Chapter 383: Settled for Now
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 383: Settled for Now
"Waaaaah... Sun-woo!"
Yorang drenched Sun-woo’s chest with her tears.
"There, there..."
Sun-woo patted Yorang’s back as he spoke.
"What took you so long?! You said you’d be back in six months!" Yorang screamed, her voice rising in a shrill shout.
"......I'm sorry."
"Idiot! Stupid! Total moron! You jerk with personality issues!"
Yorang hurled insults as she began to pummel Sun-woo’s chest with her dainty fists.
Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!
"I'm sorry..."
"Is 'sorry' all you can say? You're trash! You only care about yourself, Sun-woo!"
Thud! Thud! Thud!
"I'm really sorry..."
"You didn't even think about the person waiting for you! You're a bastard who treats promises like they don't even exist!"
Thud! Thud! Thud!
"I said I'm sorry, didn't I?"
"You're a total piece of shit! You need to be hit more!"
Thud! Thud! Thud!
"Stop hitting me!" Sun-woo finally roared back.
He shouted because Yorang’s punches were getting progressively stronger. They were powerful enough to make even him—someone who had attained the Ethereal Body and possessed a transcendent physique—cough up blood.
"What gives you the right to raise your voice at me?!" Yorang screamed back, looking even more incensed by his outburst.
"I'm going to die at this rate!"
"I'm hitting you so you will die!"
"You damn little brat!"
Sun-woo continued to bicker with Yorang as they traded barbs.
"I'm only a month late! You couldn't even wait a single month?"
"It's a whole month! Do you not know what 'whole' means? Besides, a broken promise is a broken promise!"
"I told you before I left! I said I might be late depending on the weather or other variables!"
"Then you should have contacted me in advance!"
"How am I supposed to contact you from a place where even carrier pigeons can't fly?!"
"You could have sent a messenger!"
"As if that would work!"
"And why wouldn't it?!"
Yorang glared at him with wide eyes, refusing to back down.
"You broke a promise too!" Sun-woo countered.
"What promise did I break?!"
Yorang looked indignant as she waited for his answer.
"Did I or did I not tell you to stay put in the Tang Clan?"
".............."
Hearing Sun-woo’s words, Yorang clamped her mouth shut.
"Is this the Tang Clan? Is this place the Tang Clan manor?"
"......That's only because you didn't come back! You son of a bitch!"
"Where did you learn such foul language?!"
"I learned it from you! You bastard!"
The squabble between Yorang and Sun-woo began to grow even more intense.
"Why, you...!"
Whack!
Sun-woo raised his fist and delivered a sharp blow to the top of Yorang’s head. It was a punishment for her lack of manners during the time they were apart.
"Why did you hit me?! Why?!"
Yorang began to protest fiercely, refusing to lose.
"Who told you to use such bad words?"
"You use them, so why can't I?" Yorang shouted, feeling wronged.
"I'm allowed to use them!"
"Why?"
"You don't need to know!"
"You jerk with personality issues!"
Whack!
Sun-woo smacked her head once more.
"Ugh.... hic.... Waaaaaaaah! Sun-woo, you meanie!!"
Being hit on the head again, Yorang finally burst into tears. The sharp pain throbbing through her skull was simply too much. Their touching reunion had quickly devolved into a scene rife with violence, insults, and wailing.
*
Boom!
Crash!
Ok-ryeong paced anxiously every time she heard a thunderous roar echoing from the distance. She was terrified that Sun-woo might be getting hurt. Her lover had just returned after seven months away in the North Sea. She felt as though she couldn't bear it if he returned with even a single scratch.
Ok-ryeong’s gaze toward the source of the noise grew infinitely deep. It was a look filled with profound worry.
Meanwhile, Lee Ye-seol watched Ok-ryeong closely.
Who exactly is this woman?
Her curiosity was piqued. Based on the way she spoke to Sun-woo and her overall attitude, she was clearly his lover. And not just a casual fling, but someone with a very deep connection to him.
This raised a question in Ye-seol's mind. How could Sun-woo, who already had a fiancée in Tang Seo-yoon, have another lover? Surely, given the Tang Clan Head's personality, he wouldn't tolerate such a thing.
Is her social status incredibly high?
