Minjin's kindness and Heo Yeong-hwan's feelings

It was the weekend when Minjin chose to visit Mrs. Jeong. Upon arriving at the small, cozy eatery, she noticed only a few diners. The warm and tranquil atmosphere and the inviting scent of home-cooked meals enveloped the space.

When Mrs. Jeong saw Minjin, her face brightened, and she approached with a beaming smile. "Minjin-ah, what brings you here?" Mrs. Jeong asked.

Minjin raised her hands to reveal a carefully wrapped box. "I wanted to give you this. It's ginseng—I brought it for you."

Mrs. Jeong hesitated momentarily. "Minjin-ah, you really shouldn't have."

But Minjin gently urged her, pressing the box into her hands.

"Thank you, Minjin-ah. "Are you going to eat? Please, take a seat."

"No, thank you, Mrs. Jeong," Minjin responded, politely shaking her head. "I need to head somewhere else. I only stopped by to give this to you."

The door swung open as she wrapped up her words, revealing Heo Yeong-hwan. His face was slightly flushed, and he held a helmet in his hand.

"Eomma, I finished the delivery," he then froze in surprise upon spotting Minjin. His eyes widened, and he exclaimed, "What are you doing here?"

Before Minjin had a chance to respond, Mrs. Jeong exclaimed, "She brought me ginseng! I'm so pleased you're here, Yeong-hwan. We have another delivery—this one is for Mrs. Cho, just a few blocks from here. But it's too heavy to carry alone."

After a brief pause, she asked Minjin, "Minjin-ah, would you assist my son with the delivery?"

Minjin blinked, surprised by the request. She looked at Heo Yeong-hwan, who observed her with a neutral expression.

After a pause, she nodded slowly. "Of course, I can assist."

Heo Yeong-hwan and Minjin strolled together on the sidewalk while holding part of Mrs. Cho's orders.

The sun was beginning to set, creating elongated shadows on the pavement. A gentle breeze stirred the leaves of the trees along the street.

"You know," Heo Yeong-hwan said with a playful smile, "there's no need to send gifts to my mother. Are you thinking of making her your mother-in-law?"

Minjin glanced at him teasingly, smirking. Then she responded, "I might just be her daughter... and you'd be my sibling."

Heo Yeong-hwan feigned offense, his face twisting in a playful pout. "I don't want to be your brother."

Minjin chuckled at his reaction.

Heo Yeong-hwan's posture eased as he turned his gaze, trying to hide the faint smile on his lips. "I'd rather find another way to keep you near."

A comfortable silence enveloped them for a brief moment, embodying an unspoken understanding.

###

Mun Sara quickly scheduled her Mensa exam. She reached the testing center filled with excitement and determination. After the proctor outlined the rules, the test commenced—a 100-question exam that she was required to complete within 45 minutes.

Mun Sara quickly immersed herself in the questions, her pen racing across the paper. She noticed that many questions appeared unexpectedly simple. As she answered more, her confidence soared. With each correct answer, she began to believe she might actually be a genius. Her self-assurance continued to increase with every passing second.

After 45 minutes, Mun Sara relaxed in her chair, a satisfied smile on her face, confident she had performed well. She submitted her test and left the building, her steps buoyant, and her spirits lifted.

The sun warmed her face as she smiled. As she strolled down the street, she eagerly anticipated the results, sure she would soon be closer to impressing Minjun.