Healing in the County Side with a Baby Dragon - CHAPTER 32 (Autumn Camping)

Seol-ah has developed a brand-new hobby these days.

"Bya-bya!"

"Onion."

"Aung-pa!"

"Onion."

"Ah-pa!"

She is absolutely obsessed with learning the names of new objects. Of course, I am her designated answer machine.

She would constantly scan her surroundings with curious, wide eyes until something caught her attention.

"Bya-bya!"

She pointed her tiny finger at an object, calling out to get my attention.

"Apple."

"Shagua!"

"Apple."

"Sha... ah!"

Whenever I told her a name, she would mumble and diligently repeat it with her clumsy, adorable pronunciation. Her words kept leaking out, but even those imperfect sounds were incredibly cute.

"Nurungji—Innu!"

Oh, it looked like her message had actually gone through! When Seol-ah tapped the floor and called out, Nurungji came running over immediately.

"Seol-ah, tell him, 'You did a good job,' and pet him."

"Ung?"

"Say, 'Good boy—'"

"Goo' boy—"

Seol-ah mirrored my movements, gently petting Nurungji and praising him. Nurungji wagged his tail furiously, clearly thrilled by the attention.

Naturally, Seol-ah’s next target was Oh-sik.

"Oshiiik!"

"Did you call for me, Miss Seol-ah?"

At her call, Oh-sik approached and politely dropped down on one knee. It was a remarkably formal greeting for someone wearing a cool, stylish top paired with slim-fit pants. The outfit choice might have looked a bit unusual, but Oh-sik’s striking appearance easily pulled it off.

"You're a good boy too—"

"Seol-ah, you should say, 'You did well.'"

"Did well—"

Seol-ah stroked Oh-sik’s blonde hair while offering her praise, causing Oh-sik to let out a faint, touched smile.

With her morning studies officially wrapped up, Seol-ah giggled happily and pattered down the stairs.

"Oh-sik, let's get to work."

"Yes, my lord."

And so, another bustling day began at the Happiness Growing Farm.

"The volume of our harvest has increased significantly."

"That's true. The crops are growing much faster than before simply because the fire fairies are here."

Although I had strictly forbidden them from forcing the crops to ripen instantly, the sheer presence of the fire fairies caused everything in the garden to flourish at an incredible rate. While our regular buyers were absolutely ecstatic, I couldn't help but feel a bit anxious. If I wasn't careful, I was going to end up becoming a massive agricultural conglomerate rather than a relaxed healer.

After finishing the morning harvest, the three of us headed out the front gate carrying our bags. Seol-ah immediately pointed her hand at the first vehicle she spotted.

"Truck!"

"That's right, a truck. It’s the ultimate demon that Oh-sik is most afraid of."

"Ugh... My lord, are we still bringing that up?"

It seemed Oh-sik still held a deep-seated grudge against trucks.

"Bya-bya!"

"Field."

"Huh?"

"Field."

"Pee-yee-uld!"

"Bya-bya!"

"Gate."

"Gey-toot!"

Holding her in my arms, I happily satisfied Seol-ah’s endless curiosity as we walked. I gently pinched her soft cheek, marveling at how fascinated she was by every little thing in the world.

"Seol-ah, is it really that fun?"

"Yeah! Fun!"

Seeing her bright, dazzling smile, I couldn't help but burst into laughter myself. Oh-sik watched the two of us, a soft chuckle escaping his lips as a bonus.

Before long, the three of us arrived at our destination.

"Grandma Kim, we're here."

It was Grandma Kim’s house. Just as I was about to knock on the door, it swung open.

"Oh, you're here? Jin-sol hyung, Oh-sik."

Hyung-seok welcomed us. Ever since we plowed the fields together, he had insisted I speak casually to him, so I gladly did. Hyung-seok greeted Oh-sik and me warmly, but his face lit up with an especially bright smile when he looked down at Seol-ah.

