Chapter 39: Miracles Arrive Without a Sound

After Siwoo finished the last of the dishes, she wiped the water from her hands on her apron.

I found myself blankly watching her, and Siwoo offered a lonely smile.

“Are you still upset?”

“…A little?”

“Yuae unni was a bit harsh, wasn’t she.”

After hearing everyone’s answers, Yuae’s response was ’40’.

She said it was because she wanted to think more about the consequences of her actions.

And so, she tied up both No-Rani and all of us with her power and left for the Spirit Realm.

‘When she uses her power properly, no one can do a thing.’

The barrier Yuae first set up to stop No-Rani was nothing more than a warning.

Maybe, she just wanted to be near No-Rani for a while, so she held back her strength.

“Still, I bet No-Rani is even more heartbroken than I am.”

“Well, it can’t be helped. She’s still young.”

I shifted my gaze to the lump in the corner of the First House, all wrapped up in blankets.

After Yuae left, No-Rani had cried as if the world was ending.

After crying for so long, No-Rani had finally curled up, becoming like a sluggish snail.

I used to play with blankets like that when I was little, too.

…Kids really are all the same.

“No-Rani, you don’t have to go to the Spirit Realm?”

“They said most of today’s work is settled. Naru is helping to finish up, so I think it’s fine.”

“That’s good, then.”

Seeing No-Rani so down made my heart feel restless for no reason.

“…Did I make the wrong decision?”

“Huh?”

“Should I have just done as Yuae asked?”

The words Yuae said kept echoing in my head.

That for a mere human to try and adjust the vast flow of nature was arrogant.

Siwoo stood upright next to me and asked.

“Do you really think that?”

“…No.”

“Right?”

“It was just a small doubt, that’s all.”

Even if I faced this again, I would make the same choice.

I don’t need any happiness gained by hurting someone.

“Don’t worry so much. Yuae unni is just confused right now. After she cools down, she’ll realize the boss was right.”

“I hope so. Uuuh!”

I listened to Naru and let out a big yawn, shaking off the weight in my heart.

What’s done is done.

I’ll just have to wait for Yuae to gather herself and come back.

And if she doesn’t…

‘Then I’ll send Siwoo and Naru to go get her.’

Who knows if the two of them can really catch Yuae, but I believe they’ll do well.

“Siwoo, you should head home for today. I’ll tidy up here and go home too.”

“Okay, then I’ll get going first. Oh, if I see Yuae unni in the Spirit Realm, I’ll try to talk with her more.”

“That would be a big help. Please do.”

“Yes! No-Rani, see you tomorrow!”

Siwoo took off her apron and waved at No-Rani.

At Siwoo’s words, No-Rani peeked out her head, then quickly hid herself back inside her snail shell.

Such a shy little snail.

With Siwoo gone, the First House was quiet again.

I made some Honey Water and poured it into a cup, then went over to No-Rani.

“Here, No-Rani. Honey Water. I added some Herb. Give it a try.”

“…Okay.”

No-Rani didn’t refuse my Honey Water.

She just took it into her snail house and drank it there.

I gently patted what I guessed was the top of No-Rani’s head as I spoke.

“No-Rani, is it really hard for you?”

“…I’m sad.”

“About what?”

“Because… Yuae is struggling.”

“That makes you sad?”

“Yeah.”

“Our No-Rani, you’re so sweet.”

No-Rani wasn’t sad because Yuae rejected her, but because she realized Yuae was having a hard time.

She may be young, but she really is kindhearted.

Yuae will understand, too, after a while. If she comes back and sees No-Rani like this, what will she do? She might get even sadder and run away again.

“That can’t happen!”

No-Rani shot up, tears brimming in her eyes.

“No, I don’t want that!”

“Right? So let’s cheer up. Finish your Honey Water, okay?”

Her voice came out strong and loud, so it was only a matter of time before No-Rani bounced back.

After comforting No-Rani, I stood up.

“Rest for a bit more, then when Naru comes, let’s go home together.”

“Okay! Ah, ahjussi.”

“What is it?”

“The thing we ate earlier… Madeleine. Can I have more?”

That made me laugh.

I thought she’d only perked up a little, but she’d fully recovered.

“Wait here. I’ll go get you some right now.”

So, I headed to the kitchen to get some Madeleine for No-Rani.

Ding-a-ling.

“Welcome— huh?”

“Oh, Changseong. We’re back.”

“Here, take this. Hurry. It’s heavy.”

“What the…?”

Suddenly, the Hyeon siblings pushed into the First House and set a huge lump on the table.

The thing was so big, the two of them had to strain to carry it. It was wrapped tightly in plastic and a white cloth.

“What is this?”

“Whew, so heavy. You know Jang Hyungwook, the guy who runs the ranch up in the upper village? We got it from him. The best one.”

“You got it…? Is this a cow?”

Half in disbelief, I pulled open the plastic.

And sure enough, it was a whole cow, neatly butchered.

“You two are strong.”

“If you work on a farm, you can’t help but get strong, even if you hate it.”

“But why’d you bring this to the First House? What do you expect me to do?”

“Why else? We brought it for you to eat.”

“…What kind of nonsense is this, you crazy idiots.”

I always knew they were nuts, but seeing them like this, they’re really on another level.

Still, just for today, I’ll let it go.

Because I think I know why they came running here so excited.

“So, did you pass inspection?”

“Yeah.”

“How’d you know? We were going to tell you over drinks.”

“Just look at the grins on your faces. If I couldn’t tell, I’d be an idiot, not a person.”

