Chapter 30…………………………………
“Mrs. Minamoto admires England, and she’s especially obsessed with Jane Austen novels. So when I told her that I had studied abroad in England, she was friendly toward me even though I was a complete stranger.”
“I see.”
“So… what if we give Mrs. Minamoto something she wants?”
“I can’t quite picture what that would be.”
“For example… we could find clothes like the ones that appear in Pride and Prejudice.”
“Hm.”
Chohui explained enthusiastically, but Dowoon’s reaction was far from encouraging.
Was my idea really that bad?
“Or we could host a tea party. Invite the ladies.”
“Tea parties are something they already do often. I don’t think it would help persuade her.”
“I suppose so…”
Like air leaking from a balloon, Chohui’s spirit deflated.
This was exactly why she had decided not to leave this place for the time being.
Dowoon had been angry at her because he had found out that Mrs. Minamoto had been displeased because of her.
Whatever the intention had been, it was still Chohui’s fault.
She had finally been invited into the ladies’ gathering after so much effort, only to kick it away herself.
And she hadn’t even managed to explain properly when they met downtown.
Dowoon already paid her more than enough, and she had received plenty of help from him.
But she couldn’t abandon him simply because he was an independence activist, or because he had snapped at her.
She wasn’t shameless enough for that.
So Chohui resolved that she would somehow return to the ladies’ circle. After getting back in, she could pass along the information she had promised him, and only then leave.
But unlike her determination, things weren’t going smoothly.
No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn’t find a clear way to win Mrs. Minamoto’s favor again.
“Since Mrs. Minamoto is from Kyoto, it might be better to approach her through connections from there. School ties, regional ties.”
“But that’s something you can do, not me.”
“That’s true.”
Dowoon smiled at her, but her heart felt like it was falling into an abyss.
In the end, she really was useless.
What could she do on her own?
If only she could find a dress like the one in Pride and Prejudice, maybe things would soften a little.
If I were someone who admired England that much… maybe it would work.
Dowoon could search on his own without her help.
This time, Chohui decided she would solve the problem herself.
***
Dowoon headed to Iryung Trading Company. There was something urgent he needed to retrieve.
“It’s been a while, Mikael.”
Rita greeted him. Her sharp voice and fierce gaze reflected her unbending nature.
“What brings you here?”
“I came to look at some items.”
“Items?”
Rita frowned as if she had heard something unbelievable.
“That’s not like you. Force is my path, not yours.”
“It doesn’t hurt to be prepared.”
“Don’t tell me… things went wrong? That woman acting as a spy.”
As always, she was perceptive. There was no way she should know about the fallout with Mrs. Minamoto.
“No. Things haven’t gone wrong.”
“Then?”
“Like I said. I’m preparing, just in case.”
Rita narrowed her eyes suspiciously, glaring at him.
From the start, she had opposed this operation. She didn’t trust outsiders getting involved.
If she found out that things had gone awry because of what happened at City Hall…
She might truly try to harm Chohui.
Dowoon forced himself to stay calm and changed the subject.
“Show me the items first.”
“They’re not here. They’re in the warehouse.”
“Then let’s go.”
Still watching him with doubt, Rita turned the hands of the grandfather clock against the wall.
Click—
With the sound of a lock releasing, the “clock” opened like a door. Beyond the dark entrance, stairs descended downward.
“Follow me.”
Rita entered first.
***
Though she had gone downtown many times, Chohui still wasn’t used to it.
But now, it might even feel more comfortable being outside.
At home, the servants kept calling her “little madam” and treating her with excessive kindness.
Honestly, life had been much better when she was a teacher. Having to play the role of a “little madam” was exhausting—she couldn’t even rest in her own house.
Ding—
{Welcome.}
She stepped into a familiar shop. It was the very same clothing store Dowoon had brought her to weeks ago.
{Hello.}
{Oh my, madam, you came alone today?}
The clerk ran over with a bright smile the moment she saw Chohui.
Chohui was taken aback. She hadn’t expected to be remembered.
Just how many clothes had she bought for them to still recognize her?
