Episode 8
Cheeeeek—
Cabbage leaves dipped in batter hit the oiled frying pan, letting out a satisfying sizzle.
After pressing them flat with a spatula to ensure even cooking, Manager Ahn picked up the pan. He loosened the edges of the cabbage pancake with a flick and expertly flipped it in the air.
“Wow!”
As the golden-brown pancake landed back perfectly in the pan, Jin-ju and Min-guk clapped and cheered.
“Sir, you’re so cool!”
“Chef Ahn! Chef Ahn!”
“No need to praise me. Anyone can do it with practice.”
Manager Ahn shrugged nonchalantly, pretending not to notice the enthusiastic thumbs-up from the siblings.
“Here, try it. I’m not sure if it tastes good, though.”
“Thank you!”
As he placed the hot pancake on a plate, Jin-ju and Min-guk quickly picked up their chopsticks and forks.
“Is it good?”
“Yeah!”
The siblings replied with full mouths, cheeks puffed out from the food.
“But can’t this guy do stuff like that too?”
At Jin-ju’s question, Yi-wan—who had removed his suit jacket and was tossing cabbage into the batter—paused for a moment.
“Onyu, you did what the old guy did earlier! Whoosh whoosh!”
Jin-ju waved her arms in the air, mimicking Manager Ahn flipping the pan.
“So? Can’t he do it?”
“Ah, well…”
Manager Ahn trailed off, glancing at Yi-wan, who was stirring the batter with precise, elegant movements even while sitting cross-legged on the floor. He looked more like a Michelin 3-star chef preparing haute cuisine than a man making humble cabbage pancakes.
“This guy…”
Yi-wan beat him to the explanation.
“Hey, kid. What’s your name?”
“I’m Jin-ju! And he’s Min-guk!”
“I’m Min-guk. Cha Min-guk.”
Min-guk, still chewing on a pancake, raised his hand proudly.
“Min-guk, huh.”
Having learned their names inadvertently, Yi-wan wiped his batter-covered hands with a wet tissue.
This entire absurd situation started about 20 minutes ago.
‘What is going on?’
‘Why is that sesame oil-covered peanut back again?’
Mrs. Nam had erupted in fury when she saw Yi-wan arrive with his mountain of moving boxes.
Wanting to explain everything himself, Yi-wan was stopped when Onyu shoved a spatula into his hand.
‘I’ll handle Grandma. You focus on the pancakes.’
‘What?’
‘Frying good pancakes is key to winning. So focus. Got it?’
With determination in his eyes, Onyu led Mrs. Nam into the annex.
Left behind, spatula in hand, Yi-wan ended up cooking pancakes alongside Director Ahn—while also babysitting two energetic kids.
Looking back on it, the absurdity made him sigh. Still, he spoke calmly.
“First of all, I’m not an old man. I’m ten years younger than that old man.”
He pointed at Director Ahn.
“Then what should we call you?”
Without hesitation, Yi-wan replied:
“Brother.”
“Uh, that’s a bit…”
Director Ahn, caught off guard, quickly covered his mouth before saying more.
Yi-wan, smirking at Ahn’s flustered reaction, made a whooshing sound with his lips.
“Yeah… I guess ‘brother’ was pushing it.”
He gave in honestly.
“Call me uncle instead.”
Pointing to the bowl of batter, he added:
“And the key to cabbage pancakes is the batter. Not flashy pan flips. That’s just for show.”
His tone turned serious.
“It’s not that this uncle can’t do it. He just chooses not to—for more important reasons. Understand?”
“Yes!”
Whether they understood or not, the kids responded loudly.
Meanwhile, Director Ahn placed another finished pancake on a plate.
“Thanks for the food!”
The siblings beamed with sparkling eyes as they dug into the second pancake.
Yi-wan chuckled watching them.
They looked like kids who’d normally eat pancakes with maple syrup. But here they were, happily blowing on steaming cabbage pancakes before devouring them.
Ding-ding—
Hearing the wind chime, Yi-wan picked up his discarded suit jacket. Reaching instinctively for his cigarette case, he stopped when he saw the kids giggling with Director Ahn.
‘Is he handling it okay?’
He rubbed his chin, eyes turning to the annex where Onyu had taken Mrs. Nam.
Meanwhile, inside the annex—
Onyu was facing off with Mrs. Nam.
“So you’re the one who brought those sesame-oil-smelling peanuts into our house?”
“Yes, Grandma.”
Onyu replied, carefully watching her flushed face.
“I told him that Mr. Kang Yi-wan would be staying in our village and invited him to stay.”
Although Yi-wan had offered to explain, Onyu took the blame, knowing his grandmother would be furious.
“There are empty rooms anyway. I thought we could take in boarders. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier.”
“You just let a man into the house without knowing what kind of person he is?”
“He’s trustworthy. He wouldn’t harm us.”
“And how would you know?”
Mrs. Nam screamed, unconvinced. All she knew about Yi-wan was that he worked for Seonin Group.
“I checked everything, Grandma. I wouldn’t let just anyone into our home.”
“Still…”
“Grandma. I barely managed to pay employee wages this month.”
Not wanting to reveal too much, Onyu focused on the practical side.
“I didn’t move out of the rental just for fun. I needed income. Kang Yi-wan offered high rent.”
“……”
“Whether it’s compensation or prize money, getting closer to him could benefit us. I’m really sorry I didn’t inform you first.”
Bowing repeatedly, Onyu apologized. Mrs. Nam only moved her lips.
“That…”
Then, she asked softly:
“Do you… want to sell this house and land?”
“Yes, Grandma.”
Onyu didn’t hesitate.
“If I win compensation or prize money, I’ll take you to Seoul. You need proper treatment.”
“It’s not something that can be cured, even with treatment. Why go through the trouble…”
“Who says? I will get better. I have to!”
Onyu’s voice cracked with emotion, rising sharply.
She knew her grandmother’s condition was irreversible—but she couldn’t accept it. Watching her slowly forget everything was unbearable.
“Saying things like that… now you’ve made our pup cry.”
Mrs. Nam smiled softly at Onyu’s reddened eyes.
Her granddaughter, who rarely cried, was trembling. One more word would break her completely.
“Sorry… I raised my voice…”
Onyu wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.
“If the villagers want to sell, we can’t be the only ones holding out like strays.”
“…I suppose so.”
Mrs. Nam nodded slowly.
“If I can’t stop it…”
She muttered, then finally made up her mind.
“Fine. Do what you want.”
Later—
“Sir, are you really okay on your own?”
Director Ahn looked concerned as he watched Yi-wan, hands in his pockets, standing beside the car.
Now that Mrs. Nam had agreed, Yi-wan ordered Director Ahn to return to Seoul—with the mountain of moving boxes they hadn’t even unpacked.
“Why wouldn’t I be? I’ve got a roof over my head and three meals a day.”
Still, Director Ahn couldn’t relax.
The heir to the mighty Seonin Group, living in a shabby old house? In a hallway room barely big enough for a bed?
“This isn’t right. Let me stay and assist—”
Before he could finish, Yi-wan cut in with his usual dry tone.
“Your mother’s surgery is next week.”
“!”
“So be with her. That’s your job as a son right now.”
