“Are you telling me to become the manager of the Wuhan Tea Bookstore?”
“Ha ha. Manager, huh? If this goes well, you’ll already be a merchant running two businesses. You should start preparing for a position in the Doobang.”
Doobang. Think of it as a small business owner with multiple establishments in modern times.
So, is he saying I should try running a branch and gain some experience?
“Should I consider branch management as part of the test?”
“Only the business is the test. Running a bookstore is compensation for your grandson’s accident.”
“Then…”
There’s not much reason to do it when I already have a lot of work.
“However, you’ll be permitted to use the profits from the branch for your business.”
Now that’s a completely different story.
The food delivery business has successfully established itself in Wuhan. And Wuhan is a big city. There are still plenty of places to expand the business.
If I can secure a guaranteed success card like the Tea Bookstore branch, I can scramble together the cash I need when I can’t easily expand my business due to lack of funds.
Now that’s a sure reward!
“How much profit can I use from the branch?”
“Well, that’s a conversation for you and the bookstore owner.”
“M-Me?”
Man Geum-jeon nodded his head with a proud glance at his remarkable granddaughter.
‘They want me to run a branch while dating.’
The Wuhan branch belongs to Jeong-gal Hyang. But if I can make a profit while dating, once we’re married, it’ll be mine. It was like showing the bridal dowry in advance.
‘Man Geum-jeon must be worried about the match being called off.’
He pretended to be relaxed, but inside he must have been a bit anxious. I smiled faintly inside.
With the match being called off and the Ho Pil impersonation incident, he probably thought he’d have to offer some big reward to connect those two.
Running a Tea Bookstore, meeting often, building a relationship, and putting up with it, even if it’s a little uncomfortable, looks like the plan.
It was a blatant temptation.
He probably thought I’d see it as an offer I couldn’t refuse.
This time, I was one step ahead.
‘We’re already set for a contract relationship.’
By the time the test is over, it was already confirmed as a fake relationship.
What a shame. No matter how much I run the branch, I have no intention of marrying.
If I have a branch, I can channel the money needed for the business. And since it’s not my place, I won’t carry the risk if it fails.
“I will try to maintain a good relationship with Jeong-gal Hyang.”
The test needs to yield the principal and satisfactory additional profit as written on the invoice.
Thanks to the contract relationship, I think I can reach passing a bit easier.
——————-
Blind dates.
It’s a term that feels quite alien to me. No matter how I look back at my life, my memories regarding blind dates are blank.
I wanted to date as well, so I asked to set up a blind date. But what’s most important in a romance at the age of twenty?
I don’t know since I’ve never done it, but a person like me, who has uniquely distinct features, couldn’t possibly enter the battlefield of youth called a blind date.
You’re such a great guy, let me take care of it for you.
Getting cut at the entrance and getting an ‘outside of the ranking’ label, how absurd is that? I still remember my friend’s bitter smile as he poured me a drink, looking all gloomy not too long after that.
Right now, my official blind date with Jeong-gal Hyang is my very first.
“This pasta is delicious.”
At the food-prepped blind date table. How should I start?
I was a bit nervous about it being my first blind date, so I threw out a small conversation starter.
“Oh, really? Yes! It’s tasty.”
Jeong-gal Hyang avoided making eye contact and nodded her head, going back to her food.
Is that all?
I gave her a look that silently pressured her to say something, any words really. Jeong-gal Hyang seemed not to plan on keeping her mouth shut forever; she kept glancing at me, eventually opening her mouth.
“Well, um, uh, we… that…”
“I don’t think we need to discuss that here.”
There could be ears listening, after all. That topic is too dangerous.
“Oh, right…”
“Don’t be anxious. I keep my promises.”
I’m interested in the burnt rice, not in offering prayers.
“Right, of course.”
Is there anything she doesn’t like? Jeong-gal Hyang answered in a slightly dispirited tone, lowering her head again.
It feels like dealing with a conversational black hole. No matter what I throw in, the conversation doesn’t flow well.
“Are there any questions you have about me?”
“Oh! Uh, um…”
Does she have a question or not?
