From A Quiet Poor Girl To The Richest Billionaire In Korea Thanks To A Chain Of Agricultural Stores
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00:00:00Mai Jiang, an introvert who wasn't good with words, felt out of place at the company party.
00:00:06She checked her watch and excused herself, claiming she had to catch the last bus.
00:00:11Afterwards, she went to a barbecue restaurant to wait for her older sister so they could go home
00:00:16together. Her sister, already drinking, started talking about a man she'd been set up with on a
00:00:21blind date. He was not only divorced but also had a daughter. Coincidentally, the man and his daughter
00:00:27were at the next table. Everyone at their table fell silent, unsure of what to say.
00:00:33Mai Jiang, realizing the man was her co-worker, Ti Hun, hurriedly ushered her sister out.
00:00:38Just moments before, Ti Hun had been saying he didn't regret getting married because he now had
00:00:43a lovely daughter. Overhearing this only added to the sister's embarrassment as they quickly left.
00:00:49They went to their usual meeting spot to wait for their older brother, Chang Hee, but he was in the
00:00:54middle of breaking up with his girlfriend. Finally, the three siblings headed home for
00:00:59dinner together. These seemingly mundane moments were precious to them. However, the long commute
00:01:04from their rural home meant the siblings barely spoke on the bus ride. Exhaustion filled their eyes,
00:01:10it was as if the world had abandoned them. Upon arriving, they split the fare evenly, as they were all
00:01:16just salaried workers. They lived in the countryside, far from the city, and their family wasn't well off.
00:01:22On weekends, the gentle Mai Jiang helped her parents with chores, while Gi Jiang, her sister,
00:01:28always found an excuse to go out. Chang Hee was depressed after his breakup. This was their
00:01:34ordinary life. Every weekday, Mai Jiang left the house at 7m sharp, walked to the village bus stop,
00:01:41and then endured a two-hour subway ride to get to work. The long commute was draining, though the
00:01:47scenery along the way offered some solace. At work, her colleagues were discussing dinner plans.
00:01:53Mai Jiang wanted to join them, but her long commute home made it impossible. To make matters worse,
00:01:59her boss wasn't happy with her draft, leaving her to work overtime in silence to revise it.
00:02:04She never complained. Her co-workers were also trying to find her a boyfriend.
00:02:08One male colleague remarked,
00:02:11Mai Jiang is pretty, but she has zero appeal. Mai Jiang overheard this, and it stung, though she'd
00:02:17already given up on romance. She assumed her life would continue this way, uneventful, until she grew
00:02:23old. Chang Hee, since his breakup, refused to eat egg yolks because his ex-girlfriend had once said
00:02:29Seoul was like the yolk and the countryside was like the bland egg white. Her older sister, perpetually
00:02:36single despite past heartbreaks, still yearned for love. She convinced herself a new hairstyle would
00:02:41change everything, but nothing did. She resorted to drinking to numb the pain. The three siblings
00:02:47lived their monotonous lives day after day. The long commute and their unfulfilling lives left them
00:02:53silent and downcast, even when they saw each other on their way home. Then came a bigger blow from
00:02:59Mai Jiang. To support her ex-boyfriend's business venture, she had co-signed a loan for 15 billion
00:03:05one using her credit card. Now, after their breakup and his business failure, he couldn't repay the
00:03:11debt. She was left with monthly payments of 15 million won, pushing her already precarious finances
00:03:17further into hardship. Her ex-boyfriend didn't respond to her messages, and the bank notices were
00:03:23arriving at her family home. Mai Jiang was at a loss. Back in their village, during a barbecue gathering
00:03:29with friends, Mai Jiang's anxiety was palpable. Chang-hee bitterly mused that living in the
00:03:35countryside was the reason for his breakup. If I were born in Seoul, things would be different.
00:03:41Gi Jiang chimed in. I wish I were born in North Korea. I'd definitely find someone who loved me there.
00:03:48Just then, their family's house cleaner, Mr. Gu, walked by. Seeing him sparked an idea in Mai Jiang's mind.
00:03:55The next day, Mai Jiang went to work as usual, but instead of rushing to the bus, she sought out Mr. Gu.
00:04:02Mr. Gu, she asked, could you intercept a letter for me? There's a letter I don't want my family to see.
00:04:09Mr. Gu looked at her, puzzled. Mai Jiang remained silent. Their eyes met for a moment, then they parted ways
00:04:16without another word. Though unsure if Mr. Gu would help, Mai Jiang felt a sense of relief after asking.
00:04:22Later, as Mr. Gu was resting outside, he saw the mail carrier and rushed to intercept the mail.
00:04:29He recognized the bank notice and quietly slipped it into his pocket. Mr. Gu bought some alcohol.
00:04:35He saw Mai Jiang leaving work, but didn't speak to her. They walked home, one behind the other.
00:04:42Just as they neared her house, Mr. Gu simply said, I have your letter. That evening, Mai Jiang went to
00:04:48Mr. Gu's place. Seeing the enormous debt amount on the notice filled her with bitterness, but she felt
00:04:54powerless. She hoped Mr. Gu would continue to keep her secret. Mr. Gu, as always, remained silent.
00:05:01Back in her room, Mai Jiang messaged her ex-boyfriend, pleading with him to repay the money. He didn't reply.
00:05:07She was left to bear the burden alone. Due to her introverted nature and the distance from the city,
00:05:13she rarely socialized. Today, however, she joined her friends for Hyun-ae's birthday,
00:05:19a rare occasion for them to get together. During their conversation, Gu Ji-young brought up their
00:05:24company director, a notorious womanizer who had dated almost every female employee except her,
00:05:30which bothered her immensely. After a few drinks, Hyun-ae opened up about her own heartbreak.
00:05:36After two years of dating, she and her boyfriend had split up over something trivial buying a bed.
00:05:41Gi-young realized that not everyone was as carefree as they appeared. Noticing Chang-hee,
00:05:47Hyun-ae grabbed his phone when it rang, assuming he was calling his ex-girlfriend. Discovering it was
00:05:53a call to the local grocery store owner, she snatched the phone and pretended to be Chang-hee's girlfriend,
00:05:59creating a chaotic scene. On the way home, Mai Jiang admired Hyun-ae's free spirit. She longed to be
00:06:06like her, but the realities of her life felt too restrictive. Mai Jiang learned from a friend that
00:06:12her ex-boyfriend, drowning in debt from his failed business, had borrowed money from everyone he knew
00:06:17and fled the country to stay with his ex-girlfriend overseas. Mai Jiang felt a pang of sadness, unsure
00:06:24whether it stemmed from the betrayal or the fact that he had sought solace with another woman.
00:06:29Regardless, she resolved to change herself. Arriving home, she found Mr. Gu covered in blood.
00:06:34Her father rushed him to the hospital. At dinner, the family discussed Mr. Gu's situation. They knew
00:06:41his last name, but little else. Just then, Mr. Gu returned, having bought more alcohol. Since his
00:06:48arrival, he had barely interacted with anyone. Besides work, his only companion was alcohol.
00:06:54No one knew why he had come or what he had been through. The next day at work, Mai Jiang's colleagues
00:07:00avoided her. They discussed their vacation plans, while her boss criticized her report. Overwhelmed
00:07:07by the pressure of her debt and her work, Mai Jiang finally broke down in tears. Her lonely figure stood
00:07:13out against the backdrop of the bustling city streets. I'm tired. I don't know what went wrong.
00:07:19Seeing Mr. Gu drinking again, a surge of courage propelled her forward.
