Chapter 91

91. Eunho Village

End of the year.

Siwoo was drawing back the bowstring in the gymnasium of an elementary school in Gwangju.

The stands fell silent, and the commentators at the makeshift commentary booth stopped talking.

With a serious expression, Siwoo aimed and shot the arrow beautifully.

Swish!

He had come to this archery competition to see the members he had become close to during the wrestling episode, to promote Frozen Story, and to recreate the scene from the commercial where he shot an arrow.

The arrow flew powerfully and hit the bullseye.

The commentators at the booth shouted.

"10 points-! As expected, Yoon Siwoo! Ah, his form is excellent!"

"Korean people's darling son! The three consecutive wins of Our Child's team depend on Yoon Siwoo!"

The competition format was that 11 children from each team would take turns shooting three arrows each.

The distance to the target was adjusted according to the age of the participants, and the total score of the 11 participants determined the winner.

The first round was won by the opposing elementary school team.

The second round was won by Our Child's team.

With the score tied 1-1, Siwoo, the last archer of Our Child's team, faced the final third round.

"Our Child's team is currently 9 points behind! But there are still two arrows left!"

"If Yoon Siwoo scores a total of 10 points with the two arrows, Our Child's team will achieve a three-peat."

Swish!

The arrow left Siwoo's hand.

The commentators leaped to their feet.

"10 points-! Another 10 points! Master Archer Yoon Siwoo! He has already secured Our Child's team's victory with one arrow still remaining!"

"Wowww~!"

A loud cheer erupted from the stands.

Siwoo, dressed in archery gear, waved his arms to the audience like an Olympic archer.

'This variety show is worth it for moments like this.'

Siwoo also showed a V sign to his teammates, the coach, and the director, who were hugging and jumping with joy.

"Although the victory is already decided, please remain quiet for a moment to help Yoon Siwoo concentrate on the last arrow."

The cheers from the stands gradually subsided at the commentator's request.

Throughout the year, Siwoo, who had risen to the status of 'national darling' through Sea Child, had been receiving the affection and love of the entire nation.

Now, he was no longer remembered for his roles like Deokgu or Yeomla, but had firmly established himself in the minds of the people as Yoon Siwoo.

Even those who had never watched Sea Child knew Yoon Siwoo's name due to the constant stream of news articles.

Swish!

The last arrow flew.

The arrow hit the yellow center again.

"Ten! Ten! Ten! Three consecutive 10 points! Amazing! Child prodigy Yoon Siwoo! It's as if he stepped right out of the commercial and into reality!"

"Wowww~!"

It was a busy end of the year.

He shot a few more commercials, appeared on the archery episode of Our Child's Physical and Artistic Abilities, and did a photo shoot.

Although his agency, Just Entertainment, gave him rest days, the weekly variety of activities made him miss a more relaxed lifestyle.

So Siwoo said to Taeu.

"Can we work hard in December and take it easy in January?"

Worried that Siwoo might be overwhelmed by the end-of-year rush, Taeu immediately spoke to Shin Young-min, the CEO, to adjust Siwoo's January schedule.

"Take a good rest in January and start activities again in February. From March, prepare for the next project."

"Okay!"

If he got into the Hollywood audition, the next project would naturally be decided, but he needed to prepare for the possibility of not making it.

Currently, all domestic movie and drama scripts featuring child actors were being sent to Siwoo.

He could take his time and decide after the Hollywood audition.

Taeu, driving Siwoo home, thought to himself.

He never imagined he would be managing a seven-year-old, let alone one who had become a top star at such a young age.

Taeu felt like he was living a dream.

He wanted to protect this child and help him grow into a great adult and a great actor, driving carefully and safely.

The busy December, which seemed like it would never end, quickly passed after Christmas.

January-

Siwoo turned eight.

And his younger brother, Siyun, was already three.

Born in November, Siyun had turned one as soon as he was born, making him three at 14 months old.

Taking advantage of Siwoo's kindergarten winter break and his hiatus from entertainment activities, the Siwoo family decided to visit their grandparents' house after a long time.

"Grandpa and Grandma saw Siyun's first birthday party two months ago, but it's been a long time since we've seen the kids."

Siwoo looked out the window, thinking of his white puppy friends waiting for him in the countryside.

"Brother~"

Siyun, sitting in the car seat between Hyunju and Siwoo, called out to Siwoo.

When Siwoo turned his head, he saw a small baby with chubby cheeks, a cute nose and lips, and bright eyes like Siwoo's.

"What?"

"Saliva~"

"Want to hold your hand?"

"Uh-huh."

Siwoo took a baby handkerchief from the diaper bag next to him, wiped the saliva dripping from Siyun's chin, and gently held his brother's soft hand.

Seeing Siyun smile, Siwoo called out softly.

"Quack!"

"Quack!"

Siyun laughed so hard he fell backward.

"Quack! Quack!"

"Quack! Quack!"

"..."

"..."

When Siwoo stopped playing, Siyun looked at him with bright eyes.

'He's waiting for more.'

"Hmm... Quack..."

"..."

"Quack... Quack..."

"Quack! Quack! Quack!"

Siyun laughed so hard he couldn't breathe.

Saliva dripped from his mouth as he laughed with his mouth open.

