Chapter 67
Chapter 67
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: After-Work Drinks
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Deciding to go out for drinks on a whim was fine and all, but that didn't mean we could just head out right away.
Our team leader was Jegal Yeong.
She insisted there was still time left on the clock.
If you have nothing to do, then train at least, she cracked the whip over me and Hwangbo Seyul. And as a bonus, she made us read through densely packed documents listing all the things team members had to keep in mind.
It was so very Jegal Yeong.
Thanks to that, we weren't set free until we'd filled out the full workday.
Before heading to the drinking spot, we stopped by the Namgung Family.
The two of them said they'd change into casual clothes and come, so I figured I could take it easy and leave whenever.
"Drinks? Have fun!"
Just in case, I made sure to let Yeonhui know too.
I didn't want her worrying.
Even if they were my work superiors, it was still two women.
"Drinks are just an extension of work, right? As long as you don't overdo it!"
"I probably won't drink."
"Come on, how can drinks go without alcohol?"
As if my worries were unfounded, Yeonhui saw me off with a relaxed smile.
Perfectly at ease.
"You're here?"
"Yes. Senior, you got here early."
"Gotta keep to the promised time."
"Hwangbo Seyul Senior seems to be running late, though."
"That's within expectations."
Jegal Yeong was dressed in a black palace robe.
Complete with fluttering decorative sleeves dangling all the way down.
She usually hated loose, flowing clothes, but since it was drinks night, she must've dressed up a bit.
Maybe feeling awkward in unfamiliar attire, she kept fiddling with her collar for no reason.
"Didn't know you could pull off clothes like that?"
"What?"
"You always wear such simple outfits."
"That's just because they're easy to move in."
"It looks pretty. The sleeve decorations are flashy and eye-catching."
"What's with you? Sucking up to the team leader?"
"I'm serious. It suits you really well. You'd look great wearing stuff like this all the time."
"Urgh..."
Growing bored of waiting, I'd killed time by complimenting Jegal Yeong.
Women like it more when you point out specifics instead of just saying "pretty," right? I'd even pulled out trivia like that.
Her cheeks flushed bashfully, so it seemed to work.
Praise makes even whales dance, they say. Gotta boost our team leader's mood a bit.
"Sorry! I'm a little late, right?"
"Senior, prepare in advance next time!"
"I felt sticky, so I washed up, and it took a bit. But today, it's on me!"
"What do you mean 'on you' at a budgeted team drinks..."
"Was it? Oh well, nothing to be done!"
Hwangbo Seyul finally showed up quite a while later.
Jegal Yeong immediately laid into her with nagging.
Hwangbo Seyul brushed it off with jokes, but unlike usual, she'd even added light makeup to her getup.
"So, where are we going? You said it's a regular spot!"
"Follow me and find out. Yi Se-woong?"
"Y-yes. This way."
I led the two deep into the alleyways.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A tavern tucked into the corner of the market alley.
Honestly, it was barely worthy of the name—just a tiny kitchen with a few raised platforms squeezed in for seating.
"Welcome! Oh, wait?"
"Long time no see. Business must be booming."
"Aigoo, benefactor! Why haven't you come by lately? Sit, sit!"
"Man, such a fuss. If you keep that up, I'll feel too guilty to come back."
"I'll get it ready right away!"
The tavern owner greeted us like we'd brought an imperial official, making a huge fuss. Um Kang's once scholarly face had tanned to a deep bronze.
"Junior-junior, you know them?"
"Eh, kinda happened that way."
"The owner's acting all deferential."
"That's just how it is with regular spots."
"Hmmm..."
Hwangbo Seyul eyed me suspiciously.
This place was the tavern Um Kang and Hwaran had opened.
Hwaran had gotten back the money the Moon Shadow Pavilion owner had swindled from her. They'd pooled that with the savings Um Kang had scraped together to get her out.
I'd heard that Senior Jegal Yeong had quietly pulled some strings to help them settle in.
"Oh my! Benefactor! Why didn't you say you were coming? I'll lay out a spread that'll break my legs!"
"Hey, I told you not to fuss like that..."
Hwaran spotted me and bowed deeply, practically groveling as she fussed over us.
Here we go again.
She must still feel guilty about trying to stab me in the back.
But I'd already wiped that from my mind back when she'd sobbed and begged forgiveness on her knees.
Yet every time she saw me, she acted like she couldn't repay the favor enough.
Even when I came by occasionally to boost their sales, it was too much.
They even tried not to charge me, so I'd sneak money into a pouch and bolt.
"Enjoy!"
"Whoa, junior-junior! Braised pork!"
"Haha, putting my skills to the test!"
"Your technique's improving day by day."
"Guess handling knives in my old line of work helped—I adapted quicker than I thought!"
"Break my legs" was no exaggeration at all.
Even high-end inns couldn't match this level.
Hwaran had recreated dishes from her courtesan days with Um Kang's help, or so I'd heard. Good to see them thriving frugally.
"Never knew there was a place like this on the market outskirts. Thanks for showing me."
"Eat before it gets cold."
"Hold on! Team leader does the toast first!"
As we reached for our chopsticks, Hwangbo Seyul stopped us.
"Senior, didn't we say no drinking?"
"Junior! How can team drinks go without booze?"
