Your bank balance is the stamina of an office worker.
Unless you’re into some perverted play, nobody runs to the boss run while maintaining HP 1.
One day, I might have to pay for treatment for a serious illness that suddenly visits me, and as a child, I was scared of getting sick, but as I’ve grown older, I’ve had to face the terrifying dental bills.
My salary increases arithmetically, but house prices rise exponentially, so I need to save money for the next time I move.
Then, unexpectedly, one day comes a limited-time gacha rush, and I may have to shout, “Curse you, past me!” while making pleas to my future self.
If I’ve taken responsibility for my life, my stamina under the name of bank balance must always be maintained under variable circumstances.
I opened the ledger in the drawer of the attic.
From the days when money used to slip out of my bank account due to monthly debt repayments until now.
Compared to the early days of the Tea Bookstore, the stamina figures written in the ledger were quite ample.
The problem is that the printer is an extremely high-priced piece of equipment, a critical blow that could make my legs wobble.
“To expand the business, I need to set up branches of the Tea Bookstore.”
Just because I published a novel, it doesn’t mean that the Nine Great Sects & One Alliance cheers for me while the followers tremble in fear and the Demonic Cult panics.
The Hubei Province alone is twice the area of South Korea. Moreover, administrative units like Hubei Province are countless even when you mobilize fingers and toes across the Central Plains.
If I want to become famous, I can’t just throw a novel into the Central Plains; I need to expand branches while spreading the word about The Rise of the Tang Family.
“First, let’s set up a printing house.”
Instead of receiving type made of lead alloy, I need a professional printing house that directly creates and constantly operates the printers.
“If we set up a printing house in Yichang, I can create branches across the Yangtze River and exert influence.”
Yichang is the second-largest city in Hubei Province, located on the banks of the Yangtze River. The Yangtze connects to Sichuan, Hubei, Anhui, and Jiangsu, and puts the southern regions within its influence.
I’ll open branches along the Yangtze and only handle books published by the printing house.
Just like a franchise headquarters supplies raw materials to its branches, I’ll be able to secure control over the branches. Additionally, I can acquire manpower through the Work-Study Scholarship Student system.
Bank balance is the stamina of an office worker.
While it’s good for an ordinary office worker to maintain healthy stamina at all times, I wasn’t that sort of person.
I need to expand the business.
I need to increase reputation points and make money.
For the women who dare to oppose fate. To find the true heroine.
Now it’s time to use that stamina and run.
——-
“If you’re going to see the supplier, let’s go together.”
A few days later, Im Ha-yeon held me back as I was about to leave the Tea Bookstore to support today’s government printing equipment procurement.
“It’s not even lunch hour yet. The manager should be at their seat.”
Are you trying to avoid work? Don’t sneak off when a superior is going out; that’s something for someone with a bit of experience.
“I’m not the only one learning management work. And there’s a problem with the delivered goods.”
Im Ha-yeon handed me some coffee beans.
“What kind of problem?”
“The smell is off and the foam doesn’t seem right. I need to check if they sent old items or if there’s a mix-up.”
“Seems similar to usual, though.”
After sniffing the beans, I tilted my head. It felt different, but not enough to be a problem.
“See? You’re not sure. Someone from the team needs to check this out.”
“Then let’s go together.”
Since Im Ha-yeon received professional training in the guild, I’m sure she’ll be reliable.
“Hehe. Hey sis, are you going out with the manager again?”
Ha So-so raised her eyes as she watched Im Ha-yeon prepare to leave.
“I’m going for work.”
Is she feeling guilty about leaving in the middle of busy times? Im Ha-yeon mumbled defensively, avoiding Ha So-so’s gaze.
“Manager, later Ha-yeon will treat you to a delicious dinner.”
“That’s not true!”
Was there really a need to make such a disgusted face?
“Let’s go.”
I pushed aside my slightly hurt feelings and left the Tea Bookstore with Im Ha-yeon.
Im Ha-yeon kept glancing at me with her head down and then finally spoke.
“…You know that’s not true, right?”
I know. I know.
——————————–
“Sorry!”
Im Ha-yeon’s observation was spot on. The supplier had mixed some old inventory with new products.
“If this happens again, I’ll change suppliers.”
I frowned, making an angry face at the supplier, who had the audacity to play tricks when I only ordered a small quantity every month.
“Sorry! But like you said, I’ll give you a 20% discount on the next delivery!”
We received apologies repeatedly from the supplier and promised to prevent recurrences before heading back outside.
“Told you, didn’t I?”
With her shoulders held high like she could fly even without the legendary Light Body Movement, Im Ha-yeon said to me.
“Indeed, professionals are different. If it weren’t for you, the Tea Bookstore’s customers would have received low-quality snacks.”
