Into the Summer (3)
Mother organized a banquet for the young elites of Shandong.
Officially, it was a gathering for the future leaders of the region, but in reality, it was meant for me and Song Hwarin. She was growing anxious because I had been so absorbed in training that I hadn’t met with Song Hwarin even once. So, before I left again to earn money, she hurriedly arranged the event.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t fond of banquets. My time in Mengzhou had left me weary of them, and I disliked the inherent nature of having to smile at people I didn’t care for. I also had a certain prejudice against gatherings of young people. They often ended in drunken mistakes and fights.
Still, I couldn’t go against Mother’s wishes to hold the banquet. Invitations were sent out, and eventually, the event took place. Song Hwarin, who received a special invitation from Mother, attended, as did most of the young elites from Shandong.
Given our family’s diminished influence, I expected some arrogant individuals to show up. However, when the banquet began, the atmosphere was surprisingly pleasant. The excellent wine and delicious food, thanks to Mother’s meticulous preparations, played a part, but it was mostly due to the rumors about me. The story of my squad’s victory over the Beast Squad was well-known among the young elites of Shandong.
Everyone was friendly towards me. No one openly disrespected me. Instead, they asked about how my squad defeated the Beast Squad, showing their interest. Even those who used to look down on me when they were with Yang Gikang were now trying to be friendly. Whether it was selfishness or a lack of awareness, I knew one thing for sure.
Building a family legacy isn’t a personal matter. You have to smile at people you dislike and say things you don’t mean. That’s why I listened with a smile to their trivial stories about family pride, martial arts, wealth, and new weapons. If I didn’t like it, I could choose to live freely without getting entangled in power struggles.
Since things had come to this, I decided to see if there were any promising individuals. These were people I would inevitably encounter while expanding my family’s influence in Shandong. I took note of their personalities and family backgrounds.
A comment from the general manager about the Shandong Trading Company had once played a crucial role in resolving an issue. You never know when a seemingly trivial detail might become the key to solving a problem later on.
Song Hwarin and I mostly listened. She was as withdrawn from the banquet as I was. Her gaze towards me had softened since the last time I helped her. But she didn’t initiate conversation.
Not that she had the chance. The young men flocked around her, and those who lacked the courage to approach her stole glances from afar. If she enjoyed this, it would be a happy moment, but if not, it must have been quite a trial.
“Miss Song, let’s have a drink.”
Despite the persistent requests, her answer remained the same.
“I don’t drink.”
Strangely, she didn’t touch a drop of alcohol. When someone asked why, she only responded with a faint smile. Was there a story behind it?
In truth, I was curious about something else. Why did she dislike Mengzhou? It wasn’t the right time to ask, so I held back, planning to ask her later if the opportunity arose.
One of the women, perhaps annoyed by the attention Song Hwarin was receiving, asked her a question.
“I heard you’re breaking off your engagement with Mr. Byeok. Is that true?”
Her voice was loud enough to draw everyone’s attention, and the room fell silent. Song Hwarin looked slightly flustered. She might have wanted to bring it up, but not in front of so many people.
I answered on her behalf.
“Regardless of the rumors, she’s far too good for me, don’t you think?”
The men nodded in agreement with my vague response. The woman who had asked the question spoke again.
“Looks aren’t everything.”
She seemed intent on making things difficult for Song Hwarin. Naturally, Song Hwarin was the target of all the women’s jealousy.
But I had no intention of playing along with this bold and rude woman.
“It’s rare for a beautiful woman to also be intelligent and skilled in martial arts. Miss Song has achieved that rare feat.”
The woman’s expression hardened. She had hoped to stir up negative comments by bringing up the broken engagement, but instead, she heard words of praise. Displeased, she turned away.
“Let’s all raise a glass.”
I lifted my glass high.
After the banquet, Song Hwarin approached me.
“Do you really think that?”
“Think what?”
“That I’m too good for you.”
I nodded. It was my honest feeling.
“Your eyes don’t say that at all.”
“What do my eyes say?”
“They’re indifferent. Almost too indifferent.”
I chuckled at her words. I could see how she might think that. Especially since my gaze had deepened after my meridians were unblocked.
With nothing more to say on the matter, I changed the subject.
“How’s your martial arts training going?”
“I’m working hard.”
I wasn’t sure who her teacher was, but she seemed quite skilled. Among the young elites here, she was likely among the top.
“And you?”
“I’m working hard too.”
Our conversation was disjointed, but we were treating each other more gently than before.
They say we were close when we were very young, but I have no memory of it.
I spoke to her softly.
“I hope you can just relax.”
“What do you mean?”
“We’re twenty now, right? It’s too precious a time to be tied down by anything. Let’s just live our lives to the fullest and enjoy what we have.”
Her eyes wavered for a moment. She probably felt the same way about not wanting to be tied down.
“And no matter what you see in my eyes, you’re truly beautiful. Almost too good for me.”
“I… I don’t know how to respond to that.”
There was a hint of sadness in her eyes.
Yes, because of her beauty, she must endure the lecherous gazes of men and the ruthless jealousy of women. There might be wounds I don’t know about.
“I know you want to be recognized for your skills, not just your looks. But the more you feel that way, the more the world will judge you by your appearance.”
Her beauty wasn’t the kind you find just anywhere.
