Chapter 278

Meeting - 4 "Ahem." "If you're tired, let's call it a day." The sun had already set, and the moon was peeking out. As one of my eyelids began to succumb to the force of gravity, Im Ha Yeon spoke with concern in her voice. "No, I can continue for a bit longer." I rubbed my face dry to chase away the drowsiness clinging to my eyelids. Due to the preparations for the social gathering, my work had piled up. Paperwork had accumulated in my office, including documents from the main branch of the guesthouse, the Daeseok branch of Eui-Chang, and franchise branches of Jeon Gilsan, alongside documents related to the gathering. To prevent more papers from piling up tomorrow, I needed to focus and get my work done. "……About that Joseon-in gathering." As my eyelids began to grow heavy again, Im Ha Yeon casually brought up the topic. "Hmm?" "What you said in front of everyone—were you being honest?" What did she mean by that question? Though her tone was light, her expression seemed to indicate she was preoccupied with it. "I wouldn't say I was completely honest. Rather, I expressed something I wanted to show. Although I have something to gain from it, the members will benefit as well." We're business partners bound by an inseparable relationship. We planned the gathering from the start together. Rather than wrapping it up in good intentions like before, it was better to be straightforward. I shrugged nonchalantly as I spoke. "Wanting our children not to be disregarded on this land?" Im Ha Yeon nodded at my words and continued her questions. "No matter how successful I become, discrimination against Joseon people will persist. But if we all thrive, maybe our children will face it less. That's why I said it." Discrimination and prejudice can't be changed. But as wealthy folks, we can at least create a minor shift in perception, so no one can mess with us lightly compared to being poor, lowly barbarians. Of course, even if I succeed, this isn't an issue that can be resolved in a year or two. It’s something only the next generation might see come to fruition. "Hmm……." Im Ha Yeon, seemingly satisfied with my answer, looked at me with a small, gentle curve in her eyes. "So why did you ask?" "To keep you awake." True, small talk is the best remedy for drowsiness. "Haha. I must look terribly tired." "It's gotten dark outside. You've had a lot on your plate lately. Just go to bed early tonight." "I'm fine…." "I'm not. Let’s call it a night." With a considerate tone, Im Ha Yeon stood up, opened my drawer, and put away the documents and ledgers she had handled. When did she get this far? “Then let’s continue tomorrow.” I should get some sleep a bit earlier tonight. After I saw Im Ha Yeon out, I collapsed onto the bed. ******************** Even though Kang Yoon Ho’s workday had ended, Im Ha Yeon’s was far from over. As a trusted manager for Kang Yoon Ho, she moved to take care of the tasks he couldn’t finish today. “Anything special to note? The vegetables that came in today seemed weak. I did my best to manage, but if tomorrow's batch is the same, we might have to have a serious talk with the supplier.” Kang Yoon Ho was a responsible man. With the increasing responsibilities of the guesthouse business, the gathering, the Joseon-in association, the Man Geum bank’s exam, and the poetry contest, the tasks Im Ha Yeon needed to manage behind the scenes also grew. “I’ll notify the guestroom owner.” A visit to the suppliers scheduled for tomorrow morning. Im Ha Yeon neatly wrote it in Kang Yoon Ho’s schedule with thin strokes. “Alright. Go there, argue if you must, and make sure to come back on good terms.” “Yes, ma’am. If I cling onto the owner, even our master will be left speechless.” When one of the couriers with black hair clutched his chest demonstratively, pretending to hold on, the other workers burst into laughter. “I told you not to call me sister-in-law! And what happened to your leg?” I Ha Yeon, about to scold him, noticed the limping courier and asked with a worried expression. “I’ve got a blister. It should heal soon.” “I’ll get some medicine for the blisters.” After the supplier visit, stopping by the pharmacy. Kang Yoon Ho’s morning