Chapter 11: Anyone can see that she’s a woman, right?

The break lasted longer than expected.

According to Song Hwa’s subtle hint, convincing the other vassals was taking some time…

As someone eager to start learning martial arts, I found it disappointing, but there was nothing I could do.

Three days later, in the afternoon.

“Seoran.”

Baek Yeon declared with a determined expression.

“We’re going to the night market today.”

“…?”

“When the sun sets, we’re going, so get ready quick!”

Her sudden announcement led Song Hwa and me to whisper to each other.

“The night market, out of nowhere?”

“There’s always a big night market in the city around this time… It started yesterday. She probably heard about it from the other maids.”

“Oh. But is it okay for her to go out? She’s not in good health.”

“Hm…”

Song Hwa rolled her eyes.

“Her condition worsens in winter, so she can’t even leave her room. It might be good for her to get some fresh air before it gets colder.”

With Song Hwa, who’s responsible for Baek Yeon’s safety, giving the okay, things moved quickly.

That night.

“Hurry up, Seoran!”

“W-Wait a second!”

I was being dragged by Baek Yeon to the night market.

Song Hwa stuck close behind us.

Baek Yeon insisted on it being just the two of us, but of course, that ridiculous request was denied.

After some convincing, Song Hwa was the only one escorting us…

‘There are probably other guards hiding, watching us.’

So, despite the crowded night market, I wasn’t particularly worried.

As long as I stayed close to Baek Yeon, my life wasn’t in danger!

“Seoran! Look over there!”

Seeing Baek Yeon’s excited, high-pitched voice, I forced a smile, barely lifting the corners of my mouth.

‘Phew, this is gonna be exhausting.’

To be honest, I wasn’t that interested in the night market.

This stuff is fun for kids, but for a grown adult like me, it’s kind of…

…

“Whoa!”

Whoosh!

“W-Wow…”

She’s actually breathing fire.

Like, real flames bursting from her mouth!

‘Is that some kind of fire technique?’

I stood there, mouth agape, staring blankly at the performers’ show right in front of me.

…I take it back.

I thought it’d just be boring stuff kids like… but China’s scale is something else.

Who would’ve thought a night market would have a circus this grand?

Well, this is the biggest market in Nanchang, the capital of Jiangxi.

This is probably normal…

“Here we go!”

“Wooo!”

Ugh, whatever.

I’ll just enjoy the show.

Fire-breathing, tightrope walking, elegant sword dances…

Mesmerized by the dazzling performances, I lost track of time.

As the long circus act wound down, beautiful music drifted from another direction.

‘…Wow.’

Turning my head, I saw a band playing traditional Chinese instruments like the pipa and flute, straight out of books.

I tugged at Baek Yeon’s sleeve.

“Young Lady! They’re performing over there next, let’s go closer—”

But my words cut off.

“…”

“Fun, right?”

Baek Yeon was grinning at me.

With a smirk, she reached out and ruffled my hair.

…Was I that excited?

Coming back to my senses, I started feeling embarrassed.

I’m an adult, yet here I am, more hyped than a kid way younger than me… My face started burning.

But.

“Hehe, let’s get closer, come on!”

Giggling, Baek Yeon grabbed my hand tightly and ran forward.

“Young Lady! You’ll fall, slow down!”

She’s so frail, where does this strength come from?

Or… am I just that weak?

I mumbled to myself as she dragged me along.

…Honestly, it’s fun.

When was the last time I let loose like this?

Not since I was a kid in my old world, playing with friends at the playground.

But I’m not an adult man anymore.

In this situation… do I really need to hold myself back?

‘…Screw it.’

I’m an eleven-year-old kid now, right?

Why bother with adult dignity? Acting mature would probably look weirder.

Let’s just have fun.

“It’s fun, right?”

“…Yeah!”

After watching the band, we wandered into an alley selling snacks.

A bright red, spicy-looking skewer caught my eye.

Staring at it with interest, Baek Yeon raised an eyebrow.

“Hm, that’s really spicy.”

Pfft, how spicy could it be?

To someone who’s tasted K-spicy, it’s just tasty sauce.

The thought of eating something bold for once was thrilling.

“I can handle spicy.”

“…Really? Wanna try?”

With a strangely mischievous smile, Baek Yeon bought the skewer and handed it to me.

I eagerly took a big bite.

‘Hm, it’s kinda sweet?’

This level of spice is nothing…

…

Wait.

“Cough, cough!”

It’s… too spicy…

My mouth felt like it was on fire, tears welling up.

Why is it this spicy?

“Hahaha! You look so dumb!”

“Ugh, uwaa…”

Drop.

I dropped the skewer, clutching my mouth with both hands.

Quick, I need to cool my mouth somehow…!

Frantically looking around, my eyes met Baek Yeon’s.

‘That’s it!’

In her hand was a freshly bought, ice-cold tanghulu, radiating chill.

