Chapter 1.1 - Dowonhyang (1)
They had traveled through highways and national roads several times. The mountain road they finally took in the afternoon was excessively long, narrow, and winding.The man, who had been dozing off in the back seat of the large sedan that was swaying violently, suddenly opened his eyes. The shaking had lessened; it felt like the wheels were now on a paved road.The vehicle moved smoothly forward. As we passed through an open field, the gate barrier in front of the main entrance lifted. Security guards, who had been patrolling the area, checked the vehicle’s number and hurriedly opened the large gate leading to the annex.Even after passing through the gate, it would take another ten minutes or so to reach the actual building. Gu Wonjae, with an indifferent look, gazed out the window at the artificially cultivated bamboo grove passing by. At that moment, his phone vibrated in his jacket pocket. It was Shin Junmo’s number.— Have you arrived?“Yeah, just now.”— I’m out golfing. Want to come this way?“I was planning to go to the hot spring first.”A snicker came through the phone.— What, why are you so out of it? I heard rumors, but can you really not get it up?“…”He didn’t even feel like answering.Just then, they arrived at the parking lot, and another gate opened.— If that’s the case, why did you even bring it? The fairies will be disappointed.Inside the high and ornate walls, a vast garden reminiscent of a palace revealed itself. With autumn deepening, the various plants harmoniously colored with the fall foliage created quite a scenic view. There were ponds scattered around, several pavilions, and fairies wandering like butterflies among them, glancing this way.“Maybe.”Answering without enthusiasm, he got out of the sedan. With his long legs, broad shoulders, and a height that towered over his attendants, he was imposing.Gu Wonjae looked around the scenery he hadn’t seen in a year with indifference.The lush foothills of Jirisan Mountain surrounded this place like a folding screen. Located deep within these mountains, this place lived up to its name ‘Dowonhyang.’ It was an exclusive members-only resort, equipped with outdoor hot springs, golf courses, VIP exclusive annexes, and dozens of outdoor pavilions, forming a small village. Operated seasonally from late autumn to early spring, advance reservations were mandatory.— Some friends from the industry and other acquaintances are here too. Let’s have a drink together after the round.“…”— Where should we meet? Morangak?“Anywhere.”— Ha ha, I’ll hang up then.Shin Junmo seemed to find all this quite amusing.Putting down his phone and stretching his stiff neck, his attendants were just then pulling out several suitcases and golf bags from the car trunk. Among them, Chief Choi approached with a black coat and draped it over Gu Wonjae’s broad shoulders.“Young Master, are you alright?”“Hmm.”What could be wrong? He was just annoyed by everything. Gu Wonjae responded with a throaty voice, pressing his tired eyes with his pinky finger, his cool, sharp gaze lending him a particularly stern appearance.The illness that plagued the eldest sons of the Gu family was abstract.No official name for it. The symptoms were similar to something like a chronic illness or depression, hard to trace back to a specific cause. The usual symptoms included frequent bouts of sleepiness or an overwhelming sense of lethargy where even lifting a finger seemed too much. Erectile dysfunction was just an added bonus.‘Find the rainfall.’The national shaman who looked after the Gu family said. Only the moisture of pure rain, like clear water nourishing the dry land, could help.Whist, whist.At the light chirping of birds, Gu Wonjae looked up.Feeling his mind clear slightly from the haze it had been in, he took a deep breath.Thus, he had been visiting Dowonhyang for two years now. This place was once famous for having a statue of Buddha made from human remains, coated with lacquer. Because of its expansion from an old temple, the energy of the land was good. Many influential families across the country wanted to visit, lured by the promise of luxury relaxation and social networking, but the annual membership was only issued to VVIP clients of Shinyeon Bank. It wasn’t a place for just anyone.Every night, there were beautiful women serving gourmet dishes, drinking games that involved body shots, group sex in the outdoor baths, drugs, gambling galore.‘Networking, my foot. They just want to indulge in these activities.’These were not of interest to Gu Wonjae. This year, he came to Dowonhyang purely for healing, as the medicinal hot spring waters and food suited him well, and in his current state, even entertaining was a hassle. Last year, he could still manage, but now…As he inadvertently looked downwards, an unfamiliar voice rang out.“Has Director Gu arrived?”Over the round bridge crossing the wide pond, Dowonhyang employees came out to greet him, including the director himself. Gu Wonjae ended his brief contemplation and offered a subtle, not overly polite smile.“Director Jeong. It’s been a year. How have you been?”“I’ve been well, thanks to you. You plan to stay for a month?”The president of Dowonhyang bowed deeply while taking Gu Wonjae’s suitcase.