Chapter 31……………………………………………..
At Chohui’s question, the man quickly pointed toward the row of clothing shops behind them. Since there were garments everywhere, it was understandable that he found it odd.
“You mean Western-style clothing? Of course we have that, but you can buy those anywhere here, can’t you?”
“Not ordinary clothes you could wear now,” she clarified. “I’m looking for something like what people used to wear long ago. An empire dress—something that was fashionable about a hundred years ago.”
“Hm. Well… to my eyes, women’s clothes all look more or less the same.”
“…Ah, I see.”
Was it too unreasonable of a request? Since he worked for a British trading company, she’d thought maybe there was a chance. But even if it was a British company, it wasn’t common for them to deal in items from a hundred years ago.
“Anyway, thank you. I’ll be going now.”
“Wait a moment, miss.”
Just as she turned to leave, the man—who had been thinking—stopped her.
“If you have time, would you come with me to our company warehouse?”
“A warehouse?”
“There’s a storage facility near the company where we keep all sorts of miscellaneous things. Since we’re a trading company, we import a great deal, but we gather the household goods that don’t sell well in one place. If I remember correctly, we brought in quite a lot of clothing too.”
“You mean… we might be able to look for something there?”
“That’s right. I can’t say for sure whether we’ll have what you want, but…”
At his words, Chohui’s face brightened.
Maybe… maybe she could find something similar. Hope swelled inside her at the thought that it might help.
“Then… could I take a look at the warehouse?”
“Of course. You helped me, so shouldn’t I help you in return? Follow me.”
Smiling, the man pointed toward the bridge crossing the Amnok River.
“Our company is on the Andonghyeon side. Let’s go together.”
Chohui started to follow, then hesitated.
Was it really alright to go with a strange man she’d only met minutes ago? What if he had bad intentions…?
“What is it?” the man asked, puzzled at her sudden stop.
“Oh—no, it’s nothing. I’ll go.”
She forced a smile. Right… what could happen?
Finding the clothes was what mattered most right now. It was broad daylight, and if anything happened, she could always run.
At her answer, the man resumed walking toward the bridge. The bridge crossing the Amnok River had tram tracks, but it was also designed for pedestrians.
Since it was Chohui’s first time leaving Sinuiju this way, she looked around with curiosity. People dressed in Western clothing like hers hurried across.
They were different from the old district of Sinuiju filled with hanbok-clad locals, or the newer district where Japanese clothing and Western outfits mingled.
“It seems there are many foreign companies beyond this bridge,” she remarked.
“Indeed. You have a sharp eye. Once we cross, it’s the British concession. When doing business, all kinds of things can happen, you know? It’s better to be somewhere legally… safer.”
Chohui nodded as she understood.
If this was British territory, it was practically British land—meaning Japanese law wouldn’t apply here.
Then… was Dowoon’s company here too?
She’d always wondered where he went every morning. Was he working somewhere here even now?
The closer they got to Andonghyeon, the more tense she became.
It was unlikely, but… what if she ran into Dowoon?
Would he be annoyed that she’d come so far without telling him? Or would he be surprised? Maybe even glad?
Chohui shook her head, pushing the thoughts away.
It was pointless. They probably wouldn’t meet.
Since when had she cared so much about what Dowoon might think?
“But you seem very interested in foreigners, miss,” the man said, breaking her thoughts. “Even your outfit is different from most Joseon women.”
“It’s just… Western clothes are more comfortable for everyday life.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to work for our company? Someone with good eyes like yours is exactly what we need.”
“I already have work.”
At her second refusal, the man let out a disappointed sound.
Only a few weeks ago, she’d been desperate for a job. Now, seeing someone regret not being able to hire her felt strangely surreal.
As they talked, they soon crossed the bridge. Instead of the bustling city, a quiet landscape of gray buildings packed closely together unfolded.
“It’s best we go to the warehouse first. Follow me.”
The man walked between the buildings. Chohui tried to memorize the route, but the structures all looked too similar—she doubted she could find her way back alone.
She had no choice but to trust him.
Before long, they passed through the narrow spaces between buildings and arrived at a wide open lot. There, massive container warehouses stood in long rows.
“This way.”
