Chapter 41
Chapter 41
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Oh My, Neighborhood Folks, Cheolsu's Made It Big!
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Clear sunny morning the next day.
In the underground parking lot of Woojin's apartment, the car Ailin had boasted about was waiting.
It was a top-of-the-line 12-seater limousine van, plenty spacious for a large group.
"Let's go! I've prepared the ultimate itinerary for today."
Ailin slipped on her sunglasses and declared it with grim determination.
"Everyone, get excited!! Today's all on me!"
The confident Ailin sidled up to Catherine and whispered,
"Everything's set, right?"
In response to Ailin's question, Catherine trailed off in a most uncharacteristic way.
"Probably... I think so...?"
"Huh, hearing words that unsure from you. Guess even this was a tough assignment."
Ailin's words made Catherine recall the previous night.
The evening before.
The night Ailin had declared her date with Woojin, she gave Catherine a truly vexing order.
'Find the most authentically Korean sights and activities—romantic ones guys would love. Naturally, they have to be unique experiences no one else can easily pull off.'
It hit like a bolt from the blue.
No matter how capable the secretary, satisfying 'tomorrow' was next to impossible.
Ailin had scoured the internet and even consulted the Ordo Benedict Korea branch, but all she got back were the usual tourist traps.
Just as her head began to throb, her phone buzzed.
– Cath Secretary, coffee? [≋]
It was a text from Kim Cheolsu.
The corners of her mouth curled up involuntarily.
Wonder where he sourced these bizarre emoticons.
She threw on her puffer jacket and headed to the playground right in front of her place.
The very spot where they'd first swapped numbers.
"Cath Secretary!"
Kim Cheolsu waved both hands wildly in greeting.
His boundless energy cracked her up.
'Pfft, like a giant puppy.'
"It's freezing—why drag me out again? My place is right next door."
Kim Cheolsu handed over a steaming vending machine coffee with a playful grin.
"Heavens, men and women must keep their distance. Can't just barge into homes willy-nilly. The night air's perfect. Ideal for sipping coffee. My treat."
Snicker–
A man gifting her the night air...
As he said, it was refreshingly crisp, like it was washing her lungs clean.
Her headache from the nagging task even felt a bit clearer.
Watching her, Kim Cheolsu took a sip of his coffee and asked,
"What's eating you?"
"Pardon?"
"Come on, it's written all over your face. Spill it. If I can help, I'll give it my all."
Catherine couldn't fathom it.
'Did I let it show? No way.'
The secretary position for the next Benedict heir wasn't handed to just anyone.
She might not be the most skilled, but she was the best at keeping her composure.
And Catherine excelled at that.
Yet this man had pierced right through to her inner thoughts.
'What an intriguing guy.'
Without realizing it, she began recounting the whole ordeal.
"So, here's what happened..."
After hearing the full story, Kim Cheolsu flashed a confident grin.
"I can take care of it for you."
"Pardon?"
"Leave it to me and get some solid rest tonight!"
"?"
"Alright, let's head in. Night air's still too finicky for lingering."
And just like that, Catherine's dilemma was resolved with surprising ease.
Back to the present.
Woojin stepped out of the house, yawning hugely.
His only luggage: a sling bag slung over one shoulder with just two pairs of underwear inside.
"Where we headed?"
"You'll see when we get there. Supposed to be a real 'hip' spot. Right, Catherine?"
Catherine dodged Ailin's gaze and glanced at Kim Cheolsu.
Kim Cheolsu flung open the driver's door and called out,
"Everyone, hop in! I'll be your chauffeur today!"
('Huh? Kim the secretary's driving?')
Woojin felt a vague twinge of unease but climbed aboard anyway.
Last night, the moment he'd heard Catherine's troubles, Kim Cheolsu had called his hometown.
– Yes, Auntie! It's Cheolsu. Yeah, doing great. Planning to bring some company folks down this time. Oh, nothing fancy—just a casual get-together, keep it simple. Simple. Yep! See you then!
A place that checked every box Catherine had mentioned.
'Nothing beats my hometown.'
And so the destination was set.
The car sped out of the city onto the wide-open highway.
After a long drive, they arrived at a small port town on the East Sea coast.
The moment the doors opened, the crisp, invigorating scent of winter seawater rushed in.
