Golden Slumber 📚 ATEEZ [▶]

16

Today was scorching hot. No one dared to go outside without wearing a hat or carrying an umbrella. Even most of the street vendors chose to stop working this afternoon. Their merchandise could melt if not bought soon.

But this did not apply to Mingi. Fresh from school and still wearing his high school uniform, he entered the construction site and started working. The sweat on his face didn’t make him stop, not even to take a sip of water. There were dozens of cement sacks he had to move from the truck to near the building. No time for rest. He had promised his younger siblings to return home earlier and buy them cotton candy.

"Ugh," Mingi groaned, once again cursing his aching back. Honestly, he had every right to rest. The project owner was someone kind enough to understand that Mingi was just a high school student trying to support his family after his father passed away. But Mingi chose not to accept that ease. Ignoring his back pain, he continued to carry and move the cement sacks.

Around 2:30 PM, Mingi finally finished his work. Though a bit hesitant, he asked his boss for his wages for the week on that day.

"I swear this isn't to gain profit or deceive you. I just... have many needs at home."

Fortunately, due to Mingi’s exemplary work ethic, his boss didn’t question or doubt his reason. He was given the week's wages, which Mingi received with dozens of thank-yous.

Mingi ran home with a joyful heart, having spent almost all of the money his boss had given him. But not a single item he bought was for himself.

"Yunho, Jongho, look at what hyung brought!" Mingi shouted happily, his face reflecting the same joy. With a happy smile that made his eyes light up, he looked genuinely thrilled, something that was rare, at least rare in such a genuine way.

"Wow, candy!" The twins shouted. Then they high-fived each other without making eye contact. Mingi shivered a bit watching them. Those twins, he thought. Sometimes their connection can be a little bit freaky, honestly.

The two eagerly enjoyed a large roll of pink cotton candy that tasted really good. Occasionally, Mingi asked how their day was, if their friends had been naughty, which ended with a sigh of relief because neither Yunho nor Jongho seemed to have had terrible friends.

"And this is a gift for being good and waiting." Mingi took out two boxes from his bag and handed one to each of his younger siblings. They were surprised to see a new pair of shoes in each box. "Yes, these are for you because you’ll be starting elementary school next year. It’s still a while away, but you can use them now, right? Jongho said he was interested in football. You can’t play football barefoot, of course."

Mingi did not regret using part of his wages to buy shoes for his younger siblings. Even though they were among the cheapest, at least Yunho and Jongho wouldn’t sigh sadly when they saw their friends going to school in shoes.

However, a few days later, Mingi could no longer contain his anger when he saw Choi Sooyoung, his mother who enjoyed going out at night, come to their home and take all their possessions, including Mingi’s savings meant for university fees.

“Mom, are you crazy! What do you mean taking all my money?” Mingi yelled. He had never yelled in anger before. Singing in the bathroom? Sure. Yelling at his younger siblings to not be late for school? Yep. But never in anger.

“Do you think anyone can afford to support three fatherless children like you? I’m fed up!” The woman was dressed in a black mini dress, too sexy for her age. Mingi knew that dress wasn’t cheap. It might cost ten times more than the shoes he bought for Jongho.

“Fed up? Since when were you fed up supporting people you didn’t even care whether they ate or not?”

“Stop blaming me, Song Mingi. Didn’t you learn manners?”

“Of course I did! And I also learned how to yell at someone who neglects their children’s lives. Guess from whom? Look at who the mother is!”

Sooyoung slapped Mingi hard, making his right cheek burn and redden. While they argued, Yunho and Jongho sat on the bed, heads down, crying. Mingi had never been like that. Their older brother was not a hot-tempered person, quite the opposite.

But it seemed that had changed. Sooyoung left shortly after, and Mingi started yelling while throwing everything around him.

“Your mother won’t come back!” Mingi shouted at Yunho and Jongho. “That crazy woman won’t want to take care of us! Don’t expect anything from her!”

And Mingi really did change. No more gifts, no more candy. Even the sweet smile and the slanted eyes that once accompanied his light laughter were never heard again. Until his younger siblings reached the same age as when he began to change.