Chapter 33
“Grandmother! How can an old lady walk so fast?”
Even though I practically sprinted as soon as I left the Demonic Cult’s Medical Wing, I only caught up to Shin Geum when we were nearly at the noodle shop.
“What are you doing here, Seol-ha? Are you allowed to just leave like this?”
She was delighted to see me at first but quickly shifted to her usual worried tone.
“The Second Young Master gave me the day off. A special leave!”
“That Second Young Master sure is something. You think he won’t take back his words later?”
“Grandmother, you felt that too?”
“Of course. I could tell right away. That boy isn’t to be trifled with.”
“As expected of my Shin Geum! Your intuition is unmatched. Now do you see why I didn’t want to be his personal maid?”
“Well, good thing there’s not much time left. When I heard he dragged you all the way to Sichuan, I almost went to wring his neck!”
Recalling that moment, Grandmother shuddered in horror, clutching the back of her neck.
I quickly supported her, worried she might fall, and hurriedly led her into the shop.
“Grandmother, here’s some water. Drink it!”
Whenever I was startled or panicked, Grandmother always made me drink water.
I imitated her habit as I tried to calm her down again.
“Like I said earlier, I came back safe and sound. Isn’t that enough? Why are you acting so dramatic? Where’s the fighting spirit that raised me? It’s not like I went to a dangerous place or anything.”
“Not dangerous? Sichuan?”
“Sichuan is famous for its peace and order. If anyone causes trouble, the Tang Family wouldn’t let it slide. Even though the Tang Family’s influence has waned, they still hold Sichuan firmly.”
“…So, did you meet anyone from the Tang Family?”
“Come on, Grandmother. How could I? We didn’t visit their estate or anything. We just finished the Second Young Master’s business and came right back. I didn’t even get to see much of the city.”
“You sound disappointed.”
“Well, a little. Oh! But I did meet someone who’s a fan of Tang Hye-woon. Hehe.”
“Tang Hye-woon?”
Thinking about Yeon Woo-seong made me chuckle softly.
“It’s a bit of a long story, but I happened to run into someone. He said he fell in love with Tang Hye-woon at first sight.”
“You’re speaking as if you know Tang Hye-woon personally.”
Oops, did I get too excited?
Grandmother’s sharp observation made me laugh awkwardly as I tried to cover it up.
“Of course not! I just heard the name.”
“From the guy who likes Tang Hye-woon?”
“Yeah, something like that. She’s said to be the only daughter of the current head of the Tang Family. Must be incredibly beautiful.”
“She’s not the only daughter; she has a younger brother.”
“Oh, right. ‘Only daughter’ is used when there are no other children.”
I vaguely remembered learning that in language class.
“But how do you know that? That Tang Hye-woon has a younger brother?”
“…I heard it somewhere. Sichuan’s Tang Family is famous, after all.”
“Well, they are one of the most renowned martial families in Sichuan.”
If only I had been reincarnated as the precious daughter of a family like the Tang Family. Out of all the people, why did it have to be a maid?
Though, thanks to that, I did get to be part of Shin Geum’s family.
“By the way, why did the Second Young Master suddenly go to Sichuan? Did he have something good hidden there?”
“Well, you could say that.”
Grandmother narrowed her eyes slyly at my vague answer.
That look was a clear warning sign of an impending scolding.
I quickly got to the point.
“Grandmother, do you know about Black market?”
“Black market?”
“Yes, it’s a place where…”
I explained Black market to her as if recounting an epic tale.
I even told her about how Jeok I-geon bought a sword and the red bracelet, the crimson ring.
“Ta-da! This is it.”
“…This red bracelet? How much did it cost?”
When Grandmother heard the price, she cursed about wasting money just as I had when I first found out.
Then she repeatedly asked if it was okay for me to keep wearing something so expensive.
“He said he’d destroy it if I didn’t take it. What else could I do?”
“What a nasty boy.”
“Right? It’s so hard to keep up with him. At least it won’t be for much longer.”
“Seol-ha, are you really planning to quit?”
