Chapter 222 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

"You'll need to pay the student workers yourself to maintain appearances, so we'll provide their wages through vouchers." Full support for the student workers' wages? How much is that? I was taken aback by the chairman's declaration. I found it difficult to respond immediately. Of course, the chairman, with his background as a high-ranking official and his grand residence, seemed capable of such generosity, but this was beyond my expectations. It was an enticing offer. There's still a significant debt at the Daseogak library. Considering potential future uncertainties, it's wise to save money wherever possible. If I could hire competent, unpaid staff, it would be best to accept immediately. However, “Thank you for the offer. But since this system was my proposal to assist impoverished literary scholars, I believe not paying them would diminish its significance.” Simply accepting a good offer without hesitation is the mark of a novice. No matter how tempting the proposal, it's courteous to show modesty by refusing once. Of course, I didn't intend to reject it outright, so I needed to leave a logical gap for him to persuade me. “Isn't this student worker program your idea? You proposed the system, convinced the writers' circle, suggested funding sources, and announced it to the public. Even the government recognizes this as your achievement. I mean only to support your vision, so don't feel burdened.” “A black-haired barbarian and an outsider in the literary world, receiving such immense support… I am at a loss for words.” So, make me understand. I responded with a slightly softened refusal compared to my initial one, indicating that a little more persuasion would make me accept. “Don't refuse, just accept. Instead, work harder to gather more funds. Put more effort into your business to expand it.” “Pardon? What do you mean by that?” “Didn't you say you want to do business that leaves a mark like Sir Baeka? Then you need to aim for grander ventures just like he did. Are you content with just having the best bookstore in Yichang?” The chairman’s tone suggested that he knew about my grand ambitions, asking me to reveal them. Of course, I didn’t plan to stop at one Daseogak. The Tang Family’s success in business was evident. But that was limited to Yichang of Hubei Province and its nearby cities, and inside the Sichuan Tang Family realm. To save the heroines’ fates, such success was not sufficient. For the sake of my own reputation, I needed to expand the business and elevate both wealth and fame. “I also wish to grow the business and leave a greater legacy. But I am a black-haired barbarian living in this land. It is hard to pursue big ventures amidst prejudices and strangers.” There are hurdles in expanding my business. Someone trustworthy. While I can manage a single Daseogak on my own, running multiple businesses is another matter. It would be great if I had trusted relatives or friends, but as a foreigner, I have none. I expressed my frustration to the chairman, like a young man with big dreams but stuck by real-world barriers. “You know one thing but are oblivious to the other. I understand the difficulties of having no one to trust. However, do you think the people you retain through business will remain idle?” “Are you referring to the student workers?” The chairman nodded at my question and continued speaking. “Humans, unless they are brutes, do not forget those who helped them in their toughest times. Some could become writers. Others might enter government offices. Yet, some will give up their dreams and turn to making a living. If you extend a hand to them then, who would dare to refuse?” Turning the student workers into my people to expand the business – certainly a good strategy. “Thank you for imparting such wisdom to a young merchant.” I bowed my head and expressed my gratitude to the chairman. “Daseogak, The Tang Family legacy, student worker program, business principles. Watching you makes me understand the saying 'The Yangtze River's waves push on' (長江後浪推前浪). Since we will eventually be replaced by new waves, let me support someone who will carry on the spirit of Sir Baeka and mine. Keep going strong.” 