BTA 04

chapter 04

Honey, Healing

Is there ever a quiet day in a house where children are being raised?

It was early dawn.

While I was feeding formula to my youngest, Wan, on the sofa in the first-floor living room, a commotion was breaking out upstairs.

All thanks to my three younger siblings—eight-year-old, four-year-old, and two-year-old—who had woken up unusually early.

Bang-bang-bang!

“Eeeh~? Yuji noona~ This broke~”

“Oh, goodness~! Lee Somang! Did you cause another accident? And why do you look so happy about it?”

“Hehe.”

Patatata-ta-ta-ta!

“Hae-nam! I told you not to run near the stairs!”

“Yaaaaaaaah~!!”

“You’re going to fall! If you fall, it’ll hurt, okay?”

Patatata-ta-ta-ta!

“Yaaaaaaaahhhhhhh~!!”

Patatata-ta-ta-ta!

Thud!

“…Uwa? Uwaaaa~ Uwaaaaaaaah~!! Eeeeeeeeng~~”

Even from downstairs, it was obvious that he had fallen and was crying.

Worried, I looked toward the second floor and called out.

“Yuji! Is Hae-nam okay?”

“Mm-hmm~ He’s okay, oppa! Hae-nam just fell~”

“Is he bleeding?”

“Uh-huh~”

“Then that’s fine! Comfort him well!”

“Okay~”

Tap- Tap- Tap- Tap-

When I turned my head, my third-youngest sibling, Yuji, was coming down the stairs while holding Hae-nam’s hand.

“Sniffle. Hiiiing. Waaah~”

“Hae-nam. It’s dangerous to run on the second floor, so I told you to tell Noona if you want to run, right?”

“Sniff. Sniff. Mm-hmm.”

“If Hae-nam gets hurt, Noona’s heart hurts too. Noona likes seeing Hae-nam laughing happily. If you want to run, you have to tell me, okay? I’ll take you out to the yard, okay? You can run around and play as much as you want there.”

“Sniff. Mm-hmm.”

“Don’t run fast on the second floor. Just walk slowly and carefully. Does it still hurt?”

Hae-nam smiled brightly again.

“Mm-hmm. Noona, noona~ Hae-nam. Run~ Run~”

“Really? You want to run around and play?”

“Mm-hmm!”

“Me too, me too~”

Tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-

Just then, Somang came down from the second floor behind them and grabbed Hae-nam’s hand.

“Hae-nam~ Let’s play with big bro! Come on!”

“Hehehe~! Go. Big bro.”

“Noona~ Can I play ball with Hae-nam in the yard?!”

“Sure, sure. Have fun. Somang, take good care of Hae-nam. You have to come back after exactly thirty minutes because it’s time to eat soon. And don’t go toward the rice fields where the dogs are! Lee Somang! Got it?”

“Wish Boy~ To the rescue~~~!”

With his own unique answer, Somang dragged Hae-nam outside.

Yuji chuckled as she came over to the sofa. She gently poked Wan’s cheek as he blinked sleepily with the bottle in his mouth.

“Aww~ So cute. Hehe.”

“Yuji. I think we need to increase Wan’s formula now. From what I’ve seen lately, it seems like it’s a little insufficient. He keeps smacking his lips even after finishing it. Hmm. Let’s add just one more spoonful.”

“Okay. I’ll make a note of it! But oppa, aren’t you going to your part-time job?”

I checked the time.

It was 6:30 a.m.

“Oh. If I want to get there before nine, I need to get ready and leave now. Can you burp Wan for me?”

“Okay! Leave Wan to me and hurry up.”

I handed Wan over and stood up from the sofa, but Yuji cautiously asked,

“But oppa. That new part-time job you said you found yesterday—what kind of work is it?”

I pointed at Wan.

“Taking care of Wan’s friend.”

“Eeeh?? You’re taking care of Wan’s friend?”

“Yeah. It’s commonly called babysitting, haha. The baby I’m taking care of is a boy who was born this year. He’s just over fifty days old.”

Yuji’s eyes widened.

“Who hired you?”

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Someone. A person with really, really long hair. I’m going to be late. See you tonight!”

“?”

Yesterday evening.

On my way home after the interview, Manager Yang called me.