Ye-seol carefully examined Ok-ryeong’s face. She possessed a beauty that made the term "peerless beauty" feel entirely appropriate. Her features were perfectly arranged on a canvas of clear, translucent skin, and every single detail was breathtaking.
Long eyelashes, soft eyes, a straight nose, and alluring lips. If a woman like this wasn't called peerless, who could possibly claim the title?
"........Excuse me."
Lee Ye-seol, who had been silent, finally spoke up. She simply couldn't contain her curiosity any longer.
"Speak," Ok-ryeong replied, her eyes never leaving the spot where Sun-woo had disappeared.
"Who are you, exactly?"
"You don't need to know."
Ok-ryeong cut her off firmly. She felt no need to build a friendship with this woman. More than anything, her heart was too full of worry for Sun-woo to bother with conversation.
".........."
Lee Ye-seol looked flabbergasted by the blunt dismissal. She hadn't expected to be shut down so decisively.
"What is your relationship with Jang Sun-woo? Are you his lover? His girlfriend? Or perhaps his Second Wife?"
Ye-seol pressed on, refusing to give up. Ok-ryeong’s stubborn attitude had only made her more determined.
"Young lady."
Hearing Ye-seol’s words, Ok-ryeong finally turned her gaze toward her and spoke in a calm tone.
"Yes, go ahead."
"If you don't shut that mouth of yours, I can make you shut it by force. Is that what you want?"
"................"
"If not, it would be best for you to stay quiet. I'd rather not use violence against someone else's precious daughter."
Ok-ryeong whispered the words with a chillingly calm demeanor.
"............"
Lee Ye-seol fell silent. She realized that the woman was being completely serious. If she continued to run her mouth, she wouldn't come out of this unscathed.
"Good girl."
When Ye-seol finally shut up, Ok-ryeong flashed a satisfied smile. Then, she immediately turned her attention back to the direction where Sun-woo was.
.
.
.
.
.
.
After some time had passed...
Step. Step. Step.
Sun-woo and Yorang could be seen walking toward them from the distance.
"Sun-woo! Yorang!"
Seeing them, Ok-ryeong rushed forward. Reaching them in an instant, she began to scan them both from head to toe, checking for any injuries.
"I'm so glad you're safe."
Once she confirmed they were both unharmed, Ok-ryeong spoke, her eyes misting over slightly.
".......Ok-ryeong."
Yorang looked at Ok-ryeong with a guilty expression.
".....I'm sorry."
She remembered how she had attacked her with murderous intent when only her instincts remained.
"It's alright. You're safe now, and that's all that matters."
Ok-ryeong shook her head gently.
"Ugh.... Ok-ryeong."
Hearing those words, Yorang’s eyes welled up with tears, looking deeply moved.
Oof!
She threw herself into Ok-ryeong’s arms.
"I'm sorry... hic... I'm so sorry..."
Yorang leaned against Ok-ryeong’s ample breasts and apologized repeatedly.
"It's okay... It's really okay."
Ok-ryeong stroked the back of Yorang’s head, comforting her. She knew better than anyone that Yorang hadn't acted out of malice. That was why she felt more like comforting her than scolding her.
Sun-woo watched the two women embrace with a satisfied smile. Seeing them care for each other brought a warm feeling to the depths of his heart.
Thank god.
Looking at the two of them, Sun-woo thought to himself that he was glad everything had ended safely without anyone getting seriously hurt.
*
"There were zero casualties. We have already dispatched personnel for purification and reconstruction of the villages located on the mountainside. We have also provided ample compensation."
Tang Gam continued his report.
"Good work."
Tang Seo-yoon nodded as she spoke. "Where are the villagers staying until the villages are rebuilt?"
"We have made arrangements for them to stay within the Tang Clan estate for the time being."
"These are people who were suddenly struck by disaster while going about their lives. Ensure they are treated with the utmost care so they face no discomfort during their stay."
"Do not worry. We will treat them with the greatest sincerity."
"Well done, Tang Gam."
"Yes, Ma'am."
Tang Gam bowed and slowly exited the room. Tang Seo-yoon watched him leave before turning her head.
"Yorang-nim."
In the corner of the room, Yorang was standing with her hands raised above her head.
"......Yeah?"
"You can put your hands down now."
Tang Seo-yoon spoke in a calm tone.
"Sun-woo said he'd smack my head if I put them down."
