Chapter 53
Cao Cao was dumbfounded. Just when he thought he had created a nice atmosphere, she turned away abruptly—his mood as changeable as summer weather. He was truly a difficult person to deal with.
Of course, for Dongbaek, it wasn’t about being moody—she simply felt uncomfortable spending too much time with Cao Cao, though he didn’t see it that way at all.
Either way, he couldn’t let it end like this. Having grown interested in Dongbaek, Cao Cao grabbed her hand just as she was about to leave the shop.
“…What is it?”
“Meeting like this today must be fate—leaving so hastily wouldn’t be very refined.”
Cao Cao released Dongbaek’s arm while flashing a friendly smile. His smile was so bright and innocent that Dongbaek wanted to slap that grinning face.
‘This is quite annoying… I knew he was persistent, but still…’
Still, there was no benefit in openly showing hostility. Dongbaek brushed her hand off and replied,
“I don’t think stopping passersby is particularly refined. But very well, I’ll hear what Yilang Cao has to say.”
“What else would two men of stature do when they meet for the first time? I’ll treat you. Let’s share a drink and talk some more. Wasn’t our first meeting far too brief?”
Cao Cao grinned widely. Whether it was their passing encounter in the emperor’s audience chamber or their meeting after the sword dance, both instances had been too brief to truly know each other.
‘I hear he’s usually called precocious, but I wonder how strong he is with alcohol? It would be quite entertaining to see that sharp face of his become disheveled with drink.’
Meeting Cao Cao’s mischievous grin, Dongbaek shook her head, realizing she was thoroughly caught. One look told her he wouldn’t let go easily.
Misinterpreting this as discomfort due to low alcohol tolerance, a satisfied smile spread across Cao Cao’s face.
‘Finally, I’ll get to see this clever Commander So looking flustered. Will he honestly admit he can’t drink, or will his pride make him come along…?’
But Dongbaek’s response was somewhat different from what Cao Cao had expected. After letting out a quiet sigh, she asked the shopkeeper for writing materials.
With swift brushstrokes, Dongbaek wrote “晚回家” (coming home late) on a thin piece of cloth, then whistled for Jao, who had been peering at the jewels from afar.
Though brief, the whistle was enough to grab Jao’s attention. The crow glided low into the shop and landed familiarly on Dongbaek’s left forearm.
Dongbaek tied the cloth firmly to Jao’s leg, handed him the package containing the hairpin, and said,
“Put this in the drawer in my room. The note goes to my wife.”
Cao Cao was taken aback by how Dongbaek spoke to the crow as if it were human.
‘Well, some people do treat animals like humans…’
He was about to dismiss it as an odd hobby, but what happened next was truly surprising. As if understanding Dongbaek’s words, the crow nodded, snatched the bundle, and took to the sky.
Both the woman and the shopkeeper gasped in amazement. Cao Cao was equally astonished, his gaze following the crow’s figure as it gracefully flew away.
Having finished all necessary tasks, Dongbaek turned to Cao Cao with a bright smile.
“Well then, where will you lead me? Coming from the great Yilang Cao, I look forward to the drinks.”
Her expression was far too cheerful. It definitely didn’t look like someone who couldn’t handle alcohol. Cao Cao finally realized something was amiss.
Still, retreating wasn’t an option now. Meeting her smile with one of his own, Cao Cao replied,
“You’re welcome to look forward to it.”
-ˋˏ ༻❁✿❀༺ ˎˊ-
Being still daytime, there weren’t many open taverns. Cao Cao navigated the complex alleyways with familiarity. Given his reputation for frequent day drinking, his knowledge of the neighborhood made sense.
In Luoyang, Cao Cao was synonymous with wealthy playboy. While Dongbaek initially expected to be taken to a glamorous entertainment district tavern, their path led increasingly far from such establishments.
As if shattering expectations of how much money he might throw around, the place Cao Cao brought Dongbaek to was a humble hut.
Inside, they were greeted by a hostess in worn clothes and rickety tables that looked ready to collapse at any moment.
“Hey, madam.”
Cao Cao greeted as he entered. The hostess’s warm welcome suggested he was a regular. With no other customers present, the drinking table was quickly set.
“Haha… Here, have a drink.”
Cao Cao poured alcohol into Dongbaek’s cup. He was so generous that the drink spilled over onto her hands.
‘Is he drunk already? Why can’t he control his pouring…’
Whether it exceeded expectations or not, it was certainly unexpected. He must have deliberately brought her to a place like this, probably to see how she would react.
Though Dongbaek wasn’t pleased about being manipulated by Cao Cao’s schemes, the alcohol itself wasn’t at fault. She downed the drink in one go, then poured Cao Cao’s cup equally full to overflowing.
“Yilang Cao should drink plenty too.”
Seeing Dongbaek’s smirking invitation, Cao Cao matched her by downing his drink as well.
