Chapter 334 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

Three People – 4 "Can you believe he had a fiancée?" On the rooftop of the mansion. Lim Ha Yeon gazed up at the moon and muttered bitterly, secretly observing Kang Yoon Ho as he drank. "Dang Hwa Rin of the Sichuan Family, owner of the Daseo Pavilion..." A woman of beauty comparable to her own. Although from a collateral branch, she was skilled in martial arts and thus treated as a direct descendant. On top of that, she was the true owner of the Daseo Pavilion, who helped bring forth her artistic talents. Lim Ha Yeon bit her lip slightly, recognizing that unlike her, who came from a humble courtesan background, the fiancée was a woman without a single flaw. "No wonder he was unshakable, even with me right in front of him." Any man seeing her for the first time would naturally feel some desire, yet he treated her with such normalcy. Was his resolve due to thinking of his fiancée? Or had he grown accustomed because he had one? Whatever the reason, Lim Ha Yeon's heart stung a bit. "It's not really betrayal..." Although taken aback by the revelation of his fiancée, feeling betrayed would be absurd. Strictly speaking, he hadn’t done anything wrong. He hadn’t deceived her by hiding the truth while courting her. In fact, he only realized her affections belatedly and agonized over the matter due to his fiancée. "Become Mu Young Shin Tu or live an ordinary life, huh?" The man who always prioritized her. Even while saying it was okay to give up, that she should just live happily, he had persistently held on to her hand. He created two paths for her. An ordinary life could be possible. She could leave him, who had a fiancée, and live ordinarily. That’s what he said. Sitting on the mansion's roof, Lim Ha Yeon watched Kang Yoon Ho, thinking of someone beyond the moon. "An ordinary life without him..." The gentle hand that caught her when she was about to crumble at the edge of the pavilion. The hand that held on to her, even while telling her to give up and be happy. The hand that seemed inseparable but let go for her happiness. Despite all her hardships, despite how much she had worked for him, she could easily speak selfishly, asking where he planned to go. She now had the choice to leave his side if she wanted to. "If you're going to say it'll be okay, don't act all pitiful..." Lim Ha Yeon continued to gaze at Kang Yoon Ho, who sat on a rock sipping his liquor, his face filled with inner conflict. Was he reproaching himself for faltering even with a fiancée, or was he anxiously awaiting her decision? Somehow, he looked lonely. Ten years. If she left him, that lonely seat beside him would remain empty for ten years. After a while, Lim Ha Yeon exhaled a small sigh, having stared at that empty spot by his side. "My life is here." Ordinary or special, everything was there. Another life was neither imaginable nor desirable. She remembered the reassuring and manly hand that had once reluctantly let go, as if unwilling to part from her. Indeed, she didn’t want to let go of that hand. Even if he had a fiancée. If she wanted to be with him, she needed to prepare. Lim Ha Yeon proceeded to another woman’s room. ---------- "A-a-an alliance?" Je Gal Hyang asked as she saw the suddenly appearing Lim Ha Yeon light up the room. "Let me ask again before anything else. What do you think about that person, Kang Yoon Ho?" "Pardon?" "You said you didn’t want to let him go. I feel the same. So before we talk, I want to hear what’s truly in your heart." Remembering her thoughts, which she had pondered all day, Je Gal Hyang answered. He patiently waited even though she was not a great conversationalist. He made efforts to understand, even when her communications were awkward, showing consideration and connecting well. They even shared similar hobbies. On top of that, he was the writer she respected. Someone she, who found talking to others difficult, wanted to keep talking to, wanted to keep meeting, and wanted to stay by. Would a day ever come when a woman like her could meet a man like him on a marriage proposal date? No matter how much she thought about it, Je Gal Hyang’s conclusion was the same. "I’d like to become more than just contract lovers." She couldn’t help but confess, even knowing he had a fiancée. "Ha. Suddenly, I feel like going and giving him a piece of my mind." A sinful man. After herself, it was also the youngest daughter of the Je Gal family. Lim Ha Yeon spoke bluntly. While polygamy was possible in a world where men had the ability, ultimately, conflicts among wives regarding accepting another woman were inevitable. "Hehe." "Let’s stop this meaningless emotional battle and form an alliance." Lim Ha Yeon proposed once again to Je Gal Hyang. "What kind of alliance?" "An alliance to face his fiancée, Dang Hwa Rin." "An alliance to challenge Kang Yoon Ho’s fiancée?" When Je Gal Hyang tilted her head in confusion, Lim Ha Yeon began to explain why an alliance was necessary. "He’s a man who’s been unshaken since he was with me. The reason for the pretend date with you was all because of that woman. Even if we decide to stay by his side now, can we truly overcome the fiancée and be united with him?" "Ugh. It doesn't seem possible..." Je Gal Hyang lowered her head, lacking confidence. Even if they planned to marry him, they’d need the fiancée’s approval, or she might decide to marry him first. Or they could face her opposition. As Lim Ha Yeon explained multiple potential scenarios to Je Gal Hyang, her face gradually lost its confidence. "We’re up against a fiancée who’s not only beautiful and has a better physique but is also recognized for her talents by the Dang family, treated as a direct descendant, and is the owner of the Daseo Pavilion. She’s his lover