It was just past noon when Lee Jihoon returned home after a slow, refreshing walk around the neighborhood. The sky above was a clear stretch of blue, the kind that made you want to stop and just look up. The breeze was light, carrying the faint scent of blooming cherry blossoms from the park two blocks away. Spring had finally shaken off winter's lingering chill, and the whole world felt like it was exhaling.
Jihoon climbed the short flight of stairs to the second floor of his apartment building, hands tucked in his jacket pockets and mind in a peaceful daze. As he turned into the hallway toward his unit, he paused.
Right in front of his door was a large paper grocery bag.
It was neatly packed—too neatly. A pair of leeks poked out from the top like green antennas, flanked by a carton of eggs, a loaf of bread, and a box of milk nestled toward the bottom. The bag looked fresh, as if it had been delivered just minutes before he arrived.
But Jihoon frowned.
He hadn't ordered anything.
He bent down and checked the slip taped to the side of the bag. Bold black writing read:
Unit 2B
That was him. But no way. He hadn't placed any order, especially not one with vegetables he didn't even cook with.
Jihoon scratched his head and picked up the bag, balancing it carefully as he opened his door.
"Maybe someone sent it to the wrong place again…" he muttered as he stepped inside.
As he placed the bag gently on the dining table, a small sound came from the corner.
A soft meow.
Hodu, his kitten, emerged from under the coffee table, stretching her little body before hopping onto the window sill. Her ginger-and-white fur caught the sunlight, and her green eyes blinked slowly in Jihoon's direction.
"Hey, Hodu," Jihoon greeted, giving her a fond smile. "No, this isn't for you. Not unless you suddenly developed a taste for bok choy and soy milk."
Hodu flicked her tail as if unimpressed and turned her attention back to the birds fluttering around the rooftop across the street.
Jihoon turned back to the groceries and pulled out his phone. He briefly considered messaging the building group chat to ask if someone was missing an order. But he hesitated. Most of the residents kept to themselves, and the chat was usually silent except for the occasional message about lost mail or water shut-offs.
As he debated, there was a sudden knock at the door.
Jihoon opened it to find a small elderly woman standing there, slightly out of breath and holding a folded receipt in her hand. Her silver hair was pulled back into a bun, and she wore a floral-patterned cardigan that looked handmade.
"Oh! Hello!" she said, her voice filled with relief. "I'm sorry to bother you. Did you… by any chance, receive a grocery bag? I think it was delivered to the wrong door again."
Jihoon smiled. "You must be from 2C?"
The woman nodded quickly. "Yes, yes. I was waiting for the groceries to make lunch, but then I saw the receipt said 2B. I didn't want to knock right away in case you were out."
"I brought it in so it wouldn't get ruined," Jihoon said, stepping back and motioning inside. "Come in for a second—I'll help you carry it back."
The woman looked hesitant. "I wouldn't want to trouble you."
"It's no trouble at all," he assured her. "Let me grab it."
Ding!
[New Kindness Challenge]
Lend a hand to return what was never lost—but nearly forgotten.
Reward: 35,000 KRW
He lifted the bag again—heavier than it looked, especially with the milk and vegetables—and turned to her.
"I've got it," he said with a smile.
As they walked together down the hallway, she glanced up at him.
"You're the quiet one who leaves early every morning, aren't you?"
Jihoon chuckled. "Yeah, that's me."
She smiled warmly. "You remind me of my grandson. He used to visit me every Saturday after his classes. Always made sure I never had to carry a single bag."
"He sounds like a good guy," Jihoon said, adjusting the bag in his arms.
"He is," she said with pride. "But work took him to Busan last year. Now I only get to see him through video calls."
Jihoon nodded softly. "Even small visits matter. And memories last."
The woman looked at him and patted his arm gently. "You speak kindly. Thank you."
They reached her door at Unit 2C. She fumbled with her keys for a second, then pushed it open. The faint scent of simmered soup floated out from the inside.
"Would you like to come in for tea?" she asked. "I made yulmu tea earlier—it's still warm."
Jihoon shook his head politely. "I appreciate it, but I've got a little work to finish at home."
"Then at least take this," she said, shuffling inside. After a moment of rustling, she returned holding a small, neatly wrapped rice ball in plastic. "It's just seaweed and sesame. I made a few extra this morning."
Jihoon accepted it with both hands. "Thank you. It looks delicious."
Ding!
[Kindness Opportunity Completed!]
Reward: 35,000 KRW
As he returned to his apartment, Hodu meowed again—this time perched on the backrest of the couch, tail swaying lazily.
"You wouldn't believe how nice our neighbor is," Jihoon said, unwrapping the rice ball. "And no, you still can't have any."
Hodu let out a dramatic sigh and leapt down, curling into a ball beside the dining table.
Jihoon took a bite. The rice was soft and flavorful, with just enough salt and sesame to make it perfect.
It didn't taste like anything fancy—but it tasted like home.
His phone buzzed in his pocket.
[Daily Kindness Reflection]
"Sometimes, what we return isn't just a bag—it's trust, comfort, and connection."
Jihoon looked over at Hodu, now dozing peacefully, and then out the window, where sunlight filtered through petals dancing in the breeze.
Yeah.
That sounded about right.
One small act at a time.
End of Chapter 48
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
🔥 Hey legends! Quick updates! 🔥
💥 Support me on👉 patreon.com/cyci07
✨ Power Stone Challenge! ✨
If we hit 100 power stones, I'll drop 2 bonus chapters! Let's see if you guys can make me suffer! 😂
💬 Enjoying the story? Leave a review and let me know your favorite moment so far! It helps the novel grow and reach more readers!
Thanks for all your support—you guys are awesome! ❤️