"Seol-ah came too!"

"Hyung-shuk uncle—hello!"

Seol-ah bowed her head politely from my arms, causing Hyung-seok to beam. There had been a noticeable increase in his smiles lately. Grandma Kim mentioned that before he became paralyzed from the waist down, he used to be a very cheerful boy who laughed constantly. It felt like he was finally returning to his true self.

It was wonderful news. But what was even more welcome was his physical progress.

"Are you using your crutches a lot more these days?"

"Oh, hyung, I'm practically flying around with these things lately. Want to see?"

His body was recovering at a remarkable pace. To prove his point, Hyung-seok quickly traversed the yard on his crutches, even executing a nimble, one-legged turn.

"Wow, look at you! That’s amazing."

"Your movement has truly improved, Hyung-seok."

"Byaaaa—!"

Hyung-seok burst into a joyous laugh at the collective praise from me, Oh-sik, and Seol-ah.

"Honestly, it’s all thanks to you, hyung. My health keeps getting better every day."

"Well, I brought some more Apples of Life to make sure you keep improving. I made sure to hand-pick only the perfectly ripe ones."

"Thank you so much, hyung. I truly won't ever forget this favor."

Even though it was an incredibly profound sentiment, Hyung-seok had a habit of saying these deeply touching things with a completely nonchalant face. Because his delivery was so earnest and light, it didn't feel overly heavy or burdensome to hear.

"Alright, make sure you don't forget it. Later on, when you're completely healed and become a world-famous Hunter, you better not pretend you don't know who I am."

"Haha, I don't think I'm cut out to be a Hunter anymore. Actually, I was hoping you could teach me how to farm apples later."

"Apples? The Apples of Life?"

"Yes."

"Why? Just because you like eating them?"

Hyung-seok looked out into the distance, his face filled with a serene, hopeful light as he answered.

"When I was sick and bedridden, I became hyper-aware of the pain other people go through. At first, I thought about becoming a doctor to cure them, but honestly, I'm not great at studying. So instead, I want to pour my heart into growing these life-saving apples and sharing them with sick people who need them."

Look at him, casually saying such incredibly profound things again. Still, seeing his face filled with genuine hope and dreams felt incredibly rewarding. It was a beautiful expression—one that hadn't crossed his face in years. Before this, he had completely cut himself off from the world, utterly depressed by the prospect of an early death.

"Since it's you asking, I'll gladly share all my farming secrets."

"Really? Wow, hyung, I won't forget this for as long as I live. I swear I'll keep your farming secrets safe until the day I die."

"Yeah, yeah, I got it."

I chuckled, wondering what grand 'secret' he thought he was protecting.

"Oh my, Jin-sol and Oh-sik are here?"

Before I could ask him about it, Grandma Kim stepped out from the house, cutting our conversation short.

"Grandma~!"

Seol-ah instantly wriggled out of my arms and ran straight toward her. Grandma Kim let out a hearty laugh the moment she saw the little girl.

"Oh my goodness, our lovely Seol-ah is here!"

Cradled snugly in Grandma Kim's arms, Seol-ah giggled, her chubby cheeks puffing out with happiness.

"Grandma, I brought you some fresh apples."

"Oh, thank you, dear. You bring something every single time."

"Don't mention it. By the way, Grandma, where are the earthenware jars?"

"They're out in the backyard."

"Alright, Oh-sik and I will handle them. Seol-ah, are you going to stay here with Grandma?"

"Yes!"

Since there was no heavy labor support at Grandma Kim’s house, Oh-sik and I made a habit of stopping by frequently to help out. Today was the day to move the newly prepared kimchi jars into the ground. Oh-sik and I carried the heavy earthenware vessels packed with kimchi, completing the task in a flash. Honestly, it wasn't a big deal for us since it just required a bit of physical strength.

While we worked, Seol-ah stayed right by Grandma Kim's side in the kitchen.

"Grandma, what's this?"

