The Night of Yichang.
The second city in Hubei Province, situated alongside the Yangtze River, buzzed with energy even at night.
Ding ding!
“I want to appoint Im Ha-yeon to a management position.”
She possesses martial arts capable of dealing with disturbances, an appearance that boosts sales, security checks, thief pursuits, love for The Rise of the Tang Family, and knowledge learned from a courtesan’s training.
With the tasks of writing a novel, managing staff, overseeing the establishment, and expanding the business ahead of me, I can confidently say that Im Ha-yeon is the best candidate I can choose for a management role.
Maybe I should propose this over a meal, but will she accept if I ask her to join me alone?
As I walked ahead, Im Ha-yeon casually walked behind me with her hands clasped, glancing at me from time to time.
Is there something on my face? Or does she have something on her mind?
Ding!
That’s right.
Suddenly, something I had forgotten crossed my mind.
“Im Ha-yeon. I think there’s something I need to return to you.”
The book the thieves took. Where did it go?
“Ah! Here it is!”
Im Ha-yeon quickly pulled out the book from her waist as if she had been waiting for this moment. So that’s why she was walking with her hands behind her back.
“I thought you were going to take it as spoils.”
I joked lightly with Im Ha-yeon.
“I didn’t read a single letter! I held back for so long… Give it back!”
Why is she angry? Im Ha-yeon quickly extended her hands, urging me to take the book.
“Want to see this book?”
As she handed it to me, perhaps to dissuade any lingering attachments, she squeezed her eyes shut, and her fingertips trembled.
You really want to read it, don’t you?
“…Just showing it doesn’t mean you want to read it.”
Im Ha-yeon shot me a knowing yet pouty glare, as if to say not to tease her.
Oh really?
So you think that way, huh?
“If Im Ha-yeon wants it, I can show it to you.”
But you’ll have to accept a simple proposal in return. I offered her like a snake whispering a seductive suggestion.
Hiss!
“Really? Why, why is that?”
Im Ha-yeon tilted her head, looking at the third volume I extended, eyes filled with disbelief.
“Why do you think?”
“Um…?”
Why would this precious thing be shown to her? Im Ha-yeon gazed at Kang Yoon-ho’s serious face with astonishment.
No way. He can’t really…
“I’ll show it to you if you have dinner with me.”
This is unbelievable.
I thought he’d just buy dinner as usual and send it back. But he proposes to have dinner all of a sudden.
Right. No wonder he was boldly holding his wrist in the bookstore. Im Ha-yeon’s fluttering heart began to fill with certainty.
“Men and women are different, though…”
But The Rise of the Tang Family is more special. Im Ha-yeon couldn’t bring herself to outright refuse it.
It’s a trap, Im Ha-yeon. You’ll regret this. Say no. You must say no! Im Ha-yeon desperately fought against the temptation.
“Then give it back.”
“Let’s have dinner together!”
In the end, Im Ha-yeon couldn’t resist the whisper of temptation.
“You promised.”
Sure. It’s just about having dinner together.
Im Ha-yeon quickly opened the first page of the third volume, fearing Kang Yoon-ho might change his mind.
“In the past, children feared disasters like the demon, disease, or war, but modern children face reckless…… Huh! Peek! Just drop that fake novel! What’s this!”
The contents of the book were not what Im Ha-yeon had expected regarding The Rise of the Tang Family.
“Haha, I wouldn’t leave the third volume in a place where it could be easily stolen.”
Kang Yoon-ho shrugged and chuckled, remaining alert even though he seemed relaxed.
The third volume was kept in a separate place. The printing house only did repetitive processes, so there had never been a complete third volume.
“So all my effort was for nothing?”
No wonder the thief was so calm. Im Ha-yeon was momentarily speechless from the feeling of despair.
“No, thanks to you, Im Ha-yeon, I was able to catch the thief and prevent something worse from happening. I truly appreciate it.”
Kang Yoon-ho became serious and bowed his head to Im Ha-yeon.
“…”
If I express my gratitude so politely, I can’t be angry about the joke. Im Ha-yeon could only watch him in silence.
“As a token of my thanks, I’ll treat you to a nice dinner.”
“Wait a minute!”
“You don’t think I’d break a promise, do you?”
Kang Yoon-ho laughed shamelessly at Im Ha-yeon and walked into the night streets of Yichang.
“Argh! Really!”
Im Ha-yeon sighed softly and followed Kang Yoon-ho in quick steps.
I’ve been had!