“It’s truly an honor that you’ve come back to us. By the way, didn’t the Chairman say he’d come for relaxation during last spring season? We haven’t heard from him at all.”“Ah, he’s quite elderly now. I’ll convey your greetings for you.”“Thank you.”Gu Wonjae cut off the small talk and started walking ahead. He was tired. He wanted to move his luggage to the annex quickly and soak in his private hot spring.Just as he was about to pass by the pond, a clear voice from above rang out.“Hello.”These were women dressed in traditional Korean attire, called ‘fairies’ here. They were gathered on a high veranda, looking down at him.“We heard you’re a big spender. We’ve been waiting for you since this morning.”One of the bolder fairies rested her chin on the railing, chattering. Gu Wonjae looked up.His sharp nose and cool eyes turned towards the woman. Just as the woman who had spoken tensed up and was about to close her mouth, Gu Wonjae slightly tilted his head, giving a brief nod in lieu of a greeting, accompanied by a not-too-excessive smile.The fairies’ excited laughter dispersed along the leisurely steps of his shoes.In the evening, the mood lights throughout the inner courtyard lit up.Under the whale-like tiled roofs, crimson lights flickered like delicate hand gestures.People flocked to the outdoor pavilions by the lake to enjoy poetry and drinks. Others went to Daechewon for meals. The wooded path behind Morangak, where the outdoor hot springs were located. Golf carts lined up along the narrow paths leading deeper into the estate.Rather than a resort, it felt like a large traditional Korean village had been transplanted into the mountains.‘Curious.’Cheongwoo, without realizing, stopped and gazed outside. The view beyond the traditional gate still felt unreal. Though it claimed to be detached from the mundane world, it was actually the most worldly place. The thought of the generous tips in his apron pocket made it even more so.Dowonhyang provided a base salary, accommodation, and meal allowances. The tips from serving were particularly lucrative. The major disadvantage was that you couldn’t use your phone.‘…But still.’If he could endure here for another six months, he could clear all his debts. He could earn enough for his grandmother’s rehabilitation even after leaving this place.Cheongwoo calculated the tips and base salary he had received so far. He had to fill the rest and repay by the due date. Even a single day late on the loan shark debt would make the interest grow like a snowball.Cheongwoo wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. His mood gradually settled.It would be a lie to say it wasn’t hard, this life of being chased by money.While his high school friends who graduated with him were attending university, worrying about grades and tuition, he was stuck in this mountain lodge, working like an ox, where even meals were too precious to eat, making him go hungry through the afternoon.‘Why not become a fairy?’Even the manager, who was in management, and Taesung, a man who worked as a fairy, would suggest this whenever there was a chance.‘There are ex-idols among the fairies here. There are also unknown actors sent by agencies who need sponsors. If you serve someone personally, the pay is incredible. If you get attached to a guest, you could leave here in a grand manner, like riding a flower-decorated palanquin.’Riding a flower-decorated palanquin? No matter how much he thought about it, he didn’t want to serve someone personally. Just the thought of it was scary and unsettling.Of course, most of the VIP members here were people who had learned, enjoyed, and commanded much. Words like stinginess or poverty were unfamiliar to them.It was said that what they sought here was simple. The best rest, or perhaps something of the heart one couldn’t easily find in the harsh reality. The fairies’ mission was straightforward. Their reason for being here was to find some deficiency in these guests who had everything and gently, profoundly fill it.‘I really can’t do that.’Every time Cheongwoo grumbled about being nagged to switch to being a fairy, Taesung would laugh, taking the cigarette from his mouth.“Hey. You just need to sit next to the customer with your thigh touching theirs. Your looks do the work.”Remembering this made Cheongwoo feel embarrassed, and he rubbed his cheek. It was hot from the rush of blood. All day running between different pavilions and dining halls, clearing dishes. Still, when he kept himself this busy, sometimes the more dignified guests would compliment him, and with that, they’d give generous tips. There was a sense of achievement in that.‘Well, that’s enough.’Cheongwoo swallowed a small sigh and started pushing his empty tray again.Passing through the wide nangha (inner corridor) to enter the staff hallway, his earphones, which were in his ears, rang.— Cheongwoo, where are you?“I’m just finishing serving at Yeonhwagak No. 2 and heading back.”— Seems like all the guests at Morangak’s main hall have left. Hurry over and clear the tables.“Ah. Okay!”Cheongwoo quickly shook off his thoughts and quickened his pace with the tray.