"That is red pepper paste—Gochujang."

"Go-chu-jang?"

"Yes, red pepper paste."

"Gochujang! Grandma, look!"

"And this one is soybean paste—Doenjang."

"Doen-jang."

"Oh my, look at our Seol-ah go! You're so incredibly smart."

"Hehehe—Seol-ah is sma'!"

"Yes, our Seol-ah is the smartest girl ever!"

"Seol-ah, smart!"

Seol-ah was having the absolute time of her life learning the names of various traditional pastes and types of kimchi from Grandma Kim.

"Grandma, we've finished moving all the jars." I called out, stepping back inside.

"Oh, you boys worked so hard."

"Not at all, it barely took any time."

"Here, make sure you take this with you."

As expected, Grandma Kim had already packed a massive bundle filled to the brim with various fruits and side dishes. Today, she added a smaller container to the pile.

"This is pan-fried savory rice cake—Jjangtteok—and some cold radish water kimchi, Dongchimi. Take them home and enjoy them."

'Jjangtteok and Dongchimi.' 

What an absolutely legendary flavor combination.

"The hillside is completely covered in blooming cosmos flowers right now." Grandma Kim mentioned warmly. 

"Take Seol-ah up there for a bit before you head back. It’s a beautiful sight."

"Oh, really? The flowers are already in full bloom?"

It sounded like the perfect location for a relaxing afternoon.

[A Beginner Dad’s Healing Life]

[Quest: Let’s Go on a Picnic!]

[It is a stunning, crisp autumn day. Pack up some delicious snacks and head out for a picnic! The sight of a happy family enjoying a picnic will bring warmth to anyone's heart.]

A system quest popped up right on cue.

"Seol-ah, shall we go on a picnic?"

"Pic-nic?"

"Yeah, let's go to a gorgeous flower field, look at the blossoms, and eat something delicious."

Seol-ah tilted her head, pondering my words for a brief second.

"Love it—!" She nodded with a massive, brilliant smile.

I highly doubted she fully understood what a picnic actually was, but her enthusiasm was all that mattered. Her face clearly stated that she was happy to go anywhere as long as we were together. We decided to take the fresh Jjangtteok and cold Dongchimi that Grandma Kim had packed and turn it into our picnic lunch.

"Huh? Aren't you two coming with us?" I asked, looking at Hyung-seok and Grandma Kim.

"Where?"

"To the picnic, of course."

Hyung-seok and Grandma Kim exchanged a puzzled look before shifting into expressions of pure surprise. It seemed they hadn't expected to be invited along. Well, who ever said a picnic had to be limited strictly to immediate family? We had plenty of food, and there was a gorgeous scenic spot right nearby. If we were going anyway, it was infinitely better to go together.

Grandma Kim quickly waved her hands dismissively.

"Oh, what would an old woman like me look like going on a picnic at my age? Besides, it'll just overexert Hyung-seok's legs for no reason."

"Is that so? That's a shame. I actually thought the fresh air would be great for Hyung-seok's physical therapy."

"No, it's fine. You three take Seol-ah and have a wonderful time."

Since she put it that way, I couldn't really force the issue. I figured we would just have to head up as a trio.

"Grandma! Let's go on a picnic!"

Suddenly, Hyung-seok, who had been standing by silently, raised his voice. It caught us all off guard.

"What are you talking about, Hyung-seok? How can you expect to hike up that hill when your legs are still recovering?"

"I can go anywhere with my crutches now, Grandma! I don't even need my wheelchair anymore!"

"Well, yes, but..."

"I really want to go on a picnic, Grandma. Let's all go together, please? Come on, a picnic—!"

Grandma Kim looked utterly helpless against her grown grandson's sudden, childish begging.

"My goodness, why is a grown man acting like a toddler?"

"Ahaaa, Grandma—"

Seol-ah, who had been watching the exchange with pure amusement, quickly pattered over to join the fray.

