SSH Episode 15

“Are you really that sick?”

Hongwoo stayed silent, only nodding in response. If he spoke too lively, all his efforts would be for nothing.

“You shouldn’t be sick.”

The unexpected gentleness in Jang Seungwoo’s voice startled Hongwoo. Who would have thought his older brother could sound so kind? Determined not to show his surprise, he kept his expression neutral.

Seungwoo stood, took Hongwoo’s wrist, and led him toward the reception table. He moved the vase from the center and gestured toward the now-empty surface.

‘No way… He doesn’t mean—’

“Lie down.”

“No, no. I’m fine,” Hongwoo blurted, waving both hands in protest.

Seungwoo didn’t argue. He simply stared, his silent gaze leaving no room for refusal. ‘Lie down.’

Under the weight of that unspoken command, Hongwoo hesitated, then reluctantly climbed onto the table. Only when he lay flat on his back did Seungwoo return to his seat, flipping open a ledger as if nothing was out of the ordinary.

The office was eerily quiet, save for the soft rustle of pages turning and Hongwoo’s uneven breathing.

Each time someone entered, they froze at the sight of him sprawled across the table like an offering on an altar.

Mortified, Hongwoo wished he could simply disappear. The visitors exchanged bewildered glances, struggling to make sense of the scene, yet Seungwoo remained unfazed—calmly going about his work as if this were perfectly normal.

No one had told him not to move, but after lying still for so long, his body grew stiff and sore. He shifted slightly, staring up at the ceiling.

‘I should leave… but how?’

Screw it.

Deciding to face it head-on, he sat up and spoke.

“Hyungnim, I need to use the latrine.”

Seungwoo barely looked up. “Your stomach must really hurt.”

“What?”

Had Seungwoo figured out the lie?

Hongwoo had braced himself for punishment, convinced that his brother had seen through his act. But Seungwoo’s next words caught him off guard.

“If you’re in that much pain, go rest.”

‘Wait… what?’

Hongwoo stood there, stunned. He had managed to get what he wanted without lifting a finger.

“What? You don’t want to rest?”

“N-No! That’s not it!”

Flustered, he scrambled to his feet and bolted out of the office. His heart pounded as if he had just stood before an enraged Seungwoo, and his face felt warm.

‘Why is my heart acting like this?’

He lingered outside the office for a moment before shaking off his thoughts and moving forward. His reaction was just ‘shock’—nothing more. Seeing his usually stern brother act so gently had thrown him off.

But there was no time to dwell on it. He needed to get to the government office.

Finally, he arrived.

After getting lost and wandering in circles, Hongwoo made it to the government office. He scanned the quiet courtyard, looking for an official.

‘Is it always this silent before a flogging?’

His eyes darted around until he spotted an official emerging from the building. Hongwoo rushed over.

“When will the flogging take place?”

“Oh, that’s been canceled.”

“What?”

Hongwoo stared in disbelief. After everything he had gone through to get here? Faking an illness to fool Seungwoo had been exhausting enough, but navigating his way from the merchant guild to the office—especially with his terrible sense of direction—had been an ordeal.

And now, after all that effort? Nothing.

“If it’s canceled, won’t they reschedule? The criminal still deserves punishment, so I can just sell my spot then, right?”

Clinging to a sliver of hope, Hongwoo pressed for confirmation.

“Well, turns out his crimes were worse than we thought. A report came in a few days ago—said he was doing opium at a brothel and beat someone to death. We investigated, and sure enough, he actually killed someone.”

“So instead of flogging, he’s been sentenced to exile. And since he angered some higher-ups in the process, selling flogging spots is now off the table.”

“We’re just following orders.”

“Exile?!”

Hongwoo’s body trembled at the word. He had heard stories of traitors being exiled for committing grave crimes, but those had always been distant tales—nothing to do with him.

But now, someone was actually being exiled.

A chill crawled up his spine, and he rubbed his arms to shake it off.

Still, that wasn’t the most pressing issue. ‘Where was he supposed to get money now?’

As unfortunate as the criminal’s fate was, Hongwoo had his own troubles.

