Chung-ha in Joseon

Chapter 9: part 1

"Hello sir, you're a new face," Chung-ha said to the tall male. The man Dropped his money in the jar near Chung-ha's door. The men would need to pay before their session starts. He continued on the short-legged table, sitting on the cushion, and Chung-ha did the same.

"May I ask for your name?"  Chung-ha poured some tea into both of their cups.

"Min-ho." He replied, taking a sip of the tea. Chung-ha could tell from body language that he was tense. She notices the small stuff, like how he grabbed his cup with one hand grasping the right side. But he drinks so neatly and slow. "Is that honey I taste?" Min-ho asked; he seemed impressed.

"Yes, It's good for you, especially since it's starting to get cooler outside now," Chung-ha responded. He nodded, trying another sip. Min-ho came off very intimidating, unintentionally, of course.
"I've been needing to talk to someone, I have been stressed out, and I need a venting. I am not stupid. I won't act as if you truly care as these other men do when a pretty face is willing to hear their problems because I know deep down you do not care. Am I correct?" Min-ho asked. His eyes were like darts shooting through you. It could make you question what to say next.

Chung-ha didn't want to agree. It was fully true but not always. A lot of the men that come are just as broken as she is. But she nodded anyway.

Min-ho went on to talk about how his wife can't bear kids and how he wishes things were more different. "Thing's never going as planned, something bad always happens, and I believe I have this curse on me," He continued. Also adding how he had to lie about where he was going and that his wife is a very jealous woman no matter how many times he says she has a pretty face.

Chung-ha was about to add on something but then stopped herself. "Go ahead," Min-ho said. "It might be the jealousy of not being able to bear a kid, she may feel as she is useless and that your frustration will lead you to find other women capable of bearing." Chung-ha said..."How would you know it's exactly that?" Min-ho asked.

"Because I'm the only child of a woman who had the same problem as your wife."

Min-ho just looked at her, his face was unreadable, "I see." His venting continued. As he was talking he kept shifting in his spot, and touching the back of his shoulders, he explained that when he's really stressed his muscles have a habit to tense up and become sore.

Chung-ha said that she can help with that and that she extends her service to massages as long as there is extra pay; then she tilts her head and the money jar...which he dropped a few more coins in there. He even proceeded to take the top of his hanbok off revealing his bare chest, his shoulders were broad, and he had a six-pack. She was very hesitant to say that he didn't need to take it off. But at the same time, he already seemed annoyed and she wouldn't want to annoy him any further.

Chung-ha rubbed an oil between her two hands, this particular oil is good for muscle tension, the smell is pretty settling and calming.  She sat on her knees behind him and started messaging his shoulders. A few seconds into messaging he lets out a sigh, and he tilts his head to each side for extra relief. "Did you know your shoulders are uneven, I'm guessing the tension is right here?" She asked while pressing her fingers to the part connecting his neck and shoulders. He nodded.

"I can help with that but you have to trust me," Chung-ha said.
"I don't trust anyone, not even my own family," Min-ho responded.
"Well me either, but honestly all I have to do is tilt your neck, you won't feel any pain just a pop, like when your crack your knuckles."

Min-ho paused for a moment, but then he nodded again. She put one hand on the side of his face than the other on his chin. Suddenly he grabs her wrists, his grip was tight; he was a very strong man.
Then he said the words "Are you trying to kill me", she shook her head. "Not everyone is out to get you," Chung-ha replied.