The displeasure in Choon-hee's expression was apparent, but she quickly schooled her face as she prepared to introduce him.
However, Wooyun cut her off before she could utter a single word.
"I am Han Seo-yoon," he said, emphasizing his surname. "It is a pleasure to meet you all." He greeted them politely.
"Han… Seo-yoon? As in the same Han…" Mister Hwan repeated in surprise.
They all stared at Wooyun with wide eyes, and he maintained his smile, cool and steady, even as he felt Kang Choon-hee's vicious glare directed at him.
It was a prickly feeling, but one he could easily ignore. "Yes, sir," he responded.
"I see. I wasn't aware Beom-seok had an heir left," he said.
His words made Choon-hee nearly vomit blood. It was like if she were to hear those words again—words that dared to put Seo-yoon and the rest of them as equals, she would faint on the spot. Unfortunately, Madam Kang was a professional and she once again controlled her simmering rage as she escorted the guests further inside, away from Wooyun.
Once they were out of sight, Kang Choon-hee didn't hesitate to give him the deadliest of looks, promising a punishment so harsh he'd wish he had never been born through those inky eyes. Wooyun swiftly ignored her warnings, offering her a measured smile.
"You'd better tend to your guests, mother," he said calmly.
She let out a nasty snarl before leaving the room. Do-yun followed behind her silently, but Wooyun didn't miss the look of disdain in his eyes, while Yu-jun hung back, his eyes observing Wooyun with great disgust.
"Just who do you think you are, acting all high and mighty? You think just by wearing some nice rags you've suddenly elevated your status?"
"A servant will always be a servant no matter how much perfume you wear to hide the stench of failure. You will always remain inferior." He spat. After saying those hateful words he left.
Wooyun shook his head in disbelief. How someone could be this dumb and ignorant was beyond him. Last time he checked, all the money, business, and fame had originally been Seo-yoon's. If anyone was inferior here, it was him.
"It's no matter. I'll let him keep thinking he has the upper hand here. Soon enough, everything you believe is yours will be mine."
As per Kang Choon-hee's instructions, everything was set up meticulously to show the guests how organized and well-maintained the household was.
As they enjoyed the refreshments handed to them by the servants, she began to go on and on about how smart and intelligent Do-yun was.
It was clear she was trying to butter him up to make him seem competent enough to take over the business. Elder Cho listened to her words, and though it didn't seem like he was interested—much less listening to her babbling—he was paying attention to the way she was selling her son, as if he were a product worth investing in. The son in question looked just as disinterested in the conversation, only chiming in when necessary. There were several times when he had to feign interest just to appease Choon-hee, and though Elder Cho saw this, he said nothing.
They were finally brought to the dinner table after hours of discussion—much to Mister Hwan's delight. His eyes lit up when he saw the table of delicious dishes presented before him. His expression then furrowed when he saw a few dishes he didn't recognize.
The others shared the same feelings as him, even the brothers were surprised. Presented before them was a plate of vibrant red rice, mixed with vegetables, eggs, and fermented cabbage.
Several pieces of fried egg, filled with a yellow center, were placed carefully on top of the bed of rice, looking both delicious and appetizing. Right next to it was a bowl still bubbling with a piercing red broth, where decadent pieces of tofu floated on top, garnished with green onions.
Other dishes lay next to it, all appetizing to their eyes.
"Just what is all of this?" Mister Hwan exclaimed.
Kang Choon-hee was momentarily dazed but quickly laughed nervously, waving her hands casually. "The chef went above and beyond for this special occasion—per my request, of course," she said.
Mister Hwan let out a boisterous laugh, instantly pleased with the madam of the house. Wooyun, who was in the kitchen arranging the dessert after the meal, wore a small smile on his face as he overheard the exchange. He could tell from the slight edge in Kang Choon-hee's voice that she was confused about which goal was ultimately his—making her seem as if she weren't in control.
Elder Cho looked around the room and saw an empty spot. For the first time since he'd arrived, he spoke up. "Where is Young Master Seo-yoon?"
Choon-hee's smile faltered, and Yu-jun, who was holding his chopsticks, nearly dropped them.
"Y-Young Master Seo-yoon?" she echoed in surprise, though there was a slight edge of distaste that didn't go unnoticed by Elder Cho.
Something unreadable flashed in his eyes before returning to normal. "Yes, I don't see him here. Why doesn't he join us?" he asked.
The others voiced their agreement, Mister Hwan exclaiming, "The more the merrier!"
