“It’s a bit burdensome for a young lady from a prestigious family to wear this.”
The cheongsam, while not excessively revealing, does accentuate the body lines and occasionally shows off her thighs due to the side slits.
It was undoubtedly a bold outfit for a lady raised gently in the Zhuge family.
“Author Ho Pil.”
Still haven’t given up, huh?
Zhuge Hyang said, lowering her head while holding onto my sleeve.
“Miss Zhuge. As I’ve said, I’m Ho Pil…”
“H-Ho Pil, you said that courage to take a step in front of strong opponents is important!!”
Zhuge Hyang glanced towards the second-floor display and spoke.
What is she looking at? I turned to look as well and saw Im Ha-yeon checking other employees’ cheongsam outfits.
Certainly, for Zhuge Hyang, who usually wears comfortable and loose clothing, the cheongsam is a formidable opponent.
“It’s your first time wearing it, so I’ll ask the other employees to help.”
If she wants it, there’s no need to stop her.
Honestly, I also want to see it.
—–
“I thought something was off.”
As I sat waiting in anticipation of Zhuge Hyang’s cheongsam, Im Ha-yeon approached, looking sulky, and sat across from me.
“What do you mean?”
“When we ordered work clothes last time, we didn’t order Miss Zhuge’s outfit. Why is there a cheongsam for her this time?”
“Haha… Since it wasn’t my money, I asked them to get it just in case. Yikes!”
Im Ha-yeon pinched her thigh discreetly, looking at me as if I were being annoying, clearly trying to make sure the staff didn’t see.
Has she suddenly developed a habit of pinching her thigh with her toes?
“I see now why you told me not to wear a cheongsam last time.”
Im Ha-yeon stirred her drink with ice and shot me a glare.
She even caught that, huh?
“Yikes!”
As I contemplated how to explain to Im Ha-yeon, a strange scream echoed from the changing room.
“Looks like there’s a problem with Miss Zhuge changing clothes. Can you go take a look?”
At my words, Im Ha-yeon got up from her seat.
“Why is everyone screaming…? Ugh!”
I heard an astonished sound from Im Ha-yeon as she entered the changing room.
What’s going on?
“Is-is this really okay for the outfit to cling this much?”
I could hear Zhuge Hyang’s flustered and embarrassed voice. Did something happen while she was wearing the cheongsam?
“No way!”
“Waah!”
Upon listening closely, it sounded less like a scream and more like a gasp of admiration.
“Oh, it seems like it’s too revealing for my thighs.”
“Oh my gosh!”
What on earth are they looking at? Just show me what you’re seeing!
“How about wrapping an apron around and trying it with the mei-du outfit?”
“An apron?”
“Try it on here. The branch’s outfit is made to look even prettier with an apron compared to the main store.”
“Wearing an apron with the mei-du outfit also sounds nice, but wouldn’t other outfits look good too?”
“Do you want to try on the clothes I bought instead of comfortable ones?”
“The chest might be too tight, I think.”
“I’m pretty big myself! Hmm. No, I don’t think so.”
“Should I do your makeup a bit?”
“I’ll do it! Look at that skin! You look this good without makeup!”
“…….”
Amidst the noisy changing room, Im Ha-yeon returned to my side with a displeased expression.
“What in the world is happening?”
“……That sounds nice.”
Im Ha-yeon stared at me for a moment with a judgmental look before turning her head away.
Can you at least tell me what’s so nice about this?
I guess she’s not going to. No choice but to wait.
I pretended to sip my drink and waited for the door to swing open.
“Ugh, I can’t do this! I’m too embarrassed. I, I really can’t wear it!”
No!
——————–
“I’m sorry! It was indeed too much for me.”
Zhuge Hyang declared her failure like someone in a daze, clutching her roomy outfit as if it were precious.
“Haha. It’s okay. I’ll just go outside and share drinks with the staff handing out flyers.”
There’s nothing you can do if she doesn’t want to.
I left Zhuge Hyang at the somewhat deserted first-floor display and decided to head out to deliver the drinks.
“Please come visit the Tea Bookstore when we open soon!”
“Oh my gosh! I’ve never seen such an outfit before!”
“If you just pay the entrance fee on the second floor, you can read unlimited books!”
“I can read as many books as I want just by paying the entrance fee?”
As expected of the cheongsam. It’s showing significant promotional results.
Outside the bookstore, the area was crowded with female employees handing out flyers and men captivated by the intriguing outfits.
“Everyone, enjoy a refreshing drink!”
They’re all working hard despite the heat. I handed out the drinks made by Im Ha-yeon to the female employees in front of the bookstore.
“Thank you, Manager!”
