I Like Women
People usually think of heirs from chaebol families when they hear about the outrages of conglomerate brats.
Humans are sensitive to names they've heard before—it's how our senses work, and we don't forget them easily.
Plus, reporters compete to turn even trivial incidents into scoops.
But in reality, the sons of small-time bosses cause more problems. And on a bigger scale.
You can easily infer this just by looking at the small-business owners around you.
Company finances are tight, so no raises, but they upgrade their cars. They hire illegal immigrants and wash their hands of it when trouble brews. And who treats employees like slaves? Them, of course.
No way kids raised watching that turn out right.
In that sense, Bok Dong-su of Shinyangmun was the textbook son of a small-time chairman.
Shinyangmun itself had been Shinyangbang, a loan-sharking outfit, up until three years ago.
They'd lend money, slap on insane interest, then sell women as sex slaves and kids as laborers. They raked in a fortune.
The head of Shinyangbang was a smart guy.
Sure, he was making bank now, but unorthodox sects never have happy endings.
Nothing said some crazy righteous knight from the orthodox factions wouldn't show up one day to wreck the place.
So, he decided to cozy up to Wudang.
He had enough money; he wanted a comfy retirement under their skirt tails.
He laundered the vicious unorthodox loan-shark gang into an orthodox martial arts school.
Of course, the laundering wasn't easy.
It took massive donations and burying or downplaying their past misdeeds—a huge effort by the Shinyangbang head.
Now, he's the head of Shinyangmun.
He'd switched the business from usury to running a martial school.
But changing the business doesn't change the man.
The Shinyangmun head botched raising his kids, and the result was Bok Dong-su.
Bok Dong-su's hobby was luring out-of-town women to his room.
His handsome, manly face made it easy.
Being the son of a martial school lowered women's guards—they figured he'd be righteous or something.
The outcome? Cloud and rain. More accurately, rape, since it was forced.
No mutual consent, thanks to his twisted tastes.
His room was full of candles, whips, spiked wooden horses—stuff with obvious sinister vibes.
Women who went in always came out as cold corpses. No need to guess why.
So today, too, Bok Dong-su was hunting.
He'd already had his fun once, hands stained with blood, but whatever.
Women are weak to authority and power.
Tell them you're the son of a famous martial school, and they drop their guard, turning into does.
If the blood was from slaying villains, they'd swoon and offer handkerchiefs—which was why he didn't bother wiping it off.
Walking the street like that, Bok Dong-su spotted two red-haired women running.
Both stunning, hard to come by.
One especially had otherworldly beauty. He wondered what face she'd make strapped to a wooden horse.
He shoved aside a desk to eavesdrop.
He learned one's name was Namgoong Juhee.
Low chance she was from the Namgoong clan.
Even if she was, a fallen noble house was no threat.
Grab her tight, and what could she do? No need to brace for war with Wudang.
Decision made, Bok Dong-su charged to the next desk over.
Today, he'd see those two faces streaked with tears.
. . .
"Namgung Sojeo, this wounds me. How could you forget me?"
Namgoong Juhee chewed and swallowed her honey bun without a flicker of interest.
First time seeing the guy, and even if she'd met him before, he'd just be some NPC.
Plus, he was a dude—no point wasting time.
That was her thinking.
"Hayeon, what time's check-in again?"
"Check-in...? If you mean room entry, it's been open for ages."
"Okay. Time to move. Trying to grab dessert, and some bug's buzzing around."
"B... bug?"
The man's face twisted at Namgoong Juhee's words.
Heirs of noble houses hear insults way less than average Joes.
You risk your life to mouth off to them.
Especially for Shinyangmun's heir, straddling unorthodox and orthodox—insult him, and you might suffer worse than death.
So, no immunity to abuse.
Calling him a bug pushed Bok Dong-su's rage to the limit.
"Hoo..."
Bok Dong-su sighed, barely holding back his anger.
She was just a woman, after all.
Reveal his noble status, remind her he's a superior male, and she'd submit.
Watching her fluster would be fun.
Recalling the essence of heavy breathing, he spoke.
"...Namgung Sojeo. I forgot to introduce myself."
"Hm? You still here?"
"I'm Bok Dong-su, son of the Shinyangmun lord. I thought you'd remember, but my manners slipped."
"Shinyangmun...?"
Namgoong Juhee's eyes widened at that.
She glanced at the red-haired woman across from her.
Huh, as expected.
Bok Dong-su muttered inwardly.
No one in Shinyang doesn't know Shinyangmun.
She must be shocked at her earlier rudeness.
Women really are weak to power.
Not entirely wrong, but a total delusion.
"Shinyangmun? First I've heard. Hayeon, you know it?"
"A sect based in Shinyang."
"Aha."
"These crazy bitches..."
Bok Dong-su couldn't contain his fury anymore.
Translating their chat: "Shinyangmun? What's that no-name ragtag sect?" "Shinyangmun, so probably based in Shinyang. Don't know details." "Nothing worth asking then."
Face-to-face sect insult, basically.
Not quite direct enough to call them out, but plenty to piss him off.
"Trying to play nice, and you ignore me to my face?"
"Huh? Me?"
"Yeah, you! Who else?!"
Namgoong Juhee dusted off her butt, annoyed, and stood.
"If you're gonna hit on someone, expect the rejection. Why make a scene?"
"What the—"
"You're not my type. Don't be a pain—scram. Clear enough?"
First rejection and insults of his life left Bok Dong-su dizzy.
His rage had already maxed out, explosion imminent.
If his head cleared, his fists would fly at Namgoong Juhee.
She knew that.
She'd poked him to piss him off on purpose.
Guys like him lash out with fists when mad—veteran troll experience.
"C'mon, let's go."
She grabbed Yi Hayeon's wrist and stood.
No boredom today; didn't wanna end it with a fight.
"Wait!"
Ugh, annoying.
Namgoong Juhee paused, glaring back.
"Not your type? What the hell am I lacking?!"
"Huh."
"Good looks, great body, top family—what lame excuse is that?!"
Not the reaction she expected.
What? Narcissist?
Money, looks—probably devoured tons of girls, the young master type.
Not that I care.
She shot back.
"I like women."
"...What?"
"Not into guys. Now beat it. Pay for our meal as apology for the hassle."
With that, Namgoong Juhee dragged Yi Hayeon away.
Bok Dong-su's face went blank.
A woman liking women? Made no sense. What depravity!
But it explained the rejection. No other reason to defy him.
Still, humiliating him to his face? Unforgivable.
I'll strap that bitch to the horse no matter what.
But he wasn't the only one blank-faced.
The woman in Namgoong Juhee's grip looked stunned, face beet red.
"Huh? Hayeon, why's your face so red? You sick?"
"N-no, it's not... that..."
"Then snap out of it. No headaches from psychos like that. Let's hit the next spot."
Yi Hayeon nodded, entranced.
Inside, her mind swirled in turmoil.
Does Namgoong Juhee really like women? Or just shaking off that guy...?