Whoosh–
The vast deep-blue East Sea stretched endlessly.
Crashing waves and crying seagulls blended into a sound that cleared the chest right out.
"Wow..."
Woojin marveled.
"Haven't seen the winter sea in forever."
Ailin caught Woojin's beaming expression and exchanged a knowing look with Catherine.
Nod–
'Well done.'
'My apologies.'
A wave of pride in her secretary washed over Ailin as she spoke up.
"What do you think? Like it, Woojin oppa?"
"Hell yeah. Killer view. Water's so clear in winter. Feels like my insides got flushed. Yeah, this is the good life."
Jihyun Yoo propped her sunglasses on her head and smiled.
"Air's totally different. No comparison to Seoul."
The group headed toward the port.
Even for a weekend, it felt like a true hidden gem—serene and peaceful, known only to locals.
That's when it happened.
Whirr–
An electric wheelchair rolled up, blocking their path.
A hunched old lady in a floral tracksuit squinted at them.
"Huh? Who's this all the way out here? Outsiders don't usually come to these parts."
Kim Cheolsu removed his sunglasses and broke into a radiant smile.
Woojin didn't miss the scene.
'What the—this guy's a total heartthrob without the shades. Damn.'
Without a second's hesitation, Secretary Kim approached the grandma, dropped to one knee to meet her eye level.
"Granny Jeomsun! Spot me? It's Cheolsu."
"Oh my stars! It is you! Cheolsu! My boy! How long's it been!"
The grandma happily stroked his cheek with her rough hands.
Cheolsu clasped her hands warmly in both of his.
"Staying healthy? How're the knees? Ai, what're you wearing? Told you to bundle up—it's cold out."
"Aigo, I'm fine. You're the one slaving away in Seoul, aren't you? Face looks half its size."
In that instant, folks started pouring out from all over the port.
"What? Cheolsu's here?!"
"Whoa! Ain't that Seoul big-corp Cheolsu?!"
"Aigo, Cheolsu! Been wondering when you'd drop by!"
Come to find out, Kim Cheolsu was the neighborhood's ultimate insider, top of the social heap.
And it wasn't just the big-corp gig.
Since he was a kid, he'd been hauling elders' loads, fixing their broken stuff, the sweet 'everybody's grandson.'
"Village head! How've you been!"
"Deokbae hyung! New boat, huh? Here's to full hauls!"
Cheolsu greeted each one by name—courteous, affable.
No trace of the cool, impeccable 'Secretary Kim' from Seoul.
In his place stood a warm-hearted, dependable young man named 'Cheolsu.'
Catherine watched, her gaze softening tenderly.
'He can make faces like that too...'
Sharp as a blade at work, but harboring the warmest heart of all.
His callused hands gently patting the elders' hunched backs inexplicably tugged at her own.
'The more I see... the better he looks.'
Then Granny Jeomsun spotted Catherine and her eyes went wide.
"Whoa! Who's this blonde missy? Doll or real deal?"
Cheolsu chuckled and introduced her.
"My coworker. She's from the States. Say hi, Catherine."
As if she'd been waiting, Catherine stepped up beside him and offered a proper waist bow.
"Pleased to meet you, elders."
"Aigo! Voice like a nightingale! So pretty! Right, name's... tricky. Cath bride okay?"
Woojin nearly snorted at 'Cath bride.'
'Catherine's got that sexy vibe, yeah.'
Woojin clicked right away with the elders' brand of humor.
"Cheolsu, you sly dog! Bringing a catch like that! Aigo! Neighborhood folks, Cheolsu's made it big!"
"""Kyahaha!"""
Cheolsu rubbed his nose sheepishly at the elders' cheeky teasing but didn't bother denying it.
Catherine liked that even more.
Beaming, she accepted the genuine roasted sweet potato the granny pulled from her pocket.
Woojin watched from afar with a fond smile.
"Kim sec looks like a whole new guy here. Nice."
"Totally. Had no idea he had this side."
Jihyun's eyes sparkled with curiosity too.
Ailin nodded, arms crossed.
"Hoo... Kim aide's hometown, was it? Quite the turn."
After wrapping up greetings with the locals, Secretary Kim returned to the group.
