Chapter 272

Contract - 3 The fake marriage case was roughly resolved, but everything wasn't over yet. Jegal Hyang's arranged meeting. Even though we reached a successful agreement regarding the contract relationship, a formal meeting was still necessary. When someone came to set a date at Manggeum Jeonju, I chose the earliest possible day. They seemed to expect me to delay, and were surprised by my prompt agreement. If they knew the truth, they'd feel deceived as well. I am merely the black-haired barbarian. At best, just a bookstore owner and novelist. On the other hand, my counterpart is a lady with no thoughts of marriage. Moreover, she's the youngest daughter of the Jegal family, the most powerful martial clan in Hubei Province. Manggeum Jeonju may be under the illusion that the contract relationship is going well, but the two of us have no chance of ending up together. "Why are you so dressed up?" As soon as I walked out, dressed sharply for my meeting with Jegal Hyang, Im Ha Yeon greeted me with a peevish tone. Goodness, was she waiting by the door? "Isn't it better than looking too casual?" One must dress properly for formal occasions. That old belief that being comfortable is fine has made me look like a fool enough times in my youth. "…Will you be back soon?" After scanning me up and down, Im Ha Yeon asked again in her grumpy voice. "I don't know. It's my first time at such an event." How would I know without ever having attended one? "…” "I apologize for leaving with so much work to do." It's my inn. While it's fine for me to leave my position, Im Ha Yeon's absence would cause significant issues, given the magnitude of her duties. "It's not like you wanted to do it." When I spoke soothingly, Im Ha Yeon's voice softened a bit. So, the thing upsetting her was abandoning so many tasks. But come to think of it, it's inevitable. Therefore, it's an opportunity. "Then, while I'm away, could you tackle the inventory of kitchenware, check on supplies, and if you have time, perhaps swing by Jeon Gil San's place to ensure he's not cooking the books, and plant…” "Aren’t you being too blatant about dumping all the bothersome tasks on me?" "Ha-ha! You've caught me?" I laughed with a hand to my forehead, my smile radiating friendliness. "Ha… I'll take care of the tasks, so come back quickly." Im Ha Yeon sighed lightly, indicating her slight exasperation with my laughter. Was it just a joke? Seems she’ll actually do it. I appreciate that. "Then I'm off." "Wait." "Hm?" "Look at my face." I was already looking at her face, but since I appeared confused, Im Ha Yeon stepped closer, narrowing the distance swiftly. "Why are you suddenly getting close?" "Don't mind it, just look at my face properly." It's hard not to mind. Despite my visibly uncomfortable expression, Im Ha Yeon lifted herself on tiptoe, thrusting her face forward. If we were lovers, this would be a distance for a kiss if I just bowed my head. Im Ha Yeon, seemingly conscious of this, also tilted her head slightly, gazing up at me. What’s the matter? Is there something on my face? I scrutinized her face closely. Oddly, her lips seemed redder today. I could also sense a pleasant fragrance being so close. Ah. "You're wearing makeup?" "Uh-huh..." A satisfied hum escaped her. Was it the correct answer? Is she boasting because her makeup looks good? She's pretty without it, though. Despite not trying to notice, she’s really incredibly beautiful, befitting a character from a martial arts-themed dating simulation. But why hasn’t she stepped back even though I guessed right? Readily holding this expectant gaze, there was something peculiar in her eyes. What am I supposed to say? As I focused on Im Ha Yeon’s face, I noticed something different from usual. "Lady Ha Yeon." As I called out sweetly, Im Ha Yeon's pupils trembled slightly. "…” "…Haven't you been sleeping well lately?" Her dark circles are quite prominent. "Sigh. Because of someone...” Im Ha Yeon sighed as if lamenting. "Hm?" Did I give her too much work? "Never mind. Since you have memorized my face, you may now leave." She gently grasped my shoulders from behind and pushed me towards the exit, as if signaling the end. What was that? ------------- "Master Kang Yoon Ho is here!" The arranged meeting place was not a grand