00:07:23My heart has never been full, she confessed. I want it to be full, just once. So, please,
00:07:30worship me. Love alone wasn't enough. But Mr. Gu, as always, remained silent. He simply stared at
00:07:37her intently. He told her she didn't understand him. She didn't know why he was hiding in the
00:07:43countryside, or even his first name. But Mr. Gu knew about Mai Jiang's debt and how she had been
00:07:49deceived. He spoke bluntly. You're afraid to speak up about being scammed. I want you to deal with your
00:07:55debt first. Don't waste your time on anything else. Because I'm a bad person too. His words pierced
00:08:02Mai Jiang's heart. Do you think everything will be fine once the debt is paid? She asked. I don't
00:08:08think anything will change. My heart will still be empty. This awful life. These horrible people.
00:08:14Afraid to face Mr. Gu, she missed her last bus and drank with her coworkers instead. They asked why
00:08:21she wasn't going home, and Mai Jiang finally confided in them about her troubles. Late that night,
00:08:27walking home alone, Mai Jiang noticed two suspicious men lurking by the roadside. Terrified, she held her
00:08:34breath. Just then, Mr. Gu appeared behind her, a bottle of alcohol in hand, silently protecting her.
00:08:41Deeply touched, Mai Jiang pretended not to notice. When the men drove away, Mr. Gu quickened his pace.
00:08:48He remained silent, as always. He sat there, day after day, staring blankly at the dark night sky.
00:08:55Mai Jiang kept pressing her ex-boyfriend for the money he owed her, but he remained silent. Finally,
00:09:01he texted her, asking her not to contact his new girlfriend, or she wouldn't get the rest of the
00:09:06money. Infuriated, Mai Jiang cursed him under her breath, calling him a jerk. Unfortunately,
00:09:13her manager, who constantly gave her a hard time, overheard. She ended up stuck at a cafe,
00:09:18revising a project. Staring at an inspirational banner, Mai Jiang's thoughts drifted. Her older
00:09:25sister, Gi Jiang, went on another blind date. As usual, she used her sad love life as her dating
00:09:31platform. Predictably, it was another failure. At a friend's wedding, Chang He ran into his ex-girlfriend,
00:09:38stirring up complicated emotions. The three heartbroken friends ended up drinking together
00:09:43at a bar. Chang He and Gi Jiang chatted non-stop, while Mai Jiang sat silently in the corner.
00:09:50As always, Mai Jiang took the bus to work. Today, Mr. Gu happened to be on the same bus.
00:09:56They sat next to each other without a word. When they reached their stop,
00:09:59they went their separate ways, like strangers passing on the street.
00:10:03Mai Jiang thought about her past boyfriends. In their eyes, she was never good enough.
00:10:09To prove her worthiness of love, she constantly fell into the mire of romance,
00:10:13ultimately diminishing herself in the process. Where can I find the answers, she wondered.
00:10:19So, she and two colleagues formed a liberation club. Though they didn't know what they were trapped by,
00:10:25they constantly felt suffocated. How were they supposed to liberate themselves?
00:10:30Mai Jiang, socially awkward, and after facing numerous setbacks in life,
00:10:34finally chose to seek a new life within the monotony of her days. She diligently helped her
00:10:40parents with their farm work. Surprisingly, Mr. Gu was also there, working alongside them.
00:10:46Even the scorching sun couldn't melt the sadness on his face.
00:10:49Mai Jiang was curious. What has Mr. Gu been through? Or, does he need my worship, she mused.
00:10:56It seems like his inner self is also adrift, she thought. This observation seemed to strike a chord
00:11:02with Mr. Gu. Let me know if you need anything, he said. Watching Mai Jiang walk away, Mr. Gu fell into
00:11:09deep thought. Her words kept him awake that night. Perhaps his inner self really did need to be filled.
00:11:15Early the next morning, they met again by chance, but still didn't greet each other.
00:11:21This time, Mai Jiang suddenly spoke. We should at least say hello when we see each other.
00:11:27Her words stunned Mr. Gu for a moment. He didn't know what to say, only replying curtly,
00:11:33The bus is coming, hurry up. This seemingly dismissive remark actually encouraged Mai Jiang.
00:11:39It made her happily run towards the light of hope. Mr. Gu, in turn, felt a sense of being needed.
00:11:45Mai Jiang was surrounded by her curious colleagues, who wanted to know the purpose of the liberation club.
00:11:51She vaguely explained that she wanted to escape her current life, to liberate herself. But they
00:11:57couldn't understand that feeling. That day, Mai Jiang's father installed a sink for a client,
00:12:02but the client kept making excuses to avoid payment. After taking her father home, Mr. Gu drove to the
00:12:09client's house alone. On his way back, he saw Mai Jiang leaving work. She smiled, expecting a greeting.
00:12:16But he drove past without stopping. After delivering the collected money to Mai Jiang's mother,
00:12:22Mr. Gu left without a word. That evening, Mai Jiang brought him a meal.
00:12:26Mr. Gu, why are you so inconsistent? Sometimes you're kind, and sometimes you're so cold.
00:12:33Mr. Gu didn't understand why Mai Jiang's father had been so hesitant to accept the money he'd
00:12:38rightfully earned. And Mai Jiang was the same. It's not your fault they owe you money, but you're
00:12:44afraid to speak up. Do you want me to collect it for you? Mai Jiang believed that confronting
00:12:50acquaintances about money would put her in an even worse situation. If you don't change,
00:12:55Mr. Gu said, you can't change others. People just need to live the way they want. Disappointed,
00:13:01Mai Jiang walked away, accidentally dropping her lunchbox. Mr. Gu walked by, offering no help and
00:13:08saying nothing. Although they wanted to change, they didn't know where they were trapped. At the
00:13:13dinner table, Chang He was constantly taking calls from clients. His father, unable to contain himself
00:13:19any longer, criticized him for being directionless despite his age. His words struck a nerve.
00:13:26Chang He snapped back. You haven't done much better. Raising three kids in the sticks,
00:13:31can't even afford a car. Did everything go according to your plan? Chang He's words seemed
00:13:37to hit his father where it hurt. A heavy silence fell between them. At work, a thunderstorm suddenly
00:13:43rolled in. Chang He's colleagues were terrified, but Mai Jiang remained calm. The three liberation
00:13:49club members also had their first official meeting. Sitting by the window, watching the people
00:13:54outside, they began their first monologue about their liberation journey. As the rain intensified,
00:14:01Mr. Gu sat outside, lost in thought. He seemed trapped, unsure how to escape. Suddenly, lightning
00:14:07struck a power pole, plunging the house into darkness. Mai Jiang rushed to Mr. Gu's place, urging him to go
00:14:14home. The power lines are down, you could get electrocuted. Mai Jiang's concern touched Mr. Gu. Since arriving,
00:14:23no one had shown him such genuine care. Looking up at the pouring rain, he muttered, foolishly walking
00:14:29in the rain, I don't know where I'm trapped, but I desperately want to break free. I want my life to be
00:14:34truly happy. Both Mai Jiang and Mr. Gu were quietly changing. Each small transformation captivated viewers.
00:14:42Even though their dialogue was limited, it was enough to spark a wave of fan shipping.
00:14:47The rain stopped, and the sun came out. The family went out to work in the garden.
00:14:52Mr. Gu, still slightly hungover, joined them. When Mai Jiang's father showed concern for him,
00:14:58he remained quiet, diligently working. During breaks, he sat alone in a corner as usual,
00:15:04his expression listless and despondent. Mai Jiang stared at this familiar yet strange man.
00:15:10A sudden gust of wind blew Mai Jiang's hat across the street. Seeing her helpless expression,
00:15:17Mr. Gu paused, as if making a decision. Mai Jiang, wait for me, he said. He stood up and slowly walked
00:15:24forward. He remembered why he had come to this place, and Mai Jiang's words, which had awakened
00:15:29something within him. He stood in place, like an athlete preparing to launch. Then he sprinted at
00:15:36lightning speed. He leaped over the stream, or rather, over his own psychological barrier.