“Commander So drinks like a true man, impressively well.”
“Can you keep up with my pace, Yilang Cao?”
“I’m still going strong.”
Cao Cao grinned. While he meant to imply he was still perfectly sober, Dongbaek inwardly clicked her tongue. She had a track record of finishing several boxes of spirits stronger than rice wine. Rice wine was practically juice to her. As long as they didn’t bring out baijiu, she’d be fine. Dongbaek took another drink.
Despite their age gap spanning more than twelve zodiac cycles, the alcohol made conversation flow easily. After all, sworn brotherhood isn’t about whether you’re 10 or 20 years apart—it’s about having the same mind and aspirations.
Besides, Dongbaek sometimes appeared older than Cao Cao rather than younger.
This was natural. Before crossing into this world, Dongbaek had already passed her twenties, and nearly three years had passed since arriving here. In actual age, she was close to Cao Cao’s age.
The woman Cao Cao had brought watched the two warriors drink, sipping her own alcohol. Usually, she would flit between men like a butterfly with an alluring smile while pouring drinks, but with these two men drinking themselves to death, there was no need for her to step in.
The hostess hummed happily. And for good reason—the amount these two people had consumed was tremendous.
Empty wine barrels had piled up beside them as time passed. The sky, which had been clear blue when they entered the tavern, was now stained red by the patchy sunset filtering through the gaps. Dongbaek held the wine cup to her lips without drinking, staring blankly outside.
Though intoxication was still far off, that made it feel more regrettable. Perhaps drinking more wouldn’t be so bad.
‘I’ve played along with his tune until now, so it’s his turn to dance to mine.’
With that thought, Dongbaek made a suggestion to Cao Cao.
“We seem about to empty all this place’s wine barrels. How about changing venues?”
“Changing venues?”
“You arranged the first round, so I’ll treat you for the second.”
“Where to? I know every tavern in Luoyang. We can receive the finest service wherever we go.”
“It’s somewhere you’d never guess, Yilang Cao.”
This time it was Dongbaek who wore a mischievous smile. Excited by this playful suggestion from the usually stoic Dongbaek, Cao Cao nodded with a bright expression. His eyes sparkled like they might shoot out a cluster of stars as he looked at Dongbaek with anticipation.
“All right, lead the way!”
-ˋˏ ༻❁✿❀༺ ˎˊ-
Dongbaek waited outside while Cao Cao paid the bill. The temperature had dropped, bringing chilly winds. Though it was spring, the evening air was cool, seeping through the thin collar of her garments.
It wasn’t long before Cao Cao emerged into the courtyard. Gesturing toward the woman who had accompanied him, Dongbaek said,
“Let’s escort this lady home first.”
“Oh? Is it such a prestigious place that women aren’t allowed? But mentioning my name usually gets me through anywhere.”
“Haha, speaking of prestige, it is indeed famous. And it’s also a place where your name won’t help at all.”
Dongbaek laughed heartily and shook her head as Cao Cao proudly embraced the woman. Surprised by Dongbaek’s words, Cao Cao’s eyes widened as he asked.
“A place I don’t know?”
“You do know it.”
“Ah, then where is it?”
“Didn’t I say you wouldn’t guess?”
Cao Cao groaned while stroking his chin. No matter how hard he thought, he couldn’t think of a single tavern in Luoyang where his influence didn’t reach.
“Well, can’t be helped.”
Cao Cao and Dongbaek escorted the woman home first. After a sweet kiss with her, the woman cheerfully bid them farewell.
“She’s quite a lovely lady.”
“I have high standards.”
“I can tell.”
Dongbaek smirked at Cao Cao’s somewhat childish tone, brought on by the alcohol. But the moment she took a step toward their destination, something heavy pressed down on her shoulder. It was Cao Cao’s arm. Clinging to Dongbaek’s shoulder, he smelled of the brown rice wine they had been drinking.
“Stop pretending to be drunk. And stop acting friendly.”
Dongbaek said while pushing Cao Cao away. The force of her shove was unexpectedly strong, sending the startled Cao Cao tumbling to the ground. Sitting on the ground, Cao Cao pushed out his lower lip in complaint.
“How cold of you.”
“This much is nothing, considering our ‘relationship.'”
“And what is that, exactly? What kind of ‘relationship’ do we have?”
“Absolutely none.”
A chill air passed between them at that moment. Her pale eyes were ice-cold. Every part—iris and whites alike—was devoid of warmth.
Cao Cao’s smile stiffened slightly as he met Dongbaek’s downward gaze. It was the first time since meeting Dongbaek that he had shown his true feelings on his face.
Dongbaek’s thin lips curved into a faint, lopsided smile. As she exhaled each word, her breath left visible clouds in the cool air.
“Or perhaps we’re enemies?”
-ˋˏ ༻❁✿❀༺ ˎˊ-
Thank you for reading! ♡