🧸The scenery at Morangak, where VIPs gathered, was the most splendid in Dowonhyang.With a vast garden for strolls, spacious rooms with extended nodaes (external railings), the Moranjeong pavilion on a lake filled with lotus flowers, and a rock bath with continuously flowing hot spring water in the thick forest behind it.At night, they said VIPs would soak in the hot springs, receiving bathing services from the fairies while floating wine cups. Cheongwoo only hoped he wouldn’t have to serve in such a stimulating scene.Creeeak.The garden of Morangak, where he entered with his tray through the side passage by the main gate, was quiet. Today’s guests were young, able-bodied VIP members. Big spenders from Seoul.He remembered overhearing the fairies chatting over coffee during the day, saying that among them were people involved in dangerous businesses, one of whom might be the richest in cash in the country.Thinking about this suddenly made him a bit scared. Although there were many gentle and mannered guests here, there were also those who were inevitably difficult.Especially with drunk guests, it was best not to cross paths if possible. If you accidentally upset a drunken rich person, you never knew what could happen. The only option was to be cautious beforehand.‘But the manager said all the guests cleared out.’There shouldn’t be anyone to bump into while clearing up, right?Cheongwoo took a short, deep breath and neatly took off his sneakers. He then entered through the staff entrance, put on slippers, and quietly moved forward with his tray until he reached the sliding doors with their ornate lattice windows covered with paper.There was no sign of movement inside. Cheongwoo gently pushed the sliding door open. Peeking through the gap with one eye, he confirmed that, as the manager had said, the room was empty.“Thank goodness.”Relieved, Cheongwoo murmured to himself.He stepped over the scattered cushions to approach the table. The next moment, an exclamation escaped his lips.“Wow…”What was this called in the kitchen where they prepared the guests’ food? Was it the Royal Banquet A set? Anyway, the sight of dozens of neatly arranged Korean dishes on the wide table, large enough for three grown men to lie down, made his eyes widen.Although some plates were disarranged from the chopsticks’ use, most of the food was left untouched, just as it was initially served. Sweet smells wafted from the oddly shaped liquor bottles, made from blue-green pottery. Were these guests picky eaters? Or perhaps they had no interest in the meal. Whatever it was, even a king’s feast might not be more impressive than this.He had to clean it up, but it was such a waste. He was also so hungry…Kneeling before the table, Cheongwoo reached for an empty dish but then withdrew his fingers. His eyes caught sight of sweet chestnuts, piled high in one corner of the table where the traditional Korean sweets were placed.Ah, braised chestnuts are so delicious. His grandmother used to make them when he was young. As autumn deepened, they would pick chestnuts from the back mountain of his family home, peel them one by one, remove the inner skin, and simmer them in sugar syrup for a snack.He suddenly remembered how a few days ago, all the kitchen staff had rushed to the woods behind Dowonhyang in the morning. They must have gone chestnut picking. The thought made his mouth water.After a moment of hesitation, Cheongwoo glanced around the empty room. Then, he sneakily picked up a chestnut with his fingers and popped it into his mouth. He clamped his lips shut and chewed the chestnut inside his right cheek. The chestnut, fluffy, moist, and sweet, melted softly in his mouth.…It was really tasty.It was less sweet than his grandmother’s, though. Did they use a different kind of sugar? Cheongwoo, blushing up to his eyes in admiration, silently critiqued the taste before swallowing.Before he knew it, his sense of reason had disappeared. No one was watching, after all.Without thinking, Cheongwoo kept picking up the braised chestnuts one by one, stuffing them into his mouth. After shoving six into his mouth, his cheeks puffed out. He pressed his lips together because if he opened them even slightly, the chestnuts would fall out, so he pressed his fingertips against his lips. As he was catching his breath for a moment…Rustle.A sound came from inside the room he thought was empty. Cheongwoo jumped in surprise.“…”The man who had been lying beyond the table slowly rose. His broad, elegant shoulders lifted as he pushed himself up from the floor.Cheongwoo, frozen in shock, couldn’t even think about running away. The unfamiliar man had already half risen to a sitting position. Even sitting, his large, solid build was overwhelming. His shirt was slightly wrinkled, his tie was a bit loose, and the buttons of his black vest were half undone.While Cheongwoo stood there, completely forgetting about the chestnuts in his mouth, the man blinked several times, looking ahead. His profile, full of drowsiness, was sharp and clear.Cheongwoo involuntarily made a choking sound. The man reflexively turned his head to look at him, his sleepy gaze narrowing slightly.“What’s this?”The man whispered like he was talking to himself. Cheongwoo felt his heart sink. His vision went white.