Chapter 305 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

Delivery Mishap - Part 3 "Exchange diaries?" Jae-gal Hyang tilted her head at the unfamiliar term. "It's a method for couples to exchange diaries. It's recommended for those who don't have much time together or find conversations difficult." "Show, show my diary to someone else?" The thought of letting someone else read a diary filled with intimate stories was shocking. Jae-gal Hyang had to cover her gaping mouth with her hand. "You write about your day, share your inner thoughts, give each other feedback. It's about telling your story. It's a way to get to know each other better every day." Sibi explained the concept of diary exchange in detail, trying to convince Jae-gal Hyang how beneficial it could be. "Show my d-diary to M-Mr. Kang..." The idea of sharing her diary was dizzying. The world of romance seemed so overwhelming. Jae-gal Hyang was astonished by the unfamiliar world of men and women. 'An exchange diary with Mr. Kang?' Jae-gal Hyang allowed herself to briefly imagine exchanging diaries with Kang Gong-ja. [Today's Diary.] [Jae-gal Hyang: I tried drawing Mr. Kang. The ink smeared accidentally. I'm so sad. I'll include it for you to see.] [Kang Yoon-ho: Even though the ink smeared, I can see your feelings for me. Thank you.] "Hehe." Jae-gal Hyang couldn't suppress her laughter at the thought. "You often seem frustrated when you can't talk more with Mr. Kang when he returns. Writing exchange diaries might help reduce that." "I-I'll try it out." Now that she thought about it, it sounded like a decent method. Jae-gal Hyang nodded her head. "If it goes well between you two, don't forget my contribution." Sibi, who offered the advice, was also in a relationship with marriage in mind. It was a time when she needed every bit of dowry she could get. "Oh, right..." Jae-gal Hyang decided to reward Sibi with a raised salary if things went well and continued to listen to Sibi's advice. ————————— 'Exchange diaries, what a great idea.' With this, she could express words that were hard to say. She could enjoy more conversation with Mr. Kang, which they lacked. Words she had wanted to say but couldn't find the chance to express might finally come out. Inside the carriage heading to the branch of Daseogak, Jae-gal Hyang thought about the advantages of the exchange diary Sibi had mentioned. 'Now, when I get to the branch, I'll talk to Mr. Kang about the exchange diary... the diary... what?!' Lost in a dream, Jae-gal Hyang's eyes snapped back to reality. One critical disadvantage, overshadowed by the numerous advantages of exchange diaries, suddenly occurred to her. "How, how do I tell Mr. Kang about this!" Jae-gal Hyang screamed, clutching her head in frustration. Mr. Kang is a busy man. He works on delivery projects, Daseogak tasks, and his duties as a guild leader. He's always so busy; where would he find time to read a diary? "I'm so foolish." If she was the type to suggest an exchange diary, she would have been chatting with Mr. Kang at the Daseogak by now. Why hadn't she thought of that earlier? Yet still, should she muster courage? Jae-gal Hyang wondered momentarily. 'If Mr. Kang shows any sign of displeasure, it would be devastating.' Like a mouse trying to hang a bell on a cat's neck. How could she ever do something like that? "Arrived at the Daseogak branch." 'It was a short but beautiful dream.' With sagging shoulders, Jae-gal Hyang stepped out of the carriage at the coachman's words. Unaware that opportunities might arise in the most unexpected places. —————— "D-did you say the books were stolen?" When Jae-gal Hyang arrived at the Daseogak branch, Kang Yoon-ho greeted her with an apologetic expression. Kang Yoon-ho sat her down and calmly explained the situation. It seemed that the ship belonging to Seo-cheon Pyo-guk had been discovered as an abandoned ghost ship, causing quite a stir. Among the vanished items were the books meant for the branch. "Lady Jae-gal. I apologize sincerely." The branch ultimately belongs to Jae-gal Hyang. The day's incident was a delivery mishap. Kang Yoon-ho apologized as a business partner representing the print shop and bookstore. "Why would that be your fault?! It's Seo-cheon Pyo-guk's fault." Im Ha-yeon, displeased at Kang Yoon-ho apologizing for someone else's mistake, couldn't help but intervene. Anyone witnessing this would have thought she was a girlfriend defending her boyfriend's error. However, with only three people present, no one there noticed. "Miss Ha-yeon. Choosing that courier was my fault. I'll work to resolve this issue before the opening." Kang Yoon-ho gestured to Im Ha-yeon that he was fine and apologized to Jae-gal Hyang once more. "I-I am okay too." Opening the bookstore was merely a secondary process to Jae-gal Hyang's primary goal, so the apology from Kang Yoon-ho felt cumbersome. "Currently, we're gathering information ourselves to trace the location of the goods." "Information?" "We've narrowed it down to about fifteen suspicious places. As we get more information, we hope to identify the culprit." "Y-you have so many other things to do." "Just because I run doesn't mean the problems do too. I must face them and do my best." Jae-gal Hyang blankly stared at Kang Yoon-ho, who was poised even in a crisis. 'He's so brilliant.' Compared to him, who stood opposed to challenges, she felt like hiding her eyes. 