An Advertising Genius Falls into the Joseon Era - Chapter 44

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 44
The night streets of Fenghuang City felt foreign.
Beyond the sparse lampposts, incomprehensible languages drifted over the brick walls, and even the air itself felt completely different.
In the midst of this awkward atmosphere, Ha Yun glanced sideways.
“What in the world happened in there?”
He’d only stepped away for a moment.
The Banquet Hall had transformed into a funeral house.
He could still vividly see everyone holding their breath, their eyes fixed on Song Do-hyun.
And beside him stood Wi So-gang, wearing an awkward smile.
“Tell me. Did that bastard Wi So-gang do something to torment you?”
Despite the repeated questions, Song Do-hyun offered no response.
He simply walked on with a hardened expression.
That was when it happened.
“Wait!”
Ha Yun suddenly stopped walking.
He’d seen blood dripping from Song Do-hyun’s hand.
“What is this wound?”
It wasn’t a shallow cut.
Blood was flowing from between the gaping flesh.
With a wound like this, most people would show signs of pain, yet Song Do-hyun betrayed nothing.
His expression bore something far stronger than pain—a palpable anger directed at something.
“When did you get hurt like this?”
The Banquet Hall had grown cold and still.
Song Do-hyun’s sudden wound.
And Wi So-gang’s awkward smile.
Ha Yun’s eyes narrowed.
“Don’t tell me Wi So-gang did this to you.”
“It’s nothing.”
Song Do-hyun quickly hid his bleeding hand behind his back.
“It happened somehow. Don’t worry about it.”
“Don’t worry? You’re bleeding this much!”
Ha Yun’s voice rose, rare for him.
He then began glancing urgently about.
“Where can I find something to stop the bleeding…?”
If they were in Joseon, he would have entered any building and asked for help.
But here, in distant Qing Dynasty lands—
There was no one who spoke his language, nowhere to turn for aid.
“Damn it!”
Ha Yun finally seized the hem of his own sleeve.
Rip!
And began tearing it away with rough, decisive motions.
“What are you doing?”
“Just wait!”
Song Do-hyun reached out in alarm, but there was no stopping Ha Yun.
Moments later, having torn away one entire sleeve, Ha Yun wound it tightly into a makeshift bandage.
“Give me your hand.”
……
But Song Do-hyun made no move.
His gaze remained fixed entirely on Ha Yun’s sleeve.
Where the fabric had torn away, Ha Yun’s wrist was exposed—unusually pale and slender.
“Just give me your hand already!”
Was it the liquor from earlier?
Today, Song Do-hyun’s movements seemed oddly sluggish.
Ha Yun seized his hand with evident frustration, then began wrapping the wound while muttering under his breath.
“Damnable fool. To leave someone in this state……”
Song Do-hyun watched him in silence.
……
It wasn’t Wi So-gang.
It was you.
You did this to me.
There was much he wanted to say, but the words wouldn’t cross his lips.
“There. That’s done.”
Ha Yun finished stanching the bleeding and turned his gaze toward where Wi So-gang stood.
“After all that chaos, you still pull a stunt like this? I can’t forgive you. I won’t let this slide.”
Ha Yun stared at the Bandage stained with blood, his resolve burning hot.
Looking at Song Do-hyun’s wounded hand, his chest suddenly grew warm.
“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure your vengeance is satisfied.”
“…….”
Song Do-hyun watched Ha Yun quietly, seeing him burn with anger on his behalf.
Then Song Do-hyun suddenly opened his mouth.
“There’s something I want to ask you.”
“What is it?”
Song Do-hyun steadied his breath before speaking.
“Do you have someone you care for?”
“S-someone I care for? What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
An unexpected moment, an unexpected question.
Ha Yun’s face flushed as red as a Bandage.
“Did you lose too much blood? This isn’t the time to ask about that.”
He tried to brush it off, but Song Do-hyun wasn’t about to let it go.
With an expression of utmost seriousness, he pressed again.
“I’ll ask once more. Is there someone you hold in your heart?”
“……!”
Ha Yun’s pupils shook violently.
What was he supposed to say?
I don’t even know myself.
That was the honest truth.
Not yet, anyway.
He hadn’t yet reached the line he’d drawn for himself.
More precisely, the pace wasn’t right.
Since they’d begun at different times, how could their perspectives be the same?
Flustered, Ha Yun spoke in a jumble of contradictions.
“How could there be? I’m already drowning in Commerce matters as it is… when would I have time for love?”
“I see…….”
Song Do-hyun couldn’t hide the bitter gleam in his eyes.
A silence fell between them.
The two walked forward side by side once more.
Then Ha Yun ventured to speak.
“……So do you have someone?”
Song Do-hyun answered flatly.
“I do.”
“Really?”
This time, Ha Yun’s expression darkened slightly.
But it passed in such a brief moment that Song Do-hyun didn’t catch it.
Ha Yun forced brightness into his tone as he asked.
“Who is it? Who do you like? Tell me. I’ll help you actively pursue her.”
“Heh.”
At the offer of active assistance, Song Do-hyun let out a soft chuckle.
“Even if you knew, there’d be little you could do.”
“Why not?”
“Because she’s terribly shy.”
Song Do-hyun stopped walking and gazed up at the night sky.
“So she’s never revealed herself to me, not once.”
“What? You’ve never seen her?”
“That’s right.”
“You mean you don’t even know what she looks like?”
Song Do-hyun gave a small nod.
It wasn’t just her face.
Her name, age, family, hometown—there was nothing he knew, from the first detail to the last.
Ha Yun spoke in disbelief, muttering half to himself.
“How can you care for someone without even knowing her face? A woman from a dream? Or someone from a book?”
Song Do-hyun paused, studying Ha Yun for a long moment.
“Caring for someone doesn’t require knowing what they look like.”
He added one more thing.
“And certainly not their permission.”
With that, he turned away. And took the first step forward.
Once again, it was Song Do-hyun who led the way.
Ha Yun watched him go, his expression drained of energy.
“Unbelievable. Honestly.”
Despite the helplessness in his voice, there was something not entirely unwilling in his eyes.
“Wait!”
Ha Yun hastened to follow after him.
As always, Ha Yun’s footsteps fell slightly behind.
Having barely caught up to Song Do-hyun, Ha Yun ventured carefully:
“At least you’ve still got your wits about you, spouting such nonsense and all.”
“Nonsense? I was being perfectly serious.”
“Serious about liking a woman whose face you don’t even know? That’s the definition of nonsense.”
“…Think what you like.”
Embarrassment caught up with Song Do-hyun, and he quickened his pace, pulling ahead once more.
“Wait, I said wait!”
Naturally, Ha Yun’s footsteps accelerated to match.
And so the two of them continued through the night, alternating who led and who followed, for a long while yet.
And in Song Do-hyun’s hand, a cloth stained dark with blood hung like a crimson ribbon, stretched taut.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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