“An exchange diary?”
Miss Zhuge tilted her head at the unfamiliar term.
“It’s a method for exchanging diaries with a guy you’re dating. It’s recommended for couples who don’t have much time together or find it hard to communicate.”
“Y-you show your diary to someone else?!”
The thought of showing her intimate entries sent Miss Zhuge’s mouth agape, and she barely covered it with her hand.
“You write about what happened that day, open up your feelings, and share your thoughts. It’s about getting to know each other better every day.”
Shibi explained the benefits of the exchange diary in detail, expressing how great it could be.
“Me, sharing my diary with Master Kang…?”
The idea of exposing her own diary was too overwhelming! Miss Zhuge was amazed by the chaotic world of dating.
“An exchange diary with Master Kang, huh.”
Miss Zhuge momentarily entertained the thought of exchanging diaries with Master Kang.
[Today’s Diary.]
[Miss Zhuge: I tried to draw Master Kang. The ink smudged by mistake. I’m so sad. I’m going to send it for you to see.]
[Master Kang: Even with the smudge, I can see your feelings for me. Thank you.]
“Hehe.”
Suddenly, Miss Zhuge couldn’t contain her chuckles.
“Every time you return, you seem frustrated about not being able to talk to Master Kang more. Writing an exchange diary would change that!”
“I-I’ll try!”
Hearing it sounded like a promising idea—Miss Zhuge nodded.
“If you two end up together, don’t forget my contribution!”
Shibi, who offered the advice, was also aiming for a relationship leading to marriage, at an age where even a bit more dowry was greatly needed.
“Ah, yes…”
Miss Zhuge resolved to grant a salary raise if things went well and paid attention to Shibi’s ongoing suggestions.
—————————
“An exchange diary, what a good idea!”
With this, I could write things that were hard to express! It could lead to more fulfilling conversations with Master Kang!
I’d be able to say all the things I wanted to but never could. Inside the carriage heading to the Tea Bookstore’s branch, Miss Zhuge pondered the advantages of the exchange diary.
“Now, if I go to the branch and give Master Kang the exchange diary… the diary… the diary?!”
Miss Zhuge’s dreamy eyes snapped back to reality as she recalled a significant flaw amongst the many benefits of the exchange diary.
“How do I even bring it up to Master Kang?!”
She wracked her brain and despaired.
Master Kang was a busy man! He was involved in the delivery business, running the Tea Bookstore, and leading the club! He was always so busy that how would he even have time to read a diary?
“I’m such a fool!”
If I had the kind of personality that could propose an exchange diary, I would have chatted away with Master Kang at the Tea Bookstore! Why hadn’t I thought of that earlier?
Could I gather enough courage? She hesitated for a moment.
“If Master Kang shows any sign of disliking it, I might never recover!”
That would be like asking a mouse to ring a bell for a cat! How could she even do that?
“We’ve arrived at the Tea Bookstore’s branch.”
“What a short but sweet dream it was.”
Responding to the coachman’s voice, Miss Zhuge stepped down from the carriage with drooped shoulders.
Opportunities could arise from the most unexpected places after all.
——————
“You said the books were stolen?!”
When Miss Zhuge arrived at the Tea Bookstore’s branch, Kang Yoon-ho greeted her with a face full of regret.
Kang Yoon-ho seated Miss Zhuge and calmly explained the situation.
A ship from the Seocheon Post Office had been found adrift, devoid of any crew, causing a stir in Wuhan. This incident involved the branch’s books.
“Miss Zhuge. I beg your pardon.”
The owner of the branch was, after all, Miss Zhuge.
What happened today was a delivery accident. Kang Yoon-ho formally apologized to her as a business partner with the printing factory and bookstore.
“Why is that your fault?! It’s the post office’s mistake!”
Im Ha-yeon, displeased with Kang Yoon-ho humbly apologizing for someone else’s mistake, sharply retorted.
If someone had seen this scene, they might have thought it looked like a devoted girlfriend trying to cover for her boyfriend’s blunder. However, there were no observant people around with just the three of them present.
“Miss Ha-yeon. Choosing the post office was my fault. I will do my best to make this right before the reopening.”
Kang Yoon-ho gestured that it was alright and then apologized once more to Miss Zhuge.
“I-I’m okay!”
To Miss Zhuge, opening the bookstore was merely a secondary process towards her main goal, and it was rather burdensome for her to have Kang Yoon-ho apologize.
“I’m currently gathering information to track down the whereabouts of the cargo.”
“Information?”
“I’ve narrowed down the suspicious locations to about fifteen. If we can continuously gather information, we should be able to find the culprit.”
“But you have so much other work to do!”
“If I run away from my responsibilities, the tasks won’t run away with me, so I must do my utmost to confront this.”
Miss Zhuge gazed at Kang Yoon-ho, who remained composed even in a crisis, dumbfounded for a second.
“He looks so dazzling!”
He was the exact opposite of her, someone who wanted to avoid meeting anyone at all! Miss Zhuge had the sudden urge to shield her eyes.
“If he gets busier, he won’t be able to write the exchange diary at all. Wait?!”
This was an opportunity.
In a flash, a thought raced through Miss Zhuge’s mind.
“Master Kang.”
“Yes?”
To seize the opportunity, she had to muster her courage.
Miss Zhuge clenched her fists anxiously, her cheeks flushed as she gathered the courage to speak.
“Can… can I… see the information… once?”
What kind of family is the Zhuge clan?
A walking automation system of the martial arts world, perhaps?
There’s a saying that if someone finds thinking tiresome in martial arts, just toss it at someone from the Zhuge clan, and they’ll have it sorted out.
