Chapter 366
The Youngest Son of the Silver Sea Trading Company Chapter 366
Chapter 366. The Master of Geumgyeru (3)
Something was definitely different from his previous life...
Was he lost in thought?
He picked up the teapot to pour some tea, but it spilled.
“Ouch! It's hot!”
“Are you okay?”
“Yes...”
“Be careful, please.”
Pal-gap quickly wiped my hands and clothes with a handkerchief.
Ah... I finally remembered what that feeling of uneasiness was.
In my previous life, Mister Ho-kyung hated hot things.
He even waited for his tea to cool down before drinking it...
He wasn't always like that, but something happened that caused him to change...
Could that something have been the martial aunt that happened this time?
Even though I wasn't there, he must have survived for some reason.
Come to think of it, maybe it wasn't just a simple accident, but Baek Cheon Trading Company was playing tricks on Baek Yeon Trading Company?
With that thought in mind, I picked up a cookie sprinkled with gold powder and put it in my mouth.
It was delicious, probably because it was sprinkled with gold powder...
Ah! I'm not a gold-loving person.
At that moment, I heard the voice of a maid.
“The captain of the Trading Company is here.”
I quickly got up from my seat.
Soon, the door opened, and the captain of the Trading Company, his son, and Mister Gong entered.
“Thank you for inviting us.”
We bowed politely and sat down.
“I am truly grateful for saving my grandson the other day.”
“It was nothing. I just couldn't ignore the martial aunt in front of me.”
“That is what makes you a hero. No wonder you are called Seonhaengmi.”
...Who would want to have such a burdensome name?
No matter how many times I hear it, I cannot get used to it.
“Do you like the refreshments?”
“Yes, they are very delicious.”
“I'm glad you like it. By the way, I heard that your weapon was damaged in the incident the other day.”
He took a box out of his robe and handed it to me.
“Please take it.”
I opened the box.
“What is this?”
“I got you a new weapon that can store cold energy.”
“...”
It was just a cheap trinket...
I felt like I had just eaten the refreshments.
I quickly pushed the box back toward the Captain of the Trading Company and said,
“I'm sorry. I can't accept this.”
“Didn't you say that you used the artifact to save my grandson and that it had reached the end of its life because of that?”
“Even if that hadn't happened, it would have reached the end of its life anyway.”
“But didn't it die sooner because of what happened?”
“I can't say that's necessarily true.”
I refused, but the captain of the Australian Trading Company wouldn't back down.
I really didn't know what to do.
If I had actually used the artifact, it would be different, but I didn't.
I wonder if this is what they mean when they say “killing someone and taking their body.”
At the time, I thought I had managed to hide my true abilities with the toy that Geum-ryeong had thrown at me...
This made me wonder if it was wrong to lie, but I had no choice.
I didn't know where the Martial Alliance's hidden eyes and ears were.
And my martial arts skills are my claws that I must hide in order to get revenge.
As I continued to refuse, the captain of the Australian Trading Company urged me.
“Hey! Take it already.”
“Why won't you take it?”
“Don't you like the gift?”
Not only the captain of the Australian Trading Company, but also Mister Ho Kyung and his father urged me, so I couldn't refuse anymore.
Well, I saved Mister Ho Kyung, so I'll just accept it.
“Then, I will accept it with gratitude, even though I don't deserve it.”
“You've made a good decision.”
I took the item and put it next to me.
Then, Mister Ho Kyung's father spoke.
“And since Ho-kyung was saved from a great calamity thanks to you, I think it is only right that we show our gratitude separately. We have prepared this, so please accept it.”
He handed me an envelope.
I took it and opened it.
"....
Inside was a piece of iron.
“This is a token that can be used to request any ironware you desire. It can be used at any of our Baekyeom Trading Company's ironware shops throughout the empire.”
It was worth far more than a considerable amount of gold.
He was sincere.
I already received the ritual utensils, so I couldn't refuse.
Could it be that he gave me the ritual utensils first for this reason?
Huh...
I felt as if I had been hit with a blow.
“Thank you very much.”
Then, the captain of the Australian Trading Company asked me.
“Is it still before lunch?”
“Yes, it is.”
“Good. Would you like to have lunch with me?”
“Yes, I would.”
I wondered why he asked me to come at this time, but it was to have lunch together.
“Let's go then.”
“Yes.”
We headed to the restaurant inside the trading company.
Soon, countless dumplings began to fill the large table.
Excuse me, Captain? This is clearly not a simple lunch...
“Eat.”
“Thank you.”
They say that ghosts who eat well look good, so I should eat.
There were more than 20 different kinds of dumplings on the table.
Thanks to that, I was able to try all kinds of dumplings.
After enjoying our lunch, we drank tea and talked.
Then, before I knew it, we started talking about a book I had recently read.
“Ha ha, you read that book too?”
“Yes, I read it recently after it was recommended to me.”
“Yes, it's a book worth recommending. It really makes you think. Especially the third chapter...”
Since I had read the book recently, I joined the conversation, and the captain of the trading company was delighted and continued talking.
Seeing him like that, I felt that reading the boring book had been worthwhile.
While he was talking with the captain of the Australian Trading Company, his attendant came to find him.
“Captain, I apologize for interrupting your conversation, but it is almost time for your meeting with the head of the Seoga Trading Company.”
“Ah! Is it already time? I see.”
He stood up and said.
“Time has passed so quickly while talking with you. Your knowledge is truly amazing.”
“You flatter me.”
“And thank you for putting up with this old man's conversation.”
“Not at all. I enjoyed it very much.”
“Come visit me anytime. I look forward to seeing you again.”
Earlier, he seemed to be very grateful to me, but now he seemed even happier to have found a friend with whom he could talk.