00:15:42Are you sure, that by spring, we'll really be transformed? She had asked.
00:15:46I'm sure, he replied. Mai Jiang firmly believed their spring was coming.
00:15:52This sudden burst of action piqued Chang He's curiosity. At dinner, he relentlessly questioned
00:15:57Mr. Gu's identity. But Mr. Gu remained silent. That night, Chang He recounted the story to his
00:16:04friends, his eyes filled with awe, convinced that Mr. Gu was extraordinary. He talked about Mr. Gu
00:16:10throughout their drinking session, enthralled by a newfound sense of excitement. Mr. Gu's leap had
00:16:15ignited a fire in him. The morning's events also made Mai Jiang more curious about Mr. Gu.
00:16:21On her way to buy medicine, she wondered. Why do I feel this strange sense of disappointment?
00:16:27Is it because Mr. Gu is sometimes close, sometimes distant? She recalled her sister Hyun A's advice.
00:16:34Don't be someone who craves love. She believed that after so many setbacks, she had become stronger,
00:16:41no longer yearning for love. Walking down a dark alley, she bumped into Mr. Gu coming from the
00:16:46opposite direction. Mai Jiang called out to him, handing him a few bottles of saju she had just
00:16:52bought. As she turned to leave, Mr. Gu suddenly spoke. By spring, will we really be transformed?
00:16:59She had said, Worship, and you'll be transformed. I've been doing things I've never tried before,
00:17:05and I'm being transformed. Mai Jiang waited for Mr. Gu's answer. He simply nodded silently,
00:17:11then turned and walked away. Are you going to try? She asked. I already have, since this morning,
00:17:18he replied. This answer seemed to satisfy Mai Jiang. Watching him walk away, a rare smile appeared on
00:17:25her face. Two people, unsure of what trapped them, were simultaneously moving forward, stepping outside
00:17:32their confines. Influenced by Mai Jiang, Gu was gradually changing. He began to clean his messy house.
00:17:38Looking at the room filled with empty bottles, a wave of indescribable melancholy washed over him.
00:17:45Perhaps he had even grown to loathe himself. Gu went to the convenience store to buy alcohol and
00:17:50coincidentally ran into Mai Jiang, who had just finished work. Mai Jiang saw him too and smiled
00:17:56as she walked towards him. However, he just glanced at her and walked away without even a greeting.
00:18:02He probably felt ashamed to be seen buying alcohol. Mai Jiang was dumbfounded,
00:18:07unable to explain his behavior, so she followed him, demanding a reason. But Gu remained cold and
00:18:13dismissive. His hot and cold attitude was truly baffling to Mai Jiang. That evening, after buying
00:18:20his alcohol, he stood awkwardly outside Mai Jiang's house, but the figure he longed to see never
00:18:26appeared. He had bought her ice cream, of course, to apologize for that morning. Even though he didn't
00:18:31see Mai Jiang, he still wanted to change for her. Today was the liberation club's meeting day.
00:18:38The three of them began their personal liberation monologues. Mai Jiang's story was about the person
00:18:43she liked. In her memory, no such person truly existed. The people she thought she liked, upon closer
00:18:49interaction, always made her feel restricted and uneasy. I might look like I'm having fun with them,
00:18:55but in reality, I don't like any of them. Maybe that's why I'm gradually becoming exhausted without
00:19:01even realizing it. To thank Gu for his long-term help, Mai Jiang's father paid him. But Gu didn't
00:19:08know what to do with the money. He stood leisurely outside, basking in the sun, but his eyes kept
00:19:13glancing at Mai Jiang's father. Finally, he made up his mind and mustered the courage to ask for Mai Jiang's
00:19:20phone number. Mai Jiang's father readily gave him the number. Just after getting off work, Mai Jiang
00:19:26received a text from an unknown number. While she was still puzzled, she received two more messages and
00:19:32realized it was Gu asking her out to dinner. Despite the impersonal words on the screen, Mai Jiang felt a
00:19:38warmth spread through her heart. She went to the subway station. This time, he was already waiting, no longer
00:19:45avoiding her. They hadn't spoken a word, but their hearts were already intertwined. At the dinner table,
00:19:51they remained mostly silent. But Gu occasionally glanced at Mai Jiang and thoughtfully offered her
00:19:57napkins. This small gesture conveyed a care she had never experienced before. Unspoken affection quietly
00:20:04filled the air. On the way home, Mai Jiang opened up to Gu. She confessed that she didn't like her parents
00:20:10and didn't have much affection for her siblings either. The family of five was like familiar
00:20:15strangers, all looking towards the same distant mountain, silently making their own decisions.
00:20:21Seeing how weary Mai Jiang was, Gu said, Can I tell you a few lies? Like, tell you how incredibly
00:20:27beautiful you are? Mai Jiang believed that in the moment a lie is spoken, it might become true.
00:20:33She allowed him to try. As Gu stood there, gazing at Mai Jiang, the words he wanted to say caught in his
00:20:40throat. He could only awkwardly continue walking. They ran into Gia Jiang getting off the bus.
00:20:46She looked at them walking together with a hint of suspicion but didn't say much. The three of them
00:20:51walked home together. Mai Jiang went to work as usual and happened to see Gu making a delivery.
00:20:57This time, Gu quietly stopped his truck by the side of the road. Even though he didn't say anything,
00:21:03Mai Jiang's father understood his intentions. He immediately called Mai Jiang over to the truck.
00:21:09The three of them set off together. No one spoke, but it felt as if everything had already been said.
00:21:16Mai Jiang's monotonous workdays suddenly became brighter thanks to Gu's text messages.
00:21:21Mai Jiang took pictures of the beautiful scenery along the way and shared them with Gu.
00:21:26This used to be her solace. Now, she had him. Even at work, she found herself looking forward to his
00:21:32replies. Chang He discovered Gu's house full of empty bottles. Despite being busy, he went over to help
00:21:39clean up. But when Gu returned, he suddenly became angry. Would you be happy if someone didn't ask for
00:21:45your help? The two could only leave, feeling frustrated. But using alcohol to escape life,
00:21:51like a recurring nightmare, was hard for Gu to forget. It wasn't until he read Mai Jiang's message
00:21:58that he finally felt some comfort. When Gu Jiang learned about Mai Jiang and Gu, she hoped Mai Jiang
00:22:04wouldn't get involved with an alcoholic. The village was small, and she feared Mai Jiang would become the
00:22:10subject of gossip. But Mai Jiang didn't care. Being with Gu gave her a sense of peace she'd never known.
00:22:17I've always been looking for someone who can make me a better person. A partner who will make me happier.
00:22:22But no matter who I choose, I can never fully support them. I don't want to repeat the same
00:22:27mistakes. Even if the whole world points fingers at him, I want to support him with unwavering equality.
00:22:34Gu Jiang was deeply touched by her words. Even though Gu often didn't reply to her messages,
00:22:40Mai Jiang still shared every little detail of her day with him. She wouldn't punish him for not
00:22:45responding. Nor did she need to measure how much he loved her. She simply admired and adored him.
00:22:51Perhaps this was her own way of liberating herself. Gu stared at the words on his phone,
00:22:57a warmth spreading through his heart. He, too, warmed Mai Jiang with his unspoken love.
00:23:03He shared his thoughts with her, gave her her favorite ice cream, and finally found the courage
00:23:07to tackle the mountain of empty bottles in his room. He meticulously cleaned his house and sent
00:23:13Mai Jiang a picture. What do you think I'll do in a clean room? Drink, of course, she replied.
