Fortune and misfortune are two sides of the same coin.
I might have brought an exceptional horse with my retirement money, but isn’t it a bit harsh that misfortune strikes just like in the tale of the old man and the horse?
Frantic debt collectors. Compared to them, the Green Forest Members, inspired by the spirit of the Hwalbindang, look like noble gentlemen.
“If you’ve inherited a fortune, you should pay it back!”
“There’s money on the horse! Use this to pay off my debt!”
The excited debtor tried to reach for the money tied to the horse’s rear.
“What are you doing?!”
I quickly grabbed the man’s wrist and glared at him.
“What’s this barbarian saying! Do you want to die? Not returning my money?”
Did this guy deposit money somewhere? This was my retirement fund, money I meticulously managed for revolutionary purposes.
“Who does this barbarian think he is being so rude on a horse? Hurry up! Drag this barbarian and that leper out!”
Are these people insane? The debtors surrounding us, filled with rage, moved closer to drag us out.
“What are you all doing!!!”
Nohoseong’s furious voice abruptly halted the angry debtors’ actions.
“Head of Guards!”
Following Lady Tang’s delighted voice, I turned to see a man who appeared more aged than middle-aged, standing there with a furious expression.
“How dare you be rude when the granddaughter of the deceased elder has just arrived! I can’t cooperate with debt settlement if you act like this!”
“Head of Guards, why are you suddenly angry?”
“Step back! If this continues, I’ll report you to the government office!”
The people who had surrounded us seemed flustered by the Head of Guards’ words, and soon they dispersed and went into the mansion.
“Lady Hwa-rin, it’s been a long time.”
After silently observing, the Head of Guards softened his furious expression and approached Lady Tang to greet her.
“What on earth has happened, Head of Guards?”
As Lady Tang got off the horse with a bewildered expression, she asked him.
“This isn’t the place to talk. Let’s go to the bookstore the elder left for you while I explain.”
The Head of Guards gestured for me to hand over the reins and soon led us to the bookstore.
—
Following the Head of Guards, we headed to the bookstore that Lady Tang inherited while beginning to learn about the situation.
Lady Tang’s grandfather had passed away about two months ago.
He had been suffering from a chronic illness, and besides one late-born daughter, he had lost his wife and children to illness and accidents.
For a man who had dedicated his life to business, the sorrow of chronic illness and successive losses was more than enough to change a person.
“When he sent off his late-born daughter as the Head of the Seong Family, he began living a life of giving rather than focusing solely on business.”
The Head of Guards continued to explain, his expression filled with both pride and nostalgia for the deceased elder.
He fed hungry beggars, donated to poor temples, supported those with talent but difficult circumstances, and established an orphanage to raise children who lost their parents in wars or accidents.
“Of course, while doing good deeds, some business troubles arose.”
Initially, Lady Tang’s grandfather ran a modestly sized business that was profitable in Yichang. The problem was that the scale of his charitable activities grew larger and larger.
“Even though there was debt, the business was doing well, so the situation was manageable.”
That’s true. Debt in business isn’t necessarily bad. If you borrow future money and earn double, it’s actually a profit.
The problem was that Lady Tang’s grandfather suddenly worsened and passed away.
The death of the manager overseeing all business operations before he died. No successor. Significant debt. In an instant, the business plunged into chaos.
“I thought your mother would appear to sort everything out… I misjudged.”
At a miraculous moment, Lady Tang’s mother appeared. People entrusted her with full authority thinking she would stabilize the chaos, but she fled with the physical assets meant for paying off debts.
“Over there is the bookstore your grandfather left for you, Lady. Here’s the key. Go inside, and I’ll come to escort you to the bookstore tomorrow.”
The Head of Guards handed over the key to the bookstore and left to deal with the debtors.
—
Upon entering the previously closed bookstore, a musty yet cozy scent of books wafted through the air.
It reminded me of the times when I strolled through old bookstores or the Cheonggyecheon used book street.
“This bookstore is actually really nice.”
