Chapter 23: The Weather That Remembers

When was the last time I used a shovel?

“The last time must have been in the army, so that’s thirty years ago? No, wait, it’s closer to forty years now.”

Even after all that time, my body remembered how to handle a shovel.

“Changseong, you’re strong. Want to try farming?”

“I’m writing. And right now, running the Yangjibareun Tea House keeps me busy.”

“Think about it. Sanghyeon Hyungnim keeps grumbling that there’s land left over.”

“There’s land left?”

“Yeah.”

Dushik Ajussi spoke as he filled a burlap sack with dirt, then tied it tight.

He tossed it onto the spot where water was overflowing.

The current was strong, so I worried it might wash away, but thankfully, it held fast.

If we built up the embankment like this, we could block off the flooding.

“When was it you went up to Seoul, Changseong?”

“I went up for university, so it’s been a while. I used to come back often during college, but after Grandfather passed away, I stopped visiting.”

“It’s been a long time.”

As soon as I turned twenty, I went to university in Seoul, and after graduating, I stayed in the Rooftop Room for job hunting.

For nearly nine years, I’d turned my back on this Hayeon Village.

“In the meantime, all the old men grew as old as they could get, and the few young ones left have all gone up, too. Who’s left to farm?”

“Yeah.”

“No matter how capable Sanghyeon Hyungnim is, it’s tough to manage all the land around here alone.”

It must be a shame for Sanghyun Ajussi.

That vast farmland was lying fallow for lack of people.

“You can’t make a living off just a tea house, can you? If you’re interested, talk to Sanghyeon Hyungnim. He’ll give you land.”

“One tea house is enough for me.”

I still had no interest in farming.

Just managing the Yangjibareun Tea House kept me plenty busy.

But I did have ambition.

“If I ran the Watermelon Farm myself, I could get even fresher vegetables and fruit.”

If I got greedy, I could even harvest coffee cherries and roast my own beans.

I never thought I’d fail.

With the Spirit Children around, I could grow crops in ideal conditions.

As those thoughts took root, Dushik Ajussi looked at me with amusement.

“You really think you can make a living with a tea house out here in the countryside?”

“Of course. My tea is a bit addictive, you know. Once you drink it, you want to keep drinking.”

“Ho? Is that so?”

“Instead of talking, why not head to my tea house when we’re done here? I’ll serve you.”

“What, you serve pajeon too? Pajeon, for example.”

Any normal household might think that’s nonsense.

But this is the special tea house I run, the Yangjibareun Tea House.

“Of course. Want me to bring out some makgeolli too?”

“You rascal, you know how to run a business. Then I’ll have to come!”

“Where are you going in this kind of rain?”

Wook Ajussi came up from below after finishing his work.

He was covered in mud from digging out earth and making a waterway.

“That was tough, wasn’t it?”

“Tough? Compared to weeding and pulling up rice seedlings, this is nothing.”

“Yeah, yeah. If this was enough to make you drop, you’d have dropped long ago.”

“Do you have to say it like that, Hyungnim?”

“Enough. Did you lay out the channel right?”

“Yes, of course.”

Wook Ajussi nodded toward the lower end.

“The water’s flowing out nicely. But there’s a lot of silt, so if the rain keeps up, it’ll get clogged.”

“We won’t have to wait long. In a couple of hours, it’ll be the same here. Look.”

“Here, too?”

The sandbag embankment Dushik Ajussi and I had just built was sturdy.

If it were to collapse, it’d take a downpour strong enough to sweep us all away.

“If the rain keeps up like this, that’s what’ll happen.”

“Ah, I see.”

“And I can tell just by looking at the sky. This rain is going to last several more days. At this rate.”

Dushik Ajussi spoke with certainty.

I was about to reply when a call came in.

He glanced at the screen and chuckled.

“Can’t get away with anything. Yes, Hyungnim.”

There weren’t many people in the village Dushik Ajussi called Hyungnim.

If I had to name one, it’d be Sanghyun Ajussi.

“The rain here is no joke. Don’t bother driving in this; just stay where you are another day. I’ll handle things.”

