There are moments when you’re hit with an unexpected fact and can’t seem to wrap your head around it.
Im Ha-yeon felt that way right now.
“Kang Yoon-ho likes me?”
What on earth does this mean?
The wicked merchant, sucking the life out of the loyal readers of The Rise of the Tang Family, exploiting the author Ho Pil — just thinking about that scoundrel’s schemes makes her grind her teeth. Kang Yoon-ho likes her?
Im Ha-yeon’s mouth dropped open in shock.
“Sis, you really didn’t know?”
“What do you mean I didn’t know?”
“Kang Yoon-ho has been watching you intently sometimes.”
She was worried he might cause another accident like the Succession Battle and kept an eye on Im Ha-yeon.
“Of course, the manager has to monitor employees.”
“Come on! He does it even during meal times! Just now, he was staring at you with an important look, as if he was holding back something big!”
Like he was holding back a confession. Ha So-so said with a mischievous smile, acting like a love master.
In reality, Kang Yoon-ho’s expression was more like he was contemplating whether to promote Im Ha-yeon.
“Maybe he had some business to discuss.”
“Plus, he keeps his distance from the other employees, but he seems oddly friendly towards you.”
That observation hit the nail on the head.
“W-well, that’s because of a different reason.”
Im Ha-yeon, feeling slightly on the defensive, spoke up.
Because she was the adopted daughter of his sworn brother. He had helped her several times. Although she had maintained a cold attitude, she never thought of questioning the way he constantly helped her.
“What reason?”
“It’s a bit complicated to explain.”
While her selection as an employee was thanks to the fair judgment of the Literary Association, if that man hadn’t helped with her application, she wouldn’t be here.
Im Ha-yeon couldn’t honestly talk about her relationship with Kang Yoon-ho. She avoided the topic, casting her gaze downward.
It must be Ha So-so’s misunderstanding. How could that man possibly like her? She constantly refused his help and spoke to him curtly.
“Sis, have you ever had a boyfriend?”
“W-why do you ask that?”
That was a direct hit.
The Gyeobang is a courtesan school. Im Ha-yeon took trainee courtesan classes in this male-exclusive area, similar to an all-boys technical university.
She had trained for ages to become a formal courtesan and had scored high enough to be a candidate for the top position, yet she ended up escaping the profession instead of becoming one.
The best flower nurtured by the Yichang Gyeobang was none other than Im Ha-yeon.
Ha So-so, realizing her instinct was right, clapped her hands and chimed in.
“Wow! Is it really true? Sis! You can see it all in Manager Kang’s attitude. He’s definitely got a crush on you.”
Definitely. Ha So-so spoke confidently.
“Even if he does, I’m not interested in that wicked manager.”
Im Ha-yeon retorted with a pout, speaking in a curt tone.
“Huh? Wicked manager? Kang Yoon-ho?”
Ha So-so tilted her head, wondering if she had heard incorrectly.
“It’s true! He’s famous in Yichang for his ruthless business practices.”
“Oh please! I think you’ve never seen a wicked merchant. Manager Kang helps out struggling scholars with the money he makes and even provides lunch and uniforms for the staff. Who else in Yichang — no, Hubei Province — does that? He’s just a competent merchant.”
“I suppose that’s true… but this outfit is clearly part of his business tactics.”
Im Ha-yeon, overwhelmed by the logic, weakly defended herself, fiddling with her dress.
“If this outfit is a tactic, then what’s the big deal? Where else do you find a manager who outfits his employees in silk dresses? I’ve always wished to wear silk, only borrowing it for weddings!”
Im Ha-yeon couldn’t say anything as she watched Ha So-so happily smile while adjusting her dress.
Is Kang Yoon-ho really a wicked merchant?
Following thoughts she had just agreed with a moment ago, now suddenly became hard to affirm.
The events that happened at the Yichang dock and on the boat, the help he had provided during the Literary Association’s event, his efforts to aid struggling artists.
If he were truly a wicked merchant, he would never do any of those things.
“…He’s more like a good wicked merchant.”
To completely deny that he wasn’t a wicked merchant would involve the exploitation of author Ho Pil. Adding to that, the fact that the man had his agenda.
Kang Yoon-ho is a decent guy but a wicked merchant.
For now, this was as far as Im Ha-yeon could concede.
“You’re beautiful, so you could take your time, but if you push him away too much, you might lose a golden opportunity.”
“What opportunity?”
