A shocking truth takes enough time to understand.
After a short yet profound silence, my confession reached her.
The eyes of Miss Zhuge started to tremble, and soon her mouth opened as if a latch had been lifted. Her hand, which had been pulling at her garment out of embarrassment, quickly covered her astonished mouth.
“Really? Master Kang is the author Ho Pil?”
Miss Zhuge’s voice was filled with the amazement of a woman who had just unraveled a seemingly unsolvable riddle.
“Yes. I am indeed Ho Pil. I used ‘The Rise of the Tang Family’ to bring Da Seogak to life. The reason my pen name is Ho Pil is that I am a barbarian writer.”
I nodded readily, affirming her deduction.
Detective Miss Zhuge is remarkable.
Miss Zhuge then looked at me with disbelief before her legs started to shake.
“Ah, so you’re saying the author Ho Pil is Master Kang, and Master Kang is the author Ho Pil, and Master Kang is my match in this arranged marriage, and the author I love the most is my match? Uuh?”
“Miss Zhuge!”
Had she lost strength in her legs from shock? I hurriedly grabbed her as she was about to collapse from her chair.
“Ah…”
“Are you okay?”
It’s really shocking.
“I-I’m okay, but not okayyy.”
Was I too close? Miss Zhuge’s voice was full of embarrassment.
“Miss Zhuge, please open your eyes and stand up.”
Why did she close her eyes?
“Yeeesss.”
I helped Miss Zhuge sit in an available chair, scratching my head.
“Honestly, I thought you’d know from the very beginning.”
“Yeeesss?”
“Man Geum-jeon knows, you see.”
“Ah.”
“He promised to keep it a secret, but I never thought he would keep it from you, a loyal reader of ‘The Rise of the Tang Family.’”
It was surprising that someone trying to force a connection between me and Miss Zhuge would keep such a secret.
“My grandfather is a merchant who knows the value of trust, after all.”
Really? A case of double standards. It’s not like Man Geum-jeon’s type of trust, is it? There were many things I wanted to say, but I decided to hold back.
“If there’s anything you’re curious about as Ho Pil, I’d be happy to explain it.”
“When will volume 4 come out?”
“…”
“When is it coming out? I want to see volume 4!”
Miss Zhuge’s eyes were intense.
I didn’t think she would ask the most troublesome question.
“I’ve already written the rough draft. I’ll finish the remaining work after the things in Wuhan are done.”
Not a yearly publication, so please bear with me. I’ll write it soon.
“I have other questions, too.”
As I answered Miss Zhuge’s simple questions that I could respond to, I reassured her once again that I was Ho Pil.
‘Now I need to keep my mouth shut.’
What should I do?
“With this, a secret is born between Miss Zhuge and me.”
Let’s go with the concept of a secret between two people.
I put on an expression as if I was looking at someone trustworthy.
“A secret with Master Kang.”
Miss Zhuge clasped her hands over her chest and looked up at me with a surprised expression.
“I want to share this secret only with Miss Zhuge for the time being.”
“Yes, of course! But…”
I watched Miss Zhuge, who should be feeling happy with trust, like a puppy loved by its owner.
“Yeah.”
But today…
“This story is something that Ha-yeon unnie doesn’t know, right?”
Her smile resembled that of a fox rather than a puppy.
—
“Huh huh huh.”
“Miss Zhuge, what happened?”
The next day at Da Seogak’s branch, Im Ha-yeon asked, looking at Miss Zhuge, who was beaming from afar.
“Nothing much.”
“… Spill it.”
Im Ha-yeon stepped closer, slightly furrowing her brow as if interrogating me.
“You’re being too harsh on someone who wouldn’t spill any dust if they were swept.”
If Miss Zhuge is in a good mood, am I the perpetrator?
Though it is the truth. I’m a little indignant about being caught in a perfect crime.
“Otherwise, she wouldn’t be suspiciously smiling since morning…”
Im Ha-yeon was giving me a doubtful look, like a detective searching for evidence from the suspect.
As I shrugged, pretending not to know, Im Ha-yeon gave up and looked towards Miss Zhuge.
What should I do?
I had sent Miss Zhuge home and spent the night in deep thought.
Should I reveal my identity as Ho Pil to Im Ha-yeon?
If she is the most trustworthy person and my source of strength, then naturally, it’s Im Ha-yeon. Since I’ve revealed my identity to Miss Zhuge, there’s no reason not to disclose it to Im Ha-yeon.
It’s only proper to do so. I contemplated endlessly.
