Chapter 60
Chapter 60
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: Short Trip
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"Huuuh...? That's a bit tricky."
Ji-min's vacation was right around the corner.
Over two months long.
But then she got a summons from her second brother, Ji-hoon.
An invitation to come visit him in America.
Thanks to daily video editing sessions with her new sister-in-law Lily, they had built up plenty of emotional closeness.
But the thought of meeting her in person made Ji-min feel a little shy.
"Ah... Do I really have to go?"
The youngest of three siblings, Ji-min had grown up enduring endless teasing from her second brother, who everyone called a "lunatic" since childhood.
Of course, he always claimed it was his way of showing affection...
But recalling those times when he'd torment her like a madman still gave her chills even now.
Things had mellowed out a lot since he got married, though.
[Have you ever been overseas?]
"Nope? I like Korea just fine."
[Tsk tsk. You need to experience how big the world is. Broadening your horizons isn't just empty talk.]
"I-is that so?"
[And when else are you gonna come to America? You think it'll be easy once you graduate and start working? Look at me. I'm slaving away like a salt farm worker in Dad's place.]
It was pretty persuasive.
Yeah, when else would she get a carefree chance to go abroad if not as a student?
"...So I just hang out and come back?"
[Of course~ You think I'd make you work? Just keep my wife company while I'm at the restaurant. Go sightseeing and stuff.]
"...O-okay?"
"I'll book your flight for the first day of vacation, so come on over. Got it?"
"Yeah..."
[Oh!]
"Yeah?"
[Bring some pretty clothes and cosmetics when you come. Mom knows Lily's size, so ask her. And makeup—get the mildest stuff you can. Got it?]
"Yeah..."
Ji-min hung up and checked the calendar on her desk.
"Hmm~ Vacation starts in two weeks, so plenty of time."
'What should I wear? Should I pack a swimsuit?'
Ji-min was already getting excited for her first overseas trip.
"You crazy bastard brother!!!!!!"
"Dong-hyun, take good care of her. Hahaha!"
Ah~ His reaction is so delicious.
Teasing him never gets old!
I'd just picked up Ji-min at the airport and dumped her straight at the restaurant.
Dong-hyun was manning the counter, so she'd be serving non-stop under his command.
Why? Because Lily and I were heading out for a three-day trip.
The production base was finally nearing completion.
Once things ramped up, there'd be no time for trips, so it had to be now.
I'd asked Dong-hyun to drop Ji-min off at our place after three days.
Just three days.
"Lily~"
"Yeah~"
She seemed thrilled about driving somewhere, grinning ear-to-ear in the passenger seat.
"But didn't your little sister come? Is it okay to just leave like this?"
"Yep~ We talked it over~!"
"Hehe, really? You're too nice."
Truth be told, there was no talk.
I just dumped her there.
Eh, a nice meal when we get back would smooth things over quick.
She's pretty simple-minded like that.
We were headed to the farm.
I wanted to show Lily my dream.
About an hour later, we reached the farm entrance.
As we drove slowly inside, Lily's mouth fell open a little.
"Whoa..."
Her red eyes widened in amazement.
It stretched on forever.
Vast fields of crops blanketed the land.
"Whoaaa, what's all this...?"
The green onion fields seemed to go all the way to the horizon.
Next to them stood rows of sturdy scallions.
Lily practically glued herself to the window, unable to look away.
"Cool, right? This is the production hub that'll spread Korean food across America."
"Sooo biiiig~!"
Lily kept gasping "whoa" at the expansive farmland outside the window.
We parked in front of the management center building.
As we got out, manager Tom greeted us warmly.
"Hoon! Haha, no issues?"
"None here. You? Farm okay?"
"Eh, same old. But the freezer warehouse needs to hurry up. Harvest season's coming soon."
"Haha, just a bit longer, Tom. Oh! This is my wife, Lily. Brought her to show her around."
"Ooh~ The fiancée I've heard so much about! Nice to meet you, Lily. Call me Tom."
"Nice to meet you, Tom!"
Lily greeted him brightly too.
"Shall we head in? Got some stuff to check."
"Yeah, let's go."
Inside the management office, the walls were covered in CCTV screens monitoring the farm.
"They're growing well?"
"Harvest next month. Time to test those machines at last."
Onion and scallion harvesters shipped from Korea.
Neatly stored in one corner of the farm.
We'd used seeders for planting too.
In America, with its massive-scale farming, mechanization was essential.
"So, what's with bringing the wife?"
