Stay Strong, Heungbu!

Jang Hongwoo, the adopted son of the wealthiest family in Gaegyeong, has lived a life of ease, never once knowing hardship. Meanwhile, his older brother, Jang Seungwoo, is the head of the Eunsoo Merchant Guild, admired by many and the object of countless women’s affections. One day, Seungwoo pushes Hongwoo to finally take responsibility for his own life.

But Hongwoo, utterly naïve to the ways of the world, quickly becomes the target of loan sharks, opens a ridiculous business called a “Compliment Shop,” and ultimately tarnished the reputation of the prestigious Jang family, the most powerful merchant household in Gaegyeong.

“You never cease to amaze me.”

Yet, strangely, every time Hongwoo fails at standing on his own, Seungwoo seems almost pleased. While working as his older brother’s errand boy to repay his debts, Hongwoo stumbles upon a shocking rumor—Seungwoo is gay. That very night, he had an unexpected wet dream…

“Why are you avoiding me? I’m the brother you adore so much.”

Like Heungbu from the folktale, too innocent for his own good, Hongwoo soon finds himself at the mercy of his Nolbu-like older brother.

Can he resist the possessive, insatiable, and dangerously charming Nolbu of his life?

“Just look at me.”

No. No.

…Yes. Yes!

Until Seung Woo’s one-sided love becomes mutual—stay strong, not Nolbu, but Heungbu!

***

“You said you were ashamed of a brother who lost himself to men, but look who’s the one drowning in it now.”

“I-I’m not gay like you!”

The moment Hongwoo shouted, desperate to clear the misunderstanding, Seungwoo let out a humorless laugh.

He stepped closer, grabbed the back of Hongwoo’s head, and pulled him in.

“Hah. Jang Hongwoo, how could you not be?”

Seungwoo’s amusement disappeared entirely. His eyes darkened with madness and fury.

“A brother who clings to me while keeping a male lover on the side… A brother who was planning to abandon his own home just to be with that man. And you claim you’re not gay?”

“I just… I just wanted to be acknowledged—”

“My older brother is someone everyone admires, but I… I don’t know how to do anything. I got scammed by some merchant. I’ve done nothing but be a burden to you. I really wanted to be recognized. I wanted to be a little brother worthy of someone like you. But the thought that you, of all people, don’t see me that way… It just—it just hurts so much.”

Sniff.

Hongwoo wiped his nose with his sleeve, but his tears wouldn’t stop.

“That’s what upsets you?”

Hongwoo nodded.

“Then what do you think it was like for me—holding back all this time?”

Seungwoo cupped Hongwoo’s chin with both hands and crushed their lips together.