Living Dangerously with a 999-Year-Old Gumiho – Chapter 116

Yoonhwa took on the challenge of grilled fish after the vegetable dish.

With her awkward chopstick skills, she poked at the grilled fish.

However, her movements were closely watched by her grandfather, who carefully warned her.

“Be careful; there are bones in the fish.”

At his words, Yoonhwa stopped with her chopsticks and looked at the fish.

She didn’t really know how to handle fish bones.

Grandfather got up and came over to her side.

He patiently taught Yoonhwa how to remove the bones from the fish.

His movements were skilled, and it looked like he could safely remove the bones in no time.

“Like this, gently push the flesh away from the bones to separate them.”

“Then I can eat it deliciously without any bones.”

Listening to her grandfather’s kind explanation, a scene from the past flashed in Yoonhwa’s mind.

She recalled the time Hyun had helped her eat fish.

In that moment, she felt a fresh wave of gratitude for Hyun’s attentiveness and care.

‘Hyun worked hard to help me like this too…’

Yoonhwa thought to herself.

Following her grandfather’s teachings, she carefully handled the fish and successfully lifted a nice piece of fillet with her chopsticks.

“Wow, Grandpa! Thank you so much!”

“Now I can eat it deliciously.”

As Yoonhwa expressed her thanks to her grandfather, she felt deep gratitude, recalling Hyun’s kindness from the past.

*

Nomi, Hyun, and Sohee left the forest of the back mountain and returned home together.

When they arrived at Hyun’s house, Sohee couldn’t help but admire its size and cleanliness.

Her eyes sparkled with excitement, and she couldn’t stop exclaiming as she looked around.

“Wow, you must be rich??”

“Such a big house!”

Hyun was momentarily taken aback by Sohee’s words and shook his head.

He started explaining to her.

“No, this isn’t a house I bought with my own money.”

“My friend… Seojin bought it for me.”

Sohee looked surprised at Hyun’s words.

She became curious about how amazing Hyun’s friend must be and what stories were hidden between Hyun and his friend.

As soon as Nomi entered Hyun’s house, she began to pout.

Her gaze was full of sadness and longing.

“I already miss Yoonhwa unni…”

Nomi’s voice was weak, and her small shoulders drooped.

Seeing Nomi’s sad expression, Hyun’s heart ached.

He gently stroked Nomi’s head and offered comforting words.

“Don’t worry, Nomi.”

“You only have to not see Yoonhwa unni for a whole week.”

“Nomi can do it, right?”

As Sohee entered Hyun’s house, she comfortably sank into the sofa.

She looked around, still wowed by the size and beauty of the house.

She spoke to Hyun.

“Get me a glass of water; I’m thirsty.”

Hyun nodded at Sohee’s request and went to the kitchen to get water.

When he brought the water, Sohee smiled gratefully and took a sip.

Her gaze shifted back to Hyun, and with curiosity in her voice, she asked.

“How old are you? You don’t seem like an adult?”

At Sohee’s question, Hyun was momentarily stunned.

A subtle expression crossed his face, and he hesitated to answer.

“Um, I… am 27.”

Hyun cautiously replied.

There was a hint of hesitation in his voice.

Sohee’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Really?”

Hyun awkwardly chuckled at Sohee’s response.

“You mean I look young? Thanks, haha…”

Nomi, who was listening to their conversation, suddenly jumped in.

“I’m 7!!”

Her voice was filled with the passionate enthusiasm of a child, and she smiled brightly at Hyun and Sohee.

Sohee looked at Nomi, her eyes sparkling, and asked.

“What kind of monster are you?”

“You look so cute!”

Nomi paused, pondering Sohee’s question.

After thinking for a moment about how to explain her ability, she said.

“Well… I can make spikes!”

Her voice was full of confidence.

Sohee’s fascinated expression brightened even more.

While she was intrigued by Nomi’s unique ability, she quickly shifted her interest back to Hyun.

“Do you smoke!? You’re an adult, right!”

Hyun was briefly taken aback by Sohee’s unexpected question.

A mix of complicated emotions crossed his face.

“Uh? I don’t smoke…??”

Hyun’s expression remained uneasy in response to Sohee’s request.

Sohee murmured to herself as if disappointed by Hyun’s reaction.

“Ugh…”

Unintentionally, Hyun asked Sohee a question.

“Then how old are you?”

His voice was laced with curiosity.

Sohee hesitated for a moment before answering.

“Me? I’m 18!”

Her voice was casual, but Hyun was even more flustered by the revelation.

Upon hearing Sohee’s age, Hyun practically jumped up from his seat.

His eyes widened in disbelief.

“18 years old??”

“A minor living with me…? Won’t I get caught?!”

His voice grew louder, and disbelief was evident on his face.

Hyun stared at Sohee with wide eyes, his shock quickly turning into concern.

“Why… what do you plan to do living with me?”

“What if I do something bad…??”

Hyun’s voice trembled with tension, and his gaze was serious.

Sohee looked at Hyun’s worried demeanor and smiled almost mockingly.

She pulled out the fan adorned at her waist and spoke confidently.

“I’m stronger than you think; you won’t be able to do anything!”

Hyun was briefly taken aback by Sohee showing off the fan but then accepted her words and nodded.

However, his worries didn’t fade.

“I get it… I know you’re strong, but…”

“Do your parents know about this?”

Sohee paused at Hyun’s question, then brightly smiled and replied.

“I don’t have parents!”

“I can do well all by myself.”

Even with Sohee’s cheerful answer, shadows of worry remained in Hyun’s heart.

