The Brothers Kim

Chapter 53- More of What?

Zeren bit down on his lip as he limped away from the storage house. Jolts of pain shot up his leg with every step he took, causing him to whimper. He cursed under his breath. As much as he was dedicated to helping Jimin's love life prosper, the throbbing pain made him think otherwise.

The things I do for you, Chim, he thought as he shielded the bowls from bumbling pedestrians. He scowled as a reckless merchant barged past, almost toppling him over. "I deserve a raise," he muttered once he had regained his balance.

"Found you!"

Zeren peered over his shoulder just in time to see a flustered Pho appear.

"I swear," the maid panted as she waded through the crowded street, "if you break any of those bowls—"

"I'll make sure to say it was because you were chasing me!" Zeren shouted before breaking into a jog.

Pho's jaw dropped. Despite his handicap, Zeren effortlessly weaved through the street like a peregrine. It took her by surprise to find that his supposed injuries hadn't hampered his stride at all. Compared to Pho who was tired and already out of breath, Zeren's energy seemed boundless.

The maid huffed and urged her legs to keep moving.

It had been half an hour since they started their unintentional game of cat and mouse and already, Pho's patience was running thin.

"Stupid guard," Pho grumbled as she kept her eyes locked on his back like a target. "How dare he make me sweat!"

But while her annoyance at Zeren occupied the forefront of her thoughts, the fear of incurring Madam Zhou's wrath lingered close by. Pho unknowingly sped up. The last thing she needed was to get on the head maid's bad side.

"Don't you dare drop them!" she shouted, suddenly alarmed at the thought of Zeren slackening his grip. "Or else it won't just be broken bowls you'll be dealing with!"

Zeren briefly glanced over his shoulder and raised a brow as if amused by her threat. But as he did so, two small children suddenly emerged from an alleyway, crossing his path.

"Look out!"

Swerving just in time, Zeren pivoted on his injured leg, narrowly avoiding crashing into the orphans. A surprised cry escaped his lips as he landed with an ungainly thud, masking the sound of smashed pottery that followed.

A collective gasp was heard as people stopped to stare at the spectacle.

Pho rushed over. "Are you all right?"

Zeren winced when he attempted to stand. As he tried to put weight on his leg, he hissed. "I'm fine, but I think I twisted my—"

"Yes, we're all right."

Looking up, Zeren noticed Pho hunched over the children. Oh, she was asking them.

"Are you sure you're not hurt anywhere?" Pho asked, her voice filled with concern. She addressed the young boy who seemed the most affected, "What about you?"

Made anxious by Pho's voice, Zeren looked over her shoulder. Had harm befallen the children because of me? Catching a glimpse of the pair, he noted how they appeared vaguely familiar. Hang on, aren't they the orphans Chim and I had played cuju with a while ago?

The lass glanced down at her brother who was clinging onto her, wide-eyed with shock. "Gulnar's fine," she said after giving him a once-over. "He's just startled is all."

Pho breathed a sigh of relief. "You should be careful when going onto the main road. You'll never know when lunatics like this guy," Pho gestured to Zeren, "will be carelessly running around."