Lady Spring

30k? 30,000 Won 1? Was he kidding? To afford this current place, Saeun had to save money by working like a dog and not spending a single cent on herself. She didn’t own this place by any means, but just putting down a significant deposit made her feel like this was her home. On the day she finally saved enough money, Saeun cried all night. Her friends all got financial help from their parents, but Saeun had to do it by herself. That night, she cried because she was proud, but also because she felt sad for herself.

 

Yet here was her brother trying to take what was hers. Were they sworn enemies in their previous lives? Why did she deserve to be tormented like this by this jerk?!

 

“I can’t break the lease. I still have a lot of time left on it, so the landlord won’t let me break it. I will lose my deposit if I do.”

 

When she refused him firmly, Junghoo shrugged.

 

“Then I will stay here until the lease is up. Either you give me 30k or a room here. You owe me at least one of those, right?”

 

 He pushed her away and walked into her bedroom. After barely managing not to fall on the floor, Saeun followed him and pushed him towards the door.

 

“I said you can’t stay! Get out! There is no room for you here! Just get out!”

“Dammit, you bitch! I’m your older brother, so how cold do you have to be to refuse to help me? You’ve gotten very brave, haven’t you? Let’s see what mom and dad say about this, huh? No wonder you got fat! It’s obviously because you spent all your money buying food for yourself!”

“How about you, you bastard?! Just where did you spend all the money you stole from me and our parents? You’ve never even worked a single day in your life! You’ve never even tried to make money for yourself! All you did was gamble and drink even when you were in college! You only show up when you need more money…”

 

Suddenly, Saeun felt sharp pain on her face. She yelped, realizing her brother had punched her. She must’ve bitten her lip because she could taste her own blood. Junghoo glared at her.

 

“Stupid bitch! How dare you be so rude to me? You think I came all this way to hear your nagging? Fuck you! You think you’re better than me? If you weren’t so ugly, I would’ve sold you to a pimp already! If you can’t be useful to me, the least you can do is give me your money! Just shut the fuck up already!”

“I would rather burn everything I have than give you anything! Get out!”

 

Saeun no longer cared if her neighbors heard their argument. She began to scream at her brother, making Junghoo glare harder. He raised his hand again.

 

“Bitch, you…”

“Who the hell are you?!”

 

Both Saeun and Junghoo turned around in shock when they heard a stranger yell. Saeun, who was pale, suddenly began to turn red. The man who walked through the front door was wearing a hat and a pair of dark sunglasses, but she recognized him instantly. Her heart fell. Junghoo smirked and said to her,

 

“Wow, you’ve got a man too? You’ve always acted like a good girl, but it’s obvious you’re a whore, huh? Do mom and dad know about him too?”

 

Junghoo gave her a twisted smile, making Saeun gulp. At the moment, She didn’t care about what her parents might think of her. What scared her to death right now was that if Junghoo realized this was Min Wooyoung, a member of the group Strawberry Fields, she knew his target was going to change. It wasn’t going to be her Junghoo threatened anymore; it was going to be Wooyoung.

 

Did Wooyoung lose his mind? Why did he come here? And why now of all times?

 

Wooyoung stared at Saeun in shock. He asked,

 

“Who is that… Wait. Did he hit you?”

 

Wooyoung took his sunglasses off in disbelief and looked at her. Saeun quickly pushed Junghoo away and dashed towards Wooyoung. In an urgent tone, she whispered to Wooyoung as she pushed him out the front door,

 

“P…please leave. Now isn’t a good time, so you need to come back later.”

 

Junghoo smirked from behind and yelled,

 

“Why are you sending him away? If he has something to say, let him talk! I’m not a monster, you know! Haha! Let me have a look at my little sister’s lover! Hey, you! Come inside. You wanna drink with me? You got any booze? If not, be a good girl and go out to get some, Saeun.”

 

Saeun looked up at Wooyoung pleadingly and whispered, 

 

“Please… come back later.”

 

When she looked like she was about to cry, Wooyoung frowned and put his sunglasses back on. 

 

“Is that jerk really your brother?”

 

Wooyoung pointed at Junghoo in disgust with his chin. Biting her lower lip and her eyes filling with tears, Saeun nodded and pushed him away again.

 

“Let’s talk later, okay? Please?”

 

She didn’t know why Wooyoung came, but she didn’t want him to see this. Saeun kept pushing him out and it seemed Wooyoung had finally decided to leave. But as soon as Junghoo nudged Saeun’s head rudely, Wooyoung’s body tensed immediately.

 

Junghoo said to her,

 

“Why are you sending him away? Do I embarrass you? Hey, you over there. I told you to come inside. I said we should drink, so why are you leaving? Bitch, stop trying to make him leave and let him come inside. You! Are you a coward? You’re hiding behind my sister?”

 

Wooyoung cursed under his breath and pulled Saeun close to him. When she felt his warmth engulf her, Saeun began to sob and tried to push him out the door again.

 

“Please…”

 

***

 

 

~30k USD.