There was one item that was used almost as much as the ingredients for the delivery food business run through the carrier pigeons.
“Give me the amount of paper I ordered, and half of what I had last time.”
That’s right, paper for ordering.
To minimize the unit cost, they used a bulk purchasing method for cheap paper, but it was something that needed careful consideration.
Because of this, I stopped by the supplier with Im Ha-yeon from the morning. As much as I enjoyed negotiating with the supplier, the store owner was weak against pretty women, so Ha-yeon mostly handled it.
Why is there nothing extra when I go? No matter how outstandingly beautiful Ha-yeon is, isn’t this discrimination too severe?
“Recently, the price of paper has gone up, so I think we’ll have to give you more than last time.”
“Do you know how much paper we buy weekly? Is this how you treat customers?”
Ha-yeon glared at the store owner with a sharp gaze.
“Really! The price of paper is bending my waist these days!”
“But we buy a lot, so you make a good profit.”
“Actually, I haven’t mentioned it until now because you buy so much. There’s nowhere else that offers it as cheaply as our place!”
It was true that this place was the cheapest around here.
“Huh… Then please give me a discount again, Mr. Owner.”
Did Ha-yeon think this wouldn’t work? She changed her attitude, mixing in some coyness as she made her request.
“Ugh. No matter how pretty you pretend, I can’t do it this time! It’s really tough.”
The middle-aged shop owner desperately hid his blushing face at Ha-yeon’s coyness and refused.
“Okay. If you say so, then could you give me more scrap paper? That’s alright, right?”
“Of course, I can do that much.”
“Huh.”
Ha-yeon seemed to think she had gotten what she wanted and smiled contentedly.
When she first started in management, she couldn’t even place an order, but now she’s learned to leverage her strengths while negotiating. What a scary development.
“With a beautiful face and great at chores too! I can’t handle this! You’ve really picked a great wife, my friend!”
“Haha. I told you not like that last time.”
“Then hurry up and make her your wife!”
“If you keep saying that, it’ll put the young lady in a difficult spot. Isn’t that right, Miss Ha-yeon?”
“…….”
When I turned my head, Ha-yeon’s lips were slightly pouting.
“Miss?”
“What were you looking at?”
I was browsing so as not to interrupt the negotiation.
“I saw some nice brushes, just taking a look.”
To be precise, the Joseon-made yellow fur brushes were also here. The high-end brush I received as a gift before parting from Hwa-rin was now in Yichang.
“Do you want one?”
Ha-yeon asked as if to gauge my thoughts.
“Just browsing.”
“They say seeing something makes you want it. It’s not the right time for us to indulge just yet, and we already have writing supplies.”
Ha-yeon spoke to me gently, like a mother admonishing her child.
“I know.”
Now was not the time to splurge; we needed to squeeze every penny for the business. Buying an expensive brush wasn’t on my list unless it was a gift.
“Once this is all over, let’s pick out a nice brush together and indulge a bit.”
Ha-yeon whispered softly beside me, trying not to let the shop owner hear.
Maybe it’s because business was doing well. The woman who had once come to my room crying seemed to have hope now, and it made me feel warm.
“That sounds good! Oh, by the way, I’m going to grab lunch after this.”
I brought up something I hadn’t mentioned to her.
“Huh? Let’s eat together.”
“Haha. Well… There is someone I need to eat alone with.”
“Is there anyone in Wuhan who wouldn’t want to eat with me…? Ah.”
Realizing who it was, Ha-yeon frowned and looked at me.
“I don’t intend to stay long. I’ll just check in briefly.”
Before proceeding with the plan, I needed some information about the Daso Bookstore branch.
“…Do as you wish. It’s your business anyway.”
Ha-yeon spoke coldly before opening the store door and leaving.
She smiled just a moment ago, then suddenly left with a frown. Let’s finish the order first.
“Send it to the inn as usual. I’ll pay with the goods just like before.”
“Sure. But are you really not considering marriage?”
“Haha.”
“She’s a good woman. It’s not just her appearance. Did you notice how she reacted when you were looking at that expensive brush?”
“Huh?”
“She opened her purse to compare prices, and then let out a little sigh when she thought you wouldn’t notice.”
“Haha.”
There was really no need to gift her anything.
Ha-yeon was practically working for free. Although she refused her paycheck, thinking she could save even a penny made me feel like a heartless boss.