schedule, which Im Ha Yeon meticulously noted, was now packed. “Wow! Sister-in-law is the best!” “Indeed! The heart of the Joseon-in association! Who claimed our master needs to marry a Joseon woman?” “Not me.” “Not me either.” “Ahhhh.” Im Ha Yeon breathed a deep sigh as her delicate brows furrowed. No matter how much she denied it, they kept teasing her, making her feel increasingly foolish for responding. “Ha ha. Our boss’s wife is doing well, but true support comes from having many children like our wives…” “La la la, I can’t hear you. I’m off to check the branch.” Im Ha Yeon exaggeratedly covered her ears as if she couldn't hear and went straight up to the third floor. “See you later!” “Take care, sister-in-law!” ---------- The delivery restaurant, which had gained immense popularity in Wuhan, was essentially a three-story building. To accommodate the gut instinct of Chun Seo Gu, the third floor was remodeled with wide-open windows, separating it from human spaces. The windows on the third floor were only accessible to Chun Seo Gu. A pink stray cat slipped out of the window. “Goo goo good!” “Yes, go see your friends.” Im Ha Yeon, with Chun Seo Gu Goo Goo, swiftly leaped across the rooftops of Wuhan and arrived at the branch operated by Jeon Gilsan. “Huh? Who's there? Ah! Sister-in-law, you’re here!” One of the couriers with black hair, momentarily surprised, greeted her with joy. Im Ha Yeon sighed quietly and quickly began checking on the couriers. “No sick ones at the branch, and no losses this week.” The essential members of Kang Yoon Ho’s business were the couriers. Although basic management was taught to trusted members working at the guesthouse, the ultimate responsibility lay with Im Ha Yeon. “Yes. The guestroom owner is no ordinary person. If we lose even one courier, the cost is tremendous, so anyone mistreating them gets a serious talking to.” Additional costs for losses amongst the couriers. Im Ha Yeon recalled Kang Yoon Ho's words about setting strict clauses to effectively turn troublesome individuals into "our troublesome individuals" and chuckled softly to herself. “What a relief.” “Shall I bring you some tea?” “No, it’s fine. I’ll be leaving soon. You may go about your work.” “Alright then.” After sending the worker away, Im Ha Yeon once again checked on the state of the couriers. “With more branches, managing the couriers becomes an issue. They need to follow their training properly.” As the number of branches increased, Im Ha Yeon was concerned about the management and training of the couriers. “Goo Goo! Goo Goo gook! Goo Goo Goo Goo gook! Goo gook gook!” “Goo Goo, why are you bothering the others?” When Im Ha Yeon turned around, she saw Goo Goo putting other couriers through group drills. It seemed like the drills he learned from Kang Yoon Ho, but to see him use it on other couriers was surprising. Im Ha Yeon couldn’t hide her astonishment at the odd behavior of the rare, uniquely talented courier. “Goo Goo……” Goo Goo, at Im Ha Yeon's reproach, saluted with perfect precision as if measured with a ruler. “There’s no need to salute like that.” “Goo Goo Goo Goo gook!” Goo Goo fervently appealed to Im Ha Yeon, implying that he disciplined the others so they would follow the training properly, though she couldn’t entirely understand his gestures. She simply assumed Goo Goo had a reason for his discipline. “Goo Goo, let’s go.” Note the need for personnel who can assist without leaking the couriers’ techniques. Im Ha Yeon turned towards the window after jotting this down to discuss with Kang Yoon Ho later. But Goo Goo didn’t move. “Goo Goo! Goo Goo gook!” Goo Goo climbed onto a female courier he fancied. “My lady, I will continue to produce excellent offspring that will be helpful.” Goo Goo expressed this in a determined tone. “Sigh... really. I’ll come pick you up tomorrow.” Though she knew it wouldn't reach him. With an exasperated look, Im Ha Yeon sighed quietly and leapt out of the window alone. ---------------- “What a fascinating man.” When Im Ha Yeon returned, she didn’t head to her room but instead went to Kang Yoon Ho’s room. Just as she thought she understood him, he would bring out something new. Why was she in his