“Wow! You packed it full of ice! You’re so considerate, Manager!”
“I filled it up with ice because everyone’s working hard.”
Though technically, it was Im Ha-yeon who put it in.
“Truly the Manager!”
“……What’s with all the barbarian chit-chat in broad daylight?”
Was it the women employees’ warm reactions that bothered him?
A sneering voice came from behind.
“Is that a guy selling women? That barbarian is clueless, parading around in fine clothing.”
The stench of alcohol tickled my nose. Guess it’s a couple of drunks who started drinking early.
“Hey, Manager!”
“Stay back!”
As I firmly pushed the terrified employees behind me, two drunken men approached me.
“Hey, barbarian. Where did you steal those clothes?”
One of the drunks poked at my shoulder and laughed.
“Sir, it seems you’re drunk. Why don’t you continue on your way?”
This is right outside our premises. It wouldn’t do me any good to start a fight. I slowly tried to shove the drunk to the side, trying to keep a neutral expression.
“Did you just touch me? Wow, times have really changed. A barbarian dares touch a person?!”
A fist came flying straight at me.
Seriously, there’s no one who doesn’t fall over when shouting “barbarian.”
“Master Kang!”
I heard Zhuge Hyang’s startled voice from within the Tea Bookstore.
There’s no need to be alarmed.
“Ahhh! Let go?! You won’t let go?!”
I can grab this punch and twist it with one hand.
“You bastard! My friend! Ah!”
I caught another punch coming my way and twisted it the same way.
Thud! I struck with internal energy at the tip of my toes, hitting the shins of the two guys. I grabbed their shoulders and slammed them down, overwhelming them.
It wasn’t difficult to bring the two drunks down to their knees.
“If you’re going to get drunk, do it gracefully. It’ll be too late if you wake up regretting this.”
I said in a low voice, smiling as if I were watching something amusing.
If I were to make one more move, the place I’d close my eyes tonight might not be a bed, but rather a coffin. I quietly chided them.
“I-I’m sorry!”
“We didn’t recognize the noble! I’m so sorry!”
Get lost. The drunks fled, clutching their shins and wrists in fear.
“Wow, truly Manager Kang Yoon-ho!”
“Kang Yoon-ho? I’ve heard that name somewhere before!”
“Black hair?! Oh! Wait! You’re the renowned Joseon hero who resolved the ghost ship incident!”
“No wonder you don’t seem ordinary!”
“I’ll have the guards come out in front. Thank you all for your hard work.”
Now everyone’s eyes are on me because of this mishap. I greeted the employees and returned inside the Tea Bookstore.
“Are-are you okay, Master Kang?”
As soon as I stepped inside, Zhuge Hyang hurried over with a pale face.
“Haha, it’s nothing to worry about. Please don’t concern yourselves too much.”
Getting picked on for being a barbarian isn’t something new.
“……Nothing to worry about?”
Zhuge Hyang stared at me, unable to close her mouth.
“It’s nothing serious. Let’s go upstairs and have a refreshing drink.”
Just because I got one piece of bread from a kind woman in a small village doesn’t mean I’ll get hit on the head and chased out, nor will I get robbed of my earnings after carrying goods in the port.
I can handle minor disputes now.
I smiled at Zhuge Hyang, indicating it was fine, and headed to the second floor.
“…….”
Zhuge Hyang kept staring at my nonchalant demeanor and hesitated to come up to the second floor for a while.
—————
“Master Kang!”
As I returned home after work and was organizing my documents, I heard a voice at the door.
“I’m here. Please come in.”
“Uh, um… hello!”
Zhuge Hyang peeked her head in, checking the room before quickly walking up to my desk.
“Hm? Why are you wrapped in a thin blanket?”
Zhuge Hyang’s appearance upon entering was puzzling. Why was she all bundled up like that with only her face showing?
Did she catch a cold or something?
“I-I’m going to change in front of you, Master Kang!”
“Pardon?”
What kind of statement would impress even a flasher? This could lead to misunderstandings.
‘Huh?’
Before I could react, the thin blanket began to slide off from her neck.
No way!
I figured we’d see each other unguarded if we lived together at some point, but I never expected this!
Concentrate! I can’t miss a moment of this!
The blanket unfurled like a butterfly once restrained in a cocoon, slowly revealing her concealed figure.
“I-I-I tried it on!”
The blanket fell to the floor.
Zhuge Hyang’s cheongsam, which the female employees couldn’t help but gasp at, was fully revealed.
“Whoa.”
I thought it would be cooler, but this is quite the look!
“Ah… it’s just that, um, really, my thighs… um…”
Zhuge Hyang’s face turned crimson as she bent down awkwardly, trying to cover the thigh slits with one hand.