‘But if I reveal my identity, I feel like I’ll be scolded instead of liked.’
Hey, Ho Pil. You should have acted more like a one-man, two-role player in front of Im Ha-yeon.
Hiding my identity in front of Miss Zhuge was one thing, but lying in front of Im Ha-yeon would be another matter entirely.
‘It’s too late. Let’s postpone it for now.’
I should bring it up when Im Ha-yeon is in a good mood and seems forgiving about the lie.
“Isn’t today the day you teach the kids at the Youth Association?”
“I need to go soon, but the opening is just a few days away.”
“There’s no more to see. Go and come back with peace of mind.”
“Still…”
“Sister, trust the management staff and don’t worry. Just go and come back.”
As they were talking, the manager, Ha So-so, approached.
“So-so? Is it okay?”
“Unnie, just trust me. I won’t let the branch manager slack off.”
I had planned to rest for a while by delegating work to the management staff in the morning, but did I get caught?
“Well, I’m off then.”
Im Ha-yeon briefly grabbed So-so’s shoulder as if she believed in her and soon left Da Seogak.
“Hehe. Manager, hurry up and work.”
Yes. With a watcher around, I should work hard.
“There are only a few days left until the opening! Let’s practice our roles as customers and staff!”
—
“Y-yes, one iced Americano, please.”
“You’ve become quite skilled.”
I said as I held the coffee that Miss Zhuge brewed. At first, she was flustered just taking orders, but now she had made significant progress.
“Huh. Yes. I’m nervous, but I can manage this much now.”
“You don’t have to stand at the counter if you don’t want to.”
There was no need for the lady of the prominent Zhuge family to volunteer for the role of a staff member.
“I-I can only help Master Kang like this.”
“Haha.”
Just having a beauty like Miss Zhuge at the counter would increase sales, so I won’t stop her.
“Hmmmm.”
Just then, an unsatisfied voice came from behind.
“So-so?”
“Manager! Are you going to tell unnie Ha-yeon about this?”
“I was just practicing orders with Miss Zhuge.”
I was also slacking off a little.
“Hmmm. This time, I’ll play the role of a customer. Miss Zhuge, may I order?”
“Ah… Um, y-yes! Please, go ahead!”
“A large cappuccino, please.”
“Yes. One large cappuccino.”
Although Miss Zhuge was timid, she wouldn’t make a major mistake.
Even for complex or difficult orders, I had simplified things to eliminate the potential for mistakes.
“Ah! Special requests for the ordered coffee, right?”
However, So-so was an employee of Da Seogak. She knew the shortcomings of my plans.
“Y-yes. Yes.”
“Please change the milk to low-fat milk, not regular milk. And don’t just slap the foam on top like sea foam. Please make it rich. Also, add cinnamon powder. Half a spoon of cinnamon powder. Don’t sprinkle it carelessly, pretend it’s the Milky Way passing through the night sky. And since it shouldn’t be too sweet, please add about one and a half spoons of syrup. Also…”
“Uhm, um wait just a moment. Change the milk to low-fat. Syrup, one and a half spoons. How should I prepare the foam?”
Miss Zhuge looked up at So-so while perplexedly jotting down the order.
“Haah. Are you an employee? How can you forget that when you said you’d take such an order? That’s frustrating.”
Uh, So-so?
Why are you acting like a different person, showing up at work ready to vent your frustrations like you’re in a coffee shop to regain authority?
“Eep! Um… that’s…”
“Haah. Listen up, young lady. I’ll say it again, pay attention. Ugh!”
I struck So-so on the head with the stack of documents in my hand.
“So-so, you shouldn’t be such a picky customer. Who orders like that?”
“Manager! That was an order made by a legendary customer at the main branch of Da Seogak!”
So-so seemed to have concluded her act, holding her head with a pout.
“Everyone! Da Seogak isn’t a tavern. When customers request convenience, accommodate them, but if the orders are excessive, reject them. And help your fellow employees at once if they’re struggling.”
We need to keep the drinks flowing by accepting orders. Leave the complicated orders for the taverns.
I decided to give a warning to the employees whose attention had drifted to this point again.
“Yes! Understood!”
“Miss Zhuge, orders like that rarely come in. So don’t worry too much, alright? Miss Zhuge?”
When I turned my head, I saw Miss Zhuge’s face as white as a sheet.
“Aahh…”
She seemed to be malfunctioning.
—
“Ughhh… I really am hopeless. How could I possibly help Master Kang? It’s true that some things just won’t work out, no matter how hard you try. How could I have…”
“What’s wrong with her?”
