Rebirth From The Ashes - Chapter - 4

Finally home, Taehyung felt it was his real place, warm and filled with love. After a deep sleep, he woke up in the evening, grabbed a ladder from the attic, and found his mom, Young-ae, preparing dinner in the kitchen. She teared up.

Kim Young-ae

Tae, why do you have the ladder? It's heavy. Wait for your dad to help when he's back.

Through the window, she saw his son straining to carry the ladder towards the wall.

kim taehyung

Mom i can manage, your son is all grown up now.

Taehyung replied. His mother did not know, a powerful boss who would one day destroy the world live nearby. As a thank-you for a meal Taehyung once gave him, this boss wrecked the Choi family and caused chaos.To prevent the boss from doing more harm, Taehyung aimed to change him. Every day, he'd share warmth and kindness, hoping to lead the boss away from darkness.

Kim Young-ae

You stubborn child, you’re still full of injuries. Why strain yourself?

Young ae ran out and told tae to stand aside while she adjusted the ladder.

kim taehyung

Love you mom.

Young-ae looked at him with caution.

Kim Young-ae

You aren’t going to peep on the neighbor’s house, are you?

kim taehyung

Why don’t you believe your son? Do I seem like a pervert to you? I just noticed that we have a new neighbor and I want to greet him.

Kim Young-ae

If you want to greet him, you should head to his doorstep openly. Why go to the trouble of climbing up the wall? I’ve made something for you. Bring it over to him afterward.

He shooed his mom away

kim taehyung

Mom, I know what I’m doing. I’m not a kid anymore. Go prepare dinner, Dad will come home soon.

The big boss was an unusual person and never had any guests. He wouldn't welcome Taehyung, even if he approached. Seventeen-year-old Taehyung, tender as a flower, had rosy cheeks and wore a red woolen coat with a white beanie adorned with small white balls. Worried that he might appear unpresentable and scare the boss, he applied light makeup and checked himself in the mirror. Pinching his fleshy cheeks, he left the house, pleasingly dressed. Young-ae observed as her son, adorned with a rope around his shoulder and holding a pot of kalanchoe, grinned while looking in her direction.

kim taehyung

Mom a gift for our neighbour.

Young-ae singhed and nooded

Kim Young-ae

Go, go. Be careful

kim taehyung

Yes, madam Kim!

Young-ae smiled, but her eyes were teary. Her son was back, making their family whole again. To keep the owner's privacy, there was a tall two-meter stone wall between the villas. Taehyung, with the kalanchoe plant, climbed a ladder, peeking over discreetly. He spotted a man in a wheelchair on the other side, wearing a black trench coat with a light grey blanket on his lap. From Taehyung's view, he could see the man's side profile, noticing his finely crafted features. The man looked reserved and unfriendly.

As the evening set in, the sky painted his body with bright orange sun rays, casting a long shadow on the ground. Loneliness and sorrow overwhelmed him, and the feelings were beyond words. His name was Jeon Jungguk. he met him as he lay dying. He had been searching for tae, for he wanted to repay his gesture of offering him a meal. Jungguk hugged him and told him.

Jeon jungguk

I'm sorry for being late.

Afterward, he gazed at the members of the Choi family as if they were a cluster of ants.

Jeon jungguk

Don’t worry, I’ll make damn sure that the Choi family will burn with you!

Two days later, something terrible happened to the Choi family. Some of them died, while others lost their minds. At that moment, Taehyung had already made up his mind. If there's another life, he would repay him however he could. While deep in thought, Taehyung suddenly felt a cold, piercing gaze on him. Startled, he met eyes with a man whose stare was intense but lacked emotion. This man had beautiful eyes, narrow with a subtle upward curve, giving him a charming and mysterious look. However, behind the icy and hostile gaze was a deep emptiness, like a lifeless pool of water. Staring into those eyes made Taehyung feel as if he had fallen into a vast abyss, freezing him in place. The intense emotions of despair and hatred towards the world resonated with him. Instead of fear, he felt pity for the man, as if nothing could reignite a spark within him.

He existed, but his days were like those of the lifeless. Jungguk watched the young boy hiding behind the wall, clearly scared, as he revealed only half of his head. Eventually, there were some sounds coming from the other side.

kim taehyung

Brother, you must have move in today. I'm your neighbour

Suddenly, Taehyung stood up and happily exclaimed. If he hadn't come back to the Choi family or at least visited home, he might not have missed the chance to meet him before his death. Jungguk stayed silent, observing him with a calm gaze. The setting sun's rays bathed the boy in a warm orange light. He wore a red outfit and carried a pot with a red flower. The flower was beautiful, but the boy was even prettier. In that moment, he felt his heart skip a beat, something he hadn't experienced in a long time.

kim taehyung

It's a welcome gift for you

Taehyung held the pot and laughed cheerily!

kim taehyung

Brother, welcome to your new home!