Kang Choon-hee's lips twitched. "Haha, you see, our Wooyun is a busy fellow. He is occupied at the moment and won't be able to join us now," she said.
"Nonsense," Elder Cho said. "Everyone needs a break now and then. Have the boy come and join us, I haven't seen him in so long," he insisted, his voice firm and resolute, leaving no room for objections.
Kang Choon-hee's smile faltered, and she found herself at a loss. She knew she couldn't afford to offend the elder, but she didn't have any plans to bring Wooyun out here—at least not as someone worthy of sitting next to them.
With a resigned smile, she turned around and called for the boy. "Wooyun-ah," she called with feigned affection. "Come and join us at the table."
A smile slowly formed on Wooyun's face when Kang Choon-hee called him. This was an outcome he had already anticipated, because it was the same thing that happened in the book. However, this was where the similarities would end. All the key members had gathered and enjoyed the food presented in front of them with eagerness.
"So, Young Master Seo-yoon, how are your studies going?" Elder Cho asked once they'd had their fill.
Wooyun looked up in surprise. This old man works quickly, he thought.
Just as he was about to answer, Kang Choon-hee cut in.
"I'm afraid our Wooyun isn't very studious. Getting him to go to school has been rather difficult," she said, earning a snicker from Yu-jun.
Elder Cho raised a brow at this. "He doesn't go to school?"
Before the madam could respond, Wooyun beat her to the punch. "I find that I excel much better when I'm studying on my own, as opposed to being around others. I can learn at my own pace and rid myself of any outside distractions," he said.
Yu-jun nearly choked on his food, while Choon-hee looked at him as if he'd gone mad. The only one who didn't react was Do-yun, who was too busy stuffing food in his face to care.
"I see. So you've opted for a less traditional approach to education," Elder Cho said, nodding in understanding.
"Yes. I believe everyone learns differently; therefore, there is no right or wrong way of pursuing knowledge," Wooyun replied eloquently.
"I agree. I know many people who have studied under the tutelage of a scholar as opposed to going to the academy," Miss Nari said.
"I am glad you think so as well, Madam Hwan," Wooyun smiled, making the older woman's frozen expression soften a bit.
Seo-yoon possessed a natural charm that could make even the prickliest of hearts melt. And it only amplified when he smiled.
"Haha, my Do-yun and Yu-jun both prefer studying at the academy under the expertise of qualified teachers. But to each their own," she gritted out.
"Of course, Mother. I know you are only doing what's best for your sons, especially considering how Yu-jun-ah has been having a hard time juggling between his studies and martial training," he said, his tone sounding regretful.
Kang Choon-hee's lips curled into a smile, but there was no warmth in it. Her eyes, dark and calculating, lingered on Wooyun as if she were studying an insect pinned to a board.
"Haha, it seems my dear son is not the only one with such… untraditional methods," she said, her voice dripping with feigned sweetness.
"I never realized clever you could be Wooyun. You were always such a timid and soft spoken boy. Always keeping your mouth shut and doing as you're told. I wonder when you suddenly started to grow up."
Wooyun's smile didn't falter, his gaze unwavering.
Ha. Look at this old hag. She really isn't trying to hide her disdain for me even in front of all these people.
Old habits die hard huh. Once an evil stepmother, always an evil stepmother.
"Well, I was never given a chance to prove myself before, but I assure you those days of me being quiet are long gone now. I will strive to work hard for this family."
Choon-hee's smile faltered for a split second before returning, but it was tight, brittle, as if a mask she'd just barely managed to put back in place. "Indeed, family," she said softly. "Such a precious thing."
For a moment, it seemed as though the tension would snap once again, but this time, the exchange was suspended when Eldee Cho spoke up.
"So, Seo-yoon, I believe you're at the age where you should be taking your studies seriously, since you aren't focused on martial arts like your brother. What is it that you're studying?"
A gentle smile appeared on his face as Kang Choon-hee gave him a look that seemed to say, "Ha, you little rat. How are you going to get out of this one? As far as I can tell, you haven't stepped foot inside an academy, let alone opened a book."
Little did she know, Wooyun had been prepared for this question and was ready to answer accordingly.
Wooyun knew that things worked differently in the murim world. They weren't advanced in their products, services, or technology. Not only that, but they lacked most of the knowledge found in the modern era. This also extended to economics. He would use his knowledge of economics, gained from majoring in business administration, his experience in the workforce, and his habit of reading and watching informational videos, to support his arguments.
"I am actually in the process of learning how businesses work, Elder Cho," he began.
Well, 'in the process' isn't quite right, but he doesn't need to know the details.