00:23:18Mai Jiang, once quiet and introverted, had become more open under Gu's influence. After work,
00:23:25Gu always waited for her. He still wasn't as talkative as before, but his eyes were full
00:23:30of affection. Though they sat apart, their hearts were intertwined. In the middle of the night,
00:23:36they sat in the clean room, drinking and sharing their thoughts. Gu had rekindled a flicker of hope
00:23:41for life. Mai Jiang swore she wouldn't ask about his past, wouldn't stop him from drinking, and
00:23:47wouldn't bother him. When her heart was full, she would leave. I adore you, he said. Adore me more,
00:23:54she replied. It's not enough. Moved by Mai Jiang, Gu finally chose to face his feelings,
00:24:01opening his heart and confessing his love for her during a break at work. Gu's previous leap across
00:24:06the stream had ignited a spark of ambition in Chang'e. He believed he could be like Mr. Gu,
00:24:12that he could succeed if he just ran with all his might. The result, a face plant. I told you not to
00:24:19jump, Gu said. He simply sat there, gazing at Mai Jiang with love in his eyes. That day, the whole
00:24:26family worked under the scorching sun. Although they didn't speak, Gu quietly took care of Mai Jiang,
00:24:31thoughtfully preparing water for her. Gu Jiang watched from afar, filled with envy. At dinner,
00:24:38Mai Jiang's father tried to pay Gu for his work, but he refused. I prefer the time I spend working
00:24:44with Mai Jiang. When her father went to print a copy of the family register, he discovered Mai Jiang's
00:24:50residency had been transferred. He couldn't understand why his obedient and sensible daughter
00:24:55would do such a thing. At dinner, he asked Mai Jiang for an explanation. Mai Jiang lied, saying it was
00:25:02for a friend whose business had failed and needed her name for a credit card. Mai Jiang's father calmly
00:25:08replied, transfer your residency back. Those words felt like an invisible mountain pressing down on her,
00:25:15making it hard to breathe. Panic welled up inside her. Gu saw everything. When she went to the bank,
00:25:22she learned that if she didn't repay the debt soon, she would have a bad credit rating.
00:25:27The thought brought tears to her eyes. She texted her ex-boyfriend, but received no reply,
00:25:33so she called him repeatedly. Finally, a woman answered,
00:25:37My card will be blocked soon, and I'll be blacklisted. In that moment, she couldn't hold back any longer.
00:25:44She had done nothing wrong. She was the one who had been hurt the most, yet she felt like a criminal.
00:25:50Perhaps her only mistake was trusting that deceitful, despicable man.
00:25:55Mai Jiang wandered the streets alone, lost and heartbroken. She didn't know that the man who
00:26:00adored her was waiting at the edge of the village, hoping to see her. But the person who got off the
00:26:05bus was Gi Jiang. To settle the debt, Mai Jiang had no choice but to use her years of savings.
00:26:12Although the matter was resolved, she couldn't bring herself to feel happy. Just then,
00:26:17she ran into Mr. Gu. His appearance was like a ray of light, dispelling the fog within her.
00:26:22They exchanged a few words, then stood quietly together, waiting for the bus. Neither wanted
00:26:28to bother the other with excessive chatter. Mai Jiang occasionally initiated conversation.
00:26:34Mr. Gu remained quiet, but just being together brought them a strange sense of peace.
00:26:39He knew what she needed most at that moment was someone by her side.
00:26:42Mai Jiang confessed that she had paid off the debt. Even though her ex-boyfriend had promised to
00:26:48reimburse her, Mr. Gu saw the worry in her eyes and offered to help her get the money back.
00:26:54But Mai Jiang didn't want him to get involved. Do you still have feelings for him?
00:26:59Mai Jiang didn't know how to answer. The air between them became still.
00:27:03Back home, Mai Jiang sought out Mr. Gu. She told him how she'd paid off the debt herself,
00:27:09just to find some comfort in him. She knew it was pathetic, that she was the most pathetic person
00:27:14in this whole situation. But she couldn't bring herself to confront anyone. It's even hard for
00:27:20me to express my feelings to you, so what makes you think I can be tough? I think you're pretty good
00:27:26at expressing your feelings to me. That's because I like you. Anything is possible in front of the
00:27:31person you like. Mr. Gu realized Mai Jiang was confessing her feelings in her own unique way.
00:27:37He made her a bowl of spicy noodles. Your hands are shaking. Come eat. This is my way of showing
00:27:44admiration for you. Eat up. Mr. Gu, still reserved in his expressions, continued. You scare me. Just
00:27:52seeing you makes me nervous, like an idiot. It's frustrating. Although it's frustrating,
00:27:57I still look forward to seeing you. These words completely captivated Mai Jiang. She continued in
00:28:03her thoughts. I really like this man. He may not be the most handsome actor in the drama,
00:28:09but he is definitely the most masculine, capturing the heart of the female lead and the audience.
00:28:15Since falling in love, Mai Jiang's mood had improved greatly, becoming full of hope for life.
00:28:21Her colleagues curiously asked why she liked a grumpy, alcoholic older man. Mai Jiang couldn't explain it.
00:28:27She just felt that Mr. Gu wasn't like other men, not hiding behind a tough exterior.
00:28:32Despite her blossoming love life, Mai Jiang still faced difficulties at work. Once again,
00:28:39she was forced to work overtime, revising a proposal. But she lacked inspiration,
00:28:43so she packed up her things and left. Instead of going home, Mai Jiang went to a cafe near the
00:28:49bus terminal. She thought about how she used to be scolded to tears over work. She always fantasized
00:28:55about having someone silently supporting her, which was what allowed her to persevere until now.
00:29:00At that moment, a familiar figure passed by. It was the man who understood her. The man she had
00:29:07fantasized about. Mai Jiang turned to look at Mr. Gu's back. He also stole a glance at her.
00:29:13They remained silent, each doing their own thing, without exchanging a single word.
00:29:19Mr. Gu's irresistible presence captivated Mai Jiang. Her fantasy had become reality. At midnight,
00:29:25they walked together along a country road. They shared their innermost feelings, taking another
00:29:30step towards understanding each other. Then, they slowly disappeared into the night. One day,
00:29:37Mr. Gu finished a delivery and was resting at a gas station. Unexpectedly, he was recognized by Sam
00:29:43sick as he was leaving. They couldn't believe that the former gangster was now a delivery driver.
00:29:48Not long after, Mr. Gu received a call from a friend. The friend worried that his whereabouts
00:29:54had been exposed and that it would provoke rivals seeking revenge. He urged Mr. Gu to return quickly
00:30:00to strategize. But Mr. Gu wasn't planning to leave. Because there was someone here worth staying for.
00:30:07Mai Jiang's proposal was approved by her boss. Because of this, she got off work early that day.
00:30:13Mr. Gu arrived early at the bus stop to wait for Mai Jiang. Eager to see her, he hurried downstairs.
00:30:20She was worried about making him wait. But when she arrived, he was nowhere in sight. A pang of
00:30:26disappointment hit her. At that very moment, Mr. Gu was buying ice cream and coffee. The cashier at
00:30:32the convenience store asked, no alcohol today? He didn't bother explaining, grabbing his purchases
00:30:38and rushing out the door. He almost collided with Mai Jiang as she walked up. They looked at each
00:30:44other, both unable to hide the joy in their eyes. Mai Jiang said, my best friend wanted to meet you,
00:30:51but I said no. You two have such similar personalities, I'm afraid you'd clash.