A three-story building. Though not massive, it’s well-located on a main road. If it were modern, a coffee franchise would be on the first floor, and a clinic and pharmacy would occupy the second.
“I thought it was a two-story building, but there’s also an attic on the third floor.”
The ceiling is low, but there’s an attic where a person could stay. Though it seems to be used as storage, if the books are cleared a bit, it could easily serve as living quarters.
“…Huh. That’s right.”
Lady Tang responded to my remark in a dull tone. Why has she been so unresponsive since earlier? Is it because she’s gone through a shocking event?
I briefly tried to offer my condolences about her grandfather’s passing, but Lady Tang remained silent. Ignoring her reaction for now, I started wandering around the bookstore.
There are plenty of books, which is great, but isn’t there anything missing?
The ultimate goal of this trip. Please let it be here. Why isn’t it visible?
Just as I was about to give up after searching everywhere, I discovered a door behind a bookshelf when I pushed it aside.
“An old printing press…”
Lady Tang murmured weakly as she glanced into the space behind the door. Just as she said, the printing press I had desperately sought was sitting right in the center of the room.
Though aged and dusty, it was well-maintained, making it look like it could be used at any moment. My prized copying machine.
I quietly entered the space that seemed designated for printing and gently caressed the old printing press.
Look at the details of this magnificent printing press. With this, I could write and copy books, quickly raising my reputation.
“This bookstore must not be handed over to the debtors.”
A bookstore with a good location and even equipped with a printing press. The Head of Guards said this bookstore would be forfeited due to the debts, but I must absolutely protect this place.
“I need to help Hwa-rin and protect this bookstore.”
If I help Lady Tang protect this bookstore, I could use that printing press as my dedicated machine instead of just borrowing it.
If I can recommend and sell the books I write to people at this prime bookstore, raising my reputation wouldn’t be a dream.
Even if it seems tough, let’s find a way. Let’s solidify our resolve.
“Hwa-rin.”
I called out to Lady Tang, who had suddenly been elevated to the status of a property owner.
She was staring blankly at the floor, but at my call, she jumped in surprise, her shoulders shaking as she looked at me.
“Hwa-rin, you…”
Why do you look so gloomy? I continued speaking to Lady Tang, who was gazing at me with an anxious expression.
“Don’t say anything.”
Lady Tang interrupted me with a resolute expression.
“Why not?”
“…I know everything. Just don’t say anything and leave.”
Lady Tang bowed her head again, her face filled with sadness.
Hwa-rin, why are you acting like this all of a sudden?
—
Another round of misfortune!
Why does it seem like only I have to suffer such bad luck? Lady Tang gazed at Kang Yoon-ho with a heavy heart.
This wasn’t the situation she wanted. After numerous events, she finally arrives at her grandfather’s house. He is shocked, and she awkwardly introduces this man.
She doesn’t particularly want anything, but there’s an oddly bittersweet feeling in introducing him.
Bringing him to the mansion, offering delicious food and good lodging. It’s something she could say while proudly mentioning how well her grandfather lived.
This man would reward her several times over for all he had done for her thus far, and he would say, “If you act like this, you won’t be able to atone. So stay by my side for a while.”
But then her grandfather died.
That crazy woman ran off with the money.
In shock at her grandfather’s unexpected death, she was furious at that crazy woman’s antics, but there was an even sadder fact.
The man who worked hard to earn the money that she lacked because of her, risking his life to rescue her from bandits, suffering countless discriminations and humiliations while leading her here.
Now, he would receive no recompense from her.
“What am I supposed to do with a bookstore like this?”
Lady Tang glanced around the bookstore with a forlorn heart.
The musty smell of books. Cobwebs in the corners. A large, shabby-looking bookstore in her eyes.
Even if she sold this bookstore, it wouldn’t be enough to pay off the debts the Head of Guards mentioned.
He probably knows too. That there’s no solution in sight. Yoon-ho was silently searching for something, perhaps looking for anything that could be of value.
In the end, what he found was an old printing press.
That there was nothing in this bookstore except that thing worth any money! Lady Tang felt despair.
