Why Are Your Eyes So Wide? (4)
Jin Yeo-rip arrived at Da Geumgak with Im Pilsaeng long after the banquet had begun.
"The young master has arrived."
With the attendant's introduction, the doors swung open, revealing the brightly lit banquet hall packed with people. The collateral branch leaders rose to their feet, bowing respectfully toward him. Their faces beamed with exaggerated smiles, but it was pitiful. Seats by the door—what was that if not the treatment reserved for leftovers?
The elders and senior elders followed suit in greeting him.
"Welcome, Young Master. I hope you've been well."
"……."
"Why do you look at us like that?"
Gong Yasin, the grand elder, tilted his head at Jin Yeo-rip's blank expression, which hadn't changed even after the greeting.
Why do I look like that? Because it's absurd, that's why.
This wasn't the time for casual chit-chat. And sure enough, it was because Yang Taek, the lord of Saihai Money House, was present. It wouldn't do to be cold to someone who'd invited him personally.
"Young Master?"
"Ah! I was lost in thought for a moment."
"Lost in thought?"
"Yes."
"About what?"
"People can be so scheming, you know?"
"……Pardon?"
Gong Yasin's face twisted in confusion at Jin Yeo-rip's words. Tsk tsk. Your eyelids are twitching—you get it already, yet you pretend not to. At least act convincingly if you're going to play dumb.
"Well, it's a lesson learned. I should never stoop that low, no matter how old I get… something like that?"
"Heh heh, you're saying some truly baffling things today."
Gong Yasin subtly averted his gaze. He looked embarrassed too. Just a few days ago, he'd indirectly aided the incident in the inner quarters—when his son Gong Cheon-gi had nearly died. He'd apparently already forgotten.
Jin Yeo-rip, suppressing a smirk, gave Gong Yasin a half-hearted bow and headed to the head table. Where Jin Ha-seong and Yang Taek sat side by side.
"Father, you called for me?"
Jin Yeo-rip greeted Jin Ha-seong first, ignoring Yang Taek—who had summoned him via Tak Sobak.
Jin Ha-seong's expression was calm, but his eyes trembled faintly. He was troubled. Countless thoughts must have raced through his mind.
"Bi-hwang came rushing over in a hurry. I heard you forgot to invite me to a banquet for such an important guest."
But at Jin Yeo-rip's words, he quickly regained his composure and nodded with a smile. Quick on the uptake—he'd pieced together the situation. After all, not only Wang Seok and Im Pilsaeng had followed Jin Yeo-rip, but Tak Sobak as well.
"Yes, you're late."
"Sorry. I had some other business."
"Ahem!"
Jin Ha-seong cleared his throat to shift the mood and introduced the man beside him.
"Greet him. This is my father-in-law, and the lord of Saihai Money House, who has greatly supported Cheongeumbang's business."
"Yes."
Only then did Jin Yeo-rip bow politely to Yang Taek.
"I'm Jin Yeo-rip, the young master of Cheongeumbang. A pleasure to meet you."
Finishing his greeting, Jin Yeo-rip narrowed his eyes to appraise Yang Taek. Ignoring him like a worthless sack of barley had been a deliberate provocation—to gauge the man. But it didn't land.
Yang Taek's face showed no change.
"I've heard the rumors and couldn't contain my curiosity. Seeing you now, you're indeed handsome and brimming with spirit. Come, sit. I've heard much, but I'd like to hear the recent events from you directly."
Instead, he smiled broadly and beckoned to the seat beside him. Jin Yeo-rip had expected at least a furrowed brow from being snubbed by someone young enough to be his grandson… but as rumored, the man was no pushover. Friendly on the surface, yet the type to stab you in the back.
But that aside—why was his speech so clipped? By blood, he was father to Jin Yeo-rip's father and father-in-law, but not to him. Way too familiar for a first meeting. Enough to sting a moody teenager.
But Jin Yeo-rip kept his thoughts hidden, offering a faint smile and modest deflection.
"The rumors must have exaggerated because I'm Cheongeumbang's son."
"Exaggerated?"
"Yes, it happens. Due to my status and background, even small good deeds get blown out of proportion. Some say I'm down-to-earth just for sweeping the yard. It's just sweeping, nothing more."
"Heh, is that so? But one's status comes with duties. For a young master to humble himself sweeping the yard deserves praise."
Jin Yeo-rip stifled a laugh at Yang Taek's response. A compliment in return for provocation… What was he thinking?
Geuman Yang Taek. His reputation was poor—not just So Hye's opinion, but the general consensus. Even with the prestige of Shandong's top magnate, which could buy off rumors, the malicious ones persisted. Meaning he was worse than they said.
But as the sage said, one should judge people objectively, not swayed by others' words or rumors.
Objectively… damn it.
Knowing his influence saturated the inner quarters incident, how could he be objective? No way to see him in a good light!
So he'd view him through colored glasses. But with those on, he masked his gaze and restrained his emotions.
"Yeo-rip, what are you doing? Everyone's waiting. Sit down."
When Jin Yeo-rip didn't sit despite Yang Taek pointing to the seat, Jin Ha-seong intervened.
"Ah, sorry. I was looking for my seat."
"Your seat?"
"Yes."
"What do you mean? The seat next to the branch lord is…."
"It's empty, but doesn't seem to be mine."
"Hm?"
"Isn't it Lady Yang Sojin's seat? Even under confinement from recent events, with her father here, she should come out."
He raised his voice slightly on purpose. The already quiet banquet hall froze as his words echoed for all to hear.
