After my private meeting with the President, I headed down to the first-floor lobby, where Minjun was waiting.
“Hyung, should we head out right away?”
“Of course. My family’s waiting for me.”
“Yeah. Let me know if anything comes up.”
If anyone saw us, they’d probably think we were just a couple of curt brothers.
But brothers can feel each other’s sincerity even in a single short phrase.
After our brief farewell, I tossed a word at Minjun’s back as he turned to go.
“The President said you need a good scolding? Good luck with that.”
“What?”
Minjun whipped around, glaring at me with wide, fierce eyes.
I threw that out to mess with him, then hurried away from the scene.
He’s in for it now.
‘How could you try experimenting with your skill when my safety was at stake?’
I hailed a taxi bound for Chilcheon-ri.
But something felt off…?
Like I’d left something behind.
Eh, I’ll remember it later.
It would’ve been nice to have someone to talk to, but maybe because it’s far, the trip from Seoul to Chilcheon-ri always feels tedious.
I’m sick of the endless highway scenery outside the window.
‘Should I look into getting a car? Chilcheon-ri really is out of the way. If we ever want to go anywhere, we’ll definitely need our own vehicle.’
To check my balance, I opened up my bank app, and right away the account with the biggest number popped up.
Just looking at those digits gave me a ticklish, warm feeling inside.
‘Is this what pride feels like? I set out for Chilcheon-ri with nothing but the clothes on my back, like a fugitive…’
They call this returning home in triumph, don’t they?
Ah, but I plan on living in Chilcheon-ri for good, so maybe it’s not exactly “returning.”
Whatever. The sight of my account balance made me feel so good I kept closing and reopening the app.
Hehehe.
I couldn’t help but grin.
I resolved never to forget the emotions I felt the first time the money came in—and the feelings I had at this very moment.
Never lose your original intention!
Now, let’s look for a car.
‘Oh… This one looks nice. But I should probably get an SUV or a van, right? If we ever want to go on a trip together…’
I personally liked the sleek, beautiful sedans, but with so many family members, I couldn’t just make a decision based on my own preferences.
‘Oh! This one’s nice too!’
Since I wasn’t knowledgeable about cars, I looked up all sorts of models. The elegantly designed SUV really caught my eye.
The most important thing was safety, and this one looked sturdy—plus, I liked the exterior.
While debating between a sedan and an SUV, I suddenly remembered the old “mom or dad” question.
That was always a tough choice.
‘Why not just get both? Gone are the days when I had to pinch every penny!’
For the sedan, I chose the model that matched my tastes best, inside and out.
For the SUV, since the kids would be riding too, I picked a model famous for being safe and durable.
‘Wait, both of these are from the same company, aren’t they?’
While I was at it, I applied for a test drive at the nearest dealership.
‘Is it this late already?’
I’d been glued to my phone the whole ride, and time flew by.
Outside the window, the weathered sign marked “Chilcheon-ri” flashed past.
How accurate is the human body clock? Even though I didn’t set an alarm because I wanted to sleep in, I woke up at my usual time.
“Yawn~ Still, I feel refreshed.”
With all that happened with Jeon Youngjin, I wouldn’t have minded taking a day off.
But it’s precisely at times like this that I believe in keeping myself moving.
Especially now that summer’s just around the corner.
I grabbed a single Soliya seed that I’d kept stored away.
Today, I’ll plant this…
Huh?
A faint green onion smell crept up, and before I knew it, Pa-rongee had appeared.
“Huh? I left you with Kasia. When did you come back?”
I gave Pa-rongee a pat and stepped outside.
“Should I plant the Soliya today?”
- Isn’t there only one seed?
“Oh, you’re up early, Kasia.”
- Of course! I’m an aspiring farmer, aren’t I?
Aspiring farmer.
I’d started teaching Kasia to farm, so the elves could handle crops, and it seemed she wanted to become a farmer so badly that she’d begun calling herself an aspiring farmer.
- How was your trip to Seoul yesterday? You got back late.
“Yeah. Nothing much happened. I’d already taken care of Jeon Youngjin.”
At that, Kasia said something that made me realize why I’d felt off yesterday.
- Is Jinsu not coming anymore?
“Jinsu? Ah! He was supposed to come with me! I totally forgot—Huh?”
- Of all things to forget, how could you forget a person! Good grief.
I scratched my head, but I couldn’t think of anything I was supposed to do.
“Jinsu was badly hurt, but he’ll probably come when he’s recovered. The President said he’d send him.”
- Then he’ll come when it’s time. Understood.
Guess we got attached living together for a few days.
“By the way, isn’t this Soliya considered rare even in Eliya?”
- Yes. But I heard the soil where Soliya grows has to be special… Hm, even if I try to remember, the details aren’t coming to mind.