"Grandma—"

She began swaying her tiny body side-to-side right next to Hyung-seok, completely mimicking his pleading expression. Oh my look at her. Between Hyung-seok's dramatic begging and Seol-ah's absolute cuteness, Grandma Kim didn't stand a chance.

"Oh, alright, alright! Let's go!" Grandma Kim finally declared her absolute surrender to the combined tag-team attack.

"A brilliant decision, Grandma." I chuckled.

"I'm sorry for causing a fuss and tagging along." Hyung-seok said, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Not at all. I was the one who suggested it in the first place."

And so, the five of us set off to climb the nearby hillside together.

Walking at the slow, relaxed pace of Grandma Kim and Hyung-seok allowed us to fully absorb the surrounding landscape. The autumn sky was so impossibly blue it felt surreal, and colorful leaves were gently drifting down from the trees. With the warm sun shining down and a crisp, cool breeze brushing past, it was the absolute definition of perfect picnic weather.

Before long, we reached the crest of a short hill.

"Wow..."

A vast field of cosmos flowers was in full bloom, painting the hillside in stunning shades of pink, lavender, crimson, and pure white. The delicate petals danced gracefully in the wind, as if waving to welcome our arrival.

Oh-sik and I gasped in sheer awe.

"Hehe—yeaaah!"

Seol-ah was so utterly stunned by the breathtaking view that she reflexively covered her tiny mouth with both hands. It seemed the wide, open expanse had left a massive impression on her. Children really do react with pure magic to the smallest wonders.

With eyes full of sparkling wonder, Seol-ah tightly gripped my pant leg and looked up.

"Bya-bya!"

"Cosmos."

"Koshmoshi!"

"Cos-mos."

"Ko-su-mo-su!"

Having successfully learned the name of the flower, Seol-ah began happily wandering through the field, pointing at individual blossoms and repeating their name over and over again.

"Oh no, where did our Seol-ah go?" I called out playfully, pretending to scan the field. 

"She's hiding among the flowers and I can't see her anywhere! I guess I'll just have to harvest this especially cute flower instead!"

"Giggle—!"

Hearing my voice, she let out a delighted squeal and pretended to hide, covering her eyes with her tiny hands while crouching amidst the swaying blossoms.

"Found you, Seol-ah!"

"Kyaaa—!"

I gently scooped her up into the air, causing her to stretch her limbs out and squeal with pure happiness. Setting her back down on the grass, we laughed together amidst the ocean of swaying flowers. To my eyes, she was infinitely more beautiful than any blossom in the field.

I rolled out a picnic mat near a patch of flowers, and we all sat down to unpack the lunch Grandma Kim had prepared.

Inside the container was the vibrant, reddish-brown Jjangtteok, accented beautifully with fresh perilla leaves. Next, I opened the cold Dongchimi. The crystal-clear broth, paired with perfectly sliced radish and green onions, instantly made my mouth water.

"Dongchimi always tastes best when it's fermented alongside fresh radish greens and scallions." Grandma Kim noted proudly.

It was a true masterpiece—a collaboration of Grandma Kim’s seasoned culinary expertise and the premium, high-grade crops cultivated directly on our farm.

'Well, shall we dig in?'

After ladling the cold radish soup into everyone's individual bowls, I pinched a piece of the savory Jjangtteok and popped it into my mouth. It was the perfect bite-sized piece. The moment I chewed, the deep, spicy kick of the homemade Gochujang flooded my palate, followed immediately by the delightfully chewy texture of the rice cake. Just as the rich, slightly oily notes began to rise, the sharp, refreshing aroma of the perilla leaves completely cleansed my palate. It’s a distinct fragrance that people usually either love or hate, but because it was added in the perfect proportion, it wasn't overpowering at all.

I wondered how Seol-ah would handle it. She took a curious bite of the rice cake I offered and began munching on it.

"Bae—"

Her face instantly contorted into a profound frown, and she began shaking her head violently from side to side.

