Snowy Homecoming and Gejang Delight
How's that? Delicious, right? I bought it in Jeonju.
Clouds had rolled in by lunchtime, and by evening, the sky had darkened as snow began to fall. Pfurr! The horse snorted, as if complaining about trudging through the cold.
"Yeah, Chorong. I'm beat too. Let's get home and rest quick."
My hand gripping the reins felt frozen stiff, numb to the touch. My feet, which I'd been walking on since early morning, had gone past numb into a prickling ache. The cloth over my face was damp from my breath, the chill seeping into my skin.
"...There it is."
Chaekho Village came into view just as a thin layer of snow dusted the ground. Seeing it spread out beneath the overcast sky made my chest swell with emotion?!
"Agh! You damn horse head!"
As if asking why I'd stopped and what the hell I was doing, the horse deliberately stepped on my foot.
"Alright! We're going! Go!"
I smacked the horse's face a few times and headed toward the village. Along the way, thoughts of Eori naturally filled my mind. Was she at her parents' house? Or waiting for me at ours? The moment she saw me, she'd surely flash that bright smile, proudly showing off her fuller belly from two months ago. To see that smile, I quickened my pace toward Chaekho Village.
"Oh, right."
Slowing a bit, I checked the load on the horse. Four jars, each the size of a person's head—two on each side—were swaying gently. I'd checked them periodically, but I inspected again to make sure no soy sauce had leaked.
I headed into Chaekho Village and went straight to our newlywed home first. I'd sent a letter saying I'd arrive around this time, so I figured she'd be waiting here. My guess was spot on.
Smoke curled lazily from the chimney, and in the kitchen, Geum-ok was crouched by the hearth, warming herself by the fire.
Overjoyed, I started to call out, but a better idea struck. I quietly unloaded the baggage from the horse next to the gate. Digging through the pile, I pulled out a pouch of candies and slipped carefully into the courtyard.
"......"
Geum-ok, lost in the flames of the hearth, didn't notice me enter. She was entranced, like someone fire-gazing.
I slowly removed the cloth from my face and my gloves as I approached. Even when I stood right in front of the kitchen, she was still mesmerized by the fire, so I called out.
"Geum-ok."
"Eh? Eek!"
She turned instinctively, her eyes going wide. At the same time, the corners of her mouth lifted in delight.
"Master! You're back?"
Geum-ok jumped up happily but lost her balance and staggered toward the hearth.
"Careful now."
I rushed into the kitchen, caught her, and steadied her.
"You okay? Leg cramp?"
"......!"
"Geum-ok?"
Her face was flushed, probably from huddling by the fire so long. Or maybe from being out in the cold too much. I gazed down at her face.
Spotting her slightly parted lips, I slipped a candy between them.
"Hah?!"
She jolted in surprise at just one candy. I waited until she tasted it, then asked.
"How's that? Delicious, right? I bought it in Jeonju."
"Y-yes... It's, delicious......"
It must've been that good. She was mumbling, unable to even answer properly.
Clunk, creak. Then came the sound of the outer door opening. A familiar voice followed.
"Geum-ok? What's going on?"
"Eori!"
Thrilled, I left Geum-ok in the kitchen and stepped out. Eori was peeking through the slightly open door of the nearby annex room by the hearth.
"Husband!"
Our eyes met, and her face lit up with a radiant smile.
"Husband!"
She called again, flinging the door wide open. That revealed her belly, protruding noticeably even under her loose hanbok.
"Husband! You've arrived!"
"Yeah! I'm here! I missed you so much, I hurried back!"
"Heeheeheehee!"
"Ah, no! Don't come down! What if you fall!"
I quickly stopped Eori, who was trying to step down from the porch in her pregnant state.
"Heeheehee! No, it's fine! I'm okay!"
But she not only stepped down but walked barefoot across the courtyard.
"No! Eori! Your feet will freeze! Get back up! Quick!"
"Heeheeheehee!"
Despite my nagging to go back up, Eori just beamed innocently. I approached and gently embraced her.
"Mm, Eori."
"Heehee, Husband. Hm?"
Eori hugged me back, then tilted her head up to look down at me.
"Husband. It feels a bit bigger now."
"No, let's go up first and talk. Come on, up."
I wrapped an arm around her waist and led her to the porch. Sitting her down, I brushed the dirt off her feet.
"Eori. What if you come out barefoot? Your feet are freezing."
"Heeheehee. It's fine!"
"Fine my foot. Look how red they are."
They'd turned bright red after just a moment on the ground. I warmed her cold feet with my breath.
"Haaa."
"Kyaa! Husband! Don't!"
"Just wait a sec. Haaa."
Eori flinched or kicked lightly in protest, but her smile never faded. Once warmth returned to her feet, I tucked them into my lap to keep them cozy. Sitting there, I gazed at her visible belly.
"Our little Shung's gotten so big?"
"Heeheehee, yes. Husband. Shung missed you so much, he grew like this."
If my hands weren't dirty, I'd have stroked that round belly. For once, I regretted warming her feet instead.
Crunch, crunch. Geum-ok, who'd followed me from the kitchen, was munching on her candy. Catching my eye, she asked in a nonchalant tone.
