Chapter 525: Sharing a Drink with a Ripe Married Woman
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 525: Sharing a Drink with a Ripe Married Woman
"Why aren't you anshwering?!... Do I... do I drink well or not?"
She continued to speak, her tongue tripping over itself as much as it possibly could.
"How about we clear those alcohol toxins first, Lady?"
Sun-woo watched her quietly before speaking in a calm voice.
Friendships, as a rule, were meant to be built while sober. There was no point in getting close to someone who was this far gone.
"I don't wanna... clearing... toxins... is... a bad thing, they said."
"Who said that?"
"Hyeon-kyung did!"
"It’s fine to clear them once in a while. It’s much better than getting completely wasted and making a scene."
"Noooo... that's not... the way of the drinker..."
Shake, shake.
She shook her head vigorously from side to side as she spoke. Even in her drunken stupor, her stubbornness seemed as tough as a whale's tendon.
'This is troublesome.'
Sun-woo felt a headache coming on as she refused to listen.
'I have no choice.'
Sun-woo shook his head. He realized he would have to carry her.
Thump.
Sun-woo stood up from his seat.
"Get on my back."
He looked at her as she continued her drunken rambling.
"Noooo... Mommy said... don't follow... strange uncles..."
Upon hearing Sun-woo's words, Lee So-ran shook her head rapidly, refusing him.
"Lady, do you know who I am?"
"The Divine Dragon! Jang Sun-woo! Right?!"
Lee So-ran replied with a bright, beaming smile.
"Then I'm someone you know, right?"
"I guess so?"
She made a surprised expression and nodded.
"Then get on."
Sun-woo turned around and offered her his back.
"Okaaaay~"
With a brilliant smile, she settled herself onto Sun-woo's back.
Squish.
The sensation of her voluminous breasts began to press against his back.
'Whoa... she's certainly well-developed!'
Sun-woo was slightly impressed by the sensation. Because she acted so innocent and pure, he had thought of her as a mere child, but physically, she was clearly a fully grown woman.
"Let's go! Let's go! Let's go!"
Perched on Sun-woo's back, Lee So-ran stretched her arms toward the ceiling and shouted repeatedly.
"I get it, so please stay still."
Sun-woo spoke with a troubled expression. He was about to take a step forward, but he found himself stopping. His eyes had caught the bottle of Nu'er Hong, of which they had only managed a few cups.
'It’s a waste...'
Sun-woo grabbed the bottle while still carrying her. He felt it would be a shame to leave it behind. Carrying the drunken Lee So-ran in one arm and the bottle in the other, Sun-woo slowly began to leave the gambling house. He moved with an air of utter composure.
*
"Sigh..."
Hwangbo Yu-yeon let out a deep sigh, her expression clouded with gloom. A wave of endless melancholy had washed over her.
It had already been three days since she started looking for Sun-woo to repay the grace he had shown her. However, in those three days, she hadn't even caught a glimpse of his shadow. He remained so elusive that the term "elusive as a ghost" seemed perfectly fitting.
She had even visited his quarters directly, but she was always told he was out, and she never managed to meet him in person. She had once waited in front of his room all day, hoping he would return, but it was no use. On the days she waited, he didn't return to his quarters at all.
"Haaah."
Naturally, her sighs grew deeper. She owed Sun-woo a debt of the heart—an enormous one at that. To resolve that debt, she had to meet him. She had to apologize.
On the day she had confessed everything about her debt to him, she had been deeply disappointed in Sun-woo. He had left the moment he heard about the money. She had even harbored feelings of resentment, feeling wounded by his cold attitude.
And yet, that same man had paid off her debt. And it wasn't just a small sum; it was the massive amount of 500,000 Nyang.
She wanted to apologize for her attitude—for judging him, making assumptions, and then feeling disappointed and resentful. If she didn't, she felt like her heart would never find peace.
"Just... where are you... Young Master Jang?"
She lowered her head and muttered in a lamenting tone. The frustration of Sun-woo's continued absence was weighing on her.
After some time had passed, she slowly stood up. She decided that wandering around to look for him would be better than just sitting there sighing.
Step, step.
She began to walk slowly.
Knock, knock.
Suddenly, someone began to knock on the door.
"Who is it?"
Startled by the sudden sound, she blurted out the question.
"It's me, Madam."
A familiar voice drifted in from outside.
'Ah!'
She recognized the voice instantly. It was the voice of the man she had been searching for frantically for the past three days.
"J-Just a moment!"
She quickly looked down and straightened her clothes. Then, she hurried to the door and swung it open.
Creak.
As the door opened, Sun-woo's figure filled her vision. Handsome features, broad shoulders, a sturdy chest, and a respectable height—he was still a man of striking appearance.
'Huh?'
As she stared blankly at Sun-woo, she felt a sense of confusion. She noticed someone was piggybacking on him.
'Who is that?'
She tilted her head with a questioning look.
"It's been a while."
As she opened the door, Sun-woo gave a slight nod in greeting.
"You've come... Young Master... but who is that on your back?"
She asked, her expression filled with curiosity.
"It's the daughter of this house."
"The daughter... of this house?"
"Yes, it's Lady Lee So-ran."
Sun-woo answered with a calm expression.
"Whaaaat!?"
Upon hearing his words, Hwangbo Yu-yeon let out a startled shriek. Why on earth was her beloved daughter being carried on his back?
"Is she hurt? Did something happen to her?"
Her face turned pale as she spoke urgently. She was terrified that her precious daughter might be injured.
"She's not hurt. She's just lost consciousness."
"Lost consciousness? Is it poisoning? Was she poisoned? Was it that girl, Lee Hyun-kyung? Did she do this to my daughter? That wicked girl! Her venomous nature is exactly like her mother's!"