"You'll pass out after a couple glasses anyway."
"Today's different!"
She shook her head.
Like her head already hurt just thinking about it.
But the drinks were already set up.
Hwaran, who'd been watching our table, had laid out bottles and glasses. Custom service or what?
Bamboo Leaf Clear?
These folks were serious.
Going all out to repay favors, down to the roots.
Today, I'd have to nail silver to the platform to pay up.
"To the bright futures of our team members!"
"Boo, that's such a boring toast, team leader!"
"Jegal Yeong, reflect! Reflect!"
"Just drink already!"
The drinks kicked off with Jegal Yeong's shout.
We teased her along with Hwangbo Seyul until she couldn't take it and yelled. Now that's our team.
These two could hold their liquor, huh?
Word was Hwangbo Seyul Senior had a weak tolerance, though.
"Senior, go easy tonight."
"Worry about yourself, junior."
The two were already debating who'd pass out first.
A bit concerning...
Eh, it'll work out somehow.
Tasty snacks and fine liquor.
Who could refuse?
Just enjoy the moment.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ One glass, two glasses.
The mood ripened with the exchanging cups.
Both sipped slowly, it seemed.
Jegal Yeong grimaced with each sip, like she wasn't used to liquor at all. Hwangbo Seyul, on the other hand, downed hers like water.
Still, their pace was slow.
Hardly enough to buzz me.
To bridge the gap, I ended up sipping alone and got caught.
"Yi Se-woong. Why do you keep drinking alone?"
"This is comfy for me. I like savoring the buzz. Take your time, Senior."
"You picking a fight right now?"
"Not at all."
"Junior-junior's got a strong head, huh?"
"I can hold mine."
"I can drink pretty well myself, you know?"
"Junior's face is turning red already!"
Hurt pride? Jegal Yeong slammed back glasses one after another.
With Hwangbo Seyul egging her on, she was chugging like I should've stopped her.
Bad feeling about this.
Her face was already persimmon-red, just like Hwangbo Seyul said.
Usually, this flow leads to...
"Hey, Yi Se-wooooong..."
How long since we started?
Forgetting her worry about Hwangbo Seyul, Jegal Yeong slurred with booze-soaked breath.
This woman can't hold her liquor.
"You think I'm funny? Huh?"
"No way. Why would I?"
"Then why the hell are yooou~"
Her words trailed lazily.
Nothing like her usual icy tone.
A touch coquettish? Or more like a spoiled whine.
"Always acting so chill and casual... Making me the weirdo."
"When did I?"
"If I say so, it is! Treat your senior like the sky! I'm older, been here way longer!"
"Y-yes."
"Apologize!"
"Sorry."
"There, see? Was that so hard?"
The type you dread as a drinker.
Jegal Yeong was the sort who unloaded her pent-up grudges when drunk.
Only one answer for this.
"Senior, cheers?"
"Yeah. Pour one!"
Feed till she drops.
Her stylish glass-raising fizzled; three more glasses and she flopped over.
"What now..."
"I'll handle the team leader, junior. Don't worry!"
"Thank goodness you're here, Senior."
"Shame to waste the rest, though? Shall we two have a bit more?"
Hwaran had brought a whole crate after seeing how much we drank, so no shortage.
She drinks well, surprisingly.
Might be rude, but.
Her petite frame didn't match her capacity.
Against her delicate look, she was a pro.
"Didn't you say you couldn't hold your liquor, Senior?"
"Huh? You're mistaken, junior. See? You can't tell who's drunk anymore."
"Oh dear..."
"You are drunk, Senior! Kinda cute like this, though."
Hwangbo Seyul gazed warmly down at Jegal Yeong as she said it. For someone always teasing her, they got along surprisingly well.
After that, we shared light chat over drinks with Hwangbo Seyul. She never refused a pour, no matter how many rounds.
Might've made a solid drinking buddy.
"Oh yeah, junior-junior. Heard something fun."
"What's that?"
"Ran into my little uncle recently."
Why bring up her little uncle to me?
"He was saying! There's this young man he really wants to introduce me to. That maybe I should start looking into marriage prospects."
Ah.
Hwangbo Chung, that guy finally did it.
"Senior, you're not at marriage age yet, right?"
"Face like a hero carved from jade, martial prowess that shakes the earth, intellect reaching the heavens."
"Sounds like some myth come to life."
"Does it? But I thought he sounded pretty great! What do you think—should I go for this match?"
Hwangbo Seyul asked coyly.
Her eyes were different from usual.
The innocent, childlike gleam gone.
She stared at me with seductive intent.
"Senior. You know exactly who it is, don't you?"
"Busted? Hehe."
"I've got a fiancée. No more of these jokes."
Obviously just teasing me.
But Hwangbo Seyul.
I'm not as easy as Jegal Yeong.
"So?"
"?"
"What's a fiancée got to do with it?"
Wait.
What did she just say?
Did I mishear?
"A man's wife doesn't have to be just one, right?"
"Pardon?"
"Heard heroes are womanizers! A qualified man can have multiple wives, no?"
"Senior?"
"Curious what junior-junior thinks?"
Did she drink too much?
The buzz hit late, surging through my veins.
Hwangbo Seyul wouldn't say this straight-faced.
But.
Her eyes held not a flicker of jest.