“…Ah…”Opening his lips unintentionally, a small sound escaped, and one sweet chestnut popped out from his right cheek.The man’s merciless gaze followed the chestnut down.Thud. Thud.The chestnut bounced a couple of times on the table before rolling towards the man. Time seemed to stretch on.The chestnut that Cheongwoo had spat out fell onto the man’s thigh. As the man looked down at it, his eyes suddenly glinted black, locking onto Cheongwoo. Those eyes were cold, deep, and piercingly intense.Cheongwoo was breathless.Covering his mouth, he stood up abruptly and kept bowing his head repeatedly. His whole body trembled. After a while, the man tilted his head with a low sigh.“What is this?”“…”After that, Cheongwoo’s memory was blurry.He just remembered trembling all over. Instead of answering, Cheongwoo bowed deeply again. His hair fell over his forehead. The man slowly narrowed his eyes, looking as if he had discovered something.“Isn’t that Director Gu Wonjae?”When Cheongwoo described the situation, Taesung tilted his head, murmuring.“Director Gu Wonjae?”“Yeah. Everyone was talking about how some big spender came from Seoul this morning. What was it, was he an executive at EM Construction?”Cheongwoo’s eyes widened, his lips trembling. He hoped Taesung’s guess was wrong.“He’s that young and he’s a director…? No way. It can’t be him.”“Well, that’s how those families are. But from your description, it sounds like it’s him.”They were meeting in the courtyard of the fairies’ quarters. Taesung, who had gone down to the village with a guest in the evening, handed Cheongwoo a plain yogurt smoothie, which he knew Cheongwoo liked, while speaking indifferently.“He’s insanely good-looking, isn’t he?”“…Yeah. Completely…”Cheongwoo silently fiddled with the cup for a while. He felt like his heart had stopped. He remembered those eyes, dark as midnight, cold and smooth like glass, yet somehow viscous. That was the look in his eyes. It’s a strange expression, but there’s no other way to describe it.Could an appearance this extreme transcend beauty into something uncanny? All he could remember was being overwhelmed the moment they met.“Then it must be Director Gu.”Taesung nodded while shaking the drink to mix the ice and liquid.“I caught a glimpse of him when he checked in yesterday, and even from a distance, he had this aura… And you said he was sleeping in Morangak’s main hall? There’s a rumor that he’s plagued by a sleep demon. That’s why someone so young comes for rest here every year.”“A sleep demon?”“Like he’s got narcolepsy or something, always nodding off. Isn’t that strange?”But he didn’t seem like someone who was sick.While Cheongwoo pondered this, sipping through the straw, Taesung adjusted his seating and wore an unusually serious expression.“But you got caught eating from the guest’s table in front of him? And you were so shocked you didn’t even apologize properly before running away?”“I couldn’t. My mouth was full of chestnuts.”Cheongwoo’s face turned sullen immediately, rubbing the surface of the plastic cup containing the smoothie like someone who had done something wrong.“I was afraid another chestnut would pop out if I opened my mouth…”Remembering the situation made his ears burn again.It was the first time he had ever felt so embarrassed and flustered in his life. Perhaps because of that, his memory was patchy, like he had been drinking. He just remembered backing away in shock until he bumped into the sliding door, then escaping the room as if fleeing, handing over the tray he hadn’t finished clearing to a passing coworker.At the time, Cheongwoo’s face was so pale it looked like he had seen a ghost, causing his colleague to look worried. His stomach really felt bad due to the chestnuts he had forced down.“You need to go and apologize for that.”At those words, Cheongwoo suddenly felt like his future was bleak.“What if he complains about it?”“Oh… what if he does?”“What can you do? You have to apologize before it gets to the manager’s ears. Otherwise, you’ll be the one getting the boot.”Getting the boot?Cheongwoo managed to swallow the sour drink that was in his mouth.“People from those families are all like that, but especially that family… Even President Jeong was bowing and scraping. I saw it when he checked in this morning; he was even carrying the luggage. You don’t want to be on the bad side of someone like that. And he’s supposed to stay for over a month.”He had a point. If he stayed for a month, there’d be a limit to how much Cheongwoo could avoid him.Cheongwoo felt like his already upset stomach was getting worse. He put down the smoothie, patting his chest. As Taesung sighed, he ruffled Cheongwoo’s well-groomed hair.“I told you not to eat from the guest’s table secretly.”“…”“You really have no luck.”Cheongwoo slumped his shoulders and muttered weakly.“You’re right. I’ve always been unlucky.”🧸‘That careless, thoughtless man.’His grandmother always called his father that, implying he had no common sense.His father, with his severe gambling addiction, had driven many around him to despair. Cheongwoo’s mother ran away with another man not long after he was born, so he only knew her from photos.Thus, Cheongwoo grew up under the care of his grandmother. Her house was in a rural area near Seoul, and since they had no home, he lived with his aunt’s family, who were also staying with his grandmother.“Where’s dad gone again?”