Maintaining a contract relationship with an awkward stance would be difficult. We need to show a good exterior to the world without feeling pressured.
I must take the initiative.
“You mentioned you like The Rise of the Tang Family. Have you read up to the latest volume?”
“Oh, yes! I’ve read up to volume three!”
“The Jeong-gal family is located north of Hubei Province; that’s quite interesting. Is The Rise of the Tang Family being published in Yichang?”
“Oh, no. I like books a lot, so I specifically asked to receive The Rise of the Tang Family.”
Keep holding on to the conversation thread and keep it going with shared interests.
“Volume three is something people in Yichang line up for. Knowing that you like The Rise of the Tang Family, as the manager of the Tea Bookstore, I can’t express how delighted I am.”
“Eheh, on the day volume three was released, Jeong-gal family members lined up to buy it.”
Jeong-gal Hyang smiled proudly as if she was bragging.
“You’ve done it to the extent of even transcribing it, so you must have a lot of knowledge about The Rise of the Tang Family.”
“Yes, yes! I’m confident I could answer any test question related to The Rise of the Tang Family!”
“Ha ha, if you come to the Tea and Book Club, you’ll surely have a pleasant conversation partner.”
“Huh?”
Jeong-gal Hyang looked at me wide-eyed, as if to say, “What does that mean?”
“The club for avid readers of The Rise of the Tang Family. In Yichang, we gather and chat about it every day. I’m sure you would enjoy it.”
“Well, that… wouldn’t be easy.”
Jeong-gal Hyang frowned, seeming troubled.
“Why?”
“It’s a misunderstanding to think a truly timid person can be outgoing about what they love. If a completely unknown person can discuss their favorite topic openly, that’s not a timid person to begin with. A truly shy person, even if they want to say something, they might express it through writing, but how would they talk with a stranger about it…”
“Ha ha…”
Did I press a trauma switch or something?
“Ah, um, I’m sorry!”
Jeong-gal Hyang seemed to realize her sudden outburst, reddening and looking down.
At moments like this, it’s better to think about not needing to apologize. I smiled warmly and spoke.
“Well, then we’ll just do it starting from now.”
“Huh, what?”
“There’s no need to feel burdened between us. Just consider me a friend with whom you can comfortably chat. You love books, and I’m a bookstore owner, so it would be easy to become friends.”
Since it’s a contract relationship. It’s just like thinking of each other as friends rather than lovers. At least on the outside, we might look like a couple.
“Y-You mean, I’d be talking with Master Kang?”
Jeong-gal Hyang, unable to close her lips smeared with sauce, stared at me wide-eyed.
“Yes. I like Tang Jung the best in The Rise of the Tang Family; do you have a favorite character?”
“I-I like Tang Jung too!”
“I think Tang Jung in volume one…”
“Yes! Me too!”
Jeong-gal Hyang’s tense expression changed to one of joy, and she looked reluctant to leave her seat.
Thanks to one topic, the conversation could continue.
“Auntie, why aren’t you eating properly?”
During lunchtime at the inn run by Kang Yoon-ho, one employee asked Im Ha-yeon, who hadn’t picked up her rice spoon at all.
“I’m just not really hungry.”
Im Ha-yeon is known as the club leader’s woman among the Joseon people in Wuhan.
She herself adamantly denies it, but with the two always being so close, everyone could easily figure out what their relationship is.
“Ah, it reminds me of our dear wife, who once said spring potatoes are delicious.”
“Ah, I too told you it wasn’t for you, but seeing you not eat made my heart sink,” reminiscing about a girlfriend who ended up being a plump lady now… Honey, how did you end up here?
Joseon people in Wuhan affectionately call Im Ha-yeon ‘Auntie.’ Usually, she would’ve retorted, “What auntie?” but now she answered weakly.
“It makes sense. Your husband went to meet another woman.”
Former club leader, innkeeper An Tae-won casually dropped that everyone was avoiding eye contact.
“Brother! Don’t put it like that!”
“…That’s not it.”
Im Ha-yeon’s denial carried no strength.
“Isn’t it? Are you saying my food isn’t tasty?”
In a confident manner, innkeeper An Tae-won swallowed a side dish.
