middlemen in the Distribution Network. They’re screwing with the prices.”

Hyeonseo was furious.

“The Distribution Network’s gotten bigger, and they say they can’t help it. But now they’re selling premium at department stores, apparently.”

“That’s just ridiculous.”

“They’re just trying to hog all the profits for themselves.”

The Hyeon siblings drained their glasses in unison.

They must be really upset—it seemed like their anger still hadn’t subsided.

“After all the trouble we went through to grow our babies, and they act like they know everything.”

“Calm down and have another drink.”

The refilled liquor was quickly emptied again.

As the second bottle dwindled at a rapid pace, the Hyeon siblings’ one-sided complaints continued, while Kihyun remained silent.

“Why are you so quiet?”

“Hmm? Oh, I just have a few things to think about.”

“Like what?”

“It’s a bit early to say just yet.”

Kihyun hesitated unnecessarily.

I guess he doesn’t know how these siblings with zero patience will take it.

“Hey! Just say it. You’re making us curious.”

“I’m worried you’ll regret hearing it later.”

“We won’t regret it, idiot.”

“Hey, you guys, I—”

Kihyun finally opened his mouth.

“Can I trust you to sell your watermelons?”

“…Not this again?”

“You picking a fight now?”

“That’s not it. I was wondering if I should introduce you to a decent distributor.”

At Kihyun’s words, the siblings turned their heads in unison.

…That look in their eyes, you’d believe it if someone said it was a ghost’s glare.

“Which company?”

“We know pretty much all the companies worth mentioning.”

“You probably know it. Ever heard of Yuhan Distribution?”

“Who hasn’t?”

“If you don’t know them, you’re not really in agriculture.”

“They’re famous, right?”

The siblings nodded at the same time, then explained for my benefit, who knows nothing about farming.

“It’s an agricultural and fisheries Distribution Network. But they’re kind of special.”

“Special how?”

“They only handle Special Premium Grade products.”

“And they’re picky about everything. How much Special Premium Grade you produce in a year, whether you can maintain that volume, what types and amounts of pesticides you used.”

“If there’s even one reason for disqualification, they’ll reject you. They’re pickier than our mom.”

“Don’t suddenly start reciting Tallulah like that.”

When you say stuff like that, how are we supposed to answer?

“Anyway, if you supply to Yuhan Distribution, the value of your farm skyrockets. Passing their strict screening means something.”

“It’s like being the Hermès of agriculture.”

Distribution is tough, but once you make it in, the money just starts rolling in.

Kihyun took a bite of the Fruit Punch and spoke again.

“I can put in a word for you with Yuhan Distribution. I know someone there.”

Even I, who isn’t in the watermelon business, find that offer tempting.

Of course the Hyeon siblings would, too.

“How would you even manage that?”

“They don’t take bribes, you know.”

“Heard a staff member once quit after being approached for a bribe.”

“They’re strict about management. I’m not saying I can guarantee you a spot, just that I can say, ‘This company seems good.’ That’s all.”

Kihyun poked a piece of watermelon floating in the Fruit Punch.

“I’ll be honest. Even if your watermelons have improved, I thought at best they’d be somewhere between Superior Grade and Premium Grade. It’s impossible for sugar content and flesh volume to jump overnight.”

“That’s true.”

“But after seeing your patch earlier, and eating this now, I get it. You’ll pass Yuhan Distribution’s screening.”

Expectation and hope flashed in the siblings’ eyes.

I wonder what kind of picture they’re drawing in their minds.

I’m curious to see if those dreams become reality.

“Alright, let’s make a toast. To a future of prosperity!”

“Sounds good.”

“If we just get our watermelons into Yuhan Distribution… we’ll really be rich, so rich.”

“Cheers!”

Clink!

The cheerful clinking of glasses rang out.

Watching my three friends drink, I smiled quietly.

“I’ll help you.”

No matter how good the alcohol, drinking alone is meaningless.

The true meaning comes from sharing it with good people.

That’s why living well all by yourself is a foolish thing.

“Everyone should live well.”