She probably got it for me, right? Yeah, she has to have.

Instinctively, I reached for the tanghulu in her hand.

But.

“…Huh?”

Baek Yeon pulled her hand back, dodging me, then dangled the tanghulu right in front of my eyes.

“Want this?”

“Yes, yes!”

I nodded desperately.

Her lips curled into a devilish grin, but with my mouth burning, I didn’t care.

“Then…”

“Yeah?”

“Say, ‘Please, Yeon unnie.’”

…What?

I stared at her, dumbfounded, but she raised her lips higher and repeated.

“It’s spicy, right? This is super cool and would help.”

“Ugh…”

This… evil…!

Holding the tanghulu hostage like that!

My mouth was burning to death, and she really didn’t seem like she’d give it to me unless I said it.

‘B-But… “Please, unnie”?’

How could I say that to a kid?

To someone like my little sister!

Even if I’m playing carefree, my pride won’t allow…

“Don’t want it? Then I’ll eat it.”

“Wait, hold on!”

Time out, time out.

I bit my lip.

…Fine. It’s just one phrase, right?

Cooling this pain comes first.

It’s not my will—it’s just giving in to her blackmail.

Really!

I lowered my head and mumbled.

“Please… Yeon unnie…”

“Hehe, good job.”

Even though I said it reluctantly, it felt like something inside me crumbled.

Pop.

But that despair vanished the moment I put the tanghulu in my mouth.

‘Why’s it so good…?’

Is it because I’m a kid now that sweets taste so intense?

“Haha, you two are so close.”

“Of course, Seoran’s mine.”

I vaguely heard Song Hwa and Baek Yeon talking behind me, but I was too focused on the tanghulu to care.

Anyway, I learned a lesson today.

Letting go of a bit of pride brings this kind of happiness.

“Young Lady… can I have one more…?”

“Want another? You know what to say.”

“…P-Please, unnie.”

Letting go of my pride one more time, I popped another tanghulu Baek Yeon bought into my mouth and continued wandering the night market.

Then, a stall caught my eye.

“Ladies, come check out some accessories!”

I wasn’t interested in accessories.

Even if I’m a girl now, I don’t have a hobby of dolling myself up.

But before we left, the Young Master had secretly called me aside.

—If you go to the night market, buy Yeon a gift yourself.

He’d even given me money for it.

I don’t know why he asked me to do it… but a gift would probably make her happy.

“What, see something you want?”

Noticing my pause, Baek Yeon tilted her head.

Instead of answering, I led her to the stall.

“Look around!”

As expected of a street stall, the accessories were simple.

While browsing, a flower-shaped hairpiece caught my eye.

Made of blue fabric to mimic a flower, it sparkled with small glass beads.

‘This’ll do.’

It was flashy yet pretty… perfect for Baek Yeon.

I picked it up and placed it in her hair.

As expected, the blue peony looked stunning against her white hair.

“Looks great, as expected.”

I smiled brightly.

“Mister, I’ll take this.”

“Oh, nice choice! It’s normally five coins, but… eh, three coins for you!”

Hm, good price.

As I paid, Baek Yeon, snapping out of her daze, asked in a trembling voice.

“For… me?”

“Yeah, it’s a gift.”

“W-Wait!”

Her face flushed red, and she hurriedly scanned the accessories.

“This one!”

“Yes, miss!”

She picked a flower hairpiece identical to hers, just a different color.

Mimicking me, she placed it in my hair and smiled radiantly.

“It… looks good on you too.”

“Hm, does it?”

I fiddled with the hairpiece.

Giving a gift is nice, but did it have to be the same design?

‘…Oh, is that it?’

Girls like matching couple items, don’t they? Guess it’s true.

Looks like she’s fully accepted me as a friend.

Friend, huh… It felt a bit ticklish, but not bad.

“Thanks, Young Lady.”

“…Mm!”

As a warm atmosphere settled between us—

“Hm? Isn’t that Yeon?”

A voice calling Baek Yeon echoed through the street.

“!”

Instantly, Baek Yeon’s face paled.

She wasn’t the only one.

Song Hwa, who’d been watching us with an unreadable smile, stiffened and whipped her head around.

…What’s going on?

Slightly startled, I turned toward the voice.

“What a coincidence to meet here.”

Someone stood there, smiling with their eyes.

‘Who’s that?’

I was puzzled by the unfamiliar face for a moment.

Song Hwa, chewing her lip in irritation, bowed.

“Greetings, Young Master Taehyuk.”

…Huh?

Wait.

Young Master Taehyuk?

That’s the* guy?

The unparalleled prodigy the Baek Clan recently produced, the threat to the Young Master’s position…

‘…Huh?’

My eyes narrowed as I stared at them.

They were looking right back at me, but that wasn’t the issue.

‘Are they all blind?’

Young Master Taehyuk?

That’s clearly a girl, isn’t it?