Chapter 5. The Prodigal Son Returns (4)
Lee Jung-hak was filled with admiration.
"They kept telling me to come to Goyang Lou, and now I see why. I had no idea the scenery would be this amazing."
He was built like a tank with a seriously deep voice. He seemed young but looked older than his actual age.
"What's that lake over there? Is that Lake Tai?"
"It's not Lake Tai, but a smaller lake attached to it."
"Small? Even from this far away, it looks pretty big, doesn't it?"
"Haha, compared to Lake Tai, it is."
The boy who was giving a rather composed explanation next to Lee Jung-hak looked to be about the same age as Yeon Ji-pyeong.
The boy was Yang Woo, who studied with Yeon Ji-pyeong at the academy. He was the heir to a martial arts school that was quite famous in the region, though not as renowned as the Yeon family.
"Jiangsu Province certainly has many nice places, though not as good as Anhui."
"Is Anhui that great?"
The corners of Lee Jung-hak's mouth lifted.
"Of course. Brother Yang, haven't you heard the saying? 'See Huangshan, and you'll never look at the Five Sacred Mountains the same way.'"
"Ah! I've heard of it!"
"And Anhui's scenery isn't just Mount Huang. It's not just because I live there, but there's no place in the Central Plains that's better than Anhui."
Lee Jung-hak turned to look at the woman standing behind him and asked,
"Isn't that right, Lady?"
The woman gave a short nod. Her face was completely blank, as if she couldn't care less.
Lee Jung-hak pretended not to notice her expression.
"Anyway, I'm glad we came, just like you said, Brother Yang. Some good food and a drink would be killer here."
At first glance, he didn't seem old enough to know the true taste of alcohol yet. But Yang Woo readily clapped his hands in agreement.
"I think so too. Since you brought it up, how about we order a bottle of wine?"
"Sounds good! I heard the fish dishes are famous here? Let's get some with it."
"Sounds good."
Lee Jung-hak, who had been laughing heartily, suddenly looked at Yeon Ji-pyeong.
He was trying to keep a straight face, but anyone could tell he was extremely awkward and uncomfortable. Lee Jung-hak tilted his head.
"What's up, bro?"
"......"
"Brother Yeon."
"Yes? Ah, yes!"
"You don't look too good?"
"Ah..."
Yeon Ji-pyeong was polite to everyone, but he didn't lie.
"I thought we should introduce you to my older brother first."
Lee Jung-hak smiled and said,
"Ah, I'm sorry. I momentarily forgot that you had an older brother."
It wasn't overtly rude, but it wasn't exactly polite, either.
It was a situation that could easily be laughed off, but Yeon Ji-pyeong couldn't say it was okay. It was about his family, not just anyone.
Just as Yeon Ji-pyeong was about to speak again.
"Pyeong-ah."
"Yes, Brother!"
"Bring them over."
It was perfect timing. Hesitantly, Yeon Ji-pyeong said to the group of three,
"Come on over."
"......"
"Brother Lee?"
"Hmm? Ah, yes. Let's do that."
Lee Jung-hak's face remained relaxed.
However, those around him didn't notice that the look in his eyes had changed slightly.
As the group walked towards the table where Yeon Ho-jeong was sitting,
"Oh? Miss Namgung?"
Unexpectedly, the woman was not with the group.
She was sitting calmly at a table some distance away, resting her chin on her hand and looking out the window. She seemed completely uninterested in the group's conversation.
Embarrassment flickered across Yang Woo's face, and thick veins popped out on Yeon Ji-pyeong's jaw.
In the slightly chilled atmosphere, Lee Jung-hak suddenly burst into hearty laughter.
"Haha! Looks like she's still pissed."
He stepped forward and bowed to Yeon Ho-jeong.
"I'm Lee Jung-hak, from the Anhui Lee family. It's an honor to meet the young lord of the Byeoksan Yeon family."
Whatever his previous words and actions, it was an introduction that showed some courtesy.
Yeon Ho-jeong also rose from his seat and returned the bow.
"Pleased to meet you. I am Yeon Ho-jeong."
Lee Jung-hak smiled awkwardly.
"I hope you can understand my companions. Something happened to put her in a bad mood."
He was referring to the woman, Namgung Sang-hwa.
Yeon Ho-jeong shook his head.
"It's alright."
"Thank you for your understanding."
Lee Jung-hak's face brightened as if relieved.
"Ji-pyeong has been singing your praises at the academy. It's great to see such a tight bond between brothers."
Yeon Ho-jeong glanced at Yeon Ji-pyeong. Yeon Ji-pyeong's face turned slightly red.
"Unlike me, he's kind and smart. Please look out for him."
"Of course. He's a good kid, after all."
The conversation was quite amicable.
At that moment, a cold voice was heard.
"Did you drag me all the way out here just to watch this?"
Everyone's gaze turned to Namgung Sang-hwa. Her face was subtly tinged with annoyance.
Lee Jung-hak quickly said,
"Of course not. Brother Yeon, it was nice meeting you. We've got company, so we should get going."
"Very well."
Lee Jung-hak hurried towards Namgung Sang-hwa.
Yang Woo, who was following behind him, glanced at Yeon Ho-jeong.
He scowled slightly at Yeon Ho-jeong. He was close friends with Yeon Ji-pyeong, but he didn't think well of Yeon Ho-jeong.
The rumors about him were terrible. Plus, Yeon Ji-pyeong was always stressed out because of Yeon Ho-jeong. He couldn't stand someone who made his best friend miserable.
"Ji-pyeong. Are you going to stay there?"
Yeon Ji-pyeong frowned.
"Stay where?"
Yang Woo turned away as if he hadn't heard.
"Forget it, see you later."
With those words, Yang Woo walked towards Namgung Sang-hwa and Lee Jung-hak.
