THE minivan carrying Haneul’s team finally pulled into a parking spot near Dongmun Market. The area was gated, so it looked like a private lot. Choosing this instead of a public one made sense. Just like giving them a minivan instead of letting them take public transportation. Haneul figured it was because people might recognize them now. Which meant the show had been steadily gaining the public’s attention. Something he had already expected.

It wasn’t just that. Aside from the driver and the cameraman, there were two more staff members squeezed into the van with them. He understood needing a driver and a cameraman, but two extra staff? They were clearly there for security. It was a far cry from the day off they’d had in Busan, when only one staff member had tagged along. Was the show really that famous now?

Haneul now realized the program had a surprisingly large staff, which made sense given the initial number of contestants and the fact that the show was filmed on a ship, not in a studio. This larger staff also ensured the contestants would be better protected.

So with four extra people in tow, they headed toward Dongmun Market. Haneul wasn’t complaining about the extra company. In fact, he was glad they were there. It meant Jeon Hyunsik couldn’t easily try anything. Surely, the guy wouldn’t be stupid enough to act up in front of a cameraman and two staff members. At least, Haneul hoped not.

As the minivan came to a stop, Haneul opened the door and stepped out. Eunwoo, who had been sitting beside him, followed right after. The two of them had sat together on the way there, while Suho and Jeon Hyunsik took the seats behind them. Haneul had made sure of that. When Eunwoo climbed into the van earlier, Haneul quickly slid in next to him, leaving Jeon Hyunsik no chance to sit by his side.

The cameraman walked behind them, capturing all four in the frame. The two staff members positioned themselves on either side of the group, staying out of the shot. To Haneul’s surprise, the driver had also gotten out of the van. It seemed he would follow them too. He would probably act as an extra layer of security. Which, when Haneul thought about it, made perfect sense.

"Should we start asking around? Find out which shop here is the oldest one selling red bean rice cakes?" Eunwoo suggested.

No one disagreed.

Haneul quickly moved to walk beside Eunwoo. That meant Jeon Hyunsik had to fall into step next to Suho. He could have tried to walk beside Haneul instead, but it would look awkward on camera if the three of them bunched together while Suho trailed behind. Even if Suho moved up, a line of four walking shoulder to shoulder would just block the way for other shoppers in the crowded market. Luckily, Jeon Hyunsik still had enough common sense to recognize that.

Eunwoo led the way out of the parking area and toward the market entrance. A large archway with the market’s name written in big letters hanging above marked it. Beyond thr entrance, Haneul could see rows of stalls stretching out under a covered walkway. Vendors were already calling out to people passing by. A few shoppers moved in and out, some carrying bags, others stopping to look at the food stalls near the front. The place looked busy despite it being still morning.

"I think it’s best to ask a stall owner," Eunwoo suggested. "They’re selling things here, so they’re definitely locals. They’d probably know which shop is the oldest."

Again, no one objected.

They chose a stall near the entrance that was selling fresh jeju oranges piled high in wooden boxes. The stall owner was an older woman in her sixties, with short curly hair and round glasses. She was busy stacking oranges when they approached. When she looked up, she smiled and asked if they wanted to try a sample.

"Hello, Grandma," Eunwoo said with a friendly smile. "Would it be alright if we asked you something?"

As Eunwoo spoke with the grandmother, Haneul noticed more and more people glancing their way. At first he thought it was because of the camera, but most of them were looking directly at them, not the equipment. No one came up to them, though. It probably helped that the two staff members, and the driver had positioned themselves at the outer edges, blocking some of the view.

"Of course, young man. What is it?" the grandmother replied.

"We’re looking for the oldest shop here that sells red bean rice cakes," Eunwoo said. "Would you know which one that is?"

"Ah, you’re looking for the old rice cake shop," the grandmother said, nodding. "That would be Jina Tteokjip. It’s been around for decades. My mother used to buy from them when she was young. You’ll find it further in, on the rice cake alley. You can’t miss it."

Haneul let out a quiet sigh of relief when the grandmother answered so quickly. That meant the shop was clearly well known. And more importantly, it was probably the clue the map had been pointing them toward.

He smiled to the grandmother. "Thank you, Grandma."

The older woman turned to him and stared for a moment. Then her face lit up with surprise. "Oh, what a pretty Omega. Here, have some juice," she said, already reaching for a cup.

The grandmother handed Haneul the cup before he could even think to refuse. He blinked down at it, not sure what to do with it. He hadn’t meant to accept the cup of juice, but there it was, already in his hand.

"Ah, no, Grandma, please let me pay for it," he said quickly after snapping out of his daze.

The grandmother waved her hand. "Oh, don’t worry about it. No need to pay. Just drink it, okay? A lovely Omega like you enjoying my juice is enough payment."

Haneul was about to argue when he heard a chuckle beside him. He subconsciously turned to the side and was a bit surprised when he saw that Jeon Hyunsik was already standing beside him.

"Well, aren’t you just so charming?" Jeon Hyunsik said, his voice dripping with thinly veiled mockery. "No wonder even Grandma here was taken by you."