Chapter 531: Having a Drink with Her Daughter
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 531: Having a Drink with Her Daughter
"Well then, I’ll be going."
Sun-woo, having thrown his clothes on haphazardly, spoke with a composed expression.
".....Please, go ahead."
Hwangbo Yu-yeon nodded slightly as she spoke.
Sun-woo turned on his heel and walked straight out the door. It was a cold departure, a complete reversal from the way he had looked at her with such affection while holding her.
Throb. Throb.
Watching him leave, Hwangbo Yu-yeon felt a sharp ache in her chest. His sudden change in attitude had wounded her.
No, it’s better this way.
She quickly shook her head from side to side. Despite the ache in her heart, she told herself it was for the best that he acted cold. She needed to keep her distance from him—to ensure that a disaster like yesterday never happened again.
Yet, contrary to her resolve to stay away, her heart continued to throb painfully. Clutching her chest, she could only stare blankly at the door Sun-woo had just passed through.
*
Hmm.
Once outside, Sun-woo stroked his chin, looking thoughtful. Hwangbo Yu-yeon possessed a much stronger will than he had anticipated.
To think she’d suggest we act like it never happened.
A smirk played on Sun-woo’s lips. Her unexpected reaction piqued his interest. More than that, it stirred a desire for conquest—a primal urge to break the woman who had pushed him away to protect her chastity.
Let’s see how long you can hold out... Hwangbo Yu-yeon.
Sun-woo’s eyes began to glint.
*
Rattle, rattle.
The dice cup was slammed down.
"Double sixes!"
"Four-five!"
"Three-three!"
Three men placed their bets in succession. Slowly, the cup was lifted to reveal the dice. The two dice showed a four and a five.
"Alright!"
Sun-woo, the man who had bet on the four-five, let out a shout of joy.
"Congratulations, friend."
"Man, you’re on a roll today."
The surrounding gamblers began to offer their congratulations.
"Hahaha! It’s not luck, it’s skill."
Sun-woo chuckled heartily as he swept up the money. It was exactly double the amount he had wagered.
Tap. Tap.
Just then, someone tapped Sun-woo on the shoulder.
"Hmm?"
Sun-woo turned around with a puzzled look. Standing there was a beautiful woman with slightly drooping eyes.
"Do you live here or something?"
Lee So-ran, the woman with the charming, downturned eyes, asked him with an amused expression.
"I don’t live here. I’m simply enjoying the finer things in life."
Sun-woo replied nonchalantly.
"Gambling is a 'finer thing'?"
Lee So-ran looked at him as if he were absurd.
"That’s only because you’re young, Sojeo. Think about it. Wealth and martial power mean nothing here; victory is decided solely by skill and luck. Where else can you find such a fair and magnificent contest?"
"You’re just guessing based on your observation skills, aren't you?"
"That is also a skill."
Sun-woo maintained his calm demeanor.
"Tsk."
Lee So-ran clicked her tongue. She realized this was a man who wouldn't concede a single point in an argument.
Thud.
She took a seat right next to him.
"What are you doing?" Sun-woo asked, leaning back.
"I’m joining in."
"The world is coming to an end. A young lady like you, addicted to gambling..." Sun-woo sighed with a look of pity.
"Addicted?! I just want to try growing my pocket money a bit!"
"It always starts with pocket money. Then the stakes get higher, and eventually, you’ll be betting your own underwear to some perverted old man who’s obsessed with young girls."
Sun-woo began to pour on the hyperbole, painting a grim picture.
"I’m not a woman with that little self-control!" Lee So-ran snapped, her voice rising.
"Well, it’s just a piece of advice to be careful. You never know what might happen."
"That sounded more like a curse than advice."
"Advice or curse, as long as the meaning gets across, isn't that enough? At least you’ll be on your guard now."
Sun-woo spoke as if it were of no consequence. Six of one, half a dozen of the other.
"It’s not the same at all!"
She shrieked at him. How could advice and a curse be the same thing? What kind of nonsense logic was that?
Watching her reaction, Sun-woo let out a small chuckle. Her explosive responses were quite entertaining.