00:30:56Mr. Gu took Mai Jiang to a place where they had taken a photo as children. They sat there, admiring the
00:31:02rainbow after the rain, a portrait of their hard knock lives. After the rain, there's always a
00:31:08rainbow. Every day, Mr. Gu waited for Mai Jiang outside the bus stop. It had become a habit. They
00:31:15enjoyed the simple pleasure of seeing each other, walking along the small road at night, sharing
00:31:19their day. Mr. Gu always silently protected Mai Jiang. Worried the smell of decaying animal carcasses would
00:31:26frighten her, he told her to walk on the other side of the road. But Mai Jiang was used to these
00:31:31things, even commenting. Squashed frogs are the most common. I've even learned the sound a frog makes
00:31:37when it's being crushed. Hearing this, even Mr. Gu felt a twinge of cruelty, a look of disgust crossing
00:31:44his face. Unable to listen any further, he quickened his pace and walked ahead. One day, Mr. Gu and
00:31:51Mai Jiang's father were transporting lumber. Unexpectedly, the straps broke mid-journey, sending the wood
00:31:57tumbling to the ground. They rushed out of the truck to gather the scattered planks. To their
00:32:02surprise, they encountered Mr. Gu's rival. Sam Six said, I can't believe how indifferent Mr. Gu was
00:32:09to his girlfriend's death. Mr. Gu's girlfriend was my younger sister. She was under a lot of pressure
00:32:15back then. Not only did you not comfort her, but you also said things that pushed her over the edge.
00:32:20In the end, she jumped off a cliff. That's why I've been relentlessly pursuing you.
00:32:26In truth, Mr. Gu was filled with self-blame. His words had led to his girlfriend's death.
00:32:32It was the reason he had retreated to the countryside, avoiding contact with others,
00:32:36spending his days drinking and staring at the sky. After work, Mai Jiang went to the convenience store.
00:32:43While she hesitated over which drink to buy, the clerk pointed out Mr. Gu's usual choice.
00:32:48The clerk also took the opportunity to inquire about their relationship.
00:32:53Mai Jiang went to Mr. Gu's house and shared her day with him, including the store clerks probing
00:32:58questions about whether they were dating. But Mr. Gu remained silent throughout, just quietly drinking.
00:33:04He knew that his peace wouldn't last. He also worried about bringing trouble to Mai Jiang's family.
00:33:10Seeing his low spirits, Mai Jiang didn't know how to comfort him. He seemed exhausted. Unable to find the
00:33:17words, he simply said, I'm very tired. Understanding, Mai Jiang left. She knew Mr. Gu carried his own
00:33:24burdens. When she got home, her mother, full of curiosity, asked, Why were you coming from Mr. Gu's
00:33:31place? Mai Jiang hesitated for a long time before answering. Only when her mother pressed her again
00:33:37did she reply, We're seeing each other. Her whole family overheard. Their quiet, obedient daughter
00:33:43was now saying she was in love with a laborer with a mysterious past. Mai Jiang's mother was shocked
00:33:49and bewildered. Her father, however, remained silent. Mai Jiang's mother had been kind to Mr. Gu in the
00:33:55past, but today, there was a clear hint of disapproval. Mr. Gu was an outsider, his background unclear,
00:34:02and she wasn't comfortable entrusting her daughter to a stranger. Mai Jiang's father, on the other hand,
00:34:08seemed to respect Mr. Gu. During a break, the usually quiet man engaged Mr. Gu in conversation.
00:34:15He said, This line of work is good these days. As long as you work hard, you won't have to worry
00:34:21about food and clothing. Mr. Gu understood. Mai Jiang's father was trying to encourage him to stay,
00:34:27but his current situation was dangerous, so he avoided a direct answer. He excused himself to go
00:34:33buy new tape and left. That evening, Mr. Gu still carried a heavy heart, refusing to answer calls
00:34:39or texts. Mai Jiang didn't know how to advise him. You must be tired today, too, right? She asked.
00:34:47Mr. Gu responded. I heard you told them we're dating. Yes. Was that necessary? I could leave here
00:34:54anytime. Mai Jiang understood the underlying meaning in Mr. Gu's words, but she didn't care what others
00:35:00thought and quietly sat beside him. Before I go, if you have anything to say, just say it.
00:35:06Mr. Gu hesitated for a long time, finally revealing the deepest scar he'd been hiding. Because he wasn't
00:35:13good with words, his ex-girlfriend had jumped off a cliff. Mai Jiang now understood why he had been
00:35:18despondent all day, finding solace in alcohol. If you want to stop here, then I'll stop. You mean my
00:35:25adoration can be withdrawn, too? When did you ever adore me? This question pierced Mr. Gu like a
00:35:32needle. The next day, after work, Mai Jiang didn't rush home. She reviewed her liberation diary,
00:35:39noting everything she'd done to seek a new life. She wasn't sure if she should keep persisting.
00:35:44After giving Mai Jiang the cold shoulder, Mr. Gu started drinking heavily again. Chang He sought him out,
00:35:50sharing his own troubles. The two disappointed men, like old friends, quietly listened to each other.
00:35:57Mr. Gu recalled the first day he stumbled upon this place. It was a snowy night, and he encountered
00:36:02Mai Jiang and Chang He, both drunk. Mai Jiang's words, get out of the car, had inadvertently saved his
00:36:09life. He stayed there ever since. He often saw Mai Jiang on the road, but they only glanced at each other,
00:36:15never interacting. Disappointed and lonely, Mr. Gu walked alone. Just then, Mai Jiang, finishing work,
00:36:23saw him and rushed out of her car to follow him. She still wanted to adore this man. Although Mr. Gu had
00:36:29subtly suggested breaking up, Mai Jiang couldn't let go of the person who had helped her change.
00:36:35She followed him to a deserted area. Mr. Gu stood unsteadily, ignoring the stray dogs barking at him.
00:36:41Seeing the dogs about to attack, Mai Jiang bravely rushed forward, using all her strength to protect
00:36:48him from harm. Mai Jiang's actions moved Mr. Gu, but he didn't know what to do. He didn't want Mai Jiang
00:36:54to get hurt because of him. But Mai Jiang was still willing to stay by his side. The next day,
00:37:00Mai Jiang went to Mr. Gu's place, bringing alcohol gifted by Chang He. She hoped he would say something,
00:37:06but he remained melancholic, drinking continuously. Don't you want to say anything? What's harder,
00:37:13getting your hand or nose bitten off by a stray dog, or being kind to the girl you like?
00:37:19Mr. Gu fell silent, lost in thought. I'm an idiot. I can't even collect the money I lent out.
00:37:25So what about you now? At this moment, Mr. Gu became incredibly vulnerable, unable to face his
00:37:32feelings for Mai Jiang. He thought his words would drive her away, but they only strengthened her
00:37:37resolve to stay. You once said, no matter what my name is, even if I'm a terrible person condemned
00:37:43by the whole world, you don't care. In your eyes, I'm still a good person. So, let's keep moving
00:37:49forward. That sincere and passionate confession seemed to give Mr. Gu a tremendous boost.
00:37:55Finally, Mr. Gu resolved to stay and protect Mai Jiang. He drove to his former workplace and stormed
00:38:02into Sam's 6 office. Stop bothering the people around me. Do you want to stay in the countryside
00:38:08as a laborer, or go back and reclaim everything that belongs to you? After I've rested for a while,
00:38:14I'll give you an answer. He walked straight out. Now, he wanted to find the woman he loved most.
00:38:20After work, Mai Jiang received Mr. Gu's reply. A happy smile spread across her face. At this moment,
00:38:28Mai Jiang could perfectly understand the phrase. If it's to see you, I think I would run.
