The original purpose of visiting the market!
It was a small token of thanks, but I was handing out the eggs I had harvested myself.
“Hello! I’m here~”
“Minho, you’re here? Haven’t seen you around much lately, so you better visit more often!”
“Our young blood has arrived! Since you’re here, try some of this. I made it well this time. If you like it, maybe give me a good price~”
They welcomed me warmly like this once again.
I had spent all the money I’d saved, leaving me penniless, but now all that was left was to make money.
‘These people are truly kind. I have to repay their kindness starting with these eggs.’
I took out the eggs I’d brought from home and began handing them out.
“Please try these eggs. Remember last time I got some chicks from Mr. Kim? They’ve grown up already and started laying eggs. I think they’re a good breed because the eggs are really fresh and nice, so I brought some to share.”
“Those chicks have grown that fast? Minho, you’ve got a knack for raising them! You’d be great at raising kids once you get married, too!”
“The color looks good just by looking at it. But if you’re giving these away, what will you live on bringing all these?”
They were worried about me even though I had only returned a much humbler gift than I’d received.
Just then, as a smile crept out through the tickle in my chest, Mr. Kim’s distinct hearty voice could be heard as he arrived.
“Hey, Minho! You came? What’s this back-and-forth? Let me have some too. And who’s the pretty lady next to you?”
“Mr. Kim, you’re going to make Minho uncomfortable asking like that.”
“I was curious too! Who is she?”
Everyone seemed curious but kept quiet, not wanting to make things awkward, but Mr. Kim’s straightforward question broke the silence, so I added,
“She’s Kasia. She’s a foreigner and doesn’t speak Korean, but we met before. She’s visiting from abroad.”
“Hmm… I had a feeling she had a certain grace and didn’t quite fit in with the village. You better woo her well~ But she’s gotta be worth it, right? Hohoho. Hope it’s okay for me to say this.”
“You can’t say things like that nowadays~ She should try giving eggs to woo you too. Hehehe.”
Everyone burst into laughter at one auntie’s joke.
Of course, Kasia, not understanding, just tilted her head.
“But have they really grown that fast and started laying eggs already? I don’t think it’s been that long since I sold those chicks…”
“Hahaha. I guess they must be healthy.”
“Hmm, alright. Let me see~ Oh, these eggs are about the same quality as the ones I sell. Did you buy them somewhere? Are you sure this is your first time raising them?”
“Oh, no. I picked the best ones to give to you and the aunties.”
The aunties were so moved they patted each other’s shoulders and giggled like schoolgirls. Meanwhile, Mr. Kim, a seasoned expert, was only interested in the quality of the eggs.
“The number’s still small, so maybe when I sell mine, I can bundle yours with it? These look decent enough.”
An unexpected offer.
Usually, sellers don’t want to mix others’ products with theirs, worried about their reputation.
Sometimes I wonder if my true skill is just meeting good people, as I’m surrounded by such benefactors.
“That sounds really good, but are you sure it’s okay?! Don’t overdo it for my sake.”
I said that apologetically, but Mr. Kim shook his head.
“These are about as good as my eggs. We can check your place later and decide in detail.”
‘Awesome~!’
I almost shouted but managed to hold back and calm my excited body.
Mr. Kim smiled at my happiness and continued,
“And you said you wanted to make some health food for the chickens?”
“Oh! Yes, yes!”
“There’s a store I often go to in Samga. They sell scraps cheap if they have any leftovers. Want to come with me?”
“Wow! Yes! I’d love to!”
I had intended to ask Mr. Kim various things while giving gifts at the market, so I was relieved he offered so willingly.
I wondered where Kasia had gone, and it turned out she was bored and sampling salted seafood at a nearby stall.
Salted seafood?
Among Koreans, the strong fishy taste is either loved or hated…
And didn’t she say she was full?
Impressive, really impressive.
After finishing up with the aunties, I said my goodbyes and followed Mr. Kim with Kasia.
“I never knew there was a place this deep inside selling ginseng.”
“There’s nothing you can’t find at the market. Hey, Han Sajang! You here?”
“Oh? Kim, it’s been a while. Who’s this?”
After a brief introduction, I explained why we had come.
Han Sajang gladly brought out the scraps he’d saved.
“I was originally saving this for Kim, but since you came with him, you can take it. Chickens don’t usually eat it raw, but if you chop it up and mix it with feed, they eat it well, so take it.”
“Thank you! How much do I owe you?”
“Since it’s your first time, take it for free. But you must come again.”
“Wow! Thank you!”
“What! I don’t give it away for free!”
“Kim isn’t a first-timer.”
Mr. Kim grumbled but looked pleased.
As we left the store, I noticed Mr. Kim had some money in his hand. He must have known my financial situation and was trying to help.
‘My debts of gratitude keep piling up. There’s a long way to repay.’
We stopped at the feed store last before heading home.
I can’t forget the feed for my animals.
“The feed’s running low, so I was going to buy some. Is that okay with you?”
Since we were heading to my place together, I asked Mr. Kim for his opinion.
He didn’t seem to have any other plans and didn’t mind at all.
“Sure. Buy enough to last.”
“Wow~ Thank you!”
They have big appetites, so no matter how much feed I buy, it never seems enough.
I’ll even eat less myself so they don’t go hungry.
Honestly, I was worried about how to carry it all home, but thankfully, with Mr. Kim’s help, we loaded a truck full of feed and returned comfortably.
As soon as we arrived, Mr. Kim went straight to check on the coop.
