People don’t live just to eat and sleep; they live to dream.
If I only take care of Im Ha-yeon’s basic needs, she won’t come to me.
I need to make it seem like working at the Tea Bookstore is the only way to achieve her dreams.
To her, I must appear as a solid lifeline of hope, even if it means putting aside some personal feelings.
The only hope’s lifeline has now been thrown.
Im Ha-yeon. You have no choice but to grab it, right?
When I mentioned the benefits given to those selected as outstanding work-study scholarship students at the Tea Bookstore, the surroundings became chaotic.
“Hoh Pil, the author, is helping with editing?!”
“Wow, isn’t that a better benefit than winning an award?”
“Hey! Winning an award means you get support from the Literary Association. How can you compare that?”
“Writing just because you’re comfortable and well-fed? No way! It’s about making a name for yourself. Hoh Pil, who everyone in Yichang knows, is helping with your editing; can there be a better benefit than that?”
“Now that you mention it, that does make sense.”
“Hoh Pil’s editing and book publishing…”
“Why isn’t my name on that list?”
“Ask that guy over there with the spare tire who eats three meals of meat!”
“Ugh. Why did my grandfather retire from office, and why is my father just a landowner? Life is unfair!”
I hear strange sounds in response to my declaration, but most reactions are friendly.
“That’s all for the work-study scholarship introductions. I ask those selected as scholarship candidates to gather around me after this event if you’re interested. I’ll hand out the forms with your names on them, so please fill them out and submit them by sunset tomorrow.”
I wrapped it up nicely and stepped down from the stage.
—————————
After the Literary Association event ended, I laid out the prepared documents, and the scholarship candidates flocked to me.
“Judge Kang! I’m one of the candidates you called!”
“Take the application.”
“Me too!”
In the midst of verifying personal information and handing out almost all the applications, the fish I really wanted to catch approached.
“Ah, Im Ha-yeon has arrived. Please take one.”
Fish always get extra cautious just before biting the bait.
There’s really no need to smile broadly. I casually extended the paperwork to her like a skilled fisherman casting his line.
“……”
Aren’t you going to take it?
Im Ha-yeon hesitated at first, bringing her hand closer but pulling back as if she were a fish unsure if it should take the bait until the very last moment.
“If you’re too busy deciding whether to take it or not, step aside. Next applicant, please.”
I told her, with mild irritation, while nudging her paperwork aside.
Seeing my tone, Im Ha-yeon seemed startled and pulled back a little.
“I have a question.”
As she stepped aside, a man approached.
“Are you a candidate?”
I didn’t recognize him among those I was planning to select as work-study students.
“No. I’m the winner of the encouragement award just now.”
“Oh! I was so flustered on stage that I didn’t remember your face. I’m sorry. What do you need?”
What does he need in a situation where I should be enjoying the sight of the Shadowless Thief biting the bait?
Now that he won an award, he could comfortably live as a retainer in the Literary Association, getting three meals a day and some pocket money while occasionally attending drinking parties and just writing.
As I silently expressed my annoyance inwardly, the man unexpectedly asked me a question.
“Can I also apply for the work-study scholarship?”
What’s with this guy, trying to get a work-study scholarship after winning an award?
“What? Didn’t you just win the encouragement award? The work-study scholarships are granted to those who didn’t win any awards. Award winners have separate support from the Literary Association.”
“If I give up the award benefit, can I receive Hoh Pil’s editing help?”
Was that his aim?
“Haha. Is there really a reason to do that? If you receive support from the Literary Association and write in a comfortable environment, you’ll naturally produce better work.”
“No. I know my writing best. This piece is something I’ve worked on for years. I have absolutely no belief that receiving support will make it better. I think it would be a hundred times better to give up the benefit and get Hoh Pil’s editing.”
Ah, so you really need some feedback.
When writing alone, there are times you feel like you’ve lost your way. In those moments, you can ask family or friends for advice, but often it’s inconvenient or unsatisfactory.
I understand your situation, but…
“The spots are limited, and there are fairness issues, so it’s going to be tough.”
Nope, you’re not a struggling writer; you’ve won and can receive support, right?
How many aspiring writers out there need help? I really want to hire hard-working writers who desperately want to continue their lives working at the Tea Bookstore.
“Is there really no way?”
Nope. I was about to give a straightforward answer when I noticed Im Ha-yeon’s expression.
Still hesitating, she looked like a fish contemplating whether to eat ramen or not, eyeing a nearby person enjoying their ramen way too much and almost reaching for it.
If you keep hesitating, I have a good method.
“Well, there is a way if someone who is giving up their work-study scholarship has their name crossed out. However, that would require you to take all the others and leave just one…”
Getting the ramen away from someone about to eat it isn’t a nice method.
I subtly nudged at Im Ha-yeon’s paperwork.
“Is the application with Im Ha-yeon’s name the one given up? Then I’ll cross out the name and…”
“What, what are you doing?!”
Im Ha-yeon exclaimed, startled, grabbing the paperwork.
“I thought you weren’t going to take it?”
“Geez! I was thinking about other things! Give it back!”
“Here you go. You have until sunset tomorrow to submit it. I won’t wait this time, so hurry up and submit it.”
“Hmph!”