[Hee-soo’s older sister had some circumstances come up, so she went straight to Hong Kong after leaving the postpartum care center. Technically, we could find another solution, but Hee-soo is very close to her sister. She’s her only blood relative, after all. Anyway, you’ll learn the details little by little. Just be careful not to let any strange rumors spread outside, Hyuk-chan. The security at Town Palace is extremely strict anyway, so it should be fine.]

“Don’t worry. Starting tomorrow, Ms. Hee-soo will be my employer, so of course I’ll keep my mouth shut.”

[Hee-soo really picked the right person. So you’re starting tomorrow. Hmm~ Is there anything else you’re curious about?]

“There’s a lot. I’ll start asking you now.”

After that, we talked for over an hour, going over how the job would work.

In truth, I only knew that I would be working as a live-in babysitter and knew the basic conditions. I had no idea what the working environment or exact duties would be.

For starters, I was guaranteed to work five days a week for the three-month vacation period.

After school started again, we would discuss additional work depending on my schedule.

The real problem was—

Neither Manager Yang nor Ahn Hee-soo had actually figured out what duties a babysitter was supposed to handle beyond taking care of the baby.

And neither had I.

“Manager, I’ll figure things out on my own and use my common sense.”

[Oh. Are you a professional after all?]

“Leave it to me!”

Manager Yang told me to send him a message whenever I needed anything.

Whatever it was, he said he would get it for me immediately.

On the way to Dogok-dong, I spent the entire bus ride staring blankly out the window with my chin resting on my hand, repeatedly rubbing my dry face.

My mind was surprisingly complicated because of an unexpected problem.

Am I really only supposed to take care of the baby?

There isn’t even that much to do.

Manager Yang had emphasized that I didn’t need to worry much about cleaning or cooking.

In fact, Ahn Hee-soo’s house only had two robot vacuum cleaners.

She also ate very little because of her diet.

Even the laundry was simply washed, put in the dryer, and left in the dryer on care mode. Hee-soo would apparently take care of folding and putting it away herself in the evening.

If I just take care of the baby and get four million won a month, isn’t this way too easy?

Finally, my first day at work.

The moment I entered Ahn Hee-soo’s home in Town Palace, I took over the baby, Maengkkong, soothed him, and put him to sleep.

Afterward, I went into the study with Ahn Hee-soo, where we began discussing things while watching the home camera.

“Who said you’re getting an easy ride? That’s just what you think, teacher!”

“Preparing meals is also an important part of a babysitter’s duties.”

Ahn Hee-soo, who looked like a completely exhausted panda, continued seriously.

“Teacher, can’t you see these dark circles? Anyone would think I got special-effects makeup. Yesterday, after you left, Maengkkong cried the whole night until dawn, going ‘waaaah, waaaah’ nonstop. So how can you say taking care of Maengkkong is easy? Just thinking about bathing a baby makes my soul leave my body. Ugh. Whatever. Just take good care of Maengkkong. I’ll sleep while you do that.”

Actually, even though I had gotten a job as a babysitter, I’d only suggested preparing my own meals because I felt awkward making food for myself in someone else’s house.

In the end, I nodded.

“Okay. Then I’ll handle it myself. I prepare and eat my own meals?”

“Yes, teacher. Just prepare whatever you want and eat it. If you tell Oppa Suho what ingredients you need, he’ll get everything for you. You can order delivery, too. Ah, but nothing with a really strong smell. Like, um…”

“Cheonggukjang?”

“Yeah, something like that. Korean food, you know.”

“I specialize in Korean food. I even have a certificate. Hmm. Anyway, I’ll make myself lunch later, so if you change your mind, at least give it a taste.”

Ahn Hee-soo chuckled.

“I don’t really like Korean food. I’m pretty picky, too. Anyway, an onion bagel with cream cheese, or maybe an apple with peanut butter? That’s enough for me. Haha. Teacher. I’m Ahn Hee-soo.”

“I’m Lee Hyuk-chan.”

“…Wh-what does that have to do with anything?”

“I’m the eldest of thirteen siblings.”

“…You’re even more impressive than me.”

When I nodded, Ahn Hee-soo scratched at her greasy hair.

“Anyway, I’m an actress, so I have to take care of myself. Diet! Maintenance! That’s the fate of an actress.”

“I understand.”

