Chapter 8. Jihaeojang-gun of Yehwa Village

Do-ah stepped forward.

“Negotiations only work when both parties agree to them.”

Her usually calm gaze burned with anger.

It was rare for a traditional brewer like her, trained to maintain composure, to show this kind of emotion.

Her posture stood straight like a pine tree, and her voice didn’t waver in the slightest.

“I told you before. Ihwado-ga will never engage in any kind of conversation with Daeseong Brewing. Leave now before we call the police!”

The people of Ihwado-ga stood behind her like a folding screen, ready to jump in if needed.

But the men in black didn’t back down.

They checked their watches, glanced at their phones, looking far too relaxed.

Their restless eyes made it seem like they were waiting for someone.

Inside the courtyard of Ihwado-ga, beyond the tiled wall, someone was watching the standoff unfold.

“Wow… When did she call them in?”

It was Gwon-ha and Shin Dong-hun.

The people in black were faces they knew all too well.

How could they not? They were members of Gwon-ha’s personal security team.

“Multitasking is my specialty. I’m not the type to focus only on my food like someone else.”

“Ah… right.”

He had planned this from the moment they sat at the servants’ quarters veranda.

He had figured out how to win the favor of people who despised Daeseong Brewing.

He wanted to stage a performance.

A spectacular action scene that would allow him to remain at Ihwado-ga.

He had already coordinated with the security team leader. All that was left was to make his entrance at the right time.

‘…What’s with this woman?’

Where did she get that nerve?

He hadn’t expected this.

Sure, he’d noticed she wasn’t easy back at the orchard. And earlier at the servants’ quarters too.

But seeing her stand firm against a group of large men without flinching even once stuck in his vision.

She was nothing like his proud aunt Kang Mi-ra or Seo Hee-jin.

She was nothing like any woman he’d met before.

Not one.

“If you just hand over the Cheondo Ihwaju, Daeseong Brewing will offer something incredible. Why refuse to even talk?”

“Because it’s not worth talking.”

Thump, thump. Every time he looked at Joo Do-ah’s face, his heartbeat quickened ever so slightly.

All the surrounding noise faded, leaving only her clear voice piercing his ears.

“Even if you offered all of Daeseong Brewing, you would never set foot inside Ihwado-ga.”

If pear blossoms bloomed on a snowy mountain, they would look like her.

For a moment, her delicate figure overlapped with the image of Jihaeojang-gun.

The only thing they shared was being women, yet it was a strange illusion.

The security team leader gave a cocky laugh.

“I tried to talk nicely, but that won’t work, then.”

Wow, the team leader’s acting was pretty good.

As planned, the security team began to move.

This was Gwon-ha’s cue to step in.

“Wait, where are you going, sir!”

Call me by the right title… he muttered under his breath as he sprang forward like a coiled spring and leapt over the wall in a flash.

His athleticism shone.

“What’s happening?”

He asked Jeong-ja, who stood at the back of the group.

Without taking her eyes off the men, Jeong-ja replied quietly.

“Daeseong Brewing’s here again. Persistent bastards. One look at those rough faces and you can tell they’re thugs. I’m worried something’s gonna happen.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of this.”

“Huh? You, young man?”

“Yes. I should at least pay for my meal.”

Gwon-ha removed the cufflinks from his shirt and neatly rolled up his sleeves.

He strode forward confidently, passing through the human wall until he stood next to Do-ah.

She looked up at the sudden presence beside her.

Recognizing him, some of her tightly held guard loosened.

“What are you doing here.”

“I came to earn my meal.”

A strange thrill ran through him.

It was ridiculous that just a small crack in her defenses could do this to him.

“Leave this to me and go inside. Take them with you.”

“I’ll call the police.”

“It won’t work. They’ve already made their moves before coming here.”

“How would you know that?”

Because I’m the one who set this up.

Her innocent question poked at his conscience, but he answered calmly.

“Because it’s Daeseong Brewing. They’re meticulous.”

“…”

She didn’t argue further, seemingly agreeing.

“I know how to deal with them.”

“How?”

Gwon-ha leaned closer, lowering his voice like he was about to share a secret.

His lips hovered near her ear, close enough for his warm breath to brush her skin.

