Anyway, You're Just Going to Throw It Away
Anyway, he was just going to toss it. "Aing! Master! How can you leave me behind like this?!"
"Uh, Mom says I can't stay out late at night."
"Hehe. Then why not spend just one night here? With me?"
"N-No, I can't sleep if someone's next to me! Good night! See you tomorrow!"
"Master!"
After stubbornly rejecting Cheong-hyang's repeated invitations to stay, he finally made his way back to the Cham-bong household. He spent the night there, then returned to the gisaeng house the next day for business.
"Hehe! You've come, sir!"
The gisaeng house he visited in the daytime had a completely different vibe from the night before. The decadent allure from all those red lanterns was gone; now it just looked like a spacious wealthy mansion.
"Hey, is your face okay?"
He asked the guard who came out to greet him—the same guy who'd been knocked out by a punch from a black man the day before.
"Hehe! Yes! Not a scratch! These things happen when you're working, right?!"
It was a bit pitiful seeing him grin brightly despite the nasty bruise around his right eye. He glanced around to make sure no one was watching, then pulled a few coins from the pouch at his waist.
"Here, go buy some medicine or something."
"No, I can't accept this! Hehe! Thank you, sir! This way, please!"
The guard bowed repeatedly as he accepted the money and led him inside.
"Huh? Brother?"
"Si-jin, you little punk?"
That's when he spotted Jeong Hyeon-beom strolling across the veranda of the gisaeng house building.
"Si-jin, you little punk? What brings you here?"
"What about you, brother? Why are you here?"
He didn't need to ask; he could guess. Jeong Hyeon-beom's clothes were the same as yesterday, his collar loosely undone. There were even bug-bite-like marks on his neck.
"Did you crash here?"
"Haha! Drank too much last night or something! But you look fresh as a daisy, little bro."
"Yeah, well, pretty much."
He nodded, eyeing the man who looked more intoxicated by lips than liquor. Then he realized the usual companion was missing.
"But where's the other brother?"
"You mean Ji-hu hyung? He's here too. Got something to say to him?"
"Oh, no. Just noticed he wasn't around."
"Hahaha! That guy's such a lightweight. Yeah, right."
Jeong Hyeon-beom boomed with laughter, then seemed to remember something. His cow-like round eyes blinked as he asked,
"When are you heading back home?"
"I'm thinking as early as tomorrow."
"Hmm. That's a shame."
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing. Ask the proprietor grandpa about it later. I'm off."
"Sure, brother. See you around."
Jeong Hyeon-beom left those cryptic words and continued down the veranda. It was a bit odd, but no chill ran down his spine. He followed the guard to one of the gisaeng house buildings. The man said to wait in the room and he'd bring tea, then walked off. Watching his back, he entered the room.
It was a guest reception room, impeccably clean and devoid of any lived-in feel. He sat in the center, idly thinking about what to do next.
After leaving the gisaeng house, hit the market for souvenirs. Gotta pack since I'm leaving tomorrow. Console that whiny Hui-un who'll complain about going home...
"Pardon the intrusion."
"Yes? Uh, yeah?"
The sudden voice made him blurt out a reply before freezing in confusion. It wasn't the guard's voice—and definitely not a man's.
"Wha—what? Huh? What?"
"I hope you're well, Captain."
It was a face he'd seen before: Cheong-yeon, the one Cheong-wol had introduced in Cheong-un-ru as her successor.
"Wh-Why are you... here...?"
He staggered to his feet to greet her as she entered with the tea set. Despite his fluster, his eyes locked on Cheong-yeon's face.
Damn, she's pretty too.
She'd been overshadowed by Cheong-wol's aura yesterday, but in the daylight, Cheong-yeon clearly shone on her own. Her skin was flawless like fresh snow, her straight, neat eyebrows and small upturned nose exuding subtle elegance. Her cherry-red lips carried a mature air beyond her years, holding his gaze captive.
"Hehe."
Cheong-yeon, her obsidian eyes sparkling as she looked at him, curved her lips ever so slightly. She approached his side, set down the tea set, and sat.
"We're sorry you had to come all this way, but the elder has business and ordered me to serve you tea."
If Cheong-wol had personally introduced her as successor, she must hold serious sway in Cheong-un-gak. It was hard to believe such a figure was serving him tea.
"Please, sit, sir."
"Y-Yeah... okay..."
Not knowing what was up, he sat back down anyway.
"My apologies."
With demure speech, Cheong-yeon bowed her head as she entered. She set the tray with the tea set beside him, sat parallel, and leaned her body slightly against his shoulder.
"Wha—?!"
"What's wrong, sir?"
"N-No, hold on."
Even through the thin fabric, he could distinctly feel her shoulder. At first thinking it was a mis-sit, he leaned away—but she leaned right back, making it clear this was deliberate.
"Then, shall I pour the tea, sir?"
Cheong-yeon began serving tea while half-leaning her shoulder against him. Clink, clink. The room filled only with the sounds of handling the tea set. After quietly pouring for a while, she side-eyed him and met his gaze.
"Sir."
"Y-Yes?"
"Please speak comfortably."
"Uh, sure. Got it."
Status aside, she looked a year or two younger, so he dropped the formalities. Naturally, that didn't make the situation feel casual. Uncomfortable, he fidgeted and sneaked a deep breath away from her.
"Haaa... whoo...!"
