Chapter 4. The Woman Who Brews in Yehwa Village

Gwon-ha received Chairman Kang’s call just as he reached the entrance of the orchard.

The corners of his mouth stiffened the moment he saw the name on the screen. Then slowly, they curled upward.

‘He must be desperate.’

After all, his aunt and uncle had both made a mess of things.

Using the name of “Daeseong Brewing,” they had tried every form of coaxing and intimidation, and now not only Ihwado-ga but the entire village would scowl at the mere mention of “Daeseong.”

He could already sense it in the occasional looks he got while walking around the village.

Are you from Daeseong Brewing too?

If so, leave. We have nothing to say to you.

‘He must have already received that report.’

He must be fuming. And that made this the perfect opening for him. He was the only alternative left, the only one who could turn the situation around. Which meant he could afford to act a little aloof, keep him on the hook.

He tapped the “Decline” button and kept walking.

Moments later, Secretary Shin’s phone started ringing. The name “Chairman Kang” popped up on the screen, and Shin instantly froze. He answered before Gwon-ha could even stop him.

“Yes, Chairman.”

[He’s right next to you, isn’t he. Put him on.]

Only then did Shin realize the situation. He glanced nervously at Gwon-ha, silently begging him to take the call.

Gwon-ha shot him a look, then held out his hand.

“I’ve got the Chairman on the line.”

[I know you ignored me on purpose.]

“I’m sorry you took it that way. I was just walking around Yehwa Village.”

[Hmm…]

“You sound worried.”

The deep sigh that came through the receiver sounded oddly pleasing to Gwon-ha. It felt almost like the Chairman was saying, I’m counting on you.

Gwon-ha’s eyes curved slightly.

[I’m sure you’ve heard by now.]

“I won’t pretend I haven’t.”

[Because of my useless children, the entire Daeseong Group is being dragged through the mud. It’s shameful.]

At least you know, Grandfather.

Gwon-ha swallowed the words rising to his throat and answered evenly.

“From what I’ve seen today, the villagers here flinch at the very name Daeseong. Must’ve really done a number on them.”

The sound of Chairman Kang clicking his tongue came through the phone, and Gwon-ha’s grin widened.

The pear blossoms in the orchard smelled particularly sweet.

He plucked one delicate bloom and brought it to his nose.

He inhaled slowly, savoring the deep, sugary scent. It was far more satisfying than any cigarette.

[That’s why you’re going to keep the Daeseong name completely hidden while you’re there.]

“I was already planning on that, Grandfather.”

[…Gwon-ha, I’ve been giving this a lot of thought…]

It was unlike the Chairman to trail off. A strange unease crept into Gwon-ha’s expression. He knew from experience that when his grandfather hesitated like this, it usually meant a bomb was coming.

[You’ve heard of the woman who brews in Yehwa Village.]

“I have. That’s what they call the master brewer at Ihwado-ga.”

[You’re going to work as her assistant.]

“Sure, that sou… assistant?”

[Yes.]

The pear blossom slipped from his fingers.

In all thirty-two years of his life, he had never once been anyone’s “assistant.”

As a student, he had always been class president or student body president.

And since joining Daeseong, no one had dared treat him casually, even when he had started his internship under a false name.

“Grandfather, when you say ‘assistant’ you don’t mean servant, errand boy, or an old-fashioned farmhand type of assistant, right?”

[Farmhand… well, that sounds about right.]

His eyes snapped shut, then flew open. The metaphorical smack to the back of the head was so sharp it almost sparked.

Even if it was his grandfather, this was a step too far.

Weren’t you the one who told me never to bow to anyone, Grandfather? Never to beg?

A farmhand’s back is bent for life!

—Remember, this grandfather of yours is always behind you.

And now you want me to bow? After thirty-two years of standing tall?

And to some woman stuck in a countryside brewery?

“Phew…”

No, he had to keep calm. He cleared his throat.

“Well, Grandfather, if I remember correctly, Ihwado-ga doesn’t just accept anyone. Especially not during the Cheondo Ihwaju brewing season.”

[That’s exactly why it’s up to you. A perfect way to test your skills.]

All this talent and you want to use it for farmhand work?

His jaw tightened, then relaxed as he let out a dry laugh. His lips and eyes stayed tense.

“I doubt my skills are suited for farmhand labor.”

[Just get in there. Then…]

No matter what came next, it wouldn’t make him feel better.

He pressed his fingers against the bridge of his nose and shut his eyes tightly.

[I’ll give you 3 percent of my Daeseong Brewing shares.]

His eyes flashed open.

That was a number worth opening your eyes for.

[Go in, learn everything, make everyone trust you, and bring back the brewing method.]

“You make it sound so easy.”

[I’ll give you the entire Daeseong Group.]

“…”

[To you.]

His grandfather’s measured tone carved each word deep into his brain.

The competition had already been eliminated. If he failed, the Chairman could always install a professional CEO.

“This call is being recorded automatically, Grandfather.”

[I know, you brat.]

“I just want to make sure there’s no going back.”

[You make sure of that yourself.]

“Fine.”

[They’re about to name Ihwado-ga’s successor and start training. You’d better get on their good side.]

He knows this much about their internal affairs? Of course he does. The Chairman’s information network was legendary.

Gwon-ha answered with confidence.

“I’ll handle it.”

Little did he know what was waiting for him an hour later.

* * *

As soon as he hung up, he started walking again.

“Secretary Shin, find out who Ihwado-ga’s successo—”

“Hey! Watch out!”

It happened in a flash.

He barely avoided the oncoming bicycle, but his phone didn’t survive.

Crack.

The screen shattered, webbing with deep fractures.

Given how much of his work he managed through his phone, this was a full-on disaster.

Sure, he had a backup phone, but that didn’t make it any less irritating.

The girl who had fallen wasn’t even in his field of vision.

“Great. What a damn day.”

He crouched to pick up the phone, muttering honestly.

The touchscreen displayed nothing but a chaotic mess of lines.

His expression hardened further.

“Must be the vibe of this dump.”

“Excuse me.”

The woman who had fallen lifted her bicycle and spoke curtly.

He turned his gaze toward her, and for a moment, froze.

The wind blew gently.

The petals of pear blossoms swirled through the air like spring snow.

“Do you know this is private property?”

Her face, framed by those white petals, was strikingly beautiful.

But the complete lack of emotion on her features made her look almost like a wax figure.

“Private property? Didn’t know.”

“Well, now you do. Please leave.”

The hostility in her eyes was sharper than what he’d experienced from the villagers earlier.

“I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?”

“I’m fine.”

“I’ll pay for any treatment.”

“I said I’m fine. It’s nothing serious.”

Secretary Shin approached to explain, but Gwon-ha waved him back without looking.

Shin slipped behind a tree to observe.

Gwon-ha took a step forward, wearing his most disarming smile.

“I’m not some weirdo, as you can see.”

“You look like one to me.”

“That can’t be true.”

Her delicate brows knit tightly at his brazen attitude.

“Stop playing games and leave.”

“I took a wrong turn. I was looking for Ihwado-ga. It’s my first time here, so it’s hard to tell where to go.”

The moment he said “Ihwado-ga,” her expression went cold.

“Are you from Daeseong Brewing?”