In a small village like Heuksan, the news traveled at the speed of boredom. The crowd of spectators had grown and stormed over to the entrance of the village chief's courtyard. People squashed melon seeds, debating whether Li Jiho would really marry the Su brothers.
Yesterday, villagers heard about Jiho's marriage and the split between the Su family and the famous Su brothers. Shocked, they wanted to witness it with their own eyes.
Ignoring villagers' gazes, Jiho and Mers walked toward the village chief, knelt down, and crossed her hands while slightly bowing her head.
"Greetings, Village Chief," Jiho said, and Mers followed suit.
"It's okay, child. Everything is ready," the village chief said, knowing it was useless to convince Jiho otherwise. He turned to Mers.
"Villager Su, are you sure about splitting up with the Su family?" Despite catching the village chief's gaze, Elder Brother Su, biting his lips, looked at Jiho, who was reading contracts, and then at his brothers.
"Yes, Village Chief. We want to split up with the Su family," Elder Brother Su replied firmly. Though the village chief wanted to oppose, he knew life had been hard for the Su brothers after their parents died.
Sighing, the village chief walked toward Jiho, initiating the split-up process. After it was completed, it was time for marriage registration.
"Scholar Li, fill your name here... and your husband's," Jiho, in the middle of signing, halted at the village chief's voice.
"Until five minutes, there wasn't any movement," frustrated, the village chief repeated, "Scholar Li, please write your husband's name."
Jiho pursed her lips, glanced at Mers, and after a moment's pause, parted her lips.
"Dear... come and sign." Shocked, not only Mers but also villagers wondered if she didn't even know her husband's name.
It wasn't a secret; due to Jiho's romantic confession the night before, many women had to sleep on the floor for being unromantic. Catching the villagers' intense gaze, Jiho looked back with an expression saying, 'It's not my fault.'
Villagers' expressions turned blank, realizing, 'Sorry, it's our fault for not remembering our husbands' names.'
After all formalities were completed, Jiho turned to the village chief, handing him a silver coin. Everyone was shocked.
"This..." the village chief looked at Jiho. He never expected her to give him money, considering her refusal to bow to him, even as the village chief.
"Scholar Li, I think it's too much," attempting to return the money, he was stopped by Jiho.
"Don't worry, Village Chief. I am not giving you this freely. I want your help with something."
'Hah, I know this girl can't be kind enough to give me gifts,' the village chief thought.
"So tell me what it is," the village chief looked at Jiho sternly.
"Village Chief, I want to buy ten mu of land behind my house," Jiho bowed.
Suddenly, silence fell around. The village chief thought he had misheard; how could someone want to buy land in this disaster?
"Scholar Li, can you say that again?"
"Yes, Village Chief. I want to buy land behind my house."
Hearing this, a ruckus formed. Ignoring the people's non-stop murmuring, Jiho asked the village chief for land deeds.
"Give me two days; it'll be done."
"Thank you, Village Chief." After saying thanks, Jiho turned around to leave, but the people's whispers did not stop. Jiho smirked inside.
'Hah, do you think I don't know what you guys want?' Jiho knew that not only villagers but all nearby villages knew she had fifty tales of silver and in this disaster if she had money noone knew how much problem it will brought. Yesterday, it was only Cheng's family, but she didn't know when another mer would come out of her room, while crying confesse losing his chastity, and marry her.
After leaving the village chief's house, Jiho walked home and went to the backyard. Mers, curious about what she was doing, picked from the side. When they saw Jiho coming out of the yard with a bow and arrow and a basket on her back, Yellow Mer hastily asked, "Wife, are you going somewhere?"
Suddenly, seeing Jiho look at him with a furrow, he lowered his head, clenching his clothes.
"Hah, how many times I..." Jiho rubbed her head in annoyance but stopped when she saw his head down and shivering a little.
'Why does he remind me of Coco?' Jiho sighed and put on a smile.
"I don't mean to scold you, but just so you guys remember, you are my husbands whom I committed my whole life to."
'Of course, if not, that old man will roast me alive.'
Hearing her words, Mers looked at her with a shocked expression. Even if Mers were beautiful, there was no way a woman confessed to any Mers to spend her whole life.
"Of course," a smile formed on their lips, and tears fell from the eldest Su's eyes. As he wiped them away, he said, "Well, we forgot to introduce ourselves. I am Joon-su; he is Min-seo. Beside his left side is Ji-hoon, and our youngest is Kyung-ho."
After hearing his introduction, Jiho laughed lightly, "Well, it's a good name."
Seeing Mers blush, Jiho tried to change the atmosphere. "I am going to the mountains and will be back soon."
"Why are you going to the mountains?" the eldest Su asked nervously.
"Oh, I want to just see if I can find something useful there."
"But..." Eldest Su's voice trembled. Seeing this, Jiho came in front of him and patted his shoulder.
"Don't worry, Jo... husband. I will be back soon." Even though Jiho's patting was robotic, it still brought him unknown warmth.
"Okay, wait a minute." After his trembling stopped, he walked toward the kitchen. Jiho, still looking his way blankly, waited.
After two minutes, the eldest Su walked out of the kitchen with a little bundle wrapped in paper.
"Here, take it." Jiho looked at the paper bundle he passed to her with confusion.
"What is it?"
"There are some pancakes and a water packet. Take it with you to eat when you feel hungry." Looking at the bundle, Jiho didn't know what to say. Not even knowing when her lower lip curled up.
"...Thank you."
"You are my wife, so there is no need for thank you." After saying this, Mers also smiled.
Saying goodbye, as she gazed at the mountains, a basket on her back, carrying a newly crafted bow and arrow, Jiho had a smile on her face as she touched the bundle. Not knowing why, her heart had just started beating fast. Jiho touched her red face.
'Did I have a heart problem?'
(I hope you like it, and please comment to let me know your opinions U^ｪ^U)
Here are the meanings for the names, explaining why Jiho laughed:
1. Joon-su: Joon means "talented" or "handsome," and Su means "guardian" or "defender." So, Joon-su could be interpreted as a talented or handsome guardian.
2. Min-seo: Min means "clever" or "sharp," and Seo means "auspicious" or "felicitous." Therefore, Min-seo could be understood as a clever and auspicious individual.
3. Ji-hoon: Ji means "wisdom" or "intellect," and Hoon means "meritorious deed" or "achievement." Ji-hoon can be translated as a person of wisdom and accomplishments.
4. Kyung-ho: Kyung means "respect" or "honor," and Ho means "good" or "great." Consequently, Kyung-ho could be seen as someone deserving of respect or honor.