Here’s a sight from a godly miracle, attempting to prevent the parting of the sea with human effort. Because of this, her upper body swayed significantly.
Wow.
I had no idea how stunning she was since she never wore revealing clothes. Zhuge Soja is quite the looker too.
On par with Ha-yeon Soja? No, Ha-yeon Soja is tall. Statistically speaking, Ha-yeon Soja might take the lead.
“If you’re embarrassed, you could try draping an apron too.”
“W-Well, Ha-yeon didn’t do that…”
“Ha-yeon also wears an apron when working.”
“Then, just a moment!”
Zhuge Hyang rushed back into the room and returned with the apron we were given along with the cheongsam.
“Oooo…”
I couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.
With her innocent charm and flushed face from embarrassment, she indeed looked like a sweet girl.
If Ha-yeon Soja suits a cheongsam that emphasizes femininity, then Zhuge Hyang is just made for the mei-du outfit.
“You look fantastic!”
“Uh, um, really?”
“Yes! It suits you perfectly!”
“Ehehe…”
It seemed Zhuge Hyang was a bit less embarrassed after my compliment, as she shyly covered her face and twirled around gently like a fashion show.
Wow.
Thanks to that, I also caught a glimpse of her thigh lines between the apron and the skirt.
No wonder the female employees were amazed!
I barely managed to hold back my smile as she was turning away, just like a cheongsam side slit.
“What is this sudden cheongsam about?”
I had no complaints, but why did she wear it? A first failure and now a retry?
Zhuge Hyang wiped the smile from her face at my question and lowered her head, opening her mouth.
“I realized that in front of Master Kang, it’s okay to wear it even if I’m embarrassed.”
“Huh?”
“I thought it over seriously. It’s true that you are Ho Pil, so why would you deny it?”
Could it be a strategy to induce carelessness and attack my weak point?
I cannot let my guard down. The Zhuge family!
“I’m not Ho Pil.”
“I realized it today. Master Kang is a Joseon person. There’s no benefit in revealing the identity of Ho Pil, considering the circumstances.”
Holding tight to the hem of her skirt, Zhuge Hyang wrinkled her brow.
“Please continue.”
So yesterday it was circumstantial evidence and physical evidence, and today, motivation?
I turned my ears towards her while looking out the window, ignoring her gaze.
“I’ve been such a fool. No, I am a fool. I should have understood Master Kang’s feelings instead of searching for evidence.”
Zhuge Hyang’s voice was thick with moisture.
“Miss Zhuge, I’m Ho Pil…”
“I know revealing your identity must be embarrassing for you. So I, too, feel embarrassed, but I tried it on!”
“……”
Before forcing someone into such an embarrassing situation, they should first show their own vulnerability.
Zhuge Hyang mustered all her courage with the inability to hold back her emotions and met my gaze squarely this time.
“If you… if you don’t like Master Kang, you don’t have to say it. But, could you please be honest? If you want, I can take it off… No, I-I’ll take off the apron!”
Zhuge Hyang clutched the apron with both hands, her voice trembling as if she might collapse into tears.
“Miss Zhuge…”
“……”
Zhuge Hyang again bowed her head.
“Haa.”
Ho Pil.
The reason I’ve been hiding my identity as an author isn’t because I enjoy leading a double life.
It isn’t like I’m a psychiatrist in my everyday life but a spy by night, or an S-grade hunter in reality, but an internet troll who loves beatboxing.
The reason I concealed my identity as Ho Pil was simple.
“Because discrimination against barbarians is rampant in this world.”
Those who think they’re the center of the universe. The disdainful remarks that fly from their lips. In this world, I have to write novels.
“Success became absolutely crucial.”
To survive in this world. To save the heroines’ destinies.
Keeping the author’s identity hidden was advantageous.
This is how I separated Ho Pil from myself.
A writer who brought a new genre called Colored Heroic Stories to the Central Plains. Ho Pil.
Though he may be a barbarian, he is a merchant with the loyalty to risk his life for friends. Kang Yoon-ho.
Once I separated my identities, it became an interesting narrative and allowed me to be acknowledged as a member of society in Yichang, despite being a barbarian.
I gazed at the first woman in this world who recognized my true identity.
Just because someone trusts me doesn’t mean I have to reveal my identity. The risks far outweighed the trivial joy of revealing it.
Today, if I insist again it’s a misunderstanding and scold her a bit, the timid girl might just retreat.
But.
“If you’re looking at me with teary eyes, I have no choice.”
I finally said to Zhuge Hyang, who was waiting for my response, after much contemplation.
“Yes, I am Ho Pil.”
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