“Of course! Five years is enough. What more is there to do? I just want to live running this shop with my Shin Geum, maybe go on a trip or two. Grandmother, you’ll come with me, right?”
“What about the shop?”
I knew she’d say that.
“We can close it temporarily. Don’t you know what rest is, Grandmother? Taking breaks now and then improves efficiency.”
“Stop spouting nonsense and go wash up. You’re probably hungry. I’ll bring out some noodles and dumplings.”
It would soon be time for the dinner rush.
If I filled my stomach beforehand, Shin Geum’s mood would certainly improve.
Feeding me well was always the one thing Grandmother poured her heart into while raising me.
She’d say even a ghost looks better when it’s well-fed.
“Wow, Shin Geum’s cooking is the best in the world!”
I hadn’t realized it, but I was hungrier than I thought.
The moment I took a bite of her noodles, I buried my face in the bowl, slurping down the noodles with abandon.
Then, I suddenly remembered something tucked away in my bundle.
“Oh, right, Grandmother. I got you something!”
“Got me something?”
“Yeah, I bought you a gift.”
I had thought of her while shopping for clothes to enter Black market. It wasn’t anything grand, but the moment I saw it, I felt it would suit her perfectly, so I bought it impulsively.
“Here, take this!”
With a dramatic flourish, I handed her the gift as if drawing a sword from its scabbard.
“How is it? Isn’t it pretty?”
“…You bought a hairpin? For me?”
“This is called a Jade Hairpin, Grandmother. When you think of Sichuan, you think of the Tang Family, right? And their symbol is green—green robes, green coats. Only Tang Family members are allowed to wear green in Sichuan. So, while I was there, I bought this jade-colored hairpin. I thought its green hue would make a nice souvenir. And by the way, I bought it with my money, not the Second Young Master’s!”
Didn’t I do great? Isn’t it amazing?
I grinned, waiting for her praise.
But there was no response.
Normally, she’d scold me for spending money unnecessarily, but Grandmother just stood there, holding the hairpin in her hand, staring at it without moving.
“What’s wrong, Grandmother? Are you… touched?”
I didn’t know much about what happened before I reincarnated, but this was the first time I had ever given Shin Geum a gift.
“You’re not crying, are you?”
Her head was lowered, so I had to move closer to see her face. When I leaned in, Shin Geum quickly turned away.
“I saw you wipe your tears just now.”
I clearly saw her rub her eyes.
When I teased her with a giggle, she snapped back in irritation.
“You brat, just finish your noodles already! How much money do you even earn that you’d buy something this expensive? What a waste!”
“Wow, you were crying out of joy a moment ago, and now you’re angry? Grandmother, I saw it all! Deep down, you’re happy but pretending not to be.”
Crying over a hairpin, of all things.
To save her from embarrassment, I raised my voice too, but inside, my heart swelled with emotion.
“Give me another plate of dumplings!”
Changing the subject was the best course of action.
Since Shin Geum always felt reassured when I was eating, I intentionally ate more than usual.
I might be the only person in the world who expresses filial piety by overeating.
“Seol-ha, now that you’ve eaten, go upstairs and rest. I’ll finish the dinner rush and come up later.”
“What are you talking about? I’ll help.”
“I’ve managed fine without you all this time, haven’t I? You must be tired from your trip to Sichuan. Go on upstairs.”
“…Should I?”
Honestly, after eating, I felt the onset of food-induced drowsiness.
Being home brought such relief that I just wanted to take a long nap.
“Alright, then. Wake me up when you come up later, okay? I have something to tell you.”
“Alright, now go rest.”
“Thanks, Grandmother!”
I gave Shin Geum a big kiss on the cheek before heading upstairs to my cozy room.
***
How long had it been since Seol-ha went upstairs?
Lost in thought, Shin Geum suddenly stood up and left the noodle shop.
In her hand was a “Closed” sign.
After locking the door, she retrieved something from the kitchen.
Her expression was different—serious and resolute.
With a deliberate stride, she headed upstairs, carrying an air of determination.
—
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