“Why, why are you meeting that woman?”
Im Ha-yeon asked me, looking flustered, probably because of the sudden meeting in the busy schedule.
“I told you yesterday, didn’t I? What’s going on with the Da Seo Gak branch? It’s been ten days without contact, so I have to go check it myself.”
“Isn’t it better to wait?”
“Even if I’m fine, it’s not okay for Im Ha-yeon.”
The Do-mun guys are searching for Im Ha-yeon with fiery eyes. Until the situation settles down, I have to keep expanding the business.
“…I’m fine.”
“Don’t worry too much. If I talk directly, who knows what Man Geum-jeon will plot this time? I’m just going to pressure Je-gal Hyang about it.”
I understand Im Ha-yeon’s concern. Every time I go to Man Geum Battlefield, I come back with more worries.
“Haah. Look at me.”
Im Ha-yeon took a step closer at the already nearby door, lifting her head to stare closely at my face.
“Scholar?”
Isn’t she coming too close too often lately? This could create misunderstandings even if I don’t want them to happen.
“Are you not dressed a bit too well?”
Seeing my expression, Im Ha-yeon smiled with a hint of satisfaction, awkwardly retied her clothes, and added, sounding a bit disappointed.
“Haha. Better than looking too approachable, right? I’ll be back.”
At Man Geum-jeon’s mansion.
“Master Kang, why haven’t you contacted me?”
The silver-haired beauty, Je-gal Hyang, rolled on the floor in despair, absorbing all the dust with her clothes.
Ten days.
Since the matchmaking, Je-gal Hyang hadn’t seen Kang Yoon-ho for ten days.
“This wasn’t in the books!”
Stories of men and women living happily together. Tales of fighting and falling in love. Adventures taken by men to save women.
Not a single novel Je-gal Hyang had read mentioned what to do when the man she is supposed to date doesn’t contact her for ten days.
What on earth am I supposed to do with this situation?
Having learned about relationships from books, Je-gal Hyang was utterly lost.
“I even had the courage to attend the funeral.”
“Master Kang! What a coincidence to meet here. Is this fate, perhaps?” She imagined a whimsical meeting like in novels, but reality was different.
“Hey, it’s been a while. What’ve you been up to lately?”
“Je-gal Family? My relation works at a company run by the Je-gal Family.”
“Je-gal Hyang, who are you dating these days? What? That guy?”
“Ugh!”
Recalling her embarrassing moments surrounded by people, Je-gal Hyang felt nauseous.
She was foolish. Heo Song and Master Kang share a grudge. They can’t meet at a funeral. Regretting this, she soon gave up on the thought.
“What should I do…?”
She knows the best option is to contact him first. But what if she sent a letter and he doesn’t reply?
“If that happens, my heart will break.”
Je-gal Hyang once more rolled on the floor like a donkey, screaming.
“Recently, that man didn’t contact me for a whole week.”
While Je-gal Hyang was barely patching up the heartbreak she imagined, she heard voices squabbling outside.
“Isn’t that the guy who had mutual feelings last time? So, what happened?”
“Ugh!”
Like a kid who sneaks into the kitchen to steal food at night without his mother finding out, Je-gal Hyang quickly moved closer, eavesdropping on the conversation.
“What’s so great about him anyway? I didn’t contact him out of anger.”
“They say he’s handsome and likely popular with women. Isn’t it over then?”
That’s true. If a man who looks like he’s popular with women doesn’t contact you, doesn’t that mean his interest has faded? Je-gal Hyang vehemently nodded her head in agreement.
“He begged for ten days and finally showed up. He must have thought he was taking the lead.”
“My goodness. You’re such a dating pro!”
“Did you finally realize? We had an expensive meal at a fancy restaurant as an apology.”
“Wow! How much was that?”
The squabbling continued, filled with joyful stories of love.
“Ugh. That’s why popular women…”
The woman on the other side of the wall wasn’t enjoying it at all.
Ultimately, none of that conversation helped her. Je-gal Hyang slumped back to her seat, shoulders drooping.
“Ugh… I really knew.”
With a self-deprecating tone, she reminisced about the last date.
“Even a timid person actively expresses feelings when it comes to love. That’s a misunderstanding. If a shy person could openly express everything to someone they like, they wouldn’t be shy!” The truly shy ones have something they really want to say…
“Ugh! You must think I’m a weird woman.”