I let my guard down. Im Ha-yeon sat in a fancy restaurant she entered with Kang Yoon-ho, nervously glancing around while trying to hide her embarrassment.
Everywhere are couples!
All the couples sitting around gazed at each other affectionately, chatting away.
What’s with those relaxed smiles?
He promised a nice dinner, but this isn’t an ordinary restaurant. Im Ha-yeon glared at Kang Yoon-ho, wanting to argue, but he was leisurely perusing the menu.
“I’ll have the representative dish, the Western-style pork cutlet set, please.”
Im Ha-yeon watched him order, looking displeased.
This doesn’t feel right. I feel like I’ve fallen into a trap set by the man.
This is my first dinner alone with a man, and it’s Kang Yoon-ho!
I’ve heard from courtesan sisters before: if a man offers to buy you dinner, don’t easily follow him; the next thing you know, you’ll be drinking and…
If you’re getting along well, fingers might brush, and that thrilling sensation will arise as his face gets closer, and then you won’t be able to turn back.
The next day, you might wake up in the same bed?
I need to be cautious. This man could easily have me wrapped around his finger. Im Ha-yeon observed Kang Yoon-ho’s calm demeanor.
“Im Ha-yeon?”
Why am I the only one feeling tense? And why am I even feeling tense?
That man has feelings for me. Why am I the one being careful? This is unreasonable.
“Im Ha-yeon!”
“Hik! …What?!”
Im Ha-yeon jumped, startled, like a mouse trapped in a cage.
“Will you be having bread or rice?”
“…Bread. I won’t be drinking, though.”
Is this what they mean by a guilty conscience? Im Ha-yeon added a remark she hadn’t intended.
“Haha, I won’t drink since I have to work tomorrow, either.”
Im Ha-yeon felt a strange sense of defeat from Kang Yoon-ho’s one-liner.
Why is Im Ha-yeon so tense while eating?
She looks like a cat that hasn’t been trained, unsure of how to eat when food is given.
With a cautious expression, she tried to glance at me, but when our eyes met, she would flinch and shrink as if startled like a frightened cat.
I couldn’t help but find it amusing when she took a bite of the food, her eyes widening in surprise.
I won’t take your food. Eat comfortably.
“How’s work going?”
To help ease her tension, I brought up a common topic of interest.
“Yes. It’s similar to being a courtesan, but easier, so I got used to it quickly.”
As I asked casually, she wiped her sauce-covered lips and answered.
“That’s good. You’ve really worked hard today.”
“No, it was Manager Kang’s task. I have to protect The Rise of the Tang Family.”
Looks like she remembered well about stopping suspicious characters.
“I knew you would do well. If you keep progressing, I can entrust you with the work I have in mind.”
I complimented her and created a relaxed atmosphere while diving straight into the main topic.
“The work you have in mind for me, Manager Kang?”
“I’m thinking of selecting someone to take charge at the Tea Bookstore. I want to assign someone for staff management or delegated work.”
“Me? Do you want me to do that?”
Im Ha-yeon replied with a hint of reluctance in her voice.
It must be tough to be told to take on more work while still receiving the same salary. However, there’s always a way around that.
“Of course, the workload might increase, but I plan to give substantial bonus points for selecting outstanding work-study scholarship students.”
I waved a tempting carrot in front of Im Ha-yeon.
“Outstanding work-study scholarship students?!”
“Plus, if you become a manager, you might even get to see the next chapter of The Rise of the Tang Family before it’s printed.”
“The Rise of the Tang Family?!!”
Im Ha-yeon leaned forward, almost ready to snatch the alluring carrot.
Isn’t that carrot too appealing?
“That’s right. Of course, I’m not only thinking of Im Ha-yeon. I want to give a chance to a few visible ones and assign key roles to those deemed suitable.”
Then I have to pretend this carrot isn’t just for you.
I can’t afford you to think this is a special privilege because you’re the daughter of that family, after all. I plan to select based on ability. Highlighting that it’s a carrot that can be snatched away will make it feel even more tantalizing.
“Management, management…”
Perhaps sensing the allure of the proposal, Im Ha-yeon repeated the word “management.”
“When the third volume of The Rise of the Tang Family comes out, we’ll have to work even harder. If the Tea Bookstore succeeds, the business can grow even larger, allowing us to help more struggling writers.”
You have to work harder to become more famous. To do that, I need someone to handle the chores.
I wrapped myself as a person with great ambition, making it known that I need her assistance.
