Written as a Stroll... (3)
As I arrived in front of Manokru, the doorman recognized my face right away.
"Isn't this the proprietor of the Ghost Soul Inn?"
"Ghost Soul... Inn?"
"It's the inn in the Ghost Soul Great Forest, so we call it the Ghost Soul Inn."
"That's got such a creepy ring to it... not great."
"Haha! Anyway, what brings you here?"
"I came to see the Madam."
"Ah, please wait just a moment."
The doorman went inside and whispered to someone. Soon after, Cheon Hyang appeared at the door, her hair slightly disheveled as if she'd rushed out. And without a word, she started scolding the doorman.
"How could you leave a precious guest standing outside? You should have invited him in and treated him properly!"
"S-sorry."
I smiled as if it was no big deal.
"I told him I'd wait here!"
"Oh, I see. Sorry about that."
"No problem!"
The more I got to know Cheon Hyang, the more I liked her. It was rare for a superior to admit their mistake right after chewing someone out and blushing about it.
"So, uh, what brings you here?"
She finally smoothed her disheveled hair back behind her ear and asked. I was about to thank her for so generously giving up the prime spot on the poster, but I held my tongue. Saying that now might make it seem like I'd come just for that—like some kind of reward. She just needed someone to stroll with, that's all. Sure, I was grateful, but showing it with just a walk felt too cheap. I'd express my thanks properly later.
"Well, uh... business has been slow today. With the staff around and all, and I felt bad about turning down your invitation earlier."
"A stroll? If you're just feeling guilty about refusing, I'm really fine! No need to force yourself..."
"It's not forced. I've been stuck in the Ghost Soul Great Forest so much, I don't know the lay of the land in Hubei Province at all. How about a walk where you show me around?"
A flicker of joy crossed Cheon Hyang's face.
"Sure! I'll show you every nook and cranny! But first..."
She ducked back inside Manokru for a moment, then poked her head out.
"Wait just a sec? Hehe."
A short while later—we were walking side by side down the bustling market street. Just the two of us. No escorts.
"No usual entourage today?"
"I ditched them on purpose. Good, right?"
I wasn't sure if it was good. Her guards were probably freaking out.
"Well played."
"Hehe."
She could smile like that too, huh? I'd pegged her as this icy beauty, but seeing her shy grin made me realize she wasn't all cold.
"Why are you staring like that? Something on my face?"
"Oh, no. Just surprised you could smile like that."
"What's wrong with my smile?"
"It was... really cute."
Cheon Hyang whipped her head away. Her ears were red.
She must have changed while I waited earlier. She wore a long traditional Chinese dress that trailed to her feet. The flowing skirt fluttered with each step, embroidered with red plum blossoms. Her hair was neatly braided up in a bun, with dangling ornaments swaying from her hairpin. She looked like a fairy straight out of a tale—enough to steal anyone's gaze.
We walked in step. As we strolled the lively market street, passersby greeted her one after another.
"You're popular."
"Well, I've run a brothel here in Hubei Province for decades, so most folks recognize me."
"It's more than that. I can tell they respect you."
"Hehe. You've got a good eye, Jeong-hyun."
"Not empty flattery."
"I know. Thanks. But..."
She blushed again.
"...Hyang."
"Pardon?"
"Not Madam. Call me Cheon Hyang... please? If that's okay?"
She gave an awkward smile.
"Got it. Cheon Hyang."
I nodded with a slight smile. Just calling her name lit up her face like a kid's. No reason not to if it made her this happy.
As we walked, we stopped in front of a clothing shop.
"Jeong-hyun. Come here a sec."
She grabbed my collar and pulled me inside. Racks of clothes lined the walls—straw hats, overcoats, men's hanbok, women's hanbok. I figured we were just window-shopping, but she picked out a men's outfit and held it up to me.
"This suits you. Perfect fit."
"You think?"
I'd been wearing the same clothes since arriving here. Picking up something new wouldn't hurt.
"How much?"
As I fumbled for my pouch, she suddenly pressed close. A rich, ripe floral scent wafted over me. Her soft hand gently stopped mine from pulling out the money.
"I'll buy it for you."
"I have... money too."
I stammered, my mind going blank. Was this real? But she was firm.
"I want to give you this as a gift. Let me, okay?"
She was tall for a woman, but still shorter than me, looking up with sparkling eyes. I couldn't refuse.
"Alright... then."
"Hehe. Go change."
I changed in the partitioned area and stepped out. I'd managed the inner layers somehow, but the long coat hem dragged on the floor. Not like I'd worn traditional Chinese clothes before.
Cheon Hyang approached with a soft smile.
"Such a slob."
Her delicate fingers brushed the hem. Her index and middle fingers glided softly from my collar, over my chest, solar plexus, stomach... pausing with a faint tremble at the sash ties.
Gulp.
She caressed the subtle embroidery on the sash like savoring it, then carefully knotted it. Her long lashes were starkly visible. Her slender jawline and neck faded into a deep, alluring collarbone. Her hair carried that same rich floral scent from before. Her lashes fluttered with each blink. Any man would fall for her.
My heart pounded, but I shoved the thoughts away. These feelings were still unfamiliar—scary, even.
After what felt like a dreamlike eternity, "Done."
The neatly tied front looked perfect.
"You're... skilled."
"Hmm, jealous? Or a compliment?"
"Compliment?"
"Too bad."
She paid and led me back out. I glanced around in the unfamiliar clothes. Did they really suit me? She clapped, covering her mouth in admiration.
"Oh! They look even better in the light. See? Great posture makes anything work."