“Phew. I’m starting a new project soon, so I have to go hard on my diet. I’m even going to start private Pilates lessons soon~”

As she kept talking, I simply stared at her blankly. Then Ahn Hee-soo suddenly let out a long yawn.

“Fwaaaaaahm~ Oh, I’m dying. Anyway, I’m so sleepy I’m going to die. I’m going to get some sleep, so please take care of things, teacher.”

“Yes. Leave everything to me and get some rest, Ms. Hee-soo.”

After that, Ahn Hee-soo went to her bedroom, while I went to the door of the master bedroom where Maengkkong was sleeping.

He should be waking up around now.

While checking the time and looking at the home camera, I saw Maengkkong start to squirm.

“Eeeeeeng~ Waaah~ Waaah~”

I couldn’t help but grin as I watched the home camera.

“Time to start work!”

This wasn’t an easy job?

Why was she saying it was hard?

It wasn’t even twins. I was taking care of one fifty-day-old baby.

Ta-ra-ran~ Ta-ra-ran~ Ta-ra-ran~ Ta-ra-ran~

Boom-cha-cha~ Boom-cha-cha~

Ta-ra-ta-ra-ta-ra-tan, tan-tan-tan~

Inside this comfortable Town Palace apartment worth over 12 billion won, with classical music playing as I looked out over the Dogok-dong cityscape while holding an incredibly adorable baby in my arms—

“Wow, Maengkkong. This really is heaven. Heaven. You really are an angel living in heaven, aren’t you? Oh, you’re so cute~”

“Hsss- hsss-”

Maengkkong had only just graduated from the newborn stage, so all he did was stare blankly at me with an expressionless face.

Yet every time Maengkkong breathed, my heart strangely tickled.

Bzzzt—

“Huh?”

My phone vibrated. I quickly checked it and saw a message from Manager Yang.

So it really was true.

If I told Manager Yang what I needed, things really did arrive faster than Coupang.

This is way too convenient.

The morning was nothing but peace and tranquility.

Whenever Maengkkong fussed, I immediately checked what was bothering him and took care of it before he had any reason to cry.

It literally felt like I was on vacation.

Getting paid four million won a month for this kind of healing.

Before I knew it, Maengkkong had fallen asleep in my arms.

He was truly an angel.

“Hsss- hsss- hss….”

I went into the master bedroom and carefully laid Maengkkong down on the bed. Then I grabbed the ingredients Manager Yang had brought and hurried to the kitchen.

I placed the tablet with the home camera running somewhere visible and prepared to cook.

She doesn’t eat it? She’s picky?

Twelve people.

I’d spent my entire life accommodating the different tastes of all twelve of my younger siblings.

Even my mother had acknowledged my cooking skills.

Maengkkong should wake up within an hour, right? Well, that’s more than enough time.

I quickly scanned the kitchen equipment and arranged the ingredients one by one.

Shall I show off a little for the first time in a while? Let’s start by soaking the seaweed.

Tap. Whoooosh—

“Ms. Hee-soo. Do you know what my nickname is?”

I smiled as I watched the water pour from the faucet.

“I’m the God of Seaweed Soup.”

One of the important duties of a babysitter was preparing meals.

Although Ahn Hee-soo had said she wouldn’t eat, I still wanted to win over my employer’s palate and prove my ability at the job.

Of course, I was confident.

If she ever tasted my cooking, she’d never be able to escape its deliciousness.

I was sitting on the living room sofa, making a list of the baby supplies Maengkkong needed, when I heard Ahn Hee-soo yawn.

It had been about three hours since she’d gone to bed.

“Fwaaaaaaahm~~”

I was startled and whipped my head around.

Ahn Hee-soo was walking toward me with a refreshed expression.

The moment I saw her, my mouth fell open.

Wow. Her looks are seriously unbelievable.

Ta-ra-ra-ra-ran, tan—

Ta-ran~ Ta-ran~ Ta-ran~

A magical transformation took place, making the classical music playing in the living room feel like a movie soundtrack.

As if she’d been given special effects, a radiant glow seemed to shimmer around her face and body.

Even I was startled by how shocked I looked.

I’d never been amazed by someone’s appearance in my entire life.

She literally just woke up from a nap.

She hasn’t even washed her face.

And yet she looks like she just came out of a dermatology clinic.

I guess this is what being one of Korea’s top actresses looks like.