Observing Kang Yoon-ho, who was silently admiring the printing press, she lowered her head.
Kang Yoon-ho silently watched the printing press for a while before looking at Lady Tang with a determined expression.
“Hwa-rin.”
He’s planning to leave. Lady Tang deduced from his expression.
She was accustomed to being rejected by others. However… if she was rejected by this man, she would not be able to stand up again.
Then perhaps…
“…I know everything. Just don’t say anything and leave.”
She resolved to send him off.
—
“Leave? Me?”
The man seemed surprised, as if she had taken the initiative from him.
“It’s not your debt. Just leave quickly.”
Why does this man insist on pushing me away with brutal remarks? Lady Tang felt resentful. You’re going to leave anyway. You’ll say it softly, but ultimately, you’ll tell me to leave.
I lack the words to express it, so I was blunt. You said it was atonement, but the target for atonement isn’t me anyway. There’s no reason to pay off your debts.
So you decided to leave.
Better to be solitary than suffer rejection.
Lady Tang bit her lip behind the black veil, fighting tears that were welling up.
“If I leave, what will you do?”
“That’s none of your business.”
“This bookstore will be taken due to debts, and what do you think will happen to you at the hands of the debtors? Even if you survive, can you live on your own?”
He was right. Without the Head of the Seong Family to support her, she could do nothing. Through the long journey, she’d learned all too well.
How would she survive if he disappeared and she was left with the debt?
“Then what do you want me to do?”
You’re going to leave anyway. Why are you worrying about someone who’s about to leave? Lady Tang said in frustration to the man, who was about to say he would leave.
“I’m here, aren’t I?”
The man smiled and pointed to himself with his thumb.
“What? What? Just leave.”
Lady Tang gaped as she heard his unexpected declaration.
“Do you remember what you said on the first day we met? How to finish our journey together?”
I remember that perfectly.
When we reach Yichang, if we’re only traveling companions, let’s each get paid by your grandfather and part ways.
But if we build trust?
If we nurture trust, what kind of relationship would we have?
“Yeah.”
“You only see me as a traveling companion?”
“Then you won’t leave?”
No! Lips, don’t rise! Don’t hold onto hope. Don’t rejoice. As the sunlight pierced through the gloom in her heart again, Lady Tang struggled to maintain her expression.
She looked down, then glanced up at him. His gaze detected her growing expectations more easily than anyone else’s could.
“You really disappoint me.”
Kang Yoon-ho avoided directly answering and seemed a bit angry as he turned his head to look at her.
Lady Tang felt her heart drop even though his gaze wasn’t particularly angry.
“Why…?”
“Shouldn’t you say something else instead of telling me to leave at times like this?”
“What should I say in this situation?”
“You don’t remember the words we exchanged while escaping from the Black Tiger Society?”
“As long as a person has someone to hold their hand, they can get back up and be happy again.”
Those were the words he had said to her on that day. The ones that had lifted her twice.
Only then did Lady Tang understand what she needed to say.
Sob…
Tears began to roll down Lady Tang’s cheeks.
He wasn’t planning to leave. He was simply waiting for her to say her part. How foolish of her. She had told a man like him to leave. How pitiful.
“Help me.”
Wiping her tears with her arms, she extended her hand to him once more.
“Okay. Of course.”
Kang Yoon-ho took her hand without hesitation.
The hand that always lifts her up. But even this was not enough. She always wished to voice what she couldn’t say.
“Be my friend.”
“Weren’t we already friends?”
The man replied as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. Lady Tang felt a surge of emotions, a lump forming in her throat at his innocent reply.
“…Thank you.”
“There’s no need for thanks among friends. We can finish the thank-yous later.”
“Really. You…”
The warmth and reassurance of their clasped hands felt overwhelming. With just this hand, it felt like she could do anything.
This man, who always lifted her up when she was about to fall, who comes knocking confidently on her heart, who is he? What is this feeling swelling within her heart?
Lady Tang looked at the man through her tear-streaked face.
She didn’t yet know what this feeling was, but she was certain that this man was someone she desperately wished to have by her side.
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