Chapter 76 – Grandfather Eoheung (1)

A moment later.

The man explained the child’s situation to Kim Ji-hyuk.

“Ah, there was such an incident?”

“Yes. I live next door to Sang-cheol’s house, and Sang-cheol’s mother caught a fatal illness. They even said it was lung cancer.”

The man said with a troubled expression.

“I see.”

“But although our village has earned some money recently with the opening of the coal mine, it was pie in the sky for Sang-cheol’s family. How could it be easy for a woman to go out and work in a coal mine? Even so, she worked so hard saying she would earn money for Sang-cheol…”

The man’s eyes welled up with tears as if feeling sorry.

“So that is why the child tried to go up the mountain to harvest honey? To prepare for his mother’s medical expenses?”

“That is correct. Although Sang-cheol is young, he is a very thoughtful child. I heard that honey, whatever it is called, is wild honey, so if you sell it, the price is enormous. It seems Sang-cheol heard that rumor somewhere and did that. The young fellow cares about his mother so tremendously. My heart truly aches.”

The man said, wiping his tears with his sleeve.

“What about her husband?”

“I told you. About Sang-cheol’s mother.”

“Ah, is the husband not around?”

“He exists. But do not even bring that wretched bastard up. Crazy about gambling and women, he ran away from home years ago. A bastard who should be struck by lightning out of the blue! Ugh, a playboy who wouldn’t be missed even if fried in sewage water! He is a gambler.”

The excited man raised his voice.

“Why, the child mentioned Grandfather Eoheung, who is that person?”

Kim Ji-hyuk asked, sounding curious.

“I am telling you, that guy is that very bastard!”

“Pardon? What do you mean by that?”

“The greatest scoundrel who broke Sang-cheol’s leg!”

The man grimaced, showing his canine teeth.

The boy who went into the mountain to harvest natural honey to prepare for his mother’s hospital fees.

When he entered deep into the mountain and tried to harvest honey, a man named Cheon Sang-ho, who resided there and collected honey, chased the child away.

The story was that the startled child ran away in a hurry and injured his leg.

“Anyway, that fellow Cheon is not even human. Is the mountain entirely his? I am telling you, he doesn’t let children or adults even show their faces near there. Where else is there a bastard who deserves to be beaten to death like that?”

The man slandered Mr. Cheon, foaming at the mouth.

“So such an incident happened.”

“Yes. He is a rogue with maliciousness plastered all over his face. Not a single person in the village looks kindly upon that gentleman.”

“Is that why the children also call him Grandfather Eoheung?”

“That is correct. A child can go play in the mountains, but whenever that leper bastard saw kids, he was anxious to devour them.”

“Understood. By the way, is Sang-cheol’s mother in such a bad condition?”

“Do not even start. Diagnosed with lung cancer, she is skin and bones, and her appearance is a mess. The neighborhood women say they look after her, but that is far from enough. She is truly a woman with a tragic fate. Could you please take a look at her, Doctor?”

‘If it is lung cancer, there is nothing I can do…’

The man’s face was full of sorrow. If it were something like vaccinations, it would be different, but if it were lung cancer, there was nothing much to do in a rural clinic like this.

Of course, with the current facilities and medical skills, going to a hospital in Seoul would not be very useful either.

“Could you bring the child’s mother to the clinic?”

However, it was an era with so many misdiagnoses.

Kim Ji-hyuk seemed to think it might not be lung cancer.

“Really?”

At Kim Ji-hyuk’s words, the man brightened up.

“Of course. She is a resident of our village, so I must pay attention.”

“Thank you. Thank you so much.”

The man rejoiced as if it were his own affair.

“If it is lung cancer, it won’t be of much help, but I will examine her anyway to see her nutritional status or if she has other discomforts.”

* * *

A week later, the clinic.

“Nurse, what about Sang-cheol’s mother from last time? Is she not coming?”

Having finished his morning examinations, Kim Ji-hyuk asked Nurse Park In-seon.

