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She clucks her tongue. “Aigoo, yes. Very bad.”
“As in tragic?” I gnaw on the side of my lip.
“Yes, but also bad. Law allows, but still bad. Should find someone new, different. Many people out there.”
I swallow a frustrated sigh. “What about stepsiblings? Euiboot nammae?”
Yang Ilhwa’s expression turns green. She grimaces and shudders. “Those two should not eat rice for a month. Sooooo selfish.” She shakes a spoon at me. “Their family would be bloodied and heartbroken. You know the Chun brother goblins story?”
“No.” And I don’t think I want to, but Yang Ilhwa tells it anyway.
There were two Chun hyungjaes—brothers. The older Chun was lazy and spoiled, but the younger brother worked hard as a woodcutter and gave all his earnings to support his family. One day, the young brother was in the forest gathering acorns for himself and his family. He found a house and entered, believing no one to be home. Inside he heard voices, and so he quickly hid in a closet. Through a crack in the door, he saw a gang of goblins form a circle, bang their clubs on the floor, and chant, “Make gold, make gold, make gold.” Soon a pile of gold appeared. The goblins repeated this chant, but with new forms of riches, until there were giant piles of silver, rubies, and diamonds all in the middle of the floor.
While the goblins were staring at their treasure, Chun’s stomach grumbled. Chun froze with fear, reckoning he was going to be discovered. Instead the goblins assumed a storm had arisen and thunder raged outside. Chun’s hunger remained, and, to stifle any noise, he stuffed an acorn in his mouth, but when he bit down, a tremendous noise echoed in the room.
The goblins were terrified and believed the roof was about to collapse, so they fled the house, leaving Chun behind. The younger brother worried the goblins might return and remained hidden until dawn.
When the first ray of light broke through the dark sky, Chun gathered up as much of the treasure as he could carry, along with the club that one goblin had left behind, and returned home. With his stolen riches, he built a mansion, furnished it with the finest of goods, and showered wealth upon his family. When his treasure was depleted, he took out his stolen club and repeated the chants until jewels and gold filled his floor.
The elder brother grew jealous of his younger brother’s status in the family. He demanded to know his brother’s magic. The younger Chun immediately shared the details of his forest adventure, but the older brother’s ears were closed. He only heard what he wanted. He picked up an acorn, went to the house, and hid in the closet. When the goblins appeared, he bit down on the acorn. Thunder filled the room and Chun rushed out to gather up the treasure, only to find the goblins waiting for him. “Thief,” they cried out and beat him with their clubs.
Some say he died. Other tellings have him returning home in shame.
She taps my shoulder with the spoon and points toward the counter with her chin. “Customers.”
I get to my feet and resume cooking. Yang Ilhwa isn’t familiar with my circumstances so she could not have known the folktale she chose to share closely mirrored my life. The parallels are eerie. Wansu took a rich man’s wealth. To want more is to end in tragedy. Yang Ilhwa’s message is that I should not bang a stolen club against the ground and ask for more lest I be beaten, shamed, or worse. We end the afternoon quietly. I can’t stop thinking about the goblin brothers and Yang Ilhwa is exhausted.
After the last customer leaves, I give Yang Ilhwa my number. “Call me if you need anything. Anything.”
When I get home that evening, smelling of grease and meat and eggs and bread, I hide inside my suite of rooms, texting Yujun and Wansu that I’m not feeling well. I manage to get a shower in before Yujun knocks on my door.
“Should I call a doctor?”
“No. I’m tired. I think all the alcohol I’ve been downing is catching up with me. I don’t have the tolerance that you all have.” I open the door and let him in.
He has a tray of clear broth and rice porridge. He sets it aside and places his hand against my forehead. “You do feel warm.”
Wansu appears in the doorway. “I’ll call the doctor,” she says.
“No.” I wave my hand. “I’m tired is all. I had a tiring day.”
“Oh, more work, then?” Yujun perks up.
“Yeah, something like that.” I feel bad about lying to him. I’ll explain tomorrow when Wansu isn’t here.
“Get some rest, then. Come along, Yujun.”
Wansu has to drag him out. I receive a text a minute later.
YUJUN: I’m staying here tonight. Txt me if you need anything.
