CHAPTER 3

Hani and Yoon Shik entered their small house with the man and his two friends. The neighbours were crying seeing the condition of the two women.

"Ahujushi how are mother and grandma?", asked Yoon.

"Yoon your grandma has passed away.....and your mother isn't opening her eyes....doctor has said...", said the uncle when Yoona opened her eyes.

"Mother...it's fine now. Hani is also with me...see", said Yoon with a smile.

"So..son...you..have to live..ok..okay....protect your..si..sister with your life. Moth..told me you want to study.....i...i"

Yoon was crying. He held her mother's hand and said, "Mother we can talk about this later. Take rest".

"Yo..on... I can't live more... Stu..study hard.....money is..in my bag.....ok..okay....", said Yoona with a broken voice and then closed her eyes.

Hani held her mother tightly. 

"Mother mother wake up...you can't leave us", said Hani while crying.

Yoon Shik was devastated seeing this. The people around him were crying.....

"Let's bury them", said the ahjushi.

After burial ceremony they came home. Hani wasn't stop crying. Yoon tried hard to make her sleep.....

"Hani look Oppa has something for you.....this bracelet will always protect you", said Yoon and helped her wearing the bracelet in her small hand.

After much effort Hani fell asleep. Yoon was sitting beside her caressing her sister's hair.

He came out of the room and saw the ahjushi was still outside sitting on the wooden chair.

"Ahjushi thank you. You should also go now.....", said Yoon.

"Son I will go later. Your grandma was a kind lady and your mother always ready to help me.... I don't have a family but grandma always helped me. After their sudden demise I think I should be your guardian", said the man.

"Ahjushi...", mumbled Yoon.

"My house is beside yours....we can turn it into a bigger one", said the man.

Tears fell from Yoon's eyes and he started crying heavily.

"The person who's my father never bothered once for us but this unknown man is ready to helping us..... Mother is no more. If I hadn't come here then she would be alive today....."

Ahjushi embraced Yoon in a warm hug and patted his back.

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"Oppa Oppa wake up.....it's late morning", shouted Hani in Yoon's ear.

Yoon woke up listening her voice. "Father has prepared the meals. Go freshen up", said Hani with a smile.

"Father?"

"Ahjushi told me to call him father", said Hani.

"Okay....I'm coming", said Yoon and put his blanket on the side along with mattress.

"I'm going out for work", said their father.

"I'm also going out....", said Yoon.

"Where?", asked Hani.

"I've to enroll in school", said Yoon putting rice in his mouth.

"Let's go together....".

"You both have made this house somewhat beautiful", said Yoon.

"Oppa you like it?", asked Hani.

"Hm".

"Okay Hani you've to come with me in the field", said the father.

"Father I'll take her with me.....you don't have to worry", said Yoon with a warm smile.

"Okay. I'll come early....", said father.

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"Yoon you're late today", said Baek.

"Sorry ahjushi.....", said Yoon.

"Who is this girl?", asked Baek.

"My sister, Hani".

"Hani go sit there....your brother has work", said Baek.

Yoon Shik worked till late evening and then came back home. Baek has given few basic books to Yoon to start with. 

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"Oppa I should stay at home", said Hani.

"I can't take that risk. What if someone come and took you?", said Yoon with concern.

"Hani you will come with me from tomorrow. In the field many small girls come with their fathers and mothers. You can play with them", said father.

"Okay...Okay... Oppa I'll go there", said Hani with a smile and hugged her father tightly.

Yoon went to the room and light a candle. He opened the book which Baek has given him. Luckily he was able to study because his mother taught him many basic things. He studied till late night and fell asleep there. 

His sleep broke with early morning bird chirpings. He walked out of the house and did some exercise. He prepared the breakfast for themselves and after that chopped some wood for the fuel.

"Son leave that.....I'll do that", said father.

"Appa(father) I'll do....I've warmed the water. It's in that drum....Go wash yourself", said Yoon while chopping the woods. After completing the household work he packed his cloth bag for the school.

"Sis don't trouble father much....I'll Come there in the evening to pick you up", said Yoon and walked out of the room.

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In the school he used to answer the questions correctly on classical literature but wanted to learn about classical Chinese. He decided to ask for help from Baek.