00:38:34Seeing Mai Jiang out of breath, Mr. Gu didn't say much, just quietly got into the car before the
00:38:39traffic jam. He also said he would deal with the manager who often gave Mai Jiang a hard time.
00:38:45During dinner, Mr. Gu passed the sauce to Mai Jiang and often looked at the girl who
00:38:50adored him. He brought her side dishes and poured her water. He even saved the last bite of rice for
00:38:56her. In this moment, the air around them seemed sweet. Seeing Mr. Gu and Mai Jiang back on good
00:39:02terms, Chang He asked Mr. Gu for a favor after discovering a secret Gu was hiding in the bathroom.
00:39:09He held the luxury car key, repeatedly confirming with Gu if it was real. He wanted to experience what
00:39:15it felt like to be rich, just once. I just got back from Seoul, and you want me to go back there?
00:39:21Mr. Gu took Chang He to an underground parking garage. The moment he saw the Rolls Royce,
00:39:27Chang He was speechless with astonishment.
00:39:30Just get out of here, Mr. Gu said, giving him a quick hug.
00:39:34Chang He drove off, experiencing a joy he had never known before.
00:39:37Mai Jiang and Mr. Gu sat basking in the sunset, enjoying the peaceful moment brought by the breeze.
00:39:44The usually taciturn Mr. Gu seemed to want to say something, but seeing Mai Jiang's beautiful face,
00:39:50he held back the words in his heart. Quietly enjoying this beautiful time with Mai Jiang didn't
00:39:55seem so bad after all. They looked at each other, and although they didn't speak, their eyes conveyed
00:40:01the love between them. After thinking for a long time, Mr. Gu finally spoke.
00:40:06I admire you a lot. Mr. Gu's sudden confession stunned Mai Jiang. The man before her, once rough
00:40:13and taciturn, had the audacity to confess his feelings. Mai Jiang's heart overflowed with sweet
00:40:19affection. They kept each other company in the sunset, silently enjoying their love. At work,
00:40:25Mai Jiang not only faced difficulties from her superiors, but was also mocked for her outdated clothes.
00:40:31Facing their ridicule, Mai Jiang didn't respond. In the elevator, her superior gave her a sarcastic
00:40:37look. What does the Liberation Club do? What are you trying to liberate yourselves from?
00:40:43Work? This time, Mai Jiang didn't shy away. From annoying people. Mai Jiang didn't expect that her
00:40:50first attempt at talking back would leave her flustered for a long time. She kept touching her
00:40:55cheeks. Perhaps only Mr. Gu could calm her racing heart. I'm so hungry.
00:41:00My face feels so hot. What do you want to eat? I want to drink.
00:41:06Mai Jiang drank and complained about her incompetent superior. Mr. Gu just looked at her affectionately,
00:41:12a quiet listener. Usually, the weaker ones are more annoying. If you get the chance,
00:41:18invite him to a deserted place and teach him a lesson. He's probably no match for you.
00:41:24Mr. Gu's words comforted Mai Jiang somewhat. In the small house, under the dim light,
00:41:29they ate ramen and drank. Mr. Gu looked at the moon outside the window, closing his eyes to enjoy the
00:41:35gentle night breeze. He remembered his days of despair, but now he had someone he admired to love.
00:41:42The emptiness in his lonely heart was now filled. In the darkness, they felt a sense of peace.
00:41:47It seems that people are most clear-headed when they're lonely. I feel much more clear-headed at
00:41:53night. Seeming to understand the meaning behind Mai Jiang's words, Mr. Gu took her to the mountaintop.
00:41:59But Mai Jiang's heart was uneasy. She didn't understand why she had been so anxious before,
00:42:05unable to laugh freely like others. Mr. Gu's presence gave her strength, the courage to continue loving.
00:42:12In the darkness, they looked towards the distant lights. The night wind made Mai Jiang feel a little
00:42:17cold. Mr. Gu, summoning his courage, gently embraced her, rubbing her shoulders to warm her.
00:42:23His actions warmed Mai Jiang's cold heart. They gazed at each other affectionately,
00:42:29no longer holding back the surging emotions within. Since they had been honest with each other,
00:42:34Mai Jiang and Mr. Gu had fallen into the sweetness of love. They would discuss all sorts of strange topics.
00:42:41Because they can't bear to eat the goats they raise,
00:42:44the villagers exchange goats with each other when it's time to eat goat. No matter what. If the
00:42:50livestock had names, could you still eat them? They don't have names. Livestock meant for slaughter
00:42:56aren't given names. Mr. Gu seemed to realize something and quickly chased after Mai Jiang.
00:43:02Have Mai Jiang give me a name. That evening, as Mai Jiang left work, she saw Gu returning with a bottle of
00:43:08Saju. He seemed lost in thought, completely oblivious to her presence. It wasn't until he drew closer that
00:43:15he noticed her waiting. They exchanged smiles and walked together down the narrow village lane.
00:43:21Mai Jiang recounted the details of her day, bit by bit. Gu simply walked beside her, listening,
00:43:27his eyes fixed on her with a besotted tenderness.
00:43:29I feel like I can tell you anything now, she said. Mai Jiang knew this man had changed her,
00:43:35subtly and profoundly. Someone had sideswiped Gu's expensive car, leaving Chang-hee distraught.
00:43:42He'd still mustered the courage to tell Gu what had happened. Gu stared at his beloved car for a long
00:43:48time, saying nothing. Then, quietly, he put on his shoes. The two men chased each other from the village
00:43:54lane into the fields, a comical marathon of pursuit and evasion. Finally, breathless and exhausted,
00:44:01they reached the subway station. Looking out at the bustling sit-escape, Gu's troubled mind made a
00:44:07decision. He confessed to his friend the truth about Sam's six-drug dealing. He knew this meant the
00:44:13end of their peaceful days. To protect the woman he loved from the inevitable fallout, Gu gently broke up
00:44:19with Mai Jiang. I'm leaving, he said. Where? Back to Seoul. Why would you go back there all of a sudden?
00:44:27It's where I belong. Mai Jiang didn't ask any further questions. She simply walked away into the night,
00:44:34tears silently streaming down her face as she contemplated the separation from the man who had
00:44:39brought new life into her world. Summoning her courage, Mai Jiang went to Gu's place.
00:44:44I'll call you sometimes, she said. If you're free, maybe we can meet. Once or twice a month.
00:44:51He refused. I need a clean break. Gu knew what he was involved in was dangerous. He didn't want
00:44:57Mai Jiang to get caught up in it or hurt. That's why he spoke so firmly, so cruelly. Though Mai Jiang
00:45:04pretended not to care, hoping he would stay, Gu's mind was made up. You can yell at me if you want,
00:45:10he said. Don't regret it later. But Mai Jiang remained silent. Aren't you angry? I'm throwing
00:45:17everything away to leave. Aren't you angry? I'm heartbroken, she replied, but not angry.
00:45:24Her words pierced Gu's heart. He told her she should live a normal life, have the same desires
00:45:29as other people. Not admiration or liberation or anything like that, he said. Just, normal desires,
00:45:37like, like wanting to push a baby stroller. The words pained him as he spoke them.
00:45:43I want you on my back, Mai Jiang said suddenly. I want to carry you on my back, like you're one-year-old.
00:45:49Her unexpected confession brought tears to Gu's eyes. But in the end, he still left the village.
00:45:56When Gu went to say goodbye to Mai Jiang's father, the old man was just as saddened as she was.
00:46:01But he didn't try to convince Gu to stay. Instead, he said, if you ever come back, this will always be
00:46:07your home. He even gave Gu some more money for his work. Mai Jiang's father wanted Gu to know that his
00:46:14acceptance wasn't based on his wealth. As Gu drove away, he saw the stray dog being taken away.
