As True as a Dream

A broken rake lay in the dirt in the middle of the yard, split in two.

 

His eyes darkened at the sight of it.

 

From somewhere he could hear a cackling laugh and the sound of flesh being struck.

 

“You freak, where have you been sneaking around again? Zhang Xiu, catch this monster, I wonder how many blows it needs to be bruised, let’s try it! Bring me the pitchfork!”

 

“Sun-ah died because she gave birth to you! She was supposed to be a second-rate river panser for our family and help her father-in-law with his studies! It’s all because of you! You ruined everything by being born!”

 

“I want to kill you, so stay out of my sight. I have no other grandson like you.”

 

The corner of Yi Ho’s mouth twitched at the old, old memory that suddenly came to mind.

 

In the past few decades, many demons had disappeared from the land, and his life had become more peaceful.

 

With peace came freedom, and with freedom came idle thoughts.

 

After he fell ill, those useless thoughts became more frequent.

 

Perhaps it was because his weakening body reminded him of his weakness.

 

Obviously, the person he was then and the person he is now are different.

 

He didn’t want to accept his current state helplessly.

 

That’s why he was looking for Guishan Dao.

 “Boss! Are you okay?” 

Yi Ho, who had been sitting dazed with his eyes down, suddenly opened his eyes wide as Hae-Joo’s face came into view.

 “Let me know if you feel like you’re going to bleed again. Don’t get sick alone.” 

Seeing that he was fine, Hae-Joo retreated immediately.

 

She wrung out the rag in her hand and went back to the living room.

 “I’ll clean up as soon as I can and then we’ll have dinner. Auntie has really good hands.” 

She said what she had to say, turned her back to him and said what she had to say.

 

Yi Ho pursed his lips as he stared across the wide open east room at Hae-Joo’s slender back, kneeling and wiping.

 

His emotions, which had been dull and cloudy, dissipated at once.

 

He was half man and half fox, and Hae-Joo didn’t even know what Guishan Dao was.

 

On the other hand, Hae-Joo was somewhat surprised to see Yi Ho leaning against a pillar with his eyes closed as he looked up from mopping the floor.

 

This rural environment must be strange and unfamiliar to him, but he doesn’t seem to be bothered by anything, from the dilapidated gate, to the thatched house that looks like it might collapse, to the dusty yard, to the cramped room.

 

There was not the slightest complaint or discomfort.

 

It was as if he had never been in this environment before.

 

For a moment, she scratched her head in disbelief.

 

The sun was setting in the sky, and she shook off her thoughts and hurried on.

 

***

 

About 30 minutes later.

 

Hae-Joo and Yi Ho went to Uncle Jige’s thatched hut about 10 minutes away.

 

“Uncle, this is Hae-Joo, I’m here to eat!”

 

She called from outside the thatched gate, and soon the gate opened to reveal Uncle Jige, his wife, and a boy in his early 30s with a tightly coiffed haircut.

 

“Come in, come in. You had a hard time getting here from Gyeongseong.”

 

Hae-Joo smiled and held out the children’s toys and cosmetics from Gyeongseong to the three families.

 “How do I get free food?”

she asked.

 

The three families laughed heartily at her generosity and sat down with her and Yi Ho in the great hall.

 

A large table was already set.

 

A large chicken in a pot sat proudly in the center of the table, and next to it were all the goodies you’d expect to find in the village, such as namuljeon and acorn rice cakes.

 “You must have had a hard time preparing the food, so I will eat well.” 

Yi Ho sat down and bowed politely to Hae-Joo’s uncle and his wife.

 

Hae-Joo sat beside him and nodded.

 “I’m going to break my femur, how am I going to eat all this?” “You’re not supposed to eat it, you’re supposed to feed it to your groom.” 

Hae-Joo’s eyes widened at Uncle Jige’s casual remark.

 

‘My groom! I’m not married yet!’

 

Uncle Jige, who had turned his attention to Yi Ho, shifted his weight and opened his mouth.

 “I hear your name is Ban Yi Ho. I hear you have a good restaurant in Gyeongseong, and I hope you’ll take care of our Hae-Joo. She’s a pearl to my brother.” 

Uncle Jige took a chicken leg out of the pot and put it in Yi Ho’s bowl.