“The items I sell aren’t cheap, after all. Even if a woman is frugal, someone who will be a good wife has to be like that. Isn’t it the man who earns the money and the wife who manages the household?”
“I know Miss Ha-yeon is diligent.”
“I’ll add some scraps along with the goods, so head on in.”
I greeted the shop owner and the slightly sulky Ha-yeon before heading to the restaurant where I was to meet Miss Zhuge.
—
“Aah, hello!”
I arrived a little late due to handling tasks in the morning.
Rushing into the reserved room at the restaurant, I found Miss Zhuge, who was hunched over, greeting me.
“You’ve arrived early. I’m sorry for being late.”
“I just, just got here!”
Miss Zhuge waved her hands in surprise.
The letter had said to come leisurely, so I guess she came almost at the same time as me.
“Customer! How long should we wait? The guests who came at the same time already finished their meals and left… Ah, you’re here.”
“It seems you waited quite a while. I’m really sorry.”
Yes, it was indeed a long wait.
I sincerely apologized to Miss Zhuge again.
“Ah, um, I… I was glad to wait for Strong Master Kang.”
Miss Zhuge avoided my gaze as she said this.
No way waiting could be enjoyable. Seeing her caught in a lie meant to spare my feelings made me feel even worse.
After hastily requesting the staff to serve the prepared food, I took a seat.
‘Why isn’t she sitting down?’
Even after I sat, Miss Zhuge did not return to her seat. Instead, she turned her body toward where I was, timidly spread her arms, and turned her head to the side.
Miss Zhuge’s body was slightly trembling. She looked like a small herbivore waiting for its owner’s touch, causing an involuntary smile to form on my face.
Is she trying to get my attention?
Unlike the pretty dress she wore on the first day we met, she now wore something spacious and easy to move in. It didn’t seem very different from before.
Ah. I realized what had changed from last time as she shyly lifted her sleeves.
“This time, your outfit looks quite neat.”
This time there were no ink stains.
“Ah! I, I came out after drawing, so I’m sorry!”
Miss Zhuge bowed her head repeatedly, apologizing to me.
She must have been conscious about her attire last time. Thinking back to that day, I realized I had visited quite suddenly.
“I came straight from work too. If you were concerned about last time’s outfit, please don’t feel burdened. I don’t mind it at all.”
After all, we’re in a contract relationship.
“Really?!”
Miss Zhuge had an innocent smile, looking like a lamb that had been forgiven for all its sins.
“Yes. It’s enjoyable to meet and talk with you, Miss Zhuge. I’m not at all here to judge your clothing.”
Since it was more important to know about her for later, I couldn’t mess that up.
Whether Miss Zhuge wears a bunny suit or a cheongsam, it wouldn’t bother me.
“…Me too!”
Miss Zhuge, blushing, replied with a status of melting embarrassment.
“By the way, how did the book you mentioned last time turn out?”
I continued the conversation with Miss Zhuge in a relaxed manner.
—
‘The Daso Bookstore branch location has been decided, but the transfer is still pending.’
Having finished my meal, I began to recall the information I had gathered from subtly probing Miss Zhuge.
I still couldn’t find the murder suspect behind Heo Song’s death. It seems like the person was wandering in the Martial Arts World, able to smell blood—yet missed amid the debauchery; the killer remained elusive.
The Daso Bookstore has purchased a building in the bustling area, but even I, who don’t know much about Wuhan, was surprised by the price of that building. It was exorbitantly expensive.
The problem, however, was that Man Geum-jeon, who needed to give final approval, was absent due to a regular meeting.
‘If there was a Daso Bookstore branch, my planned scheme could proceed smoothly.’
For now, I’d have to assume there wasn’t one and carry out my plans.
“……”
“Do you like brushes?”
While waiting for the coachman to bring the carriage, I noticed Miss Zhuge intently observing a sign with brushes hanging in front of a writing supplies shop.
“Ah, um, that’s…”
Neither a yes nor a no. Usually, that’d mean a yes.
“Shall we go inside together?”
Since her hobby is painting, she shouldn’t dislike writing supplies.
“I… That might be a bit too difficult for me.”
Miss Zhuge seemed troubled as she lowered her head.
“There are surely more appealing items inside. Wouldn’t you feel regretful leaving like this?”
It’s a contract relationship where she’s facing an uninteresting man for a meal, especially when I made her wait too.