Everyone wore shocked expressions, glancing nervously at Yang Taek.
Second provocation. This one more direct. To see how he'd react.
People would think he'd come reluctantly. But the opposite was true. As he'd told Wang Seok, did he think hiding would fool him? Nangjungjichu—a needle in the bag eventually shows. If he skipped, he'd send eyes and ears to harass endlessly.
So he'd come, despite excuses. To see the man himself. Was he truly a tiger, as rumored? Or a vile wolf mimicking one—or just a dog…?
Either way, he needed to know. Yang Taek might become his enemy in the future.
…Ah, already is one?
But contrary to Jin Yeo-rip's expectations, Yang Taek met his gaze without irritation, bursting into hearty laughter.
"Heh heh! Oh dear, my grandson must be quite upset."
"……."
"I heard the news. Your stepmother did something truly awful."
"Awful?"
"Terribly so."
Yang Taek firmly acknowledged his daughter's guilt.
"Greed got the better of her. Last time she came crying to me about losing Cheongeumbang's leadership, I scolded her harshly and sent her away. And she caused this mess. I have no face to show my grandson as your grandfather."
"……."
"That's why I said not to call her. Even hating her, she's the wife from hard times, so I'm grateful my son-in-law forgave her with mere confinement."
Jin Yeo-rip couldn't hide his bewilderment at the apology laced with praise for Jin Ha-seong. Applying "first wife from rags" to a second wife? First time hearing that.
Was he saying she'd married in during tough times and built it up? Don't forget that?
It stung, drawing an involuntary laugh. His emotional control was impressive—not falling for immature bait. But through colored glasses, it seemed a flaw.
What remarkable paternal affection. Even if not planned in detail, he'd surely orchestrated it. Using "first wife" talk to secure Saihai's interests, then coldly discarding his now-useless daughter.
His ruthlessness stood out sharper with prejudice. Willing to abandon blood— what wouldn't he do?
"Sit now. Your old grandfather is embarrassed."
Grandfather? Acting awfully chummy.
But glancing at Jin Ha-seong—who watched warily—Jin Yeo-rip chuckled softly. Maintaining composure outwardly, but inwardly anxious. Worried he'd slip up.
Seeing the usually stoic man like this twisted Jin Yeo-rip's heart. How much had he endured under that tyrant's thumb for a bit of money(?)?
Fine, sit. No reason not to, when the guilty ones sit so brazenly.
Feigning defeat, Jin Yeo-rip sat beside him. Yang Taek grinned delightedly and boomed across the hall.
"What's this? This is the branch lord's carefully prepared banquet. Why spoil it? Musicians, play! Dancers, perform to liven things up!"
"Yes!"
"Fill the cups! It's the first time seeing my grandson—no blessings can be omitted!"
Though not the host, Yang Taek raised his cup, dominating. Elders sprang up immediately, followed reluctantly by senior elders and collateral leaders.
The clan ran like clockwork. Hard to tell who the real leader was. This alone showed Yang Taek's immense influence over Cheongeumbang.
He'd ask later. How much of Saihai's capital flowed into Cheongeumbang to enable this?
"Ahem!"
As cups filled, Yang Taek cleared his throat and began the toasts.
"The young master, chased to Shaolin amid family calamity, endured great hardships, yet returned grown and reclaiming his place. As his great-uncle, I can't contain my joy. Showing prodigious talent in mathematics without formal study, and in his first outing, making great contributions against the Wall Mountain Bandits—his future is bright."
Solemn praise.
"Moreover, building ties with Shaolin and now Hwangbo family—the dark clouds over Cheongeumbang's future seem to lift."
"……."
"Thus, unable to hold back my joy today, I wish to gift my admirable grandson something."
After the long speech, Yang Taek looked to Jin Yeo-rip.
"Speak, Yeo-rip! Anything you desire? I'll give you a fortune."
Yang Taek asked with a pleased expression, drawing all eyes in the hall to Jin Yeo-rip.
A fortune? Really? Tempting. An offer too good to refuse.
Thinking about it, his bid for Cheongeumbang's leadership and insurance business were all to amass wealth for a comfortable life. With that money, no need to scramble.
But his heart….
Jin Yeo-rip glanced at the distant collateral leaders. Leftovers, silent. Then to Baekhak among the elders. Stubborn, hating this yet silent for Cheongeumbang's sake. He'd even been confined recently for protesting over Outer Market staff.
Im Pilsaeng stared devotedly, followed by his father. Jaw clenched, faint muscles twitching.
One glimpse reveals ten. How much had they suffered under Yang Taek's open lordship here?
He pondered. His words hid barbs with intent. Offering fortune meant alliance. Join hands, don't oppose like your father.
Become his dog, and he'd stay out of Cheongeumbang affairs. It shone transparently, like a lie.
All watched. Some expectant, some pitying. His choice would alter their lives.
He agonized long—embarrassingly so for Yang Taek. Finally deciding.
The angel won the fierce mental battle. Live as a tiger.
And since decided, pull the iron horns clean—draw a line so he'd never act chummy again. No dragging it out.
"I'm endlessly grateful for offering even a fortune."
"Gratitude? I'm Shandong's top magnate, your old grandfather."
"Yes, I know. But…."
"Hm?"
"Something's been bothering me."
"What?"
"Why do you keep calling me your grandson?"
"……."
"Something wrong?"
Tilting his head, Jin Yeo-rip's words were the third provocation—a massive middle finger. Those wide eyes showed the dagger had struck deep in the ribs.