“Why aren’t you serving dinner?”
Im Ha-yeon blinked wide-eyed at me, much like a gamer who just saw a sudden service termination notice for their monthly subscription mobile game.
Dinner not being served? Now that’s a shocking announcement.
She is the Shadowless Thief who fled to Yichang without a single penny.
I put a lot of effort into making her a subordinate who could smile and pick up the phone when her boss called during off-hours, and providing dinner was part of that.
In fact, she’s managing her tasks quite well now. Perhaps thanks to the dinner provision, her impression of the wicked manager Kang Yoon-ho in her heart has also faded a bit.
Ending the dinner support that had at least this advantage? That’s definitely something strange. But the reason I’m stopping her food support is that a valid reason has arisen.
It’s not because I’m indifferent about the fish I’ve caught.
Nor is it because she’s been learning her management duties splendidly with other staff.
And it’s certainly not because I want to ignore her difficult situation.
The reason for ending her meal support is simple:
“Today’s payday, you know.”
You’re getting paid. Now go buy your own meals.
The Shadowless Thief who ran away to Yichang without a penny meeting a kind boss who provides dinner? This warm tale was so heartwarming it could have earned an anonymous tip to the Yichang newspaper.
It’s a pity there’s no article about it, but further kind acts are unnecessary now.
“I know that, but…”
“You weren’t bothered about being served dinner.”
She initially refused to accept dinner, then hid it in the cupboard out of concern for what others would think.
Now that she’s gotten used to it, she’s sad that it’s stopped?
“That’s!”
Im Ha-yeon had nothing to say as I was right, but still frowned as if she had some complaints.
“And you complained about the food.”
“That’s only because you kept bringing me kimchi dumplings!”
What’s wrong with kimchi dumplings?
This is why people from the Central Plains are troublesome. For a student living alone, kimchi dumplings are a blessing.
When your stomach starts to grumble but you don’t feel like rice, they’re perfect. And they’re great for snacking while enjoying a beer after work.
Just like how cola is needed when a zombie crisis hits, keeping kimchi dumplings in a student’s freezer is a smart move—I’d confidently place it in my top three food choices.
“So what do you want me to do?”
I shrugged at Im Ha-yeon, who wore a slightly unsatisfied expression.
If she wants, I’m willing to continue providing meals. But only if she directly asks for it herself.
But can Im Ha-yeon really bring herself to ask me?
“That is…!”
Im Ha-yeon seemed like she wanted to say something but eventually lowered her head.
For her to ask me for help means she has come to expect my kindness.
She had consistently turned down help before, but has she finally improved her perception of me to the extent that she would directly ask for assistance now?
I was pretty curious about it.
She couldn’t find the words as if she was confused about her own feelings, merely lip-quivering and not meeting my gaze.
“Manager! Everyone has gathered!”
Unfortunately, before she could say anything, the employees had already gathered.
“Let’s head down together.”
Leaving Im Ha-yeon with a regretful expression, I made my way downstairs to the first floor.
———
“The manager has arrived! Stand in line quickly!”
“Thank you all for your hard work this past month.”
I looked over the staff who had assembled on the first floor with a relaxed expression.
Maybe it’s because it’s payday, but everyone seemed exhausted yet looking at me with anticipation.
The reason I gathered the employees on payday was simple.
I needed to firmly instill in them who is handing out the money, making sure they work with a greater sense of loyalty towards the Tea Bookstore.
In modern times, that’s a funny thought. Generally, you receive a salary as a reward for labor; it’s not that I’m receiving money from a boss, but that I earn it through work—so is there really a need for loyalty to the workplace?
That would be a reasonable thought in any typical job.
But the Tea Bookstore is different.
“This is the work-study scholarship provided by the Tea Bookstore. Please collect your funds in order.”
The money I give isn’t a salary but a scholarship for work-study.
The money I hand over is similar to a month’s wage that a porter must bear the weight of cargo on their shoulders until they nearly collapse.
No one here would consider today’s payment as a proper wage earned through work.
“Thank you!”
“Really! Is it okay to receive this much?”
“Kang Manager! Thank you! Truly, thank you!”
Everyone looked moved, staring at their salaries or continually bowing to me in gratitude.
