IMFOBO | CH 32 | A Night Drunk on Festivities

The community center in Cheongnim-ri had undergone a transformation that was nothing short of a rebirth.

Initially, Taesan had only promised to waterproof the roof and install a new boiler. However, the project expanded to include insulation work and an extension of the kitchen, which prolonged the construction period.

“Oh, my goodness, Foreman Ryu! No, no! President Ryu! Whether you’re a foreman or a manager, what does it matter? In my heart, you’re a top-tier president!”

The village chief of Cheongnim-ri rushed out barefoot to greet Tae-san, warmly clasping his hands.

Tae-san’s rise had been meteoric, going from a day laborer at a construction site to a foreman, then a manager, and now a president.

Ryu Tae-san must have a knack for using money wisely.

He captivated the villagers, who were known for their stubbornness, to the point where one might think Tae-san was running for election in Cheongnim-ri. It wasn’t just the kitchenware, but also all the small household items in the village hall that had been replaced, so it was no wonder a celebration was underway.

‘He’s excessive. That man is excessive in everything he does.’

Eun-cho had repeated this to herself countless times.

She shook her head, amazed at how he had blended into the village as if he had been born and raised there.

“Please, eat plenty, elders.”

What was with the catering service accompanied by a hotel chef at a village festival?

The village grandmothers rejoiced at not having to make pancakes, while the grandfathers indulged in chestnut rice wine, scorched rice, blueberries, and citron makgeolli sourced from famous mountains all over the country.

It wasn’t just the village hall that Tae-san had changed.

Ryu Tae-san, an executive director at Baekun Construction, known as a lecherous womanizer, had transformed into an innocent, even blushing at the mention of Eun-cho’s name, despite supposedly having a “girlfriend of the month.”

Eventually, even the few remaining adults who had harbored doubts about Tae-san turned around.

The entire village was now united in support of Eun-cho and Tae-san’s union.

It seemed that financial remedies were powerful enough to sway even the most stubborn hearts.

Eun-cho, while leisurely enjoying some yukjeon (thinly sliced meat, dipped in flour and egg, then pan-fried), looked at Tae-san and opened her lips.

“Aren’t you busy?”

“I’m alright?”

It was Tae-san who answered, but the reaction came from an unexpected source.

Gi-wang, who had been acquainted with her since the hospital, momentarily winced.

Unlike the clean-cut Tae-san, Gi-wang had dark circles under his eyes, looking gaunt as if he had been working overtime all week.

“Um…  Director Seon, if you’re okay with it, shall I pour you a drink?”

“No. I just need to rest my butt for a bit before going back to Seoul. I appreciate the thought, though.”

He refused the offered makgeolli and stuffed a piece of boiled pork and a chili into his mouth at once, chewing as if the food were Tae-san himself.

“Eat up, Manager Seon. People like us have to eat well when we have the chance.”

Jungseok, sitting at the same table, patted Giwang’s shoulder as if to say, Only those who’ve been through it truly understand.

The two seemed to have a subtle bond and friendship, having made Tae-san their common enemy.

Unfortunately, Tae-san didn’t seem to care about them in the slightest.

“Isn’t this too much? Not only repairing the village hall but even throwing a feast…”

“I’m only doing what I can handle.”

Tae-san quickly dismissed Eun-cho’s nagging, which was laced with concern.

If she said she felt burdened by it, he would likely accuse her of being overly self-conscious and deny the connection between Eun-cho and the village hall.

Eun-cho sulked inwardly and looked around.

The autumn sky was clear without a single cloud, and colorful lanterns shone brightly, filling the sky.

It had been a long time since such a joyful atmosphere had surrounded the 700-year-old zelkova tree.

The loosely hanging leaves of the zelkova tree sparkled as they were illuminated by the full moon and lanterns.

Simply gazing at the abundant scenery made her heart feel generous.

‘Oh, well. Everyone else seems to like it.’

Eun-cho smiled slightly and took a sip of pine nut makgeolli.

The nutty flavor of the pine nuts and the aroma of the fermented yeast mingled together, refreshingly moistening the lining of her mouth.

“Ah…”

Eun-cho let out a short exclamation as she felt the alcohol going down her throat.

Tiny wrinkles formed on the bridge of her nose, and the corners of her lips stretched upwards.

It was a night where she felt she could get pleasantly drunk.

There were still conversations she needed to have with her father, but she felt much better knowing that her grandmother would receive high-quality treatment.

In particular, the prognosis for the new drug-based cancer treatment was good.

Settling her debt with Tae-san was a separate issue, but she felt as if she was being compensated for her past hardships.

So, maybe she could relax a little, just for tonight.