Watching Yang Woo's back, Yeon Ji-pyeong bit his lip and sat down opposite Yeon Ho-jeong.
"I'm sorry, Brother."
"For what?"
"It's just... I feel bad for suggesting we come here..."
The whole scene was getting to him. Plus, he felt like the other group was subtly disrespecting his brother. He felt bad, but it was nothing compared to what his brother must be feeling.
Yeon Ho-jeong chuckled.
"It's no big deal."
He was sincere.
He disliked unnecessary chatter with strangers, but exchanging greetings with a smile was no problem. Besides, they were auditors from the academy his brother attended.
He didn't know how long they would be at the academy, but he didn't want his brother to be put in a difficult position because of him.
Of course, he had something to say to his brother.
"There's a difference between being polite and being a pushover. I hope you understand that."
"Yes?"
"The Jianghu doesn't care about nice guys. Being nice is fine, but I hope you aim to be more than just 'nice'."
Yeon Ji-pyeong tilted his head. He seemed to understand somewhat, but the words were still ambiguous.
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled and said,
"Do you still have cash?"
"Yes? Ah, yes, I do!"
"Then shall we have a drink too?"
Yeon Ji-pyeong's expression brightened.
"Yeah, sounds great!"
The two of them immediately ordered drinks.
Yeon Ji-pyeong hadn't told his brother, but it was his first time drinking alcohol. Partly because of his age, and partly because he had been busy training in martial arts and studying.
The brothers shared their first drink. It was a deeply moving moment for both of them.
Time flew by...
Bang!
A cold silence fell.
"Damn it!"
A sharp shout tore through the silence.
"Shut up about it! I said I hate the academy, or whatever!"
The source of the piercing voice was Namgung Sang-hwa.
Whether it was the booze or the rage, her face was beet red. She was breathing hard, and her eyes were bloodshot.
When she was calm, she looked gorgeous, but when she was angry, she looked like a demon.
Lee Jung-hak quickly said,
"Lady, please don't get me wrong. We can't go against the Head of the Family's orders..."
"Shut up! Do you think I came to this dump because I'm scared of my dad?!"
"L-Lady!"
"To cool my head at the academy? That damn old geezer! He can't just ditch me because I'm his kid, so he sticks me in this hick town! What the hell does he take me for?!"
She was cursing like a sailor. You'd never guess she came from a prestigious family.
Yang Woo cautiously opened his mouth.
"Lady. Please calm down a little."
"What?"
"B-But... Jung-hak set this whole thing up to cheer you up, right? People are going to see, so please calm down..."
Slap!
"Ugh!"
Yang Woo fell sideways.
Namgung Sang-hwa looked down at the fallen Yang Woo with cold eyes.
"I let you tag along like a lost puppy, and now you're going to lecture me? Do you want to die?"
Yang Woo looked up at Namgung Sang-hwa with a dazed expression.
Lee Jung-hak stood up and tried to stop Namgung Sang-hwa.
"Lady, please stop. I understand you well enough."
"Understand? What do you know about understanding me!"
"Of course, I can't completely understand what you're going through, Lady. But I do understand that Yang Woo stepped out of line."
Yang Woo looked at Lee Jung-hak with shocked eyes.
Lee Jung-hak pretended not to see him.
"And there's some truth in what Yang Woo said."
"What?!"
"Lady, you're here representing the Namgung family, right? It's not good if people see this."
Namgung Sang-hwa sneered.
"Others? You mean you and this loser?"
"Lady."
"Or those guys?"
Namgung Sang-hwa pointed to where the Yeon brothers were.
Lee Jung-hak's face hardened.
Namgung Sang-hwa shouted angrily.
"Don't try to sweet-talk me with your bullshit! I'm a daughter of Namgung! If anyone talks trash, I'll rip their tongues out!"
She was totally out of control.
Lee Jung-hak felt troubled. He knew Namgung Sang-hwa was quite arrogant, but today she was excessively so.
This wasn't going to blow over anytime soon. Lee Jung-hak racked his brain.
'Maybe I can redirect this...'
At that moment, he turned around.
Yeon Ho-jeong was sitting with his back to them, so he wouldn't know, but Yeon Ji-pyeong's expression was not good at all.
No wonder. They weren't strangers, and she was calling them 'this guy' and 'that guy' while intoxicated. Anyone would be pissed.
Lee Jung-hak's eyes lit up.
"You still have to keep it together."
"What?"
"We're talking about the descendants of the top families in Jiangsu, the ones considered part of the Seven Great Clans, just like yours. We have to show some class, right?"
"Seven Great Clans? Decorum?"
Namgung Sang-hwa scoffed.
"Since when did the main family start treating the Yeon family like they're one of the Seven Great Clans?"
It was a dangerous remark.
He had tried to turn her anger towards the Yeon brothers, but he hadn't expected such a statement to come out. Lee Jung-hak instinctively made excuses.
"That's not what I meant. Yang Woo and I are just looking out for you, Lady..."
He trailed off.
His tone was so polite and courteous that no ulterior motive could be felt.
But Yeon Ho-jeong, who'd seen far worse and more messed-up things, saw right through the deception.
Yeon Ho-jeong let out a burst of laughter.
"These guys are playing games."
"......?!"
Everyone froze when they heard him laugh and say that.
It was loud enough to be heard even by Yang Woo, who had the lowest internal energy. There was no way Namgung Sang-hwa or Lee Jung-hak wouldn't have heard it.
Bang!
Namgung Sang-hwa slammed the table and shouted sharply.
"What the hell did you just say?"
Yeon Ho-jeong emptied his glass without replying.
He didn't even flinch. To Namgung Sang-hwa, it felt like he was completely dismissing her.
"I'm asking you what you said, you damn bastard!"