Rumor has it that if the Martial Alliance doesn’t have the Zhuge clan, it’s a group of sword-wielding simpletons with no brains.
The Zhuge clan earned such evaluations as the foremost family in martial arts due to a legendary overpowered ancestor, but they are undeniably known as the most cultured and martial adept family in the martial world.
Of course, not everyone is smart, but they’re certainly a family with accumulated know-how over a millennium.
And now, the youngest daughter of such a family was offering to help. Naturally, it was impossible to refuse.
“Please step in; it’s humble, but.”
I returned to the office in the inn with Miss Zhuge, full of information.
“Is this Master Kang’s office?!”
Miss Zhuge looked around in curiosity, turning her head to inspect the office.
“Haha. It’s a shabby place I use as both a bedroom and an office. I’ll gather the information for you. Please take a seat in Miss Ha-yeon’s spot.”
“You’re letting me sit at your spot?”
Im Ha-yeon turned to look at me with wide eyes in surprise.
There are only two spots here, mine and yours. What should we do now?
“Ah?! A dove?”
Miss Zhuge, while looking around the office, discovered Gugu in a cage.
“They say Gugu is the smartest among the Nine Black Qi Hands. Gugu, say hello.”
Thinking to shift the atmosphere, I figured I’d let Gugu show off a trick. While he couldn’t do a lightning-fast spin, maybe he could manage a headbutt or a flip.
As I took Gugu out of the cage, he immediately flew over to Miss Zhuge as if he had been waiting.
I’ve never seen him approach a stranger like that. Miss Zhuge indeed has an innocent vibe.
However, Gugu’s next move was beyond my expectations.
“Gugu! Gugu gugu gugu gugu!”
He launched a headbutt at Miss Zhuge.
The effect was outstanding!
“Ow! W-why is the dove…”
“Gugu! What are you doing?!”
Is he finally trying to become a dove skewer or something?
Before I could intervene, Gugu was pecking at the top of Miss Zhuge’s head, then flew onto Im Ha-yeon’s shoulder.
When I turned to look, utterly baffled, Gugu seemed to have something to say as he spread his wings.
“Gugu! Gugu gugu gugu! Gugu good good good!”
What’s with the gestures at Im Ha-yeon and Miss Zhuge? Why is he flapping around angrily?
Could it be that he’s implying there’s a new girl without his owner around?
“Gugu, I get what you’re thinking, but it’s a serious misunderstanding.”
“Gugu! Gugu gugu! Good!”
The situation was obvious, but making excuses was a sin. Why does it seem like Gugu speaks dove language and understands everything?
He was definitely not just an ordinary creature.
“Hmph!”
Im Ha-yeon, you shouldn’t be snickering in amusement either. Why are you subtly petting Gugu for doing well?
“What am I supposed to do, Miss Zhuge? I sincerely apologize. Are you okay?”
Am I okay? I didn’t even notice Miss Zhuge’s well-being because Gugu did something so ridiculous.
“Yes… I’ve been attacked by crows while walking once in a while, so it’s okay…”
Miss Zhuge said with a sulky face while rubbing her head. There seemed to be no injury on her head. Thankfully, it didn’t strike too hard.
“Crows?”
“Yes, they’ve hit my window before. Even when I moved, they kept following me. I think they mistook me for food.”
What is she, a dying graduate student or something?
“Haha… I’ll get the information for you. Please take your seat.”
“Is it alright for me to sit in Master Kang’s chair?”
Miss Zhuge looked at my chair with a somewhat bashful expression.
“Stop! Just sit in my chair!”
Im Ha-yeon hurriedly tidied up her spot and then pushed her chair toward Miss Zhuge. She should have done this way earlier and saved herself the trouble.
“Y-yes.”
Miss Zhuge looked back and forth between my chair and Im Ha-yeon’s, then her shoulders drooped as if disappointed by something.
“If you need anything, please let me know anytime.”
“Um, do you have a map?”
“Are you looking for a Wuhan map? I have one made for delivery purposes.”
That’s for delivery workers to check where to deliver before heading out, but…
“Ah, that won’t do… I need a map of all of Wuhan.”
“It’s at Jeon Gil-san’s place. Let me bring it over. Miss Ha-yeon, please stay and assist Miss Zhuge. I’ll be back soon.”
“I can go, you know.”
“Will you do that?”
“I… never mind, just go.”
Im Ha-yeon hesitated for a moment, glancing between me and Miss Zhuge before finally agreeing.
“Alright, then.”
It was much more convenient to just swipe a map from Jeon Gil-san rather than to sort through paperwork.
I left the two of them and headed to Jeon Gil-san’s place.
—————
“Miss Zhuge. I’ve brought the map. Huh, Miss Ha-yeon?”
It took longer than expected. Even at Jeon Gil-san’s place, he talked too much even while drinking.
When I returned with the map, I found Miss Zhuge sprawled over the desk with a somewhat dazed expression, and Im Ha-yeon staring at her, bewildered.
“W-what’s going on? Why is that girl like that?”
Im Ha-yeon asked, looking puzzled as if something strange had happened.
“What do you mean?”
“Ugh. It’s Master Kang!”
Could it be that my voice triggered her? Miss Zhuge struggled to lift her head.
Though it was difficult, there was a look of accomplishment on her face. No way?
“Did you perhaps find any clues?”
The information we painstakingly compiled, combining what we knew from Howonmun and Hyangwoo Association, didn’t really lead to any groundbreaking insights.
But if it’s the Zhuge clan?
Suddenly, a good feeling washed over me.
“Y-yes! I found a lead!”
Miss Zhuge confirmed my encouraging premonition.