 

Then he took a pure white porcelain jug from under the table, poured it into a large soup bowl, and placed it in front of Yi Ho.

 

Hae-Joo’s hips swayed involuntarily.

 

Not only had she never seen him drink before, but he wasn’t in the best shape right now. 

 

Alcohol was not worth it.

 “Uncle, that’s too bad! It was meant for me, not him. How I’ve missed this taste. It’s rice wine from Aunt’s house, right?” 

Hae-Joo shook her head and held the bowl of rice wine in front of Yi Ho.

 

Seeing this, her aunt whispered something to Uncle Jige, and Uncle Jige stopped offering them a drink.

 

Hae-Joo narrowed her eyes at her witty aunt.

 “Your uncle caught a hen in a hurry in your father’s absence, and you’re going to celebrate in Jingsheng, right? I can’t come to celebrate in person, but you should live well.” *Cough, cough* 

Hae-Joo put the namuljeon in her mouth.

 “Are you okay? No matter how delicious it is, you should eat slowly. Drink this.” 

Hae-Joo pounded her fist on her chest and looked down at the bowl of rice wine Yi Ho handed her.

 “It’s okay to drink a little, I’m here.” 

Yi Ho smiled and offered again.

 

She had gotten the rice wine for him because she was afraid he wouldn’t be able to drink, considering he wasn’t feeling well!

 

‘Is this man trying to force me to drink?’

 

She could see the evil grin under his eyes.

 

Hae-Joo pursed her lips, then took the bowl of rice wine.

 

Since she had taken the bowl of rice wine that belonged to Yi Ho anyway, she had to pretend to drink it.

 

And she was surprisingly drunk.

 

About a bowlful.

 

Hae-Joo glanced at Yi Ho and swallowed the rice wine from the bowl.

 

After a moment of fighting the alcohol in her stomach for the first time in a long time, a piece of well-seasoned chicken hovered at the corner of her mouth.

 

It was Yi Ho.

 “You’re right, Uncle Jige,” he said, “the use of telephones has increased lately, but it’s still a privilege enjoyed by only a few families who can afford it. I think we’ll soon have a telephone that can be connected without an operator.” 

He was carrying on a fluent conversation with Uncle Jige about whatever had been said between them.

 

In her daze, the flesh poked the corner of her mouth again.

 

She opened her mouth in surprise, and the tasty, tender meat slid into her mouth.

 “Haha, this way I can still keep in touch with my aunt and uncle after Hae-Joo marries me.” 

After all the worries he’d had last night at the inn, he found that she was very sincere in her request.

 

He was polite to her uncle and aunt and attentive to her while they talked.

 

As if he really wanted to marry her.

 

***

 

Marriage.

 

She had only ever thought of traveling abroad, but her heart began to flutter at the thought of a future she had never considered.

 

Hae-Joo glanced at Yi Ho without realizing it.

 

Her eyes met his.

 

He gave her a small smile as if to say,

“Am I doing a good job?”

and then placed a bowl of namuljeon on her plate.

 

He looked at her, then placed the namuljeon in her mouth.

 

She smiled, thinking that he was more beautiful than ever when he listened to her.

 

And so the night went on.

 

After Hae-Joo and Uncle Jige had finished about three bowls of rice wine, she got down to business.

 “Uncle, there’s something I want to ask you about, something that happened when I was younger.” “What is it?” 

Uncle Jige, his face a little red from the alcohol, raised his eyebrows.

 “Do you remember eight years ago when I had a fever and wandered around for three days and almost died?” 

As she spoke, Uncle Jige and Auntie looked at each other, then nodded.

 “Yes, I remember. You were the only child your age in the neighborhood, and everyone else was either seventeen or eight or nine years younger than you. All the adults in the village adored you.” “I was the flower of the village.” “What flower? You were just a thunderbird flying from one house to another.” “Uncle!” 

Hae-Joo called out to Uncle Jige like a cry, then looked at Yi Ho sitting next to her.

 

Uncle Jige scratched his cheek and chuckled.

 “…Anyway, something happened at my house around that time?” “What happened…?” 

Hae-Joo asked, and Uncle Jige and her aunt turned to face each other again.

 

After looking back and forth between them, Hae-Joo suddenly raised her eyebrows.

 

It was because of her behavior that they seemed to be exchanging glances.

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