'This will only make him busier, and certainly, he won't have time for an exchange diary. Oh?!' An opportunity. In that instant, a thought flashed through Jae-gal Hyang's mind. "M-Mr. Kang." "Yes?" To seize the opportunity, courage was necessary. With her heart pounding, Jae-gal Hyang tightened her fists and, with a blushing face, summoned the courage to bring up one idea. "M-Might I... take a look at that information?" ******************** What kind of family is the Zheng Jialou? A walking automated office program in martial arts novels. There's even a saying, if you're too lazy to use your brain in martial arts, just throw the problem at someone from Zheng Jialou and a solution will surface magically. According to rumors, if there is no Zheng Jialou in a martial arts alliance, it's just a group wielding swords with nothing in their heads. The reputation Zheng Jialou has as a martial arts family within the martial arts world is largely thanks to their legendary overpowered ancestors, yet it's undeniable that they are regarded as the most cultured and capable family in martial arts. Of course, not everyone in the family is a genius, but it's a family with over a millennium of accumulated knowledge and expertise. So when the youngest daughter of Zheng Jialou offered her assistance, rejecting her wasn't an option. "It's humble, but please, come in." I returned to the office in the inn, where the information was stacked, along with Jae-gal Hyang. "Is this Mr. Kang's office?" Jae-gal Hyang looked around curiously, marveling at the space. "Haha. It's a humble place that doubles as a bedroom and office. Let me fetch the information. Please have a seat in Miss Ha-yeon's spot." "You're giving away my seat?" Im Ha-yeon turned to me with wide eyes. There's only space for your seat and mine here—what else can I do? "Huh? A pigeon?" Jae-gal Hyang was examining the office with great interest and finally noticed Gugu inside its cage. "It's said to be the smartest among clever pigeons. Gugu, greet our guest." I considered having Gugu perform a trick to change the atmosphere. While lightning-fast maneuvers might be too much, simple tricks like scattering sand or a light bump might do. When I took Gugu out of its cage, it flew towards Jae-gal Hyang as if it had been eagerly awaiting this. It was the first time I'd seen it approach a stranger so eagerly. Perhaps Jae-gal Hyang truly seemed harmless. However, Gugu’s next action was unexpected. "Gugu! Gugu-gugugu!" Gugu performed a full-body bump against Jae-gal Hyang. The impact was quite effective! "Ah! Why did a pigeon do that?" "Gugu! What are you doing?" Was it finally tired of life and hoping to become pigeon skewers? Until I intervened, Gugu kept pecking at Jae-gal Hyang's head and then flew to Im Ha-yeon's shoulder. When I stared incredulously at the would-be skewer, Gugu seemed to have something to say, spreading its wings wide. "Gugu! Gugu-gugu! Gugu-goo-goo-goo!" Why was it gesturing between Im Ha-yeon and Jae-gal Hyang with its wings? Why did it seem angry? Could it be, “Why a new woman, leaving your owner?” Could that be what it meant? "Gugu, I know what you're probably thinking. But it's a misunderstanding." "Gugu! Gugu-gu! Goo!" I see the situation clearly, but any excuse would be futile with this bird. Why does it speak pigeon, yet I seem to understand? No doubt, this bird isn’t ordinary. "Hmph!" Im Ha-yeon, you too are praising it, why are you petting Gugu as if it did good? "Miss Ha-yeon, don't encourage it either. Lady Jae-gal, I apologize. Are you alright?" Is she okay? I was late to check on Jae-gal Hyang with all the absurdity brought by Gugu. “Yes... I've had crows attack me while walking, so I'm fine...” Jae-gal Hyang, rubbing her head with a pout, said to me. Her head seemed unharmed, thankfully it didn't peck too hard. "Crows?" "Yes. Once I was staring out the window, and a hawk knocked on it. Even when I moved spots, it followed. Perhaps it mistook me for food." Who is she, a graduate student on their last legs? "Haha... Let me bring you the information. Please, have a seat in my chair." "I-Is it okay if I sit in the chair you use, Mr. Kang?" Jae-gal Hyang looked at my chair as if embarrassed about something. "Ugh! Stop. Just take my chair." Im Ha-yeon hurriedly cleaned up and offered the chair to her. Should’ve done that from the start without being stubborn. "Okay..." Jae-gal Hyang alternated looks between my chair and Im Ha-yeon’s, her shoulders dropping as if disappointed. "If you need anything else, please let me know." "Is there a map, by any chance?" "Are you referring to a map of Moo-han? I have a map made for delivery purposes." It's one we acquired for delivery staff to double-check the address before making deliveries. “Oh, um... That won’t do... I need a map of the entire Moo-han area.” “There’s one at Jeon Gil-san’s office, I’ll fetch it. Miss Ha-yeon, please assist Lady Jae-gal with the current map. I shall return shortly.” “I can go instead.” “Will you?” “Yes… Uh, no. Nevermind. You can go.” Im Ha-yeon, after considering, glanced between Jae-gal Hyang and me, halting her steps. "Alright, then." Snatching the map from Jeon Gil-san would be easier than organizing documents, so it suited me fine. I left them and headed straight for Jeon Gil-san’s place of business. ————— “Lady Jae-gal. I’ve brought the map. Um, Miss Ha-yeon?” It took longer than expected. Even at drinking sessions, Jeon Gil-san had an endless capacity for conversation. Upon returning with the map, I found Jae-gal Hyang slumped over the desk and Im Ha-yeon staring at her, incredulous. “What happened to this woman?” Im Ha-yeon asked me in a bewildered tone. What on earth happened? “What’s happening here?” “Hehe. Mr. Kaaang.” Perhaps because she heard my voice, Jae-gal Hyang struggled to lift her head. Despite the effort, she wore a look of accomplishment. Could it be…? “Did you find anything?” It’s information that took Ha-yeon and me considerable trouble to organize. Info from Haomun and intelligence from Hyangwoo. Comparing and analyzing those wouldn't realistically yield results. But for someone from Zheng Jialou? A pleasant anticipation crossed my mind. “Yes. I found a clue.” Jae-gal Hyang responded, affirming the feeling.