00:46:20Perhaps, because of Gu's umbrella, the dog had felt a false sense of security and had let down its guard
00:46:26around humans. After Gu left, Mai Jiang tried calling him repeatedly, but he had changed his
00:46:32number. No one answered. Tears welled up in her eyes. She feared she might never see him again.
00:46:38Not long after his return, Gu attended Sam Sick's funeral. While fleeing the police, Sam Sick had
00:46:45fallen onto Rebar and died. Sitting at the funeral, Gu suddenly started laughing. He had only meant to teach
00:46:52Sam Sick a lesson not to get him killed. Now both Sam Sick and his sister were dead because of him.
00:46:58Snow fell heavily as Mai Jiang walked down the road. Every so often, she would turn around,
00:47:04as if to see if Gu was still there beside her. The gangster, hiding out in the countryside, returned.
00:47:10Immediately, he realized everything had gone haywire in his absence. Gu started making the rounds of the
00:47:16bars, ready to set things straight. At a bar managed by a friend, he discovered an even bigger mess of
00:47:23unpaid debts. He had no choice but to personally intervene. Gu ordered his men to summon all the
00:47:29managers, demanding explanations for how things had gotten so out of hand. He then chose one manager
00:47:35to make an example of. Gu took the manager to a back room and asked if anyone recognized the debtor in
00:47:41question. Sure enough, she was a notorious deadbeat, a regular at the bar who frequently skipped out on
00:47:47her bills. Gu found out where she worked and took the manager along to demonstrate how to handle such
00:47:52situations. Announcing her debts loudly, Gu confronted the woman at her workplace, intending to shame her
00:47:59publicly. He pressured her to pay up. In this business, a show of force was sometimes necessary to
00:48:05keep debtors in line. This was Gu's work, his old life. After resolving the issue, he reported back
00:48:12to his boss. The darkness had returned. One day, a baby stroller appeared in the bar. The father had
00:48:19left the baby with someone while he went to the karaoke rooms. When his wife arrived and started
00:48:24arguing with him, she didn't want to upset the child, so she brought the baby to Gu's room. Gu stared at
00:48:30the baby, unsure what to do. The baby stared back. He thought about clinking glasses with it, then
00:48:36realized the absurdity. He was still trying to figure out how to navigate the awkward situation
00:48:41when the couple finished their argument and the baby was retrieved. Around something so innocent,
00:48:47even Gu softened. He went to a restaurant he used to frequent. The waitress brought out his food,
00:48:53and when he saw the vegetables, he was suddenly reminded of my jiang. My mother said you liked sweet
00:48:59potatoes, so she told me to bring some. The next day, while waiting for one of his underlings,
00:49:05Gu made a decision. Back in his office, he called out, my jiang. You called for me, a voice replied.
00:49:12He had renamed one of his men my jiang. He asked this my jiang what his wish was for the day.
00:49:18He was trying to find a way to ease his longing, to fulfill the wishes of someone named my jiang,
00:49:24so that his own heart might find some peace. The underling said he wanted to go home.
00:49:29Gu readily agreed and gave him a wad of cash, but it didn't improve his mood. It only made
00:49:35him miss the real my jiang more. At the dinner table, my jiang's mother mentioned Gu, but my jiang
00:49:41brushed it off. She didn't want to revisit the painful past. Alone, she went to the mountain
00:49:46where they had kissed. It's just a man who left me. What's the big deal? A jerk who ran away from
00:49:52happiness. How could she not think of him? My jiang looked at the small house Gu had rented.
00:49:59She felt a sense of abandonment, wondering when, or if, she would ever see him again.
00:50:04Chang He had also quit his long-held job. While his father didn't ask about his reasons,
00:50:10he expected him to have a plan. The pressure caused Chang He to snap.
00:50:14You spend all day silently working with machines. You don't understand how tiring it is to work with
00:50:20people. Couldn't you just say, you've worked hard, son? Take some time off.
00:50:26Chang He's outburst silenced the family. Perhaps, in this house, they all lacked a way to express care
00:50:32for each other. Gu jiang told her mother she was seeing a divorced man. Her mother, worried,
00:50:38insisted on meeting him. She found him handsome and charming, and liked him more and more with each
00:50:43passing moment. She not only ordered more food for them, but also paid the bill. The happy mother
00:50:49went to the market to buy vegetables. Some time earlier, my jiang's aunt had witnessed her crying
00:50:55and told her mother. Her mother knew she was crying over Gu's departure. Thinking of her sweet,
00:51:01understanding daughter heartbroken over love, she finally broke down and cried herself. She didn't know
00:51:06how to comfort her. While cooking dinner, she decided to take a short nap. She never woke up.
00:51:12On her way home from work, my jiang saw an ambulance speed past and stop in front of her house.
00:51:19Despair washed over her. Her mother's love had been like a warm current, but now their family's small
00:51:24stream had run dry. My jiang's family was plunged into profound grief. Gu jiang washed her face with
00:51:31tears every day, missing their mother. Though my jiang appeared strong on the outside, every night,
00:51:37she would stare blankly at her mother's lunchbox. Their mother's passing seemed to have matured Chang
00:51:43He considerably. He took the initiative to help his father with work at the factory and began to worry
00:51:48about his father's well-being. Though he, too, grieved, he controlled his emotions in front of his
00:51:54father, knowing his father's sorrow was the deepest. At work, my jiang was also dealt a blow by her
00:52:00superior. He was clearly having an affair with another female employee, but he listed my jiang's
00:52:06name as the other woman. My jiang knew who the real other woman was but had kept it to herself.
00:52:13However, this time, the woman's actions had finally pushed her over the edge. She confronted the woman
00:52:18and dealt with her as Gu had once advised. Bruised and battered, my jiang sat outside Gu's old house.
00:52:25From now on, I'm not making any more friends, I don't need them. My jiang frequently visited the
00:52:32place where she used to eat with Gu, hoping to run into him, but she never did. During dinner one
00:52:38night, Gi jiang discovered my jiang had a debt of 2 million won. My jiang admitted she had assaulted
00:52:44someone and needed to pay compensation. But Gi jiang pressed her. Why 2 million won? Did you lend money
00:52:51to your ex-boyfriend? My jiang's averted gaze was all the confirmation Gi jiang needed. For the first
00:52:58time, Gi jiang hit her. Why didn't you tell anyone? Don't you have a family? Don't you have a father
00:53:04and mother? Chang he stepped in to defend my jiang. When I borrowed money to buy a car, I was ignored by
00:53:11the family. Have I ever asked for help when I was in trouble? His words silenced everyone. Their father,
00:53:18overwhelmed by the successive misfortunes, couldn't bring himself to work. He smoked alone in the
00:53:24factory to ease his mind. At the dinner table, Chang he continued to comfort his father.
00:53:30We will definitely become closer. His father smiled, a flicker of joy in his eyes. Chang he requested to
00:53:37buy a car for the family, and his father agreed. The four of them walked along the beach in the late
00:53:43afternoon sun. They strolled, played, and talked. Their mother's passing having taught them to cherish
00:53:49each other more. Their hearts were knitted together. Their father stood alone on the sand. Gazing at the
00:53:55vast ocean, Chang he walked up beside him. Dad, you still have us three. Dad, I love you. Seasons changed,
00:54:04and my jiang returned to her previous monotonous, arid life. The long commute no longer had goo by her side.
00:54:10Only the scenery outside the window remained unchanged. She hoped to see his familiar figure
00:54:16when she arrived at the station, but they still hadn't met. Goo still couldn't let go of my jiang.
