Celebration Night

The pair of squinted black eyes continued to pay close attention to Ji Soo. It wasn't the hateful look the woman who had just arrived gave Gim Ho Bin an affectionate name.

Likewise, with Ji Soo, she returned the gaze of a woman she didn't recognize with an astonished look on her face.

"Have we met before?" she asked, trying to remember.

"Suzy?" Call Ho Bim, making the woman immediately look at him.

"Oh… Honey? I forgot if you were near me," said Suzy, grinning widely.

"Don't call me honey. You'll only create misunderstandings," Ho Bim glanced at Ji Soo for a moment, hoping the young girl didn't misunderstand his relationship with Suzy.

"Ah..?" Suzy had already hooked her hand on Gim Ho Bin's arm.

"Why do you always act like this. Is it because of the woman in front of me? Is she your girlfriend, huh?"

Suzy glanced back at Ji Soo, making Ji Soo feel awkward.

"Uhm… no, I'm not his girlfriend. We're just acquaintances," Ji Soo explained.

Suzy's smile grew wider and suddenly she reached out her hand.

"Sorry, I'm late in introducing myself,"

"Yes?" Ji Soo stared in surprise with Suzy's hand pointing at her.

"I'm Suzy, and I'm a lover..."

"She is my work partner," Gim Ho Bin immediately cut off Suzy's words. He didn't care if the woman was still hooking her hand on his arm and started giving him a scornful look.

"What? Partner? Really?" Suzy made her mouth pursed and instead acted even more spoiled.

"Suzy, I told you to stop acting like this. And where is he?" asked Gim Ho Bin, trying to let go of Suzy's hand.

"Tch, that sucks. You actually asked about my annoying cousin. He's going to be late. You should start right away. It looks like the guests have arrived," said Suzy looking at her watch.

"Hh… even though I want to introduce him soon. I'm sure they will be happy with his presence," explained Gim Ho Bin.

Ji Soo doesn't understand what the two people in front of her are talking about. She cleared her throat softly but managed to get Suzy and Gim Ho Bin's attention.

"Sorry if I bothered you two. It's better if I join the others," Ji Soo glanced back. She could see Ara had just arrived and was busy chatting with other merchant friends.

"Wait, you haven't answered my question," said Suzy, still trying to hold back Ji Soo who was about to leave.

"About?"

"Have we met? I feel if I've seen you somewhere," said Suzy and again, she gave that strange look in her eyes.

"It might be a different person. This is the first time I've met you," Ji Soo replied confidently.

Ji Soo doesn't want to be between Suzy and Gim Ho Bin for long. She decided to join Ara and the other seller.

They were all enjoying the food served while talking to each other.

"I'm glad you came, Ji Soo," said Ara and handed Ara a drink.

"I don't drink, Auntie," said Ji Soo, who only stares at the already filled glass.

"Hey, this is a very special night of celebration. You're old enough to drink anyway. Don't worry, as long as I'm here, I'll make sure you're not drunk," said Ara as she patted her chest with a proud frown on her face.

"Uhmm… okay," said Ji Soo as she took her drink.

Ji Soo took a sip slowly. She immediately felt the bitter taste mixed with the sweet, making Ji Soo's face grimace for a moment.

Ji Soo was more silent while watching Ara who was still busy talking. For a moment, she often looked at Suzy and Gim Ho Bin who were talking seriously.

"They look good together. It's only natural that he likes that woman," thought Ji Soo who kept her eyes on Gim Ho Bin.

"What do you see?" Ara noticed Ji Soo who kept staring at the two of them.

"No… I didn't see anything," Ji Soo said as she took a drink and took another sip of her drink.

Although, Ji Soo's face had to grimace at the unfamiliar taste of the drink on her tongue.

"You can't lie to me, huh! Ah… that woman huh?" Ara looked at Suzy.

"Auntie..? You know that woman?!" Ji Soo was getting curious.

"Of course!" said Ara as she downed the contents of her glass which ran out instantly.

"She comes from a rich family, they live in the capital. I heard Leader Gim is one of their distant relatives. They want to expand their business, by providing lots of loan funds with very low interest," said Ara as she took a drink bottle and poured the contents into her glass.

"That's why I and all the sellers here are happy to hear the good news. I'm even planning to take a shop. That's a good idea, right? You should do the same, Ji Soo," said Ara grinning widely.

"I haven't thought that far, it seems that being in a tent and selling outside is better," Ji Soo answered earnestly.

"Ahh.. you need to think smart," sneered Ara.

"Ahh… so it's like that. No wonder she looks different. From the start, I knew that woman was not just any woman," thought Ji Soo, feeling inferior.

The celebration began. Gim Ho Bin started his short speech, saying that Yang Village is one of the villages that will become the most advanced village. Some of the programs he talks about made the guests stare in amazement.

Even a woman named Suzy received a standing ovation. Not because she looks beautiful, but because of her words that make people amazed.

"Don't worry. I make sure there is no confiscation like what financial service providers do. What we'll do is a suspension process for a certain period, and at that time, the interest doesn't work at all," said Suzy, standing next to Gim Ho Bin.

"I know that you guys don't recognize me well. But..." Suzy's gaze turned to Gim Ho Bin.

"But I'm sure if you believe at Leader Gim. Our goal is to make prosperity and progress for all of us," said Suzy in a loud voice.

Immediately, loud applause erupted. Everyone seemed happy because they imagined what they would do to develop their respective businesses.

But only Ji Soo looked silent, "I… I just want to be able to go to school again," Ji Soo said with a sad look on her face.

After the speeches given by Gim Ho Bin and Suzy ended, the night of celebration continued. And more and more food and drinks are served. Even Ara has had too much to drink, while Ji Soo has had enough with three drinks that already make her head feel tired.

"I think I'm going to throw up," Ji Soo said and got up from her seat.

"Auntie? I have to go to the restroom for a bit," Ji Soo informed, but Ara just nodded with a red face.

"Yeah… yeah… just go, young lady," Ara said while giggling.

Ji Soo walked into the crowd, and the waiters were still busy delivering more food and drinks.

"Huh? Too much food and drink! Are they wasting food and drink on purpose?" Ji Soo watched in surprise.

A waiter was just passing by, and soon Jiso was blocking the way of the male servant pushing a food trolley.

"What is it?" asked the male servant confused.

"Where's the restroom?" Ji Soo said as she clutched her mouth, trying to contain her nausea.

"Don't throw up on the floor! I beg you… don't add to my overworked work! The restroom is already full of people throwing up. If they can't drink, why are they still insisting," said the butler in annoyance,

Ji Soo kept holding her mouth, feeling like she might throw up where she was standing. The male servant immediately panicked, and she pointed toward the upper floor.

"HEY! Use the restroom on the second floor, on the right corner. Actually, It's a special restroom, but I don't want to clean up any more vomit on the floor," the man explained quickly.

"T… thank you," Ji Soo said and hurriedly climbed the stairs.