Munjeong - Chapter 30

Bzzzz—

 

The phone on the desk vibrated. While checking the answers for past foreign language questions with an online lecture playing in the background, Chaeon immediately picked up her phone to check the time. It was nearing 7 PM.

 

[Are you not coming to return the clothes?]

 

Just one sentence. Seeing it brought a faint smile to Chaeon’s lips. She had dried the cardigan that Yeonjun had draped over her when she was soaking wet, intending to return it to him.

 

[I’m coming.]

 

Aware of Heejung’s concerns, she had intentionally avoided going to the main house until now, but she still planned to express her gratitude. Taking Yeonjun’s cardigan, which hung neatly on a rack in the corner of her room, Chaeon headed straight to the main house.

 

It wasn’t until her stomach let out a soft growl that she realized she hadn’t eaten dinner yet due to solving past exam questions. Recalling how Mrs. Kwon had recently stocked the fridge with persimmons and told them to help themselves, Chaeon decided to stop by the dining room.

 

If she brought some persimmons to share, Yeonjun would probably smile warmly and nod, as he always did. Smiling faintly, she was just about to step into the dining room when—

 

“…I didn’t expect that. At first, the kid seemed oddly clueless, but she turned out to be diligent and capable, so I thought she was decent.”

 

“Before Chaeon came here, her environment was a bit tough. She doesn’t smile much and doesn’t talk a lot, but she’s mature and composed for her age. I think she’s a fine kid.”

 

Chaeon paused near the arched entrance of the dining room, listening to the voices coming from inside. The person talking to Yeonseo was Manager Kim.

 

“Is that composure? I have no idea what she’s thinking, and that makes her seem sly. You know the type—those who act like bears but are actually foxes.”

 

“Why are you speaking like that? The kid helps out Mrs. Kwon with chores she doesn’t even need to do. And it’s only natural for a student to ask someone like Yeonjun for advice, given how good he is at studying.”

 

Manager Kim, who usually doted on Chaeon despite her reserved nature, didn’t seem inclined to agree with Yeonseo’s disgruntled tone.

 

“Ugh. You just don’t get it because you’re a man, Manager Kim. I can tell right away. She’s just using studying as an excuse to hit on them.”

 

“Yeonseo. Chaeon is still nineteen. What do you mean, hitting on them? She’s ten years younger than you.”

 

“Oh, please. Do you know how bold kids these days are? They’re not like we were at nineteen.”

 

How much longer would she have to stand here listening to this nonsense? Chaeon considered waiting since it seemed like they were just chatting, leaning against the wall with a bored expression.

 

When Heejung had warned her to keep her distance from Yeonseo, she’d had an inkling. It was predictable that someone like Yeonseo, who enjoyed gossiping and criticizing, would eventually talk about her. She just hadn’t expected it to go in this direction.

 

“So what you’re saying is that Chaeon is deliberately trying to seduce both young masters?”

 

“Yes, exactly! Didn’t you feel it too? From the moment she arrived, her excessive prettiness made me uneasy. And now she’s going in and out of both young masters’ rooms. What even is that?”

 

“I don’t know what Chaeon is thinking, but to the young masters, she’s just a kid. So what’s the problem?”

 

“If you dressed her in something other than a school uniform and sent her out, no one would think she’s nineteen. They’d call her a lady!”

 

Manager Kim was right. Taeha, who always made people uncomfortable, and Yeonjun, who treated her like a cute younger sibling—why would they, surrounded by naturally beautiful and elegant women, feel the need to care about someone like her?

 

But Yeonseo seemed determined to dislike her.

 

The conversation seemed likely to drag on, so Chaeon furrowed her brow and was about to leave when—

 

“Even the eldest young master—what happened that he called her school directly?”

 

…What? Who did what now?

 

“Hey, Yeonseo. That’s enough. You’re starting to cross the line. She’s a much younger girl who’s doing her best. Why don’t you appreciate her for that instead of talking like this? And don’t bring up things related to the young masters anymore, especially in front of others.”

 

Tsk. Manager Kim clicked his tongue in disapproval, threw something lightly—perhaps a towel—and shook his head as he exited the dining room. He didn’t notice Chaeon standing pressed against the wall as he walked away.

 

Even after Manager Kim had disappeared, Chaeon stood frozen, not because she was hurt or shocked by Yeonseo’s words, but because of the content of her last remark.

