#86

 

“You really didn’t know? I don’t think so.”

 

“I didn’t know…….”

 

“You’re not fool. What’s with that reaction? It’s not like you’re a person who’s never been in a relationship before.”

 

“…….”

 

‘That’s right.’

 

If I say it’s my first time like this, Yoo Yi-seo will laugh at me……

 

‘I have been solo since birth.’

 

Dating? Such things are also the sweet fruits of life that can only be overcome by being healthy. There’s no way a person who goes in and out of the hospital on a fictitious day has time to have a relationship. Who would even like me? The situation itself was so awkward.

 

“Think about it carefully. I wonder if you really didn’t know anything.”

 

“That…..”

 

I was so embarrassed that I couldn’t say anything. It was even more so because there was nothing to point out.

 

It was shocking that they liked me, but what was more surprising than that was myself, who vaguely recognized this possibility.

 

“Seeing as you weren’t that surprised, I guess it wasn’t like you didn’t know anything.”

 

Yoo Yi-seo teased with his cheeky mouth. I could feel the blush rising on my cheek. I pushed Yoo Yi-seo’s chest.

 

“……noisy.”

 

“So cruel. You know, it’s something you can’t do to your opponent, right? Pretending not to know even though you know it.”

 

What are you talking about?

 

“……That’s not what you’re supposed to say.”

 

Is a dog covered in poop a dog covered in bran? ^[1] There is a  saying that ‘A dog with bran scolds a dog with poop’ (똥 묻은 개가 겨 묻은 개 나무란다) which means people whose faults are bigger and who are incompetent are good at shaming others. Here, Chan-young is wondering if he’s the person with bigger fault here and denying it. Oh, no. I’m not saying I’m a dog with bran. 

“All right…….”

 

“General, I know you’re offended, but I’m just saying what I have to say to your master.”

 

“Bark!”

 

“Is that so? Well, that’s not what I’m saying. But you, who are trying to remain oblivious right now, seem to need someone to tell you this.”

 

“Thank you for that. It brings tears to my eyes…….”

 

It was true that I wanted to pretend not to know. It was my sincere heart that came out when I forced myself to reveal my feelings that I didn’t want to be conscious of.

 

‘I don’t know how to deal with this kind of affection.’

 

I thought I was straight. Because most people are. I thought it would be the same even if I didn’t have any romantic experiences.

 

However, when I was with these rotten alphas, there were times when I felt a storm in my heart. Even if it was a very calm wave, it shook me little by little, who had not yet given my full heart to the world.

 

‘But I’m not really Seong Chan-young.’

 

I remember a horrible, vivid nightmare. There is a man not far away who may be real Seong Chan-young. I’m a fake. My roots are not here, and no matter how much I hide the truth, even my conscience cannot be deceived.

 

I’m not shameless, and I didn’t want to be drunk with love that I couldn’t give back.

 

“Once the positions were reversed, I realized how bad this was. After all, people only know when they experience it themselves.”

 

Yoo Yi-seo’s attitude of smiling and muttering in a gentle manner did not seem like a person who had feelings for me. And that somehow made me feel more comfortable.

 

“Yoo Yi-seo ssi, please stop. You don’t have a heart for me, but you don’t have to say anything mean to tease me on purpose.”

 

“No, it’s not.”

 

“What?”

 

“Did you forget everything I said earlier? That I started liking you because it was fun?”

 

Is this dude crazy? If there’s a guy who likes people for that reason, it’s probably just a guy trying to scam people without even lying through his teeth, right?

 

‘If you like someone, at least don’t be so insincere.’

 

And that person was Yoo Yi-seo. I decided to save my strength to confront him. If I argue with that guy, I’ll be the only one who gets exhausted. Tsk, tsk.

 

“Ah, yes. You like me? All right. I’ll keep that in mind.”

 

“Excuse me? Seong Chan-young ssi, I’m not joking.”

 

“Yes, yes. I’m not joking either, so wash your feet and go to sleep.”

 

“It’s true!”

 

“I said I would keep that in mind.”

 

I don’t know anything else, but I don’t believe what Yoo Yi-seo says. I’d rather plant red beans myself and make fermented soybean paste.

 

‘But what should I do?’

 

My heart is racing up its pulse rate. Until earlier, nothing was wrong, but as I became conscious again, the air that touched my skin changed.

 

I’ve never liked someone or heard that I liked someone. It was my first time. So it was more tense and confusing.

 

‘I… I was just going to farm quietly…….’

 

It was spring. It was a good time to lift people’s minds when the scent of flowers was carried by the wind.

 

I’d become completely unable to predict how things will turn out.

 

⚝ ⚝ ⚝

 

It was spring. It was May in its prime. It’s time for the body to feel drowsy in the warm sunshine. Spring fever was flooding in.

 

“Attention!”

 

At my words, five pairs of flashing human eyes and a slightly wet dog looked at me.

 

“Finally, it’s time to plant rice!”

 

What kind of season is spring? Spring is when flowers bloom and spring winds rise on both the earth and the heart, making couples weave together one after another.

 

‘But there’s nothing like that in my dictionary.’

 

Spring is the season when all things bloom and sprout after the harsh winter. It’s a time of growing up. Isn’t this an important time to pay attention to farming?

 

I decided to forget what Yoo Yi-seo said. I don’t know anything! Anything other than farming is nothing but luxury!