His interested expression as he personally caught each chicken to examine every corner showed his expertise.
“One rooster and nineteen hens. Usually, the ratio is about one to fifteen, so there are a few more hens than usual. But that’s still a decent level. And there are chicks born too? So that’s why you bought so much feed.”
“Yes. To sell eggs properly, twenty chickens are far too few.”
“I see, I see. And what about the chicken droppings?”
“The smell is a bit strong, so I collected them and stored them in the back. Is there a special way to handle them?”
Mr. Kim folded his arms and went ‘Hmm…’ deep in thought.
Watching him ponder seriously, I felt like I must have done something wrong.
Like a student waiting nervously for exam results, I anxiously awaited his judgment, but he smiled and looked at me kindly.
“Chickens have weak digestive systems, so their droppings are rich in nutrients. If you dry them and use them as fertilizer, it’s good for the soil. Mix in about a third of rice bran or flour bran, put it in bags, and store it in a dry place.”
“Flour bran?”
“It’s what’s left after separating flour and germ from wheat. The Village Chief runs a mill at Chilcheonri Mill, so you should go ask there. I’ll tell him about you. And if you need some before yours is dried, come and take some from my place.”
“Not even chicken droppings are waste. I have to go check it out right away.”
Seeing my enthusiastic response, Mr. Kim climbed into the truck parked in front of my house and smiled broadly.
“Good, good. You’re one smart young man. If you have questions, come by anytime!”
“Oh? You’re leaving now?”
“Well, I have things to do too. Why, you need help with something else?”
“N-no, nothing!”
“Alright then, come by for a drink of makgeolli next time~”
Now that I think about it, I hadn’t even offered him anything.
‘Once I make more money, I’ll definitely repay you… Thank you.’
From now on, I should at least prepare tea or coffee.
I watched until his truck disappeared from sight.
Is it over now? I felt a bit hungry from eating little by little, and Kasia asked what kind of food I would prepare this time as soon as we entered the house.
…She had been snacking at the market?
I looked at Kasia suspiciously, but she just looked proud.
Well, as long as she’s happy.
“Hmm. Since you snacked for lunch…”
I decided to use what I had gotten at the market.
That was…!!
Soybean pulp stew.
Soybean pulp is the leftover residue after grinding soybeans and extracting soy milk.
The nutty soybean flavor combined with the sourness of kimchi and the richness of meat is a perfect combination.
Mixed with white rice, it’s the ultimate humble dish.
I put some short rib meat into a pot without oil and started frying it.
Sizzle.
The pleasant sound of meat cooking.
Since the meat releases its own fat, there’s no need to add oil.
“Looks cooked enough. Now add the kimchi.”
After adding kimchi, I stir-fried it again.
Kimchi’s flavor determines the taste, so using aged or sour kimchi is the key.
Because soybean pulp is bland, I added a little kimchi brine and anchovy broth.
Covered the pot to let the kimchi soften, then added the soybean pulp, and it was done!
“Here, try it. How is it?”
- So this is another red-colored dish. Hmm…
Kasia closed her eyes as she savored the taste of meat and kimchi together on a spoon.
Including the soybean pulp scooped up with it.
- It’s soft and nutty! Also, the seasoning in the meat gives it a new flavor different from just grilled meat.
What’s this crisp yet soft, slightly sour texture?
“That’s called kimchi. There are many kinds, but this one is aged kimchi.”
- Kimchi? It’s the first time I’ve heard of this food. I think life would be more enjoyable if our world had such a variety of tastes…
She seemed to miss her other friends a lot.
She probably couldn’t meet her friends while wandering around looking for me.
“When the Elf Tribe comes to visit next time, we’ll make sure you get to try all these different foods.”
- Really? It’s a promise!
“Haha, it’s a promise.”
Without being taught, Kasia even tried scooping the soybean pulp stew on top of the rice by herself.
Although it had only been a few days, she seemed to be adapting well to Korea.
“Eat up and rest. I’m going out for a bit.”
- Where are you off to now?
“To make sure the peanuts grow well, I need some chicken manure fertilizer. I’ll visit the Village Chief.”
Then I should play with Goldie.
I saw Goldie resting under a tree’s shade, but he dashed away the moment Kasia approached him.
(I want to rest! Master, save me!)
Have fun… Goldie, fighting!
Oh, the Village Chief should be at Chilcheonri Mill right now.
Since he moves according to a fixed schedule, I’d meet him at the mill rather than at home.
“Village Chief~ Are you there?”
I happened to find him outside.
“I had a feeling I wanted to go out, and a precious guest was coming, huh?”
“Hahaha, Village Chief, it’s the first time seeing you since the Korean New Year’s Gathering. How have you been?”
We exchanged greetings briefly.
The Village Chief treated me kindly as a precious guest.
He seemed to still feel guilty for opposing my arrival to Chilcheonri at first and always welcomed me warmly like this.
“Flour bran? Ah, you’re using it for chicken manure fertilizer? Of course, you should take it. You’re a precious guest after all.”
“How much is it?”
“What money? It’s free for a precious guest. And it’s just leftover scraps anyway.”
“Wow! Really? Thank you!”
I knew flour bran was a leftover, so I half-expected him to give it for free and was glad he did.
After receiving it quickly, I felt bad coming to the elder’s house empty-handed.
Next time, I’d bring something.
Returning home with my hands full, I was so taken aback by the scene before me that I dropped the flour bran I was holding onto the floor.
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