At this point, she felt as if she had started the sparring match with a deadly intent from the beginning. Why did she do that?
As she remembered Master Kang’s bewildered laughter, she hung her head.
“Still… it was fun.”
Despite the pained expression on her face, a warm smile crept up her lips.
There really was a man she could connect with. She got mad for not being able to talk with a stranger properly, yet she communicated so well with Master Kang.
No matter what Master Kang said, she responded, losing track of time as they chattered.
Imagining Kang Yoon-ho’s face, who enjoyed their conversation, she covered her own face with both hands.
Then, being careful not to be overheard, she whispered cautiously to herself.
“I, I want to go to a restaurant with Master Kang, too.”
Should she muster the courage and send a letter?
They’re dating, so it’s okay for them to go to a restaurant together, right? Should she do it? What if he outright refuses?
It’s best to assume the worst in these situations. Je-gal Hyang imagined the worst reaction she could get when sending the letter.
“Our contract is a romantic one. It’s vulgar for a woman to contact first.”
“No! That’s too terrible!”
Imagining Kang Yoon-ho’s cold expression, she felt as if she’d been stabbed and collapsed to the ground.
“I need to draw a picture or something to calm my heart.”
I need an escape from reality. She plans to work on a big piece of art until Master Kang contacts her.
Je-gal Hyang quickly grabbed food and thought about it. But what if she finishes it and still gets no contact?
“Then, I just won’t finish it until I get a response.”
This might end up being her final piece. But her worry ended there.
“Miss, Master Kang has arrived!”
“Yes? Really?”
*
Maybe it’s because she’s my matchmaking partner.
As soon as I arrived at Man Geum-jeon’s mansion, Je-gal Hyang bolted out.
I hadn’t heard she hadn’t eaten, so I figured it would be good to chat on the luxurious carriage provided by the Man Geum Battlefield. We arrived at an upscale restaurant that offered a separate room for us.
“Ugh.”
Je-gal Hyang surveyed the surroundings, giggling for some reason.
Was she tired of Man Geum-jeon’s home? Maybe she felt like she was visiting her grandfather’s house during the holidays, hanging out with relatives and going to an internet cafe.
Since Je-gal Hyang is in a contract romance with me, she looked extremely comfortable in her light outfit, constantly glancing around.
“You’re saying you’re opening a bookstore in a better location?”
I asked Je-gal Hyang again to confirm the information I learned from the carriage.
“Oh, yes.”
Hesitatingly, Je-gal Hyang nodded at my question.
“I knew you would think it wasn’t proper to take over the last place where the deceased was.”
Heo Song died a horrific death, so seizing what belonged to his late grandson would definitely draw criticism.
“Yes, it seems it would take a bit more time.”
“I hope it can be resolved as soon as possible.”
“Ah, sorry about that.”
Je-gal Hyang bowed her head, feeling like she had committed a sin.
“Haha. There’s no need for you to apologize. Don’t feel burdened between us.”
The old man probably didn’t properly inform her. He likely wanted her to find out while chatting with his granddaughter.
“Us? What does that…”
“Sir, what would you like to order?”
The young waitress entered, interrupting Je-gal Hyang’s questions, asking me something before she could even respond.
“Me? Uh, that—”
Caught off guard by the unexpected event, Je-gal Hyang’s hands trembled as she held the menu, losing track of where to look.
“Sir, how about my recommendation? It is a bit pricey, but I assure the taste is guaranteed.”
The waitress slyly pointed to a high-priced menu item.
“No, um, well, then, the recommend…?”
“I’ll come back after you’ve made your selections.”
“Isn’t that terribly expensive? I can’t just let it go like that.” I firmly replied to the waitress.
“Very well. Understood, sir.”
As the waitress closed the door, she couldn’t hide her disappointment. Was she upset about the tip she wouldn’t receive?
“Phew.”
Once the waitress was gone, Je-gal Hyang let out a sigh of relief.
“Choosing a meal at a guesthouse isn’t easy, is it?”
“Uh, that, well, I’m usually good at this.”
Making up a lie that didn’t hold. Je-gal Hyang blushed as she cutely defended herself.