pavilion overlooking a scenic spot or the vast Yangtze River but Manggeum Jeonju's mansion. Did the security seem more stringent than my previous visits? Maybe it's because Jegal Hyang, being a master of escape, required such measures to prevent any incidents. Still, an arranged meeting. Marriage, engagement, arranged meeting. Feels like Kang Yoon Ho's time is moving backward. "Young Miss Jegal is still in her room." "Should I wait at the prepared location?" "No, both of you should first greet Manggeum Jeonju together." Being an arranged meeting rather than a casual date, greeting the elders who arranged it seems to be proper etiquette. "Miss! Young Miss Hyang!" Approaching Jegal Hyang’s room, we heard the bustling voices of maids. "Miss?! You're hiding in a box again!" "We removed all the boxes! Why do you always go to such hidden places?" "You escaped the boxes again! How are you so quick with these things? Please stop hiding!" "I-I'm embarrassed…" Along with the familiar voice I had heard a few days ago, the door to the room opened, and instead of a person, a box popped out. "Stop her!" "I'll handle this." I told the warriors trying to surround the area and approached the confused box. "Step aside." "Lady Jegal." As I called out, the box’s movements suddenly stopped. "Huh? That voice...?" "Let's go together to greet Manggeum Jeonju." Why are you trying to escape when we've agreed on a contract relationship? "Uh, um, w-well, I intended to come down that day." Is she embarrassed because of the somersault? It seems that Jegal Hyang is the type to act impulsively without feeling shame but then kick blankets out of embarrassment later. If that's the reason, it's fine. "I'm a merchant, not a martial artist. I actually enjoyed seeing Miss Jegal's true self." Just keep showering them with positive reinforcement. “Did you find it unsightly or something?” “Of course not. So, would you mind opening the box?” “...” When no response came, I cautiously approached the box where Jegal Hyang was hiding and opened it up. “Whoa.” A gasp of admiration escaped my mouth involuntarily. Inside the box was a sight that couldn't have been packaged any better—Jegal Hyang, looking slightly teary-eyed, peered up at me like a small animal waiting for its master’s touch. Her attire was meticulously chosen, and her makeup was flawlessly done. As I felt when looking at Im Ha Yeon earlier, a beautiful woman only becomes more radiant when she dolls up. “Ha-ha. You look almost unrecognizable.” “Oh? Is that so? Uh, um, ha!” Jegal Hyang stared at me in a fluster, then suddenly sprang out of the box with impressive force, like a pirate captain toy propelled by a knife wedged into a barrel. She executed three perfect airborne somersaults before landing gracefully. “Whoa-o-o-o.” That was impressive. I found myself clapping reflexively. “Eh-heh-heh.” Jegal Hyang rubbed her head bashfully at my applause, smiling awkwardly. “Ahem. Shall we proceed to meet Manggeum Jeonju now?” The warrior cleared his throat awkwardly before leading us. -------------- Following the warrior's guidance, we entered the inner quarters where Manggeum Jeonju resided. “Father!!!” What’s that noise? When we reached Manggeum Jeonju, he appeared thoroughly angered, with Heosong's mother kneeling in the garden and his daughter standing nearby. “Now you call me father?! Ah! You're here.” “Sir, this situation is...” Why is that woman here? “You two! The ones who humiliated me that day!” Doesn't she remember the "barbarian" comment she made? Well, if she were good at self-reflection, she wouldn't have orchestrated such a scheme with her son in the first place. “You insolent fool! You ought to be apologizing profusely, yet you're acting so brazenly!” Manggeum Jeonju targeted his rage at his daughter, seizing the moment. “Father! This is just a misunderstanding!” “A misunderstanding? Yet, Heosong didn't even show up this time!” “He’s been drinking and staying out for days on end. He did the same last week too. He’ll slink back sooner or later.” “You’re telling me he was supposed to be conducting business but instead, he was just drinking?” Jang Noya's frustration boiled over as he clutched his head, sighing deeply. “N-no, that's not what I meant, Father!” The scene was descending into farce. Manggeum Jeonju