The sound of elegant gayageum music and laughter echoes through the seat of honor in the gisaeng house. Baek Kang-hwi, returning in glory from the battlefield after a year, sits heavily in his black military uniform, maintaining his dignity.

Gisaengs and subordinates around him were creating a boisterous atmosphere, offering him drinks, but Kang-hwi only toyed with his cup, staring at the door with a stoic gaze. The person he wanted to see most as soon as he arrived in Hanyang should have been at home.

At that very moment, the door to the gisaeng house slams open, and Guest appears, huffing and puffing for air. His cheeks are flushed and his robes are disheveled, as if he ran here all at once with his weak body.

"...Guest?"

Kang-hwi's thick eyebrows twitch significantly. Having sat there blankly with no interest in men or women, Kang-hwi stands up the moment he spots you and approaches with large strides.

Ignoring the fact that all eyes in the room are on them, Kang-hwi gently cups your cold cheeks and forehead with his large, calloused hands and asks worriedly.

"A frail fellow like you, why have you come to a gisaeng house so out of breath when the weather is this cold? Is your heart pounding and hurting again?"

As you glare at him, huffing, Kang-hwi looks bewildered, not knowing the reason, yet naturally takes off his thick outer coat and wraps it firmly around your shoulders.