If I had met a female manager who offered this much salary before taking up the job of a broker, even if she were a 60-year-old who had never had a romantic experience and smelled like boiled chicken breast, I would have fallen for her.
“Thank you for your hard work amidst the release of The Rise of the Tang Family. Let’s keep it up next month!”
“I will devote myself to the Tea Bookstore! Thank you!”
“I will work hard!”
These were employees who were so poor they were sometimes missing meals. Whether I decide to hire or fire them, that was all up to me.
The employees surely understood better than anyone that they needed to work hard if they wanted next month’s paycheck.
“How about we have a drink today?”
“On such a good day, I should get home quickly!”
“Anyway, I’ll get all my earnings taken by the wife, so before that, let’s grease up the stomach!”
“Sounds good! Let’s have a toast and then head back!”
I saw off the employees leaving in good spirits and turned back to Im Ha-yeon, who was sulking in a corner with her mouth poked out.
She didn’t bother to come and collect her salary. When our eyes met, she let out a little sniff and turned her head away. Was the end of the meal provision a huge shock to her?
I approached Im Ha-yeon and offered her the salary.
“Now, with today’s salary, go buy whatever dinner you want.”
“…….”
Im Ha-yeon pouted her lips unhappily, not taking the salary and continually looking up at me.
“Miss?”
“Ugh! Fine! I’ll buy my own food!”
She seemed to resign herself, snatched her paycheck, and dashed out of the Tea Bookstore.
As expected, she needs to leave like the Shadowless Thief—whoosh.
“Haah. I guess I need to give her some leeway for a while.”
I murmured softly while closing the Tea Bookstore door that Im Ha-yeon had exited through.
I understand her grievances.
Though I tempted her with the promise of a stellar work-study scholarship, the management role had a heavier workload than other employees, so she could very well think it’s too much to stop providing meals after everything.
But if she has complaints, she should voice them.
For now, I’ll make sure that Im Ha-yeon’s frustration doesn’t accumulate by delegating tasks to others.
———-
“Are you going to the suppliers?”
Days after payday. Im Ha-yeon stopped me as I was getting ready to head out.
“I need to go get some tea leaves.”
“Are you going alone?”
Choosing tea leaves is Im Ha-yeon’s specialty. But I’m not going with you today.
“Today I’m going with Ha So-so.”
“With So-so? Why?”
Im Ha-yeon asked me with a surprised look.
“I’ve heard her family runs a tea house, so she knows a lot about good, cheap tea leaves. I’ll be going with Ha So-so today.”
“Hehe. I’m off then!”
“Be safe.”
Somehow, Im Ha-yeon’s voice as she waved us off was filled with unease.
———-
“Is the lunch box in the tea cabinet mine?”
The day after going out with Ha So-so. Im Ha-yeon asked brightly while looking at the lunch box in the tea cabinet.
“It’s Ha So-so’s.”
“What?”
“Hehe. That’s because, um, you see…”
Ha So-so hesitated, her voice a bit troubled.
“Yesterday, I happened to overhear Ha So-so’s younger siblings talking about skipping meals. Since I heard that she struggled with tea leaves yesterday, I brought some food for her.”
“Oh, are you only treating me today?”
Ha So-so looked as if she had something to hide when she spoke to Im Ha-yeon. She didn’t have to be that cautious with it being my treat.
“If you want, you can—whenever you feel like eating in the future…”
“No! No! You don’t have to do that!”
Ha So-so frantically waved her hands at me, looking surprised as she glanced between me and Im Ha-yeon.
Had the rumor spread that Im Ha-yeon wasn’t taking care of her meals? Though it’s true she didn’t take care of Im Ha-yeon’s meals, it wouldn’t be fair to take care of other employees.
“…If you want to, go ahead.”
Im Ha-yeon gazed at us both with narrowed eyes and said one line before swiftly turning away.
—————
“Manager, did you have a fight with Ha-yeon?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“Ha-yeon seems to have been in a bad mood lately, giving off a cold vibe.”
She’s giving off a cold vibe? I looked over at Im Ha-yeon, who was serving customers on the second floor.
“Miss Ha-yeon, you look beautiful today.”
“Wait your turn. Please place your order.”
“Gasp! For some reason, I suddenly feel a chill!”
“It seems the same as usual to me.”
Really, she’s just acting like her normal self.