“Yeah, Cheongwoo. Listen to grandma. Daddy will buy you a gift tomorrow.”His father was never at home. Even with his hazy eyes, it was puzzling to young Cheongwoo how he always managed to find new bank accounts, learn their passwords, and steal his grandmother’s money.After this repeated, eventually, even his grandmother became a pariah to those around her. After a physical altercation with his uncle, his father used his grandmother’s house as collateral for a loan and disappeared with the money, like a final gift.“Why did you lend money to that man when the house is in my grandmother’s name? She never agreed to this contract… Isn’t this illegal?”At the time, Cheongwoo was eighteen. Out of sheer injustice, he went to the company himself, but all he got in return were irritation and curses.“Some kid talking about legality. Check it yourself. See if these documents are fake or real.”“…”“See? The deed to your grandma’s house as collateral. How many times do I have to say your dad came here with that old woman and signed the contract?”“I’m telling you, that old woman isn’t my grandmother. My grandmother was…”“Then, kid, instead of wasting time here, go find proof that she isn’t your grandmother and report to the police.”After that, his aunt’s family moved out, and his father’s whereabouts were untraceable.Whether she was tired of going back and forth to the police station or just tired of his father, his grandmother decided to give up the house.From then on, they lived in a small room on the outskirts of Seoul with the little support money provided by the government. Cheongwoo planned to work part-time as soon as he turned twenty to pay for college after delaying his admission for a year. However, his grandmother, weakened by continuous stress, collapsed with a stroke on her way to Cheongwoo’s graduation ceremony.“That’s why old people have to be careful in the cold wind. What was she doing going to a graduation ceremony full of kids?”He was too shocked to cry. His uncle grumbled beside him, saying that’s why ancient people called it being struck by the wind, words that pierced Cheongwoo’s heart like needles. It felt like his grandmother’s condition was somehow his fault.That winter was bitterly cold. His grandmother needed immediate surgery, and there was no way a high school graduate like Cheongwoo could get a loan.Cheongwoo knew what he had to do. He went to a fourth-tier financial institution to borrow the surgery costs. Fortunately, his grandmother’s surgery was successful, and with consistent rehabilitation by a therapist, it was said she could eventually walk on her own.What remained were the terrifying debts from the loan sharks and his grandmother’s hospital bills. That’s how he ended up here.Swoosh.Feeling the bright morning light breaking through the dark forest, Cheongwoo suddenly looked up.The wind in the mountains shook the quiet trees. The sky visible through the branches seemed a bit higher and bluer than yesterday. The autumn leaves coloring the world were gradually losing their moisture and drying out.“Cheongwoo, what are you doing there?”A gentle voice suddenly came from behind.“Gathering acorns.”Cheongwoo answered quietly.“Are you going to live off acorns?”At Joohye’s remark, the other women burst into laughter.When Cheongwoo didn’t respond, another fairy chimed in with a question.“If you gather all those acorns, what will the squirrels eat?”“I don’t really want to do this either.”In the end, Cheongwoo grumbled under his breath with a flushed face.He had just woken up in the morning intending to clean the courtyard as usual. But then he caught the eye of the kitchen staff leaving their quarters and was semi-forcibly recruited for labor. They said they were going to make acorn jelly today, so everyone had to collect acorns.‘What does that have to do with me…?’At first, he was a bit annoyed. But once he got to the forest, he felt quite good, not thinking about other things. He hadn’t slept well, tossing and turning all night, but the smell of the dew-soaked earth wasn’t bad at all. As he moved through the pine forest, his troubled mind seemed to find some peace.The kitchen manager instructed to pick only the large, plump acorns. He said that way, they would fill the animals’ stomachs too.Cheongwoo tried to follow those instructions, but if he found a particularly small and shiny one, he secretly pocketed it. Later, when he had a day off, he would string them to make a prayer bead bracelet for his grandmother, who would love it.While he was moving around without a care, he found himself near the outdoor hot spring. Maybe because it was a rock bath, it looked like a naturally formed hot spring. With the mountains wrapped in layers of clouds behind, many valleys were visible at a glance.“Do you want to come in, Cheongwoo? There’s plenty of space, and it’s warm.”“No, thanks.”When he answered indifferently, everyone laughed heartily.There were fairies in the hot spring too, looking like celestial maidens who had come down from heaven to bathe. The hot springs were mainly for VIP members, but he heard that staff could occasionally enter during times when there were no guests. They all wore robes, so they weren’t naked, but it was still a bit embarrassing.“Then at least come and have a drink before you go. Here.”Joohye, fastening her wet robe, sat on a rock and handed him a juice can from a small folding table.Cheongwoo, who was thirsty, hesitated but then took off his work gloves and gently took the can with both hands.“Thank you.”