Since he had faked being sick, going straight back to the merchant guild felt awkward. Frustrated, he wandered through the marketplace, his steps dragging.

It reminded him of the time he had saved a piece of ‘yakgwa’ before bed, too full from dinner to eat it—only to wake up and find the plate empty. That same hollow disappointment gnawed at him now.

[Note: Yakgwa is a traditional Korean deep-fried pastry made from wheat flour, honey, sesame oil, and ginger juice, then soaked in honey syrup.]

He needed something to fill the void.

And the best way to do that? Good food.

Counting his remaining coins, he had just enough for boiled pork and ‘takju’ (unfiltered rice wine). With no better plan, he headed to the tavern.

The tavern mistress greeted him warmly, and Hongwoo, ever the charmer, flashed a grin as he placed his order. Moments later, she returned with a steaming plate of pork and a bowl of rice wine.

Between bites, he casually asked, “Know any places looking for workers?”

“What? You need a job, young master?”

“Yes, I need money. Urgently.”

The tavern mistress tapped her chin. “Let me think. Ah! A brothel was asking earlier if I knew anyone looking for work. But, uh… wouldn’t it be a bit strange for someone like you to work there?”

“No! I desperately need that job! Please, could you introduce me?”

A wealthy merchant’s son, not just visiting but actually working at a brothel? It was unheard of.

But the desperation in Hongwoo’s eyes made the tavern mistress hesitate.

With a sigh, she told him to wait and disappeared.

As he sat there, his stomach twisted with nerves. He could only hope that, just as she always presented food like a precious gift, she would return with a job that felt just as rewarding.

After what felt like an eternity, the tavern mistress finally returned—bringing a man with her.

“Even dogs aren’t disturbed while eating—so why me?”

“This young master says he wants to work at a brothel.”

The man, who had been staring blankly at Hongwoo, finally spoke.

“Well, we’re short on hands where I work. Since it’s night shift, people don’t last long, so we’re looking for someone who can stick around. The pay is good, though. Interested?”

“Yes! I can start right away!”

Hongwoo grabbed the man’s arm, his desperation clear. At Eunsu Merchant Guild, he had spent most of his time figuring out how to slack off, but at this moment, he swore he would work as hard as he could—if only someone would give him a job.

“In that case, come to Moonlit Fragrance Pavilion at 5-7 PM today. Someone will be waiting for you there.”

“Yes! I’ll work hard! Thank you—really, thank you!”

Hongwoo clung to the man—no, his savior—pouring out his gratitude.

***

That evening, Hongwoo arrived at Moonlit Fragrance Pavilion, where a small woman stood waiting.

Though petite, she had rolled-up sleeves that revealed strong, well-defined muscles—the result of years of hard labor. She grabbed Hongwoo’s arm, let out a sigh, and shook her head.

As she led him inside, she explained the structure of the kitchen. She was the first assistant under the head chef, followed by the second assistant and the youngest. Strength was crucial, she warned. Hongwoo would need to carry heavy trays and assist in the kitchen, so he’d have to build some muscle.

‘How hard could it be?’

Hongwoo barely listened, letting her words go in one ear and out the other.

But the moment he stepped inside Moonlit Fragrance Pavilion, his breath caught in his throat.

The place was dazzling.

Red lanterns cast a warm glow, intricate decorations adorned every corner, and the soft, elegant melody of a stringed instrument drifted through the air. To the right of the staircase lay the kitchen and a storage room filled with liquor and ingredients, while to the left stretched a grand banquet hall.

Hongwoo was mesmerized.

‘I get to work in a place like this?’

He made up his mind then and there—if he ever left the Eunsu Merchant Guild, he would dedicate himself to Moonlit Fragrance Pavilion for life.

This place was perfect.

With excitement bubbling in his chest, Hongwoo followed the eldest sister into the kitchen.

“We have a new one! A fresh recruit has arrived!”

She announced cheerfully, humming as she introduced Hongwoo. Three women turned to look at him, their gazes sharp. Aside from the head chef, the others stood stiff with discipline.

“What are you standing around for?! Tie on your apron, now!”