The Fairest in Shandong (1)
The room fell silent as I entered. Among the people who turned to look at me, she was there.
My gaze naturally gravitated towards her, as if some invisible force was pulling me in her direction. The moment I laid eyes on her, I understood the nature of that force.
The power of beauty.
Not just any beauty, but an absolute beauty.
Clear, deep eyes, perfectly proportioned features, flawless skin, a figure that was both petite and voluptuous, a slender waist, and long, straight legs.
If that were all, I wouldn’t have called it ‘absolute.’
She was both elegant and sensual, innocent yet exuding intelligence. It was as if all these seemingly incompatible forms of beauty were harmoniously flowing from one person.
And above all, there was something that reigned over all her beauty.
An untouchable grace.
I couldn’t help but let out a gasp.
Guangdu was wrong. She wasn’t just the most beautiful in Shandong; she could easily be the most beautiful in all of Zhongyuan.
I could vouch for it. I’ve seen women who were called the most beautiful in Zhongyuan.
None of them were as violently beautiful as Song Hwarin. She turned everything around her into a mere backdrop for herself.
My gaze, which had been captured by her, shifted to Song Wugyeong, who stood beside her. Considering his daughter’s beauty, he should have been quite handsome, but his features were harsh and intimidating.
I greeted him politely.
“It’s been a while. How have you been?”
“Yes, I’ve been well.”
Despite his fierce appearance, his greeting was warm.
After the greeting, I looked back at Song Hwarin.
Unfortunately, her beautiful eyes were filled with disdain for me.
Even if Byeokri Dan was a scoundrel, I could understand his mistake this time.
With a woman as beautiful as her, one might go mad with the desire to see her. He would have wanted to boast proudly in front of his rivals.
This is my fiancée! So back off!
He was, after all, a lively twenty-year-old.
“I’m sorry about what happened that day.”
At my apology, Song Hwarin nodded once. But a mocking smile still lingered on her lips.
I understood her attitude as well.
She must have heard about my reputation after I returned from five years of training.
She would have been greatly disappointed to learn that all the rumors about my misdeeds were true. And after witnessing my drunken antics, any affection she had would have vanished. We may have been close when we were young, but that was just childhood.
I didn’t offer any more excuses and turned to leave.
Then, a clear voice called out from behind me. It was her.
“Wait a moment.”
After stopping me briefly, she addressed everyone.
“Since we’re all gathered here, there’s something I’d like to say.”
“What is it?”
After a moment of hesitation, she spoke calmly. Her words, however, were nothing short of a bombshell.
“I would like to annul our betrothal.”
A silence as profound as a thunderclap filled the room.
The silence was broken by her father, Song Wugyeong.
“What do you mean by that?”
“I know it’s a rude request, but I believe I have the right to choose my own husband.”
Her words left my parents looking troubled. They hadn’t expected Song Hwarin to demand a breakup so directly.
But they couldn’t say anything. Considering my behavior, Song Hwarin had every right to make such a request.
Song Wugyeong, looking angry, scolded his daughter.
“Apologize to them immediately!”
But her resolve was firm.
“I’m truly sorry to both of you. I know you’ve treated me like your own daughter since I was young. But I have no desire to marry Byeok Gongja. I’m really sorry.”
She bowed her head again. My parents were left in a difficult position, unable to say or do anything.
Song Wugyeong, his face flushed, shouted angrily.
“You insolent girl! How dare you!”
At that moment, I stepped forward.
“I have something to say as well.”
Now all eyes were on me.
“I also wish to annul the engagement.”
Everyone was taken aback by my words. While they might have understood Song Hwarin’s request, mine was completely unexpected.
My mother, who had been silent, spoke up.
“What do you mean by that?”
I could sense her bewilderment. She couldn’t lift her head out of guilt towards Song Hwarin, but she still wished for me to marry her.
“I will marry the woman I choose.”
For a moment, Song Hwarin’s expression hardened. It was as if she understood that she wasn’t the woman I wanted.
If Song Hwarin and her father hadn’t been present, my mother would have likely started with, “You fool! Are you out of your mind?” followed by a barrage of scolding and a punch. But now, she could only look at me with a mix of disbelief and frustration. She must have thought I was displaying the most pathetic pride in the world.
Finally, my father, who had been observing, spoke up.
“If that’s what you both want, then so be it.”
Song Wugyeong waved his hand dismissively and raised his voice.
“No, that’s impossible. The engagement cannot be annulled!”
“Hwarin is right. We can’t decide her future for her.”
“I said no! We’re leaving now. Come on!”
Song Wugyeong, unable to hide his anger, strode out.
“What are you waiting for?”
After bowing to my parents, Song Hwarin followed her father out.
As she passed by me, she paused and asked quietly.
“Why did you change your mind?”
Up close, her face was breathtakingly beautiful. And she had a scent unlike anything I’d ever encountered.
“Let’s just say your punch was too painful.”
She looked at me for a moment before heading towards the door again.
“Thank you, anyway.”
Her graceful figure disappeared through the door.
My mother looked at me and spoke softly.
“We need to talk.”
My mother tried to persuade me.
“I wish you would marry Hwarin. Your father agreed to the annulment, but I don’t think he meant it.”
My father nodded as if to confirm.
“She’s a girl worth keeping.”
“I’m sorry, but I have no intention of marrying. I have other things to do for now.”
“If you had no intention of marrying, why did you cause such a scene with Hwarin?”
“I’m sorry.”
I had no excuse for that. But there was something I needed to say now.
“I’ve heard that before marriage, you should keep your eyes wide open, and after marriage, you should close them.”
In fact, it was advice I had given Baekpyo when he was about to get married during my time as a leader.
“I’m keeping my eyes wide open now more than ever.”
Seeing my determination, my parents could only look at me with a mix of frustration and resignation. My mother sighed lightly and asked.
“So, what is it that you plan to do for now?”
“I plan to train in martial arts.”
“Are you serious?”
“I am.”
My mother, who had been staring at me blankly, walked over and cupped my face with both hands.
“You’re not planning anything strange, are you?”
Her warm hands conveyed her concern for me.
“No.”
At that moment, my father, who had been listening quietly, spoke to my mother.
“Let’s go.”
“Where to?”
“Let’s have a drink together. It’s been a while.”
Realizing that my father meant it was enough, my mother released my face.
“I can’t agree to this yet. We’ll talk about it again.”
“Yes.”
The two of them left the room.
Looking out the window, I saw them walking side by side in the distance.
In a corner of my heart, there’s a fear that family makes a warrior weak.
Afraid they’ll be taken hostage? No, that’s not it.
It’s the fear that knowing love will soften the heart. That when I need to be truly ruthless, I won’t be able to.
All the true loves I’ve seen were like that.
Nevertheless, the sight of them walking side by side was so tender and happy. Even if their steps were heavy with worry for their child.