“Well, I'll be going now.”
“Yes, I'll see you next time.”
When the captain of the Trading Company left, his son, the junior captain, also stood up.
“I also have an appointment, so I'll be leaving first.”
“Yes. I had a good time today.”
“You can stay and talk with Kyung a little longer if you like. I'll be going now.”
“Yes.”
With that, the two adults left, leaving only Ho-kyung Mister and me.
I scratched the back of my neck and said.
“I'm worried that receiving so much will cause trouble.”
“Don't say that. The Captain will be able to handle it.”
Ho-kyung Mister continued.
“To be honest, I had to stop the corrupt officials from giving you more. I thought the Captain would feel burdened.”
“You did well.”
“Our family rule is to return twice what we receive, so everyone feels the same way. I hope you don't misunderstand.”
“I see. That is a very admirable family rule.”
“So...”
Clack.
Ho-kyung took something out from inside his sleeve and placed it on the table.
This is...
When I saw it, I couldn't help but gasp.
“Isn't this a dagger?”
What on earth does he mean by giving this to me?
He said solemnly.
“The Captain saved my life, so I want to repay that kindness with my life.”
“I hope you're not saying that you're going to give your life for me.”
“No, that's not what I mean. I value my life too.”
“Then why are you giving me this?”
“This is a token of my promise to risk my life to help you, Captain, someday.”
Excuse me, what did you say?
“This dagger is to remind me of my promise, should I ever forget.”
It was a little overwhelming, but I couldn't refuse.
“I understand. I will remember.”
It was a gift from the heir to the world's best Trading Company, so it would surely come in handy someday.
I carefully put the dagger in my pocket.
“What are your plans for this afternoon?”
“I have a dinner meeting this afternoon.”
He smiled at my answer.
“I bet you're going to meet some nice people.”
“Oh? Did I give it away?”
“You smiled just now.”
“That's right. I'm having dinner with the captains who were at the meeting. I recently discovered a place that makes amazing spicy chicken.”
It's not a secret.
“Spicy chicken? Ah, you mean Geumgyeru!”
“That's right. Do you know it well?”
He shook his head at my question.
“I don't know much other than what I told you before. It's only been open for a little over a year, and all I know is that the owner and his wife are married.”
“I see. If they're married and settled here, then they must be from around here.”
“No, that's not the case. I understand that they came here from another town.”
“I see.”
Then, Mister Ho-kyung said something unexpected.
“Captain, if it's not too much trouble, may I join you?”
“What?”
“I'd like to get to know you better.”
“Then, what you said earlier wasn't just empty words?”
He nodded in response to my question.
“I can't say empty words.”
That was true. In his previous life, Ho-kyung Gong never said empty words.
“Then shall we meet tomorrow?”
“Of course, that would be fine, but wouldn't it be more fun if more people joined us?”
He continued.
“Actually, I don't have many friends my age. And even in the same guild, I haven't met anyone I get along with yet.”
“I see.”
“But I think the people who are with Captain Eun might be people I can get along with.”
I understood how he felt.
Those who don't know the situation might think that he is being selective about his friends, but... When you're in the world's best trading company, or even the top 100 trading companies, you have no choice but to be selective.
This is because most people are only interested in money.
That's why many of the heirs to the top 100 trading companies have been hurt by fake friends.
It's fortunate if they realize this quickly and end the relationship, but if they can't break away, they will end up ruining their lives because of those friends.
Of course, people who stick together like those who bullied Damjin Mister are...
In any case, paradoxically, finding friends who are compatible with you because of money is harder than finding a needle in a haystack.
Of course, there may be friendships that can withstand the gap between rich and poor, but these are rare.
Anyway, I knew how he felt, so I couldn't refuse his request.
“All right. I'll ask the others and get back to you.”
Actually, this gathering was my birthday, so I was the one who organized it, but the intentions of the other people attending were also important.
“Are you really going to do that?”
“It's not a difficult thing to do.”
“Then I'll send someone from our Trading Company. In the meantime, let's talk for a while.”
I called someone and sent a message to those who were supposed to meet tonight.
Then we continued our conversation.
“Actually, I was surprised to hear you talking to my grandfather earlier. To be honest, my grandfather loves books and is very knowledgeable for someone in the merchant class. But...”
He smiled wryly.
“He talks a lot.”
“...”
That was true, but I didn't expect his grandson, Ho-kyung Gong, to say it so bluntly.
He's not talkative about the Trading Company's business, but he enjoys talking about the books he's read.
It seems like he wants to make up for his past, when he was looked down upon because of his knowledge.
How badly must he have been ignored in the past...
Ho-kyung continued.
“To be honest, I know why you do it, but it's difficult for me and my father to continue a conversation with my grandfather.”
“Hahaha.”
“It's a real dilemma. As someone who must be filial, I should listen to what he says, but...”
He sighed.
“What's your secret?”
“There is no secret.”
I scratched the back of my neck and said.
“I just read books whenever I have time.”
“Books?”
I nodded.
“Yes. At our level, we often deal with other trading companies or government officials, right? Those people like to talk about books.”
“I see. That must be why your grandfather also enjoys reading books.”
“I guess so.”
After thinking for a moment, he asked me, “How many hours do you usually sleep a day?”
“Usually?”
Hmm, come to think of it, how many hours do I usually sleep?
After thinking about it for a moment, I couldn't come up with an answer.
“I sleep about two hours a day.”
“Why do you ask?”
“Well... I've never really thought about it, but now that I think about it, I sleep about two hours a day.”
“....”
Wow, I'm still alive even though I'm like this.
As we were talking, the servants from the Trading Company arrived.