Special soil, huh.
Then it’s difficult to plant right now.
I need to know what kind of special conditions it needs so I can match them.
“Should I go to Eliya and look for more samples?”
- Instead of that, why not go ask Crea?
“Crea?”
The elf tribe has a Chieftain, but also Elders of similar standing.
They’re experienced, older elves, and even the Chieftain seeks their advice because of their deep knowledge.
So elves, including Kasia, always treat the Elders with respect.
- The reason I decided to treat you with the same respect as my father was after consulting with the Elders.
“Now that you mention it, I remember. When I first went to Eliya to get Porti, the people sitting on either side of the Chieftain.”
- That’s right. Usually, they stay in their own homes and rarely show themselves, but they attend Elder meetings or important gatherings.
So, it’ll be the first meeting since then.
Of course, back then, as a human visiting Eliya with Kasia, things were quite chaotic, and didn’t Kasia even argue?
She seems okay now, though.
Together, Kasia and I headed for the elves’ settlement.
The elves were gathered together in small groups, and Kasia approached one who sat alone on a stump, basking in the sun.
- Kasia, you’re here. What brings you? And our benefactor is with you, too.
- I came to ask something! Crea, you know everything, don’t you?
Elder Crea was a dignified old woman.
Kasia usually acts all serious, but in front of her, she reverted to a childlike tone—just an ordinary girl.
“Hello. I’m Do Minho.”
- My name is Crea. Nice to meet you.
Elder Crea smiled gently, a smile that could put anyone at ease.
Her soft impression and smile hinted at her personality.
- What brings our Kasia here, so curious today?
- I want to grow Soliya in the field, but I have so little information!
- Soliya, in the field? Hmm.
She tapped her finger gently on the stump as if rummaging through old memories.
- Soliya is precious because its growing environment is unique. Only one root will ever grow in a spot that’s much cooler than its surroundings. Do you know why that is?
- No, I don’t.
- Because it’s sensitive to stress. It needs to grow alone to live a long time. If more than one grows together, they get stressed, and the weaker one dies.
Just as Kasia said, Crea really is a knowledgeable Elder.
That’s why the tribe calls her a scholar.
“Thank you so much for teaching me.”
- I always wanted to have a conversation with you. I’m glad it finally happened. Come visit with Kasia from time to time.
“I definitely will.”
I’d only dropped by for Soliya, so once the matter was settled, I headed home right away.
- Isn’t she a wonderful person?
“She really is. Even though it was a short conversation, I could sense her kindness.”
Even though I’d met the elves often, I’d only ever spoken at length with the Chieftain and Kasia, so there was always a subtle distance.
Crea’s words, ‘I always wanted to talk to you,’ stayed with me.
‘I should get to know more elves and get closer to them.’
I made up my mind.
The elves are all family to me now.
“Still, it’s a bit of a shame.”
- What is?
“Remember when I met Dwarf Brogan in that secret dungeon? I could only pick one reward, and one was an Automatic Greenhouse that could keep the temperature steady.”
- How stingy, that Dwarf. If he’s going to give you something, he should give it all, not just one thing.
“Hahaha. You’re right.”
Just plant the pillars, and a greenhouse of any size appears, maintaining its own temperature.
Basically, it’s an automatic climate controller for expanding fields.
If I could use that device to keep the Soliya cool, it would probably thrive.
Suddenly, I remembered the paper in my desk drawer—the one that takes me to the Dwarf village.
‘I kind of want to go beg for it right now.’
But that was a bonus the Dwarf told me to use only at the most critical moment.
Who knows what’ll happen later? I’ll save it for an emergency.
He wouldn’t just hand it over for nothing, either.
‘I’ll hold off for now. There’s only one seed anyway. If I get more, I’ll think about it then.’
As I was tending to the crops Kasia and I had planted, Goldie and the chickens gathered around.
They always wander around the field, catching pests and fertilizing the soil with their droppings.
I patted their heads one by one, and they nuzzled me happily before wandering off again.
‘What wonderful creatures. If not for the eggs, my life wouldn’t have gotten this good.’
Now that I think about it, I’m surrounded by people and animals I’m grateful for.
Goldie, the chief among chickens; Ddakkongi and Little Pepper, who guard the fields night and day.
And, of course, Kasia, who helped me become such a successful farmer.
Pa-rongee… keeps my forearms warm.
Even if he smells a bit like onions.
“Shall we go on an outing? Maybe not far, but a picnic nearby would be nice.”
- Oh! Sounds wonderful! When are we going?
Seeing Kasia get excited about a picnic like a child made me look forward to it too.
“But if we’re all going, we’ll need a big car. I ordered it, but I don’t know when it’ll arrive.”