As she approached the sofa, my mouth opened a little wider.

Thinking about how television screens and movie theaters couldn’t even capture half of her beauty, I quickly cast a spell over myself and came to my senses.

Good grief. I’m reminded all over again whose house I’m working in.

But from now on, don’t be surprised by her looks.

Lee Hyuk-chan, you’re here to take care of a baby. You have to work, so you need to get used to it.

To me, Ms. Hee-soo is nothing more than my employer.

Worried that my voice might wake Maengkkong, I whispered,

“Why aren’t you sleeping longer? It’s only been three hours.”

“Gnnnnngh! Haaaaaak~!”

Despite my efforts to speak quietly, Ahn Hee-soo stretched with all her might.

She even made a bizarre noise while doing it.

“Ungh! Whew. Don’t worry! I’ll sleep again later. But teacher, I’m insanely pretty, right? And I’m completely bare-faced right now. Hehe.”

“Shh. Ms. Hee-soo, your voice is too loud.”

“Aww~ Teacher! This is Town Palace. The soundproofing is no joke. Anyway! Believe it or not, I woke up because I was hungry. Come to think of it, the day before yesterday, I ate half an apple raw while Maengkkong was sleeping, and I’ve been starving ever since.”

“Really? Hmm.”

I nodded, jumped up from the sofa, and headed straight for the kitchen.

“Wait here for a moment. I just need to heat up the soup.”

Ahn Hee-soo followed quickly, coming right up beside me as she waved her index finger from side to side.

“Nope! I came out because I’m hungry, but I’m just going to take the edge off. I told you. Dieting is the fate of an actress.”

I chuckled and pointed toward the enormous dining table.

“But I’ve already prepared a meal over there. Take a look and decide.”

“Huh?”

Ahn Hee-soo walked toward the dining table, sniffing the air.

Soon, she tilted her head as she looked at the plates spread across the table.

“Huh? Teacher, you really cooked all this?”

“Yes. I already ate two bowls.”

“Wow. What’s all this? Did you even have time to cook?”

I calmly pressed the induction cooktop button.

Beep—

“Yes. I had plenty of time.”

Ahn Hee-soo blinked her huge eyes.

“My goodness. Teacher, you made all of this yourself? You didn’t order it? How on earth did you do it?”

“Just whipped it up.”

Her surprise was probably understandable.

On the induction cooktop was a pot of quick-cooked perilla-oil seaweed soup.

On the dining table was a full spread: beef bulgogi with mushrooms, rolled omelet, seasoned spinach, seasoned bean sprouts, and braised tofu.

“Wow.”

As Ahn Hee-soo admired each side dish in detail, I added,

“The seaweed soup is starting to boil. What should I do with the soup?”

“No, teacher, wait a second. I’m asking when you made all of this.”

“I started as soon as you went to bed. I finished cooking quickly, and then Maengkkong woke up, so I fed him and put him back to sleep. While he was sleeping again, I had a hearty meal myself, and I’ve already finished digesting it.”

Ahn Hee-soo plopped down into a dining chair and pretended to applaud, looking astonished.

“Wow. I give up. Teacher, you’re seriously amazing. Your hands are incredibly fast.”

“Try it first.”

When I gave her a confident look, Ahn Hee-soo wiped the admiration from her face and raised one corner of her mouth.

“Come on. I told you I’m picky, didn’t I?”

“Yes, yes. Try it.”

“Anyway! Teacher, did our Maengkkong not scream? He didn’t spit up? He really didn’t cry?”

I simply nodded with a smile.

Ahn Hee-soo made a dumbfounded expression.

“Wow. That’s impossible. But the more I think about it, the more unfair it feels. It’s not like that little brat is discriminating against people. He cries all day whenever I’m taking care of him.”

“Should I ladle you some seaweed soup?”

Ahn Hee-soo glanced at me, then cautiously picked up her chopsticks.

“Ahem. Since you put so much effort into it, just one rolled omelet? Nom. Munch, munch, munch. Maengkkong cried all night from dinner until dawn yesterday. Munch. Especially at dinner, he kept spitting up again and again. …I was worried. …Munch, munch.”

Ahn Hee-soo suddenly put down her chopsticks with a clack and stared directly at me.

“Oh my. What is this? Why is it so delicious?!”