Chapter 137: Relationships

< Chapter 137 Relationships (1) >

Sunday at noon.

In the VIP room of the Okhwadang, three women were having a heated discussion.

“The documents all passed without any issues.”

Shin Jia.

“The agreements with each company are going smoothly as well.”

Yu Hwa.

“The site is fine too. As soon as the materials arrive, we can immediately start the construction.”

Maiden.

The trio was in charge of this new secret project.

“What about the ancient relics that will fill the museum?”

“Mr. Ail has agreed to help. We have also secured promises from the contracted companies to hand over the relics they possess.”

Yu Hwa answered Maiden’s question.

“It seems like we will be able to buy all the ancient relics displayed in the VIP shop near the Gangnam department store as a batch.”

Shin Jia added.

“What about the cost?”

“Overseas is still under coordination, but domestically, it can almost be considered free. They seem to think this is a good opportunity to hand over the troublesome ancient relics without worrying about the government’s views.”

It was partly because the government requested it, and there was also an intention to create a connection with Maiden.

“There won’t be a problem acquiring the department store relics either. That shop was originally under government jurisdiction, so we can almost receive them for free.”

Shin Jia said with a broad smile.

“Why are the government bastards being so cooperative all of a sudden?”

“It probably makes a big difference to the high-ranking people in the government whether they have such a museum or not.”

Yu Hwa smirked.

“Ugh. Politicians are always the same. Did they say anything about the right to operate?”

“They did. They nagged quite a bit, suggesting that if it’s for the national interest, they should be given the right to operate.”

“There were a lot of words on the Shinwa Group side too.”

Yu Hwa and Shin Jia smiled bitterly.

“Ugh. They are like a bunch of hungry hyenas. Hand over the right to operate? Do they expect us to dig the ground and do business?”

All the funds going into this new mystery museum were invested by Maiden, Yu Hwa, and Shin Jia.

The government simply accepted the proposal and agreed to provide convenience. Asking for the operating rights on top of that, it was clear they had sold their conscience.

“They probably didn’t really think it would happen. Just trying their luck.”

“That makes it even more disgusting.”

Maiden clicked her tongue.

“Anyway, the issue with the operational rights has been resolved well, right?”

“Of course.”

Yu Hwa grinned.

“Any other problems?”

“Not on our end.”

“Nothing on the Shinwa Group’s side either.”Rêạd new chapters at novelhall.com

Maiden smiled satisfactorily.

“Okay. As soon as the materials arrive, we will immediately start the construction. We will make it the best museum in the world.”

Maiden laughed heartily. The spirit of an artist was burning.

“But unnie, is it really okay?”

“What is?”

“The money. Aren’t you investing too much?”

Maiden accounted for 80% of the investment in this mysterious project.

No matter how wealthy Maiden was, it was clearly quite a substantial expenditure.

“It’s fine. Money can be earned again. When considering the long-term benefits we will get from this project, it’s not a loss.”

“... It’s not a big gain either.”

Yu Hwa and Shin Jia might not find the amount of the investment significant compared to the scale of the business, and having their headquarters in Korea meant that there were many benefits to be had, including tax reductions.

However, this wasn’t the case for Maiden. The best-case scenario would be breaking even, and there could potentially be a loss.

“Ouch!”

Suddenly, Maiden flicked Yu Hwa’s forehead.

“Hey, what does it matter when money pours out even when I just breathe in the labyrinth.”

Maiden gave a faint smile while looking at Yu Hwa who was holding her forehead with her hand.

“And this project isn’t for my benefit....”

It was a very gentle smile.

“For the little one... It’s for Seo-yul.”

The construction of this mystery museum was purely for Kang Seo-yul.

A camouflage museum for Kang Seo-yul, who needed to collect ancient relics without attracting much attention from the public.

That is what the mystery museum is for.

“Considering the help I received from that little one, isn’t this much basically free?”

Maiden said, gently touching her own eyes.

She had received immeasurable help, including from those two eyes. This mysterious project was just one of the ways to repay that favor.

“...Yes, that’s right.”

Yu Hwa also smiled bitterly and nodded her head. Next to her, Shin Jia was continuously nodding, as if agreeing.

“Speaking of which, Jia is....”