'The Yangtze River's waves push on' – in the flow of time, the old are always replaced by the new. The chairman, sensing the passage of time, looked at me with a proud yet bittersweet expression and smiled wryly. “I believe that the older waves are not just pushed aside by the newer ones but arrive at the vast sea first to embrace the incoming waters. I am grateful that you embrace my small beliefs so generously.” As a person of the new era, I looked at the chairman and thanked him. “Hahaha! I’m glad I didn’t meet you when I was still in office.” The chairman’s eyes widened at my words, but then he laughed heartily. “Pardon?” “If I had met you then, I would have either made you my man or, if not, I would have advised the Emperor to not heed your words, calling it ‘candy in troubled waters.’” “Thank you for the compliment.” “Haha. Right. I’ll write the voucher for the wages right away, so take it.” ---------- The next day, I gathered the student workers at Daseogak and initiated the customary self-introductions for the new semester. Starting with Lim Ha-yeon, who I was familiar with. “Me? Start with me?” When I pointed at Lim Ha-yeon, her eyes widened in surprise. "I, I’m Du Eung-hyang." Why is she doing that? At least make up a creative alias. Calling herself Du Eung-hyang at Daseogak? “Pfft!” “Really?” “The young lady has quite a sense of humor from the start.” “Then should I call myself Gu Sook-jung?” “Oh, uhm, actually my name is Im...” A runaway courtesan about to use her real name… This girl’s asking for trouble. Sure, it’s troublesome when your usual online nickname is already taken, but using your real name is dangerous. “Ahem!” I awkwardly cleared my throat loudly to catch Lim Ha-yeon’s attention. Lim Ha-yeon looked at me with a startled expression. Use a different name. So-so. Young-young. There are plenty of common names. I shook my head, signaling her to stop. “Um, I’m Kang Ha-yeon. I’m 19 years old. Nice to meet you.” I smiled, feeling slightly bemused. Why "Kang"? If you're changing your surname, might as well change the given name too. You’re not working as a courtesan here, just at a bookstore. Changing only your surname should suffice as an alias. So, Lim Ha-yeon is 19, the same age as So-hee. Right, she did mention she was an apprentice courtesan. No way she could be over 20. Just like how idols debut in their late teens, courtesans in this world also become full-fledged courtesans in their late teens. “My name is not Gu Sook-jung! It’s Ha So-so. I’m 18 years old! Nice to meet you!” “My name is…” “My name is…” Perhaps because Lim Ha-yeon’s mistake eased the tense atmosphere, everyone continued their introductions smoothly. “Now, let's clean up!” I announced after the self-introductions, gathering the staff to start the cleaning. “Everyone, move to different spots and clean the dust stuck in between. Make sure to also wipe down with a damp cloth.” “Why is there so much dust on the books?” “There’s a lot of dust on the books. To make them marketable, please dust them thoroughly.” Indeed, having many people makes it efficient. We'll be finished in no time. ------------ “We'll finish early today.” If we clean for another day, we can open for business. Seeing that we were progressing much faster than expected, I decided to stop the work early, announcing an early dismissal while it was still daylight. “Really?” “Wow! We finished early!” “I’ll head out first!” “Ha-yeon, young lady.” I called out to Lim Ha-yeon, who was about to exit Daseogak for her early dismissal. “Why?” She looked at me with distrust, as if suspecting I was pulling her back to make her work late. Shall I make her work overtime? I momentarily contemplated showing her the tyranny of an employer, but I decided to exhibit the employer’s benevolence as planned. “Take this.” I took out a small bundle from a corner. “What is this?” “Dumplings. I bought them from a restaurant earlier.” “Why are you giving this to me?” “You might be in need until your next paycheck comes. Please make sure to eat.” She had come to Yichang with no money. Although I gave her a small amount, she probably had to skip meals after spending it on writing supplies. “You don’t have to help me with this…” I saw you gobbling down jajangmyeon during lunch. Your hands moved faster than your eyes when the sweet and sour pork arrived. You looked like you could pickpocket a warrior's purse with that speed. Reluctant to accept my aid, Lim Ha-yeon took a step back. Really? Then I have other ways. “It’s to make sure you don’t feel weak while working.” I’ve figured out how to handle you. You accept when there’s a reasonable explanation. So, if I tell you it’s because I’m your employer and not because I’m taking a personal interest, you’ll accept. “Alright then. Give it to me.” Did the logic work? Lim Ha-yeon nodded her head and accepted the bundle before leaving for the day. She’s really tough to be kind to. ***** “Am I going crazy?!” Lim Ha-yeon returned to her shabby inn and exclaimed, hitting the pillow. “Why did I say that?! Why Kang Ha-yeon?! Ughhh!” She couldn't shake off the image of his smiling face. He must have figured out where she