Chapter 202
Ding-dong.
The doorbell rang on a quiet Saturday afternoon.
Do-Jun set down the newspaper he was reading and walked to the front door to check the door camera. Standing at the entrance was a middle-aged woman who appeared to be in her early to mid-fifties, with tightly curled, permed hair. Do-Jun immediately recognized her as Kim Ae-Soon, the head of the Changshin Villa residents’ association.
When Do-Jun opened the door, Kim Ae-Soon greeted him with a cheerful smile.
“Good afternoon! It’s always a pleasure to see your handsome face, young man. Here, take this. We made a big batch of pickled garlic leaves at the residents’ association. I thought of you and your family and brought some over. Enjoy it.”
Do-Jun smiled warmly and accepted the container of side dishes she offered him. “Thank you.”
“Oh, and there’s another thing... We hold a market every year, but we’re short on help this time. Could you lend a hand? All you’d need to do is help with cooking on the day,” Kim Ae-Soon said.
Do-Jun glanced at the promotional flyer she handed him, titled “A Market of Love andKindness.”
The food to be sold included jeon, noodles, soondae, tteokbokki, fried snacks, and more.[1] What caught Do-Jun’s attention was that the proceeds would go toward helping low-income families, elderly people living alone, and other neighbors in need.
Although the event’s purpose was admirable and Do-Jun was willing to participate, he didn’t think he would be able to make it.
“Is it on Friday?” he asked.
“Yes. Are you busy that day?” Kim Ae-Soon asked.