– How am I supposed to rest, trusting you? If I don’t keep an eye on you, you’ll just drink and fall asleep.

“Hyungnim, really. What do you take me for?”

– You’re a lazy bum. A guy who’s only motivated when it annoys you.

Sanghyun Ajussi’s voice was so loud, it carried over the pouring rain.

While Dushik Ajussi chewed his lip, more words came from the phone.

– So, check the fields with the water supply, and inspect the bridge on the low ground. The rain’s not stopping, so do it now before it gets worse.

“Yeah, yeah, I know. I’ve lived in this countryside for years, you know.”

– Have you lived here longer than I have?

Even away from the village, Sanghyun Ajussi knew everything that went on and gave careful instructions.

– You remember everything I said?

“Yes, yes. Looks like I need another thirty-five bodies to get this done.”

– Stop dawdling and get moving. And if you need to, get Hyeon-ung to help too.

“Bossing my nephew around? That’s my specialty.”

Looked like Hyeon-ung would be pressed into service for Sanghyun Ajussi.

Maybe this was all part of his plan to make Hyeon-ung the Youth Association President.

I’ve never seen inside Sanghyun Ajussi’s head, but I was sure of it.

– Good luck.

“Thank you, Hyungnim. You too.”

After hanging up, Dushik Ajussi pulled out a cigarette.

The rain was so heavy, he was soaked already, but somehow he managed to light it and take a drag.

“Whew, it’s rough.”

“What did Sanghyeon Hyungnim say?”

“What do you think? Told me to deal with things before the countryside floods. Worry is in his nature.”

Even though he sounded annoyed, Dushik Ajussi’s eyes darted quickly.

Like he was working out what to do next in his head.

But maybe it wasn’t so easy, since he didn’t even notice the cigarette had gone out as he stared around.

After a few seconds, he sighed deeply.

“Changseong, let’s go to your tea house another time. Today won’t work.”

“Do you have that much to do?”

“I need to check everything in advance. If you wait until a problem blows up, it’s too late. Better to stop it with a hoe than need a shovel. Wook, tell the other men to come up.”

“They’ll grumble a lot.”

“Bah! If you ignore someone else’s field today, you can’t complain when your own breaks tomorrow.”

Helping each other out.

That’s the basic rule.

“When things calm down, have Changseong serve you hot pajeon and cool makgeolli. Tell them that and bring them.”

“Me?”

“Don’t want to help?”

…There was no end to it.

But I didn’t really hate it.

Dushik Ajussi always spoke this way.

“It feels different in translation, right?”

Lure everyone here with makgeolli and pajeon, and turn them into guests.

Going once is hard, but the second time’s easy—that’s how people are.

He sure knew how to show his care.

“Guess I’ll have to thank you for that.”

“Let’s just go now. Better than talking out here. I’ll bring out some makgeolli.”

“It’s tempting, but we need to move quickly.”

“Because we have to prepare?”

“Exactly.”

“So, if the rain stops, we don’t need to prepare?”

At that, Dushik Ajussi burst out laughing.

“Changseong, do you know how long I’ve been farming?”

“I know. Fifty years?”

“Yeah, punk. I’ve been doing this since I could walk. With my experience, this rain won’t let up easily. Sanghyun Hyungnim called because he thinks the same.”

Their instincts were probably spot-on.

Wook Ajussi, standing nearby, didn’t say much, but he seemed to agree.

Still, I was confident.

“Want to bet?”

“What?”

“If the rain hasn’t stopped by the time you finish a glass of cold makgeolli at my tea house, I’ll give you a lifetime free pass.”

“Huh, huhuh. Look at this kid.”

Dushik Ajussi’s mouth curled up in a smile.

“Are you confident?”

“To a degree.”

He rolled the cigarette around in his mouth.

“You sound just like your grandfather.”

“My Grandfather? Where is he?”

“He was dead-on with the weather.”

Wook Ajussi joined in.

“If the sun was shining and your Grandfather said it would rain, sure enough, it would pour.”

