My Ex-Boyfriend is Sold Out

Chapter 22: The Ex-Girlfriend Visits Her Family Home

After a lunch that left him stuffed and just as he started to digest, Si-hyun found himself climbing a slope, feeling his whole body vibrate and his ears ringing from the engine noise.

“It’s my first time on a tractor, but it’s not bad at all.”

Sitting in the cargo bed, he looked toward the back. The higher they climbed, the more the ocean came into view.

If he’d had his phone, he’d have taken a picture right then—it was that beautiful. But there was something even more captivating for Si-hyun.

“Wait… You know how to drive a tractor?”

It was Yerin who held the wheel. When Si-hyun spoke in admiration, she proudly puffed up her chest and replied with confidence.

“Of course! If I wanted, I could drive all the way to Daegu like this.”

That figured. If you gave her a ride in a plane, she’d probably be planning a trip to space next. Si-hyun chuckled in disbelief as they continued their conversation.

“So, when did you get your license?”

“Huh? I don’t have one.”

“What do you mean? I thought you needed a farm equipment operator’s license to drive a tractor…”

“Oh, that?”

Yerin fell silent for a moment, then turned toward him with a mischievous smile.

“Si-hyun.”

“What?”

Like she was letting him in on a secret, she leaned close and whispered in his ear.

“In a small town like this… as long as you don’t get caught, it’s fine.”

“As long as you don’t get caught… You didn’t!”

“Yep, unlicensed!”

Seeing her innocent smile, a cold sweat trickled down Si-hyun’s back.

“Hold on… Now that I think about it, isn’t the tractor wobbling?”

The vehicle swayed left, and just when it seemed like they were about to tip, Yerin corrected it to the right. The constant zig-zagging only added to Si-hyun’s anxiety.

“This isn’t going to work… Let’s stop somewhere safe.”

“Why? I’m driving just fine.”

“It’s not about your driving skills. Do you realize that it’s illegal to drive without a license?”

“What? Is that what you’re worried about?”

Yerin smirked as if amused.

“Don’t worry. I’m close with the guys at the police station. A little charm, and they’ll just laugh it off!”

“Seriously?”

Si-hyun closed his eyes in exasperation, watching his childhood friend fall from grace. Why did he agree to come here? He’d been here less than a day, and he already regretted it.

Meanwhile, worried that Si-hyun might start scolding her again, Yerin quickly looked around and brightened.

“Grandma! Grandpa! I’m here!”

Yerin waved to the farmers working nearby, and they yelled out in delight.

“Oh my, our little one’s come!”

“This time, she even brought her husband!”

In this village, Yerin had more popularity than an idol. Surrounded by cheers, Si-hyun could only gape in amazement.

“You… are really popular, huh?”

“Of course! I grew up with these people.”

Finally reaching the top of the slope, they arrived at a series of terraced fields. The wide terraces carved into the mountainside stretched out before them.

“Grandma’s planting lettuce down there, so let’s plant carrots here.”

“What do I need to help with?”

With a playful grin, Yerin teased him.

“Every time I get tired, give me a kiss?”

Fed up with her constant teasing, Si-hyun flicked her forehead in mock anger. Rubbing her head, Yerin pointed at the long rows of black plastic covering the field.

“Just poke holes in the plastic at regular intervals, and I’ll plant the carrot seedlings in them.”

Being efficient and good at tasks, Si-hyun quickly got to work on his part.

Since the grandma had already planted half the field, they finished up quickly. Yerin, stretching her back, parked the tractor back where it belonged after dropping Si-hyun off.

“Si-hyun, come with me. I’ll get you something delicious.”

Yerin then led Si-hyun to a tree. Looking up, he saw clusters of fruit in various shades—red, purple, and even some still green.

“What are those?”

“They’re figs. Super delicious.”

Yerin licked her lips and prodded one with a bamboo stick, causing it to plop to the ground shortly after.

Si-hyun picked it up, just as he prepared to catch the next one.

“Yikes! Go away! Shoo!”

Bees swarmed around Yerin. Startled, she tossed the stick aside and hurriedly ran off, Si-hyun following close behind.

“Guess the bees know how good figs taste. They’re determined not to share.”

Si-hyun laughed, while Yerin stomped her feet in frustration.

“It’s our tree! Why do they get to eat them? They should pay for it!”

After grumbling for a while, Yerin looked at the single fig in Si-hyun’s hand with a pitiful expression.

“Sigh… We only got one in the end.”

Seeing her disappointment, Si-hyun glanced around and noticed a stream nearby.

Splash, splash.

He washed the fig in the clear water and split it in half. The ripe red flesh made his mouth water.

“Here.”

Si-hyun placed one half in Yerin’s mouth, then ate the other half himself. The sweetness made him understand why Yerin had been so eager.

“Thanks. It’s because of you that I get to try something like this.”

With the compliment, Yerin’s face brightened as she chewed on the fig.

“See? I told you it was tasty!”

“Yeah, it’s sweet, just my kind of flavor.”

Satisfied, she nodded repeatedly. Then, with an exaggerated “Ouch,” she suddenly plopped down.

“Oof… My legs are sore. I can’t walk any farther~”

Her acting was painfully obvious. Amused, Si-hyun knelt down in front of her.

“Want a piggyback ride?”

“Really?”

As Yerin reached to wrap her arms around his neck, Si-hyun sprang up and dashed away.

“Hey!!”