But Sohee’s demeanor was so confident that it overshadowed his concerns.

In her gaze was a strength that suggested she wouldn’t waver in any situation.

At that moment, Nomi, who had been listening to their conversation, suddenly approached between Hyun and Sohee.

She reached out her small hand towards Sohee and said.

“I don’t have mom and dad either!”

Her voice held the innocence of a child.

Sohee leaned back comfortably on the sofa while looking at Hyun and spoke again.

With a hint of mischief in her eyes.

“Hyun, get me some cigarettes~.”

Her tone was light, with a tinge of playful insistence.

Hyun couldn’t hide his surprise at Sohee’s request once more.

His brows slightly furrowed, and he shook his head as he replied.

“No, you can’t. It’s illegal to sell cigarettes to minors.”

“And I don’t smoke… it’s bad for you.”

His voice was firm, but to Sohee, it just sounded like a kind refusal.

Sohee pouted at Hyun’s reaction, then suddenly took out the fan she was wearing at her waist.

She opened her fan with a slight smile.

“Well then, should I threaten you with this fan…?”

Nomi’s eyes were filled with curiosity and amazement as she focused on Sohee’s movements.

“Wow… it’s pretty!”

Nomi’s eyes widened as she watched Sohee open the fan with wonder.

The young child’s voice echoed with excitement, seemingly forgetting all her worries as she beheld Sohee’s display.

Hyun wore a puzzled expression at Sohee’s playful threat and Nomi’s innocent reaction.

He alternated his gaze between Sohee and Nomi, seemingly contemplating what to do.

“Ah… really, no cigarettes…”

Hyun’s voice was soft, yet it carried a tone of firmness.

He made it clear that despite Sohee’s playful suggestions, he was still resolute.

At that moment, Sohee slowly pulled something out of her bag.

It was a small object, resembling a talisman.

She held it carefully and showed it to Hyun and Nomi.

“Here~ with this…”

As Sohee brought the talisman to her fan, it began to burn slowly.

In the blink of an eye, the talisman was completely consumed by flames, and a mysterious aura emanated from the fan.

The energy was strong enough for everyone present to feel it.

Hyun’s eyes widened in shock as he sensed the strange energy.

His usual composure left him, and his surprise was evident on his face.

“What- what is this..?”

His voice trembled, and his eyes held a mix of wariness and fear as he looked at Sohee.

The power emanating from Sohee’s fan was entirely unexpected for him.

Seeing Hyun’s bewildered expression, Sohee burst into a playful laugh.

She shook her fan and said to Hyun.

“Surprised? So, about those cigarettes~.”

Hyun was terrified by Sohee’s sudden threat and the ability she showed.

His voice quivered with anxiety as he replied.

“Alright, alright… I’ll get them. Just stop…”

Sohee giggled gleefully at Hyun’s scared response.

“Really? You really will? Wow~!!”

Her face beamed with a satisfied smile.

Sohee then continued towards Hyun.

“I didn’t know you’d be so scared.”

“This is just a threat that gives off energy.”

At Sohee’s words, Hyun let out a sigh of relief, calming himself. However, Sohee added.

“But there are also attack talismans. Haha-.”

Meanwhile, Nomi, who had been listening to their conversation, suddenly chimed in.

“What’s a cigarette? Why do we need to buy it?”

Nomi’s voice held pure curiosity.

She had no knowledge of cigarettes and couldn’t understand the conversation between Hyun and Sohee.

Hyun paused at Nomi’s question, pondering how to explain it to the young girl.

He gently looked at her and began to explain.

“Cigarettes are for adults, but they’re not good for you…”

“You should never smoke!”

“But why do they smoke? It’s bad for them??”

Nomi’s innocent curiosity filled the room, leaving Hyun momentarily speechless.

Her question was simple, but he didn’t have an easy answer.

“Well, that’s…”

As Hyun hesitated, Sohee jumped in with a big smile.

“Adults sometimes smoke to relieve stress or relax.”

“But they say it’s not good for you, so you can smoke it when you grow up~.”

Hyun chuckled at Sohee’s last remark.

His eyes sparkled with mischief as he looked at Sohee and said.

“Do you think you’re an adult?”

“You’re still a kid too… haha-.”

His voice was light and cheerful, and his laughter seemed to ease the tension in the room.

Sohee paused at Hyun’s words before bursting into laughter herself.

“I’ve grown a lot, you know?!”

Sohee spoke confidently.

A challenge flickered in her eyes as her tone became resolute.

“Alright then—let’s hurry and go buy cigarettes!”

Hyun hesitated for a moment at Sohee’s words.

He looked at her with a puzzled expression.

“Are you going with us..??”

His voice mixed concern with curiosity.

Sohee boldly met Hyun’s gaze and said.

“Isn’t it obvious?”

“You wouldn’t know what kinds there are. I have to choose.”

Her voice was packed with confidence, and Hyun was momentarily taken aback by her assertive attitude.

In fact, he didn’t know much about cigarettes, and Sohee’s leadership surprised him.

Meanwhile, Nomi became very excited hearing that they were going outside.

“Are we going outside? Wow!”

Her face was filled with pure joy.

Nomi seemed thrilled about the new experience awaiting them.

Hyun, Sohee, and Nomi left the house together.

Stepping outside, they walked into the warm, peaceful streets bathed in sunlight.

Hyun held Nomi’s hand tightly while Sohee walked ahead of them.

Sohee’s steps had determination as if she knew the path to a nearby convenience store.

“There’s a little mart down this way!”

Sohee’s voice brimmed with confidence.