“I heard you decided to live together.”
The owner of Man Geum Battlefield. The richest person in Hubei Province. Man Geum-jeon.
Without even a moment to relieve his fatigue, Man Geum-jeon scanned the documents from Man Geum Battlefield and spoke to his granddaughter sitting before him.
“Yes-yes.”
“Well done. You’ve shown courage.”
Man Geum-jeon stopped looking at the documents and beamed at his granddaughter, who was frozen in place.
It must have been a tough decision for Miss Zhuge after a long deliberation.
No matter how much she liked the man, living together was a different matter. If Miss Zhuge ended up not being with Kang Yoon-ho, a bad label would stick to her for life.
Man Geum-jeon was quite pleased that, like him, he thought his granddaughter shouldn’t let a man like Kang Yoon-ho slip away.
“Yes-yes.”
In fact, Miss Zhuge replied immediately in front of Kang Yoon-ho without much hesitation.
“Kang Yoon-ho is a fine young man I have been keeping an eye on. Others might criticize him for his hair color, but I’ve never seen a man of such quality as a husband and provider.”
His eyes hadn’t deceived him.
Man Geum-jeon recalled Kang Yoon-ho, who had visited him recently for the second evaluation.
While his grandsons were struggling to manage even one of his businesses, Kang Yoon-ho had already solidified his position and was expanding.
He was breaking into the market with ideas no one had thought of, growing without overextending himself, while simultaneously strengthening the foundation for a leap forward.
The more Man Geum-jeon looked at Kang Yoon-ho, the more he was convinced of the young man’s potential.
“Yes-yes. I think Master Kang is a good match for a husband.”
Miss Zhuge nodded shyly with flushed cheeks at the praise for Kang Yoon-ho.
This was what she had said to him yesterday. Hearing that her grandfather shared the same thoughts could only make her feel good.
“Do you believe you can get along well with Kang Yoon-ho?”
“Ah, that is…”
Man Geum-jeon looked at his granddaughter, who couldn’t answer as she fidgeted with her fingers, with pity.
The best catch.
The youngest daughter of the Zhuge family. Her beauty could rightly be called the number one in Hubei. She also possessed many talents.
Just as Kang Yoon-ho was the best match in Man Geum-jeon’s eyes, Miss Zhuge could also be regarded as a worthy bride.
It was certain that if this girl would only be a bit more proactive, she could secure her place in the heart of Kang Yoon-ho, filled with women.
The problem was that his granddaughter had an extremely timid personality.
“I’m slowly narrowing down my relationship with Miss Zhuge.”
Man Geum-jeon recalled a conversation he had with Kang Yoon-ho not long ago.
He thought Miss Zhuge could win over Kang Yoon-ho’s heart, but perhaps the love for his fiancée was more sincere than expected.
One side was trying to maintain a parallel line while the other felt attracted but was passive.
“A man having several wives is not a crime.”
If things continued like this, Man Geum-jeon wouldn’t be able to achieve the desired outcome.
“By the next evaluation of Kang Yoon-ho’s business, will you be able to win his heart?”
Man Geum-jeon asked his granddaughter once more if she was willing to take a proactive approach.
“Yes? That, well…”
Miss Zhuge lowered her head, looking uncertain.
Man Geum-jeon recalled a conversation he had a while ago with Jang Young-young, his daughter and Miss Zhuge’s mother.
“Didn’t you say that every time a man asked to meet, she would run out as fast as she could? Father. You’re not joking about meeting after a long time, are you?”
“She gets sulky if a matchmaker doesn’t call, right? That girl who wouldn’t even go out if her mother just told her to? That daughter who runs away using formation techniques when asked for a match.”
“No way. No way. She must really like him.”
“Trying to make them live together? Alright, our little slug daughter has to do at least that much if she’s to be married. I’ll talk to the family about it. But Father, our timid daughter is going to need more than that.”
Man Geon-jeon thought of his daughter, Jang Young-young, known for her intelligence, as he looked at his passive granddaughter.
Jang Young-young was a mother who understood her daughter better than anyone else.
Even if her daughter had feelings for a man, she might miss the opportunity because of her slow movements.
So what should be done then?
She was the kind who would even give advice to her father.
As his beloved granddaughter looked up at him, Man Geum-jeon declared with the face of a cold merchant.
“If I find your relationship unsatisfactory in my eyes, I will pair Kang Yoon-ho with another granddaughter.”
