On a day leading up to the Chuseok holiday, Uijae was asked a question by his regular customers: "Will your restaurant be open for Chuseok?" Uijae had responded indifferently.
âWhere do small business owners get holidays?â
The Hunters seemed excited. Time passed, and soon the Chuseok holiday arrived. Uijae stood in front of the supermarket display, deep in thought. After all, it was Chuseok, and wasnât it only right to eat traditional holiday food? He thought about making food for Haeun and his grandmother for the holiday.
âI could buy it at the market, but wouldnât it be better if I made it myself?â
Kids love to mess around in the kitchen, donât they? It was the age of toys infused with real slime, after all. Heâd heard that childrenâs fine motor skills are important, so making *songpyeon* (rice cakes) by hand could be fun for them.
Uijae moved to the large Chuseok display, his expression serious. The display was filled with offerings for ancestral rites, various types of *jeon* (Korean pancakes), and ingredients for *songpyeon*. The first thing Uijae picked up was sesame seeds.
âHaeun doesnât like beans, so sesame filling would be better...â
He pulled out his phone and searched for a *songpyeon* recipe. Sesame seeds, sugar, rice flour. Should he also make mugwort *songpyeon*? His grandmother might like that better. And while he was at it, he should fry up some *jeon*. After all, the smell of oil is what really makes the holiday feel special.
â*Donggeurangttaeng* is a bit boring... What other kinds of *jeon* are there? *Donggeurangttaeng*, *sanjeok*, *dongtaejeon*, zucchini *jeon*... It would look nice to have a variety.â
Without realizing it, Uijaeâs hands grew busy as he gathered ingredients. The way he swiftly dropped items into his cart was efficient, leaving no room for excess.
By the time he left the store, both of Uijaeâs hands were full.
âThank you~â
â...Did I buy too much?â
He was carrying two heavy shopping bags that were stuffed to the brim like Santaâs sack. The strawberry patterns on the bags were stretched to the point of bursting. Uijae looked up at the sky and let out a long sigh as he trudged forward. Well, whatever. If there was too much, he could always serve the leftovers as side dishes at the hangover soup restaurant.
He didnât realize at the time that this decision would turn out to be a major mistake.
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*Hiss*â the *jeon* sizzled as they browned on the frying pan. The savory smell of the oil tickled Uijaeâs nose, but he couldnât enjoy it. Holding the spatula, his hand trembled.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
âThereâs too much to doâ¦!â