Orchard Kids 

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Neuljeongi
 
Neuljeongi, second child of orchard house, has dark, straight, thick hair like her father, and her light brown eyes, thick eyebrows, and full lips resemble her mother’s. Despite her small height, her body shape is very feminine and well-balanced, and she bears a striking resemblance to her mother more than any of her other siblings.
 
While Gongjunim is practical and orderly, Neuljeongi is a deep thinker, though her thoughts often drift into realms that others find hard to understand. This can lead to moments where she asks seemingly obvious questions, making people either laugh or see her as a bit peculiar. Her personality swings between extremes—sometimes she is very quiet, while at other times, she talks nonstop. When she loves someone or something, she becomes intensely obsessive.
 
Neuljeongi, a name bestowed with particular care by her mother, Myeong Su, embodies the essence of a deliberate, quiet journey through life. The name's origin traces back to a vivid dream Myeong Su had before Neuljeongi's birth. In this dream, a colossal Elaphe schrenckii anomala, a giant serpent, lingered in Myeong Su’s yard. Despite her efforts to drive it away with a wooden stick, the serpent remained unmoved, slowly slithering toward her skirt. Shortly after this unsettling encounter, Myeong Su discovered she was pregnant. From this enigmatic encounter, Neuljeongi's name emerged, symbolizing the slow and quiet unfolding of life’s journey.
 
Yet, the tranquillity suggested by her name contrasts sharply with Neuljeongi’s internal turmoil. Confronted by her father Gyu Cheol’s stern demeanour, her cries became a tempest, stirring his already volatile temper and highlighting a poignant disparity between the serenity of her name and the storm of her emotions.
 
Neuljeongi’s inner world, rich with creativity and sensitivity, manifested in her interactions. After school, she would often be found sketching fantastical scenes on the playground, her whimsical monologues weaving tales that left her peers bewildered. Her imagination, while enchanting, often set her apart, casting her as an enigmatic figure adrift in her own musings. Despite her boundless patience, Neuljeongi could shift into a realm of controlled chaos when deeply engaged in a task, revealing a bold spirit unafraid of extremes.
 
This duality of serenity and fervour painted Neuljeongi as a paradox—a gentle soul with an immense reservoir of bravery and determination. Yet, her father struggled to understand her. When Neuljeongi’s behaviour displeased him, he would become furious, and she would retreat into a silent sanctuary, her tears a quiet testament to her emotional struggle.
Gyu Cheol's harshness often left Neuljeongi immobilized, her physical discomfort a reflection of the Publicly, he would belittle her, misinterpreting her silence and tears as obstinance rather than a plea for understanding. His rigid standards blinded him to the nuances of her emotions, leaving Neuljeongi feeling delicate, sophisticated, and sensitive yet deeply isolated in a world she struggled to navigate.
 
One evening, tensions among the orchard kids came to a head. Myeong Su’s lenient approach had led the children to push boundaries, causing Gyu Cheol to confront them with his usual sternness. As the children’s behaviour spiralled into chaos, Gyu Cheol’s anger escalated, reaching its zenith during a heated confrontation involving Neuljeongi and her siblings. His frustration was palpable, and his attempts to regain control only heightened the tension.
 
In a dramatic turn, the orchard kids, sensing the brewing storm, made a coordinated escape, leaving Neuljeongi behind. Gyu Cheol chased after them, but the children, well-practiced in fleeing from their father’s explosive temper, sprinted swiftly and knew all the best hiding spots around the orchard. As Gyu Cheol’s anger intensified, realizing he had been outwitted, his pursuit turned into a frantic chase through the orchard.
 
Meanwhile, Neuljeongi, frozen with fear, stood her ground, unwilling to yield to the chaos unfolding around her. In her young mind, she made a brave decision—if she became the target of her father’s wrath, his anger would be spent on her, allowing her younger siblings to escape unharmed. She resolved to endure his fury alone, a decision that, in her eyes, made her a hero. This act of self-sacrifice, born from love and a deep sense of responsibility like a second child.
 
The night’s chaos culminated in a confrontation where Myeong Su, driven by maternal instinct, intervened to protect her children. As Gyu Cheol’s temper subsided, the household settled into a familiar routine of avoiding his wrath until calm was restored. Myeong Su’s adept management of the situation and her comforting gestures brought a temporary reprieve to the evening’s tension.
 
In the aftermath, the orchard kids adapted to their father’s volatile nature with a survival strategy: vanish during his outbursts and return once the storm had passed. This unspoken rule, shaped by Myeong Su’s wisdom, became a guiding principle in their household dynamics.
 
As life returned to normal, Neuljeongi's resilience and creativity continued to shine. Her beauty routines became a source of inspiration for the other orchard girls and village residents. From crafting unique eyeliner looks to inventing innovative beauty hacks, Neuljeongi’s influence spread throughout the community.
 
Despite her father's harshness, Neuljeongi's spirit remained unbroken. Her ability to endure and adapt, coupled with her unwavering commitment to her passions, defined her character. In moments of vulnerability, she found solace in her mother's nurturing presence and the support of her siblings. Through it all, Neuljeongi emerged as a figure of quiet strength, a testament to the complex interplay between serenity and resilience in the face of adversity. Neuljeongi married the richest man, who played a significant role in helping her become the most successful career woman in the beauty industry.