UGB Chapter 117: Management (4)
Chapter 117: Management (4)
Chapter 117: Management (4)
Carelessness leads to disaster.
Like when you finished writing a novel to be uploaded after work and accidentally hit ‘do not save’ instead of ‘exit’. Or mistakenly uploaded an inappropriate photo to a group chat where all your colleagues were.
Or, like going out after turning on your computer to head to the convenience store, only to have your parents barge into your room and discover your sexual preferences.
Of course, none of these disasters were as blinding as getting caught by my roommate while writing an erotic novel.
Tang Hwarin looked at me seriously.
“What exactly is this?”
How should I explain?
When I was younger, I used to claim my computer was hacked whenever I got caught watching something racy.
I barely managed to explain to my parents why a hacker would save adult videos on my C drive and remotely watch them, but would that work on Tang Hwarin?
I was hacked. I wanted to write the wholesome ‘The Tale of Martial Heroes’, but the left hand of the black goat and the right hand of the parasitic hand wrote an erotic version instead.
“This is the novel I’m writing.”
After a quick thought, I honestly told her the truth. After all, she would have to read it once it’s printed and displayed on the first floor.
It’s time to be honest as Kang Yun-ho.
“Are you crazy? This is a story from the Sichuan Tang Family.”
Tang Hwarin was dumbfounded by my answer, shaking the manuscript at me.
“It is the story of the Sichuan Tang Family.”
“Is this some kind of new suicide method from the Joseon era?”
“Suicide? The protagonist is a heroic member of the Sichuan Tang Family. He can truly be called a righteous hero, so there shouldn’t be any big issues.”
“But this...”
“I haven’t portrayed the Sichuan Tang Family in a bad light. In fact, if someone from the Sichuan Tang Family reads it, they might admire it and come to give an award.”
“Bullshit! This is an erotic story!”
Tang Hwarin argued heatedly with me.
“Ah! To call it erotic! It’s merely a slightly racy story about a man of honor in the martial arts world.”
To put it simply, it’s labeled an erotic martial arts story.
“It’s the same thing.”
“I’m merely writing a slightly racy story featuring a hero of great moral integrity. It’s different from erotica. And you’re well aware that such stories sell.”
It’s different from erotica. Indeed, it was.
Whether pandas practiced martial arts, robots engaged in proxy wars, or lightsabers were wielded in space—as long as martial virtue was involved, it qualified as a martial arts story.
The protagonist of the ‘Tang Family Saga’ embodied both martial virtue and martial arts, and it’s only labeled an erotic martial arts story because it included a significant amount of racy content.
“But...”
Tang Hwarin appeared concerned about using the Sichuan Tang Family as the setting.
Perhaps it’s time to seek her cooperation now that she’s more composed.
“This is all for you.”
Let’s begin by soothing her concerns.
I looked at Tang Hwarin with a serious and empathetic expression.
“For me?”
“We can manage this bookstore and pay off your debt. But that’s 20 years. A whole 20 years. At 41, we would have spent our youth just paying off debt.”
In reality, we might earn enough that it wouldn’t take that long, but I wanted her to realize the possibility of facing at least 20 years of hardship.
“So what...”
She bowed her head at the mention of 20 years, avoiding my gaze.
Hwarin, feeling guilty? I said I would help, but remember, the debt was her responsibility, not mine.
“If we publish a book featuring the Sichuan Tang Family’s hero, it could immediately draw people’s attention. Then, out of curiosity, people might buy the book, and word of mouth could boost sales even further. Let’s pay off the debt with that. We’re here in Yichang, saving money, eating cheap meals. Shouldn’t we occasionally indulge in expensive food, buy nice clothes, and even take pleasant trips together? Are we going to continue living like this?”
I was writing this to help her quickly resolve your debt.
“Going together?”
“Then who would you go with?”
“Yeah, that makes sense.”
Tang Hwarin’s lips curved up slightly, and she nodded, her face slightly flushed, affirming my words.
“I’m going to sleep.”
With a flushed face, I watched her switch her gaze from the manuscript of ‘Tang Family Saga’ to me and back again. I decided I couldn’t bear to watch her any longer and chose to sleep.
“Me too. But, Yun-ho, I have a question.”
“Wouldn’t it be easier if you killed me with poison or a hidden weapon?”
“Why would I kill you?”
“Just stop asking about the book.”
Give it up, Hwarin. Kang Yun-ho’s life is at zero. I spoke to her as if my soul was leaving my body.
“No, it’s not that. Um... perhaps...”
What’s with her? Tang Hwarin stammered like a broken machine, replaying the same segment over and over with a flushed face.
“Why?”
I looked at her indifferently. Then, Tang Hwarin, seeming embarrassed, bowed her head deeply, covered her face with the manuscript, and spoke.
“Um... the content of the book. Have you... Ah, never mind.”
Was that what she was curious about?
“Do you think I’m writing about the Sichuan Tang Family’s protagonist because I know assassination techniques and poison arts?”
It’s all thanks to good educational materials that I wrote.
“Right?! That’s it, isn’t it? Heh.”
Why did she suddenly seem so smug? Satisfied with the response, Tang Hwarin placed the manuscript on the desk and lay down on her bed.
“Let’s sleep.”
“Wait. So, do you usually think about such things?”
In a moment of realization, Tang Hwarin propped herself up with her arms and looked at me with a horrified gaze.
“No, it’s...”
It’s normal for men to have such thoughts and fantasies; there’s no need to be shocked.
“Yun-ho. Push your bed further away from mine.”
“Okay. Understood.”
It’s all my fault. I got caught reading an erotic story by my roommate.
I moved my bed away from Tang Hwarin’s.
“Not too far, just enough so I can see your face.”
She’s quite demanding.
I half-heartedly pushed my bed and then lay down. Let’s get some sleep.
“Yun-ho.”
As I turned to look at her, Tang Hwarin lay on her bed, watching me intently.
“Yes.”
“From tomorrow, I’ll help you with your writing.”
“You’re already busy with the bookstore.”
It’s hard for me to have her read my writing.
“I noticed earlier. The martial arts authenticity in the Sichuan Tang Family is a mess. I’ll help you with that.”
“You don’t have to go out of your way.”
“If we work together... it’s better for paying off our debts and becoming famous, right?”
Tang Hwarin looked at me with worried eyes. Was she right? Certainly, in the martial arts world, many would point out any inaccuracies.
There’s no reason to outright reject her good intentions.
“I’ll take your help.”
“Yes! Yun-ho. Good night.”
Tang Hwarin closed her eyes while still looking at me.
I felt utterly embarrassed. But at least I gained an editor.
We could ensure the authenticity of the martial arts. Although I’d have to worry about dying of shame. Now that I had permission, we could print and promote the ‘Tang Family Saga.’
Let’s finish and publish the ‘Tang Family Saga.’