{Your husband didn’t come with you today.}
{Ah… yes. He had work to do.}
{That’s too bad. It would’ve been nice to tailor something for him too.}
Chohui gave an awkward smile, now accustomed to referring to Dowoon as her husband.
{I didn’t come to buy something for myself today. I’m looking for something unusual.}
{What kind of clothing?}
{It’s English-style clothing, but not modern. Something like a dress from the early 1800s.}
{Hmm… we don’t carry such dresses. But perhaps I can find something similar. Could you describe it?}
{Well, the waistline is right under the bust, and…}
Chohui described the dress as best she could, based on what she had read.
{Hmm… like this?}
{That looks too modern. Something a bit more… old-fashioned. Isn’t there anything?}
{Madam, I’m not sure what exactly you mean…}
The clerk brought several outfits, but none were quite right.
Even if the design was similar, they still looked like modern clothes.
But she was only getting started.
Chohui left the shop and went straight to the next one.
Even if she had to visit every clothing store in Sinuiju, she was determined to find the dress she wanted.
But the next shop was the same—another dead end.
Most shops sold clothing people could wear right now, not styles that had been popular a hundred years ago.
Each time she entered a new store, she felt hopeful.
Each time, she left disappointed.
Finding the dress was becoming nearly impossible.
Then, at the next shop, she heard something unexpected.
After listening carefully, the owner snapped his fingers as if he understood.
{Madam, you mean an Empire dress, don’t you?}
{I’m not sure of the name.}
{If it’s an early 1800s English dress, that must be it. That era appears often in books.}
{Yes! Do you have one?}
{Unfortunately, madam, you would have to bring such a dress directly from England. There likely isn’t a shop here that carries them. Maybe in the mainland, but not here.}
{England… or Japan… I see…}
Her smile fell.
If she had to bring one from England, it would take months.
She needed something to show Mrs. Minamoto immediately.
There was no time to wait.
Had it been a reckless idea after all?
Maybe Dowoon was right—maybe another approach was better.
Maybe her plan had been foolish and pointless.
Leaving the last shop, Chohui let out a deep sigh.
“Honestly… why did they have to leave this to me?”
As she turned to head home in despair, she heard familiar Korean nearby.
Turning her head, she saw a mustached man shaking his head helplessly at a foreigner, gesturing wildly.
[I told you I’m supposed to meet President Shaw!]
“The president won’t be back until next week. Next week! Ugh… he just doesn’t understand.”
[Do you even understand what I’m saying?]
The foreigner spoke in English, while the man replied in Korean.
Of course they couldn’t communicate.
The man clearly didn’t know English.
Even with gestures, nothing was getting through.
Normally, Chohui would have simply walked past.
She wasn’t the type to interfere in other people’s business.
But today, she couldn’t.
It felt like she had accomplished nothing at all.
So she approached and translated what the man had been repeating.
[He says the president won’t return until next week.]
[Oh! You speak our language? Then when exactly next week?]
The foreigner brightened as if he had found a savior.
Chohui sighed and turned to the man.
“He’s asking when next week he can meet him.”
“Ah… tell him early next week should be fine.”
Chohui translated easily.
After several exchanges, both men looked relieved, as if a burden had been lifted.
Once the foreigner left, the man removed his hat and thanked her.
“I’m terribly sorry for the trouble. Thank you so much! He’s a guest of our president from England, but I’m hopeless with foreign languages. And of all times, I was the only one here.”
“It’s nothing. You looked like you were having a hard time. I hope I didn’t interfere.”
“Interfere? Not at all! I’m truly grateful. But…”
The man’s eyes swept over her suspiciously.
“You speak remarkably well. Would you consider working for our company?”
“Working…?”
Chohui blinked in shock.
A job offer?
It was the first time in her life anyone had offered her employment first.
“We’re a British trading company, and we’ve been expanding lately. We’re short on hands. But they’re all ignorant fools… We need someone like you as an interpreter.”
“Thank you, but I already have work— Ah…”
Suddenly, something flashed through her mind.
“A British trading company?”
“That’s right.”
“Then… do you happen to carry clothing imported from England?”
