Moving to a new house was surprisingly simple.
Since it was a fully furnished mansion, we just had to bring a few belongings. I was fine, but for a woman who had tasted the bitterness of the world after falling for a deposit scam, it must have been a tough day.
After a long, exhausting night, I waited for Im Ha-yeon to arrive at the door to comfort her for her hard work today.
“You did well today. Come sit down.”
As I greeted her at the door, she looked surprised and followed me to the dining table set up inside.
“What is all this?”
Seeing the spread of food laid out on the table, Im Ha-yeon asked me in a startled voice.
“I had some people from the Seocheon Post Office prepare it.”
Surprised, huh? I was surprised too!
Who would have thought that mentioning cooking in front of Pyo-du would lead to them quickly gathering some people from Seocheon Post Office?
“…….”
Im Ha-yeon looked back and forth between the spread and me with a somewhat dissatisfied expression. Was the food not to her liking?
“What do you have in your hand? Is it moving luggage?”
“Oh, it’s nothing. Can I just sit here?”
At my comment, Im Ha-yeon sat down quickly, hiding the item she brought under the table.
Aha. It must be something she didn’t want to talk about.
I understood; I had boxes taped up multiple times while moving, boxes that were labeled “Do not open!” and “Just leave it in the room.”
“You’ve worked hard today, so let’s eat.”
I intentionally pushed my thoughts about Im Ha-yeon’s belongings to one corner and enjoyed our first meal together in the main room.
—–
Those cooks from the post office are pretty good.
After finishing the meal, I sipped some tea and casually glanced at Im Ha-yeon. She didn’t seem to be displeased with the food after all—her previously grumpy expression had softened.
Perfect timing to bring it up.
I pulled out the subject prepared to solve Im Ha-yeon’s problems.
“Im Ha-yeon. As we discussed today, let’s start writing a novel.”
Starting from the easiest route.
I have no idea about the circumstances of the Haomun incident, nor can I buy her miracles by waiting forever. That’s just not my style.
“A novel could become Im Ha-yeon’s hope.”
First, I need to give her hope, so she doesn’t feel like she has to live as a courtesan for the rest of her life.
I would actively support her in pursuing her biggest dream since she came from Yichang. Helping her earn money through her writing would inspire hopes of being able to buy miracles.
This was a plan I could initiate right away.
“If Im Ha-yeon’s novel can succeed, my reputation will definitely rise.”
With Ho Pil and now Im Ha-yeon, the reputation of the Tea Bookstore’s manager Kang Yoon-ho would definitely improve.
Of course, I never naively expected her to write a novel like The Rise of the Tang Family. She might have loved novels in the original story, but she was a thief and a courtesan, not an author.
The goal was to ignite hope in Im Ha-yeon.
Ultimately, the novel would serve as a safety net.
“If we part ways like this, our relationship could be severed.”
I’m not exactly sure how Im Ha-yeon feels about me.
I mentioned my father’s authority, but she dislikes him, so that angle is out. Our relationship as an employee and employer is good, but she harbors some resentment towards my business practices.
While there’s definitely some affection in her asking for help, there are surely parts of her that think poorly of me.
It’s good that she sought help, but if the situation were to deteriorate, it could end our relationship. That’s why I prepared the idea of helping her with the novel.
Editor and author. Authority and a daughter. Boss and employee. Roommates. I needed to intertwine our relationships in various ways.
“Even in the worst-case scenario, we can maintain our relationship.”
As long as she doesn’t stop writing, even if she goes to Wuhan, she could continue to keep in touch with me. Writing would be an easy way to communicate through letters.
Im Ha-yeon wouldn’t lose hope and would challenge herself to write, while I, as the bookstore owner, could publish her books and maintain a good relationship.
In both the best and worst situations, writing would serve as a bridge between us.
“Can I really do this?”
Im Ha-yeon said this while slumping her shoulders, sounding uncertain.
“If you don’t start, that white paper will remain plain, and you’ll just eat what you’ve eaten. If you’re going to wander aimlessly at night, it’s better to stain that white paper with ink.”
“But I didn’t win any awards at the Yichang Literary Association.”
“You were eliminated before the final screening. If your first written piece got that far, it’s remarkable.”