"Sorry about that. Been ages since I was home."
"No, it was great to see."
Jihyun flashed a soft smile. Secretary Kim scratched the back of his head bashfully.
"Everyone hungry? Let's fill up first!"
"Ooh, Cheolsu hyung. What's on the menu?"
"We're by the sea—seafood full course, naturally."
"Ku! Now we're talking! Lead on!"
They were led to his uncle's sashimi joint.
A prime second-floor terrace seat overlooking the sea.
Waves crashing like background music, winter sun beaming warm. Perfect.
The building was weathered, chairs basic red-and-blue plastic, but that raw charm hit just right.
"Cheolsu's pals? On the house! Stuff yourselves silly!"
The generous owner's spread looked like he'd hauled in the whole ocean.
Peak-season winter yellowtail, steamed red snow crab, sea squirts, and pounding live fresh octopus to boot.
The table brimmed end-to-end with nonstop seafood.
One dish dominated all others in sheer presence.
Ailin's brow twitched at the sight of the live octopus.
"This... food? Looks like kraken spawn."
Her first take on the octopus tangtang.
Woojin ribbed her.
"Kraken? You're killing the vibe. Just try it. It's killer."
Woojin speared a hefty chunk of octopus with wooden chopsticks and dunked it in the sauce.
Straight into his mouth, crunching away.
Popping texture danced with nutty sesame oil.
That's when it happened.
Clack– flick flick– whirl– pop!
A soju bottle spun dazzlingly from Secretary Kim's hand before popping open with a crisp sound.
"Skipping a drink on a day like this? Criminal."
Woojin accepted the pour from Secretary Kim.
One shot straight down.
Gulp–
"Kreeeaaa!! Yeah! Kyaha!"
Real-deal ASMR mukbang that had onlookers gulping.
Jihyun was surprisingly demolishing the octopus.
"Wow, so fresh and tasty. Texture's insane."
"Right? Miss?"
"Yeah, the best."
A pleased smile spread on Secretary Kim's face.
But Ailin eyed the tangtang suspiciously, poking it.
"...Really... good enough for reactions like that...?"
Even Catherine's pupils jittered at the grotesque visuals.
Mischief lit Woojin's face.
"Ah, fussing over food. You're tempting fate."
Woojin loaded up a full chopstick of tangtang.
And brought it to Ailin's lips.
"Open up."
"......For real? Eat this thing wriggling...?"
"Stamina food in Korea. Power surge for gate raids. Gotta fuel up if you wanna swing. And you planned this trip? Makes no sense if the host sits it out."
Under Woojin's prodding, Ailin squeezed her eyes shut and parted her lips.
Woojin, Jihyun, Cheolsu, and Catherine all wore impish grins.
Nothing funner than watching someone squirm.
"Mmph?!"
Suction cups sucking her inner cheek—eerie sensation.
But since it was from Woojin, no spitting.
Munch munch.
"Oh...?"
The more she chewed, nutty sesame aroma, chewy bite, briny sea flavor flooded her mouth.
Ailin's blue eyes snapped open.
"Tasty. Honestly less flavor... more thrilling texture. Zero room to slack."
"Kukuku, you're the only one calling octopus 'thrilling.'"
Woojin poured her a shot of soju.
"Wash it down with this—heaven. Cheers, everyone!"
Five glasses clinked in a circle.
Cling–
Cold soju scorched down her throat in electric tingles.
"Ku...!"
Woojin mused this might be happiness.
15-durability couches were nice, billions in sales nice.
But this—good folks, scenic spot, devouring delicious grub and chatting.
The ordinary daily life he'd craved for ten years was right here.
"Hey, Ailin."
"Yeah, Woojin oppa."
"Thanks. This is fun."
"!!!"
Ailin and Catherine's eyes met once more.
'Bonus for you.'
'Thank you, miss.'
From then on, the real party kicked off.
When the vibe hit its peak.
Kim Cheolsu quietly rose.
"Whew, first drinks in ages... gonna step out for some air."
Catherine took the cue and stood.
"I'll hit the restroom."
The two slipped naturally from the sashimi spot toward the breakwater.
Sea-scented breeze tickled their hair.
But those two had no clue.
That three 'awakened' far sharper and nimbler than normals were tailing them.