The Reunion
The sun was high in the sky, casting a golden glow over the fields as Haneul-i worked alongside the villagers. His movements were steady, his focus entirely on the task at hand.
From a distance, a man approached the village with urgency in his steps—Jian Yong, his face filled with determination and hope. The villagers, noticing the stranger, greeted him kindly.
"I'm looking for Haneul-i," Jian Yong said, his voice trembling with emotion.
They pointed toward the fields, where a familiar figure was bent over, tending to the crops. Jian Yong's heart raced as he walked closer, his eyes never leaving the young man who bore an uncanny resemblance to his lost son.
"Haneul-i!" he called out, his voice cracking.
The name echoed across the field. Haneul-i froze, straightening slowly as the voice and name triggered a wave of emotions he couldn't explain. Turning around, he locked eyes with the man.
"Dad?" he whispered, his voice barely audible.
Memories came rushing back—a childhood filled with warmth, the feeling of holding a racket, and the sound of his father cheering him on from the sidelines. His knees buckled, tears streaming down his face as he choked out the word again. "Dad!"
Jian Yong ran to him, pulling him into a tight embrace. Both men cried openly, their emotions overwhelming.
"You're alive," Jian Yong whispered. "My son, you're alive."
The reunion moved to the village chief's house, where Jian Yong shared stories of his search for his son and the years of grief he endured. Haneul-i, now piecing together fragments of his memory, listened intently, his emotions swinging between joy and sorrow.
"I knew it was you the moment I saw your face," Jian Yong said, gripping his son's hand tightly. "You have no idea how much I've missed you."
The villagers joined in, offering warmth and hospitality to Jian Yong. They shared stories of how Haneul-i had become part of their family, helping them in every way he could.
"This village saved my life," Haneul-i said, his voice filled with gratitude. "They gave me a name, a purpose, and a home when I had nothing."
The chief smiled. "And you've given us just as much, Haneul-i. We're proud to call you one of our own."
As the night wore on, Jian Yong broached a sensitive subject. "Son, now that I've found you, will you come back to China with me? To your family, to your old life?"
Haneul-i paused, his gaze drifting toward the door. His mind raced, considering the life he had built in Joam-ri, the villagers who had become his family, and most importantly, Soo-jin.
"I don't think I can leave," he said finally, his voice steady. "This village is my home now, and Soo-jin… she's my everything."
Jian Yong's expression softened. "I can see how much this place and that girl mean to you. I won't force you to come back. But promise me one thing."
"What is it?"
"Don't ever lose yourself again. Whether you're Haneul-i or Jian Chen, you're my son, and I'll support you no matter what."
Haneul-i nodded, tears in his eyes. "Thank you, Dad."
The villagers organized an impromptu celebration, lighting a bonfire and preparing a feast. Jian Yong mingled with everyone, thanking them for taking care of his son.
Soo-jin arrived late, having been at the clinic, and froze when she saw Jian Yong. "Is that…?"
"My dad," Haneul-i said, pulling her close. "I remember now, Soo-jin. He found me."
Soo-jin's face softened, and she extended her hand. "It's an honor to meet you, sir."
Jian Yong smiled warmly, taking her hand. "The honor is mine. You've made my son happier than I've ever seen him."
As the night wound down, Haneul-i and Soo-jin sat by the fire, her head resting on his shoulder.
"I'm glad you've found your past," Soo-jin said softly. "But I'm even more glad you're staying here—with me."
Haneul-i kissed the top of her head. "You're my present and my future, Soo-jin. I could never leave you."
From a distance, Jian Yong watched them with a smile. He saw in his son a man who had found not just love, but a sense of belonging.
And for the first time in years, Jian Yong felt at peace, knowing that his son was happy and loved.
Before leaving the village to return to China, Jian Yong had one last conversation with Haneul-i.
"Son, I'll always be here for you," he said. "But promise me you'll visit one day, when you're ready."
"I will," Haneul-i said, embracing his father. "And thank you—for everything."
As Jian Yong left, the villagers waved him off, and Haneul-i stood with Soo-jin by his side, their fingers intertwined.
For Haneul-i, the chapter of rediscovering his past had closed, but his future—with Soo-jin and the village—was just beginning.
The following day, as the morning sun bathed Joam-ri in a warm glow, the peace was interrupted by the sound of a car pulling up near the village center. Haneul-i looked up from his work in the fields to see his father, Jian Yong, stepping out of the car—this time accompanied by Miss Zhang and a newborn in her arms.
Haneul-i furrowed his brows, wiping his hands on a cloth as he approached them. "Dad? What are you doing back? And why are you here with Miss Zhang?"
Jian Yong smiled sheepishly. "I realized I couldn't stay away, son. I sold my company to another firm but retained 60% of the shares. I'm still financially stable, but now I have time for what really matters—you and our family."
Haneul-i's expression softened slightly, though his confusion remained. "Why the sudden change?"
Jian Yong sighed, his voice filled with emotion. "After finding you, I realized I don't want to spend another day without being close to my son. I made mistakes in the past, but I want to make things right—for us, and for your little brother."
Miss Zhang approached with the baby, smiling warmly. "We'd like to stay here in the village, if that's okay."
The villagers, overhearing the conversation, gathered around and welcomed them warmly, offering to help them settle in.
Later that evening, Haneul-i and his father sat together near the bonfire, sipping on drinks and enjoying the quiet hum of the village.