delivered a severe reprimand over the recent incident, while Heosong’s mother continued sputtering flimsy excuses that only fueled his fury. “The test I gave your son ends today. Hand over the balance sheet and leave!” “How could you! ...Fine! I did use Hyang partially. For that, I apologize. But it wasn't about that barbarian. Isn’t business full of such deals?” “I told your son to conduct business, not to demonstrate his knack for fraud!” “Ugh! Still, selling books in Wuchang isn't a crime, is it? Even if you manage Wuhan, other cities are selling them secretly. And Dasogak belongs to our family now, doesn’t it?” “I have not seized Dasogak yet! Even if I did, how would that be yours? After all these years as an out-married woman, do you think you still belong in your father’s house?” “F-father.” “Enough! I now understand why you keep relying on me after your husband's death! From now on, I cease all support! Today's test with your son ends here!” “F-father!” “I don’t even want to see your face! Take her away!” “Father! Fatherrr!” Manggeum Jeonju turned away, not wanting to see Heosong's mother being dragged out. His face was a blend of fury and sorrow. ----- “That was quite a sight.” “Greetings again, sir.” I greeted Jang Noya courteously. Quite a spectacle, indeed. They brought us here intentionally to let Jegal Hyang witness it—ensuring she wouldn't make a big deal at home later. Seeing the grand admonishment did bring a certain joy. “You both have endured quite a bit.” “I couldn't even sleep properly.” I replied somewhat curtly to Manggeum Jeonju. “Heh-heh.” Manggeum Jeonju's gaze sharpened, as if assessing my tone. What can you do? I resolved the incident, and I'm here for the arranged meeting. A little frustration is justified. “Ah, um, I...” Manggeum Jeonju, aware of his granddaughter's disposition, nodded his head a few times before speaking reluctantly. “Today is a day for you young folks to enjoy yourselves, so I will get straight to the point. The bookstore that my grandson was managing—the one patterned after Dasogak, set on the main street in a grand building—I shall give it to you, Hyang.” I’d seen it. It was a well-situated bookstore. Although with the capital provided, they couldn't fully stock it, making it effectively a single-issue bookstore. Manggeum Jeonju paused mid-sentence and scrutinized me closely. Why is he looking at me? Come to think, why bring up a bookstore now? Oh? No way? ‘Now that Heosong's failed the test, what will become of that store?’ Could it be? Is he considering giving the store to me as compensation for this incident? Given the fake marriage case, unauthorized selling of my book, and Manggeum Jeonju’s assertion of respect for his friendship with Baek Gajang, is he making amends by gifting me the bookstore in Wuhan? Could I establish Dasogak’s second branch? “I will give the reclaimed bookstore to... Hyang. You, Hyang, shall have it.” A delusional thought. “M-me?” “Including an apology for your aunt’s actions, we'll refurbish the interior to be quite impressive. Consider it belated New Year's pocket money from your grandfather.” For a moment, I wished I were his grandson. Some people go to great lengths to keep a bookstore afloat, while others receive one as a new year's gift. “And as for you, Kang Yoon Ho... heh-heh. You seem somewhat disappointed?” Did he notice? But of course, he might. Manggeum Jeonju was keen enough to stroke his beard and laugh, sensing my thoughts. “I’m merely curious as to how you plan to respond to your grandson's actions.” Not expecting much. I had a fleeting moment of excitement, but in a world without copyright laws, the favor Manggeum Jeonju showed in preventing Dangapungwon from being sold in Wuhan was already quite considerate. The impersonation incident was significant, but even a wealthy man who dives into heaps of gold coins every morning wouldn’t give away a building just like that. If he plans to give something, perhaps I should bring up Dasogak. Maybe I could ask for additional funds to expand my business. “As a father and grandfather, I have no intention of turning a blind eye. As compensation for you… how about operational rights?” “Pardon?” “The operational rights to the bookstore. Would you like to run Dasogak in Wuhan with my granddaughter?”