"Ah~ Taking a three-day trip. Never got a honeymoon."
"Huh? Honeymoon... here?"
Tom looked baffled.
"Take her somewhere nicer! Keep this up, and she'll leave you for an old fart like me."
"Haha. She wanted to see where I work. And Lily's never been to a farm like this, so it'll be novel. Right, Lily?"
"Yeah! It's so amazing!"
Lily's eyes sparkled as she spoke.
"I thought onions were white inside~!"
Exactly.
The onions we used at home were always peeled at the restaurant, so she'd only seen the white flesh.
"Heh."
Tom burst out laughing.
"Oh! Hey, snap a pic before you go, Hoon."
"Huh? Why?"
"I'm a subscriber too. Gotta get a commemorative shot."
"Haha, shoulda said so earlier. I'd have posed."
"What? Not just you two. With Lily here, let's get one together. Gotta brag to my son."
After snapping pics with Tom and Lily, we hopped back in the car.
Our real destination.
Santa Barbara, California's most beautiful beach town.
I'd asked Mark if he knew any resorts around there. Turns out he had a vacation home and lent it to us for a relaxing stay.
Hours later, we arrived at the coastal Santa Barbara.
Following the nav, an unbelievable sight unfolded.
Atop a cliff edge.
A modern two-story villa with pristine white walls overlooked the Pacific Ocean.
An infinity pool fronted the place.
"Whoa..."
Lily stepped out of the car, speechless.
The only sound was the crashing waves.
"Hubby, we're staying here, right?"
Lily asked in disbelief.
"Yeah. Our home for the next three days."
"It's so pretty~ Like something out of a movie!"
Lily ran toward the villa like a kid.
Our real honeymoon had finally begun.
We arrived in Santa Barbara after sunset.
"Whoa..."
Lily kept gasping as we entered the villa.
The luxurious interior was stunning.
We unpacked first.
The long drive had left me hungry, and Lily looked peckish too.
We whipped up a simple dinner with the villa's stocked ingredients.
After eating, I suggested to Lily,
"Lily, how about night swimming?"
"Swimming? Never done it..."
I'd been briefed on the villa ahead of time and packed swimsuits.
"Go change into yours and come out. I'll help you swim."
A bit later.
I was already in my swimsuit by the pool when Lily tentatively opened the door.
I swallowed hard at the sight.
She wore a white one-piece swimsuit.
Simple yet form-fitting, it highlighted her slender figure.
And the dazzlingly pale skin hidden beneath.
Bathed in moonlight and pool lights, she seemed to glow on her own.
"R-ready?"
Lily shuffled over shyly.
"Hubby... Scary..."
"It's fine. I'm right here."
I stepped into the pool first and held out my hand.
Lily gripped it carefully and eased in toe-first.
"Eek! Cold!"
Once she was fully in, I supported her waist and floated her backward slowly.
"Relax. Imagine floating on the water."
"Uuu... Scary, scary! Don't let go!"
Lily clung to my neck tightly.
"Haha, won't let go. Never."
I swam gently around the pool with her in my arms.
Lily was scared but fascinated by her first swim.
She loosened up bit by bit, splashing her feet and making waves.
"Hehe. Fun! Hubby! Am I floating now?"
"Yep. You're doing great, Lily."
With the waves as our soundtrack, in our private pool.
We spent the vacation laughing nonstop.
After about an hour of swimming, Lily and I showered separately.
I'd once joked about showering together, but she'd freaked out.
She's shy.
After showering, we headed to the bedroom.
The villa's lights were too bright for Lily.
Like our first meeting, I lit just a few soft candles.
Orange flames gently wrapped the dark room.
Lily was already sitting up in bed, waiting.
I sat beside her and lightly draped an arm over her shoulders.
She naturally leaned her head on my chest.
"How was today? Fun?"
"Yeah! So much!"
Her voice was a little excited.
"Swimming was scary at first, but you held me tight. It was nice."
"Haha. Let's do it more. You'll pick it up quick. You really like this villa...?"
"Yeah! It's like a house from a movie. Ocean sounds through the window... Feels like a dream."
"We'll come back often."
"Really? Pinky promise!"
Lily looked up at me and stuck out her pinky.
"Of course. Since my Lily loves it so much. Promise."
I hooked my pinky with hers.
"What tomorrow? Sleep in?"
"Hehe. Sounds good. Anything's fun with you, Hubby."
Lily snuggled deeper into my arms.
Ahh.
So happy.
I planted a light kiss on her white forehead.