For Sale: Male Lead, Obsession Included - Chapter 106

I clasped his large, potato-holding hand in both of mine and gave him a deliberately intense look.

「 You only get one life. You should live doing what you want to do. I kicked aside the future my father set for me, too, and came here to Dongguk to find my own life and pursue my dream. 」

Well, I didn’t just kick him aside, I practically hung him myself on the city gates on my way here, but there’s no need to share that much.

To persuade him, I decided to share a bit more of my own story.

「 Coming to Dongguk, the place I’d only ever dreamed of, I was really happy. I realized all that suffering was worth it to get here… Even the times that were more painful than dying, I found myself forgetting them all. 」

「 …… 」

「 But if I’d just swallowed it and stayed under my father’s roof, giving up on coming to Dongguk, I would’ve never known this happiness. Just thinking about it is terrifying. 」

I let go of his hand. Jin remained frozen, unable to look away from me. His sincere, steadfast eyes wavered just a little.

The plan to lure him as my escort knight, which I’d started as a calculated temptation, now felt blurred as I looked at Jin’s earnest expression. It felt like I was genuinely hoping he could find happiness doing what he really wanted—holding a sword.

「 I’m not saying you have to quit your father’s apothecary right now. Just don’t go off hiding in the mountains to train with a sword by yourself. Train with Feyden instead. If you learn little by little in secret, you’ll improve quickly. 」

Of course, Feyden never agreed to this, but what can he do? I’m the one paying him.

「 Why… 」

「 You want to ask why I’m going this far, right? 」

「 Yes, that’s right. 」

「 It’s because I plan to live here for at least five years. I’m trying to cozy up to the son of the wealthiest, most influential woman in this town. 」

「 Ah… 」

「 I’ll be in your care from now on. 」

「 …I’ll be in your care as well. And thank you for your words—both about my mother’s tavern and otherwise. 」

With a troubled look, Jin quietly kept peeling potatoes. His hands moved slower than before.

「 Feyden will like having someone to spar with, too. If you decide you want to, just let me know. 」

「 Yes. 」

Jin smiled faintly, the corners of his mouth rising. It was a refreshing smile, like the scent of pine needles.

***

It wasn’t even an hour before Feyden and Ariel returned. Like pied pipers, they brought a line of people behind them.

The ‘walking signboard strategy’ was a huge success.

Apparently, Feyden was the type that older women liked. He brought in groups of ladies older than him, while Ariel had gathered middle-aged male believers in droves.

With a big smile, I called out,

「 Welcome! 」

Come on in and have a seat. Don’t you want to be served gukbap by those handsome men? While you’re eating, the priest will offer a blessing prayer. Isn’t the original always tastier? Spread the word! I’ll even give you free nurungji, so come back again next time.

In an instant, the tavern was packed to overflowing.

A huge smile never left Okhee’s lips. Even when I suggested lowering the prices for about three days, Okhee nodded gladly.

Maybe thanks to that, Feyden and Nari, who were serving, became so busy they could barely catch their breath, and Jin’s hands preparing vegetables moved at lightning speed.

I was in charge of interpreting and greeting customers, while Ariel strolled around quietly reciting prayers.

It was so packed, like a grand opening event, that we had to close early after running out of ingredients.

「 I’m sorry! If you came today and couldn’t eat, come back tomorrow and I’ll give you a bigger discount! Please tell me when you come back tomorrow, all right? Ah, I’m really sorry, I didn’t expect so many people! I’ll be even better prepared tomorrow, okay? 」

「 Young lady, you’re really sharp for your age. 」

「 And so pretty, too! You talk well. 」

「 See you again tomorrow. Thank you! Did you enjoy your meal? 」

After seeing off the last customer, I stretched my back and turned around.

Okhee’s grin nearly split her face. Nari and Jin slumped on the floor, exhausted, and Feyden was sprawled on a bench while Ariel kept sipping water to wet his dry mouth—all of them stared at me.

Except for Okhee, everyone looked at me as if I was some sort of monster or something similar.

“I thought you were some sixty-year-old veteran merchant… Potato, what on earth did you do before?”

Even Ariel nodded at that question.

“It’s nothing.”

If you work in Korean society, you naturally pick up this much lip service. Soulless, but polite and friendly—something like that.

“Great work, everyone! Let’s get ready for tomorrow’s business!”

“We have to do this again tomorrow?”

“If we just do it for a week, after that…”

As I was talking, I looked over my shoulder.

There, I saw a short woman quickly hide herself and run off. That was Soyi, the recipe thief.

Well, it made sense that she’d be too upset not to check things out. I later heard that her tavern was empty today, and felt a little sorry for her.

But that sympathy was short-lived.