“Hmph! I’m selling snacks in the name of Du Eung-hyang, so I can’t serve shoddy ones.”
“Then treat me to a delicious dinner later.”
“Okay… uh! Nevermind. You’re like a sly fox.”
Im Ha-yeon seemed to recall Ha So-so’s words and squinted one eye while responding.
“If you don’t want to, then forget it. Now, let’s head to our next location.”
“Where are we going?”
“To the government office.”
I casually gestured toward the government office in the distance. Suddenly, Im Ha-yeon’s complexion turned pale.
What’s wrong? I looked at her with a puzzled expression.
Im Ha-yeon looked at me like a betrayed boy who followed his parents who promised to treat him to fried pork cutlet only to lose something precious forever.
“…S-Seriously, are you going to sell me out?”
————
“Come in quickly.”
“Ughhh. Just a moment. Let me take a deep breath before entering. Huh-huh!”
She really is a strange woman who acts foolishly in unusual places.
Runaway courtesan, daughter of the Shadowless Thief, thief (really).
If even one of those were true, she could become a human musical instrument at the government office, which is why she hesitated to go in.
In the end, I had to grab her sleeve and drag her inside as she kept hesitating with a tch, a restriction aura expression.
“Is this not the place?”
I thought there would be a lot of people since applications are only taken here at this time, but maybe I was at the wrong place.
I felt like I realized something went wrong after entering a classroom just ten minutes before a college exam and finding nobody there.
“Did you come to apply for the printing equipment transfer?”
A person who appeared to be a government official stood up from a desk and asked me.
“Yes. Is this the place to apply?”
“You put the form with your personal information in this jar, and you’ll receive a notice separately. But are you sure you want to put it in?”
The official looked at me uncomfortably while staring at a corner in the room behind me.
“Yes?”
What’s going on? Following the official’s gaze, I saw several martial artists staring intently at me.
“Haa. No. Please put the paper into the jar.”
The official said while intentionally showing me the inside of the jar. There was only one envelope inside.
What’s this? They sighed and even gave a warning outright. Something feels fishy.
From the looks of it, the people behind me watching me like hawks seem to be related to the situation.
I quickly compared and analyzed in my head. I seem to be dealing with some risk I’m unaware of. But today is the only day for applying.
The printing equipment available for transfer is in good condition, cost-effective, and at a level I can afford.
If I pass up this chance, I’ll have to deal with a critical hit to the Tea Bookstore’s ledger.
“I’ll apply.”
The decision was swift. This is my home ground. If I’m scared of such problems, I shouldn’t be in business.
“Someone will check your identity and go for you. The bid amount must be submitted by the same time next week.”
I nodded and then pulled Im Ha-yeon, who was staring worriedly at the martial artists, and we left the government office.
————-
“We’re being chased.”
Not long after exiting the government office, Im Ha-yeon whispered quietly beside me.
“Is it those guys from earlier?”
“Yes. Behind and to the left. They’re coming from the front as well.”
“Let’s head to the alley!”
Like we were prepared, Im Ha-yeon and I began sprinting toward the alley with all our might.
“Running away!”
“Catch them!”
“Ugh ugh!”
Following Im Ha-yeon in a hurry, I was out of breath.
“Why can’t you use Light Body Movement even though you learned Martial Arts?!”
“My internal energy is too low…”
Just give me some elixirs and quit talking. And I just need to run through the alley. Chasing like a thief makes it hard to keep up.
“Ughhh! Seriously!… Here! Hop on!”
Im Ha-yeon hesitated, stomping her feet at me, before finally squatting down and showing her back to me.
“That’s not necessary.”
I appreciate it, but no thanks.
“Huh?”
“We’re surrounded.”
——–
“Ugh. Huhuh! Huh!”
A moment after being surrounded, a young man in his early twenties appeared, panting heavily.
He seemed like he must have built a monument to studying while avoiding exercise.
“Hey, young master. Take a deep breath.”
“I-I’m fine! Who the hell are you punks?!”
The young hoodlum, panting, pointed at us.
“……”
“Black hair? A barbarian, huh? Hey? Can’t you speak the Central Plains language? Ha! Shit. Does anyone understand what these barbarians are saying around here? No, wait. The girl next to you isn’t a barbarian.”
“Who are you?”
If you act scared, they’ll bow even more. I calmly asked the flustered young hoodlum.
“What? You speak the Central Plains language well! I am Jeon Gil-san of the Man Geum Bookstore!”
“Jeon Gil-san of the Man Geum Bookstore?”
Who’s that? It feels like unveiling a singer’s identity on a variety show just makes things even more confusing.
