Chapter 43: The Lost Ring
The soft sound of recent rainfall lingered in the air.
Water clung to the tips of tree branches, dripping occasionally onto the stone path of the riverside park. The clouds had begun to part, letting shafts of golden light spill across the grass and walkways. A gentle breeze stirred the leaves, carrying with it the earthy scent of rain-soaked soil and blooming spring flowers.
Lee Jihoon sat on a worn wooden bench tucked under a willow tree, holding a chilled bottle of iced tea in his hand. His canvas shoulder bag rested beside him, the corner of a secondhand novel peeking out from its unzipped top.
He had no errands today. No obligations. Just time.
Time to breathe.
Time to exist.
He took a slow sip, letting the coolness settle in his chest, eyes watching the people passing by. A pair of joggers passed with light, rhythmic steps. Nearby, a small child giggled as she chased a butterfly, her father watching patiently from a picnic mat.
The whole park seemed to be enjoying the moment.
That's when Jihoon noticed her.
An elderly woman—frail, with white-streaked hair pulled into a neat low bun—crouched beside a flowerbed that lined the walking path. She wasn't admiring the blossoms. Her hands were moving quickly, brushing through the grass, patting the ground. Her shoulders were tense. Her eyes darted back and forth.
Jihoon furrowed his brow.
He watched her for a moment, then stood, tucking his bottle into his bag.
As he approached, he could hear the faint sound of her mumbling—soft and anxious, as though she was talking to herself.
"Excuse me," he said, keeping his tone gentle. "Do you need help with something?"
The woman looked up, startled. Her eyes were slightly wet, the beginning of panic clouding her features. She opened her mouth, hesitated, then nodded.
"I… I lost my wedding ring," she said, voice trembling. "It must've slipped from my hand. I was adjusting the strap on my bag and I think I heard it fall."
She gestured to the ground, her hands shaking slightly.
"I've been looking for it, but I can't find it anywhere. I don't know what to do…"
Jihoon crouched down beside her. The earth was damp, and the blades of grass stuck together from the rain, making the search more difficult. Still, there was no hesitation in his movements.
"Let's find it together," he said calmly.
Ding!
[New Kindness Challenge]
Help someone find what matters to them.
Reward: 42,000 KRW
Jihoon ignored the glowing text that appeared briefly in his mind and began sweeping his fingers gently through the grass.
They worked in silence, heads bent close to the ground.
Occasionally, Jihoon would glance over at her. She was meticulous—checking the same spot twice, then again. Her lips moved as if praying under her breath.
"My husband…" she began softly, barely audible. "He passed away two years ago. I kept his wedding ring… I wear it on a chain around my neck. But today, I just felt like holding it in my hand. And now…"
Her voice cracked.
Jihoon didn't respond with words. Instead, he kept searching. Every piece of trash, every pebble, every glint of light in the grass made his breath hitch for just a second, hoping it would be the ring.
He moved a little further out, retracing her steps based on the way the grass had been flattened. That's when something caught his eye—a faint shimmer buried in a patch of slightly thicker grass near the edge of the concrete path.
He reached down carefully, pushing aside the blades with his fingers.
And there it was.
A thin gold band, slightly dulled by age, but with a simple, engraved pattern around the edge.
Jihoon held it up, letting the light catch on the metal.
"Is this it?" he asked.
The woman turned immediately. When she saw what he held, her breath caught in her throat. She covered her mouth with her hand, eyes welling with tears.
"Yes," she whispered. "That's it. That's him…"
She reached out with trembling fingers, taking the ring as if it were made of glass. Holding it close to her heart, she closed her eyes.
"For a moment, I thought… I'd lost him all over again."
Jihoon gave her a gentle smile. "Now he's still with you."
Ding!
[Kindness Opportunity Completed!]
Reward: 42,000 KRW
The woman dabbed her eyes with a soft, embroidered handkerchief. Her face was full of warmth now, the panic replaced with gratitude.
"I don't know how to thank you," she said, her voice steadier now. "It may not look like much, but it's the only thing I have left of him."
Jihoon nodded. "I understand."
She looked at him for a long moment.
"Let me at least treat you to tea. Or coffee. Something," she insisted, reaching for her purse.
Jihoon chuckled lightly. "No need. Your smile's enough."
She laughed through her tears and reached forward, gently taking Jihoon's hand in both of hers. Her grip was firm, warm.
"You have a good heart," she said. "The world needs more people like you."
With that, she placed the ring carefully back onto its chain, kissed it softly, and tucked it safely under her windbreaker.
Jihoon watched as she slowly walked away, her steps lighter than before.
He returned to his bench, pulling his bottle of iced tea back out from his bag. He sat quietly for a while, watching the sunlight dance across the river's surface. The sky was fully clearing now, and a few birds chirped above, hopping from tree to tree.
His phone buzzed.
[Bonus Kindness Opportunity Unlocked!]
Sometimes, what you help someone recover isn't just an item—it's a piece of their heart.
+10,000 KRW
Jihoon smiled softly. The words were true.
Then came the familiar daily prompt.
[Daily Kindness Reflection]
"Sometimes, what we help others recover isn't just an item—it's a piece of their heart."
Jihoon leaned back, letting the moment wash over him.
Yeah.
That sounded about right.
One small act at a time.
End of Chapter 43
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