“I can’t forget the typhoon. It was bright out, but he said a typhoon was coming, dragged Sanghyeon Hyungnim to work, and sure enough, a massive typhoon hit.”

“Yeah, if we hadn’t moved then, we wouldn’t have been able to farm.”

“We’d have just sold the land and spent our days drinking.”

So that’s what happened.

I hadn’t known about that, or about what happened with Sunyoung Halmeoni and Hyeon Nammae and the tea.

Even though I’d spent so much time with Grandfather, there was still so much I didn’t know.

“It’s strange, hearing about Grandfather from someone else.”

“Is it? I’ll tell you plenty later. For now, let’s get moving.”

“We’re going to my tea house, right?”

“You’re still on about that??”

“Yes. I’m confident the rain will stop.”

At my words, a wrinkle formed on Dushik Ajussi’s forehead.

Before he could retort, Wook Ajussi jumped in.

“Hyungnim, since we need to talk anyway, isn’t it better to do it at Changseong’s tea house than out in this rain?”

“…You’re just after the makgeolli, aren’t you?”

“Well, who doesn’t like makgeolli?”

“That’s true.”

The two ajussis exchanged glances and nodded.

“…We’re going for a strategy meeting. Not for a drink, understood? As soon as the meeting’s over, we’re leaving.”

“Of course. But you never know, you might end up staying longer if the rain stops. Trust me.”

“Who’d believe you’re not the Chajip Grandfather’s grandson. Always saying strange things.”

“Aw, Dushik Hyungnim, let’s just go. He’s Grandfather’s grandson. The rain really might stop.”

Dushik Ajussi didn’t reply.

Instead, he headed off to convince the other ajussis.

While he was at it, Wook Ajussi nudged me.

“But Changseong, don’t you think you’re being reckless?”

“Reckless?”

“Yeah, saying the rain will stop. It probably won’t.”

“We’ll see.”

I just shrugged and added one more thing.

“If Grandfather could do it, so can I.”

***

Ding-a-ling.

“Ah, boss. You’re back?”

“Ajossi! You’re late!!!”

“Sorry, sorry. There was a little accident. Did you wait long?”

“Just a bit.”

When I opened the tea house door, No-Rani and Naru came running.

As I ruffled the kids’ hair, Dushik Ajussi popped his head in from behind.

“Oh, Changseong. You already have two kids?”

“You’re ahead of Dushik Hyungnim.”

“Wook, you looking for a fight?”

“Am I wrong? You’re the only one in the neighborhood your age who’s still single.”

“You brat.”

Watching the two ajussis bicker was entertaining.

But before the misunderstanding grew, I quickly explained.

“These kids are connected to Grandfather. I’m just acting as their guardian for now.”

“If you’re a guardian, isn’t that the same as being a dad?”

“Strictly speaking, it’s different.”

While I corrected the ajussi, Siwoo came over.

“Boss, should I help guide the others in? They’re still out in the rain.”

“Right. Please, come in everyone!”

Siwoo took the lead, guiding the elders inside.

Even though it was a hassle, there wasn’t a hint of annoyance in her face.

That’s why I always want to do more for Siwoo.

As the elders found seats, Dushik Ajussi spoke.

“Changseong, we’re just having one drink and then we’re leaving.”

“But if the rain stops, you might have another before you go.”

“You’re still on about that? It’s not stopping.”

“Please, have a seat. I’ll bring out some cold makgeolli. Siwoo, could you come with me for a moment?”

“Yes.”

Siwoo rolled up her sleeves and followed me.

Once we were out of sight of the others, I got to the point.

“Is there something you need from the storage?”

“Ah.”

“Or do you need to make something?”

“No, that’s not it.”

“Then what is it?”

Siwoo’s eyes were full of curiosity—I wanted to tease her a bit more, but—

“I can’t keep the others waiting outside in the rain.”

“Siwoo, can you stop the rain?”

Her big eyes blinked.

Then she opened her mouth.

“I’m sorry.”

“Huh?”

“I… I can’t stop that rain.”

…Good grief.

Looks like I’ll have to change my plan.