Yoon Shik seeing his name on the wooden board started crying. Nine years he waited for the exam and finally had qualified which gave him immense pleasure. Do Yeong stepped towards him and with a bright smile said, "You made it, Yoon. You finally made it."
Sunwo was fanning himself and walked towards Yoon. Patting at Yoon's shoulder Sunwo whispered in his ear, "we understand that you are happy. You should not cry anymore as many peeps are watching you." Saying this he leaned back and continued fanning himself.
The people started whispering there about Yoon Shik. Yoon Shik looked at the board once again before leaving from there. "Eomma, Halmeoni, I made it. Thanks for your blessings," Yoon Said to himself and wiped the tears from the back of his palm. He turned back and went away when Sunwo walked near Yeong.
"Your friend is still not recognizing you. What will you do now?" Sunwo questioned, looking at him amusingly.
"What can I do? I will wait till he recognizes me," muttered Do Yeong and they left the ground when they heard the people saying how a low-class young man passed the examination that too with second rank.
"Yoon Shik indeed ahs surprised many people. Even I have never expected that a Sangmin could actually pass this exam," asserted Sunwo. "I am thinking how did he manage to do that? I mean I cannot even think of working and as you have told that he used to work in Baek Chun's restaurant since the age of 10," he further added when he was hit by someone.
"Ahh," shouted Sunwo. He turned to look who had hit her and saw Hani who was running towards the huge wooden board where results were being displayed. "That girl is another Sangmin who seems quite bold to me," murmured Sunwo when Do Yeong said, "She is the sister of Yoon Shik."
"What? They both are siblings? That is why you helped her that day. I thought you like her," murmured Sunwo not smirked.
Do Yeong look at him surprisingly? "Why would I like her? Do not take other meanings," said Yeong while stuttering. "She might be here to see the results of Yoon Shik. You do not know how happy I am," said Yeong with a broad smile.
"I know. You always used to think if Yoon was studying properly or not. But he did an amazing job. He passed this exam but Yeong-ae the real struggle for him going to start soon. He is going to enter a place where I think all are going to despise him except us," stated Sunwo.
"Hmm, you are saying right," said Yeong with a serious tone.
"Well, one more candidate has scored like you. You two are at first position. I want to know about him too. It is like I have never heard his name," muttered Sunwo.
"We will learn about him too in Sungkyunkwan. Sung Tae will be there. I do not what will be his reaction when he will get to learn that Yoon Shik has qualified the exam," said Yeong. As they were walking they reached outside Baek Chun's restaurant where a large crowd was formed.
"Let's see what happened in his shop," said Sunwo and they both went there. As they got in, they saw Baek Chun was quite happy and has put the one day meal free for a day.
"A Sangmin used to work here. What was his name? Ahh- Yoon Shik. He has qualified the exam of civil services which made Baek Chun to put the one time meal here for free." Yeong and Sunwo heard one person saying this to other.
"Ahh, Baek Chun is happy. But where is he?" mumbled Sunwo, looking around. Do Yeong smiled and replied, "Maybe have gone to congratulate Yoon Shik to his house." Sunwo nodded and told him that they should also enjoy free meal.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Yoon Shik came running his house and found so many people outside his house. He slowed down and then went inside the house. "Abeoji," murmured Yoon when one of their neighbourer said, "Yoon Shik you have made us all proud by qualifying the exam. We used to think it is impossible for us but you proved us wrong."
Yoon Shik smiled when Jang Shiwo said, "indeed Yoon made all of us proud." Yoon Shik smiled and then hugged his father tightly. "Abeoji, it is all because of you I am here. I am lucky to have a father like you," said Yoon Shik when they heard the sounds of Horse galloping.
Yoon Shik pulled away and turned back to look when he saw the horses were stopped right in front of his house. The people got aside as they saw the Royal inspector. He walked towards Yoon Shik, followed by two others and stopped a few inches away from him.
Opening the blue colored scroll in his hand he started reading the message written on it.
"The Great King of Joseon wants to see Kim Yoon Shik in the palace. The reason is that Kim Yoon Shik has qualified the exam with second rank and the king is happy. The King wants to bestow him with a special prize during the ceremony of new session of Sungkyunkwan." He then folded the scroll up.
"His majesty wants me to come to the palace?" asked Yoon again for the confirmation.
"Yes, his majesty wants your presence tomorrow in the palace," stated the Royal Chief. He then looked at his left towards his fellow who handed him a nice patterned cloth bag. The Royal inspector handed Yoon Shik the clothes and said, "this is especially sent by his majesty. Wear these when you will come tomorrow in the palace." Yoon Shik nodded and slightly bowed in front of him. The royal inspector then turned and left from there.
The people started praising Yoon Shik while he was smiling hearing them. "This is all thanks to Yeong. If he had not helped me that day, I would not be able to qualify this exam. I should go to his house and thank him at the same time congratulate him," thought Yoon and turned to Jang Shiwo.
"Abeoji, I am going out. I will come back after sometime," said Yoon Shik. Jang Shiwo nodded and told him to return soon.
As he was going, he found a friend from the village, Dae Jung. "Dae Jung, you returned or still-" Dae Jung cut his words and said, "We have returned. I heard about the results. You finally achieved for which you sacrificed your entire childhood."
"Hmm. I am extremely happy that you have returned," said Yoon when Dae Jung hugged him tightly. "At least give a warm hug. Tomorrow you will leave then it will be difficult for me to see you," stated Dae Jung.
"You can come to meet me there anytime. I told you to prepare with me but you always refused," asserted Yoon while patting at his back. Dae Jung pulled away and replied, "You know that my mind is not made for all these. For me it is enough that my friend has qualified the exam. Now, I can tell this to others, proudly." Dae Jung was extremely happy from Yoon Shik result.
"Do you want to come with me? I am going to Do Yeong house," said Yoon Shik.
"Who used to teach you and is first friends of yours. Am I right? Is he returned as well?" Dae Jung asked. Yoon Shik nodded and told him that they should head to his house. Dae Jung agreed and the two left for Do Yeong's house.
~~~~~~~~~
Hani stopped in front of Baek Chun's house. Catching her breath, she looked inside when Baek Chun whispered in her ear, "What are you looking at?"
"I am looking for orabani. Where is Orabani?" Hani asked, still looking in.
"He has not come here till now. Even I am waiting for him," answered Baek Chun. Hani picked up her handbook slightly and almost going to turn when Baek Chun grabbed Hani's ear.
"Ahh," Hani shouted and glared at Baek Chun. "Oldie, what are you doing? Leave me," muttered Hani and grabbed his hands.
"I will not leave unless you get agreed on cleaning the wall," asserted Baek Chun.
"Oldie, leave me else I will shout," said Hani threatening Baek Chun.
"Look at this girl. Instead of cleaning the mess she has created, she is threatening me. Go, clean it," said Baek Chun. "What is wrong with your language? If you did not clean the walls then I will tell Yoon Shik," Baek Chun further added.
Hani huffed and then with a smile said, "Ahjussi, why are you bringing orabani in this? I did not say that I will not do the cleaning. But right now I am busy," said Hani while buttering Baek Chun.
He released her ear and said, "start now. I do not like to repeat my words." Hani gave him a white teeth smile and agreed with him.