Yom Sang-seop - Three Generations

Gyeong-ae’s mother rushed out from the other room, her eyes wide with accusation, her anger palpable. “I don’t know who you are, but what right do you have to call my daughter debased?”

Byeong-hwa didn’t reply but sat hunched on the veranda, putting on his shoes. When the middle gate creaked open and someone stepped in, Byeong-hwa’s heart sank.

A tall man, wearing a limp Western suit and a mocking smile, walked over and stood before Byeong-hwa. He stared at Byeong-hwa, his eyes huge behind his glasses, much to Byeong-hwa’s embarrassment.

Is he an investigator?

Shock ripped through him, but strangely, Byeong-hwa soon felt calm. He decided to take his leave and briskly walked past the tall man.

The newcomer’s shoes looked Western-made — a rare commodity in Korea, the kind worn by a friend of Byeong-hwa’s who’d been to Shanghai. His Western suit fit him well, though it was not overly fashionable. Byeong-hwa had met enough police detectives to spot one right off, and he quickly shook off his knee-jerk fear.

Is he the second man who frequents this house, the would-be father of her second child?

Gyeong-ae’s mother welcomed the man, saying, “You’re just in time for dinner.”

Gyeong-ae opened the door and came out, exchanging glances with the newcomer, though Byeong-hwa didn’t notice.

“Hey, you,” she called out, not wanting to call Byeong-hwa by name right after they had quarreled.

Byeong-hwa spun around in the yard. He wanted to keep going but was worried that he’d look ridiculous and didn’t want her to think that he was fleeing.

“Have you been stung by bees? Why did you go away in the middle of a conversation?” Gyeong-ae stepped into the yard and pulled Byeong-hwa back.

The newcomer said, “Please come in. I’m sorry to see that you’re leaving just as I’m arriving. It’s like the old saying: A pear falls right after a crow flies away. It is only a coincidence, but it looks like you’re leaving because I’m here.” The man wore a cheery expression and sounded more down-to-earth than expected.

“As for the pear falling, that should be my line. I was on my way to turn myself in because I heard that a policeman in charge of this area is keeping an eye on this house. And then you walked in. If you’re from the police, take me with you.” Byeong-hwa sat on the veranda, facing him.

Gyeong-ae was all smiles. “You made the right decision. Remember what I said a little while ago? You knew you would come back before you reached our gate.”

Gyeong-ae’s mother was the only one not laughing. She stood in the middle of the veranda, baffled.

“Mother, please take the dinner tray to the other room,” Gyeong-ae said, after ushering the two men into the main room.

“Let me introduce you. This is a relative of mine. He’s recently arrived from the countryside. And this is an executive of the ____ Alliance. He’s shortly going to get a job as a county employee or a township clerk. I’d like to offer you both some wine, to welcome one and say good-bye to the other.” Gyeong-ae rattled on while the two men exchanged names.

When Byeong-hwa heard that he was Gyeong-ae’s relative from the countryside, he studied the man’s face closely. Byeong-hwa was disappointed that he was not the father of her unborn second child. Judging from his appearance and manner, he hardly seemed a newcomer to the city. Byeong-hwa found it impossible to believe that his name could be Pi-hyeok — both pi and hyeok meant leather. Did he run a leather shop? Did he attach leather to apparel? He didn’t look shallow like leather, though. Let’s say his surname was Pi, but how could a child be named Hyeok in that case? Byeong-hwa knew of people who’d been abroad as well as some young people these days who reversed or shortened their names when necessary and even when it was unnecessary, probably to be fashionable. Byeong-hwa didn’t believe this man was a relative of Gyeong-ae’s, and his name sounded phony, as well.

Byeong-hwa sat shyly, shifting back and forth between the two faces.

Pi-hyeok didn’t say much after they moved to the other room and started eating. He studied Byeong-hwa furtively. With some hesitation, Pi-hyeok asked, “Do you think it will be easy to get a government job? Your situation is different from other people’s, isn’t it?”

“She was teasing me, just to see how I’d react.” Byeong-hwa was still wary, but his anger seemed to have dissipated.

“A few drinks and you’ve changed your mind!” Gyeong-ae was playful again. “You looked like you were going to do something desperate. That’s why you’re cheap. If someone gave you a thousand won, or even only a hundred, your politics and philosophy would flit away like a feather in the autumn wind!”

“You’d find out for sure if you gave me the money.”

“There’s no need. You sound confident now, but let’s see what happens if someone gives you a job as clerk at the Government-General. Not even a clerk. You’d make a perfect county employee!”

“Certainly, if they gave me a job. Anyway, how can you know what goes on in my mind? Can a narrow-minded woman know the heart of a big bird?” Byeong-hwa sat up straight and pulled his shoulders back slightly.

Pi-hyeok said, “You’re right. Women — especially modern girls these days — are so greedy, and with their narrow-mindedness. ” Laughing, he did not heed Gyeong-ae’s fierce expression and changed the subject. “If you really want a secure job, how about coming to my town? It might sound as if I’m boasting, but it wouldn’t be too difficult for me to find you a position in the county office.” He looked squarely at Byeong-hwa.

“Why are you doing this to me, too?” Byeong-hwa laughed, but his suspicions ran high. Why are they behaving this way?

“What’s the problem? These days well-known people change sides so easily — so easily that it would shame even the most promiscuous gisaeng. Who’d take Kim Byeong-hwa seriously?” Gyeong-ae commented.

“You’ve undermined me completely. What did I do to deserve such contempt?” Byeong-hwa lamented, almost to himself, as he moved away from the meal tray.

Pi-hyeok said, “There’re too many temptations in the city. It’s the center of politics, so they come your way all too easily. Even if you don’t have enough money to feed yourself, your name is known. By contrast, regional youth are straightforward and enthusiastic, and local government offices have no tolerance for such high-handed policy and don’t have the brains to play tricks. Plus, since they are constantly involved in confrontations, youngsters in the countryside are more alert and are given a bigger impetus for struggle.”

Byeong-hwa thought he made sense. The man was no fool. “Where’s your hometown? What do you do?” he asked him.

“Me? I live in the countryside in Hwanghae Province. There, I can feed myself, thanks to my ancestors.” A self-deprecating chuckle came out.

Byeong-hwa wanted more details but bit his tongue since Pi-hyeok’s answer was so perfunctory.

After the tray was taken away, Gyeong-ae went over to the main room and soon returned wearing a new outfit.

“I have to go earn money. Byeong-hwa, why don’t you stay and talk some more?” she said, looking into the room where the men were sitting. Byeong-hwa stood up.

“Yes, please stay,” Pi-hyeok said in a show of good manners, but he wasn’t overly enthusiastic about convincing Byeong-hwa to stay. Pi-hyeok went out to the edge of the veranda and said good-bye to both Gyeong-ae and Byeong-hwa.

Gyeong-ae watched Pi-hyeok’s expression from where she stood in the yard. She asked Byeong-hwa to wait outside the gate, took off her shoes, and went back inside to Pi-hyeok.