- Ohh. Riding in the car last time was so much fun. Vroom vroom~
That’s right, we took a van to Seoul when the reporters swarmed in.
Vroom~ Vroom~
Just then, even though it was still early, my phone rang.
It was Kim Sanghyun.
“Hello? Huh? How did you know? Ah~ I guess that makes sense. Yes, yes. Really? Thank you so much!”
No sooner had I hung up than Kasia asked what the call was about.
She was obviously curious.
- Who was it, that made you so happy?
“Sanghyun. You know the guy who manages our farm produce?”
- Ah, I know him. He’s always coming by, isn’t he?
“The car I ordered was from Kanghan Motors. He said if I like it, he can send it over right away—on the President’s orders, no less.”
- Really! Then tell him to send it now!
Even with money, free things are always nice.
Kasia urged me to accept, but I decided I’d at least test drive it first.
“I should try it out first! It has to feel right when I drive it.”
- That’s true. Let’s drive it together soon!
I’d applied for a test drive at the Kanghan Motors Dealership, and since I was a VIP, they’d reported directly to the top.
There was a van in stock, ready for immediate delivery.
The sedan wouldn’t take long, either.
“Want to come with me?”
- Yes! I’ll ride it and tell you what I think!
I moved my test drive appointment—scheduled for three days later—to the earliest slot, that very afternoon.
If I liked it after the test drive, I could take delivery right away, so I had no reason to hesitate.
Maybe because I was so excited for the afternoon test drive, time seemed to crawl.
“Humming~ hum~”
The thrill of buying my first car put me in such a good mood, I started humming.
Kasia, too, was humming away, excited for the picnic, and her melody echoed around the house like a work song.
After finishing my morning chores, it was already lunchtime.
“Shall we eat and head out right after?”
I was so restless, I couldn’t just sit around at home.
Kasia must have been just as excited, pacing back and forth until her face lit up.
- Yes! I can’t wait to go!
“I’m craving potato pancakes.”
- Then let’s have that!
“Unfortunately, we don’t have potatoes. So we’ll have to make kimchi pancakes and scallion pancakes instead.”
- Kimchi? Kimchi is great~ Hurry up and cook!
Right on cue, Kasia’s stomach let out a loud growl.
But she’s not the type to get embarrassed about that.
- Did you hear that? Hurry! I’m starving!
“Alright, alright. Sit down. I’ll whip it up fast.”
I poured oil into the frying pan and started chopping kimchi, remembering how I’d made these before.
“Wait, didn’t I make kimchi pancakes for you last time?”
- Kimchi pancakes? No, this is the first time.
“Really? I could’ve sworn…”
Since Kasia was hungry, I kept it simple: just pancake mix, chopped kimchi, and water.
Sizzle—
I poured the batter right into the pan.
‘Hmm. Looks about done. Time to flip…’
The key to pancakes is timing.
Flip it at just the right moment, and the outside is crisp while the inside stays moist—a perfect pancake.
I put the kimchi pancake on a kitchen towel to drain the oil while I prepared the scallion pancake.
“By the way, since I don’t have green onions, I’m using regular scallions.”
- Scallions? I know green onions, but not scallions.
“Then that’s fine. This’ll be tasty too.”
Doesn’t matter if you don’t know; it’ll still taste good.
I could’ve added other veggies for color, but I was keeping it simple today.
Chop, chop, chop, chop.
I cut the scallions into the right size, mixed them into the batter, and poured it straight into the pan.
Sizzle—
‘Eating kimchi pancakes with scallion pancakes never gets old.’
As soon as the scallion pancake was done, I swapped it onto the kitchen towel next to the kimchi pancake.
- Is it ready? It smells delicious!
“Yeah, it’s all done. Can you get the chopsticks?”
When I brought the pancakes over on a flat plate, Kasia, who’d already prepared the chopsticks, looked at me with sparkling eyes.
“See? I told you we’d had this before! I clearly remember cooking and eating it together.”
- No, we haven’t. Who are you confusing me with?
Kasia was so adamant, I thought about it again.
‘Wasn’t it Kasia? Or… Ah!’
I remembered.
Who I’d eaten with before.
It was when I invited Sunwoo over, and we ate with Chilcheon-ri Makgeolli.
- Judging by your face, you just remembered. Who did you confuse me with?
“H-heh, what do you mean confused? Hurry up and eat. It won’t taste good if it gets cold.”
- You’re definitely acting suspicious. It’s obvious you’re changing the subject.
“W-what do you mean, change the subject. If you don’t eat, I’ll eat it all myself.”
- Hmm. I’ll let it go just this once.
I tore the pancake with my chopsticks.
Still delicious.
Ahem.