After work in the evening.
Im Ha-yeon glanced at Miss Zhuge, who was mumbling as if her soul had left her body, and asked me.
“So-so was joking during practice, and it seems like the shock was quite severe.”
“I was way too confident.”
“Miss Zhuge, I understand your feelings, but if it’s hard, how about giving up on work at the second-floor counter?”
Her efforts were commendable, but it was something she didn’t have to take on if it was becoming burdensome.
“But then, I wouldn’t be helping Master Kang at all.”
Miss Zhuge said apologetically, keeping her head down as if she didn’t want to face me.
“There’s no need to feel the pressure to help. You can stay comfortable at home. Master Kang and I can manage things together.”
That’s true.
With the branch of Da Seogak and the mansion provided, Miss Zhuge has already done all her part.
“Ugh…”
Miss Zhuge let out a faint groan, seemingly in distress.
Did that sound like I was saying she was of no use? What should I do? Should I tell her to keep standing at the counter?
Miss Zhuge is someone not very skilled at interacting with others. Engaging with people would inevitably leave mental scars on her.
Her appearance is undoubtedly an advantage for publicity.
Wait. Publicity?
A good idea instantly crossed my mind.
“Why don’t you try drawing some promotional art?”
“Promotional art?”
“Using Miss Zhuge’s exceptional painting skills to create a large piece for display at the branch. You would officially illustrate ‘The Rise of the Tang Family.’”
“I-I’d illustrate the official art of ‘The Rise of the Tang Family?’”
Miss Zhuge looked at me with wide eyes in astonishment.
“Is Miss Zhuge’s artwork that outstanding?”
“I’ve seen many fire techniques, but I’ve never seen a style that fits ‘The Rise of the Tang Family’ as well as yours.”
“Hehe, it’s not that great…”
Although Miss Zhuge brushed it off shyly, she couldn’t hide her beaming smile.
“If the art from ‘The Rise of the Tang Family’ hangs in Da Seogak, even newcomers will show interest in the book.”
“But, isn’t ‘The Rise of the Tang Family’ the work of Ho Pil? Shouldn’t we get permission from the author for the character illustrations?”
Im Ha-yeon made a sharp observation, but…
“I handle the publishing and promotional aspects, so it’s fine.”
Just now, Ho Pil gave the green light.
“Ughhh.”
“Miss Zhuge, why are you laughing?”
“Ugh, nothing.”
“Surely with that kind of skill, drawing is preferable to standing at the counter. You can leave the Da Seogak operations to Master Kang and me.”
Im Ha-yeon made a confident statement about reality, although she raised her eyebrows at Miss Zhuge’s laughter.
“Ugh…”
“If you start drawing the art for the large hanging scroll today, how long will it take?”
“Considering the opening date, I think I could manage a painting with two people in it.”
“Then we should probably include the main character Tang Jung and one other character. Now, who should that be…?”
We should exclude the two main characters from the third volume.
“It should be the famous courtesan Du Eung-hyang.”
Im Ha-yeon said without a second of contemplation.
“We should also consider the beautiful Gu Suk-Jung and the famous courtesan Du Eung-hyang from Hubei. It might be best to think things over.”
“Why bother thinking? It’s impossible for a pretty but empty-headed woman to enter, of course. The obvious choice is Tang Jung’s beloved, the courtesan Du Eung-hyang!”
Has the official artwork excitement led to a burst of energy from Im Ha-yeon, who hasn’t shown such enthusiasm in a while?
“Du Eung-hyang, huh.”
Honestly, it doesn’t matter as long as it looks good.
“Ugh…”
As I pondered for a moment, a distressed sound came from beside me.
“Miss Zhuge. Are you feeling unwell?”
—
Normally, Miss Zhuge would have taken a backseat in situations where she needed to showcase her talent according to her own opinions, preferring to quietly nod along.
It was easier for her to keep quiet than to speak her mind to others.
“Um… Um.”
“What is it you want to say?”
Miss Zhuge took a deep breath, clenched her fists tightly, and looked up.
There are lines you do not cross.
For Zhuge, a descendant of Zhuge Liang and the youngest daughter of the Zhuge clan, there were things she shouldn’t touch.
I can’t back down now. I must muster my courage.
I have to speak up.
Miss Zhuge decisively declared not to her match, but to her rival and adversary.
“I think the beloved of ‘The Rise of the Tang Family’ should be Gu Suk-Jung, not Du Eung-hyang!”