Suddenly, Maiden’s eyes sharpened.

“How much do you know about that little one?”

“....”

Shin Jia’s eyes also narrowed.

“I had a favor to ask, and it is indeed somewhat odd to ask it now. But it keeps bothering me, so I have to bear it.”

“Uh, unnie. That’s something Seo-yul asked us not to talk about.....”

Yu-hwa hastily intervened, discouraging Maiden.

“Stay put. I have my own considerations too.”

Kang Seo-yul had asked, Shin Jia and Ha Si-yeon, who were unaware of their past, not to speak about that matter to those two.

It was certainly complex, but compared to Choi Ji-hoon’s [Asura Magic Armor], it was nothing but child’s play.

In other words, this reverse calculation game is a game I can’t lose.

―Looks like I won again, huh?

Wince.

―What should I make you do this time?

Each time I spoke, Rena’s ears twitched.

―I can’t think of anything specific.

Her ears perked up.

―If, if you have nothing in mind to make me do, then there’s no need to....

It seems like she’s harboring some hopeful thoughts. You shouldn’t see the world as such an easy place.

―Let’s just do something we’ve done before. Let’s go with the Gwiyomi song again.

Rena’s body stiffened.

It seemed as if the light in her eyes had disappeared.

―You remember the song, right?

―...I don’t remember.

The princess pouted her lips and spoke bitterly.

―Really? Then let’s just watch it again. It’s annoying to go back to that site again, so we’ll use the version you sang...

―I remember! I remember every single word!

The princess suddenly stood up and shouted.

...Ah.

This is too much fun.

That’s why I can’t stop teasing the princess.

―Ugh.... So I have to do it right now...?

She had an expression like a princess who had been captured by a demon king and had given up on life.

―Let’s get started...

It was then.

Ding dong-

The bell rang.

Who is visiting at this time?

Jia’s face appeared on the intercom screen.

―Opening the door is my jurisdiction!

Before I could get up, the princess shot up like lightning and headed towards the entrance. Her reaction speed was incredible.

“...Does she hate doing aegyo that much?”

I think her aegyo is almost perfect, befitting her appearance.

If I release the 10 aegyo videos stored on my phone to MiTube, I could get the gold button in an instant.

That’s how lethal the princess’s aegyo was.

“Hello, Seo-yul.”

Jia bowed her head slightly to me in front of the living room.

“Where’s Rena?”

“Oh, she said she had something to do and went to her room.”

...She ran away.

“Anyway, welcome. What brings you here at this hour?”

I got up from my seat and headed to the kitchen.

“Sit down. I’ll bring some tea.”

“Ah. If it’s tea, I can...”

“It’s fine. Sit down. I have some brewed coffee, I just need to pour it into a cup.”

“...Yes.”

I poured an appropriate amount of coffee into a cup and returned to the living room. Jia, who was sitting on the sofa, had a somehow dark expression on her face.

Thud-

Jia flinched at the sound of the teacup being set down.

“Why are you so surprised?”

“Ah, I’m sorry.”

“There’s nothing to be sorry about....”

I put my coffee on the table and sat down across from Jia.

It seemed like Jia had no intention of drinking the coffee, she was just strangely watching me while stroking the coffee cup with her index finger.

“What’s going on?”

It’s nowhere near the usual Jia. Something must have happened.

“...Well, today at lunch, I was talking to Maiden and Yu Hwa about the Project Mystery.”

“Ah. I heard there was going to be a meeting like that. What about it? Did something not go well? Did any problem arise?”

Jia shook both hands and spoke urgently.

“No, no! It’s not that. The project is progressing smoothly.”

“Ah, is that so? That’s a relief then.”

But it doesn’t seem like that’s the case.

“So, what is it?”

“...Well.”

Jia hesitated, fidgeting with her hands.

She opened her mouth and closed it repeatedly.

It seemed like a really serious matter, so I decided to wait quietly.

How much time had passed?

“Seo-yul.”

Finally, as if she had made up her mind, Jia opened her mouth with earnest eyes.

“Have you heard of the Sunshine Orphanage?”

“...!”

That was.

“I have something I want to ask you about that orphanage.”

It was something I hadn’t expected at all.

< Chapter 137: Relationship (1) > End