Jungguk's face stayed the same. It was like a lake frozen for a million years, where no ripples could appear on the surface.

kim taehyung

Brother, I'll lower the pot for you. Catch!

Without waiting for his answer, Taehyung gently placed the pot in an upright position and slowly lowered it with the rope. Jungguk understood that the boy had decided and extended his hand to receive the pot. The small red flower, vibrant in color with intricate textures on its petals, resembled stars in the night sky. It was impressive that such a flower could bloom in the middle of winter. Clearly, whoever planted it had a deep love for flowers.

kim taehyung

Brother, I'm Kim taehyung. What's your name?

Tae wrapped the rope around her shoulders. Jungguk stayed silent but looked at the flower. Maybe, it had been a while since he heard someone else talk. Surprisingly, he didn't feel irritated, possibly because the boy reminded him of his little girl.

When his secretary walked into the courtyard holding a lunchbox, he was surprised. He stood there, unsure whether to approach or leave. It was unbelievable. The big boss stood by the wall, listening to a young boy talking nonsense. Usually, the boss disliked people talking nonsense to him. When he and his co-workers reported to the boss, they made sure to have their facts straight first. The boy by the wall was truly adorable. The little woolen balls on his beanie swayed as he spoke, a sight that could melt anyone's heart. Yet, he continued babbling, and surprisingly, the boss was patiently listening. It was a stark contrast to the boss's usual distant and cold demeanor.

kim taehyung

Brother, someone looking for you

Taehyung was the first to spot the man standing at the entrance. The man was clothed in a finely tailored suit. He was tall and attractive and had a fancy lunchbox in his hands. He had seen him by jungguk's side before. The latter called him Soo-bin. Jungguk looked at him. He met his gaze and bowed to him respectfully. Then, he walked towards the villa. Taehyung saw something and his eyes glimmered with excitement.

kim taehyung

Brother, my dad, Old Kim, is back. I’ll be heading home, you should go home and have dinner too!

Jungguk appeared unaffected by his words and gave no reply. He turned his wheelchair around, facing away from him. Deep within, Taehyung let out a sigh. He spoke a lot and his mouth felt dry. Still, Jungguk stayed silent, acting as if he were invisible and non-existent. This miserable life seemed utterly hopeless!

kim taehyung

Brother today's my birthday. Could you wish me happy birthday!

The only responses he received were the northern breeze's whoosh and the wheelchair's creaking on the ground. The man had built walls with the entire world through his unwelcoming demeanor. Taehyung let out a deep sigh. 'Okay, don't lose hope; at least he took the flower with him. That means there's still a chance.' Soon, Old Kim's car reached his home's entrance, carrying several large sacks. His ladder was hidden behind a loquat tree, keeping him out of sight. Consequently, Old Kim didn't notice him when he entered the courtyard. The flowers in the courtyard were planted by both Old Kim and Young-ae.

Young-ae had a passion for planting flowers, and her attic was a haven for various flower species, including rare ones. Old Kim took great care to bring loquat trees to the courtyard from his previous home. There were eight trees in total, a number considered lucky by Old Kim. In everything they did, Young-ae and Old Kim aimed to incorporate the number "eight." With each changing season, he would experience discomfort, often feeling itchy and coughing.

In the summer, Young-ae would prepare and stock up some loquat syrup for him. She asserted that her homemade remedy was of better quality than the ones sold on the market, and safer for consumption as well. Old Kim had begun speaking before he even entered the house. His voice was particularly loud, too.

Kim Sung-il

Dear, I bought a cake. Make two more dishes for dinner, and don’t forget about the longevity noodles.

Taehyung frowned. He already reminded his mom not to inform Old Kim that he was back. He wanted to give his father a surprise. Young-ae had broken her promise! He entered the house, changed his shoes and took out the cake. He counted the seventeen candles on it.

Kim Sung-il

Our Tae is seventeen years old today, and I wonder how things are for him at the Choi family. They are wealthy and I’m sure they will host a lavish birthday party for him.

Before Taehyung had a chance to step inside the house to surprise his father, tears began streaming down his cheeks. Old Kim was unaware of his return. He had even bought a birthday cake for him.