“You don’t know Man Geum Bookstore? Are you ignorant, barbarian? Hey, are you here for your master’s errands?”
“What the hell are you talking about?!”
“Shut up!”
I blocked Im Ha-yeon and calmed her down. Barbarian discrimination is nothing new, and at this point, it’s like a morning greeting.
“Hey, barbarian. Tell your master that Jeon Gil-san of the Man Geum Bookstore, who came from Wuhan, is eyeing the printing equipment, so they should give up bidding.”
“Jeon Gil-san from Wuhan is eyeing the printing equipment?”
“Ha. Shit, this barbarian has been talking short from earlier. Hey, does your master teach you poorly? Don’t mess with me.”
Jeon Gil-san looked at me sharply and raised his hand.
Under his command, the martial artists looked at us with threatening expressions.
So it’s gonna come to this, huh?
“Get behind me.”
Im Ha-yeon, revealing her white legs from the side slit of her cheongsam, was readying her unique technique.
“Count me in.”
I said, fiddling with my hidden weapon.
Perhaps because we weren’t shrinking back, the martial artists slowly crept closer, their expressions tense.
Where can I strike to incapacitate them for sure?
In that moment, we were both contemplating and tense when suddenly…
beep beep beep!
“Lord Podu, the people exiting the government office are heading that way!”
We heard a horn sound.
“Damn it! Tell your master clearly! Let’s go!”
Jeon Gil-san hurriedly vanished into the alley.
——–
“Did you really just apply for the printing equipment that Man Geum Bookstore is eyeing? Are you insane?”
The bookstore representative came to the Tea Bookstore and immediately yelled at me.
“You knew this all along? What’s going on with those guys?”
“Don’t you know Man Geum Bookstore? It’s the most famous bookstore in Hubei, operating out of the Man Geum Battlefield. They’re known for supporting authors like Ho Pil and exclusively supplying books.”
“I think I’ve seen them a couple of times.”
While wandering through Hubei, I think I’ve encountered them a few times.
“The one who appeared in Yichang recently is the grandson of the renowned Man Geum-jeon. A little while ago, he came to me with his martial artists, making threats about not bidding for the printing equipment, and it gave me quite a scare.”
The bookstore representative seemed to recall the incident and spoke with a trembling voice.
“What do they gain from monopolizing the government facility transfers? Why is the government just sitting by?”
“It’s tricky for them to meddle in whether to bid or not. They likely think they can play nice since the money comes from the bookstore itself. There’s probably some under-the-table dealing going on.”
“Unbelievable.”
“That grandson isn’t someone to be taken lightly; ignoring him could lead to serious trouble. Man Geum Bookstore is the most famous bookstore in Hubei, and there’s no benefit to crossing them.”
“Still, Man Geum Bookstore isn’t here in Yichang.”
“That’s why I’m here.”
The bookstore representative pointed at the ground with his finger.
“The Tea Bookstore?”
“They’re close friends with the head of Man Geum Bookstore. That’s why Man Geum Bookstore isn’t here in Yichang.”
“Aha.”
They didn’t want to interfere with their friend’s business. That’s why the bookstore representative didn’t relay news about Man Geum Bookstore to me.
“Thanks to that, we minor bookstores are reaping the benefits. Anyway, be careful.”
“To think someone from Wuhan would come all the way out here just because the printing equipment is cheaper.”
It’s unbelievable, but it certainly is an alluring price.
“What kind of lavish bookstore would be in a podunk like Yichang?”
As I pondered this a moment, I heard a voice from earlier.
“Isn’t it because there’s no Man Geum Bookstore?”
Huh? Those guys?
“Is that so? Get your manager out here!”
“What is it?”
Those loud voices belonged to the people from earlier at Man Geum Bookstore.
“Hey? Weren’t you the barbarian? Are you an employee here?”
“What do you want?”
“Not you, barbarian. I said bring your manager out!”
Jeon Gil-san, with a bothersome expression, waved his hand at me.
“Here I am.”
“…You’re the manager?”
“…….”
“The owner of the Tea Bookstore was supposed to have purple hair… This is a bit awkward.”
Was Jeon Gil-san or the young hoodlum, whoever he was, had a face that clearly showed he was facing an examiner who refused to offer his seat to an old man in a waiting room.
“What do you want?”
“Haah. Shit.”
Did he learn manners from those thugs? He’s sighing dramatically while standing before me. What business could he have?
“We’ve come on behalf of Man Geum Bookstore.”
In the end, the one who seemed to be serving the young hoodlum finally spoke to me.
“Since we were introduced so flamboyantly earlier, we’re clear on that. So what’s the matter?”
The man, seemingly flustered, finally told me something unexpected.
“I’d like to set up a meeting with Ho Pil.”