This was also why I encouraged Im Ha-yeon to write. Since her first written work narrowly missed the final screening, it was quite significant.
Most of the works that went to final screening ended up winning awards, so while the chances might be slim, it was still worth trying.
Additionally, there were ways to increase her chances.
“Still.”
“And the important thing is, I’m here.”
Who do you think I am? I spoke with assurance to Im Ha-yeon, who wore a worried expression.
“…….”
Im Ha-yeon gazed into my confident eyes.
“Though The Rise of the Tang Family came from Ho Pil’s hands, it became popular because of my eyes and words. If Ha-yeon starts writing, I can help with anything.”
While I, Kang Yoon-ho, am a combination of Ho Pil and the bookstore manager, no need to mention that.
“Having Kang Yoon-ho, who supported Ho Pil and discovered The Rise of the Tang Family, read your novel….”
I could see hope blossoming amidst Im Ha-yeon’s frustrated expression.
Then I had to throw some fuel on that hope.
“Take this with you when you return to your room.”
I handed a box prepared in advance to Im Ha-yeon.
“What’s this?”
Im Ha-yeon looked at the beautifully wrapped box, curiously asking me.
“It’s writing supplies.”
“Writing supplies?”
“The rain didn’t ruin your writing supplies, did it? I managed to find some precious writing tools from Sichuan, and it reminded me of you.”
Receiving so many writing supplies while being labeled an author in the Tang Family was a tad too much. I had already received gifts of writing supplies from Hwarin as well, so I didn’t need it.
You can use it yourself.
“Wow…….”
Im Ha-yeon carefully opened the wrapping and, upon seeing the contents inside, her eyes widened.
You wouldn’t be surprised; it was obviously high-quality writing supplies. It looked like something only a highly esteemed scholar would receive as a gift.
Although it was something I was just giving away, there was no need to look so touched. I could see Im Ha-yeon’s eyes trembling as she looked back and forth between me and the writing supplies.
“Haha. Is it not to your liking? If you want something else, I can provide that too. There are even special ones that can help with memorizing.”
I teased her lightly, shaking her in a playful manner, just before she was about to break down in tears.
“I-I’m not unhappy! …Thank you. I’ll cherish it. I’ll do my best!”
“If it’s you, Im Ha-yeon, we can surely do it.”
All it takes to lift a dejected writer’s spirit is just one warm word.
———
Half a month has passed since Im Ha-yeon and I moved in together.
Unless some grand event occurs, the daily life of an office worker tends to repeat itself. This daily routine, devoid of accidents, often helps bring people back to a normal track.
Im Ha-yeon, who once looked like she was about to be captured at any moment, found a certain ease on her face after experiencing hope, and there had been no response from Haomun for a fortnight.
As a man, I couldn’t help but enjoy the slight superiority of walking alongside a beauty in a cheongsam every day.
“You worked hard today too.”
I spoke to Im Ha-yeon as we clocked out together, noticing her exhausted appearance.
“Ugh… I have to go home and write right away.”
It had already been a fortnight since she began feeling the pains of a part-time writer. Just yesterday, I had heard sounds of her muttering to herself in frustration because she couldn’t come up with anything in her room.
“How about you try writing a little and just show me that?”
I smiled at Im Ha-yeon, who was complaining about the difficulties of juggling writing with her job.
“I have just figured out the material and outlined the story. I’ll write at least half a volume before I show it to you.”
She didn’t want to receive help for the beginning part. She stubbornly insisted on that point, so I hadn’t seen any of her work yet.
“By the way, what were you talking to that person about yesterday?”
I had seen her holding onto someone outside the main room, looking quite earnest while speaking. Was there something she wanted to say?
“You saw that?!”
“How could I not see it? The print shop isn’t that big.”
“Ugh… I-I just talked about what to serve for dinner.”
Im Ha-yeon, clearly taken aback to have been noticed, quickly covered her face with one hand.
“Aha.”
The cooks from the post office are good. They wouldn’t serve hellish fried fish and bone-dense mackerel without any care, right?
Was she picky about what food she wanted so she asked them to skip some?
“Could it be…?”