Despite claiming her legs hurt, she chased after him without hesitation.

***

Soon, night fell, bringing the early darkness of the countryside.

The grandmother laid out a single blanket in the room, smiling warmly as she spoke.

“Grandma prefers sleeping alone, so you two will have to sleep together. You understand, right?”

“No, Grandma. I can just sleep in the living room.”

Si-hyun tried to object, but Grandma avoided his gaze with a determined look.

“There’s only two blankets, so please understand.”

“But I can manage without a blanket—”

“It gets so chilly here at night! Don’t say such things lightly.”

Faced with her unyielding stance, Si-hyun reluctantly gave in. Behind him, Yerin stealthily gave a thumbs-up. Grandma nodded slightly and left the room.

“Looks like we’ll have to share. Right?”

“I mean… still, isn’t this a bit much…?”

“Why~ Back when you broke up with Chae-yeon, you had no problem sleeping with me.”

“Back then, I wasn’t so aware of you. But now…”

“Now what?”

Yerin’s eyes gleamed, and Si-hyun, suddenly flustered, ducked under the blanket. But it was a useless effort—Yerin, thoroughly delighted, wrapped her arms around him, blanket and all, and whispered.

“This is so nice. I love you, Si-hyun.”

Starved for affection after his breakup, Si-hyun trembled slightly at her words.

Moments later, he peered out, and Yerin immediately embraced him and—

Smooch

Without any hesitation, she expressed her love.

***

After a 30-minute trip, Chae-yeon arrived at her family home. She fumbled with the door lock for a moment, then carefully entered the passcode.

Beep!

The door lock sounded louder than usual in the quiet surroundings, making Chae-yeon gulp nervously as she opened the door.

“…I’m home.”

She spoke softly, but no response came. Were her parents both out? Tilting her head in puzzlement, Chae-yeon looked around the house.

“Nobody’s here…”

Relieved but feeling a bit deflated, she sighed quietly and took her things into her room.

“They must have been cleaning every day.”

Despite being away from home for months, her room was spotless, as if ready for her at any time. The thought made her heart swell. She looked around her room quietly, then sat on her bed and checked her phone.

“No messages from Si-hyun…”

She had checked constantly throughout her break, even in the taxi. Why did she keep hoping?

Feeling a sudden wave of sadness, Chae-yeon hugged her pillow, reflecting on the pain of their breakup.

“Chae-yeon, do you even like me?”

“Why can’t you answer?”

“Selfish woman.”

Unable to say even once that she liked him, she’d left him disappointed. Every day, the memory of him leaving, looking at her with contempt, weighed heavily on her.

“I do like you… I love you… so much I’d give you everything… But I’m sorry I couldn’t show it. When I finally heal from this trauma, I’ll give back all the love you gave me.”

Her mantra whenever the pain surfaced.

Si-hyun would probably be so happy if she could show her love openly. The thought of a future with him brought a small sense of comfort.

Momentarily free from the pain of the breakup, Chae-yeon unlocked her phone and opened her gallery. Time slipped by as she gazed at pictures of Si-hyun.

“You’re so cute… Just looking at you makes me happy…”

Her repressed feelings for him, feelings he had no idea about, were swelling, filling her heart. Her unfocused eyes were fixed on his face, and his image flowed deeply into her heart.

Gradually, her hand drifted between her thighs when—

Beep!

The sound of the door lock snapped her back to reality. She hurriedly straightened her hair, smoothed out her wrinkled clothes, cleared her throat, and stepped out of her room.

“You’re back.”

Her eyes widened when she saw who had entered—it was her parents, Soo-yeon and Dong-hoon, holding hands as they walked in together.

“Oh! Chae-yeon, when did you get here?”

“Our daughter’s home for break, it seems.”

Their faces were full of smiles, but an uneasy feeling lodged itself in Chae-yeon’s chest. Suppressing it, she replied calmly.

“I arrived around noon.”

“Did you eat?”

When Chae-yeon shook her head, Soo-yeon smiled kindly.

“Then let’s make you something to eat first.”

As she headed for the kitchen, Soo-yeon quickly turned back to Dong-hoon.

“Here, let me take your bag.”

“Thank you, honey.”

Watching her parents’ affectionate interaction, Chae-yeon’s body gradually stiffened. Especially her mother’s expression—it reminded her of the Soo-yeon she remembered from before the divorce, leaving her feeling disoriented.

Soo-yeon donned an apron and began preparing food, while Chae-yeon, snapping back to reality, addressed her father.

“Dad, I noticed you came in with Mom. What were you two up to?”

“We went to a counseling center. I’ve been going with your mom on holidays.”

“A counseling center…”

It was the same place Chae-yeon had gone several times. The fact that her parents had been going there, too, stunned her more than the counseling itself. She was especially shocked to see her mother changing so much.

“How… How did Mom…?”

She had been in worse shape than Chae-yeon, and yet now, she seemed as though she’d left her trauma behind.

Chae-yeon’s stomach churned as she struggled to accept the truth. Oblivious to her inner turmoil, Dong-hoon continued, his face glowing with joy.

“Your mom’s changed a lot, hasn’t she? It seems the counseling has really helped. Lately, she laughs more, holds my hand… It’s like she’s becoming a different person, and I couldn’t be happier.”

He continued listing all the ways Soo-yeon had improved, but the words didn’t reach Chae-yeon.

Or rather, she heard them but didn’t want to listen.

* * *