got that surname from. Self-introduction, seriously! Why did he have to make us do that? Lim Ha-yeon couldn't help but feel it was a ploy by Kang Yun-ho to mess with her. The unexpected situation, introducing herself for the first time—she couldn’t help but be flustered. Not having a prepared alias, she initially said “Du Eung-hyang,” the name she used before, only to become a laughingstock. Should she use her real name then? In the moment of panic, her mind went blank. If he hadn’t given a warning, she might have awkwardly blurted out her real name. What do I do? I was too flustered. With her mind a blank, only Kang Yun-ho could be seen. What name should I use? Eventually, the best she could come up with was Kang Ha-yeon. ‘In foreign countries, women take their husbands’ surnames when they marry. What if he mistook it for that?’ Considering he’s a black-haired foreigner, he could misunderstand things like that. Lim Ha-yeon lay on her bed, stomping her feet. Don't misunderstand. I didn’t mean it like that. It was just a panic-induced slip. Should I explain it to him? No, that would only seem like I’m overanalyzing it. ‘Ugh! It’s all because I spent too much money on ink and brushes!’ Lim Ha-yeon glanced at the high-quality writing supplies that looked out of place in the shabby room. In events supported by literary associations, the judges are definitely able to tell at a glance if the works presented used premium ink and paper. Afraid of losing points for using cheap materials, she spent all the money she had to buy the best supplies. ‘And in the end, I still didn’t make it.’ Recalling her failure made her restless heart settle a bit. She thought she had written an interesting piece and felt a possibility of winning an award. But reality didn’t even grant her an honorable mention. The sense of defeat she thought she had forgotten weighed heavily on her chest again. ‘What if I hadn’t applied for the student worker position?’ Is working under Kang Yun-ho the right choice? She agonized endlessly before submitting her application. What else would you do? If you went back to being a courtesan, you’d be discovered as a runaway in an instant. Then, stealing? No. I refuse to live like that man. I don’t want to live a life that brings tears to others’ eyes. She wanted to be a writer. How can someone who covets others’ belongings bring joy to others? So, what should she do? She had only ever learned two things in her life. She had spent nearly all her money. There’s nothing left she can do. ‘Apply for the student worker program.’ In the end, applying for the student worker program was her only remaining path. It’s supported by the literary association. That man only helped a bit. Lim Ha-yeon started justifying it to herself. Could it be that Kang Yun-ho created this program specifically for her? Every time she needed help, she found herself strangely recalling the face of the man named Kang Yun-ho. ‘Is he not such a bad person after all...?’ Lim Ha-yeon reminisced about his speech at the literary association. "Becoming a writer is a difficult path for anyone. But it is especially difficult for those who have to worry about tomorrow's meal." "Yichang Literary Association and I want to give hope to such individuals." His words were genuinely heartfelt, so much so that she wondered if he had once dreamed of being a writer himself. The notion that he created the student worker program specifically for her might be too far-fetched. Still, like Tang Zheng from the "Tang Family Chronicles" she admired, he extended a hand to those in despair. Maybe, as the branch director had said, he is a shrewd merchant, but not necessarily a villainous one... As her thoughts reached this point, Lim Ha-yeon suddenly jolted up in surprise. “Ugh! He’s an unscrupulous merchant exploiting writer Ho-pil! I won't let my guard down!” That man's association alone guaranteed he was the worst. Moreover, he was the unscrupulous merchant exploiting the writer she respected. Stay alert, Lim Ha-yeon! “I’m hungry…” Thinking too much made her hungry. Lim Ha-yeon got up from her bed and unwrapped the bundle Kang Yun-ho had given her, biting into a kimchi dumpling. Was it because she had worked hard? Or was it that he had bought exceptionally tasty dumplings? Today, they somehow tasted even better. ********* In the end, the cleaning was finished in just two days. “Cleaning is done!” “Manager! We’re done with everything!” “Thank you all for your hard work. Now we can hang this sign.” I took out the prepared sign from my pocket and hung it where everyone passing by the entrance of Daseogak could see. [Daseogak. Open for business starting tomorrow.] Finally, it’s time to start anew.