Chapter 295 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

Gift – 6 "Your order has been placed." I guess my little prank went a bit overboard. I could have just made her a normal cup, but since the young lady has such amusing reactions, I couldn't resist teasing her. I never imagined she would freeze mid-order. Luckily, I managed to swiftly place her coffee in front of her before things got more awkward. "Hehe. I did it!" JeGal Hyang beamed, holding her cup triumphantly like a trophy, clearly proud of successfully ordering her coffee. "Ahem. Do you think I could request a cup as well?" So, you're in the mood for coffee too? It's not a problem. With all the equipment ready, I'll serve you. "Sure, of course." "I'm quite curious about your brewing skills, Young Master Kang! I'm quite particular about my coffee. Please, preheat the cup to the right temperature, then make a brew with Yunnan coffee using city roast for a pour-over." "Your iced Americano is ready." I quickly mixed some cold water with the remaining coffee and handed it to him. "..." "Let's talk business." What sort of nonsense is this? ——————— “So, the initial investment cost will be covered entirely by ManGeum Merchant Guild, correct?” With a cup of coffee each, we sat down to start discussing business. “Of course. This is a gift from the Master of ManGeum to Miss JeGal Hyang.” "Then, the books will be purchased under the branch of Daseogak, and when Miss JeGal officially takes over Daseogak, she’ll be handed clean accounts without any debts, right?” A ledger free of any debts. Naturally, it should be given as a proper gift, shouldn't it? I smiled, probing to see how far ManGeum Merchant Guild's generosity would extend. “Certainly. But why do you ask...?” Is that right? If that's the case, I can reveal another part of my plan. "For books that are in high demand, it's necessary to maintain a substantial stock." I'll pre-order all the needed books. Using the money from ManGeum Merchant Guild, of course. “Hmm...” “I’ll act reasonably. Do you happen to have a list of books you plan to purchase?” “Yes, here it is.” Jeon Wun Yeop handed me a well-organized list from within his robe. Indeed, as expected from ManGeum Merchant Guild, owning ManGeum Bookstore as an affiliate. It’s a commendable list. If this were an ordinary bookstore, that is. “The proportion of books by ancient sages seems quite high.” “Traditionally, a bookstore is a repository of knowledge. It stands to reason to stock it with the wisdom of the ancients.” Certainly true. A significant portion of bookstore visitors are students. “Yes, of course.” “Then, isn’t it fine to have a high percentage?” Certainly, there needs to be books for those people. But the target is slightly off. “So, we should stock books frequently cited in state exams.” “...” Isn't studying primarily about passing exams? Naturally, you need to have books for those state exams, which many students seek. Focus on those frequently cited and bestsellers. And another thing needed attention. “The list you provided is good for setting up as a standard bookstore. However, Daseogak differs, with many customers visiting to enjoy tea or browse casually.” “Are there more books needed to be bought?” “Medical books, cookbooks, and amusing novels or miscellaneous books are sorely lacking. You should stock at least ten times these amounts.” I revised the quantity to numbers ten times higher than originally listed. “Isn’t that an excessive amount?” “Even the Daseogak in Euichang easily handled such volumes and had to use the printing press weekly. Surely, in Muhan, they will sell more, so it’s not excessive.” It’s problematic to think that Daseogak, a book café, serves the same clientele as a used book or antique bookstore. If it means not dipping into my own funds after opening, it’s best to preempt problems. “I expected the winds of enterprise, but not to this extent. Stocking all this will take a considerable time before opening.” It's a justifiable concern. But you know, there's someone who already took care of that worry. “I've already instructed them to print them.” Ordered them to prepare the books ahead of time. “Ha...” Jeon Wun Yeop momentarily could not close his mouth. "I'll send a letter to Euichang, under the guise of buying for the Daseogak branch, and have Muhan send the goods." "It seems Manager Kang has prepared much better than us in preparing for the Daseogak branch." With an admiring expression, Jeon Wun Yeop remarked, as if he had nothing more to say. “It’s my job, after all. I must always do my best. I think I’ll need to visit often before the branch opening to monitor the situation. Could I receive a key?” “I’ll entrust the key to Miss JeGal Hyang. You’re welcome to visit often and communicate any concerns to her.” The branch of Daseogak acts as bait from the Master of ManGeum to keep meeting JeGal Hyang. As long as you take advantage, he wants the meetings to continue. “So, you're saying I don't need to discuss with ManGeum Merchant Guild and only notify you?” Even better. I just need to skillfully savor the bait from the Master of ManGeum. “Ah, that is...” “Miss JeGal.” I need to secure this quickly. Before Jeon Wun Yeop could change his mind, I hastily turned to JeGal Hyang, sipping on her coffee. “Yes?” “Rest assured, as the principal owner, I’ll make every effort to ensure a smooth opening.” “Yes? Yes, yes!” “Hngh...” —————– “It took longer than expected discussing the branch matters.” It’s already past lunchtime. After bidding farewell to Miss JeGal Hyang and the people from ManGeum Merchant Guild, I left the branch with SoSo. Ultimately, most communication was settled with Miss JeGal Hyang, deciding to address any major issues later if they arose. “... What should I do?” “SoSo?” Why does she look like a student who underestimated the test, only to be overwhelmed upon seeing the exam paper? “Oh! Yes?” “I have some business to attend to with the merchants and establishments operating in Muhan. It might take some time before I return to the inn. Do you want to explore Muhan together in the meantime?” Even though I knew Ha SoSo was visiting Muhan, I didn’t expect her to come to the