“Ugh!”
I had no choice but to suffer from a Tanghulu hangover. I ate so much sweet stuff that my mouth was filled with a sugary scent. I heard that when you’re really stressed or overworked, your mouth tastes sweet, but I never imagined it could physically taste sweet from eating too much sugar.
“Hana, didn’t you eat too much?”
“Yeah, I guess!”
Even Jiyu and Yumi agreed that I ate way too much Tanghulu. The first bite was exactly my taste, so I gobbled it up in a hurry, and before I knew it, I had eaten way too much.
Maybe because I ate so much sweet stuff, I started craving something spicy or salty. Plus, Tanghulu didn’t really fill me up. These days, Tanghulu shops seem to be struggling, so they only put about 3 pieces of fruit per stick. It actually made me hungrier.
“Hey guys! Wanna go eat ramen?”
I made a great suggestion to Jiyu and Yumi. Eating ramen right now seemed like the perfect way to get rid of the aftertaste of Tanghulu. Jiyu and Yumi nodded in agreement.
“Yeah!”
“Me too, after eating Tanghulu, I’m craving ramen!”
Our next destination was a ramen shop. I grabbed Jiyu and Yumi’s hands and started looking for a ramen shop nearby. There were plenty of ramen shops around, so we just had to find a decent one. After all, ramen tastes pretty much the same everywhere. I did want to try ramen in Japan, the birthplace of ramen, but it was too far away, so I gave up.
I didn’t even have a passport yet, so there was no way I could fly. How do kids even get passports? I decided to ask Bora later.
“Hello!”
We entered a decent-looking ramen shop. Inside, it had a typical Japanese-style interior. As we sat down, the employee greeted us.
“Hi! Three people?”
“Yes!”
The employee calmly waited as we looked at the menu. Maybe because it was an awkward time, we were the only ones in the shop. I thought about saying, “No customers, huh?” but decided it would be rude, so I kept it to myself. After looking at the menu, we ordered ramen.
“Three tonkotsu ramen, please!”
“Got it~”
The young female employee had a sweet tone, almost like a kindergarten teacher. It reminded me of our homeroom teacher. While waiting for the ramen, we played around with chopsticks. It was a meaningless activity, but it helped pass the time.
“Hana!”
Jiyu called out while we were playing with chopsticks. I put down the chopsticks and answered.
“Yeah? What’s up, Jiyu?”
“Can we eat the strawberries and watermelon we had last time again? They were so good!”
Jiyu seemed to be going through withdrawal from the strawberries and watermelon I grew. Well, the ultra-special watermelon and strawberries made from my hair were incredibly addictive. They were super juicy and sweet, so no wonder.
But to my surprise, Yumi chimed in too.
“I want to eat them too, Hana! Can you take us with you next time you go?”
I didn’t expect Yumi to say that. I thought Yumi had some self-control, but even calm Yumi was craving it… It scared me a little. I heard that even the research institute employees sneak into the greenhouse to eat the strawberries and watermelon.
Of course, they weren’t stealing. They’d ask me first and then take some. In return, they’d help manage the greenhouse I was growing in.
It was a give-and-take situation. Going once a week wasn’t quite enough. Even farmers who pour their hearts into their plants every day go bankrupt, so me only checking on the plants once a week was ridiculous.
If other farmers saw my plants, they’d say they had unbelievable vitality. The watermelons and strawberries I grew were way more resilient than those grown elsewhere.
I think it’s because they drank water infused with my melted hair. Of course, this farming method was unique to me. Others couldn’t replicate it even if they wanted to.
“Should we take the whole class?”
I thought it might be fun to go as a field trip with the whole class. I wanted to share the delicious fruits with more kids. Jiyu and Yumi seemed to agree, nodding their heads.
“Yeah, let’s do it! I want to feed Dayul the strawberries and watermelons Hana grows!”
“Me too!”
“Then I’ll talk to the boss about it!”
Since it’s Starlight Elementary School, I thought if I talked to Principal Sehee, maybe we could make it happen.
It’s a hands-on learning experience to teach children the joys of farming, and a chance to enjoy delicious watermelons and strawberries. Wouldn’t it be a shame to miss out?
Jiyu and Yumi were amazed when they tasted the strawberries and watermelons I made, so I bet the kids in our class will have the same reaction. The strawberries and watermelons I made were way tastier than anything else! It’s a flavor that’ll make your eyes pop. I can guarantee that.
—
The days flew by in the blink of an eye until the auction date. Except for the minor hiccup of luxury stores in Seoul repeatedly selling out, everything went smoothly.
The auction took place amidst explosive interest. Global tycoons gathered, and it would’ve been a shame without public attention. It made the news daily, and the auction venue was heavily guarded.
Not only were there corporate-hired bodyguards, but even the city provided extra police support. Even though Korea is a country where guns are banned and terrorism is rare, it’s always good to be prepared. Just in case.
The roads around the stadium where the auction was held were closed, and only auction participants and related personnel were allowed entry. Thorough identity checks were in place to keep out journalists or any suspicious individuals. No one was allowed to disrupt this prestigious auction.
The elite tycoons sat in the lavish booths prepared by Starlight Food, waiting for the auction to begin. They all looked comfortable, probably because they were used to such events. After all, they were tycoons.
[Starlight Food unveiled another innovative product. Dubbed the “Golden Apple,” this product is said to reverse aging…]
[It can reduce your biological age by up to 5 years and alleviate chronic pain caused by aging, such as joint pain…]
[It’s not a complete rejuvenation, but still, a product with such effects is rare. The expected bid price is…]
Experts rushed to share their thoughts. While there have been cosmetics that claim to make you look younger, an apple that directly rejuvenates your body is a first.
However, the auction being private was a letdown for the public. Broadcasters lamented that just showing the tycoons bidding could’ve pulled in ratings comparable to a variety show. But there was no choice. The participants didn’t want their faces broadcasted. They didn’t want their images sold on TV.
And so, the auction began. In a calm atmosphere, the auctioneer skillfully started the proceedings. It wasn’t a heated environment. Instead, it was as quiet and composed as soldiers before a battle.
—
[An apple sold for an astronomical price!]
[The highest bid reached 1 trillion won! At this point, calling it an “apple” feels meaningless!]
[The remaining slices were sold for similar prices…]
One Golden Apple was divided into 8 slices, distributed to 8 auction participants.
The highest bid for one slice was 1 trillion won. Youth was a factor that drove the bidders wild. The Golden Apple, which made you younger just by eating it, was the ultimate desire for these tycoons.
Starlight Food achieved a year’s worth of sales from just one apple obtained from Hana. And this wasn’t a one-time auction. The Starlight Food brand gained massive exposure, and more apples would keep coming. There was no better auction item than this.
The news of this astronomical event hit Korean online communities like a storm.
The public, glancing at the news, was shocked to learn that one slice of this apple cost 1 trillion won.