I knew that the worst enemy of a naturally shy person is generally the waitstaff.
When you visit a clothing store, the beautiful salesperson, smiling and urging you to buy, while asking how it looks in an odd style. It isn’t easy to express opinions.
A situation where Je-gal Hyang might feel embarrassed again, but it was still something she aimed for.
“I want to take my time choosing, but it feels like the people around me are rushing me. I’m not even sure what delicious food is, yet I need to make a decision I won’t regret. I also feel bad for the waitress waiting.”
Just as if I were fully empathizing with Je-gal Hyang’s feelings, I spoke as if I sympathized. It’s often the case that similar personalities can open up to each other.
“Yeah! Exactly!”
Her enthusiastic response showed that Je-gal Hyang was vigorously nodding her head.
“On top of that, there are waitresses who make it obvious they dislike waiting when I have black hair.”
Now, let me show her my trivial weakness. Showing weaknesses can help the other person become more empathetic.
“Really?”
“Just now, that waitress suggested to me, a man, without asking Je-gal Hyang. It’s obvious she didn’t want to deal with me because I have black hair.”
“My goodness.”
Je-gal Hyang looked astonished, bringing her hands together to stare at me.
“I made delivery food that was so good no one had to worry about that.”
I subtly guided the conversation to a topic I could steer easily.
“Yeah! I agree! It was super convenient!”
Je-gal Hyang began to ramble on enthusiastically about the delivery food.
Anyway, it’s a contract romance.
There’s no need for either of us to feel burdened.
I continued the conversation with Je-gal Hyang, feeling like I was making a new friend.
———————–
Truthfully, I’d love to laze around all day. But Im Ha-yeon said she had a lot to do from morning.
After a casual lunch and a cup of tea, we stepped out of the restaurant.
“I’ll escort you back to the mansion.”
“But, Master Kang has to walk then!”
Je-gal Hyang clutched my sleeve with a bright face as she shook her head.
“The carriage shouldn’t be left at the guesthouse. The stable… um, innkeeper?”
In the end, the luxurious carriage from Man Geum Battlefield was heading not to the mansion but to my guesthouse.
“I’ll just say hello for a second, then you go in safely, Je-gal Hyang.”
I gestured to the waitress and bowed towards Je-gal Hyang in the carriage. She seemed to have made up her mind, clenched her fist tight, then opened her mouth to speak.
“Uh, that, um, next time…”
“Yes?”
“Can I contact you by letter next time…?”
“Ah, then I’ll contact you separately instead of this sudden visit.”
Thinking that she had come out in a relaxed outfit with ink stains and that it was just a casual outing, it seemed she had been more anxious than I realized.
“Yeah, I’ll clear my schedule too. I mean, it’s not that I’m usually busy; it’s just that I don’t have any plans most of the time…”
“Haha. I’ll take that as you keeping a schedule open just for me. If there’s anything to pass on, please feel free to write, Je-gal Hyang.”
“Yeees! Oh?!”
“Je-gal Hyang?”
What’s going on? As soon as she poked her face out of the carriage, Je-gal Hyang seemed panicked and started looking around.
“Wh-where is that murderous intent coming from…?”
Murderous intent? Did the woman skilled in martial arts sense some threat?
“Murderous intent?”
“More accurately, it’s the kind of aura you sense when you’re caught sneaking into the kitchen late at night to eat when your mother told you not to.”
That’s quite specific.
“Things have been unsettling lately, so you should probably head inside.”
It might not be the end of Heo Song, but the beginning of something else. I spoke to Je-gal Hyang in a worried tone.
“Really? Oh okay! I’ll go in!”
Seemingly not understanding what was going on, Je-gal Hyang looked around, finally said goodbye, and headed back into the mansion.
“What a fun girl.”
Watching Je-gal Hyang reminded me of a friend I had who faced difficulties talking to strangers but was fine once they became close.
It was fun playing games together. I wonder what they are up to these days.
“…What’s so fun?”
From behind, a chill voice suddenly echoed.
“Ah! You startled me! Anything happen today?”
It was Im Ha-yeon. Why did she pop in all of a sudden?
“Why…”
Im Ha-yeon looked shocked, staring at the direction the carriage had vanished, then turned to look at me.
“Huh?”
“Why do you look so pretty?”
What is she talking about?