“Every time I see you, I think Cheongwoo is really cute, isn’t he? Look at his skin.”Joohye openly admired him while looking closely at Cheongwoo, and none of the women around disagreed. His eyelashes were too dense and long, his facial contours smooth and neat without any sharpness, his large eyes had a subtle rosy glow, and his lips were even redder. It seemed like such colors would be hard to achieve even with makeup.Cheongwoo resembled his mother. Since he had no memory of seeing his mother, who had run away because she disliked his father, he just took everyone’s word for it that he looked like her.His appearance had its advantages but also its drawbacks. Since school days, he had many boys picking fights with him for no reason, and he once had a stalker-like situation. The only good thing was that service jobs were easy to get. Even the owner of Dowonhyang didn’t ask any questions when he saw Cheongwoo’s face; he just told him to pack up and come right away.“Why aren’t you an actor with that face, instead of doing hard labor here?”“What about you, then?”Unable to hold back, Cheongwoo retorted, and the laughter grew louder. Feeling embarrassed, Cheongwoo finally sipped the can while looking elsewhere.“Anyway, finish what you were saying.”At that moment, a fairy, placing a towel on a wooden bucket, started the conversation again to refresh the topic.“I heard he won’t take a personal fairy this year. Is that true?”“Ah, yeah. He said no one should enter his private annex.”“What? I had high expectations since he’s a big spender.”Big spender…Hearing that, Cheongwoo unconsciously held his breath, the image of that man vividly appearing in his mind.“He’s supposed to have so much money, right?”“He’s from a family that’s been in the money-lending business for generations.”“Any other peculiarities?”“No wife, no children. But lots of money.”“And he’s got Tamra nicely set.”The women’s laughter burst out so loudly it felt like his ears would split. …What’s Tamra? It seemed like they were talking about the man he ran into yesterday. Cheongwoo couldn’t help but listen in on their conversation.“How did you know he set up Tamra? Did you serve him last year?”“Well, according to President Shin, that’s what he said. President Shin set it up too. He said if you scratch him just right, he’ll spill everything.”“What? Seriously. That guy’s so lacking in dignity. A man should at least be discreet with his mouth.”“Hey, lower your voice. What if someone hears you?”As the voices kept getting louder, Joohye, who had been listening quietly, suddenly put a stop to it. Another woman scoffed.“It’s just us here, who’s going to hear? What does it matter?”“You don’t know those people’s true nature. If you talk carelessly and get caught, people like us will disappear without a trace.”For a moment, only the sound of water flowing from the rock bath echoed. The steam enveloped the faces of the silent women. Cheongwoo, who had been listening secretly, tensed up at Joohye’s voice, which had suddenly turned low and serious.“Those people aren’t just rich. Why do you think even the boss warned us not to get on the wrong side of Director Gu and his associates? Please, be careful with your words.”The atmosphere quickly subsided. The women continued to whisper in hushed tones, but Cheongwoo, who had been listening in, felt increasingly lost in confusion.‘Don’t ever offend Director Gu.’But I’ve already offended him terribly. What should I do?As his thoughts reached that point and his heart started pounding, it happened.“Yeon Cheongwoo! Come here!”“Huh!” Cheongwoo’s shoulders jolted in surprise. The kitchen manager was standing among the trees, calling Cheongwoo with a deeply furrowed brow.🧸It turned out to be a summons from the manager.Thinking he had already been reported and was trembling, Taesung had given the manager a heads-up.“Hey, did you really get caught eating from the VIPs’ table?”“…Yes.”Cheongwoo could barely lift his head, answering while pressing his feet into the dirt.“And you didn’t even apologize after doing something like that? What were you thinking, kid, if the boss finds out?”The manager yelled. Cheongwoo squeezed his eyes shut.“I’m sorry. I didn’t know he was there…”The manager, looking down at Cheongwoo who was pale and trembling, eventually sighed, ruffling his own hair.“I don’t know. Instead of dealing with this here… Director Gu is in his annex now, let’s go.”“What?”“Go and apologize properly with respect. That’s the only way you can keep working here. Got it?”The manager kept glaring and scolding as Cheongwoo, with a shaky body, was led by the wrist by the sharp-eyed, short-statured manager toward the entrance to the VIP annex village.Was this what it felt like to be dragged to the slaughterhouse? Especially since he had already had some water from the hot spring, it felt even more terrifying. He just wanted to cry.What if he slaps my face?If it were just getting caught stealing food, it might be one thing, but he had spat out a chestnut that rolled and landed on the man’s lower body. That felt like the gravest sin, an irreversible karma.Soon, they passed through the gate to the village where the VIP annexes were scattered. While Cheongwoo was thinking about how to start his apology, he was listing all sorts of humble words in his head.