Chapter 15
Chapter 15
The morning of Baek Seunghee’s birthday.
Baek Seungchan climbed the mountain earlier than usual, finished his Cheonyeong Simbeop training, and then headed to a large market a little distance from home.
Today, he planned to personally prepare a birthday meal for his younger sister.
“Is this fresh?”
“Of course! It came in early this morning!”
As expected of the biggest market in the area, it was already bustling with people despite the early hour.
The lively chatter of customers, the energetic voices of vendors.
Even the earthy smell of the market mixed with the fishy scent in the air.
It might feel unfamiliar to the current Seungchan, but to his past self, it was a nostalgic scene.
“Coming here once in a while isn’t so bad.”
Smiling faintly, he walked through the market. Then he stopped in front of a fish stall, where a middle-aged woman, presumably the owner, spoke to him.
“Young man, what’ll it be? The mackerel’s in great condition today.”
“I’ll take Spanish mackerel.”
Seungchan replied calmly.
Although the mackerel looked good, he chose Spanish mackerel because Seunghee preferred its lighter taste.
“Good choice.”
“How much per fish?”
“Usually 9,000 won each, but for a handsome young man like you, I’ll give it to you for 8,000. How many?”
“Two. Can I pick them myself?”
“They’re all about the same, but go ahead if you want.”
The owner stepped aside, nodding.
‘What difference would it make picking them yourself?’ she thought.
She had been running this stall for over 20 years. People like him weren’t new. But rarely did their picks turn out better than hers.
After all, she already selected only the best stock.
‘Probably watched some video online or something.’
Recently, customers like him had become more common, so she didn’t think much of it.
“I’ll take these.”
Seungchan carefully examined the fish and picked two.
They were clearly different from the others. Their eyes were clear and bright, and their scales shimmered with a silvery gloss.
“You’ve got a good eye.”
The owner was genuinely surprised.
Those two had actually been hidden underneath for regular customers—top-quality pieces.
“Have you cooked before?”
“I was a military cook.”
“Even so, it’s not easy to pick ingredients like this. Impressive.”
She couldn’t hide her admiration.
Even professional chefs didn’t always have such a keen eye.
But who was Baek Seungchan?
A master of disguise known as Cheonmyeongui.
Among the many personas he had taken on were fishermen, merchants, and even a royal palace head chef.
Thanks to that, distinguishing quality ingredients was effortless.
“Come again. I’ll set aside good stuff for you next time.”
“Take care.”
After buying the fish and other ingredients, Seungchan headed home.
Back home, Seungchan rolled up his sleeves and began cooking in earnest.
Today’s menu consisted of five dishes:
clam seaweed soup, grilled Spanish mackerel, bulgogi, japchae, and fresh napa cabbage kimchi.
It was the same birthday meal their mother had always prepared since they were young.
Even after the family fell on hard times, she never missed it.
Seungchan began organizing the ingredients.
He took out the seaweed he had soaked earlier, set the clams to purge in water, and started prepping vegetables.
Slice, slice, slice.
Each movement of the knife was smooth and precise, cutting onions, bell peppers, and carrots into even pieces.
It was the movement of a professional.
His experience as a military cook and his past life imitating a royal chef made it possible.
“What are you doing so early?”
As the dishes neared completion, the bedroom door opened and their mother stepped out.
“Oh my, what is all this?”
Her sleepiness vanished instantly at the sight of the table filled with dishes, except for the mackerel still cooking.
“Today’s Seunghee’s birthday. As her big brother, I thought I’d show off my skills.”
Seungchan smiled brightly.
“I was going to do it… I must’ve missed my alarm.”
His mother looked apologetic.
“It’s not that you missed it—it didn’t go off.”
“What do you mean?”
She looked confused.
“I turned off your and Dad’s alarms last night.”
“That’s why I didn’t hear anything…”
“I really wanted to do this.”
He had always wanted to cook for his family at least once.
Even before regaining his past-life memories, he had felt that way.
Choosing to become a military cook had partly been for that reason.
“Son…”
His mother’s eyes reddened with emotion.