and fiancée from their hardest times together." Lim Ha Yeon chuckled half-heartedly as she spoke. This seemed like the kind of perfect imaginary fiancée one could only dream of. She almost wished his demeanor was a lie so she could call it that. "Ugh..." Receiving the final blow to her confidence, Je Gal Hyang let out a small cry. “A promise to wait for ten years, you say? One person alone isn't enough to break through their solid bond. That’s why we should join forces and face her together.” Je Gal Hyang pondered over Lim Ha Yeon's proposal. Together, they aimed to open more gaps in Kang Yoon Ho's heart, surpassing Dang Hwa Rin. It was an enticing proposal, even from her perspective. However, not everything was without concern. Je Gal Hyang nervously fiddled with her hands as she spoke. "...I'm still his arranged marriage partner, though." It was Je Gal Hyang's polite refusal. Lim Ha Yeon immediately understood why Je Gal Hyang was hesitant. Coming from the Je Gal family with the backing of immense wealth and influence, she probably wondered if she really needed Lim Ha Yeon's help. However, Lim Ha Yeon had no intention of withdrawing the proposal. Having learned much by spending years by one man's side, just as she had from a decade in training, she knew how to persuade people. She decided to reveal her ace card for the alliance. "Kang Yoon Ho. He's actually the illegitimate child of the head of the Dang family." "What?" Je Gal Hyang's eyes widened in shock at the unexpected revelation. "He acknowledged it himself, and the Dang family members have accepted it." "Kang Yoon Ho, the son of the famous chivalrous Dang Baek Ho?" The fact that Kang Yoon Ho was the illegitimate child of Dang Baek Ho, famed for his chivalry, was astonishing in itself, but Lim Ha Yeon had even more surprising news. "Yes. Dang Hwa Rin remaining in the Dang family means she has been formally acknowledged as a rightful partner by her father, the head of the Dang family." "A fiancée acknowledged by his parents…" Je Gal Hyang fully understood the implications. "Think about it. The Je Gal family and the Sichuan Dang family haven’t had the best relations historically. If a child were to marry into the Je Gal family, would the renowned chivalrous Dang Baek Ho be pleased? Not to mention, the fiancée would naturally oppose it, siding with her father. What would become of his heart in such a scenario?" The subtle rivalry between the Sichuan Dang family and the Je Gal family had been longstanding. Although they were not enemies and could request help for treating poisoned family members, they could be considered rivals in the righteous faction, maintaining a relationship involving both camaraderie and competition—akin to cats and dogs. "No way…" Je Gal Hyang, realizing the gravity of the situation, couldn’t hide her dismay. "But if you ally with me, the story changes." "Changes?" "He told me he wants to take responsibility for me until the end. While Je Gal So Jae had only asked whether she should maintain the matchmaking relation due to family matters, I can stay by his side with just my decision." "Wh-? How do you know what Kang Yoon Ho said in his room?" "I overheard by chance. Don’t mind it. Anyway, if things go well for me, I’ll continue to stay by his side. And if one woman opposes while two women support, naturally his heart will lean our way." The plan was Lim Ha Yeon's surefire strategy to persuade Je Gal Hyang. Without a family, she had freedom. Furthermore, knowing that Kang Yoon Ho’s current affections leaned more toward her than Je Gal Hyang, she spoke with confidence. "With you supporting…" "I'll support him by his side. Even if the fiancée doesn’t, if I support him, he won’t have a choice but to nod." "But I don’t have much to help with, which means it puts you at a disadvantage, Ha Yeon unni." The conditions seemed too favorable. Je Gal Hyang raised her suspicion. "I don't actually dislike Je Gal So Jae." "Pardon?" "I was just irritated at the thought of losing him. Otherwise, there's no reason to dislike Je Gal So Jae. In fact, there are countless benefits to forming an alliance." Having an ally, not an enemy, was reassuring, especially in the presence of a common enemy. That was why Lim Ha Yeon reached out to Je Gal Hyang. "Ha Yeon unni…" Je Gal Hyang looked at Lim Ha Yeon with a moved expression. "Alone, dealing with the fiancée is overwhelming. I need the strength of Je Gal So Jae." A fiancée acknowledged by his father. Even Lim Ha Yeon needed reinforcements to contend with Dang Hwa Rin. Je Gal Hyang watched Lim Ha Yeon extend her hand, contemplating once more. The Sichuan Dang family. The recognized fiancée Dang Hwa Rin. Could I handle this without Ha Yeon unni's help? Je Gal Hyang imagined a scenario where the fiancée contemptuously looked down on her as a homewrecker. ‘I can’t bear it.’ If Kang Yoon Ho gave up, that would be the end. Help truly was necessary. "…I'll form an alliance, Ha Yeon unni." Je Gal Hyang firmly clasped Lim Ha Yeon’s hands with both of hers. "Great. Let’s face the challenges together." ———- The alliance between Je Gal Hyang and Lim Ha Yeon. "Ha, Ha Yeon unni, what about Kang Yoon Ho? How will we…" "How about we handle it like this tomorrow?" To confront Kang Yoon Ho's fiancée, Dang Hwa Rin, they cheered and supported each other, calling each other sister. At a glance, it appeared to be an ideal relationship. Both had decided to open their hearts and face each other. However, the relationship wasn't purely innocent. They agreed to open their hearts and act for each other, but there was an undercurrent of calculation neither spoke about. 'If it’s Je Gal Hyang and not Dang Hwa Rin…' 'If it’s Ha Yeon unni and not the fiancée…' '…to the main wife's position!' Remarkably, their calculation was the same.