“Cheers?”

After all, it was all thanks to Ryu Tae-san.

Eun-cho smiled bashfully and clinked her bowl against his, and Tae-san chuckled in response.

The sound of aluminum clashing together rang out, and the unfiltered rice wine spilled over the edge.

Tae-san drank his makgeolli with an indifferent expression, but his eyes followed Eun-cho.

The glances they exchanged seemed quite intentional.

Eun-cho was so preoccupied with Tae-san that she didn’t realize she had finished an entire bowl, even though she had intended to only take a sip.

She was so distracted by Tae-san that she didn’t even notice Tae-hee approaching.

“Eun-cho, did you move Grandma to a different hospital? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Eun-cho looked at Tae-hee and suppressed the scowl that was forming on her face.

She couldn’t understand why this girl, who lived in Seoul, was visiting Cheongnim-ri so often these days.

First, she received a marriage proposal right in front of her, and now she was bringing up her grandmother. What kind of nerve was she trying to strike this time?

“Yeah, I moved her. I didn’t think you’d care.”

“How could I not care? I’m worried about Grandma’s health.”

It was absurd that someone who had never even visited Grandma in the hospital was acting like this.

Anyone would think she was a kind and affectionate granddaughter.

She never went near her except when she wanted pocket money and never even called to check on her, yet she was being so saccharine.

The gentle look on her face, as if she was genuinely concerned, was infuriating.

Eun-cho pursed her lips.

There was no point in being sharp with her; Jo Tae-hee was not the type to reveal her true colors in front of others.

There was no need to make a foolish, self-defeating move.

“May I sit here?”

Tae-hee smiled softly as she settled into her seat.

Her request was more of a formality than an actual plea for permission.

She brushed aside her flowing hair and made eye contact with the men seated around her in turn.

With her delicate features, Jo Tae-hee effortlessly captured the attention of the men with her unique charm.

She herself enjoyed the attention she received.

Perhaps it was because she was born to be a queen bee that she felt slightly uncomfortable surrounded by Tae-san, Jeong-seok, and Gi-wang.

“Could I have a drink too?”

Tae-hee pointedly held out her glass towards Tae-san.

It was a blatant provocation, a light display of interest that wouldn’t spill over.

Strangely enough, about eight or nine out of ten men would easily melt under such a smile.

It wouldn’t be surprising if Tae-hee had come all the way to Cheongnim-ri to check on Eun-cho’s man; given how she immediately showed interest in Tae-san with a faint smile, it was 100% certain.

“Let’s take this opportunity to get to know each other better. Who knows, we might become family someday.”

Tae-san gazed at Tae-hee with an impassive expression, revealing neither friendliness nor hostility. He seemed to be sizing her up without offering any response.

After a few seconds of silence, he finally poured Baekun makgeolli into Tae-hee’s glass.

Despite the array of mild fusion makgeolli like blueberry and citron varieties available, he chose the strongest one.

‘Is he trying to send me away?’

If so, then she could wholeheartedly cheer him on. Although she didn’t know Ryu Tae-san’s true intentions, it was refreshing to see him react differently after being surrounded by men who fawned over Tae-hee.

“Well, whether we become family or not remains to be seen.”

His ambiguous answer left much to question. Was he contemplating marrying Eun-cho or trying to distance himself from Jo Tae-hee? Even while smiling, it was difficult to gauge his true feelings.

“Are you going to marry Eun-cho?”

“Why do you care?”

In the end, Eun-cho chimed in with a sharp remark. She knew from experience that showing hostility towards Tae-hee in front of others would only backfire on her, but there was no way she could tolerate the mention of marriage.

“I’m just hoping you’ll accept me since I’m putting myself out there.”

No matter how hard she thought back, she couldn’t recall Ryu Tae-san ever desperately begging for anything. Yet there he was, giving Eun-cho a honeyed gaze as if it were the truth.

What a love-struck fool he was!

At this point, he might as well be an actor instead of an executive at a construction company. Even Eun-cho seemed like she might be fooled by his gaze.

“Ugh!”

For someone unaccustomed to it, his behavior could induce nausea. Jeong-seok, who had been searching for Su-ji since earlier and pouring himself drinks, suddenly bolted up and rushed toward the village hall’s restroom.

“You work in construction, yet your expressions are so unrestrained.”

Though she replaced “construction worker” with “laborer” in an elegant tone, Tae-hee subtly looked down on Ryu Tae-san based on her petty standards. Everyone present could feel the condescension in the air.

“Surely there aren’t many attractive marriage prospects without ‘family’ involved?”

Eun-cho clenched her fist tightly upon hearing Tae-hee’s smiling face say that.

What did she just say?