Is she embarrassed about being caught being picky? Im Ha-yeon suddenly hurried to walk ahead a bit and tentatively asked me.
“Hmm?”
“Do you, perhaps, have any favorite foods?”
“I don’t really have any preferences. If I had to say, perhaps, my hometown food?”
Since this was a martial arts dating simulation world, I hadn’t really thought about picky eating.
Of course, I did miss having plain home-cooked meals, but who would make that for me?
“Are you talking about Joseon food?”
Why is she shocked? Im Ha-yeon turned back to look at me with a puzzled expression.
“Something similar. If you’re talking to the cooks, you don’t have to ask for Joseon food specifically. I can eat any kind of meat.”
She probably felt sorry for having talked to the cooks about it. I wanted to say something unusual might come up if I mentioned Joseon food specifically.
After all, I can easily polish off a meal of tonkatsu or stir-fried pork.
“Joseon food… Got it. I’ll remember that.”
Im Ha-yeon clenched her fist as if making a determination and nodded, turning her body back around. There’s no need to stress out the cooks.
While home-cooked meals are important, it’s best to think about writing. Otherwise, she might gain some weight.
I held back what I wanted to say, fearing I might get pierced through by her gaze, as we headed toward the new house with Im Ha-yeon.
———————–
No matter how much you plead for silence, juicy gossip tends to spread.
Before long, rumors of Im Ha-yeon and me living together circulated among the staff.
“Manager. Is Ha-yeon sister coming in late today?”
Ha So-so asked, as if she expected Im Ha-yeon to be absent that morning.
“I told her she could take a break today. She struggled a bit last night.”
When I carefully opened the door in the morning, I found her fast asleep at her desk. I didn’t deny it and just informed Ha So-so of Im Ha-yeon’s absence.
Im Ha-yeon seemed to be gaining momentum with her writing, as the light had been on in her room all through the night yesterday.
She was probably burning a lot of calories writing, sneaking into the kitchen at times for late-night snacks, which left me conflicted about whether I should say something before she succumbs to the deadly foe of writers: gaining weight.
“She struggled last night?!”
Ha So-so asked in shock with wide eyes.
“Im Ha-yeon is running low on sleep lately.”
“Low on sleep… Ahahaha…”
Was she unable to fathom it? Ha So-so stepped back from me, chuckling awkwardly.
What’s happening with her?
Before long, Ha So-so talked to some of the other female employees, gossiping quietly in their ears. Then they started buzzing around, exchanging shocked expressions that mirrored Ha So-so’s.
“It seems the rumors are true.”
“Ha-yeon denied it so adamantly.”
“But is it really to the point where she can’t come in all day?”
“Manager, your hair is black.”
“Oh… That makes sense; she might be unable to move all day.”
“I heard from male employees that they saw a serpent…”
“No way?! Really?!”
“I heard it was at least two or three of them originally…”
“I think I heard something like that before.”
The female employees looked at me—or more specifically, certain parts of me—with a mixture of shock and envy.
Just like that, the misunderstanding spread upon hearing that I said she had a hard time last night.
“Manager.”
With a worried expression, Ha So-so approached me again.
“Ha So-so. It seems strange rumors are spreading.”
“You’re Joseon, but Ha-yeon is from the Central Plains… You should be especially considerate of such things.”
Ha So-so spoke as if she were a worried sister concerned for her struggling older sibling.
“It’s a misunderstanding.”
“Although other sisters are saying, even if one learns martial arts, alone might be insufficient. Right now, she’s probably pulling the weight of two or three people…”
I’m telling you it’s not—
I was going to let it slide, but this clearly needs to be addressed.
“Who’s running this place?!”
As I prepared to speak to Ha So-so, the door of the Tea Bookstore swung open, and martial artists with swords barged in.
“What’s the matter?”
Who are they?
Three martial artists entered, all equipped with swords. They looked like they hadn’t bathed for a long-time travel, with unkempt beards and faces.
Judging by their appearance, they seemed more suited for cheap liquor and gambling than for tea and writing.
Confused, I asked one of the martial artists what was going on, and he approached me with a hostile look and said something completely unexpected.
“I heard that a courtesan who escaped from our guild is working here.”
