CRC 03

Chapter 3

Hwi-do arrived at Jinhwa Funeral Hall well past midnight.

Through the car window, the old funeral hall stood quietly in the darkness, its lights glowing sadly.

“Secretary Choi, wait here.”

Hwi-do opened the back door, stepped out of the car, and straightened his black suit jacket as he walked forward.

The funeral hall was not just quiet—it was silent.
There was no one at the condolence desk, and no sign of food being prepared.

Only clean, empty tables remained where guests had eaten earlier.

On each table, covered with white paper, stood bottles of soju.

On the green labels were dew-covered leaves and large letters that read Daebok Soju.

After placing an envelope in the donation box, Hwi-do walked inside and noticed a woman standing stiffly at the mourner’s seat, like a statue.

He had no intention of bowing to a stranger he didn’t know.
From a distance, he glanced at the chief mourner.

Her face was pale and expressionless. Her empty eyes, which looked like they could spill tears at any moment, stared into nothing.

Since it was dawn and no one else was around, she could have sat down.
But she stood firmly, not even noticing that someone had arrived.

As Hwi-do turned to leave, the woman suddenly smiled softly.

Thinking he had imagined it, he looked again—this time she smiled brightly, her eyes curving.

She’s smiling?

She looked to be in her mid-twenties.
How could someone smile while standing as the mourner at her mother’s funeral?

Just as the thought crossed his mind, thick tears suddenly rolled down from her smiling eyes.

She lifted her head slightly, blinking hard as if trying to hold them back.

Then she puffed out her lips, glared at the memorial photo, and quickly turned into a crying face.

Hwi-do couldn’t look away.
Her expressions changed moment by moment. It was unfamiliar and strange.

As he finally turned to leave, their eyes met.
She studied his face briefly, then quietly bowed her head.

Hwi-do changed his mind.

He took off his shoes, walked up to the altar, placed a chrysanthemum down, and bowed silently.
Then he and the mourner exchanged bows.

“My condolences for the deceased.”

A formal phrase.

“Thank you for coming.”

Her reply was just as formal.

Her voice was a little weak, but it was clear and gentle, like birdsong or soft silk.
He felt an urge to hear her speak again.

“……”

He thought hard, but nothing came to mind.
He didn’t know the deceased or the mourner, and he wasn’t good at empty words of comfort.

As he turned away, the woman moved her lips.

“Please… eat before you go.”

Her voice was just as lovely the second time.

He had no appetite and no desire for cheap yukgaejang soup, but without realizing it, Hwi-do sat down at an empty table.

The woman awkwardly brought out yukgaejang and rice in disposable bowls.

Feeling something was missing, she went back and returned with meat, kimchi, rice cakes, and fruit.

She set the food in front of him—and then sat across from him.

“…You came so late, so you must be busy. Thank you for coming all this way.”

She smiled faintly as she thanked him again.

She looked like she might collapse at any moment.
Why was she worrying about him?

Hwi-do opened a disposable spoon and took a polite sip of soup.

Surprisingly, it didn’t taste bad.

Aware of her watching him closely, he took a few more bites mechanically.

After watching quietly, she suddenly stood up and brought back food for herself.

I guess she’s hungry too, even now.

She mixed rice into her soup and ate quickly.
She wrapped meat in kimchi and stuffed it into her mouth—then even opened a bottle of soju.

Pour.

She hesitated briefly, poured two glasses, and slid one toward him.

Then she picked up her own glass and drank it in one gulp.

“Haa.”

Hwi-do watched with interest as she suddenly ate with energy and drank alcohol.

“We should drink good alcohol when sending my mom off… but all we have now is this cheap stuff.”

Just when she finally started talking—

Hwi-do frowned and clicked his tongue.

Daebok Soju was cheap soju, made with industrial alcohol, water, and sweetener.

Still, it was Daebok Group’s flagship product.
Hearing it insulted didn’t feel great.

He hadn’t planned to drink, but out of spite, he picked up the glass and drank it all.

The soju tasted watery, and a sharp chemical smell rose up.

Was it always this bad?

He swallowed the curse in his mind.

“But maybe it’s good for getting drunk. Good alcohol is too precious to drink just to forget.”

She wasn’t wrong.

Soju was meant to be affordable and close to people.

As Hwi-do reflected on its value, he realized he was being led by her words.

A dry laugh escaped him.

Before he knew it, the woman had finished half a bottle.
Her face was flushed red.

Her hair was slightly messy now, and her swaying movements showed she was clearly drunk.

After some time, just as Hwi-do stood up to leave, she spoke again.

“Have you tried Barun Beopju?”

“No.”

“It’s really good. If you come to our brewery someday, I’ll treat you properly.”

“I’m fine.”

He thought it was just politeness, but she insisted earnestly.

“I’m thankful. For coming today… for not letting my mom feel lonely on her way….”

Her words trailed off. Her eyes were half-closed.

“So please come. To Jeongju… please….”

“Stop drinking. The funeral procession will start soon.”

At the word procession, her eyes widened, then drifted aimlessly.

“No… I can’t….”

Her voice faded, and thick tears dropped from her eyes.

Her clear face became soaked with transparent tears.

“I can’t send my mom away… Mom… don’t go….”

She finally lost consciousness and collapsed onto the table.

“Haa.”

Hwi-do looked around the empty hall.

He had planned to stop by briefly, but things became troublesome.
Still, he couldn’t just leave the collapsed mourner alone.

Tsk.

Clicking his tongue, Hwi-do lifted her thin arms and legs.

Her face was pale.

She’s so light.

Carrying her, he opened the door to the family room.
Inside the dark room, he could faintly see three people sleeping.

As he laid her down and turned to leave, someone noticed and woke up.

“Who…? Oh my, Yeon-eum. Jeong Yeon-eum. Are you okay? What happened to her… oh dear….”

After placing her down, Hwi-do quietly left the room.

For a moment, he noticed an elderly man lying in the corner.
That must have been Jeong Geum-ho, the owner of Jeongju Brewery.

Jeong Geum-ho.
Jeong Hae-ju.
Jeong Yeon-eum.

Hwi-do briefly felt something strange, then brushed it aside and left the funeral hall.