"Th-thanks."
We walked on. The awkward silence made my lips twitch uncomfortably. Should I say something? That changing scene kept replaying, making it worse.
"Uh, hey."
"Hey."
We spoke at the same time.
"You first."
"No, you go, Jeong-hyun."
I decided it was time to express my pent-up gratitude. No more pretending now that I knew.
"Actually, I heard about the poster."
"Pardon?"
"That spot was prime real estate. Thanks so much for giving it up so readily."
I bowed deeply, full of sincerity, then added to avoid misunderstanding,
"Not that I came just for that. I really wanted to see Hubei Province too..."
"It's fine. Whatever the reason, the important thing is I got this chance."
Chance? What did that mean?
"The poster was no big deal. It was expired anyway—just needed taking down, timing aside."
"Still, you gave the most expensive spot."
She beamed like a flower blooming.
"What's money mean?"
Her radiant smile captivated me utterly. If not for the shadow of my past, I'd have grabbed her hand right then. But fear held me back. Betrayal. The dam breaking. Even with Yu Hwa-yeon, Hwa Hyo-seon, and now Cheon Hyang helping build it, trauma's like that.
Then, something shiny caught my eye behind her—a hairpin stall. Prettier ones than hers filled the display. She'd given me clothes; maybe I could return the favor? If it wasn't rude. But I couldn't ask. Not brave enough for rejection yet.
"Jeong-hyun. Forget the market—this time, I'll show you the most famous spot in Hubei Province."
"Famous spot?"
"You'll love it. Come on."
She took my hand, leading me. My eyes lingered on the hairpin stall.
We left the market and kept walking until dusk fell. We trudged a dark dirt path to some secluded spot.
"Don't open your eyes, no matter what!"
"Can't see a thing anyway."
"I'm holding on tight, so don't worry."
I gripped her hands firmly, stumbling along as she confidently led. She kept insisting I squeeze my eyes shut, so I did—total darkness.
After bumpy dirt, she stopped.
"Open now."
I slowly did.
"Whoa."
Holy... what a sight. A massive pond crossed by an arched stone bridge. Red wooden railings carved with lotus motifs at intervals. But the real showstoppers: ornate pavilions and countless lotus lanterns floating over the water. Their reflections shattered in the ripples, creating pure magic. Like stargazing, my jaw dropped.
"So pretty."
"Right?"
"Never knew this was here. Missed out on half my life."
"Hehe! You have a way with words."
I scratched my head sheepishly. Common phrase back home.
Still holding my hand tight, she led me to the bridge.
"Best view from here. It's off the beaten path—no one comes. My spot for when life's stressing me. Special intro just for you."
"You sure? What if I show up every day?"
"Ooh, sounds good. Come often?"
"Uh, just kidding."
"Tch."
We gazed at the rippling lantern lights. Crickets chirped amid the glow, pure serenity.
"This is where it happened. Where my dad sold me off."
I startled, staring. Uncomfortable story, but her face showed none. Just the casual look of old news.
"Young, to pay gambling debts, he sold me to the brothel. This was the deal spot."
"Ah... must've been rough."
"At first. Now? Grateful. Made me the madam of one of the Central Plains' top five brothels."
Cool woman. Faces her past head-on. Something I couldn't.
"Courtesans split two ways: changgi who sleep with men, yeagi who sing, dance, play instruments. I was yeagi. Started super young, full of talents. Hehe."
I watched her proudly boast, smiling warmly.
"Clawed up from the bottom. See me different now?"
"Never did."
"Really?"
"You said it before—no sleeping with men."
"You... believed that?"
"Of course."
I did. And today's story sealed it.
A smile spread across her face.
"Weirdo. Most assume every courtesan spreads her legs."
I'm not from here. Figured there were stories I didn't know.
"That weird... haha?"
"That's why I like it."
"Huh?"
"I-I mean! Y-you're good, even if weird... Jeong-hyun..."
She stammered, flustered. Good guy, huh? Felt nice.
"Today was bliss. No regrets if I died now."
"Hey, no dying."
"Just a figure of speech."
My hand fidgeted in my pocket. When to pull it out? Before coming, I'd slipped away to the bathroom excuse and bought that hairpin I'd eyed. Didn't want rejection in front of her, so secret purchase. If we parted now, it'd be ages—or never.
"Hey, Cheon Hyang."
Okay. Courage.
"I've got bad memories with women."
"Betrayed?"
"Something like that. So I don't know how to do this right."
She smiled reassuringly, patting my arm.
"No need to 'do' anything. Just be you."
"Lucky me..."
Her words bolstered me. She accepts me as is. So I yanked my hand out.
"Thanks for the clothes, the tour... nothing deep, don't misunderstand..."
Embarrassed, I bowed my head. Long silence. I looked up slowly.
She stared at the shining hairpin in shock.
Good or bad? She gently touched it—her fingers trembling.
"Th-this for me...?"
"Too much? Haha..."
Rejection? Yeah, overstepping for a business partner. Should've thought more.
But she shook her head firmly. Her eyes welled up.
"Thank you... so happy. Really."
She took it, smiling wide. Tears? Nah, imagination.
She swapped it into her hair.
"How's it look?"
"Perfect. Stunning."
"Hehe. Knew it."
We stood side by side, gazing at the tranquil pond.
Meanwhile—
A swordsman in a straw hat stopped before Manokru. He lifted the hat slightly with his sword tip, staring long at the poster on the board.
'Cat...?'
Confirming the cat on the poster, the man hurried off somewhere.