Kang Yoon-ho, the buddy of the legendary writer Ho Pil.
The man who unearthed Ho Pil from obscurity and introduced “The Rise of the Tang Family” to the world, the head bookstore manager at the finest bookstore in Yichang.
With his life on the line, he was dragged to the Sichuan Tang Family instead of Ho Pil.
A name deeply etched in Je-gal Hyang’s mind. Because he was the last match she fled from.
That Kang Yoon-ho came to find her. Who dared impersonate Ho Pil, after all?
“Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry!”
Je-gal Hyang prostrated herself, trembling and unable to lift her head to look at Kang Yoon-ho.
“Lift your head. Apologizing wildly won’t change anything. Mr. Ho Pil.”
You scammer!
Je-gal Hyang heard Kang Yoon-ho call her Ho Pil at the end and thought, how ironic.
“W-w-wait a minute.”
Je-gal Hyang cautiously lifted her head to meet Kang Yoon-ho’s gaze, only to hurriedly bow once more.
No way! I can’t look him in the eye!
She ran away from a match, and now she was in a giant mess of impersonation.
And now the victim of the incident was staring at her with a serious face. Je-gal Hyang wished she could hide in a fruit box or something.
“Get up. I want to know why you impersonated him, Mr. Ho Pil.”
Mr. Ho Pil.
Usually a name of respect, but now it felt like a heavy mountain of mistakes and guilt. Each word from Kang Yoon-ho pressed down on her chest like a stone.
What do I do? Mr. Ho Pil’s buddy is here! It’s absolutely unbearable! Desperately, Je-gal Hyang spun her thoughts before coming to a decision and looking at Kang Yoon-ho.
“Um, um, um, t-that is, my name is….”
I need to introduce myself first!
“I’m Je-gal Hyang. I know.”
“Ah… okay.”
Oh no, disaster! I have nothing else to introduce besides my name.
What else should I say? Je-gal Hyang. I was at home yesterday, at home a week ago, and at my family home a month ago.
No, that’s not important! Did I say it while knowing the name and still called him Mr. Ho Pil? He must be super angry! What should I do?! Je-gal Hyang was in confusion.
In fact, this entire situation was orchestrated by Kang Yoon-ho.
From Je-gal Hyang’s passive personality, he figured she felt guilt and uncertainty and sought to gain a conversational advantage, but she had no idea.
In their brief exchange, Kang Yoon-ho realized her personality was more severe than he heard, and she was fully aware of the mistake she made in this incident.
“I understand that the sudden appearance startled you. Take a deep breath.”
“Ugh… huff. I-I still can’t calm down; can I do Qi Breakfast?”
“As a delivery guy, I don’t think that will work out.”
“Ah… yeah…”
I messed up again.
Even though he spoke with consideration, what was I just saying? To calm my heart, I might perform Qi Breakfast? Do I even have a brain?
Je-gal Hyang lamented her disastrous conversation skills yet again.
Kang Yoon-ho caught onto Je-gal Hyang’s desire to hide and spoke again with a seemingly deep understanding expression.
“I’m here to hear why you impersonated him, not to punish you or harm you. Could you please share the situation with me?”
Seeing the look of genuine interest on his face, Je-gal Hyang took a deep breath.
Okay, Je-gal Hyang. You can talk this much! Just explain what happened!
Je-gal Hyang struggled to collect herself and opened her mouth. Just stay calm. Just stay calm.
“Um, so, I ran away from a matchmaking… No, well, hang on a moment…”
Impossible.
How can I tell such a long story? I truly overestimated myself. Je-gal Hyang dashed to the desk and dipped her brush into the ink.
If it’s in writing, I can manage. I’ve sent so many letters before.
[Hello. I am Je-gal Hyang.]
[I’ve always been passive since I was a child and usually stay inside the house…]
No, that’s too much information! Je-gal Hyang hurriedly scratched out the irrelevant parts, leaving only the important points.
Then, with trembling hands, she presented the letter to Kang Yoon-ho.
“So your aunt and cousin Heo Song mistook you for Ho Pil? Did they refuse to believe you no matter how much you explained?”
I read the heavily edited letter and asked Je-gal Hyang.
