Scene 13

The colourful little shrine was surrounded by buildings in which monks draped in grey robes were engrossed in various monastic activities – in boredom, first of all. Maille sought to speak to one of the shaven-headed gentlemen – an effort that succeeded only after a few trials. And once again he was just a couple of hours too late. Yes, Mr Lee had come by the previous day, yes, the kimchi-manufacturer with a young wife. He had explained that he was travelling to Hongdo, an island on the south coast of the land. Mr Lee's family owned a small house in Hongdo 1, it was the highest-located house in the village, easy to find.

Hongdo 1 – that sounded highly seductive. No doubt a village one ought to see, certainly more than Hongdo 2 or Hongdo 7. Why else should the kimchi tiger take his beloved Russian girl there? Instead of to Florence, where he could buy an engagement ring at Ponte Vecchio – a diamond of the value of his cabbage factory.

continue