branch. I have places to visit without Lim HaYeon knowing. It would be inconvenient to have her follow me around afterward. “Oh! I’ll head back to the inn first!” Fortunately, SoSo is a perceptive girl. “Sorry for making you wait. Buy yourself something tasty on your way back.” I gave SoSo some money so she could get herself a snack since she missed lunchtime while waiting. “Thanks! I was planning to explore anyway. See you later!” “Sure.” I watched SoSo head toward the inn and then proceeded to my next destination. ************* “There really was no need for spying...” In Kang YunHo's office, Lim HaYeon couldn’t stop fidgeting with excitement. There was no real need to go that far. But, as SoSo said, knowing your enemy ensures victory without battle. You never know, there might be people saying they aren’t interested in each other or that there are some major red flags about the woman. While Lim HaYeon was anxiously lingering in the office, unable to leave, “Sister!!!” Ha SoSo burst through the office door. “What’s the matter? Did you visit the branch?” "Sister, it's not the time to just stand around!” Ha SoSo shook Lim HaYeon anxiously as she practically shouted. “Calm down and tell me what happened.” What on earth could have made her so upset? What did she see? “There’s no time to be calm! This is a huge crisis!!!” Ha SoSo summarized the situation easily in response to Lim HaYeon’s inquiry. ———————————– “Why in the world is JeGal SeoGa’s youngest daughter— I mean, sure, Manager Kang is capable and handsome, tall and well-mannered— but still! Introducing through a foreign grandfather, isn’t he? Ah! Well... really, it’s just...” “Uh, SoSo?” As Ha SoSo continued to circle the office, unable to contain her excitement, Lim HaYeon called her with a bewildered expression. “Sister, you need to get a grip right now.” Finally gathering herself, Ha SoSo grabbed Lim HaYeon's arms firmly. “What did you see?” “What did I see?” A woman as beautiful as you, with the kind of gentle demeanor that men adore. The kind of woman who would bring a fortune into a marriage. But Ha SoSo couldn’t bring herself to say it. Telling the truth might make her sister unhappy. Ha SoSo resolved to relay what she saw with the most negative spin possible. “She’s a total sly fox, pretending to be meek. Even someone as guarded as Manager Kang might unintentionally let down his guard around her!” Ha SoSo recalled the way Kang YunHo looked at JeGal Hyang— like an older brother watching his charming little sister. Through her keen intuition, she sensed a looming crisis, a connection that could quickly turn romantic if not careful. “...” Seeing her words cast a shadow over Lim HaYeon’s expression, Ha SoSo realized her slip. This won’t do. If HaYeon feels discouraged, she might unintentionally distance herself. Hastily, she shook Lim HaYeon’s hands, meeting her eyes earnestly. “Sister! Now's not the time to play hard-to-get! If you push Manager this way, he might not return but opt for something ‘better’ instead!” “He wouldn’t do that.” Lim HaYeon’s voice carried her trust in a man mixed with an underlying anxiety. “I know you trust Manager Kang, but trust alone isn’t enough! Spend more alone time with him quickly.” It’s not too late. Their bond needs to strengthen before the branch opens. In a panic, SoSo offered her counsel. “We often spend time together.” “What do you usually do alone with him?” How can a man and a woman who spend so much alone time together not even hold hands? Swallowing this harsh truth, Ha SoSo asked. “...We work together.” “Ahhhhhh!” It’s exasperating beyond belief. Ha SoSo sighed in frustration. “We’re busy working; where would we find time to leisurely hang out?” Had Lim HaYeon come to terms with being inept at romance? She made a feeble defense to SoSo. “If there’s no time, make time! Even during wartime, children are born!” "SoSo, your words are unusually blunt today." “It’s because you drive me to be. Listen, sister! This is a serious crisis! Grab him and make sure he doesn't stray!" Crisis often brings couples closer together, they say. Yet these two haven’t even held hands. SoSo could only sigh deeply. “SoSo?” The opponent is formidable. SoSo regarded Lim HaYeon with pity. JeGal SeoGa—the prominent family that even children in Hubei Province know by name. And we’re dealing with their youngest daughter. Except for her sister, who else could she compare herself to regarding beauty and a personality men love? ‘Honestly, if it were someone else, I might have told her to give up...’ But there remains hope. The classic story of a hero overcoming daunting odds. It's a tale that SoSo herself adored. Especially if that hero is someone she sees as her own sister, Lim HaYeon. With resolve, SoSo tightened her brow and made a declaration to Lim HaYeon. “Masterful in romance, SoSo! This is the kind of challenge I’ve been wishing for! I’ll assist every step of the way to ensure you’re right by Manager Kang’s side!” **************** “I’m back.” I announced as I opened the door to an empty office. Is Lim HaYeon asleep? Finishing up work late, night had already fallen. Despite my weariness, I had obtained everything I wanted for the branch. Tomorrow morning, I’ll need to send a letter to Euichang to ship the books as merchandise. “You’re back?” Just as I was about to collapse onto the bed, a voice came from a corner desk. “Whoa! What are you doing at the desk?” I hid the items I was holding behind my back and turned to look at Lim HaYeon. Was she working? Some notice ahead of time would have been nice—she startled me. “Were you working? But what are you hiding?” Lim HaYeon asked, eyeing the small box I awkwardly concealed behind my back. “It’s nothing.” “Could it be…?” Her eyes flickered briefly, and she avoided my gaze. Oops. Did she think it was a gift for JeGal Hyang? It’s nothing like that. I need to put an end to this misunderstanding. I should deny it naturally before unnecessary doubts arise. “... Let’s go out.” But Lim HaYeon was a step ahead. She nodded as if making a firm decision and swiftly stood up from the desk, approaching me as she spoke. “Huh?” “Let’s, um, go practice light-foot techniques.” At this hour?