“Manager Kang is of marital age! He manages the biggest bookstore in Yichang on the main street, and it’s the one that’s doing the best business. Sure, he’s a black-haired barbarian without a family which is a big issue, but even so, you would have suitors lining up, wouldn’t you?”
Marriages typically occur between similar families. It was true that Kang Yoon-ho being a black-haired barbarian and an orphan was a big drawback in itself.
However, those restrictions applied primarily to established families or successful households. It was clear that disregarding his disqualifications, there would be demand from potential brides.
“Love isn’t about conditions. Love based on money is not love at all.”
Im Ha-yeon argued with Ha So-so, a bibliophile very much into romantic tales but has never experienced love herself.
People are not just about money. Does that mean courtesans are to fall for anyone with money? No. Regardless of being a courtesan, there should be someone different whom they allow into their hearts.
Someone like Tang Jung from The Rise of the Tang Family…
“Sis, it seems like you’ve never had a boyfriend at all.”
Ha So-so’s words broke Im Ha-yeon’s train of thought.
“Ugh.”
Im Ha-yeon couldn’t muster a rebuttal.
“There’s no way you can date someone like Manager Kang if you’re a beauty like you. All those people flinging flirtations would stay away!”
“It’s a misunderstanding.”
She felt flustered as she recalled how much romantic novels she’s read. How could she not know if a man was in love? She imagined Kang Yoon-ho’s usual demeanor.
“Ah! Sis! Think it through! Remember how he’s been behaving all this time, and consider the possibility!”
Does that man really like her? The thought of this made Im Ha-yeon gather her memories of Kang Yoon-ho’s interactions.
Did he help her simply because she was like a sworn daughter? If so, he should have given up when she rejected him.
Could it be that he helped her for more reasons?
‘No way that man likes me.’
Ha So-so quickly detected the change in Im Ha-yeon’s expression.
“See? You’re thinking something is there, right?”
“N-no way.”
“Come on, sis. Why not just spill your worries to Manager Kang? He might listen and things could go well!”
But that’s just a misunderstanding! What could possibly go well? Im Ha-yeon couldn’t bring herself to say it.
Vol. 3 of The Rise of the Tang Family.
Maybe it’s a misunderstanding that he likes her. Still, wouldn’t he show her the third volume if she just asked? There’s no need to steal it.
“I’ll… think about it a little.”
For Im Ha-yeon, the temptation of Vol. 3 of The Rise of the Tang Family was far too strong.
She was feeling hungry.
In times like this, it would be great if she could order grilled meat of special cuts and finish it off with oolong tea, spending over 100,000 won in one meal as a freelancer.
The reality was that she still had to pay off debts this month, make payments to her clients, and take care of her employees as a self-employed person.
After finishing up one task, I had a quick bite for late lunch.
“No way!”
“Yes way, sis! So if it goes well, please recommend me when the next batch comes!”
When I turned around to the familiar voice, there were two women in outfits that drew everyone’s attention.
“Im Ha-yeon?”
I was just done with lunch, about to head back. I had one more thing to take care of before eating.
“Ugh! Why are you here?”
When Im Ha-yeon spotted me, she instantly covered her face with one hand, showing signs of embarrassment.
Isn’t it about time she got used to seeing my face if she really dislikes it?
“Manager! I’m here too!”
Ha So-so raised her hand cheerfully to get my attention.
“Ha So-so.”
“Looks like the manager only sees Ha-yeon from a distance!”
Ha So-so said, sounding a bit pouty as she gazed up at me.
“Haha, I just called out what I saw.”
“You only call Ha-yeon by name.”
Doesn’t sound quite right. Or am I suppose to call you ‘So-so’ too?
Ha-yeon seemed nervous, looking at me with trembling eyes as if she had done something wrong.
“Im Ha-yeon?”
“Sis, didn’t I tell you?”
What is she talking about? Ha So-so began poking Im Ha-yeon’s side with her elbow, looking rather proud.
“No way, no way!”
“Im Ha-yeon! I’m busy and have to go elsewhere, so take this dinner. You said you were tired of kimchi dumplings, so today it’s inari sushi.”
It’s the food that makes you a superstar whenever everyone brings mere kimbap to a picnic. I was going to offer Im Ha-yeon the tasty cold inari sushi.
“Manager Kang is preparing Ha-yeon’s dinner too?”
Ha So-so exclaimed in surprise, if she hadn’t asked.
Oh no, I neglected to keep my guard up. I had planned to give her dinner in secret, away from the other employees.