That handwriting seems oddly familiar.
“Yes, yes, yes, yes!”
She nodded vigorously, nearly bobbing her head off.
I looked at Je-gal Hyang with a somewhat incredulous expression.
As I heard, she was indeed a beauty.
If Im Ha-yeon seemed like a haughty, prissy cat burglar, Je-gal Hyang looked like a frightened little animal who feared someone would extend a hand her way.
It’s fascinating how her expression changes with just one conversation. Right now, she has that crying face.
Based on what I heard about her character and her current behavior, the words written in her letter must hold a high chance of being true.
I could have assumed this among likely scenarios. I’ll stick to the plan.
A sudden turn of events. Before she’s chased out by someone, I’ll make her my ally.
“I was very shocked to hear that you ran away from the matchmaking.”
To begin with, one must add guilt to guilt, right?
I put on a face similar to Kang Mo when he looks shocked that no woman would sit beside him at a drinking party.
“Oh, I’m so sorry!”
Je-gal Hyang seemed to have nothing to say and lowered her head. I’m not trying to make you feel guilty!
I spoke to her with an understanding expression.
“I understand. Married to a black-haired barbarian, right? Just imagining it must be disgusting; it’s probably better to run away.”
To show more of a hurt expression, I stepped closer.
But I shouldn’t push too hard on her. Je-gal Hyang has a tendency to run away when pressed.
I’d turn into a hurt animal, solidifying her as the clear antagonist in this scheme. I need her to feel guilty enough to approach me.
“No, no! Now that I think about it…”
“Think about what?”
What will she say? I stared at her.
“Your face is too close!”
Was I getting too close for this shy personality? Je-gal Hyang fumbled awkwardly, covering her slightly flushed face with her arms and stepping back.
“Heo Song. He said this: Ho Pil, so Je-gal Hyang felt hurt because of me. That’s why, I thought perhaps you’d hold a grudge against me and try to make my life harder.”
Gripping my heart like it was stabbed, I mimicked a pained expression.
“Ah?! I-I never said that!”
Je-gal Hyang looked up at me with wide eyes, startled, then dropped her gaze as if it pained her to meet mine.
Did she not say that? Doesn’t matter. I’m going to keep raising her sense of guilt.
“However, the damage remains the same. I was supposed to open a branch of Daso Bookstore in Wuhan soon, and now I’m going to suffer massive losses. Plus, when Mr. Ho Pil hears about a reader impersonating him, how shocked he would be…”
“Ugh…”
Je-gal Hyang grimaced, unable to conceal her guilt. She must feel quite wronged. But what can she do when a more significant victim appears before her?
Now, I’ve successfully painted her as the perfect antagonist.
Next stage…
“Miss?”
Where did she go? Je-gal Hyang momentarily vanished from my sight.
“I-I’m here…”
Je-gal Hyang suddenly reappeared, hiding her head down again, nervously raising a little pouch towards me.
“What’s this?”
“This is all the money I have since I ran away from home…”
Je-gal Hyang was about to hand me her allowance pouch like it was a painful decision.
No, I’m not asking for money! She does seem like a kind girl by nature. What a little lady who’s putting me in a bit of a bind!
“That’s unnecessary.”
“I’ve been saving my New Year’s money since I was a kid, so when I go back… No, I can’t go back! I’ll find a way! I’ll repay you with my New Year’s money later, I swear!”
“No need for that.”
I must move to the next stage, but if she shrinks back this early, that might be a problem.
While I was feeling slightly uncomfortable, I heard the voice of a warrior approaching from the door.
“Cough. Miss Hyang! It seems the delivery person who just went in hasn’t come out yet.”
—————–
An instant of deep silence fell.
“Ah?! I-I’m that person!”
Have I loitered too long? Je-gal Hyang hurriedly stood up, looking distressed about what to do next.
“I was just waiting because he said he’d bring the dishes right away. Looks like the food must be quite delicious.”
“…Is that so?”
“Yes, yes.”
“I will take my leave.”
Once the warrior’s footsteps faded, Je-gal Hyang and I faced each other in silence, not knowing what to say.
Thank heavens. That was close. Je-gal Hyang must’ve thought the same, letting out a sigh of relief.