They all looked the same, but he seemed able to distinguish them. He stopped in front of one container. Rust stained the bottom of the door, suggesting it had been left untouched for quite some time.
He unlocked the padlock and opened the door.
Creeeak—BANG!
“Cough, cough!”
A thick cloud of dust rose instantly. Chohui coughed at the stinging smell.
“Are you alright? It’s been a long time since I came here myself. Since it’s where we store unsold goods, we rarely visit.”
“I’m fi—cough—fine… just a little… oh my…”
Chohui stopped mid-cough, her eyes widening at the sight before her.
The warehouse looked like a junkyard. All kinds of random items were piled chaotically—clothes, household goods, even what appeared to be brand-new British furniture.
It was as if an entire small English village had been transported here.
Chohui’s eyes gleamed, as though she’d struck gold.
“Ahem. It’s not very organized, but… most things you could imagine are here. What do you think?”
The man cleared his throat awkwardly.
“It’s amazing. Can I search around?”
“Of course. Look over there on the left. I’ll search the right side.”
He pointed toward the back of the warehouse. Following his direction, Chohui began digging through the clutter.
She found a wooden crate large enough to fit her whole body. When she opened it, it was filled with clothing, wigs, and shoes.
They weren’t clothes one could wear normally—more like uniforms for factory workers.
“…My goodness. What is all this?”
Hadn’t this been a British trading company? Why would they import outfits like these?
Looking at the unrelated items scattered everywhere, Chohui tilted her head.
It was definitely a strange company.
Well… it’s none of my business.
Shaking her head, she focused again on finding the dress.
✦✦✦
Dowoon followed Rita down the hidden passage behind the grandfather clock.
This tunnel had been built as an emergency escape route for the Provisional Government.
There were many such places in Sinuiju—so-called “safe houses,” connected by hidden paths.
Dowoon had known about these routes, but this was his first time using one. They were meant for employees of Iryung Trading Company who worked secretly for the Provisional Government.
Rita worked at the reception desk during the day, and as an agent at night, so she knew the routes well.
Many agents lived double lives like this, because the company’s owner was an Irish-British man who supported the Provisional Government.
“They built the escape route perfectly,” Dowoon murmured.
“Of course. You can’t imagine how much work it took,” Rita replied proudly.
“If the Japanese bastards storm in again like last time, we can flee immediately.”
“Are they still holding Teacher Shaw?”
“Yes. Those damned Japanese… their instincts are sharp, I’ll give them that.”
After the bombing incident, Japanese police had become even more suspicious, convinced foreigners were aiding the independence movement. They arrested foreign businessmen indiscriminately.
One of them was George Shaw, the owner of Iryung Trading Company.
“Especially that sneaky Yoshihara bastard. Michael, he’s the one you mentioned, right? The one who’s been tailing you for months?”
At the name Yoshihara, Dowoon’s face turned ice-cold.
Yoshihara Shinichi.
The officer who had tormented him with suspicion for months. He’d gained recognition by catching Koreans, and his undeserved promotions had only inflated his ambition.
Dowoon had known Yoshihara was digging into him.
But no matter how much he searched, he would find nothing. Dowoon was meticulous—he’d erased anything that could link him to the Provisional Government.
So Yoshihara had spent months gaining nothing, growing more and more frustrated.
That explained the hateful glare at city hall.
Dowoon could tolerate that much.
But that man had dared to touch Chohui.
The memory of her wrist being gripped tightly, her pale face trembling with fear, made rage boil deep in his gut.
Come to think of it… in the chaos, he hadn’t properly punished Yoshihara.
His fist clenched so tightly veins bulged along his forearm.
When he didn’t respond, Rita glanced back.
“Michael, are you angry? That’s unlike you. Teacher Shaw will be fine.”
She mistook his anger as concern for Shaw.
Dowoon quickly responded, not wanting her to realize he’d been thinking of Chohui.
“There’s no evidence. They’ll release him soon enough. They can’t harm a British man.”
Rita nodded in agreement.
They continued in silence until they reached the end of the tunnel.
When they opened the door leading above ground, a wide lot appeared—massive warehouses lined up in rows. Beyond them, ships were docked along the river.
“This way,” Rita said. “Let’s go inside.”
She reached the warehouse door and opened it.