“Director Gu!”Just then, a group of men were approaching from the opposite direction. It was Gu Wonjae and his acquaintances.While Cheongwoo stood frozen in place, the manager rushed forward with his short, quick steps.“Did you sleep well last night?”Gu Wonjae slowed his pace. He then looked down at the server manager bowing before him.He glanced further ahead. Ten steps away, his eyes caught sight of the employee from yesterday, standing there with a starkly white, frozen face.The slim body, the awkwardly worn employee T-shirt, the neat, light brown bangs above gently fluttering eyelashes, and the eyes beneath, still wet and trembling, giving off an unripe, youthful air. He might not even be twenty yet.“Did we meet last year too?”Gu Wonjae shifted his gaze back to the manager, offering a gentle greeting. The manager responded with utmost respect.“Yes. I served you last year as well. I’m honored that you remember, Director.”At that moment, the men standing behind Gu Wonjae approached. There was President Shin Junmo, Executive Kim Geonwoo, and other men in dark suits who halted their steps. The sharp, sinister air typical of gangsters suddenly enveloped the area. Sweat beaded on the manager’s temples as he bowed his head.“But I must sincerely apologize. I heard our new employee committed a grave discourtesy last night in the main hall of Morangak.”As the manager started the conversation, Cheongwoo could no longer just observe.Cheongwoo hesitantly approached them. His hands, clasped in front of him, were trembling with excessive fear, gripping his black apron. The men’s intense gazes all fixed on Cheongwoo.Gu Wonjae tilted his head slightly to look at Cheongwoo more closely. His movements were slow but somehow dignified in silence. As he looked down at the young employee’s distressed face, he recalled the events of last night.He woke up to the sudden sound of someone, only to find an unfamiliar young man in front of him with cheeks puffed out like they might burst, eyes wide and bewildered, an absurd and funny sight.As he was about to twitch his lips, the small face that had come right up to him looked up. Their eyes met. Cheongwoo, startled, flinched and bowed his head deeply.“I’m truly sorry… I’m sorry, sir. I’ll make sure it never happens again, I’ll… I’ll be careful.”His voice was urgent, rambling with a subtle tremor.Until then, Kim Geonwoo, who had been watching quietly, suddenly spoke with a hint of amusement.“Ah, is this the guy? The squirrel.”Having heard something, Shin Junmo also chuckled, saying, ‘Ahaha, hilarious.’ At that moment, Cheongwoo’s face flushed bright red, coloring his ears, cheeks, the corners of his eyes, and even his delicate nose, as he bit down hard on his plump lips. His lower lip, which had turned scarlet as if touched by blood, briefly lost its color. Gu Wonjae watched this scene, then suddenly gave a short smile.“Well, okay.”“…”“I’ll accept your apology.”It was an unexpectedly courteous reply. Cheongwoo looked up at the man without realizing it.Gu Wonjae lifted the black gloves without another word and walked past Cheongwoo and the manager. His acquaintances, dressed in golf attire, snickered as they passed by Cheongwoo, followed by a trail of attendants carrying golf bags.“Thank you!”Only then did Cheongwoo instinctively bow again.It was only when they disappeared beyond the side gate that Cheongwoo and the manager straightened up and let out the breath they had been holding. In their now blank minds, only the word ‘survived’ floated around. Survived. Survived. They thought they were really going to die.“Oh, damn… what kind of mess is this in the morning? Hey, don’t make any mistakes in front of him again. Just wait and see if something like this happens again.”“…Yes.”Cheongwoo also tried to calm his trembling heart and took deep breaths. He looked back several times to confirm that they had indeed gone. The man’s deep, resonant voice kept echoing in his ears.That day, the manager gave out an unusually large number of tasks. They had to sweep fallen leaves scattered around the inner courtyard, clear the dishes after meals, help with dishwashing in the communal kitchen, chop wood, and fetch water from the well.They could earn tips by serving properly, but there was simply no time for that. Normally, such labor-intensive tasks were assigned to the weekend helpers. It seemed he had really gotten on someone’s bad side.It was long after sunset.Being late at night, the surroundings were quiet. It was said that the VIPs in the annex were gathered at Moran Hall, having a drinking party.As always, Cheongwoo silently finished his never-ending tasks and cleared the last table. His limbs ached from all the work, and he felt his strength draining away. Maybe it was because he hadn’t eaten all day.“Cheongwoo, why do you look so down?”At that moment, a server from Yeonhwa Hall, who was clearing dishes beside him, nudged Cheongwoo’s arm and asked. Cheongwoo shook his head with a faint smile.“I’m just hungry. There was so much cleaning to do earlier that I forgot to eat dinner.”“Oh, no! The staff cafeteria is closed by now. After you clear this table, go to the communal kitchen. There might be some leftover food.”Following that advice, Cheongwoo took the tray with the empty dishes to the communal kitchen. Peeking cautiously into the kitchen, he was told that there were some leftover fried chicken pieces that had been prepared for the staff earlier. They were small pieces of chicken thigh coated in batter.