She hurried away with her paperwork clutched tightly like someone who almost lost a precious opportunity, running off.
Why hesitate when you were going to take it anyway.
“Hey, is there no application left for me to write my name on?”
“That was just it.”
“Ah…”
—————–
The next day.
I arrived at the Tea Bookstore, trying my hardest not to show the hangover from a night of drinking with the members of the Literary Association.
Should I use my last ounce of energy to push through the hangover, or use my meager energy to receive the applications?
While I was debating like a gamer considering when to use a consumable item, applicants started pouring in.
“I’m submitting my application!”
“Me too!”
“Here it is!”
Everyone’s got their applications ready.
They have to, after all.
“I handpicked these people, of course.”
I’d already assessed the applicants’ backgrounds based on their previously submitted personal information.
I checked their attire and appearance to see who was in shabby clothing while they bragged about their wealth daily, or singing praises for their mothers while trying to portray themselves as broke.
In the end, with the help of the Literary Association, the verification process was completed.
Even though I devised this scheme to lure in Im Ha-yeon, I did choose genuinely needy candidates.
“Am I late?”
A man burst through the Tea Bookstore door.
“Lunch time hasn’t even passed; there’s no way!”
“Are you really giving just about a month’s wage for a servant?”
The man asked incredulously.
“Of course! With that kind of pay, one wouldn’t even make ends meet.”
The attendants seen at inns are mostly teens. Although they’re working at the inn, they mainly receive meals and a bit of spending money, not a proper wage.
In contrast, a wagon driver can lift heavy loads and travel far, so even if their work is tough, they can earn enough to support their family.
“Yes, that’s true. But I’m just shocked that a mere servant would get that much.”
“The Tea Bookstore is the best bookstore in Yichang; we can afford to pay that much. If we help struggling writers, they’ll repay us with good works; how could we do anything less?”
Truth is, I’m splitting the wages with the Literary Association, but that’s a different story.
I suggested the work-study scholarship system, and I’m the one granting the title of outstanding work-study scholar, so I deserve to claim a little credit here.
“Absolutely. Though my appearance may be shabby, I’m not an ungrateful beast.”
“Good. I’ll be counting on you. Just remember to work hard and not daydream about your writing while on the clock.”
It’s enough that you’re someone like Kang Mo, who gets caught writing ideas in secret and gets scolded.
“Yes! Of course!”
After lunch, most of the applicants submitted their forms and left.
Except for one woman.
Why isn’t Im Ha-yeon here?
————
‘So she really isn’t coming.’
As I peeked outside, the sun was starting to set.
I hoped to see Im Ha-yeon with her pink twin braids flowing, but in the end, she didn’t show up.
‘I’ve extended my hand as far as I’m willing to, Im Ha-yeon.’
I’ve done all I can. If she doesn’t show up now, there’s no point in holding onto regrets.
I’ve already found the employees needed at the Tea Bookstore. Sure, there are some issues with hiring employees trained in martial arts or the Shadowless Thief, but I could always hire a guard for additional pay.
Time to close up shop.
Just as I was about to give up and let it go…
“Am I late today?”
A woman with pink hair peeked in from outside.
“Don’t you think you’re late too often?”
I asked, slightly complaining.
“It’s only just starting to get dark.”
She replied, pouting as if she were wronged.
“Hand over the application.”
As I reached my hand out, she quickly entered the Tea Bookstore and came right in front of me.
“…Are you really paying as much as a wagon driver?”
She seemed calm on the surface, but her face and eyes were filled with anxiety.
“Sure.”
I stated firmly, pushing her fears away.
“When you become an outstanding work-study scholar, you also get to publish a book.”
“Right.”
“And you’ll get help with editing from Hoh Pil, right?”
“Yes, if that friend thinks it’s worth reading.”
“I’ll work hard.”
“Well then…”
Just hand over the paperwork. As I reached out my hand, she suddenly grabbed my wrist with both hands.
What’s with that?
I’m not interested in your hand. I just need your application.
“I’ll work hard!”
“……”
Im Ha-yeon said, looking me straight in the eye.
Her face wore neither fear nor reluctance, nor a foolish expression; only the resolute will of a woman wanting to make an uncertain dream come true shone through.
“I’ll do my best. I want to be a writer!”
Was this the look of an athlete pouring everything into their effort to win a medal?
Im Ha-yeon’s eyes were filled with determination.
“I’ll support you.”
As a senior writer. As a sponsor supporting a woman with dreams for her future.
I gazed at her sincerely with encouragement.
Im Ha-yeon, looking at me, widened her eyes slightly.
Do you have something to say? She quickly avoided my gaze, nibbling her lips, then looked down and handed me the paperwork.
“…Here.”
As soon as I took the application she handed me, she dashed out of the Tea Bookstore in an instant.
Why’s she always in such a hurry, yet late all the time?
Is it like that friend who lives five minutes from the school but is always late?
I held up the application she gave me high.
[ Work-study Scholarship Applicant: Im Ha-yeon. ]
Finally, it’s mine. How much I struggled to get this single sheet of paper.
I’ve successfully captured her at last. Imagining her hard at work at the Tea Bookstore, I quietly declared my victory.
“Im Ha-yeon. You’re mine now.”