"So," Haneul-i began, breaking the silence. "How do you even know Korean? You were speaking it fluently when you first came here."
Jian Yong's expression turned somber, and he took a deep breath before answering. "You've grown up thinking I was just Chinese, but the truth is, your biological mother was Korean."
Haneul-i blinked, caught off guard by the revelation. "She was? But why didn't I know this?"
"Because she wasn't the person you think she was," Jian Yong said, his voice steady but tinged with sadness. "She cheated on me, had a child with another Korean man, and tried to convince me that the baby was mine. When I found out the truth, I couldn't stay with her. I divorced her and took you with me to China."
The pieces began to fall into place for Haneul-i. "So… that's why my DNA didn't match anyone in China after the crash."
Jian Yong nodded. "Exactly. Your maternal lineage is Korean, but your biological mother was… complicated, to say the least. I never told you because I didn't want you to grow up with resentment or confusion."
Haneul-i leaned back, processing the weight of the revelation. "That explains so much."
"It does," Jian Yong agreed, placing a hand on his son's shoulder. "But none of that changes who you are or how proud I am of the man you've become."
Haneul-i nodded, a small smile forming. "Thanks, Dad."
The next day, Haneul-i approached Miss Zhang, who was sitting outside their new home, cradling the baby.
"Can I… hold him?" Haneul-i asked hesitantly.
Miss Zhang smiled warmly. "Of course, Haneul-i. He's your little brother."
She gently handed the baby over, and Haneul-i looked down at the tiny, wriggling bundle in his arms. The baby blinked up at him, his small hand reaching out to grab his finger.
"What's his name?" Haneul-i asked softly.
"Zhang Wei," Miss Zhang replied.
Haneul-i chuckled. "Zhang Wei, huh? I think we're going to get along just fine, little brother."
Miss Zhang watched the interaction with a smile, her heart full. "He's lucky to have you as his big brother, Haneul-i."
As Haneul-i gently rocked Zhang Wei, the villagers watched from afar, their faces glowing with pride and happiness. It was clear to everyone that the family was starting to heal and grow stronger together.
That evening, the villagers organized a small celebration to welcome Jian Yong, Miss Zhang, and baby Zhang Wei to the community. There was laughter, music, and food aplenty. Haneul-i sat with his father and the chief, sharing stories and drinks.
"I never thought I'd see this day," Jian Yong admitted, raising his glass. "But I'm grateful for it. This village is truly special."
The chief grinned. "We're glad to have you here, Jian Yong. And you're right—this place has a way of bringing people together."
A Visit to Soo-jin
The next morning, after spending time with his new family, Haneul-i headed to the clinic where Soo-jin was working part time. As she looked up and saw him, her face lit up with a smile.
"Morning," she said, setting down her clipboard. "What brings you here?"
"I just wanted to see you," he replied, leaning against the counter. "And to tell you about my new little brother."
Her eyes widened. "A little brother? That's wonderful! When do I get to meet him?"
"Soon," Haneul-i said with a smile. "But right now, I just wanted to see you. You always make my day better."
Soo-jin blushed, reaching out to squeeze his hand. "You're such a charmer."
As they stood there, their connection stronger than ever, Haneul-i realized that no matter where life took him, Joam-ri and Soo-jin would always be the heart of his world.
As the evening air settled over Joam-ri, Haneul-i and his father, Jian Yong, continued their heart-to-heart by the bonfire. The warmth of the flames mirrored the growing connection between the two, a bond being rebuilt after years of separation.
Jian Yong leaned back, taking a sip of his drink, his sharp eyes observing his son. A faint smirk played on his lips. "You know," he began, his tone casual but teasing, "I noticed something the moment I arrived here."
Haneul-i raised an eyebrow. "What's that?"
Jian Yong gestured vaguely, his smirk widening. "The way you walk. It's different now."
Haneul-i's face reddened slightly, and he coughed, turning away. "What are you talking about?"
"You know exactly what I'm talking about," Jian Yong said, laughing. "You've got the stride of a man who's… well, let's just say, had a memorable evening."
"Dad!" Haneul-i exclaimed, his face flushing deeper.
Jian Yong chuckled, enjoying his son's reaction. "Alright, alright, I'll stop. But tell me this—what happened with Li Wei?"
Haneul-i froze for a moment before leaning forward, resting his arms on his knees. "What do you mean?"
"You used to talk about her all the time," Jian Yong said. "Back when you were… well, before the crash. You admired her as a player, and maybe it was more than that. But now…"
Haneul-i sighed, his expression thoughtful. "It wasn't love, Dad. It was admiration. She's an incredible player, and I think part of me saw her as a goal to chase, a way to push myself. But it was never more than that."
Jian Yong nodded slowly, his gaze steady. "And now? You've found something deeper, haven't you?"
Haneul-i smiled softly, his thoughts immediately drifting to Soo-jin. "Yeah. I have. Soo-jin… she's everything to me. She's not just someone I admire—she's someone I want to spend my life with. Someone who makes me feel whole."
Jian Yong clapped his son on the shoulder, his pride evident. "That's good to hear, son. Love like that—it's rare. Hold on to it."
"I will," Haneul-i said, his voice firm.
As the two sat together, the night sky stretching above them, Haneul-i felt a sense of peace he hadn't known in years. He had found his past, his family, and most importantly, his future—with Soo-jin by his side.
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