Just then, his father also came out.
“Wow, did our son make all this? Looks like you really learned something in the army.”
His father looked proud.
At that moment, Seunghee’s door opened.
“Something smells good…”
Half-asleep, she walked out and sat at the table.
“What is she doing…”
“Our daughter won’t starve anywhere.”
Everyone burst into laughter.
“Sit down. I’ll serve the rice and soup.”
Seungchan served warm rice and clam seaweed soup, placing the perfectly grilled mackerel last.
“Can we eat now?”
“Not yet. It’s her birthday—we can’t skip this.”
He took out a cake from the fridge.
It was sent by Nam Siwoo, specially ordered from a famous bakery.
“Make a wish and blow out the candles.”
“I’m not a kid.”
“You’re still underage. And birthdays need candles.”
Though she protested, Seunghee made a wish and blew them out sincerely.
“Let’s eat.”
His father took a spoonful of soup—and his eyes widened.
“What’s wrong?”
“Is it bad?”
“No… it’s incredible. The best seaweed soup I’ve ever had… no, second best.”
He quickly corrected himself after glancing at his wife.
Everyone laughed.
“This is amazing!”
“Did you really make this?”
Seunghee’s eyes widened in disbelief.
The soup was rich yet refreshing—easily the best she had ever tasted.
“Of course. I went to the market at dawn just to make this for you. So eat gratefully.”
Still in disbelief, she tried other dishes—and was shocked again.
From that moment, she devoured everything.
“Hey, save some!”
“We should hurry before there’s nothing left!”
Watching the warm family meal, Seungchan made a silent vow.
He would become successful quickly, earn money, and give his family even happier days.
“Let me do the dishes,” his mother said.
“It’s your day off. Just rest.”
After finishing the dishes, Seungchan called out.
“Seunghee, want to go get some ice cream?”
“Can’t you go alone?”
She looked too full to move.
“Well, don’t regret it later.”
“Wait! I’m coming!”
She jumped up immediately.
On the way, she kept glancing at him.
“What?”
“You have something for me, don’t you?”
“…I suddenly don’t feel like giving it.”
“Hey! Give it to me!”
Clinging to him, she whined until he handed her a white envelope.
“It’s your present.”
“Money?”
“Check it.”
She opened it—and her expression froze.
“What is this?”
Inside was an admission brochure for Dream High Practical Music Academy.
“You know it, right? One of the best prep academies.”
“That’s not the point. Why are you giving me this?”
“To go there.”
“No. I’m not doing music again.”
“Then why are you still composing?”
“…What?”
“I saw your notebook when I was leaving for duty.”
Her eyes wavered.
Then he showed her his bank account.
15,820,000 won.
“This is what I earned in a month.”
“…What?”
“Don’t worry about money. I earned it honestly. So just do music again.”
“…No. I won’t.”
Despite wavering, she stood firm.
Seeing how hard he worked every day, she couldn’t bring herself to be selfish.
“Stubborn as ever…”
Seungchan shook his head, but he had expected this.
Money alone wouldn’t change her mind.
“Seunghee.”
His tone turned serious.
“Giving up what you want is harder than you think.”
Her eyes shook.
“You think time will fix it. It won’t. It only gets worse.”
“….”
“I’m telling you from experience.”
He had once given up things too.
“Seunghee… I want you to do what you truly want.”
“Stop it!”
She shouted, tears forming.
“I’m already struggling to hold it in… why are you making it harder?”
“You think I gave up my dream? I didn’t. My dream is for our family to be happy.”
“….”
“And that includes you doing what you love.”
“…Can I really?”
“Yes. Be selfish. And when you succeed, pay me back—with interest. Think of it as an investment.”
“Oppa… thank you. I really wanted to do music…”
She burst into tears and hugged him.
After calming down, she sniffled.
“Sorry…”
“It’s fine. Clothes can be washed.”
“…Okay.”
“Do you think you’ll pass the test?”
“Of course. I’m Baek Seunghee.”
Her confidence returned.
“Want to hear me sing?”
“Sure.”
“Then let’s go home.”
And the siblings headed back together.