章 45: Chapter Forty-five: Hope

It's been 2 months since the arrival of the Kim's family in the hinterland. They chose the land nearest to the coastal settlement.

The amnesia of Yoona is nowhere over but at least she has adjusted to her family members, owing to the fact that she shares same semblance with the older woman that kept crying whenever she sees her and the older man that looks at her with such penetrating gaze filled with something close to... love, care and , is that pity she sees.

But whatever happens she has come to terms that she has family and this people that run around trying to fulfill her wishes are the ones.

Her only problem is this rustic girl that stuck to her like glue. In her eyes she sees adoration, respect and sometimes pity. She once asked her why she looks at her with a gaze filled with sympathy, but she just kowtowed shouting she wouldn't dare pity her young miss .

What's up with the girl and her strange reaction anyway. She follows her around everywhere and anywhere she goes to, including the restroom , asking from time to time if she was in there and also OK.

Their name has been struck off from the Kim's family register hence they lost their title as nobles. They still retained their surname but they have lost their background therefore no history.

Since their arrival, things seemed to have changed. Well for the better.

The part of the coast they chose is richly blessed with abundance of food and natural resources.

Oysters, clams, abalones,mussels, crabs, shrimps,prawns, lobsters and fishes of all sizes and varieties graced the shallow and deepest parts of the sea and surrounding lakes.

They have been grateful for the gift of food until they observed that they had more food to spare even if they decide to eat 7 times in a day. The only problem was that they had less grains and vegetables due to the infertile land.

On one faithful day, mother Kim had subconsciously complained on how she misses rice cakes and wines not knowing that her husband was behind her.

"Ahem"

She became startled and looked up to see her beloved husband looking at her with a tender gaze.

"Ugh, my lord , l was just missing our life in the capital"

Mr Kim beckoned on his wife to follow him inside. Once inside, he asked her to list all the things they are lacking right from food to other necessities.

This rattled her a bit but she complied with her husband's wishes. She listed rice , barley, sorghum, clothing materials, etc.

After assessing the list to make sure she hadn't missed anything she presented it to the husband that contemplated on it.

"Oh ... I know that look" she exclaimed. He just chuckled and playfully asked her what look she's talking about.

"The look of the man cooking up a plan that will redeem us from our little suffering" she came closer and kissed him on the bridge of his nose.

"So darling, tell me... what has that genius mind reasoned out?"

He rubbed his hand on his head and smiled "You got me Mrs Kim"

He finally let the cat out of the bag.

"Have you noticed that this coastal settlement is giving us more food than we can consume?"

Mrs Kim bobbed her head up and down and he continued.

"What do you say we start selling the excesses to the urban settlers that have no access to them at a cheap price. The money from the proceedings we use to buy grains and other necessities. We can also open our own wine refinery here .Buy goat and sheep using them for meat and the sheep fur will be used to make cloth."

She embraced her husband in excitement but suddenly she stopped smiling.

"My lord, transporting food to the capital will take at least 4 days if the rider doesn't rest on his journey, meaning that transporting the goods will take at least 7 days to reach the capital. The key in succeeding in this business is the freshness of the goods, remember?" she complained.

He pondered for a while and exclaimed "Who says the goods must be fresh to be sold?"

Seeing her lost in thought he smiled and told her the sea foods would be sun-dried, smoked and salted to be preserved well. But first and foremost, they had to find a middleman they can supply to in order to enhance smooth trade.

They discussed till late in the night on how to start the business on a nice footing and an alias to use in case the prime minister decides to trace them again.

The next day , they announced the development to the cheering servants that has become part of the family. They all rushed out to the sea and caught as many oysters and fishes as they can to show their unwavering support to the family newfound business.

The oldest servant who used to live in an island showed them how to crack open the oyster shell and bring out the juicy meat.

They all happily got to work by removing it how they were taught and some couldn't contain their happiness when they found the pearls embedded inside the shell of the oysters .

"I got a pink pearl!!!" one of them shouted.

Mr Kim saw their enthusiasm and couldn't help smiling despite himself. As he turned to go inside the hut they are living in , he spotted his beloved daughter walking towards the servants shelling the oyster. He decided to stay and watch what she's up to .

She walked towards them and sat down. She picked up the knife lying besides her and joined them without any question.

They marvelled at her dexterity in using the knife and accuracy in bringing out the meat. If not that they had served her for many years , they would have thought she was a rural girl who has used all her life in shelling oysters.

Watching his daughter warmed his heart. She may have become taciturn but she still interacts with the others effectively. Knowing that all is well, he walked back into his room with one final look at her.

The personal guard serving Mr Kim closely brought the middleman that was more than happy to work with them after listening to the business deal.

The list of goods and the number to be prepared was presented in order to test the waters. They were asked to prepare small quantity of goods in order to see the consumers reaction. In fact, the business thriving depends on this first sale hence everything was prepared accordingly and to the best condition.