“They’re cold and soggy now, is that okay?”“It’s fine. Thank you.”Cheongwoo gave a small bow of thanks. Then, the usually stern-looking kitchen manager put the remaining chicken into a disposable bag, sealed it tightly, and slipped it into Cheongwoo’s apron pocket.Before heading back to the dormitory, Cheongwoo remembered his windbreaker hanging in the staff break room at the communal kitchen. To get from the communal kitchen to the staff dormitory, it would take over ten minutes, but cutting through the promenade behind the VIP annex would get him there in under five.Cheongwoo put on his windbreaker and zipped it up to his chin. It was something he’d been wearing since middle school. Though it was quite worn, it was the only proper jacket he had.The autumn wind sweeping through the courtyard was bitterly cold.Soon, he arrived at the promenade. To Cheongwoo, this was the most beautiful and refined spot even within the beautiful Dowonhyang. At this hour, no one else walked here, and the outdoor lights were on 24/7, glowing softly.Walking along the narrow path lined with colorful cosmos flowers, he came upon a round pond with koi and a small pavilion with a dragon-tail roof.‘Why not sit for a bit since no one’s around?’After looking around, he sat down neatly on the spot, placing the bag of fried chicken on his knees.Feeling hungry, Cheongwoo hesitated for a moment before opening the bag and quickly stuffing a piece of chicken into his mouth. Though it was cold and soggy, it tasted good. A sweet sigh escaped him naturally.As he chewed slowly, he looked at the pretty outdoor lights illuminating the dark promenade. These days, each day felt incredibly long. The work was hard, and he was constantly hungry, probably why he seemed to have lost a lot of weight. He decided to stop saving on meal costs and to make sure to eat two meals a day at the staff cafeteria from tomorrow.While he was diligently having his late meal, he suddenly heard footsteps nearby.Cheongwoo’s cheeks, busy with food, slowly stiffened. Not far away, a man with a coat draped over his shoulders was approaching leisurely. Cheongwoo recognized him slowly. It was Gu Wonjae.The promenade was narrow and small with only one path, so it seemed Gu Wonjae soon noticed him too.Oh. The food… the thought of hiding this embarrassing scene came to mind, but his body seemed paralyzed, unable to move. Cheongwoo felt his throat dry up as he clutched the disposable bag of chicken.Gu Wonjae’s shadow now loomed over Cheongwoo’s pale face. Cheongwoo slowly lifted his head.“…”The man silently looked down at Cheongwoo for a long while, his expression calm. He observed the scavenged food on his knees and the trembling fingertips peeking through the frayed sleeves. Then he asked calmly.“Are you poor?”The chilly wind felt like it was slicing through his nose. His red fingertips slowly curled to grasp the frayed edge of his windbreaker. Cheongwoo looked up at Gu Wonjae with eyes wet from the cold, unable to respond.Now he noticed Gu Wonjae was smoking. He brought the cigarette in his left hand to his lips at an angle and slowly exhaled smoke.“Every time I see you, you’re always picking up food… you’re not a squirrel.”His whisper-like murmur was very languid, making even the listener feel drowsy. Was this really happening? Like being haunted by a sleep demon.“Want to come to the annex?”The sudden question made Cheongwoo slightly open his mouth.“Huh…?”“To my annex.”Not understanding the full implications, Cheongwoo just stared blankly. The annex? Suddenly, he remembered the words of the hostesses at the inn who said that the big guest in the annex refused personal service. At that moment, the corner of the man’s lips slightly lifted.“Dislike it?”“…”Of course. He disliked it.As Cheongwoo swallowed his words without answering, Gu Wonjae took off the coat he had draped over his shoulders. He then pulled out his wallet from his inner pocket.Cheongwoo knew nothing about luxury, but even he could tell that the wallet looked very expensive. The man pulled out several yellow bills from it with a neat, unpretentious gesture. Cheongwoo remembered the many hands that had given him tips over time.Gu Wonjae, no different from them, readily offered money to Cheongwoo. When Cheongwoo didn’t know what to do and didn’t take it, Gu Wonjae playfully opened the fingers holding the bills. The yellow papers fluttered down, brushing past Cheongwoo’s bangs and covering the fried chicken on his knees.“You should say, ‘Thank you.'”“Th-thank you.”Cheongwoo instinctively bowed his head in thanks. Flutter. Another bill fell from where one had been placed on his crown.The man, who had been looking down with an amused expression, stuck the cigarette he had been holding in his mouth between his fingers and walked past Cheongwoo. It was like someone who had looked at an interesting piece of landscaping before continuing on their way.“…”Only after the calm sound of the man’s footsteps had faded away did Cheongwoo look blankly at the scattered bills around him. The faint smell of tobacco smoke, the pleasant scent of perfume, and a light smell of alcohol lingered in the air.