Chapter 33

"...And this Winter Daphne, it is said that a Buddhist nun fell asleep, and when she woke up to the fragrant scent, this flower had bloomed. The meaning contained in the flower signifies unexpected luck or love."

When Jeong Charyeon arrived at the detached building, Jeok Leegeon's mouth was, as usual, not resting. The victim of his speech-like chatter was Charyeon's mother, Ahn-ssi. Looking at Jeok Leegeon, she thought that even a chatterbox had to be quite clever to do that.

"Have you ever experienced such love?"

"Unexpected love? I haven't experienced it myself, but I've seen it enough to be sick of it."

It was a statement she couldn't understand. The same went for the remark Jeok Leegeon added.

"There are loves that are truly hard to imagine."

"Are you talking about your parents?"

Jeok Leegeon grinned. Ahn-ssi only wore a gentle smile.

Charyeon shook her head and approached.

"What are you doing here?"

"What else? Helping out. I was passing by, and your eldest sister here was working hard."

Ahn-ssi smiled brightly at the word "sister."

Charyeon shook her head.

"Don't be fooled. He's a fox."

"What if he's a fox? He's sweet, so it's good."

"The meat?"

"It's here."

Jeok Leegeon slung a paper sack placed to one side over his shoulder.

"You bought a lot."

"Are we the only ones with mouths? It seems like there are a lot of family members."

He probably intended to share the meat with the Martial Artists of the Sword Clan as well.

Uncharacteristic consideration. He seems like an adult at times like this.

"Let's go. Your daughter is going to grill some meat properly today."

At the questioning look, Charyeon shrugged.

Jeok Leegeon ran off with the meat like a child.

"Sorry, but I won't leave it to you. I hate burnt meat. Wow! I'm hungry!"

Ahn-ssi and Charyeon followed behind him.

"He seems like a good person."

"In what way?"

Ahn-ssi quietly gazed at Charyeon. Her mother's eyes were always warm and comforting. And they always looked deep into her heart.

"Why?"

"Nothing."

Then, Ahn-ssi gave a meaningful smile.

"Get along well with him."

"I don't know."

"In this house full of gentle sheep... wouldn't one fox be alright?"

Pretending not to hear, Charyeon didn't answer.

A man?

It was something she had never seriously considered.