With a calmer mind, he looked at Cheong-yeon. Hmm. Pretty, yeah. His heart had settled, but that didn't make the beauty ugly. Cheong-yeon was stunning. Incredibly so. In modern terms, she'd get scouted walking past an entertainment agency.
But that was it. Her eyes didn't sparkle like Eori's, no cuteness leaked from her smile, and her words lacked that overflowing affection.
"What kind of tea is this?"
His heart now calm, he casually shifted away while watching her pour.
"Lotus tea."
Cheong-yeon eyed his retreat but couldn't follow, holding the teapot primly with both hands as she poured into the cup and explained.
"It has a soft fragrance and helps soothe the mind."
"Hmm, yeah? Nice aroma."
No exaggeration. From when she started steeping, a gentle floral scent had filled the room.
"Here you are. It's hot, so drink carefully."
She slid the steaming cup toward him.
"Uh. Thanks."
As he reached for the cup—swish—Cheong-yeon's finger brushed his hand. No, more like gently stroked it.
What the—?
His hand flinched hard on the cup. His recently calmed heart started racing again.
"Hehe."
Meeting his eyes once more, Cheong-yeon smiled shyly and bowed her head.
What the hell?
With his heart settled, suspicion overrode any flutter. He'd only met her yesterday—and that was just her one-sided greeting from afar. Even during the black men's intrusion, she'd just stared at him specially, no words exchanged.
Something's up.
Suspicion turning to certainty, he sipped the tea.
Slurp.Mmm. Good scent. Tasty.
"Hey, where'd you get this? The fragrance is killer."
"Oh, that? I'll pack some for you when you leave."
"Sweet, thanks."
Suspicious was suspicious, but tea was tea. The soft floral scent filled his mouth. Eori would surely widen her eyes in delight.
"Sir. Are you thinking of a woman?"
Cheong-yeon smiled at him as she tidied the tea set.
"You look so pleased."
"Yeah. Was thinking of my wife."
"Hehe, what kind of woman is your wife, sir?"
"Beautiful. Incredibly beautiful. The most beautiful in the world."
"......"
For a brief moment, Cheong-yeon furrowed her brow. The first crack in her smile. Just as he was about to ask why, a grandfatherly voice came from beyond the closed door.
"Hohoho. May I enter?"
"Oh, Elder, you've arrived."
Cheong-yeon reacted first. She stood with the tea tray. At the same time, the Cheong-un-gak proprietor opened the door and entered.
"Hoho, I hope I'm not interrupting."
"No, just chatting. Come in."
He rose following her lead to greet the old man.
"I'll take my leave."
Cheong-yeon bowed to him and the proprietor and exited. But right before the door closed, he heard something unbelievable.
"......Anyway, you're just going to throw it away."
"?!"
It was a cold voice, utterly unlike anything before. He whipped around in shock toward the sound—but saw only the closed door, no Cheong-yeon.
"What's wrong?"
Apparently only he had heard.
"N-No, nothing. It's nothing."
Might've misheard, and chasing after to confront her seemed like a hassle. Pretending not to hear, he sat across from the proprietor.
"So, how'd it go?"
He got straight to business. The clothes he'd sent via Gwang-chili yesterday. Not just any clothes—the ones worn by a kid who'd racked up merits since childhood, earned the king and crown prince's favor, and now topped the exam as jangwon.
Remembering the "starting at 3,000 yang" line, he asked the proprietor.
"Will you give 3,000 yang?"
"Hohoho. Of course. I said I would. But no sogowi."
Sogowi? Panties? Why?
"Sogowi is where the real money is. Especially if it's got shit or piss on it—that's premium."
"Why's that?"
"That's how the jangwon's energy properly soaks in, no?"
"Pretty sure only shit and piss soaked in."
"Hohoho. But none?"
"Can't give 'em; they're from the Crown Princess."
The Crown Princess had given Eori clothes—and him too. Modern-style panties, but men's, tied at the waist with strings instead of elastic. Not one or two, but dozens, so he wore them daily. Even now.
"Aigoo, what a pity. Could easily fetch 500 yang each."
Couldn't very well ask to sell royal gifts. The proprietor grimaced in regret but moved on.
"Anyway, when are you heading home?"
"Tomorrow, I hope."
"Why so soon? No thought to stay a few more days?"
"Can't. Gotta get back to my wife ASAP."
"Hear me out. It's not bad for you."
The proprietor's pitch: The gisaeng house kept getting robbed every few days—guards were unreliable. Stay two weeks, train the guards in martial arts.
Jeong Hyeon-beom and So Ji-hu had agreed; now it was his turn.
"20 yang a day. We'll provide lodging, food, clothes. Not a bad deal, eh?"
Not bad—great. 20 yang daily plus room and board? He'd live here forever if he could.
"Sorry, Elder."
But he'd just made plenty, and until entering the academy, he wanted to maximize time with Eori.
"Hoho, figured as much."
The proprietor grinned, showing his few teeth, as if expecting the refusal.
"But..."
Then he trailed off, eyeing him. Thinking it serious, he held his breath.
"Couldn't you spare just one sogowi?"
"I told you, it's from the Crown Princess?!"
But no.
"E-Even the one you're wearing now. That'd be even better!"
"I like it! Can't give up my sogowi! Sorry!"
"Just one sogowi. The one you're wearing right now—just one."
"I'm only wearing one—how?!"
Astounded by the proprietor's panty obsession, he completely forgot Cheong-yeon's parting mutter.