Chapter 9 – Long Life (Part 4)

Song Yeong-joo’s words of regret continued slowly for a long time. When the long call ended, Junhee thought of her grandmother. At the moment when she finally received Song Yeong-joo’s recognition, it wasn’t Choi Dowook who came to mind but her grandmother.

She wanted to tell her grandmother. That Song Yeong-joo finally acknowledged her. That she thanked her and apologized. That she considered her as precious as a daughter. That Song Yeong-joo would stand against Choi Pil-jae’s opposition and ensure that no one treated her lightly. That she was very sorry and missed her.

Like a child who had received an award, she wanted to tell her grandmother everything. She tried to call her grandmother, but her phone was dead. It made sense since she hadn’t used or charged her phone much while living leisurely with Choi Dowook in Nonsan.

She took a taxi. She mentioned the name of the temple near her grandmother’s restaurant. Her heart pounded heavily, and tears streamed down her face. She smiled broadly and rubbed her cheeks with the back of her hand. Fortunately, the tears soon stopped.

The small, early summer rural scenery passed by outside the car window. Looking at the scenery, Junhee thought about what she needed to do in the future. What she wanted to do, what she could do. She no longer included others’ opinions in her thoughts.

It was a given that Choi Dowook cherished and loved her dearly. She stopped questioning whether she was worthy of his love or how long it would last.

She now knew that it was something that didn’t need a reason. It was an absolute proposition that existed before any logic.

The taxi stopped. On the right was a cement path leading to a hiking trail and a nearby temple, and on the left was a dirt path leading to a reservoir. Junhee took the left path. The bag of twisted breadsticks dangled from her hand. The June sunlight was scorching, but her steps towards the restaurant were as light as a butterfly.

She boldly opened the restaurant door, but neither her grandmother nor any customers were there. She only heard the sound of water from outside the side door of the kitchen. She opened the side door. Her grandmother and Mr. Bae were at the outdoor faucet behind the restaurant. Both had their backs turned to her. A large tree with broad leaves stood beside the faucet, providing shade.

Her grandmother and Mr. Bae were washing cabbages in a red basin with the water running. They seemed unaware of Junhee’s presence as they chatted.

“But didn’t you make kimchi the other day? Why are you making it again?”

“That batch was sent to Seoul a while ago.”

“Sent to that household again? Oh dear. You’re very diligent, ma’am. Junhee doesn’t seem to like sending such things there.”

“What does it matter if she doesn’t like it? I’m going to send it. Don’t you know my stubbornness? I’m Park Deok-sil, who does what she says no matter what anyone says.”

Junhee approached cautiously, thinking of surprising them. She imagined their startled and welcoming reactions.

“Why are you so devoted? No matter how much you like your granddaughter’s husband.”

“It’s because I like him that I do this. Of course, I like our Junhee more. I like him because he treats my granddaughter well. How long do you think I’ll live? When I’m gone, there will only be that household’s elders for Junhee. I’m asking them to take good care of Junhee in my place. Also, she likes that household’s madam. She liked her since she was young, probably because she grew up without a mother.”

Junhee’s cautious steps halted.

“Why do you say she has no mother? You’ve done everything for Junhee.”

“Goodness. How can a mother and a grandmother be the same? They’re different. No matter how hard I try, I can’t be her mother.”

“No matter what, they’re strangers, and you’re her family.”

“No matter what, they will live longer than me.And, if I were in her shoes, I’d prefer the beautiful, young, and elegant madam over me. That’s why I’m asking them to take good care of our Junhee. When I’m gone, she’ll have no one but them. I’m asking them to take good care of my kind and lovely Junhee. So, scrub those cabbages hard.”

“Oh, where do you think you’re going? Even the Grim Reaper wouldn’t want to take a greedy old woman like you. He’ll tell you to spend all the money you’ve saved up first.”

“What do you mean spend? I’m going to give it all to our Junhee.”

Grandmother stacked the washed cabbages with a thud.

“I have no use for the money. I’m giving it all to my granddaughter.”

“Oh my. Even though you fought with Junhee, you still want to give her everything?”

“She wouldn’t have been angry for no reason. She’s such a kind and deep-hearted girl. I’m ignorant and uneducated. I must have said something wrong. What can I do? I’m ignorant. But I’ve learned one truth from living in this world.”

“And what’s that?”

“Money is the best. What’s the use of holding on to the dead for long? Let them go and take care of the living. What else can an ignorant old woman like me give my granddaughter? I’m going to save up all the money and give it to her. Even if she’s left alone without parents or a grandmother, holding money will make her smile even after crying.”

“This old woman is making me cry in broad daylight.”

“You’re such a wimp. That’s why you’re still single at your age. You should find a partner and get married, instead of hanging around an old woman.”

Even though her grandmother scolded him, Mr. Bae sniffled. Her grandmother laughed heartily at him.

“Don’t regret it later and come quickly to help at the restaurant when I call.”

“Mrs. Park Deok-sil, you really are something. How much more are you going to make me work?”

“If you don’t want to be bothered by an old woman, find a woman and get married quickly. Show me your happy life before I go.”

“Don’t go, Grandma.”

Unable to hold back any longer, Junhee hugged her grandmother’s back. Her grandmother flinched and turned around.

“Why do you keep saying you’re going? You have to live with me for a long time. Where do you think you’re going?”

“Oh my, Junhee, you’re here.”

Even if Junhee had said hurtful things, no matter how much she had hurt her, this person, who smiled like a girl at Junhee’s visit, was her most beloved grandmother. Junhee hugged her grandmother’s bent back and cried. Mr. Bae cried along with her.

“I like you more than the Director, more than Choi Dowook. I like you the most, Grandmother. So stop saying strange things.”

Grandmother laughed. Her wrinkled hand patted Junhee’s shoulder for a long time.

***

While they were crying, the guests who had gone hiking returned for lunch. They brought along a couple they met on the hiking trail. Grandmother’s face quickly turned into that of a greedy restaurant owner. She pushed Junhee out, saying she was getting in the way of business and told her to go about her business.

Only after leaving the restaurant did Junhee realize she hadn’t told her grandmother about Song Yeong-joo’s call. Beyond the closed restaurant door, she could only hear Grandmother’s energetic voice asking about the menu.

It was a strange day. A day when she had many things to say to both Song Yeong-joo and her grandmother but ended up saying nothing. Yet, she felt more peaceful and clear-headed than ever. Thinking it was a very lucky day, she turned around.

The distance from the restaurant to the bus stop was quite far. After walking for a while, she reached the stop, but her luck seemed to have run out. No matter how long she waited, the bus home didn’t come. She couldn’t catch a taxi either. Dowook must be waiting. He must be worried since her phone was off.

She walked back towards the restaurant, thinking she might borrow the phone there to contact Dowook. She walked along the asphalt road that lay in the middle of endless fields. The boundary between the sidewalk and the road was unclear.