“ Don’t bring her inside, I will never forgive that daughter of mine for destorying everything that I worked so hard for. How would Kang Choon Hee be so ungrateful?! My blessing, my beautiful smart baby girl become stupid for a guy. Why? What have I done to the heaven so they could curse me like this? If my own child was going hurt me like this I would have never given birth to her ” The words filled with resentment, shame, and guilt echoed from her mother as she stood by the door. Covering her mouth to stifle a whimper, tears flowed down her cheeks. Turning away, she unintentionally collided with her brother but lowered her gaze in his presence, feeling like a burden to her family. She believed that as long as she remained in the stables, everyone would eventually come to dislike her.

“ Hyong, I never did thank you for dropping everything to pick me up and I’m sorry for that.” Kang Choon Hee offered an apology while bowing her head slightly.

Are you also disappointed in me, just like Mom and Dad? Do you wish to distance yourself from me and no longer consider me part of this family? Am I merely a burden to you?

She felt a surge of fear about his response as she shut her eyes tightly, listening for the sound of his footsteps fading away. When she finally opened her eyes in shock, she felt her brother gently grasp both of her hands and place an envelope in them. "Hyong, what is this?" she asked, bewildered.

“What’s the purpose of asking that, Choon Hee? You don’t have anywhere to go and no money, do you? How could I possibly leave you all alone in a world where even our family is turning their back on you? I can’t fully abandon my dear and cherished sister. While I am disappointed in your actions and find them senseless, I also feel a sense of pride in your ability to stand up for yourself. A seed must grow, regardless of how tough the environment may be.” He spoke tenderly while embracing his sister, holding her as if it were the last moment he would ever see her.

Hyong, I promise you that I will repay you, and I will always remember the kindness you showed me when everyone else turned their backs.

She boarded the bus and gazed out the window as they parted , catching a glimpse of her hometown in the distance, along with her family scattered across the countryside. From her grandparents to her siblings, each relative embraced the farming lifestyle with such grace. Looking down at her lap, she clutched the envelope her brother had given her. Even without his words, she understood it was from his savings, yet she couldn't refuse the help, as she found herself in a desperate situation.

Thank you so much, Hyong. I will thrive to accomplish something that makes you proud and proves that your decision to suppose me was right.

“ A seed must grow, regardless of how tough the environment may be.” The words from her brother resonated deeply within her. A gentle smile spread across her face as she held the envelope tightly against her chest.

She reminisced about the carefree days of her childhood when she and her siblings would play in the field, free from worries and responsibilities. They would spend hours playing, and during their games of hide and seek, she always found her siblings, leading them to believe she possessed some kind of superpower. Her affinity for flowers was particularly notable; even as a child, she instinctively understood what each plant needed, earning her the nickname "the flower whisperer" among her relatives. Reflecting on these cherished memories brought a smile to her face, and suddenly, a brilliant idea struck her.

I know what I’m going to do!

The vibration of her phone in her pocket prompted a pang of sadness as she recognized the caller to be her closest friend, Hak Si Woo. After taking a deep breath, she decided to allow the call to proceed to voicemail. Subsequently, a message appeared inquiring about her current location and her anticipated return to the apartment.

She hesitated before blocking her best friend of twelve years by pressing her finger on the contact name.

Hak Si Woo, you told me I was family and that you loved me like your own sister, but why does it suddenly feel like a lie? Every word that comes from your mouth feels empty. If you truly loved me and cherished our twelve years of friendship, you would never hurt me like this.

That's how a twelve-year friendship came to an end, as Kang Choon Hee blocked her friend's number and removed her from all social media platforms.........

To flourish, you must remove the weeds that hinder your growth.

Her heart raced as she interviewed at the grocery store, filled with high hopes of landing a job, even if it was just a minimum-wage position. Although it wasn't aligned with her college degree, she resolved to give it her all. While strolling down the sidewalk, she noticed an elderly man closing the store for good and gently inquired, "Sir, are you selling that building?"

"Do you want it?" he asked, his weathered voice rough like gravel, as he tossed the old, rusty keys toward her. To her astonishment, she caught them deftly in both hands, her heart racing in disbelief. Before she could respond to the enigmatic old man, he simply waved farewell and began to stroll away, his hands thrust deep into the pockets of his worn coat.

"Thank you!" she called after him, her voice rising in surprise, but as she turned to find him, she realized he had already crossed the bustling street and disappeared into the crowd, swallowed by the city. She stood frozen for a moment, contemplating whether to chase after him, but within mere moments, he had vanished as if he had never been there at all.

For weeks, she searched for him, driven by a curiosity that would not fade. Eventually, however, she shifted her focus to the building he had seemingly entrusted to her. Its exterior was cloaked in layers of dust and grime, an uninviting facade that hid its potential. Determined, she dedicated her free time to scrubbing away years of neglect, her mind racing with ideas for what the space could become, even as uncertainty lingered in her thoughts.