If I can help with that, even just a little, I will.

Just a little.

***

After a long night of drinking,

“You guys are punctual as always.”

At dawn, the three friends got up diligently.

The Hyeon siblings to go to the farm, Kihyun for business.

They’re the type to prepare for the day earlier than anyone.

“After all that drinking, are you sure you can drive?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

“Maybe it’s because the liquor was good—no hangover.”

“It’s the Fruit Punch. No hangover because of that.”

“What are you talking about?”

There are things you guys don’t know.

As they bustled around getting ready to head out, I handed each of them a cup.

“Drink this.”

“What is it?”

“Stamina Tea.”

While my friends got ready to leave for another long day, I quickly brewed a simple Herb tea to help them out.

It’s a nice tea that’ll chase away drowsiness completely.

“Aka Sleep Release Tea.”

The effect should last at least a day, so they’ll have no trouble with today’s work.

Kihyun downed the tea in one shot and handed back his cup.

“That was hot, though.”

“You’re in a hurry, what else can you do. I’m off.”

“Hey, let’s head out together. Changseong, we’re just going today. Take it easy at home.”

“Yeah, thanks for the fun.”

The three friends left the house without giving me a chance to say anything more.

These guys, every day is a battle.

“Well, what can you do.”

The house takes care of tidying and cleaning itself.

What I have to worry about is something else.

“I wonder if I can help Hyeon Ung and Hyeonseo’s watermelons grow even better.”

If I bring No-Rani along, I could improve the quality of their watermelons.

But I can’t take No-Rani with me every day.

No-Rani said she has to go back to the Spirit Realm soon, after all.

“Maybe I can cover it with tea or dessert instead?”

It seems possible.

What if I serve a tea that imbues Hyeonseo or Hyeon Ung’s hands with a special power?

Any crops that grow from their hands would surely turn out Special Premium Grade.

“Should I give it a try?”

As soon as I thought that, a few recipes sprang to mind.

But the more I examined them, the clearer it became that it was impossible.

“I can’t mess this up.”

The ingredients from the Yangjibareun Tea House are both medicine and poison.

If I mix them carelessly, I might end up watching someone fall ill.

Actually, if that’s the worst that happens, I should count myself lucky.

“There can’t be any mistakes or failures.”

Only success matters.

So, I kept reviewing and double-checking the recipes over and over.

Thinking alone wasn’t enough, so I grabbed a pen and notebook and started writing.

But even when I came up with a promising blend, a problem always popped up in the end.

“This is tough.”

As I crossed out one formula after another, just as I was about to try a new one, I heard small footsteps.

Was it No-Rani? Or Naru?

“Mister, did you sleep well?”

“Naru, you’re up already?”

“Yeah, yawn.”

Naru, with sleepy eyes, headed to the kitchen.

She took a bottle of water from the fridge, took a gulp, and came over to me.

“Mister, what are you doing?”

“I’m trying to come up with a new tea, but it’s harder than I thought.”

“What kind of tea?”

“A tea that, after drinking it, makes anything you touch grow better.”

Naru blinked, her eyes rolling as she thought.

After imagining it for a moment, she spoke.

“Is that possible?”

“I think so, but it’s pretty hard. Every part is just a bit lacking.”

“What part is missing?”

Naru sat right beside me to look at the notebook.

She doesn’t know anything about tea or blending recipes, but she must be curious.

“How do I explain this…”

“Let’s say, Energy? You need to be able to transfer Energy to the plant, so the tea needs to contain a power that can interact with plants.”

“Yes.”

“But that’s hard. If I get it wrong, people might turn into plants instead.”

“Ugh, that’s creepy.”

“Right? That’s why it’s so difficult.”

I twirled my pen in my fingers, pondering a new formula.

Maybe I should try adding some Sky Cloud Fragments this time.

“Mister.”

“Hmm?”

“That, Mutual Interaction? If you can just handle that part, will it work?”

“Uh, yeah. That’s right.”

Naru looked at me and grinned mischievously.

“Should I help you?”