 

“Finally planting rice!”

 

I didn’t envy the well-grown rice seedlings or the five alphas sitting at home. I was waiting for rice seedlings grown with sincerity to be planted. 

 

I was overcome with anticipation and joy. I’m planting rice!

 

“Uh…… Yeah. I’m all awake.”

 

“So you’re going to order us, right?”

 

“What are you even asking, Baek Do-jun. Don’t you see that madness in Seong Chan-young’s eyes? Anyone can tell that he’s a villainous landowner who wants to work.”

 

“You’re not going to use a machine, are you?”

 

“Yoo Yi-seo seems to have already lost his muscles. Looking for the machine first.”

 

“……Seo Eun-soo ssi. Are you picking a fight with me?”

 

Seeing me so excited, the five alpas looked very hesitant. Except for Seo Eun-soo, the rest of the four guys knew well that they would suffer.

 

Those who do not work do not stay in this house. Because of this rule, Chae Yoon-chan’s face was dead.

 

“We can’t do it with machines……?”

 

“Yes, you can’t.”

 

Chae Yoon-chan’s face was ruined like a fallen leaf trampled by passers-by’s feet when I put out several rubber boots and work pants, while saying no.

 

“Why are you behaving like this…….”

 

“So? I told you to go home. You came after me instead of enjoying some kind of wealth and fame.”

 

“You are here.”

 

I flinched. I broke into a sweat at the sound of the barrage.

 

‘Is Chae Yoon-chan like Baek Do-jun or Seo Eun-soo….?’

 

I don’t think so. I hope not. Let’s not axe the top of my foot with a strange imagination. It’s all because of the damn Yoo Yi-seo.

 

‘Let’s not be conscious. Let’s not be conscious!’

 

“Where do I leave something that is so vulnerable that it might collapse at any time?”

 

Chae Yoon-chan grumbled and rolled up his sleeves. The same was true of other alphas. Thanks to me pushing these humans into the field every day, their originally lean muscles were fuller.

 

‘It’s the same for me…….’

 

Perhaps because of the trait of recessive omega, the muscles did not stick as strong as those alpha guys. Still, fine muscles were quite solid and I wouldn’t be treated like a sick person anywhere.

 

—Our Chan-young is getting more and more dashing.

 

‘Chairman Seong liked it, too!’

 

Even Chairman Seong, who often checks my safety through video calls, liked it and said that my shoulders were wider now. There was a time when he jokingly asked me to eat well, wondering if I was filling my meals with chicken breast. 

 

“Chae Yoon-chan ssi.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Do I look like a person who’s really vulnerable?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“…….”

 

“Why?”

 

“No, it’s not…….”

 

Let’s stop. I didn’t expect him to say yes at once. He immediately said yes without a change in his complexion, so I couldn’t say anything more because my pride was hurt.

 

“Today, I’m going to plant rice seedlings that have been grown beautifully to match the seedlings.”

 

The preparations are complete. The rice seedlings I had bought in advance and the rice seedlings I grew were grown in a fresh state by making an additional small green house. The time has come to plant this.

 

‘I’ve been working on the foundation for this.’

 

Having learned information from various media outlets and information from my employee uncle Kim, I plowed rice paddies and filled them with water with tractors in March and April.

 

To show a bit of mercy and to fill my joy, I did not ask the gongs to plow rice paddies and spread the land flat. I swore that it wasn’t because I was confused by what Yoo Yi-seo said at the time.

 

‘It was a lot of fun going on the tractor.’

 

It was always overwhelming and emotional to work my land with my hands. The sound of my heart pounding with a sense of accomplishment was good.

 

“This is love!”

 

I got married to farming. Therefore, I will not be swayed by the harsh words of Yoo Yi-seo.

 

In that sense, I had a duty to woe those alpha guys. For my peaceful and comfortable return to farming.

 

“Everyone, wear gloves and rubber boots. We have to move the rice paddies and plant them in the rice paddies. Oh, don’t forget to wear a hat to cover up the sun. Sunscreen is a must, too.”

 

“……What is this?”

 

Chae Yoon-chan asked questions while looking at the long rope with an anxious eye. I smiled broadly.

 

“That’s the main line. You need a reference point to plant the hairs at regular intervals, right?”

 

“Who’s going to hold this…?”

 

Chae Yoon-chan’s expression lit up a little. Hopeful blue eyes were praying silently to me.

 

What’s wrong?. Chae Yoon-chan. Are you afraid I’ll only make you do boring things to keep a leash?

 

‘No way.’

 

I grabbed a ray of hope and coldly separated Chae Yoon-chan, who was hanging out.

 

“Mr. Kim and other employees will do that.”

 

“Uh…….”

 

“Without a machine! Let’s line up the traditional way and plant seedlings in an orderly manner!”

 

“That…… All of them?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Hah, hah, hah. It would be a tremendous pain to plant rice seedlings all over that rice field while bending down to 90 degrees. My rice paddies are never small. At the same time as the planting, those gongs will only bury their patience in the rice fields and run away today.

• 1. There is a  saying that ‘A dog with bran scolds a dog with poop’ (똥 묻은 개가 겨 묻은 개 나무란다) which means people whose faults are bigger and who are incompetent are good at shaming others. Here, Chan-young is wondering if he’s the person with bigger fault here and denying it.