“No, really. Ha-yeon treated the manager like a transparent ice person, but she was friendly to the customers. Lately, I feel like she’s been cold towards me too.”
“Is something going on with her?”
I can’t figure it out since she seems the same.
“It seems like Ha-yeon has misunderstood something.”
Ha So-so muttered in dismay.
“What misunderstanding are you talking about?”
Ha So-so put her hands on her hips and let out a small sigh before opening up to give me some advice.
“Ugh. Manager, I understand the situation, but Ha-yeon hasn’t had much experience with this sort of thing, so even a slight push can make her feel crushed. So just push a little and then pull her back again, okay? Got it?”
So So, it seems like you’re the one misunderstanding things.
*
“What was that guy!?”
Im Ha-yeon screamed while kicking a small stone down an empty alley.
Why the sudden change in attitude? I have no idea.
Did I reject her dinner out of goodwill? Was it because she complained about the food, as that man said? I mean, a week of only kimchi dumplings was a bit much.
Or was it because I murmured that selling the special set on the second floor was an awful business practice? Did I complain every time I went to the suppliers that I was taking too many people with me?
Or is it related to Hoo Mun and the fact that I couldn’t help much as a runaway courtesan?
“I have so many guesses…”
Im Ha-yeon murmured softly with her shoulders drooping.
She gazed into the puddle in the alleyway and saw her own reflection. While Ha So-so was charming like a younger sister, she didn’t compare to Im Ha-yeon’s level of beauty.
How could Ha So-so win him over just by being kind? Despite having all those feelings for him, to change her attitude so suddenly…
Im Ha-yeon knew too. Even though a woman might have an enchanting appearance that captivates all men, beauty isn’t necessarily the top spot in the world of courtesans.
Sometimes, a courtesan who might not be as beautiful can support her “house” just by being engaging and opening the customers’ hearts.
Right. Kang Yoon-ho is a man too. While he may not be shaken by the beauty of a Yichang courtesan, he could melt for a woman’s spring-like demeanor.
But then again, why? Why change attitudes so suddenly?
“What that guy thinks doesn’t concern me!”
Im Ha-yeon murmured, desperately trying to convince herself that it was none of her business.
She felt like she could capture that man’s heart while also leaving him room to breathe, keeping him engaged, understanding him deeply, and making him feel aching longing while being someone he could depend on.
If it were that easy, everyone would be in heaven.
“That guy, no matter who he likes, it doesn’t matter!”
It’s fine. It doesn’t matter. No matter who he likes, it’s none of my business. But even as Im Ha-yeon repeated this to herself, her reflection in the puddle didn’t look fine at all.
Im Ha-yeon gingerly tapped the puddle with the tip of her foot. The ripples of the water reflecting her face somehow felt just like her current mental state, stirring up emotions within her.
Im Ha-yeon couldn’t sort out her troubled heart and kicked the stone with all her might again.
“Darn it! Who threw that stone!”
“Yikes! I’m so sorry!”
—————
“You’re here.”
Im Ha-yeon arrived at the Hoo Mun branch after work for business related to the carrier pigeon.
“Is something wrong? You look gloomy.”
Im Ha-yeon asked the branch manager, who was sitting at the desk staring at a scroll with a dark expression on his face.
“We’ve received a message from the Wuhan branch.”
Hubei Province’s capital is Wuhan. The headquarters of Hoo Mun in Hubei Province is also based in Wuhan.
“Really? How is the business at the U-sand branch going?”
The U-sand Hoo Mun branch had been attacked by factions. Their courtesans, businesses, and even the lodges they were living in had been targeted.
What would Hoo Mun do? Send martial artists? Or would they give up?
“If we receive acknowledgment for this achievement, we could free Im Ha-yeon from her carrier pigeon status.”
Im Ha-yeon’s carrier pigeon status. A courtesan’s certification. As long as her name remains on there, Im Ha-yeon will forever be considered a runaway courtesan.
If Hoo Mun dispatches martial artists, she might be able to be freed from her status as a carrier pigeon for reporting a disaster. Im Ha-yeon had a small glimmer of hope as she asked the branch manager.
But what came out of the branch manager’s mouth was as dark as his expression.
“They’re requesting the capture of runaway courtesan Im Ha-yeon.”
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