Seeing her reaction, Oh-sik, Hyung-seok, and I burst into simultaneous laughter. The potent, distinct scent of the perilla leaves was clearly a bit too intense for a toddler's palate.

"Seol-ah, Grandma made a special, separate batch just for you. Here, eat this one."

Sure enough, Seol-ah eagerly devoured the non-perilla rice cake her grandmother handed her, eating with absolute relish. Honestly, her dramatic facial expression from a moment ago was cuteness overload.

To wash down the residual spiciness lingering in my mouth, I took a deep sip of the cold Dongchimi broth. My eyes instantly widened.

'Wow, this Dongchimi is absolutely insane.'

It possessed a spectacularly crisp, refreshing taste—like drinking the very essence of a clear autumn sky.

"Wow! Grandma, this Dongchimi is out of this world!"

"Is it? I'm so glad it suits your taste, dear."

Grandma Kim beamed with pride, especially when Oh-sik silently gave her an enthusiastic thumbs-up alongside me.

"Bya—"

"Is it yummy, Seol-ah?"

"Yum-yum!"

Seol-ah was also thoroughly satisfied, happily gulping down her small portion of the cold radish soup.

After thoroughly enjoying our snacks, I pulled out my phone to take a myriad of photos with the ocean of flowers and Seol-ah as the backdrop. I even recorded several high-definition videos of her playing. In the past, I never understood why parents did nothing but take photos of their babies whenever they went anywhere. But now that I am living with Seol-ah, I finally realize the value of capturing these precious moments so we can cherish them for a long time to come.

As we played and laughed together, a particular sight caught my attention.

"Grandma! Look over here for a second."

"My goodness, you ask for so much."

It was the sight of Hyung-seok and Grandma Kim. The elderly woman was playfully nagging, yet she was dutifully listening to every single instruction her grandson gave her. Her face, as she gazed at the blooming cosmos, was filled with profound, unadulterated joy.

Watching the two of them, I smiled and walked over.

"You two should stand together. Let me take a beautiful photo for you." I said, lightly nudging Hyung-seok's back.

"Huh? Really? Thank you so much, hyung."

Framed inside my smartphone screen, the grandmother and grandson stood side-by-side against the magnificent backdrop of the colorful cosmos field and the endless blue sky. Hyung-seok carefully reached out and tucked a bright cosmos flower right behind his grandmother's ear.

"Alright, look here. One, two, three!"

*Click!*

Even from a glance, I could tell the photo turned out beautifully.

As Hyung-seok stepped forward to take his phone back, I caught a brief glimpse of his lock screen wallpaper. The image quality was slightly grainy, reminiscent of a photo taken with an old film camera. Inside the picture was a young, playful boy sitting in a cosmos field identical to the one we stood in today, flanked by an elderly woman who looked just a little bit younger than she did now. The young boy had a flower perched playfully on his head, and his grandmother was smiling radiantly beside him.

As time marched on, that little boy had grown into a fine young man, and the grandmother had accumulated more wrinkles on her face—yet the profound affection in her eyes remained completely unchanged.

Did he notice me staring at his wallpaper? Hyung-seok offered a shy, awkward smile.

"Oh, this... To be honest, my grandmother has always absolutely loved cosmos flowers."

Comparing the ancient photo on his screen with the fresh one we had just taken, Hyung-seok quietly, resolutely voiced his inner determination.

"I'm going to bring her back here every single year. Next year, the year after that... eventually, I'm going to completely heal, and I'll carry Grandma up this hill on my own back. Absolutely."

A brilliant spark of pure hope shone in the young man's eyes as he looked out across the blue horizon, the vibrant fields, and the grandmother who clearly meant the entire world to him.

"Yeah. That is definitely going to happen."

I smiled and nodded, offering him my full, silent support.

It was a beautiful, unforgettable day, as the warmth of autumn deepened all around us.