“So what should I do?”
Her question was filled with earnestness.
“Just confidently acknowledge your beauty. Tell people, ‘Yes, I’m stunningly beautiful. So what? Isn’t it better to be beautiful?’ Just say it like that.”
“I… I can’t do that.”
Yes, she wasn’t that kind of person.
But I believe this:
“Sometimes, you have to fully accept something to move past it.”
She looked at me intently. It wasn’t an unpleasant expression. She seemed grateful for the conversation.
“I can’t understand you.”
I could see why. The person she returned to find was a notorious scoundrel, wasting money on gambling, violence, and courtesans, even causing trouble for her when drunk. But now, I must seem like a completely different person, leaving her confused.
I smiled and said, “Twenty is an age full of changes, isn’t it?”
Just then, Mother waved at us from a distance. Song Hwarin bowed politely, and I smiled brightly.
And with that, the banquet came to an end.
These days, Gong Suchan was so busy that it was hard to catch a glimpse of him.
Even late at night after the banquet, he was buried under a mountain of documents, diligently working.
Yes, this is why I need a general manager.
I’m terrible with numbers. When it comes to martial arts, I can calculate how to take down dozens of people in an instant, but when it comes to money, I get confused even calculating the meal expenses for my squad.
When I entered, Gong Suchan stood up and greeted me.
“You’re here?”
“I hope it’s not too late.”
“Not at all. As you can see, I was still working. Please, have a seat.”
Gong Suchan poured some cold tea from a pot.
“It’s a tea that clears the mind.”
“Is that why your mind is so sharp, General Manager Gong?”
“Haha, you’re too kind.”
In truth, Gong Suchan is the person I need to pay the most attention to. Financial matters are crucial for growing an organization.
“How’s work going these days?”
“It’s progressing well enough.”
“How much money do we have right now?”
Without even looking at the ledger, Gong Suchan answered immediately. It meant he had the financial situation memorized.
“Eighteen thousand nyang.”
The funds had grown considerably, a testament to Gong Suchan’s hard work.
“But most of it is tied up in investments. Do you need money?”
“Not immediately. I’m planning to expand the squad next spring.”
“How many are you thinking?”
“I’m considering adding about forty more. Is that feasible?”
“By next spring…”
He seemed to calculate in his head for a moment before smiling.
“It’s definitely possible.”
“Good. Please manage the funds with that in mind.”
“Understood.”
With forty more, we’d have a total of sixty, organized into three groups of twenty. With sixty, the squad would be fairly well-rounded.
When I asked about increasing the numbers, Gong Suchan didn’t answer immediately but calculated first. It meant we weren’t in a particularly comfortable situation.
To operate more stably, we needed to earn money diligently while strengthening the current squad.
“Let me know as soon as any suitable missions come in.”
The next day, when I found Gwangdu, he was sitting in the backyard where he always trained, looking like he’d lost his way in the martial world. I had a hunch about what was bothering him, but I pretended not to know.
“What’s up? Is training tough?”
With his head hung low, Gwangdu replied weakly, “No, training is really fun.”
“Then what is it?”
“Why are you asking when you already know?”
“Did she say she doesn’t like you?”
”…Yes.”
“Did she tell you to your face?”
I didn’t think Dosooni was the type to be so harsh.
“No.”
“Then how do you know?”
“She didn’t tie the thread I gave her to her sword.”
I couldn’t help but burst into laughter. I never imagined it would be something like this.
“Why are you laughing?”
“Maybe she didn’t tie it because it’s too precious.”
“What?”
Gwangdu’s eyes widened in realization. In an instant, he regained his lost confidence.
“Oh, that could be it. I didn’t think of that. I’m such an idiot! Thank you, really.”
He jumped up and grabbed my hand. But I decided to douse his rekindled spirit with a bit of cold water.
“Of course, it could also be that she didn’t like it.”
“Why are you like this? Make up your mind.”
“Just saying, women’s hearts are hard to understand.”
Even after living seventy years, it’s the one thing I still can’t figure out.
“True enough.”
Gwangdu sighed and sat back down. I joined him and asked, “What do you like about Dosooni?”
“Everything.”
“You didn’t like her this much before, did you?”
“It’s strange. When she shyly handed me that gift, my heart just dropped. I’ve never felt that before. And just to be clear, it’s not because of the gift. I’m serious.”
“I didn’t say anything.”
I felt a twinge of envy. I couldn’t recall ever experiencing such heart-pounding love. Would my heart drop like that if I met someone I truly liked?
I cautiously shared a thought I’d had before. “I think Songhee likes you.”
“She’s just a kid.”
I mentioned it just in case, but it seemed he already knew. He’s not that oblivious.
“She’s like a little sister to me.”
The problem is, Songhee probably doesn’t see it that way.
Even for someone like me, once the greatest martial artist, and for Gwangdu, who’s just starting out, matters of the heart are complicated. It’s hard to start a relationship, and it’s hard not to.
“I’m off. You should find your heart; you might need it for another girl.”
“You’re mean.”
“The truth is always painful.”
As I was about to leave, Gwangdu stopped me.
“Wait a moment, sir.”
He looked at me seriously.
“Teach me, the art of stealth.”
Gwangdu was still caught up in his first love and his rivalry with Gwanhui.