Chapter 583: Drinking Game
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 583: Drinking Game
“Ugh, why is that bastard so useless?!”
“This is exactly when you should’ve brought the Uncle!”
“You usually call him for everything, so why the hell didn't you call him now?!”
Starting with Jeong Chan-woo, Kang Han-gang and Pyo Jin-ho immediately began pinning the blame on me.
I was about to argue that they shouldn't have messed with the Gangster Uncle’s women in the first place if they were going to act like this, but...
“Heh, look at these punks.”
It seemed our bickering looked like we were ignoring him, which rubbed the Gangster Uncle the wrong way.
“You think I’m joking? If you hit on someone else’s woman, you pay the price. Isn’t that right?”
How did they even end up hitting on his women?
Wait, does that mean the Gangster Uncle is staying here with all those women by himself?
‘It’s an ahjussi harem.’
He’s quite the impressive guy.
I used to think I was the only one living like this, but I guess the world is a big place.
Still, the vibe they gave off felt like they were from the nightlife industry.
‘I’ve got a sharp nose for these things.’
Maybe it’s because of all the experiences I’ve had, but I can sniff out that specific scent from a mile away.
The ahjussi must have a lot of money.
After all, he bought his love with cash.
“No, it’s not like that, Hyung-nim.”
“Hyung-nim? Am I your Hyung-nim?”
While Jeong Chan-woo was desperately making excuses, Kang Han-gang looked over at me and signaled with his eyes.
I understood clearly this time.
What about Ju-hee?
He was asking me to bring Senior Ju-hee if the Bald Man wasn't available.
But what could I do?
“I didn't bring her.”
I hadn't brought Senior Ju-hee either.
“Ah.”
“Please...”
Kang Han-gang and Pyo Jin-ho let out immediate groans of despair. Jeong Chan-woo’s face stiffened even more as he realized the situation.
That seemed to irritate the Gangster Uncle even further. He was trying to act tough in front of them, yet they were just whispering among themselves.
“Hey, who are you?”
The ahjussi wasn't completely oblivious.
He stomped over toward me, as I was standing by the neighboring building.
“Oh boy.”
I hadn't expected the situation to escalate like this.
“Who the hell are you to keep yapping on the side? Huh? Are you friends with these bastards?”
“Ah, well...”
I was slightly flustered, but I was still a healthy, grown South Korean man.
“I’ve never seen them before in my life.”
When I replied with a bright smile, the gangster actually looked taken aback.
He probably never imagined I’d cut them off so cleanly after I’d just been exchanging signals with them.
However, "cutting someone off" rarely goes that smoothly.
“This guy is a total scumbag!”
“He came here to play with us!”
“We stayed at the same mountain villa yesterday! Ask the pension owner!”
The idiots immediately started flaunting our friendship.
“You pieces of trash.”
When I insulted them, they responded by flipping me off and cursing.
I could hear the nightlife ladies watching us, giggling and saying we were "cute."
To the Gangster Uncle, that must have felt like a direct blow to his pride.
“You sons of bitches! You think this is a joke, you motherfuckers?!”
“Ah, please just calm down—”
Just as I was trying to settle the Gangster Uncle down and resolve the situation...
Waaaaah!
Uwaaaaaah!
The sound of babies crying erupted from inside the house.
I flinched and looked toward the source as Seo Ye-rin rushed out onto the balcony.
“W-Woo-jin! The babies are crying! What’s going on all of a sudden?!”
“Ah, damn it.”
Up until a moment ago, I could have just laughed this off. But the second the kids started crying, irritation surged deep within my chest.
“How can you scream and swear like that in front of a house with babies?”
When I snapped at the ahjussi with a look of pure annoyance, he was startled by my sudden change in demeanor.
“This brat’s got no manners, has he?”
“I told you, the kids are crying. Lower your voice.”
“What the hell does that have to do with me, you little shit?”
Oh, look at this guy.
Check him out.
“If you apologize now, I’ll let it slide.”
When I gave him that warning, the Gangster Uncle just snorted.
“Listen to this kid talk. Looks like you knocked some girl up and had kids early, but if you don't want to die, you better watch your mouth.”
“Wow, he’s actually insane.”
As I looked at him in disbelief, the gangster balled his hand into a fist to strike. But right then...
“Uryaaaaa!”
“You son of a bitch!”
“Don’t cross the line!”
The idiots pounced on him from behind.
Caught off guard by the surprise attack from three adult men, the gangster’s momentum carried him forward, and he tumbled to the ground.
Thud!
“Stomp him!”
At my command, everyone immediately began raining kicks down on the gangster.
“How dare you! You made our kids cry?!”
“Even so, damn it! Messing with my nephews is crossing the line!”
“Kids! Are! Love! And! Peace! You! Son! Of! A! Bitch!”
“Are you even human?! No matter how much of a piece of trash Woo-jin is, how could you insult his kids?!”
Normally, people share a common affection for children.
Since the babies were technically their "nephews and nieces," the idiots poured out their curses while kicking the gangster relentlessly.
“Agh! Argh! Aaagh!”
No matter how tough a gangster he was, he couldn't help but crumble under the kicks of four adult men.
“I-I’m sorry. I’m sorry!”