room? Even she didn’t know the answer. She merely perched on his desk, staring blankly at his sleeping face. His face, immersed in deep sleep due to exhaustion, made Im Ha Yeon feel both sorry for him and strangely fulfilled in her heart. He was tired because of her. “Uh, uhh...” Im Ha Yeon flinched at his sleep talk but then smiled softly. Time had flown by, and it was now the middle of the night. Though she was also tired, she could endure it. He was working so hard for her, so how could she complain of tiredness? Im Ha Yeon turned back and returned to her room. ---------- “Will it be alright……?” Back in her room, Im Ha Yeon muttered an uncertain question she couldn’t ask Kang Yoon Ho. The arranged meeting with Jegal Sega. In the end, she decided to continue meeting him. Was she really meeting him because of herself or for Daseok House? The anxiety that she couldn’t express to Kang Yoon Ho drifted through the room. If only he would say something clear and definite. Then she wouldn’t have these uneasy feelings. “Because I’m a runaway courtesan.” Im Ha Yeon quietly murmured as she tucked herself under the blanket. Being a runaway courtesan was okay. It only meant she wouldn’t shed her courtesan status, not that her life would change. But if a courtesan eloped and got involved with a man, it was a different story. If caught by the pursuit team, the future of a courtesan who had crossed the line with a man was too dreadful for even Im Ha Yeon to consider. “That's probably why he’s not confessing.” He expresses his love in every possible way, yet he doesn't say he loves her outright. Because he likes her so much that he wants to save her from being a runaway courtesan in any way possible. Im Ha Yeon’s lips curled into a satisfied smile under the blanket. “There’s no way he will get along with Jegal Sega’s woman.” It was a good decision to show her face before he met with her. Surely, he would only see her face lingering in his mind, making any other woman appear plain in comparison. As he said, it was never meant to be from the beginning. He likes her. And besides, he's from the prestigious Jegal Sega. No proud martial clan woman would take a liking to a person with black hair. Of course, that didn’t mean he was lacking, but still. “Compared to Jegal Sega, a beautiful courtesan would be more appealing… Wait, what am I saying?!” Im Ha Yeon’s eyes widened in shock at her own statement. She hurriedly covered her mouth with the blanket. After calming her racing heart, she recalled what Kang Yoon Ho had once said. “Someday my child will be born too. I want them to live without being disregarded at least in Wuhan.” “A man different from that person.” Unlike the man who abandoned his family and fled, he would surely do his best for his child. Surely, the woman who marries him would be happy. “Why am I thinking about this…….” Im Ha Yeon rubbed her face against the pillow in embarrassment. But no matter how much she buried her face in the pillow, the lingering thoughts remained. Really. Maybe, just maybe. If he were to change her fate, the miracle she thought impossible. Then perhaps... “……I don’t know.” Im Ha Yeon closed her eyes with her face concealed under the blanket. Though her face was covered, it was evidently flushed even in the night. --------------------- “Sigh.” It was the same daily routine, yet why was she sighing? She had too many thoughts during the night. It would all go away once she started working. Letting out a small sigh, Im Ha Yeon knocked on the door of Kang Yoon Ho’s office. “Huh?” As the door opened, she found Kang Yoon Ho ready to go out. “Are you going somewhere?” “I’m planning to head out to meet someone.” “I’ll go with you.” They needed to stop by the supplier and the pharmacy along the way. Im Ha Yeon showed his schedule as she spoke. "I'm sorry, but let's go some other time. I'm heading to the Man Geum Bank, and I need to go alone." "Why the Man Geum Bank? The second exam period isn't until later." "Didn't you mention it, Ha Yeon Sojeo?" "What?" What had she supposedly said? Im Ha Yeon was utterly puzzled, no matter how much she looked at his schedule. Until Kang Yoon Ho spoke again. "I'm going to meet Jegal Hyang Sojeo."