I could’ve been kicked out but instead, she protected me, so the first operation was a success.
Now, on to the next step.
“Although misunderstood, it’s a situation where it’s hard to side with anyone.”
A writer, Ho Pil, and her cousin. Misunderstood and troubled, but scared to ruin her cousin’s life. I get her feelings.
But I had a plan for this too.
I rose with hostility directed toward the direction the warrior went.
“Heo Song knows you’re a fake Ho Pil.”
If neither side can choose, let’s just make one side the enemy.
“Wh-what?”
“The guards. Haven’t you found it odd? This is not an external enemy; it’s a watch placed to monitor you.”
“I can evade pursuing very well, so that may be why.”
Choosing the option of blaming oneself over suspecting others, hmm?
But she’s wrong. That’s a parent’s job, and a cousin wouldn’t need to watch her.
“Not long ago, when I visited Heo Song, he made sure to block our meeting. Even though we’re buddies.”
Even a cousin, to monitor and refuse meetings with buddies? That leads to one conclusion.
“You’re the scapegoat.”
I told her the cold truth, like I was revealing a bitter secret.
“What?!”
“As you said, it could have been a misunderstanding at first. However, now that you’ve consistently denied it, it might’ve dawned on them that perhaps we were mistaken. But why continue the charade? You are the youngest daughter of the head of the Je-gal family. Even if you claim to be an impersonator, blaming it all on you marks an end of the matter. Hence, you were being watched.”
If there’s the Sichuan Tang Family in Sichuan Province, then there’s the Je-gal Family in Hubei Province.
Daso Bookstore, Man Geum Battlefield—no matter how you look at it, if the youngest daughter of the Je-gal family claimed to be an impersonator, they’d likely laugh it off.
Heo Song thought it was a good gamble, thinking he could run the club as just a facade.
“That’s right. As I talk about it, the security increased. Wh-what do I do now?”
Realizing the situation, Je-gal Hyang opened her eyes wide.
By seeking assistance from me in this situation, it’s a good sign she sees me as trustworthy.
“Let’s get out.”
“What?”
“The guards say it’s dangerous outside, so you’re only permitted to stay inside. But that’s okay. You’re the head family’s youngest daughter. Just say you’re going to visit your grandfather’s house. They won’t even think about stopping you.”
Je-gal Hyang was simply under the current situation at her aunt’s house. But if she dared to leave and they forcibly stopped her?
That would immediately turn into the kidnapping of the youngest daughter of the Je-gal family. Who would dare stop that?
“Uh, well, that is….”
“Is it because you think you’d have to face the matchmaking again once you get back?”
“…….”
Did I hit the mark?
“Miss. Then would you be willing to do something that could resolve both my predicament and yours?”
If there’s a way out there…
“Is there really a way?”
“Yes. Just grant me one simple request.”
“What kind of request?”
I gazed at Je-gal Hyang for a moment.
Among my thoughts was the plan to embroil Je-gal Hyang’s impersonation of Ho Pil while thwarting the matchmaking. But is that truly the best route?
I could be facing the formidable Man Geum-jeon.
Normally, I wouldn’t even have the chance to meet an extraordinary figure. He seems to put me in a tight spot, but he’s also someone who wipes debts away clean in one swoop.
Plus, the intent to pair me with his granddaughter is firm in his mind.
Even if this matchmaking falls through, you never know where a lady from the Namgung family or the Volcano Sect might suddenly appear.
I need to retrieve Daso Bookstore.
I want to clear all my debts. I wish to expand my business ongoing in Wuhan further. I want to utilize “The Rise of the Tang Family” to elevate my reputation across other novels.
And then… the face of the pink-haired lady, who’s anxiously waiting for me, surfaces.
Right, I want to resolve the miracle issue concerning Im Ha-yeon as well.
So, I need to think of something better than ruining the matchmaking. And I have that plan.
A way to satisfy Man Geum-jeon while simultaneously putting him in a tight spot.
A solution that would benefit both me and Je-gal Hyang.
I stepped forward toward Je-gal Hyang and put forth my vital proposal.
“Let’s enter into a contract relationship.”
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