"Alright! Rolling now!"
The gambler at the front spoke up to reset the mood. Sun-woo and Lee So-ran immediately fell silent, their eyes fixed on the dice in the gambler’s hand as if they refused to miss a single movement.
Whoosh.
The two dice flew into the air. Both of their eyes sparkled with anticipation.
*
"Safe travels, sir."
The manager of the gambling den bowed deeply to Sun-woo.
"Right. Good work."
Sun-woo raised a hand slightly and began to walk away. His steps were light; he had made a decent profit at the tables.
"Hmm-hmm~ Hmm-hmm~~"
Sun-woo hummed a tune as he strolled along. His gait was so rhythmic that his entire body felt buoyant.
Step. Step.
"Wait a minute!"
A very familiar voice called out from behind him. It was a voice that was both sharp and soft—unmistakably hers.
Hearing it, Sun-woo broke into a light jog.
"Wait for meeeee!"
As Sun-woo sped up, the voice behind him grew increasingly frantic. However, Sun-woo ignored the desperate calls and kept running, continuing until the owner of that familiar voice finally caught up to him.
After running for a while...
Grab.
Someone lunged forward and gripped Sun-woo’s shoulder from behind.
"Huff... huff... huff... huff."
Heavy panting filled the air. Sun-woo slowly turned his head. Lee So-ran was clutching his shoulder, her face flushed with exertion.
"Huff... Why... why were you running away?"
"Running away? I just felt like going for a jog."
Sun-woo replied with a perfectly straight face.
"Liar! You think I didn't notice you started sprinting the moment you heard my voice?"
Lee So-ran’s voice rose in indignation. She had seen it with her own two eyes—he had been strolling leisurely until she called out, at which point he took off like a shot. How could he lie so brazenly?
"Must have been a coincidence."
"It absolutely was not!"
She glared at Sun-woo with eyes full of certainty.
"How sad. To think you’d treat your benefactor—the one who saved you from the depths of a rigged gambling game—so poorly."
Sun-woo put on a mock-sorrowful expression.
"You’re the one making me treat you poorly!" she growled. She seemed genuinely annoyed by his wordplay.
"Well, if that’s just your personality, I suppose there’s nothing to be done."
"What did you say?!"
"Anyway, why were you chasing me?" Sun-woo asked, sounding curious.
".......I... I wanted to repay you."
She hesitated, her face turning red with embarrassment.
"Repay me?" Sun-woo asked.
"Yes... Like you said, you saved me from being scammed at the gambling den... and you brought me home safely when I was dead drunk..."
"It’s fine. I didn't do it looking for a reward."
Sun-woo declined with a flat tone.
"No. If I just let it go, I won't feel right."
Lee So-ran spoke persuasively, trying to change his mind.
"Since you put it that way, it’s hard to refuse."
Sun-woo acted as if he had been swayed.
"How much were you planning to give me?"
"I’m not trying to pay you with money!"
"Is it a physical gift then? Gold? A jade ring? Jewels?"
"I was going to buy you a meal!"
"Sigh... A meal?"
Sun-woo looked overtly disappointed.
"What’s with that reaction?!"
"I’d rather have the cash."
"No! I already made a reservation!"
"Wait, why would you make a reservation before knowing if I’d even go?" Sun-woo asked, baffled.
"Because 'preparation prevents calamities'!" she said with a bright smile.
"I think you’re the 'calamity' for the restaurant owner."
"Only if you don't come with me, right, Young Master?"
She gave him a mischievous grin.
"That’s low. Using blackmail like that."
"I’ve always been the meticulous type. Hehehe."
Lee So-ran continued to beam playfully.
"Fine. Let’s go. I can’t have the restaurant owner worrying."
Sun-woo shook his head in mock resignation.
"Excellent choice!"
Lee So-ran laughed happily. She seemed genuinely thrilled that Sun-woo had agreed to go.
"Then follow me!"
Grab.
Lee So-ran grabbed Sun-woo’s wrist and led him away. Sun-woo let his body go limp and followed her lead.
Step. Step.
The two of them began to walk briskly.
*
"We’re here!"