"Master. Where's the baggage you brought?"
"Oh, right."
Only then did I remember the load outside and the horse still tethered there. Swallowing my regret, I pulled Eori's feet from my lap.
"Haaa."
"Kyaa! Heeheeheehee!"
After one more warm breath, I stood up.
"Geum-ok. You making rice? How much longer?"
"Yes! Master!"
Geum-ok nodded vigorously at my question. As if she'd been waiting for it, she grinned proudly.
"Dinner tonight is white rice!"
"For real?"
We usually ate rice mixed with grains. She must've gone all out since I was coming home. This was a godsend.
"Good job! Geum-ok!"
Proud of her, I went to pat her head but settled for a gentle hug since my hands were dirty.
"M-Master?"
Geum-ok froze briefly in my arms, flustered. She glanced up at me, then over at Eori.
"......"
Eori gave a subtle smile and a small nod toward Geum-ok.
"Phew."
Geum-ok sighed in relief, as if given permission. What was that about? Puzzled, I released her.
"Geum-ok! Just make the rice! I'll handle the rest!"
"You'll do it, Master?"
"Yeah! Got it? Just the rice!"
It was almost done, she said. No time to waste. I tossed my self-defense weapons into the room and hurried out the gate to bring in the baggage piece by piece. Then I took the horse to the village stable.
Once inside the wind-sheltered stable, the horse finally stopped snorting.
"There you go. Good job, Chorong. You did well. But don't step on people's feet, okay?"
I patted its back lightly, untied the reins, removed the saddle and hung it on the wall, gave it feed, and only then headed home.
Entering the courtyard again, the warm, nutty aroma of rice wafted even through the cold wind.
"Geum-ok! Rice done?"
"Yes! Just needs to steam now!"
"That's good enough! Come inside!"
"B-But......!"
"I said it's fine! Go play with Eori!"
I picked up one of the jars from the porch and carried it to the kitchen. I ran into Geum-ok on her way out.
She eyed the jar I held.
"Master. What's that?"
"Tonight's side dish."
"Miso? Or liquor?"
"Something like that."
Fermented food, after all.
"Go inside. Quick."
I shooed Geum-ok to the annex and prepared dinner alone in the kitchen. It didn't take long. I took out the contents, prepped them nicely, and plated them cleanly. Three heaping bowls of snow-white rice. No other sides needed. This was plenty.
I set the three bowls of rice and the rice-thief side dish on the tray, carried it carefully to the annex.
"Rice is ready! Open the door!"
The door opened, and Geum-ok stepped out.
"Master! Let me—wait, what's that?"
She reached for the tray but froze, eyes widening in shock.
"This?"
The moment had arrived. Channeling my modern roots, I boasted proudly.
"Ah, this is gejang."
"I know what gejang is."
"Oh, yeah? Well, sure."
It was traditional fare. But what I'd brought wasn't the common flower crab from modern times—it was freshwater crab gejang made with hardy river crabs. Firm meat, rich umami, creamy and savory guts. The parasite issue with freshwater crabs was a problem, though.
So I'd been extra careful. Boiled and cooled the soy sauce every three days before re-pickling, double-checked everything, and only bought two-month-aged batches. It cost me all the pay from building that temporary villa, but worth it.
"Gejang?"
Eori appeared behind Geum-ok. Peering over her neatly combed hair, she smiled at the sight.
"Where'd the gejang come from?"
"Saw some crabs on the way here. Pickled 'em myself."
"Heeheehee! Tell a story that makes sense!"
"Eori?!"
"Give it here, Husband!"
"No, I'll carry it, I'll carry it!"
Eori licked her red lips greedily and snatched the tray like a thief. By the time I entered the room, she was already seated with it on the table.
"Husband! Sit quick! Time to eat!"
"H-Here, sit."
Eori's eyes sparkled more than usual as she urged me on, while Geum-ok—who'd been indifferent at first—couldn't tear her gaze from the gejang.
"Alright! Dig in!"
I sat, picked up my chopsticks, grabbed a plump crab body with its meaty innards exposed, and placed it on Eori's rice.
"Eori. Chew well, okay?"
"Heehee, yes! Husband!"
"Good. Now, our Geum-ok too."
I added one to Geum-ok's bowl as well.
"......"
Geum-ok snatched her chopsticks but hesitated to touch the crab soaking her white rice in dark soy.
Seeing her faint frown, I whispered softly.
"It's safe to eat. Got some for Eun-ok too."
"R-Really?"
"Of course. Eat up before the crabs come back to life and run off."
"H-How can dead things revive?"
People die and reincarnate into Joseon, sure. But like I told Geum-ok, the gejang wasn't just for us. I'd bought enough for Mom, Eun-ok, the in-laws, and even Kim Jin-sa. In hopes his teeth might break on it.
"Mmm! Slurp!"
Eori bit into the crab body heartily, her already big eyes widening further. Probably too salty—she shoveled a big spoonful of white rice and declared.
"Husband! It's so delicious!"
"Yeah? That good?"
"Yes! Heeheeheehee!"
This must be what it feels like to be full just watching. Three months' salary gone on this gejang, but zero regrets.