00:54:22He took the train, retracing my jiang's usual route to find her. He would wait for her at the station,
00:54:28just like before. But the figure he longed to see never appeared. Finally, he mustered the courage to
00:54:35return to the village. The scenery remained the same, but the people had changed. Seeing my jiang's
00:54:41father approaching, Goo's heart was filled with complex emotions. You're here, my jiang's father
00:54:47said to Goo. Shortly after you left, my jiang's mother passed away. He had come to terms with things.
00:54:54His children had struggled living there, so he had let them move to the city. And so they wouldn't worry
00:55:00about him, so he would have someone to care for him. He had remarried, easing their concerns.
00:55:06Goo left, seemingly taking all the good things with him. My jiang's father handed him a piece of paper
00:55:11with my jiang's new phone number. This time, he finally mustered the courage to call my jiang.
00:55:18It had been a long time. It's Goo. Long time no see. They talked and caught up, never uttering the word
00:55:26love, yet their affection permeated every word. Let's meet. No. Goo asked why, but my jiang just
00:55:34laughed and said. I've gained weight. I need to lose it first. Finally, they agreed to meet on a
00:55:41bridge. Goo paced back and forth, anxiously awaiting my jiang's arrival. Seasons had changed, but their
00:55:48love hadn't. They looked at each other and smiled. They understood each other so well, words weren't
00:55:53necessary. What's this? You've grown your hair out? I cut mine short. Did you change your number?
00:56:01I waited for your call until my phone broke. I missed you. Terribly. This was also the first
00:56:07time my jiang learned Goo's full name. My name is Goo Sakai. They had once been deeply in love, reunited
00:56:15after three years apart. As they walked, they caught up, sharing their longing and what had happened in the
00:56:20intervening years. Though they were both living in Seoul now, they reminisced about their happy times
00:56:26in the countryside. The joy of their reunion eclipsed all their worries. They strolled leisurely through
00:56:32the streets. You're always so strange when you see me. Just talking about ordinary things, never saying.
00:56:39You should have called me sooner, you jerk. My jiang's reproachful confession moved Goo deeply.
00:56:45Their hearts had never truly been separated. They walked together through a bustling market.
00:56:50I'll buy you the shoes you like. Carry your bags for you when we're walking. Buy you gloves because
00:56:56it's cold. He was being his most genuine self. Looking at the man who was both familiar and unfamiliar,
00:57:03my jiang felt a deep warmth. They stopped for street food. Just then, one of Goo's juniors called,
00:57:09reminding him to collect a debt. He didn't know how to tell her. Go. Does that mean you won't be able
00:57:16to come back here later? No, I'll be back. I'll go quickly and return right away. Just find somewhere
00:57:22to wait for me. Watching him run off, a flicker of disappointment crossed my jiang's eyes.
00:57:29To get back to her quickly, Goo got out of his car and ran when he hit traffic. He returned with a
00:57:34fresh bruise on his face. She was curious but didn't pry. After eating, they walked together in
00:57:40the falling snow. Goo said. I used to think, if time could stop on a snowy night like this,
00:57:47the one thing I'd want to do is go straight back home. Hearing this, my jiang knew he hadn't forgotten
00:57:52her either. He took her to his place. Not only was the heater broken, but the sink was full of unwashed
00:57:59glasses. There was no hot water either. They could only huddle together under the blankets for
00:58:04warmth. After so long apart, they were lying in the same bed, gazing at each other. You're a jerk
00:58:11too, aren't you? Not now. I called you, didn't I? The three siblings were renting a place together
00:58:17in Seoul. Chang He had opened a grocery store as he'd always dreamed. However, his love life wasn't
00:58:23going so smoothly. Due to differing values, he and his girlfriend had parted ways.
00:58:29Gi jiang was dating a divorced man, but marriage remained elusive because of his daughter.
00:58:35Mai jiang's presence was a ray of light in Goo's life. He would wait for her after work,
00:58:40just like before, and eat street food with her. He asked her to listen to him talk ten times.
00:58:46Of course, she agreed. She wanted to understand this man better. After a drink, he began.
00:58:52After seeing you again, I have a lot of regrets. Goo didn't know why he had contacted Mai jiang
00:58:58again. Their proper goodbye back in the countryside had left him with a relatively decent image.
00:59:04But now, reunited, he still couldn't promise her anything. He was afraid of disappointing her
00:59:09again. She listened silently. Mai jiang was startled when he suddenly said,
00:59:15You have to remember that I once liked you a whole lot. She just laughed and said,
00:59:20Thank you. Goo said. No matter what kind of person I become, my feelings for you were always real.
00:59:28Then, he recorded those words on his phone. Mai jiang, I really did like you a lot. If after ten
00:59:34times I still have things to say, we'll add another ten. We'll just keep adding them until there's
00:59:40nothing left to say. Can we keep doing this? Okay. Today was their father's birthday. The three
00:59:46siblings returned to their hometown with gifts. They no longer wore the somber, downcast expressions of
00:59:52the past, but instead, their faces were lit up with happy smiles. Chang He and Mai jiang bustled
00:59:58around preparing food. Gi jiang presented matching gifts to her father and stepmother. Their stepmother
01:00:05seemed delighted, but their father appeared sullen. Why did you cut your hair so short? He asked Gi jiang.
01:00:11Although she offered an excuse to brush off the question, their father understood. He knew
01:00:17something must be troubling her. During dinner, their usually quiet father suddenly spoke.
01:00:23I'm so useless. You kids are all much better than me. His words silenced the three siblings.
01:00:29Mai jiang couldn't hold back her tears, seeing that their strict father finally understood their
01:00:34struggles. After dinner, Mai jiang reopened her freedom diary. The introverted girl of the past,
01:00:41unable to express herself, had been left behind. Gi jiang sat and chatted with her stepmother about
01:00:47everything, big and small. Chang He talked with his friends about his past experiences.
01:00:53He'd received a promising order, but worried about a close friend who was seriously ill,
01:00:58he'd gone to the hospital to visit. Unexpectedly, that turned out to be their last meeting,
01:01:03and he lost the big order. But he didn't regret it. Perhaps, it was all destined.
01:01:08Gi jiang was seeing a divorced man, but couldn't seem to take the next step. She'd even considered
01:01:15ending things. But standing before the man she truly loved, she bravely moved forward.
01:01:21Her boyfriend, touched by her sincerity, responded with actions that spoke louder than words.
01:01:27One day, while withdrawing money from the bank, Mai jiang ran into her ex-boyfriend. Though reluctant to
01:01:33interact with him, she helped him out of a financial jam. As she left the bank, she saw him waiting.
01:01:39Perhaps her action had awakened a sliver of conscience within him. He said he'd return a
01:01:44portion of the money immediately and would work hard to repay the rest soon. Hearing this,
01:01:50Mai jiang's heart finally found peace. One day, Mr. Gu was jumped and robbed by a friend while
01:01:56collecting a debt. He was furious at the betrayal. But no one answered his calls. At that moment,
01:02:03he finally understood the feeling of having someone borrow money and not repay it, just like
01:02:07Mai jiang had experienced. He had to use his own money to cover the debt. Mr. Gu intended to buy
01:02:14alcohol at the convenience store. Leaving his house, a coin in his pocket accidentally slipped out.
01:02:20He thought it would fall into the sewer grate. But as he got closer, he saw it was still resting on a
01:02:25metal bar, not yet lost to the depths. Perhaps it was a sign from heaven. Mr. Gu left the alcohol for
01:02:32a homeless person and used the money to repay his friend. He began searching for his own path to
01:02:38freedom. Mai jiang's life was divided into two periods, before and after meeting Mr. Gu. And the
01:02:45same was true for Mr. Gu. Only when one bravely moves forward with a truly free heart can they always
01:02:51find new hope.