In her agitated state, Hwangbo Yu-yeon poured out her fury. The news that Lee So-ran was unconscious had sent her into a panic.
"No. She's just drunk."
Sun-woo replied calmly to her outburst.
"Pardon?"
Hwangbo Yu-yeon blinked in confusion and asked again.
"She drank some Nu'er Hong and got drunk. I think we should lay her down to sleep."
"..."
Hwangbo Yu-yeon fell silent. She realized she had jumped to a massive conclusion.
"...Follow me."
A moment later, with an embarrassed expression, Hwangbo Yu-yeon began to lead Sun-woo inside. Sun-woo smiled slightly and followed her. Her overprotective motherly side seemed quite endearing.
*
"You can lay her here."
Having led him to the bedroom, Hwangbo Yu-yeon pointed toward the bed.
"Heave-ho!"
Sun-woo laid the completely wasted Lee So-ran onto the bed.
"Mmmph..."
Flump.
As if satisfied by the soft touch of the bed, the drunken Lee So-ran let out a happy groan and burrowed deeper into the covers.
"I'm so sorry."
Once Sun-woo had settled So-ran, Hwangbo Yu-yeon apologized. She felt she had caused him a great deal of trouble.
"It's fine. In a way, it's my responsibility for not stopping her properly."
Sun-woo spoke as if it were no big deal.
"No... it's Ran-i's fault for not knowing her limit and lacking self-control."
She spoke with a look of sincere regret.
"It's already over, so don't worry about it."
Sun-woo waved it off.
".........Thank you for your kindness."
Hwangbo Yu-yeon lowered her head slightly and expressed her gratitude. She felt a sense of warmth from his consideration.
"Well then, I'll be going now."
Watching her, Sun-woo gave a slight bow. It seemed he intended to take his leave.
"Al-already!?"
"Yes, I still have a lot of wine left. I'd like to get to it quickly."
Sun-woo said, lifting the bottle he had brought from the gambling house.
"..........Then... well."
Hwangbo Yu-yeon hesitated before speaking.
"Would you... like to have a drink with me?"
She blushed as she spoke. For a married woman to ask a man she barely knew to have a drink was quite an embarrassing thing to do. However, she didn't want to let him go right now. If she missed this chance, she didn't know when she would see him again.
"You want to drink, Madam?"
Sun-woo asked, looking surprised.
"...Yes."
She nodded shyly.
"Do you know how to drink?"
"Of course! I'm actually known for being quite the heavy drinker!"
It was a lie, of course. She was the type who preferred sipping tea and chatting. But she felt that if she said she couldn't drink, he would leave without hesitation. In her desperation to keep him there, the lie slipped out effortlessly.
"Hmm... looking at your daughter, that doesn't seem very likely... she got drunk after just two cups."
Sun-woo looked at her with a skeptical eye. Her claim didn't seem very credible.
"I'm different from my daughter."
She spoke with a firm expression.
"Well, alright then. It'll certainly be more enjoyable than drinking alone."
Sun-woo said with a faint smile.
"Then I'll go prepare some snacks!"
Seeing that smile, Hwangbo Yu-yeon beamed. She was genuinely happy that he was staying.
"Ah, there's no need to go to any trouble. It tastes fine on its own."
Sun-woo waved his hand. While snacks to cut the bitterness of the alcohol would be nice, he didn't want to burden her.
"Doesn't it taste better with snacks? I'll have them ready in no time, so please wait just a moment!"
But Hwangbo Yu-yeon shook her head and refused. She knew she was a weak drinker. If she drank without any food, she would end up just like her daughter in no time. She couldn't let that happen.
"Please go to my room for now. I'll bring the table shortly."
She quickly hurried out of the bedroom. Her steps were full of enthusiasm.
"She could have just... asked a maidservant..."
Sun-woo muttered to himself as he watched her go. He found it strange that she was personally preparing the table when there were plenty of servants around.
*
"I've brought the drinks."
Hwangbo Yu-yeon returned with a bright smile, carrying a large tray. The table was filled with a wide variety of snacks.
"..........I thought you said you were going to prepare something simple?"
Sun-woo asked, looking bewildered. He hadn't expected such a feast.
"I... meant to... keep it simple... but as I kept adding things... it ended up like this..."
She blushed slightly in embarrassment.
"Well, the more snacks, the better."
Sun-woo let out a small chuckle. It was a bit much, but he didn't dislike it. As they say, the more the merrier. There was nothing wrong with having plenty of food to go with the wine.
"Please, have a seat, Madam."
Sun-woo pointed to the chair across from him.
".......Yes."
She sat down gracefully, her face still flushed.
"First, let me pour you a glass."
Glug, glug, glug.
Sun-woo picked up the bottle and began to pour into her cup. He only filled it halfway. Then, he immediately filled his own cup to the brim.
"Why... did you only give me half a cup?"
Hwangbo Yu-yeon asked, looking puzzled.
"It's stronger than it looks. Drink half a cup first, and if you're okay, I'll fill it up for you then."
Sun-woo said with an amused smile.
"Didn't I tell you I'm a heavy drinker? A little Nu'er Hong is nothing. Please, fill it up."
Perhaps her pride was piqued by his words, as she spoke with a serious expression.
'Good grief, they really are mother and daughter. They act exactly the same.'
Sun-woo stifled a laugh. Like mother, like daughter. He had wondered who Lee So-ran took after, and it seemed she was the spitting image of her mother, Hwangbo Yu-yeon.
"Alright. But you must tell me if it's too much."
Sun-woo said, as if he had no choice.
"Of course!"
Hwangbo Yu-yeon nodded vigorously.