“Ah! I’m secretly supporting employees who, like Ha-yeon, aren’t in a position to enjoy a dinner.”
“That’s just Ha-yeon and nobody else?”
This is why I dislike sharp kids.
“Haha, it might look like favoritism, so let’s keep it under wraps, alright?”
I shrugged nonchalantly, trying to brush it off like it was nothing.
“Got it. Hehe.”
Ha So-so clearly didn’t think it was nothing. She smiled brightly, alternating her gaze between me and Im Ha-yeon.
Looks like I got myself into an annoying misunderstanding.
“That’s not true!”
Im Ha-yeon seemed to have caught on and hurried to deny it, but it was probably too late.
“Manager, don’t worry. I won’t spread rumors. And I guess I spoke too soon.”
“Ah, no, it ain’t like that.”
Im Ha-yeon tried to clarify Ha So-so’s misunderstanding with a serious face.
Her reaction felt oddly familiar.
“Hey, look! Your boyfriend just walked by,”
“Yep. He is indeed your boyfriend.”
“What the heck?”
Why are you girls picking boyfriends and getting mad at each other? Give me a choice too! I have eyes too! Both of you are out!
“Im Ha-yeon. Please take this.”
Come on, I don’t want to be the only one in an awkward situation. Just take it! I quickly offered the inari sushi again.
“I-I don’t need it!”
How fast! Im Ha-yeon looked at the sushi like it was a time bomb before sprinting off in distress.
It’s probably too late, just accept it! Inari sushi tastes great!
“Manager! Hang in there! I’ll be rooting for you!”
What am I supposed to be hanging in there for?
—————-
Kang Yoon-ho’s lockdown is foolproof.
A tiring day. After closing the Tea Bookstore and checking the security systems, I was about to head upstairs to my bedroom.
If only I hadn’t heard the mumbling voice.
“Where is it? Why didn’t I leave it where it usually goes?”
From one side of the second floor, I heard an annoyed voice. What is that? All the employees have clocked out, right?
Could it be… a thief?
I’ve known this day would come. I grasped the talisman hidden in my pocket tightly.
Catching a thief? I’ll receive the Hero Award in Yichang for maintaining public safety this month and raise my prestige!
I cautiously approached the source of that voice.
Who in the world are you? As I stepped closer, the silhouette I recognized so well was surprisingly familiar.
“Im Ha-yeon. What are you doing here?”
The thief was none other than Im Ha-yeon.
So this is how it plays out. She came to steal a copy of The Rise of the Tang Family.
Hey. No matter how much I protect you, I cannot let you cross the line.
When Im Ha-yeon met my gaze, her face turned pale as she mumbled.
“I-I forgot to take my dinner….”
As I got closer, it became evident the drawers on the tea racks were all open. I had left dinner there for her when I clocked out.
“Oh!”
So that’s it. After all, if she was truly here to steal The Rise of the Tang Family, she wouldn’t be messing with a second-floor display but hit up the print room instead.
“You didn’t say where you left it earlier.”
You ran away! So, I ate it!
“I kept the doors locked; how did you get in?”
“Well, that’s….”
Clang!
Im Ha-yeon’s reply was interrupted by a loud sound reverberating through the Tea Bookstore.
“What was that? A security alarm?! Is it the print room? Tell me it’s not a thief?!”
“What did you say?”
What a day it was. I hurriedly ran with Im Ha-yeon towards the direction of the print room.
—–
As we dashed toward the print room, I glimpsed figures where there shouldn’t be anyone.
“Ah! What’s that spell flying at me?”
“The bookstore has security systems! No wonder it was so hard to get in!”
“Hurry, find the volume of The Rise of the Tang Family!”
“A thief!”
Im Ha-yeon quickly subdued one of the thieves with a single remark as she utilized her skills.
A kick with her cheongsam! Bold move! Her fair calves shining under the moonlight was mesmerizing.
“Run!”
There were three thieves. The moment one fell unconscious, the other two fled through the window they came in.
“Did those rascals steal The Rise of the Tang Family?!”
“The door to the print room was open!”
“I have had enough! How dare those amateurs tamper with security!!! Stealing The Rise of the Tang Family is unforgivable!”
“Hey, Im Ha-yeon! Calm down!”
She seemed ready to kill someone.
“How can I calm down?! I will bring them back! Just wait!”
Wait a second! Before I could even intervene, Im Ha-yeon bolted out, proud of her skill as Shadowless Thief using her Light Body Movement.