“I know their weakness.”

He glanced at her.

Normally, when he did this, women reacted the same way.

Their necks or cheeks flushed, their shoulders twitched, or they held their breath.

But Do-ah showed no reaction at all.

As expected, she was a peculiar woman.

Placing her behind him, Gwon-ha stepped forward.

“You. Talk to me.”

“Who the hell are you…!”

The security team leader flinched when their eyes met.

He was clearly surprised to see Gwon-ha looking so disheveled.

Gwon-ha rolled his shoulders and jerked his chin toward the orchard.

“Not here. Let’s move somewhere else.”

* * *

In the middle of the orchard, where the pear blossoms were in full bloom, Gwon-ha glanced around and muttered quietly to the team leader.

“Hit me once.”

“I can’t.”

“I said hit me.”

“I can’t do that, sir. I can’t strike the person I serve.”

“The person you serve is giving you an order.”

The team leader let out a long sigh, cornered.

“If the chairman finds out…”

“He won’t. And if he does, he’ll be pleased. He’ll say I used my head well.”

“…”

“I’ll make sure this doesn’t blow back on you. Now hit me.”

The team leader finally clenched his fist.

He was former Korean UDT, deployed on major domestic and international missions. His combat ability was formidable.

A proper hit from him would put an ordinary person in the hospital for at least four weeks.

But Gwon-ha was different.

If it hadn’t been for Daeseong Brewing, he would have pursued boxing professionally. He excelled at both offense and defense.

The team leader had sparred with him before. He knew.

“So where should I hit you?”

The team leader’s eyes shifted in an instant.

* * *

A few people remained outside Ihwado-ga’s gate.

They watched the direction Gwon-ha and the group had gone, worry written across their faces.

“He’ll be okay, right? It’s seven against one…”

“He’ll be fine. He walked out there so confidently. Must have something up his sleeve.”

“True, the guy looks strong. Seems like he can take a beating and give one back… don’t you think, Do-ah?”

Even when Jeong-ja sought her agreement, Do-ah couldn’t answer.

She didn’t think it would go well.

All he did was run his mouth and get under people’s skin.

‘If he doesn’t get hit more, that’ll be a miracle.’

Should she have called the police?

But remembering how calling them before hadn’t worked made it feel pointless.

Just what was Daeseong Brewing that they could even control the police.

Her resentment surged endlessly.

“Oh my! There he is!”

At someone’s shout, Do-ah turned.

It was him.

The men from Daeseong Brewing were nowhere to be seen.

He walked back alone.

His shirt was covered in dirt, with white pear blossoms clinging to it.

Every step he took sent petals fluttering to the ground.

His eyes met hers, and his lips curved softly.

But when the cut on his split lip stung, his expression briefly tightened.

He came to stand before her once more.

“…You’re hurt.”

“If I look like this, imagine what they look like.”

“How would I know. I didn’t see.”

“They’ll all find daily life a bit inconvenient now. Maybe permanently.”

He looked so proud, like a kid waiting to be praised.

Do-ah let out a small sigh.

“You should go to the hospital first. There’s one called Manguk Hospital in the town center. Get treated there and bill Ihwado-ga.”

“I’m fine. Just give me some ointment.”

“No. Go to the hospital. You finished your meal anyway.”

He hinted at his real intention, but it didn’t work on her.

Still, he couldn’t let this plan go to waste.

His persistent gaze locked onto her.

“They might come back. You know what Daeseong Brewing is like. Even if they seem quiet now.”

“…”

“They’re obsessive. And from the looks of it, there’s no one here who can handle them like I can. Wouldn’t it be better if I stayed until they settle down?”

Framed that way, it wasn’t entirely a lie.

“It’s brewing season for Cheondo Ihwaju. The Master Brewer must be on edge. I’ll stay here for a while. There’s no one else who can deal with Daeseong Brewing like I can.”

“…”

“I’ll pull my weight. I’m good at following orders and getting things done.”

He added a smile.

It was as if he were asking, So, are you really going to kick me out?

Her usually expressionless face crumpled slightly.

He didn’t sound entirely wrong.

“…Wait here. I’ll ask Grandmother.”

“There’s no need.”

The silver-haired elder approached them.