Im Ha-yeon observed me attentively, as if trying to figure something out, before opening her mouth in curiosity.
“Why do you seem so eager to be nice to me?”
That’s an unexpected question.
I wonder who she is curious about. Is it about me? About work-study students? It doesn’t really matter.
Her question itself is an opportunity.
Curiosity about others equates to interest. If I just play my cards right, this could be the perfect chance to win her favor.
“Have you ever gone hungry?”
I looked directly at Im Ha-yeon, putting on a slightly sad expression as if I were remembering a difficult past.
This is my starting question. I will urge empathy through the hardships Im Ha-yeon has endured.
“Before I became an apprentice courtesan, there were times I went hungry after my mother passed away.”
“Me too. As a barbarian in the Central Plains, there were more days when no food went into my mouth than when something did.”
“…….”
Im Ha-yeon seemed taken aback by my confession about my tough times, her expression turning serious.
“If only a dumpling could be given to a barbarian who hasn’t eaten for days… But unfortunately, I often got kicked away for simply daring to look around.”
“That type of thing…”
“That’s when I made a resolution. I vowed to earn money frantically until I succeeded. I decided that I would become someone different from them.”
I can’t keep being distrusted if I want to place Im Ha-yeon in the management position I wish to trust.
The evil merchant, Kang Yoon-ho.
Of course, I can’t change Im Ha-yeon’s perception of me overnight. However, she must have seen my side that helps those in need as well.
Then I just need to add a narrative to that.
What if the reason I resorted to vicious business practices is actually to help others?
This way, I would wash the image of the evil merchant Kang Yoon-ho and replace it with a saintly one in Im Ha-yeon’s heart.
“…….”
Perhaps my short life reversal confession shocked her; Im Ha-yeon couldn’t close her open mouth.
“Of course, I’m not a king nor can I give to everyone. But I want to help the people I consider mine.”
“My people….”
He’s utterly unpredictable.
Im Ha-yeon pondered as she observed Kang Yoon-ho, who spoke lightly about a sad past while smiling.
Sometimes he acted like a child, sometimes like a chivalrous person helping others, and at other times like an evil merchant exploiting those around him, yet he showed boundless generosity towards his employees.
Im Ha-yeon found it difficult to grasp which side of Kang Yoon-ho she should align with.
“I was just thinking that being a courtesan was all I wanted since I was young.”
This man came from a foreign land, starting as a beggar and growing into the owner of a large bookstore. Most would typically pursue only wealth, but he hasn’t lost his spirit of caring for others.
Im Ha-yeon felt an odd sense of humility.
“Then does he treat me well because I’m one of his people? Or does he… really…”
Im Ha-yeon couldn’t help but stifle the certainty swelling in her heart into a question, feeling that asking would diminish the weight of his grand ambition.
“Please give me the management tasks starting tomorrow.”
He’s a benevolent yet also an evil merchant, Kang Yoon-ho. But if he’s a reasoned evil merchant, then isn’t it okay to help him a little?
“Understood.”
A dumpling-less man treating his employees to silk clothing?
Im Ha-yeon gazed at the cheongsam she was wearing and began to eat with Kang Yoon-ho.
Without realizing it, as she quietly consumed her meal, she couldn’t help but steal glances at Kang Yoon-ho’s face.
Usually looking disagreeable, today he strangely seemed remarkably magnanimous.
Slurp!
“Here, have some kimchi dumplings.”
Im Ha-yeon offered Kang Yoon-ho a package of dumplings.
“Why dumplings when I’ve already eaten?”
“…Just take it. You can have it for breakfast tomorrow.”
Im Ha-yeon’s earlobes were oddly flushed as she offered him the dumplings.
“No….”
“Really, I enjoyed the food! See you tomorrow!”
In the blink of an eye, Im Ha-yeon disappeared using the Shadowless Thief’s light body movement technique, leaving Kang Yoon-ho staring at the direction she vanished in with a bewildered expression.
What the?!
“I mean… I’m paying for this!”
——
After handling the theft case, appointing Im Ha-yeon for management duties, and the printing house running day and night, life became busier both inside and outside.
With more people inquiring about when the third volume of The Rise of the Tang Family would come out…
A familiar announcement was posted at the Tea Bookstore.
[It’s Ho Pil….]
[Thanks to everyone’s help, The Rise of the Tang Family will be out next week…….]
“The Rise of the Tang Family volume 3 is about to be released!!!”
“The Rise of the Tang Family is here!!!”