She led Sun-woo to a high-end tavern located in a bustling district. One look was enough to tell that the prices here would be steep.
"This looks expensive. Are you sure about this?" Sun-woo asked with feigned concern.
"It’s fine! I made a killing at the gambling den today!"
She puffed out her already ample chest with pride.
Whoa... She’s stacked.
Sun-woo couldn't help but admire the view. Seeing her, he marveled at the fact that she had clearly inherited Hwangbo Yu-yeon’s excellent genes.
"Let’s go in!"
Lee So-ran pulled on Sun-woo’s arm, dragging him toward the entrance.
Creeeeeak.
The two of them stepped inside the tavern.
"Welcome!"
A young waiter greeted them as they entered.
"I have a reservation for a private room this evening."
"May I ask for the name on the reservation?"
"Hwangbo Ran!"
"Ah, right this way. I’ll show you to your room."
The waiter bowed and began leading them toward the third floor. Sun-woo and Lee So-ran followed him up.
"Here we are."
Arriving at a room at the end of the third-floor hallway, the waiter gestured politely.
"Your meal will be served shortly. There is no time limit on the room. Once the food is served, the staff will not disturb you, so please enjoy your time together."
The waiter added with a suggestive smirk.
"Thanks for the help."
"Thank you."
Both of them thanked the waiter.
"Think nothing of it. Please call if you need anything else."
The waiter bowed again and headed back downstairs.
Creeeeeak.
Once he was gone, Sun-woo and Lee So-ran opened the door. The interior of the guest room was surprisingly spacious.
"It’s quite large," Sun-woo remarked.
It was far more space than two people needed. Sun-woo immediately understood why the waiter had given them that lewd smirk. He clearly thought they were going to engage in something scandalous in such a large room.
"I specifically booked a big one. Bigger is better, right?"
Lee So-ran’s eyes sparkled as she spoke, almost as if she were fishing for a compliment.
"You did well."
Meeting her gaze, Sun-woo chuckled and praised her. She reminded him of a puppy wagging its tail for approval, which he found quite cute.
Thud.
Sun-woo took a seat. She followed suit, sitting directly across from him.
"By the way, you used the name 'Hwangbo Ran' for the reservation..." Sun-woo asked curiously.
"It’s an alias, obviously! If I used the name Lee So-ran, who knows what kind of rumors would start?"
"But wouldn't 'Hwangbo Ran' be enough for people to figure it out?"
"I have a cousin with a similar name. If I pretend to be her, no one will know."
A small smile played on her lips, and a tiny dimple appeared, making her look even more cheerful.
Cute.
Sun-woo thought to himself. She truly was the daughter of Hwangbo Yu-yeon—she was adorable.
"I feel bad for this 'Hwangbo Ran' person."
Sun-woo put on a mock-pitying face.
"Eh, it’s fine. She’s a nice girl; she’ll understand."
"You’re going to get punished for that, Sojeo."
"Then I’ll just take my punishment in hell alongside you, Young Master."
She spoke as if it were no big deal.
Knock. Knock.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
"I’ve brought your meal."
The waiter’s voice drifted in.
"Come in."
Sun-woo replied calmly.
Slide.
The door opened immediately upon his permission. The waiter appeared, carrying a large tray.
"Huh?"
Sun-woo looked at the tray with a puzzled expression.
"Did you order alcohol?"
There were several bottles of liquor sitting on the tray the waiter brought in.
"I heard this place is famous for its drinks."
She spoke with her cheeks slightly flushed.
"After the mess you made yesterday, you’re drinking again?" Sun-woo asked, incredulous.
"Oh, it’s fine. It’s not strong stuff like Nu'er Hong; it’s just something to have with the meal."
"If you get drunk today, I’m not going to take care of you as gently as I did yesterday," Sun-woo warned.
"Why? Are you going to ravish me or something?"
Lee So-ran asked with a playful smirk, amused by his warning.
"How can a lady say such things so easily?"
Sun-woo asked, sounding dumbfounded.
Twinge.
At the same time, he felt a sharp prick in his chest.
How did she know?
His conscience was feeling strangely guilty.