My Life as an Awoken

Chapter 124: Jo Hwa-Yeon

The woman introduced herself, "Hello, I’m Jo Hwa-Yeon. I represent the Four Divine Beast Consortium."

I returned the greeting, "Hello, it’s nice to meet you. Let’s continue this inside, right this way."

So, she came from the peninsula country, Gojoseon.

I led her along with her body guards to the dining room, where we sat at the long dining table.

Jo Hwa-Yeon continued, "Let’s skip the small talk, while I am one for foreplay, you seem like someone who likes to go straight to the main course.

Hehe~, the offer the consortium would like to propose is the usual stuff, housing, transportation, security. You get the picture, this isn’t your first time.

I would have loved to have been your first~, but I’m fine coming second~. The main thing offered is 10% of the profits you generate for the consortium. Along with me~."

She said that last bit then licked her lips sensually and made eye contact with me.

It had me a little flustered and put off for a moment. The flirting along with the business discussion had me thrown off and I was having some trouble focusing.

But, I wasn’t going to slip up because of it. I had spent too much time with Xue Qing to be thrown off by something of this level.

So, I regained my composure and said, "10%, that’s quite a high offer. Pretty much everyone else offered a set salary. Why is that?"

"I guess we can just see your value better~."

Seeing my straight face she continued more seriously.

"We have seen enough Manhwas and webcomics to know what the general population thinks of us, as well as know what we should offer if we really want to bring you aboard. We know that there is corruption. That happens in every country.

It is just that our media and culture points it out more directly. Then they make use of it to tell a more compelling story to appeal to the general population.

It’s not that we have any more corruption than another country, it’s that people like the story. The story of the powerful corrupt getting what’s coming to them.

Everyone would love a story like that.

Though it is thanks to that, that we now know exactly how to behave ourselves and how to entice people over to our side."

"Hmm, is that why you are offering yourself up?"

"No no~, haha. I did that because you’re my type~"

"And what type is that?"

"Rich and smart~. The type that can climb the social ladder without being dependent on others."

That’s when we heard a voice coming from the stairs as someone walked down, "Hwa-Yeon you are still just as slutty and shameless as ever."

Jo Hwa-Yeon snapped her head around and said, "Who–, Xue Qing! What are you doing here?! Wait! If you’re here that means... Ah~ that makes sense. No wonder he didn’t seem enthralled by my beauty.

He has already been rolling in the sheets with you. Why would he want to look at little ol’ me?"

"Ha, please. No one is as promiscuous as you are. Always throwing yourself around. I guess one hasn’t stuck yet, huh?"

"Shut up! You’re just as single as I am! Hiash, why do you have to be this way!? Always getting on my nerves."

"Because it’s funny watching you get wound up~."

I cautiously stepped in, "So... you two know each other?"

While Hwa-Yeon was huffing to herself Xue Qing answered, "Yeah. We went to the same school. Haw-Yeon was one of my little followers. She used to follow me around everywhere like a little duckling."

Hwa-Yeon interjected, "I wasn’t a follower! We were friends until you left school without telling anyone anything. We were all worried, wondering if you were ok. Now, I see that was a pointless worry."

Xue Qing, "Aww, you were worried~? That’s sweet~."

Hwa-Yeon, "Huff, this is why you don’t have friends."

Xue Qing, "Really? I figured it was because I was always working. Now that I’m not, I made one friend." She said while pointing at me.

I wasn’t really sure what to do, so I just waved.

Hwa-Yeon laughed, "Ha? A friend? You mean an asset for your family. You are only here because your family is forcing you to be here."

Xue Qing replied matter of factly, "Yeah, my family did send me here. Who doesn’t know that? But, I have had plenty of fun and relaxation."

Hwa-Yeon paused, then said, "...Fun? Relaxation? You?" She then looked between us and said, "Really? What about your whole revenge plot?"

Xue Qing sighed and answered, "I could have done that ages ago. I’m just looking at a bigger picture now. If I want to get back at them I will have to use a different method."

Hwa-Yeon looked flabbergasted, "No way. You really have chilled back out. Now as long as you stop picking fights with me, we would be able to get a drink."

Xue Qing, "I don’t like alcohol. I like coffee though."

Hwa-Yeon, "Of course you like that bitter stuff."

Xue Qing, "Actually I only like it with a bunch of sweeteners."

Hwa-Yeon, "That makes a lot more sense."

From their conversation it seemed like they were going to be going out later, possibly to get dinner.

Hwa-Yeon quickly asked during a break in the conversation, "So, are you going to accept our offer or...?"

I responded, "I’ll have to pass. You have the second best offer so far though."

Hwa-Yeon said, "Yeah, that’s kind of what I thought. Ok, Xue. Get ready fast. I don’t like waiting."

Then like a receding storm they left. I sent Xue Qing a message asking her to pick something up from the restaurant. But, I don’t know if she will even have time to look at her phone.

I looked around at the quiet inn, marveled at the peaceful tranquility and somber atmosphere the loneliness brought.

People are social creatures, they can enjoy their alone time, but they will always want a little noise.