 

“Oh, for heaven’s sake. Seriously. It’s all about being born pretty. Even Manager Kim, Mrs. Kwon… Oh my goodness!”

 

Muttering to herself while untying her apron, Yeonseo turned around and nearly jumped out of her skin when she saw Chaeon standing there.

 

“You—you! How long have you been standing there?!”

 

Chaeon’s glossy black eyes calmly observed Yeonseo. Amused by her visible panic for a moment, she thought only of one thing.

 

“The eldest young master… What happened that he called her school directly…”

 

The eldest young master—Taeha, wasn’t it? As far as Chaeon could recall, there had only been one time someone associated with Jun Gwang had contacted her school. Surely not…

 

She wanted to question Yeonseo right away, but for some reason, her lips remained tightly shut.

 

Yeonseo, visibly uneasy, fidgeted as she nervously glanced at her. After some hesitation, Chaeon finally spoke.

 

“Excuse me.”

 

“Y-yeah?”

 

“I have something to ask, unnie.”

 

“S-sure! What is it?”

 

The unusually high-pitched tone of her voice felt a bit overwhelming, but Chaeon ignored it and asked.

 

“By eldest young master, do you mean Taeha? Did he call my school?”

 

“…What?”

 

Ah, she heard everything. Yeonseo’s face gave it away. Unable to meet Chaeon’s gaze, she stammered.

 

“Well, I mean… I just happened to overhear it while cleaning outside his room. The door was a little open, so… I got lucky…”

 

“What did he say?”

 

Fidgeting nervously, Yeonseo bit her lip and hesitated before cautiously replying.

 

“I think… he was on the phone with someone from the school.”

 

“An official?”

 

“Yes. He said it seemed like there were kids bullying you at school these days.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“He told them to make sure nothing inappropriate happens again.”

 

“……”

 

“And that they should report back to him, so there’s no need to call about the same issue again…”

 

Ah…

 

Chaeon’s grip tightened on Yeonjun’s clothes, which she had been clutching.

 

So, the person who had contacted them wasn’t the younger heir… With confusion building and her heart pounding uncontrollably, Chaeon had to take a deep breath to calm herself.

 

“Yes. Thank you for letting me know.”

 

As Chaeon slightly bowed her head and turned to leave, a hesitant voice stopped her.

 

“Wait! Hey.”

 

“Yes?”

 

Reluctant to voice her thoughts, as though it pained her pride, Yeonseo bit her lips several times before scratching the back of her head and muttering an excuse.

 

“What I said earlier… did you, by any chance, hear it?”

 

“……”

 

Chaeon’s indifferent gaze fixed on Yeonseo. Adjusting the clothes in her arms, she answered.

 

“Since I asked about it just now, don’t you think I must have heard it?”

 

On any other day, Yeonseo might have merely wondered why such a young girl spoke with such detachment toward the world. But now, with her guilt looming, even Chaeon’s characteristic resigned tone felt aggravating. Yeonseo tried to suppress her irritation and forced a smile.

 

“Oh, of course, right. I mean, it’s just that you’re so young, and I was worried about you getting caught up in unnecessary gossip…”

 

Although Chaeon had intended to let it pass, pretending not to hear, Yeonseo, feeling awkward, kept rambling excuses that seemed pitifully lacking. After all, if there was anyone fueling the gossip in Songbaekwon, it was likely Yeonseo herself. With a small sigh, Chaeon replied flatly.

 

“It’s fine. I expected it.”

 

“…What?”

 

“You like talking about other people, don’t you?”

 

“Hey, what do you mean I like…”

 

“Most of the rumors I’ve heard in Songbaekwon have originated from you.”

 

“……”

 

“You even told me stories I wasn’t curious about or didn’t ask for, so I thought you must really enjoy talking about others. And that was that.”

 

Though Chaeon wasn’t trying to scold or argue, merely stating the facts as they were, Yeonseo couldn’t help but feel like she was being overpowered by the young girl’s poised demeanor. Straightening her shoulders in defiance, Yeonseo retorted with shameless bravado.

 

“So what? I mean, I didn’t make anything up, did I? Surely, I can talk about that much?”

 

“Sure, go ahead.”

 

“What?”

 

“Go ahead.”

 

Chaeon’s subtle narrowing of her brows now clearly conveyed her growing irritation.

 

“I don’t know why you’re bothering to explain yourself to me.”