CHAPTER 24

Summer vacation had finally begun, and Ji-Won could hardly contain his anticipation as he packed his things, ready to return to Jeju. He had spent his first semester diligently saving every penny just to make this trip. Now, the thought of seeing his uncle and Byeong-Ho again filled him with a warmth he hadn't felt in months.

With his belongings finally packed, Ji-Won made his way to the bus station near the university, his steps light with excitement. The ride to Mokpo would take nearly four hours, followed by a ferry ride to Jeju, but the long journey barely registered in his mind. All he could think about was the familiar embrace of home.

As the eight-hour journey from Seoul neared its end, Ji-Won spotted Jeju's coastline glimmering on the horizon, its lush greenery and endless blue stretching out like a promise. Squinting, he could make out a small figure on the dock, waving wildly. A smile broke across his face—he would recognize that energy anywhere.

"Hyung!" Byeong-Ho shouted, his voice full of youthful enthusiasm, his arms waving frantically as Ji-Won stepped off the ferry. Ji-Won chuckled, his chest filling with warmth. Just seeing Byeong-Ho's unfiltered joy made the months of homesickness fade, if only for a moment.

"Look at you, Byeong-Ho," Ji-Won called back, lifting his hand in a wave. His voice wavered slightly, a subtle reminder of the months apart. He took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the past semester ease just a little.

Then he spotted Uncle Baek, who was waiting nearby with a warm, knowing smile. As Ji-Won approached, his uncle's eyes softened, tinged with concern. "Ji-Won," Uncle Baek greeted, his voice gentle but weighted with worry. He placed a hand on Ji-Won's shoulder, squeezing it firmly. "You look… thinner. Haven't you been taking care of yourself?"

Ji-Won's smile wavered, but he quickly tried to brush off the concern. "I've been fine, Uncle," he replied, though his throat tightened. But he couldn't deny how much he'd missed this—his uncle's steady presence and the warmth that only family could bring.

Uncle Baek gave him a soft yet playful slap on the shoulder. "Well, you're home now. Eat something decent for once!" he teased, though the worry in his eyes lingered.

Ji-Won winced, laughing. "Ouch, Uncle! I promise I'll eat better now." His smile faltered briefly, but the familiar teasing felt like a balm for the exhaustion he hadn't realized he was carrying.

As they made their way home, Byeong-Ho glanced up with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Hyung, have you got yourself a girlfriend at university?" he asked, nudging Ji-Won's arm with a grin.

Ji-Won chuckled, shaking his head. He nudged Byeong-Ho back, raising an eyebrow. "You silly brat," he replied with mock seriousness. "I'm there to study, not chase after girls. What about you? Is that what you're doing around here?"

Byeong-Ho's face flushed, his grin faltering as he threw his hands up in protest. "N-No! It's not like that, Hyung!" he stammered, clearly flustered. Ji-Won laughed, his heart feeling a familiar sense of peace as he watched Byeong-Ho squirm.

"Uncle!" Byeong-Ho finally called out, looking for backup. "Hyung is teasing me again!"

Uncle Baek glanced over his shoulder with a soft smile, shaking his head. "You two really missed each other, didn't you?" he remarked, his tone affectionate. "Come on, let's get home before the sun sets. There's a warm meal waiting."

As they neared the house, laughter and lighthearted teasing filled the air, the feeling of home settling around them like a soft blanket.

***

"Attention, passengers: The flight from Seoul to Jeju has now arrived. Please proceed to Gate 3 for deplaning. We welcome all passengers to Jeju Island and thank you for flying with us. Baggage claim is located in Area B. Have a pleasant day."

Youn-Jae paused as he listened to the announcement, his gaze scanning the crowded terminal. His usual air of composure was slightly cracked, his brows furrowed with an unspoken tension.

"Did you find them?" he asked, his voice low, though there was a trace of unease beneath his calm tone.

Secretary Min adjusted the luggage in his hand and hesitated. "Yes, President," he replied carefully, "but… are you sure this is wise? Following him here? He might be… less than pleased."

Youn-Jae's gaze hardened, a flicker of vulnerability flashing in his eyes. "I don't have a choice. I still haven't told him about the building," he said, his tone edged with determination but tinged with something softer—regret, maybe.

Secretary Min glanced down, his concern clear. "But what if he gets angry again?" he ventured cautiously. "He's already distanced himself so much."

Youn-Jae's jaw tightened, and for a moment, he seemed to falter. "Maybe it's time his uncle knew, too," he murmured, more to himself than to Secretary Min. His voice carried a faint note of desperation, as if he were trying to cling to something slipping away.

Secretary Min sighed, resigned, and gave a slight nod. "Understood, President." He turned toward the exit, muttering under his breath, "Might as well call this a vacation… maybe a change of scenery will do us some good." With a deep sigh, he followed Youn-Jae out of the airport, the weight of their mission evident in every step.

***

The warm sun bathed the tangerine farm in a golden glow as Uncle Baek moved steadily between the trees, carefully plucking the ripe, sun-kissed fruits. The air was fragrant with the sweet scent of citrus, and the rhythmic rustling of leaves filled the quiet morning. Wiping the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand, he felt a sense of calm wash over him, a momentary escape from the usual hustle and bustle.

Ji-Won and Byeong-Ho had gone to the market to run errands, leaving him to tend to the farm alone. It was peaceful—a welcome reprieve. As he placed another tangerine in his basket, the crunch of footsteps approaching along the dirt path caught his attention.

"Good morning, Sir." Youn-Jae bowed respectfully, his voice calm yet heavy with unspoken intent, eyes earnest as he studied the older man before him.