"What? Classical Chinese? Well it's difficult to her because access is easy for the elites.... But I've a friend who owns a bookstore. He will help us", said Baek while checking the finance book of his restaurant.

"Ahjushi then go with me. I want to learn that....", said Yoon.

"Hmmm...Let's Go", said Baek.

"Gui Hwan check the orders.....I'm going out for a while..".

"Don't worry sir", said Gui.

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"Classical literature. I've plenty of books in that.....but Yoon Shik who will teach you", said Jangmi, the store owner.

"Ahjushi I'll learn myself. Just give me monthly new books on it", said Yoon.

"Okay.....but you've to pay me...15 cents", said Jangmi.

"Ahjushi I don't have that much money now but I'll give you at the end of the month but just 10 cents", said Yoon.

"14"

"No 11"

"Okay 12 final", said Yoon.

"This child knows how to bargain", said Jangmi while laughing and hand over some books to him.

"Thank you Ahjushi", said Yoon.

"But what will you do with these books?", asked Jangmi.

"I'll become a Scholar someday", said Yoon.

"Hahah....you're funny too. Listen kid we're not made for those positions", said Jangmi.

"What if I become?", said Yoon.

Baek and Jangmi looked at Yoon with a surprise but then Jangmi started laughing.

"I have seen many young bloods like you.... When top elites couldn't able to qualify for that exam then how will you. But since you're adamant so if it ever happens which I don't think is possible but still carrying  small probability of that I promise to return back every single penny to you which will you pay for the books", said Jangmi.

"Ahjushi you shouldn't bet this. You will feel guilty when I will become the scholar", said Yoon.

"It will never happen that's why I bet the money", said Jangmi while laughing.

"Thanks Ahjushi....."

"Jangmi we've to return  back....Will meet you this weekend", said Baek and walked out of the store with Yoon.

"Kid don't make such bets. It's impossible for low people like us", said Baek.

"Ahjushi I'm not a low class neither you. One day you will see me as a Scholar", said Yoon and walked ahead.

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In the evening Baek told him to go early so he went towards the agricultural fields. He was crossing the garden when Sung Tae stopped him.

"Hey low class....come here", said Sung Tae.

Yoon ignored him and kept on walking. Sung Tae pointed a bow towards him but the arrows weren't  sharply pointed. 

"Let it be sung Tae", said Do Yeong.

"It's fun friend. He should be taught lesson", said Sung Tae and released the arrow. The arrow hit his cloth bag and pierced through the books. Yoon got scared for a while but then he took out the arrow and threw it on the ground. Yoon glared Sung Tae and walked towards him.

"What's your problem?", asked Yoon.

"Nothing I was having fun with a low class", said Sung Tae and smirked along with two other friends namely Ro Sang and Chan Sul.

"I'm not a low class...", said Yoon glaring into his eyes.

"What? Don't you know me?", said Sung Tae.

"Is it necessary?", asked Yoon with a raised brow.

"Huh....you're quite bold to raise a voice against Prime minister's son....", said Sung Tae and patted at Yoon's shoulder.

"But you are not the prime minister.....", said Yoon.

"What?", said Sung Tae with anger and going to throw punch on him when Do Yeong stopped him..."people are looking at you. It's not wise to hit".

He jerked his hand and walked away. Ro Sang and Chan Sul followed him glaring at Yoon.

"Act wisely brother. He's senior to you", said Do Yeong and walked away.

"Seniority is gained not acquired", said Yoon and walked towards the other direction.

Do Yeong turned back to see him but he was already gone.

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While going towards the field he saw some boys older than him practicing sword fighting. He went there.

"Hey brother can I learn it?", asked Yoon.

"Who are you?", asked the older boy.

"I'm Kim Yoon Shik".

"Not your name but your class".

"I'm from Sangmin class", replied Yoon.

"Sorry we're chungin class", said the boy.

"So?"

"We can't teach you".

"Why?"

"Class is important but if you want to go for military then you can learn it when you will going to fill the space", said the boy.

"Okay....thanks senior brother", said Yoon and walked away.

"Father have you completed the work?", asked Yoon.

"Yes.....Hani Hani", called father loudly. She came running there and hugged Yoon....."Oppa I enjoyed a lot toady.....everybody was asking about this pendant. I told them that my oppa gifted this to me". 

"Really...", said Yoon and held the small hand of Hani.

Their father smiled looking at them.