Mrs. Ha Dong, who was watching, blew her nose on her apron, and Deok San wiped away her tears with her ribbon. “That lucky brat, she ruined her own makeup despite all that fuss she caused…” When Deok San heard that her daughter’s manager had forcibly conducted a body search on her in the office until she was naked once the bus returned to the warehouse, she screamed. Although her heart was in pieces, she didn’t have it in her to stop her daughter from working. They didn’t have a single bit of land. If she stopped working, how would they survive and pay off her husband’s hospital bills? After Mu Ssang came to visit, their dark household turned bright. Her husband, who had been bedridden for several years, managed to stand. They could work on Old Jin Bo’s land without having to pay rent. They had asked their daughter to stop working as a bus conductor, but their daughter refused. She stubbornly persisted until she fell off the platform and broke her leg while dozing off. The company had claimed no responsibility. They said as much as it was her mistake, they couldn’t pay for her hospital treatment. Ultimately, they had to use the money that Kyung Soon had saved up to pay for her hospital treatment. Her injured leg had healed, but the admission fee that had to be paid right away became a problem. They began to feel sorrow as several memories resurfaced. “Hey, sis!” “Ya!” “Take this.” Ha Dong Daek handed her a bankbook and seal. “What is this?” “It’s Sang Chul’s rent account that Ssang entrusted me. He wants you to use it to pay off Jum Soon’s school fees.” “What?” Deok San’s eyes grew wide like a cow’s. What kind of front-kicking ox story was that? “It’s not for free. He said the amount needs to be recompensed, as much as it’s loaned out once Jum Soon finishes school.” “Really?” “Have you been fooled your whole life? There’s even interest. He said he wants you to give Old Jin Bo’s grave a greeting with soju every Daeboreum[1] and eighth month. Ssang’s often overseas.” “Uhhhu, sis!” Deok San clung to Ha Dong Daek as she cried. Her daughter had to hit the iron plate and shout “Alright” while all of the kids her age went to school carrying their school bags. Her heart ached because her daughter never got the chance to board the bus. “Why’re you crying on me? Thank Ssang instead.” “Of course, I should. For a young man, I don’t know how he can be so considerate.” “He’s Choong Mu’s[2] son, isn’t he? You know how kind-hearted that woman is. Whoo,” Ha Dong let out a deep sigh. Just thinking about Choong Mu pained her heart. Her son had grown up to be such an amazing person, but where had the woman disappeared to! “Oi, Jum Soon, you brat, is oppa yours? Why’re you clinging on to him?” Gye Soon and Mal Soon rushed over and dragged Jum Soon by the back of her clothes, away from him. A smile rose on Mu Ssang’s face. That was the leverage effect mentioned in the Book of Changes: “One must be tougher on themselves during difficult times.” Sam Chul ajussi’s family had fallen into a pit of poverty but managed to climb out of it the moment a foothold presented itself. It was because of his healthy family. A healthy family developed their own strength as long as there was an escape route. Mu Ssang had never shown sympathy toward the beggars on the street. There were plenty of beggars on the streets of Paris, too. Those who were called “mendicants” were not only commonly seen in parks and stations, but also the Champs-élysées, Boulevard Haussmann Street where there were clusters of tourist hotels, around luxury shops in Champs-élysées, and Avenue Montaigne. Mu Ssang had never thrown a coin at those mendicants. Those who didn’t work didn’t deserve to eat. There weren’t enough laborers in Paris to the point that the city hall would have been covered in trash and the Seine would have been filled with s

  t in front of him. That was the time of the year when daylight was the shortest. Suddenly, the day grew dark. The tables were prepared in the side building. Covering all the walls were banners and decorations that the girls had brought over. They even prepared a four-tiered cake and mini fireworks. A tear formed in the corner of her eye. Although she had been helpless when she was young, she still found it upsetting that her oppa couldn’t live for himself. “Unni, I’m done. Bring oppa over.” Yeon Soon pushed Jin Soon outside. Jin Soon made her way to the meditating rock. As she predicted, oppa was sitting on the rock like a still object. The snow had accumulated on his head and shoulders. Jin Soon hesitated to call him. Her oppa, who was currently meditating, seemed like an otherworldly person. “Oppa!” Mu Ssang’s eyes flashed open. Whoosh— The snow that had accumulated on his head and shoulders scattered on its own. “Dinner’s ready?” She hadn’t seen him move but heard him speak as though he was right beside her. Jin Soon wasn’t even surprised. The monk and oppa were people with mysterious abilities. “Mm, were you thinking about auntie?” “Hm!” “She’ll be fine. Grandpa monk told you not to worry, didn’t he?” “Of course, she’ll be fine. If she isn’t…” Mu Ssang’s eyes glowed in red. Jin Soon grabbed Mu Ssang’s hands tightly. “Oppa, since your exams are over, I’ll help you too.” “I’m thinking of several ways.” “Think about them later, and take care of yourself. Ajussi and mom are waiting for you.” “Really? Let’s hurry. I feel like my back’s on my stomach.” “In the blue water of the Duman River… Hic!” Sang Chul, who was completely drunk, walked out of Yeongok village. His friend, who’d married a little late, had organized a 100-days-old celebration party for his daughter. The after-effects of drinking several bottles of Kumbokju and beer slowly crept over him. Sang Chul, who had been singing joyfully, suddenly stopped. “What are those b

  stards. Are they planning to sell herbs, climbing in the middle of the night?” Sang Chul tilted his head and continued on his way. Whether others climbed the mountain at night or picked their ears with a pole, that wasn’t any of his concern. “Over and over our comrades’ corpses… My comrades who fell like petals, I bid you goodbye…” A military song, which was off-beat and off-pitch, continued playing around the corner of the mountain. Translator’s Note: In Korea, people living in rural areas are referred to by their place of birth. “Ha Dong” and “Deok San” are village names—where the characters were born—and not their names. For instance, the Soon sisters cannot be referred to as “Ms. Deok San” since they were born on Jipoon bridge. They’d be referred to as “Ms. Jipoon.” For example, if you were born in Washington, you’ll be referred to as “Mrs. from Washington” or “Mrs. Washington.” [1] Daeboreum is a Korean holiday that celebrates the first full moon of the new year of the lunar Korean calendar. It is the Korean version of the First Full Moon Festival. [2] A title. [3] The name of the region where the gang originated from.