Siwoo, used to this, picked up the handkerchief again.

Hyunju, watching Siwoo and Siyun, smiled and said,

"Sometimes Siwoo seems to take better care of his brother than I do."

Dojin, driving, also smiled and asked Siyun,

"Siyun, who do you look like, Siyun?"

"Brother~"

"Don't you look like your parents?"

"Brother~"

"Do you like your father or your brother more?"

"Quack! Brother! Abuuu!"

"Ah, I get it. Why are you angry...?"

When Siwoo patted Siyun, he immediately fell asleep, sucking his fingers.

Siwoo's car headed toward the village where his grandparents lived, passing through the town.

As they approached the village entrance, Dojin, who was driving, tilted his head.

"What's that? Eunho Village..."

"Dear, what is it?"

Dojin didn't answer.

When Hyunju followed his gaze, she saw a large banner hanging at the village entrance.

>Celebrating the success of the lead drama Sea Child>

- All residents of Eunho Village

"..."

The Siwoo family quietly drove under the banner.

As they passed through the village, it was strangely empty.

"Is it because of the winter? I don't see any elders."

"That's true. I didn't even see a tractor. Maybe there's a market in town?"

Dojin and Hyunju were puzzled as they continued to their destination.

When they arrived at the beautiful red brick house, the Siwoo family understood why the village was empty.

"Wowww~!"

Everyone was gathered here.

"Stars! Stars!"

"Sea Child! I watched all the episodes because his grandson, Seokho, appeared!"

"He transforms! He becomes an adult and a child!"

"I need an autograph! An autograph! My granddaughter in Seoul loves him so much!"

Despite the cold winter weather, Siwoo felt cold sweat.

He was afraid to get out of the car.

Siwoo saw his parents.

They also looked surprised.

Then, Siwoo's grandfather, Yoon Seokho, walked out confidently with his hands behind his back.

"Hehehe, you all came to see my grandson? He's a very precious and busy child, so it's a great day for all of you."

Seokho made a path through the crowd and gestured for Dojin to come in.

Dojin and Hyunju got out of the car with Siwoo and Siyun.

"Wow~ He looks even better in person!"

"Beautiful! How can he be so beautiful?"

"Hey, do you remember me? I saw you when you were a baby, blowing dandelion seeds in the field."

A grandfather wearing a green cap said.

It was a common question Siwoo received when he visited the countryside after a long time.

Siwoo remembered.

It was the grandfather who appeared suddenly when he was filming The King's Path at three years old, watching frogs and blowing dandelion seeds, and told the news of the prodigy grandson at Jongsu's house.

"How can a child remember something from so long ago? It was five years ago, five years ago."

Seokho laughed.

The grandfather with the green cap looked surprised.

"Wow~ Has it been that long?"

"Our Siwoo is starting elementary school this year. When we have the party tomorrow, bring a gift for his elementary school entrance~ Hahaha!"

The villagers laughed at Seokho's joke.

A party was planned for the next evening at the village hall to celebrate the New Year.

"Alright, now that you've seen him, go back to your work. You'll see my grandson again tomorrow."

After entering the house, Siwoo washed his hands and ate a meal and snacks.

Grandparents always make sure their grandchildren eat something from the moment they arrive until they leave.

As Siwoo and Siyun ate and drank, their grandparents watched with happy smiles.

After eating, Siwoo took Siyun's hand and led him to his favorite room.

Siyun, walking unsteadily, fell a few times but held his brother's hand tightly and tried hard to walk.

"Look, Siyun, isn't it pretty?"

Siwoo pointed to the glass wall in the room.

Beyond the glass, a beautiful fig tree...

"Oh, it's winter."

Although the fig tree he had hoped to see was not there, the room was still warm and cozy.

"Siwoo, the floor is warm. Play with your brother here. Do you want me to bring some toys?"

"Okay! Siyun, let's play here. Grandma will bring toys~"

"Ham~?"

"Grandma~"

"Ham~!"

Siwoo played with Siyun for a while and then went back to the living room.

He heard his father's voice.

"How is Jongsu doing? Does he still play Go with your father?"

"Jongsu? He's the same. Oh, Jongsu's cow is about to give birth~ today or tomorrow."

"Ah... Giving birth is hard for both humans and animals."

"Bringing life into the world is never easy. By the way..."

While talking with Dojin, Seokho heard a sound like glass beads clinking from somewhere.

His second grandson, Siyun, was playing with Go stones on the Go board next to the living room cabinet.

Siwoo watched carefully to make sure Siyun didn't eat the Go stones.

"Siyun, do you like the Go stones? Hehe, does our Siyun like Go like me?"

Seokho, approaching Siwoo and Siyun, suddenly had an idea.

"Hey, how about a game of Go with me? I've only heard that you're good at it, but I've never had the chance to play. I promised to play with Jongsu's grandson when he turns eight~ Haha."

Siwoo smiled and sat down to play Go with his grandfather.

While Siwoo played Go with his grandfather, Siyun, who quickly lost interest in the Go stones, was now playing with checkers on Dojin's lap.

A little while later-

Seokho, who had been staring blankly at the finished Go board, suddenly stood up, holding Siwoo's hand.

Oh.