Even if it’s expensive, delicious delivery food. An Tae-won’s culinary skills greatly contributed to the success of Kang Yoon-ho’s delivery business.
“Innkeeper!”
“Relax. Don’t worry too much.”
An Innkeeper glanced at the club leader’s woman as if she were overanalyzing things.
“Brother, don’t say things like that while setting the house on fire.”
“It’s that if you eat something strong and then eat something bland, it won’t taste like much at all. For Miss Im, she’s quite beautiful. I’ve never seen anyone prettier than Miss Im in all of Wuhan.”
No matter who the match is with, it’s impossible for him to notice anyone with Im Ha-yeon around. It was An Tae-won’s clumsy consolation.
“Right!”
“Absolutely.”
“There’s no reason for the club leader to look at another woman!”
“But what if the other party is from the Jeong-gal family? Even if their face is ruined, aren’t they still eligible for marriage?”
“…”
At the employee’s comment, the table fell silent. Observing the slightly trembling ends of Im Ha-yeon’s chopsticks, several employees gulped nervously.
“You idiot!”
“Take that clueless jerk away!”
“Sorry! No! I misspoke!”
“Send that guy on the farthest delivery today!”
Eventually, the employee who made the tone-deaf remark was dragged off to a side without any side dishes, just rice.
“Auntie, don’t worry. Everyone knows how hard you’re working behind the scenes. There’s no way the honorable club leader would do that.”
“…”
Im Ha-yeon couldn’t bring herself to speak, her worry evident on her face.
“Exactly. So, don’t hurt the feelings of the person who prepared the food. A woman looking fussy over food isn’t as pleasing as one who eats well.”
“Brother, that’s just because you’re the innkeeper that you say that…”
“You clueless fool! Shut up, man!”
They’re good people.
As Im Ha-yeon watched the Joseon people bickering over the meal, her worries slipped away, and she smiled gently.
Yes, they’re right. Originally, it’s a black-haired bookstore owner and a Jeong-gal family woman. There’s no common ground or interest in this forced blind date.
Their perception of each other must be the worst.
Plus, today, I completely showcased my appearance in front of him.
Just a situation born of a wealthy person’s whim. It’s nothing but a fleeting situation that will end quickly once he returns.
“I’ll eat well.”
Im Ha-yeon picked up her spoon again.
—-
“Auntie, why have you been standing by the door since earlier…”
“Shh. Do you want to go on another long distance delivery tomorrow? Want to keep making it obvious?”
“Ah…”
Im Ha-yeon’s gaze fixated on a particular person far away among the chatter.
A man with long black hair tied back, looking impeccable as always, but for some reason today, he looked off to her.
He was sauntering toward the inn.
“Did you come?”
Im Ha-yeon rushed out to greet him, trying to act as if she wasn’t worried at all.
“I’m back.”
His voice was low; he looked drained, as if something had gone wrong.
Im Ha-yeon recognized a similar expression.
The shocked faces of courtesans who stand before their first customers, filled with expectations. She had seen sisters return crying from the degrading treatment and lustful gazes they received.
No matter how hard one works all their life, some things aren’t accessible. After all, they are people from different worlds.
From a beggar to a bookstore manager. Had he received a similar shock?
“Come in. I’ve already done the stock check. Let’s go get something delicious to eat afterward.”
Im Ha-yeon grabbed Kang Yoon-ho’s sleeve. They could eat something yummy together and regain their spirits.
The weight that had burdened Im Ha-yeon’s step lifted suddenly.
“Mm.”
Kang Yoon-ho didn’t budge, as if he had something to say, even as Im Ha-yeon’s hand pulled at him.
“Did you hear something harsh? Did you feel disappointed by the Jeong-gal family?”
Should I comfort him in another way? A small dilemma flashed through Im Ha-yeon’s mind.
“No.”
“Then?”
“Well… it was actually beneficial.”
“Huh?”
Im Ha-yeon doubted her ears for a moment.
No way. It must have been a misunderstanding. But Kang Yoon-ho’s next words shattered all of Im Ha-yeon’s expectations.
“I will be seeing Jeong-gal Hyang for a while.”
