Chapter 46

This is a translation of the provided text:

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35 This is a story about the Zain Trading Company. It's from the perspective of the company's president, Nazir, but his tone when speaking to customers is completely different from his usual one. Behind his polite demeanor, he was thinking such things.

"President, numbers are chasing me in my dreams..."

"Hey, if numbers start chasing you even when you're awake, take a break. Until then, don't stop working even if you die."

"Ahhh!"

One of the third or fourth sons of some baron's family, I forget which, but an employee from a noble family was complaining. At this busy time, he's talking about such sweet things. I hired him because the baron's family, one of our clients, asked me to, but he's condescending to other employees, rude to customers, and pushes his paperwork onto others. He's utterly useless. There were so many complaints from other employees that I made him work directly with me, but he seems to have misunderstood that he's in a position second only to me. So when I treated him a bit harshly, this is what happened.

The baron's family, one of our clients, told me that if he's not useful, I can fire him without hesitation. However, if I don't recover the effort I've put into him, it will be a loss. I need to make full use of his only strength, his calculation ability, before I exile him.

"President Nazir, it's a message from the previous generation."

"Damn, again? I can't take any more of this."

The retired former president, my father, is now traveling as a peddler. The fourth prince of Marita Kingdom, who is rumored to be a 'monster enthusiast,' is conducting surveys in neighboring countries, and my father is traveling around, disguised as the guard for the peddler. He's already old and the founder and former president of the kingdom's top trading company, so he should stop such dangerous work and take care of his grandchildren, but he can't stay still. He's a troublesome old man.

One day, my father suddenly contacted me, saying he had taken on the job of selling 'monster repellent incense' for Marita Kingdom. When I tried the 'monster repellent incense' delivered by a fast horse, I was surprised by its effectiveness. Marita Kingdom plans to distribute it throughout the country as a national project, and the Zain Trading Company will handle the procurement and distribution. To be honest, this is the biggest job since I took over. In fact, it's the biggest job in the history of the Zain Trading Company. When I heard that the scope would extend to the neighboring Nalis Kingdom, I wanted to catch my father, who hasn't returned yet, and beat him up. We don't have enough manpower. He took on such a big job without consulting me. At least consult me!

I'm already working hard to prevent being looked down upon by employees and clients after taking over the company from my father, and now he wants to kill me? They say a lion drops its cubs into a valley to train them, but it seems like he's not only dropping them but also throwing rocks from above.

Still, we can't refuse, so all the employees are working on it. When I informed all the branches, the branch managers cried out, but when I said, "We have to make a profit to be true merchants!" everyone's strange switch was turned on. Our branch managers are all quirky, but they are all true merchants, so they are sensitive to the word 'profit.' Yes, work hard.

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During this festival-like daily routine, another message from my father arrived. I braced myself, but it turned out that the rescue in Kailat Street was almost over, and he was about to return to the capital. He said he would bring a few employees from the Kailat Street branch. I thought it might be a problem for the branch, which is short of manpower, but since the branch manager's brother agreed, I gratefully accepted it.

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"I am Rona from the Kailat Street branch."

Rona bowed slightly, looking a bit nervous. She has reddish-brown hair, a round face, and emerald eyes. She has a few freckles on her nose, which makes her even cuter. She is slightly shorter than average, slender but well-proportioned, and moves briskly. Her eyes are lively and curious, her voice is soft, and she has dimples when she smiles.

I was momentarily stunned by Rona's greeting. What is this, my perfect type? Is this a reward for my hard work?

"President Nazir?"

Rona tilted her head at my lack of response. I snapped back to reality. Her gestures are also my perfect type and cute. No, that's not the point.

"O-Oh, Rona. Nice to meet you. Thanks for the long journey. Is everything okay at the Kailat Street branch?"

"Yes! Thanks to the monster repellent incense, monster attacks have decreased, and the town is gradually regaining its vitality. The new food is also very popular! It's delicious, the dishes created by Lady Shina."

"Yeah, I tried them too. They are delicious. The spice mix is also selling like crazy in the capital."

"There are still many dishes that haven't reached the capital! I'm excited to sell them. When I heard that Lady Shina is returning to the capital, I boldly requested a transfer to the main store! I look forward to working with you!"

Oh. I'm glad you requested it. Everything about you hits my sweet spot. What's going on?

As soon as my father, who had been at the palace, returned, he approached me with a grin.

"How is it? What about Rona?"

Damn father. Is this your doing? How do you know my perfect type?

"Hey, Dad, what's the plan? Are you trying to set a honey trap for your son?"

My words made my father burst into laughter.

"What would I gain by setting a trap for someone like you? No, Rona is just too excellent, so I asked Erek to transfer her to the capital."

Erek... My scheming younger brother's name made me feel a bad premonition.

"Erek told me that there's an excellent girl who matches your perfect type. When I met her, she was indeed a great girl. She also wanted to come to the capital, so it was perfect."

Why does even my brother know my perfect type?

More importantly, if such a cute girl was coming, at least give me a heads-up. I've been staying at the store for days, with messy hair, bloodshot eyes from lack of sleep, a beard, a wrinkled shirt, and unpolished shoes. The first impression is ruined.

"Maybe she'll be charmed by your rugged, melancholic manliness?"

The only thing that floats around a tired old man is the smell of age. You can't fool me with such hopeful speculation.

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For a while after Rona arrived, nothing developed. Of course not. I can't suddenly start flirting with a newly transferred employee. Rona is trying hard to learn her new job, and she's excellent, absorbing everything quickly. She is much more useful than the third or fourth son of some baron's family. There's no comparison. All I can do now is watch to make sure Rona doesn't overwork herself. However, even the old employees are grinning at Rona and me. Why do you guys know my perfect type too?

One day, while I was working, a message from Lady Shina arrived. I had communicated with Lady Shina via message several times regarding the monster repellent incense and spice mix. She had been unwell for a while after coming to the capital, so I hadn't met her in person.

"Hmm?"

The message from Lady Shina said that her guard and guide was very annoying, and she wanted to send him away. She asked for my help. Ramius Guardock? Ah, that noble who is a perfect example of a pain.

I quickly formulated a plan in my head and called Rona, who was necessary for the plan. Since I know Lady Shina and she is traveling incognito, Rona is the perfect person for the job. It's not because I favor her.

"Wh-What? I'm going to be Lady Shina's guide?"

"Yeah. You know more about Lady Shina's preferences and hobbies, right?"

"Yes! I know her favorite colors and foods from Sir Kiri! Our products might not be suitable for casual shopping..."

Our main products for women are elegant and high-end. From her shopping habits in Aile Street, I assume Lady Shina prefers lighter clothing.

"That's an area we haven't developed yet. Rona, how about exploring high-quality, lighter everyday wear for young noble ladies in the future?"

"Yes!!"

Yes, I knew you were interested in that area. Your bright and cute face is a great response. I'm going to make my move.

"Before guiding Lady Shina, we need to get rid of her annoying guard. Rona, just agree with what I say. It might be annoying, but can you stay silent otherwise?"

"…? Yes?"

Rona nodded, not understanding but still cute.

Just then, an employee rushed in to say that our great benefactor, the Zain Trading Company, had arrived. Well, let's do our best.

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