The two of them looked embarrassed and ducked their heads in exactly the same way.

“Yeah. We passed.”

“The inspector saw the Watermelon Field and wanted to make an Agreement right away.”

“They said it’s never happened before. Our crops must be that good.”

The words poured out of the Hyeon siblings without pause.

It must’ve been killing them not to brag until now.

“Good for you. But why’d you bring this here? Take it home to your parents.”

“Just… We thought of you.”

“…Is this the kind of thing you just bring as a gift?”

A whole cow costs a fortune.

Even half would be several hundred thousand won.

They’re not rich kids—there’s no way they’d have that kind of money to spare.

“You guys did something wrong to me, didn’t you.”

“Hey, do we have to do something wrong for this?”

“She’s making us out to be weirdos.”

“Then explain it. Why’d you bring it to the First House instead of your place?”

The two hesitated, then finally spoke.

“…Because we’re grateful.”

As Hyeon Ung broke the silence, Hyeonseo continued.

“You helped us.”

“Yeah, man. Did you think we wouldn’t notice?”

“…What are you two going on about?”

I tried to act innocent, but my chest felt hot.

Because it was true I’d helped them.

I never thought it would bother me, though.

Hyeon Ung leaned against the table and spoke.

“Farming doesn’t just change from Famine to Bumper Crop overnight. If it did, that’d be a Miracle.”

“And that Miracle happened in our Watermelon Field. That big field.”

Hyeonseo picked up the thread again.

“Our field was ruined this year. Even if we sold everything, we’d barely make a few thousand. We were so desperate, we even made an Agreement with those bastards.”

“It was never a Bumper Crop. Never.”

“But then, it became a Bumper Crop. Overnight.”

“It’s impossible. But you know? We’ve experienced this before.”

They’d experienced such a Miracle before?

If Miracles happened that often, they wouldn’t be called Miracles.

I was thinking that when the Hyeon siblings spoke together.

“When your grandfather was here.”

“When Grandpa was around.”

“…If it’s Grandpa, that’s believable.”

If it’s Grandpa, I’d believe it even if he turned gruel into soy sauce.

No, even if he fed hundreds with a single 100 won coin, I’d believe it.

“When we first started farming watermelons, everything went wrong.”

“It wasn’t just a Famine—it was a disaster. Everything was practically pig feed. But your grandfather came, looked around quietly, and left.”

“And after that, we had a Bumper Crop.”

“Every season after that, until your grandfather passed away.”

They said just his gaze brought a Bumper Crop.

It sounded like something from a cult.

“And it happened again, just now.”

You can’t help but believe when it happens again, especially right when Changseong, you, came back.”

“Look at the timing. The moment you came back, it happened again.”

“And it was the same with Sunyoung Halmeoni. It didn’t make sense, but with you involved, it suddenly did.”

I fell silent.

Even if I admitted it, there was no way to explain.

Even if I denied it, they wouldn’t believe me.

“…What should I do?”

Would it be right to tell the truth?

What would happen if this truth got out?

Or should I just keep pretending?

As I stood there, unable to react, the Hyeon siblings shook their heads.

“Hey, we’re not trying to interrogate you.”

“We don’t really know what you did. There’s no proof you did anything. Still, our gut tells us—you helped us.”

“Is that so?”

“We’re just happy and grateful, that’s all. We don’t know what you did, but still.”

With them saying this much, I couldn’t exactly deny it.

They wouldn’t gossip or abuse my powers.

…Yeah.

“I’m glad I could help, then.”

“Really, you did.”

“I thought it was impossible, but it’s crazy. It’s just crazy.”

“Don’t tell anyone else. I don’t want a crowd because of rumors. If that happens, I’ll close the First House for good.”

“Don’t worry, we won’t tell a soul.”

“Who’d cut open the goose that lays the golden eggs?”

“As long as you know.”

I rapped the beef on the table with my knuckles.

“Take this back. Bring it home for your parents.”

“Hey, we’ll take care of our parents, so don’t worry about it. Just share the meat with the kids here.”

“You guys really spent a lot on this, huh?”

“This is when you’re supposed to spend. When else?”

Having said everything they wanted, the Hyeon siblings stood up.

“Enjoy the meat. We’re off.”

“Changseong, thanks for your help.”

“It was you two who did the work, not me.”

“Sure, got it. Still, please look after us from now on.”

Trying to hide my embarrassment, I cracked a joke.

“If you know that, bring your crops here for free from now on.”

“You wanna go bald from chasing freebies?”

Hmm, Grandpa kept a full head of hair until the day he died. Maybe I’ve got good genes and won’t go bald. But Sanghyun ahjussi is starting to thin out a bit, isn’t he?”

“Don’t say depressing stuff.”

As we exchanged pointless banter, all the worries from earlier seemed to fade away.

Even if this place and the tea I make are special, these guys are just themselves.

That won’t change.

“If I had people like this by my side, maybe my past life would’ve been different.”

If those around me were like this.

But those fruitless thoughts faded quickly.

Rather than dwelling on the past, it’s more important to protect these connections from now on.

“I’ll brew some tea tomorrow too, so come by.”

“Sure thing.”

“Anyway, clean up and get some rest. It’ll take a while to process all that meat.”

“Yeah, yeah. Got it. Take care, hahaha.”

“…What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Have fun chopping it up!”

With those words, the Hyeon siblings left.

And then I realized.

“…You little punks, just you wait.”

How am I supposed to bring all this home?