"Hello, young man." Uncle Baek responded with a warm but puzzled smile, wiping his hands on his apron as he scrutinized the two unfamiliar figures. "What can I help you with? Are you lost?" His brow furrowed slightly, a flicker of concern in his eyes.

"No, Sir." Youn-Jae replied, stepping forward and extending his hand, his grip firm and confident. "My name is Han Youn-Jae."

Uncle Baek hesitated for a moment, taken aback by the formal introduction. He wiped his hands again, this time more nervously, before shaking Youn-Jae's hand, his expression shifting to one of confusion. "Do I know you? Have we met before?"

Before Youn-Jae could respond, Secretary Min stepped forward, casually handing a sleek business card to Uncle Baek. The gesture was simple, yet it carried weight.

Uncle Baek's eyes fell on the card, and his breath caught in his throat. His hands trembled slightly as he read the name printed in bold letters. Looking up at Youn-Jae, he struggled to make sense of it all. "I'm not sure I understand why you've come all the way here, Sir." His voice remained polite, but uncertainty laced his words.

"We're here regarding the building where your café used to be," Secretary Min explained, his tone professional yet gentle, sensing the delicate nature of the conversation.

"Oh…" Uncle Baek's voice trailed off, his gaze drifting across the farm, distant memories of that old café flickering in his mind like fading photographs. "But we left that place a long time ago. We've moved on."

"Yes, Sir. And I wanted to sincerely apologize for what happened back then." Youn-Jae's voice softened as he bowed deeply, a gesture of genuine remorse, his eyes reflecting earnest regret.

Uncle Baek's eyes widened at the unexpected apology. He blinked a few times, trying to grasp the significance of this moment. "No need for that," he said, his voice kind but distant. "We've settled here, and everything is fine now. There's no need to revisit the past."

"But, Sir…" Youn-Jae straightened, his expression serious yet respectful. "There's something I need to tell you. Could we talk somewhere more comfortable?"

As Uncle Baek began walking, he glanced at Youn-Jae, his tone warm but edged with curiosity and apprehension. "If it's alright with you, we can talk at my place."

Youn-Jae nodded, and both he and Secretary Min followed obediently. The walk was steeped in silence, the air filled with the soft sounds of nature rather than conversation. The farm slowly gave way to a simple, humble home nestled in the landscape. The silence felt heavy, like a prelude to a storm, as both parties braced for the conversation ahead.

When they reached the house, Uncle Baek gestured toward the entrance. "Please excuse our simple home," he said with a light chuckle, his voice warm yet tinged with embarrassment. "I live with two boys, but they're out running errands at the market."

Youn-Jae looked around and offered a soft compliment, his eyes taking in the space. "It's a beautiful home, Sir—clean, bright, and with such a nice view outside."

Secretary Min nodded in agreement. "The President is right. For a house shared with two boys, it's impressively spotless."

Uncle Baek chuckled, a mix of pride and modesty coloring his features. "Oh, that's all thanks to them. Even though they're boys, they're quite meticulous about cleanliness. The older one is just here for vacation; he's studying in Seoul the rest of the time."

As he spoke, Uncle Baek placed a steaming cup of coffee on the table in front of them. The rich aroma filled the small room, blending with the soothing sound of waves crashing in the distance. The view from the window, overlooking the sea, was serene, a contrast to the turmoil of their discussion.

"It seems like you have a close relationship with your boys," Youn-Jae remarked gently, his tone designed to ease into the real reason for his visit.

Uncle Baek smiled warmly, but a flicker of something deeper shadowed his expression. "They're not my sons," he said softly, sadness threading through his voice. "We're not blood-related, but I've raised them as my own." He paused, gazing out the window, lost in thought before continuing, "Please, sit down. We can talk properly now."

As they all sat at the small wooden table by the window, the room seemed to grow even quieter, the weight of the impending conversation palpable. Uncle Baek took a sip of his coffee, the warmth grounding him. He sighed softly, then looked at his guests with a curious yet calm expression.

"I'm sorry if I've been rambling on about my family," he said, a touch of embarrassment warming his cheeks. "So, what is it that we need to discuss?" His eyes held sincerity, ready for the truth.

"Sir, as I mentioned, this is about the building. We would like to offer it back to you once the construction is fully completed," Youn-Jae proposed, his voice steady and sincere, unwavering in the face of uncertainty.

Uncle Baek's eyebrows furrowed slightly as he considered the offer. "Oh, this is quite an offer. We're already settled here now, and my youngest just returned from school. It would be really difficult for him to move again."

Youn-Jae leaned forward slightly, concern etched in his features. "But, Sir, if that's the issue, I can arrange everything so it's as hassle-free as possible for you." His tone was earnest, filled with a desire to help.

Uncle Baek nodded thoughtfully, his gaze softening. "Thank you so much for your consideration, President. I'll need to discuss this with my boys first."

Youn-Jae offered a reassuring smile, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "There's no pressure, Sir. I just wanted to let you know that you are always welcome to return to Seoul if you wish."

Uncle Baek bowed slightly in gratitude, his voice warm with appreciation. "I really appreciate your kindness, President. My boys will probably be very pleased to hear this, especially Ji-Won, the eldest."

Secretary Min muttered under his breath, his tone barely audible. "We're not sure."

Uncle Baek, catching only part of the comment, looked puzzled. "What was that, Sir? I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch it."

Youn-Jae shot Secretary Min a playful nudge on the waist, his eyes dancing with mischief. "Oh, it's nothing, Sir. Just a little hiccup on his end."

The story doesn't end here...