Tick-tock. “Pretend to set a deadline. Then at least she’ll be more proactive.”
“I confirmed there are no issues with the cargo at Seocheon Post Office, and they will move the books today.”
In the first floor of the Woon Gi Inn. I was having breakfast with Im Ha-yeon and the staff early in the morning when I heard about today’s schedule.
“That means I only need to go over and stamp it. Since I have to stop by the branch of the Tea Bookstore later, I’ll send a message to Miss Zhuge.”
Books are particularly vulnerable to contamination from the start.
From the worst graffiti in the first scene of a manga mystery to getting wet from rain or dirt, they could easily turn into used books.
I was worried about whether the cargo had gone through rough handling, but thankfully, it seemed there were no problems.
“I’ll call for the carriage and prepare to go out.”
“If it’s awkward, I’ll go alone.”
Those Dae Mun brutes could tighten their surveillance.
While it might be convenient to work with Im Ha-yeon, excluding her from the task could be the better choice.
“Dae Mun folks aren’t coming into Seocheon Post Office or the branch, right? Once it officially opens, I won’t be roaming around during business hours, so it’s better to get it done now.”
Im Ha-yeon replied to me with a confident face, as if to say I was talking nonsense.
“……”
I could say I would stay safe in a safe house or I would run away to Wuhan.
She’s the type who takes responsibility to the end. Of course, she’s the most trustworthy woman in Wuhan.
I looked at her with an admiring expression.
“Why? Do I look strange?”
“You look beautiful today.”
“What are you talking about?!”
Why yell? It’s just because she’s pretty.
“Oooh. Such good chemistry from early morning.”
During breakfast on the early morning shift, a staff member who was eavesdropping chimed in.
“Ugh! People are watching!”
Im Ha-yeon glared at me as if she was embarrassed.
People can hear? What a perfect opportunity.
I chuckled and picked up food with my chopsticks while tossing a line at Im Ha-yeon.
“I met the Sam-gu Brothers yesterday. They had something funny to say.”
“Something funny?”
“The bribe the Sam-gu Brothers were going to give me. They said Ha-yeon took some of it.”
The bribe from the unloading dock that I hadn’t accepted.
Im Ha-yeon took the money meant for beer and meat for the dockworkers.
“……Did they really say that?”
Im Ha-yeon made a face of realization and asked me in a very cautious voice.
Though the dockworkers’ wages were paltry, the money that came in as a commission was not something to scoff at.
There were rumors circulating that Joseon dockworkers were diligent, and as unloading jobs grew more commonplace, the bribe money had also ballooned significantly.
Im Ha-yeon took some of that money. It could easily turn into embezzlement if not careful.
In that moment, the clinking of utensils ceased in the dining area.
Meanwhile, Im Ha-yeon’s face, though slightly embarrassed, looked almost proud.
Of course, it could only be that way.
“If you intended to throw a feast for the elders and orphans of the hall association, you could have just told me.”
“You’ve been busy. While it’s nice to pamper the dockworkers with meat and alcohol, we also have to take care of those who can’t work.”
“…….”
It’s not for nothing that they call her sister-in-law in the association.
I heard she had secretly distributed grains and firewood to orphans and the elderly besides throwing a feast with the bribe money.
I gazed at Im Ha-yeon with a pleased expression without saying anything, as she was eating casually.
“Um… Are you mad?”
“I wouldn’t be mad if you took care of the association while doing the club leader’s job. Well done. Ha-yeon, please continue to work hard in the future.”
“I understand.”
“Of course, she’s the sister-in-law!”
“Thank you, club leader!”
As I concluded, the staff, who had been holding their breath amidst the unusual atmosphere, burst into applause.
“Did you really have to say that here?”
Im Ha-yeon said as if she couldn’t bear to look up at me because of her embarrassment.
Surely. Good deeds are best reported on the front page of the newspaper.
Im Ha-yeon’s good deed news should spread to the association so that everyone can see and ensure that her information isn’t leaked carelessly while protecting our sister-in-law.
“Honestly, you look even more beautiful today.”
“Ugh! What are you talking about?!”
“Yikes!”
What are you pinching my thigh for with your toe?
—-
“If you just stamp it, I’ll move it to the branch right away.”
After finishing breakfast, I arrived at Seocheon Post Office.
“Yes. Miss Zhuge. Please stamp the documents you received from Man Geum-jeon.”
“……”
What’s going on?
