[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-i-am-a-villain-so-what":3,"chapter-i-am-a-villain-so-what-i-am-a-villain-so-what-chapter-31":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","I Am a Villain, So What?",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1506356,1956,"Chapter 31: Merchant Association","i-am-a-villain-so-what-chapter-31",31,"\u003Cp>After breakfast I made my way to Merchant Association. I had three days off. So, I wanted to complete all my preparations for restaurant opening within these three days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Merchant Association building was lively enough that stepping inside almost felt like walking into a marketplace under a roof.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People in tailored suits, scribes with ledgers under their arms, artisans arguing over blueprints, clerks shuffling papers, messengers carrying sealed contracts — the whole place buzzed with coin and ambition. The air smelled of ink, parchment, and polished wood. Voices overlapped like a well-oiled chorus of business.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I, standing in the middle of it, realized I had no idea which counter or stairwell to head toward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perfect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as I was wondering who to grab by the collar, a staff member in a neat waistcoat approached, bowing lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is there any way I can assist you, sir?\" His tone was polite, practiced — professional to the bone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank god,\" I exhaled. \"Yeah, actually. I want to hire artisans. Interior workers. Renovators.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man’s expression brightened instantly. \"Of course, sir. But may I know the exact nature of the project?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m planning to convert the ground floor of my residence into a diner.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His brows rose — not in surprise — but in the way a man reacts when a lucrative client falls into his lap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In that case,\" he said with a meaningful smile, \"I may know just the person for you. But her services are... not cheap.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I waved a hand dismissively. \"If she’s worth it, I’m willing to pay. And if everything goes well — you’ll get a tip, too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His smile bloomed like he’d just been fed a plate of pure gold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Please follow me, sir.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He led me to the second floor — a quieter hallway — then into a room where a woman in her early thirties was seated with three young women behind her, tools and sketch folders already stacked neatly beside them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the door opened, all eyes turned toward us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Miss Reena,\" the staff member announced, \"a client for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reena’s eyes swept over me with a sizing look — then paused at my academy uniform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recognition flickered. Imperial Academy uniforms were basically walking status plaques. No need for introductions. The fact alone spoke more loudly than any background check.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She turned to the clerk, almost bored. \"Did you tell him my work isn’t cheap?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could reply, I pulled out five gold coins and set them on the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The effect was immediate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The staff’s jaw dropped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The women behind her stiffened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Reena’s poker face cracked for a split second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in my mind — all I could think was:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I am a fucking idiot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by their reactions, her usual commission was probably one, maybe two gold coins — not five.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reena immediately swept the coins toward herself with a graceful but lightning-fast motion — in case I suddenly grew a brain and changed my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She extended her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I like decisive clients.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her tone switched immediately — professional, efficient — the voice of someone who sealed deals fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She clapped her hands lightly. \"Alright girls — we have work.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her assistants instantly began gathering measurement tools, sketchbooks, ink, string, and marking charcoal. Efficient. Experienced. They were clearly used to being hired for noble households.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shall we?\" Reena asked once they were ready.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything had happened so quickly I didn’t even get a chance to say a single proper sentence about what I wanted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As we headed back toward the exit, the staff followed me like a loyal puppy — his eyes practically glowing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Expectation written all over his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I flicked him a silver coin as a thank-you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That coin alone was probably his salary for an entire week — maybe two — because he looked like he just received divine blessing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you very much, sir!\" he said, bowing so low I thought his spine might snap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I waved him off and led the group outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Money opens doors easily — but apparently it also opens wallets way too easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*****\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back at the house, I barely stepped through the door when Lily greeted me with a small bow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re back, Boss,\" she said politely. \"Someone came while you were gone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A guest?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before I could ask further, heels clicked lightly on the wood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reena entered from behind, her assistants following her inside like a small procession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So this is the place,\" she said, hands on her hips as she scanned the interior. \"Spacious... workable. I’ll need time to draft a proper layout.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Take your time,\" I replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She snapped her fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright girls — get the measurements down.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They immediately unpacked their rulers, lines, chalk, tools — spreading out like workers claiming construction territory. Already scribbling notes, marking corners, taking angles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did I turn back to Lily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Right — you said there was a guest?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes,\" she nodded. \"She said she was your friend. She had the academy uniform too, so I let her in. She’s waiting upstairs.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I went up to my room — and stopped the moment I stepped inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not one person. Two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana sat by the window with tea, legs gathered politely, her bangs framing her face. And behind her stood a maid in neat uniform — posture perfect, hands folded, expression calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I hope I didn’t make you wait long.\" I pulled a chair and sat across from her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I just got here myself\" Ariana said as she placed the tea cup on the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She gestured toward the maid. \"This is the maid I told you about.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The maid bowed with practiced grace. \"Greetings, Master Lucien. I am Lena, personal maid assigned to Young Miss.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hello,\" I returned calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was swearing at the top of my lungs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Maid my ass. She’s a full–fledged assassin.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her status window had already told me everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Name: Lena]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Affiliation: House Solmere]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strength: 56\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Agility: 67\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mana: 49\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Skills: dagger throwing lv7, stealth lv6, shadow steps lv6, close quarters lv6... and yes — some housekeeping skills sprinkled in to keep the disguise pretty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A bodyguard in maid’s clothing. Duke Solmere wasn’t half–assing this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana sipped her tea innocently, unaware.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So... what’s going on downstairs? I heard noise from outside.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Construction,\" I said casually. \"I’m turning the entire ground floor into a diner.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes lit up immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A diner?! When are you opening? Do you need funds? Will you be selling the food you made for me—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Lena blinked at the sudden burst of enthusiasm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Calm down,\" I chuckled. \"Yes, I’ll be selling everything. Hopefully ready by Monday.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She blinked. \"Then... what about the academy? Are you quitting to cook all day?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m not going to be standing in the kitchen full–time. I hired someone. You saw her — Lily. She’s genuinely good. I’m teaching her my recipes — she’ll handle the day–to–day.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana’s expression dipped slightly — a faint disappointment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I... thought you would be cooking.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smirked. \"If you don’t believe she’s good — you can test her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I leaned back. \"Have you eaten?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not really.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Perfect.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I called out toward the hallway. \"Lily!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lily peeked in almost instantly. \"Yes, Boss!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We still have ingredients for omurice, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Great. Make a batch — not just for Ariana, but for Reena and her girls downstairs too. Consider it free samples.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes sir!\" She practically sparkled and rushed off, humming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned back — Ariana was fidgeting with her skirt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What’s wrong?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hesitated — cheeks pink — then whispered:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"C-Can I go too? I... want to watch.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course,\" I said, rising to my feet. \"You’re my student, aren’t you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her expression brightened like dawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stood up, careful and polite — but excited — and followed Lily toward the kitchen, Lena silently trailing behind with the graceful step of someone who could slit a throat and never spill a drop.\u003C\u002Fp>",1333,"2026-06-06T04:52:01.856Z",1,"novelbin.me","4eef7c558ae266219cc68b0f2888e04b12097ca717baeeca0e7bc3c3783da102","i-am-a-villain-so-what-chapter-32","i-am-a-villain-so-what-chapter-30",230,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-am-a-villain-so-what-cover.jpg"]