Yorang replied with a tearful face. After hearing the amount of compensation that had to be paid to the villages, an angry Sun-woo had given her this punishment.
"It's alright. If Sun-woo tries to hit you, I'll stop him."
"Really?" Yorang asked, her face brightening.
"Of course."
"Hehehehe!"
Seeing Tang Seo-yoon’s confident expression, Yorang immediately lowered her hands. She figured that if Seo-yoon stood up for her, even Sun-woo wouldn't be able to act recklessly.
"Yorang-nim."
"Yeah, go ahead."
"I'm sorry."
Seo-yoon looked at Yorang and offered a sincere apology.
".........Sorry? If anything... I should be..."
Yorang looked flustered by the sudden apology.
"No. This is something I must apologize for. I left you alone without realizing how much you were struggling."
Tang Seo-yoon shook her head.
"I truly didn't know. I had no idea you were feeling such a heavy mental burden. I feel so terrible that I wanted to apologize properly."
".......No, it's okay."
"From now on, I won't force any work on you. You can do whatever you want."
"............"
"I think I relied on you too much until now. Even though it wasn't something I should have taken for granted. They say if a favor continues, people start thinking it's their right, don't they? I think the leadership of our Tang Clan was in exactly that position. We tried to seek profit by leaning on your kindness."
"............"
"That will never happen again. So, could you please find it in your heart to forgive us? For our rudeness."
".......I forgive you."
"Thank you, Yorang-nim."
A bright smile spread across Tang Seo-yoon’s face.
"And Yorang-nim, could you make one promise to me?"
"What promise?" Yorang asked curiously.
"Promise me that if things get hard in the future, you won't hold it in and will definitely tell me."
Tang Seo-yoon continued in a steady voice.
"Unfortunately, I'm quite clumsy when it comes to reading other people's hearts. There are many times when I won't know unless I'm told. So, I want you to tell me. Tell me in detail what makes you feel slighted or what makes your heart ache."
Tang Seo-yoon looked at Yorang with soft eyes.
"Can you do that for me?"
"..........Mhm."
Yorang nodded and slowly held out her pinky finger.
"I promise."
Seeing this, Tang Seo-yoon let out a small smile. The gesture was simply too adorable. Tang Seo-yoon also held out her pinky. Their two fingers hooked together, and then they wrapped their hands around each other as if they would never let go.
"Now, shall we head to the Inner Guest Room?"
"The Inner Guest Room?"
"Yes. Everyone is waiting for us there."
Tang Seo-yoon smiled slightly. Hearing that, Yorang nodded. She found herself wanting to see the others as soon as possible.
*
"Yorang-nim!"
"Yorang-nim!"
As soon as Yorang arrived at the Inner Guest Room, the Great Matriarch and Geum Jeok-hwa welcomed her warmly.
"Great Matriarch!"
Yorang threw herself into the arms of the Great Matriarch, the person she was happiest to see.
"Where did you go without a word? We were so worried!"
Seeing that Yorang was safe, the Great Matriarch spoke through her tears.
"I'm sorry.... I won't do it again..."
Yorang replied in a repentant tone. Usually, the person who cherished her the most was the Great Matriarch. She was the one who always brought her sweets and crackers, gave her lap pillows, and even let her squeeze her tits without hesitation. Thinking about how she had run away without telling such a person made a wave of guilt wash over her.
"It's alright... as long as you don't do it again."
The Great Matriarch stroked Yorang with deep affection. Yorang snuggled into the Great Matriarch’s massive chest, basking in her warmth.
"Yorang-nim..... I'm sorry."
Just then, Geum Jeok-hwa’s small, crawling voice reached her ears. Technically, it was her fault for piling too much work on Yorang, so she was offering her apology.
"It's okay! It's okay!"
Feeling better because of everyone's enthusiastic welcome, Yorang replied with a bright laugh. Normally, she would have snorted and turned her head away, but she didn't do that this time. She felt like she was walking on air.
Yorang was happy. She had been terrified that everyone would scold her severely, but contrary to her expectations, they had all welcomed her back warmly.
I'm never running away again.
She made up her mind. She wouldn't do something like running away ever again. Why would she, when there were so many people here who cherished her?
Feeling loved by everyone, a deep smile graced Yorang’s lips.