After finally extracting an apology from the gangster sprawled on the ground, we slowly backed away.
Then, we looked at each other.
I think this was the first time.
The first time we’d achieved victory on our own, without the Bald Man or Senior Ju-hee.
I held out my hand, and everyone stacked theirs on top.
Then, like a professional sports team, we let out a cheer and threw our hands into the air.
“...What are those idiots doing?”
Yoo Ah-rin watched us from the balcony with a look of utter disdain.
* * *
As evening fell and darkness set in, the lights around the pension buildings flickered on.
The smell of grilling meat filled the air, and the sounds of laughter and drunken revelry drifted through the night.
I was already outside grilling meat, while the Gangster Uncle next door was cackling and drinking with the nightlife sisters.
Whether he’d already forgotten about the beating he took because of the alcohol or because he was intoxicated by the women, I didn't know.
Well, either way, it was better if he forgot.
‘Is he an idiot?’
But then again, being an idiot is just part of who he is.
He seemed happy in his own way, so I guess that was fine.
Sizzle!
“Senior, do you even know how to grill meat?”
“He’s surprisingly good at it. Whenever we go to a BBQ place, Kim Woo-jin is always the one grilling.”
Ahn Hyun-ho and Lee Gyu-a joined us late.
As a father, I felt I should at least be able to grill meat well.
“I’m not grilling this for you guys to eat, though?”
“...”
“...”
“Let’s keep business and pleasure separate, guys. This is meat our kids bought. And you guys should be sleeping at that mountain villa from yesterday, not here.”
I drew a clear line with a beaming smile. Where did these punks think they were trying to butt in?
Especially Ahn Hyun-ho—since he’d gone to pick up Gyu-a, he hadn't been part of our monumental victory.
“Are you really going to be this petty?”
“Woo-jin, we came here to play together.”
“Sigh, I guess I have no choice.”
I finally handed them the secret ingredient I’d been trying to save.
“Spam...?”
“Wow.”
“Grill that and eat it. It’s delicious.”
They were looking at wagyu beef being grilled right in front of them, and I gave them Spam. The two were about to curse me out in frustration, but...
“Guys, come and eat.”
Choi I-seo, who had walked over, invited Ahn Hyun-ho and Lee Gyu-a to their table.
The two immediately flashed victorious smiles and headed over.
“...I-seo.”
When I looked at Choi I-seo reproachfully, she patted my butt.
“We all came here together. We should eat together and have fun.”
“You used to hate Hyun-ho.”
Pinch!
Choi I-seo suddenly pinched my rear.
Then, she scolded me.
“Don’t bring that up. They’re getting along fine now.”
“Yes, ma'am.”
“Sigh, but why aren't Chan-woo and the others back yet? They said they were going to buy more alcohol earlier.”
It looked like we were running low on booze, so the three of them had gone to buy some along with some ice cream.
For some reason, they weren't back yet.
“I know, right? Should I give them a call?”
“Yeah, try it.”
Choi I-seo went back to the table, and I called Jeong Chan-woo.
After a few rings...
— Woo-jin, we’re currently doing some "on-site procurement," okay? You guys have fun.
Click.
Jeong Chan-woo hung up just like that.
It seemed they’d gone to a nearby convenience store and managed to pick someone up.
“What kind of bullshit is this?!”
Then what about our ice cream and alcohol? How could they just ditch us like that?
It was absurd, but he wouldn't pick up when I called back.
I took the grilled meat to the table and explained the situation.
Everyone’s reaction was the same: pure disappointment.
“That Jeong Chan-woo has been hanging around the wrong crowd.”
Yoo Ah-rin clicked her tongue, lamenting that her childhood friend had fallen from grace.
“Mmm! As expected, Woo-jin is the best at grilling meat!”
“It’s delicious. Woo-jin, stop grilling and come eat.”
Seo Ye-rin and Choi I-seo didn't seem to care much. They treated the missing guys as if they didn't exist in the first place.
“See, Oppa? I told you not to hang out with those people.”
“Ugh, what a bunch of morons.”
Gyu-a and Ahn Hyun-ho cursed them out as if they were used to it.
“...They left? In the middle of everything? Then what about my ice cream?”
“Um? Am I the only one who can't follow the conversation?”
Bong-geun and his fiancée, Wang Mei, looked bewildered, wondering what on earth they had just heard.
Anyway, the atmosphere grew lively as we ate the meat and drank the liquor Bong-geun had brought.
The kids were sleeping quietly in the room, but I still didn't drink.
I had to be ready in case they woke up.
So, only the two couples in front of me were enthusiastically consuming the meat and alcohol.
“Excuse me.”
Gyu-a, who seemed quite drunk on the liquor, looked at us as if she couldn't hold it in any longer.
“Honestly, aren't you guys uncomfortable? No, wait. Let’s just talk openly. It’s just us couples here anyway.”
Thud!
Lee Gyu-a brought over another bottle of liquor and spoke.
“Let’s play a drinking game! The loser has to name one of their partner’s flaws!”
“...”
Her history of three-timing wasn't for nothing; Lee Gyu-a suggested a provocative game, but at the same time...
‘This girl has a bone to pick with Hyun-ho.’
Her intentions were far too obvious.