“Well, it seems she doesn’t have spare time because of the work she is doing.”

“Work? You said she has lung cancer. What kind of work does a cancer patient do?”

“Yes. That is true, but if she doesn’t work, it is not easy to put food on the table. In fact, I was planning to visit her after work today anyway.”

“I see. That works out well. Then, let’s go together.”

“Even though you must be tired.”

“It is fine. It would be good to go check on Sang-cheol’s leg condition as well.”

“Ah, okay. Then let’s go together.”

That evening, Sang-cheol’s house.

Sang-cheol’s house, which he visited in a hurry with Nurse Park In-seon after completing clinic duties.

‘Sigh, to think such a house existed!’

Kim Ji-hyuk let out a sigh.

No matter how rural it was in the 1950s, could such a house exist in this day and age!

Besides, hadn’t they said the village’s circumstances were better than most places in Seoul as the coal mine was developed.

At any rate, it was an incredibly shabby and worn-out house, such that it wouldn’t be surprising if it collapsed at any moment. Although it was small, the collapsed roof on one side and the warped window and door frames looked precarious.

“Doctor!”

When Kim Ji-hyuk’s figure appeared, Sang-cheol came out of his room, limping.

“Yeah. Are you doing a bit better?”

“Yes. I am fine.”

Sang-cheol said bravely.

“You are brave! Then shall the doctor take a look?”

“Yes.”

“Yeah. It seems almost fully healed. Come to the clinic tomorrow. I will remove the splint.”

Kim Ji-hyuk smiled warmly after examining Sang-cheol’s leg.

“I got it.”

“Still, you must be careful for the time being. Running is out of the question. Going up the mountain is also forbidden.”

Kim Ji-hyuk patted Sang-cheol’s head, looking proud. Knowing the circumstances made him feel even more sorry and concerned.

“Yes!”

“By the way, what about your mother?”

Kim Ji-hyuk asked, looking around.

“She hasn’t come back yet.”

“I see. Is your mother always late?”

Sang-cheol’s mother, Shin Jeong-ja, whose physical condition was not fit to directly enter the coal mine, was doing odd jobs around the mine.

“No. She will come soon. She said she would be back by 8 today. Doctor, would you like to come up, although it is humble?”

Although young, he was a polite and kind child.

“Huhuhu, you even know the word humble?”

It was an unfamiliar word for an eight-year-old child to use.

“Well. I heard the grandfathers and grandmothers say it. Doctor, your legs must hurt, please come up quickly. In-seon sister, please come up too!”

“Alright, okay.”

Feeling proud of Sang-cheol’s behavior, Nurse Park In-seon took out a few large hard candies from her pocket and placed them in Sang-cheol’s hand.

“Thank you! Would you two like something to drink? We have arrowroot juice harvested directly from the mountain at home!”

“Oh, no. Your leg hurts, so come over here and sit down.”

Nurse Park In-seon waved both hands.

“No. Mother said we must treat guests when they visit. Please wait a moment. I will bring it out soon!”

Despite Park In-seon’s dissuasion, Sang-cheol headed to the kitchen dragging his uncomfortable leg.

A moment later, the fellow came out carrying a tray.

“Doctor, Sister! It is good for your health. Please drink!”

“Mmh, our Sang-cheol is all grown up!”

Nurse Park In-seon, who was staring at Sang-cheol as he carefully laid down the tray, patted the fellow’s head with tears in her eyes.

“Hehehe, no I am not!”

The fellow blushed as if embarrassed.

“Wow! Sang-cheol! This is really delicious. It suits the doctor’s taste perfectly.”

Kim Ji-hyuk quickly praised him to liven up the mood.

“Huhuhu, the doctor is right! Drinking this seems to wash away all my fatigue!”

At that, Park In-seon chimed in with Kim Ji-hyuk’s words.

“Really?”

“Yes, yes. It is very sweet and nice!”