Looking at Miss Zhuge beside me, she seemed to be staring blankly, her mouth slightly opened with her eyes losing focus.
As if she were somewhere in another world, completely unaware.
“Miss Zhuge?”
I called her name with force to bring her back to reality.
“Ah! That… Huh?! Here it is!”
Did she dream of becoming an instrumental heroine while awake?
It was only when she finally looked around, came to her senses, and reached her hand out to me.
What the heck are you going to do with the stamp?
“Ha ha. I meant for you to hand it to me, not that I’ll take it… Never mind. I’ll stamp it.”
“Thank you for your hard work. We will load the cargo onto the carriage and send it off.”
The branch manager of Seocheon Post Office seemed rather reflective on the realization that everything was in order as he looked back and forth between us.
“I’ll check the final confirmation and examine the transfer. The carriage is ready outside.”
Im Ha-yeon stood up and left with the manager.
“Thank you.”
At the branch, there are now managers and employees hired by Man Geum-jeon.
Once the cargo is moved to the branch warehouse, and they start organizing from today, it’ll certainly be able to open within this week.
“……”
“Miss Zhuge, are you feeling unwell?”
She has been dazed for a while now.
She can’t seriously be in a dream while being wide awake, can she?
“Ah, um… Nooo.”
Miss Zhuge waved her hand, avoiding my gaze.
She doesn’t look fine at all.
This girl, with a timid personality like Miss Zhuge, probably wouldn’t even admit to feeling sick out of fear of burdening someone.
“Hmm. You don’t seem to have a fever.”
I placed my hand on Miss Zhuge’s forehead, comparing my forehead to hers.
She doesn’t have a fever.
“Ahh! That’s not it!”
Huh?
At once, I felt heat radiating from her forehead.
Is she really sick? Her face looks red, too.
“I planned to organize the books at the branch today and check them with Miss Zhuge, but if you’re feeling tired, I’ll manage with Ha-yeon only.”
If she’s tired, she can take a day off. I can’t pay, so it’ll be unpaid leave.
While all the higher-ups are off on summer vacation, I’m the one who’s been burning the midnight oil juggling jobs and writing while holding on, but when I finally asked for a break, some retorted that it was too late and now it was raining, so where could I go after the summer vacation period was over. Better than working for a good company employee who ends up missing summer vacation but plans to go next year.
“Uh….”
As if moved by the thought of unpaid leave, Miss Zhuge spoke up with a rather glum expression as she turned her gaze away.
“Yes?”
“K-Kang Master… doesn’t need me… No, that’s not it!”
She certainly looks deeply disappointed.
No way?! Is she the type to get hurt even after being told she can rest because the company can run without her!
“I need Miss Zhuge. I simply don’t want to see my precious Miss Zhuge unwell.”
That’s wrong.
I’m saying to rest because you’re a needed person.
I can’t do without both Miss Zhuge and Im Ha-yeon to fulfill the work in Wuhan. I wouldn’t want either of them to have a problem.
“Ugh… Really?”
Miss Zhuge finally smiled brightly.
“Yes. So, if you’re feeling sick, take a rest.”
“I’m fine! And this…!”
In an instant, she seems to be quite alright. Maybe it was just a mood thing.
With a beaming face, Miss Zhuge handed me a book.
“What’s this? Ah! I’ve been waiting for this!”
She’s been writing the exchange diary.
“I’m sorry for making you wait.”
“No problem. I will respond with all my sincerity.”
Maybe she was feeling off due to procrastinating on her exchange diary like a school project.
Given all the trouble she’d been through recently with the Lush Green Post Office incident, I need to ensure the exchange diary is filled out perfectly.
“Why are you taking so long to come over when I asked for the carriage?!”
Just as I was about to take the exchange diary, Im Ha-yeon burst into the room, looking furious.
Have I been dawdling too much?
“I was talking with Miss Zhuge for a moment. I’ll get up now.”
“What are the two of you talking about? Wait, what’s that you two are holding?”
Im Ha-yeon shifted her gaze to the book in Miss Zhuge’s hands and asked me.
“It’s nothing special.”
In order not to embarrass us both, we should keep this a secret.
I casually tucked the book away, putting on a nonchalant expression.
Perfectly acted.
I stashed the book as naturally as could be.
Normally, no one would ever guess the title written on the book’s cover.
Except for Im Ha-yeon, the successor to the Shadowless Thief.