With her timid personality, it wouldn’t surprise me if she couldn’t enter a shop alone. Thus, inviting her in like this could be seen as a kind of consideration.
“Regretful…? Ah, yes!”
It looked like she thought for a moment after looking up at me, then eagerly nodded her head.
“Please wait a moment inside. I’m going to ask the coachman to wait a bit longer.”
“Eh? Together…?”
“I’ll be right back.”
I let Miss Zhuge inside the store and ran over to the approaching coachman.
—
“Indeed, customer! You know quality! This brush suits ladies like you perfectly!”
After asking the coachman to wait and entering the store.
“Uh, no, that’s…”
“Too expensive? You must be mistaken! This brush is favored by famous painters in Hubei! If someone like you doesn’t buy it, who would?!”
“I-it’s okay…”
“What about a stone ink slab to go along with it? We have one made of black stone here.”
“Um, if that’s… just this much.”
“Why are you in such a hurry? What about a Chinese ink stick? I have one that goes perfectly with a stone ink slab!”
“Uh, I’m… um…”
Miss Zhuge looked like she was about to cry, nearly cornered into buying something.
“Let’s take a look around a bit more.”
“Tch. Sure. Go ahead.”
As I approached the staff with an intimidating expression, they clicked their tongue and retreated.
“Phew…”
Miss Zhuge let out a sigh of relief.
“It’s really bewildering entering a store like that just to look around.”
“Yeah. They tend to urge you to touch things and try them out. If you say you’re not buying, they glare at you with disdain.”
Miss Zhuge seemed somewhat aggrieved, with tears welling in one eye as she complained to me.
“Haha. I’ll keep an eye out so the staff won’t bother you. Feel free to look at what you want.”
I deliberately wore a reassuring smile, standing close to Miss Zhuge to keep her out of the staff’s view.
“…”
Miss Zhuge looked up at me with her mouth slightly open.
Was I too close?
“Miss?”
“Ah! Y-yes! Hehehe!”
What’s so funny, Miss Zhuge giggled, covering her mouth with both hands.
Then the window shopping began. The morning’s store sold office supplies, while this one was selling high-end items.
“This brush looks nice, and it’s cheaper than the others. If I were to buy, this would be the one.”
As a conversation starter, I pointed to a brush that Miss Zhuge was pondering over.
“No.”
“What?”
The expression on Miss Zhuge’s face was the most serious I had seen all day.
“This is a sheep hair brush. It’s made from sheep’s fur or tail hair. The elasticity is so low that it makes it hard to write with; the characters written tend to lack strength. There’s even a saying that there are no writings passed down to future generations using this weak sheep hair brush. The sheep hair brush…”
Miss Zhuge sharply criticized the brush in front of her, as if denouncing her enemy.
“Wha-what, Miss?”
“Oh, uh, um…”
Only then did Miss Zhuge seem to return to reality, looking up at me with trembling eyes.
“You really like brushes, don’t you?”
This cheerful lady can be alarming in her spontaneity.
“My hobby is painting, so I’m sorry! I made another mistake…”
Miss Zhuge’s body began to tremble violently.
“Miss Zhuge?”
“Ugh. In the end, I… where can I hide…”
Miss Zhuge turned toward the desk as if resigned.
“How can you be embarrassed when you’re teaching me what you know? I don’t know much about brushes, so I’d really like to hear your explanations about other items too.”
“Really?!”
Her expression changed at lightning speed. Miss Zhuge approached me with shining eyes as if she had returned from despair.
“Yes.”
“Yay! Then, this one is called a self-ink brush! Shall I explain from this one? This one is… this is a dual-purpose brush!”
“Ah, the one here is the best quality!”
“Huh? There are other more expensive brushes here.”
“But even the expensive ones are just cheap copies.”
“Huh?”
“Um, well… I’ve used better brushes made from similar materials…”
“Ah, I see.”
In front of me is Zhuge, the youngest daughter of the Zhuge family. Coming from a wealthy family, she probably has access to much better items at home.
“On the other hand, this is crafted with fine materials and in a good ratio. It must have been made by a skilled artisan.”
“Since you say that, Miss Zhuge, it truly does look like a fine brush.”
“……”
“Miss?”
“Um, um! Strong Master Kang!”
Suddenly, Miss Zhuge tightly gripped the dual-purpose brush and offered it to me.
“Huh?”
“Can I… give this to you as a gift?”