“I am glad. Drink a lot! There is plenty in the kitchen! Doctor, should I brew you another cup?”

“Ah, no. This is enough. It is fine.”

As Sang-cheol tried to stand halfway up, Kim Ji-hyuk went to lengths to stop him.

While the three were sharing tea and chatting like that, Sang-cheol’s mother opened the brushwood gate woven loosely with tree branches and walked inside.

At a glance, she had a haggard complexion and looked considerably tired.

The bundle she held in her hand looked as heavy as lead.

“Sister!”

Nurse Park In-seon, who felt the presence first, ran to her.

“Has In-seon come?”

“Oh dear, you are not in good health, you should rest. How much do you even earn to work until this late?”

As if feeling sorry, Nurse Park In-seon snatched the bundle from her hand.

“What is the use of idling? I have to earn money for our Sang-cheol’s book fees at least.”

“Still, how could you! By the way, the doctor came along too.”

Nurse Park In-seon pointed to Kim Ji-hyuk.

“Oh my, what brings the doctor here?”

“What do you mean what brings him? He came to check on Sang-cheol’s leg and also see you, Sister. Sister, Uncle Min-su next door told the doctor everything. About you not being well…”

“Oh dear, that gentleman is so meddlesome! Why did he say such useless things?”

She frowned.

“Hello. I am Kim Ji-hyuk.”

He couldn’t pretend not to hear the sounds shared in the small house. Since he came to see the patient anyway, Kim Ji-hyuk stepped down from the wooden veranda and greeted her.

“Oh dear, you must be busy, how did you come all the way here. Doctor!”

Cough, cough, Sang-cheol’s mother, as if embarrassed, swept back her disheveled bangs and let out a harsh cough.

‘Her complexion is bad!’

Severe cough, hoarse voice, cyanosis on her lips, and even a gaunt appearance at a glance. Even if it weren’t lung cancer, one could immediately tell her physical condition was at its worst.

“No. I came out during my free time after finishing all work.”

“Ah, yes. Although it is humble, please come inside.”

“Yes.”

In that way, Kim Ji-hyuk and Nurse Park In-seon went inside the room along with Sang-cheol’s mother.

“Sang-cheol, did you finish your homework?”

“No. I am about to do it now.”

“Yes. Then go to your room and finish your homework. Mother will talk with the doctor and cook dinner for you.”

“Got it.”

“If you are hungry, take this and eat first.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Sang-cheol’s mother handed the bundle to the child. It seemed she had obtained food from somewhere.

“Doctor, you haven’t eaten yet, right? Although there are no side dishes, I will prepare dinner, so please share a spoonful with us.”

Even after entering the room, Sang-cheol’s mother was restless, not knowing what to do.

Her face was filled only with thoughts of how to treat the guest.

“No. I ate before coming.”

“Oh dear, but a precious guest has visited… Then I will bring something to drink at least.”

“Ah, no. Sang-cheol gave me delicious arrowroot juice, so I already drank it. It is fine.”

“That is right, Sister! Our Sang-cheol is all grown up. He is so mature. How did you raise your son so well? He is truly admirable.”

“Did he… He is too mature, and that is the problem. Children should be childlike, but living like this made the child grow up early in useless ways. Poor fellow.”

Cough, cough, Sang-cheol’s mother let out dry coughs.

“Oh come on, why would you say that? Our Sang-cheol studies well and is smart, so he is a talent who will do great things in the future. So do not worry too much.”

“That also requires the parents to back him up, oh my, what a pity. At any rate, Doctor, I caused you concern despite you being busy.”

“Not at all. By the way, I heard that your lungs are not good…”

“Huhuhu, I heard Uncle Min-su said useless things to you, Doctor. It is fine. I have already been to the hospital and heard everything. There is no need for you to worry, Doctor.”

Sang-cheol’s mother repeatedly waved her hands.

“Sister, do not be like that, tell the doctor in detail. Our doctor is someone who was at a big hospital in Seoul before coming here. Okay?”