Chapter 12:Money and Talent Pour In

 

         Chapter 12: Setting a Goal (2)

He ordered five servings of black beef (heukwoo).

Soon the beef arrived.

They placed pieces little by little on the grill and ate them as they cooked.

“Krrrh.”

The rich umami unique to black beef filled his mouth completely. It was filthy expensive, but the taste was more than worth every penny.

“Fucking amazing. As expected.”

“Has it been about two years?”

“Already that long? Yeah, it was right after your chicken place opened and you hit a jackpot on the first day. We came here to celebrate. So yeah, roughly two years.”

“I was so full of hope back then.”

“You still get a lot of customers now, don’t you?”

“Well, yeah, that’s true.”

The chicken Lee Shin-woo makes is genuinely delicious. Thanks to that, it’s quite popular too. The problem was that because of the franchise’s exploitation, almost no profit was left.

“Anything changed?”

“Same as always.”

“Ugh, those fucking bastards. I don’t even understand why they grade brined chickens like that. There’s a huge price difference depending on the grade, right?”

“Big difference. But you can’t use the lower-grade ones. They don’t taste good.”

“That’s exactly the problem.”

He really hated it.

“They take fees here, take fees there—honestly there’s nothing left. It feels like they’re just playing money games with all the branch owners.”

“Tsk, you’re pretty impressive for holding out this long.”

But Lee Shin-woo’s expression wasn’t that bad.

“Still, it’s almost over now.”

“Yeah, that’s true.”

Just a little longer and the franchise contract would finally expire.

“I’m not renewing. Like I said before, I’m going to start properly under my own name. I’ve still got a few things I’m researching. Come try them later. You’re pretty good at judging chicken taste anyway.”

“Of course I am, you punk!”

The two clinked their glasses and downed their soju in one go. Right after, they put a perfectly grilled piece of beef into their mouths—this place really was paradise.

“Krrrrr. This is insane.”

“Krrrh. Nice, really nice.”

“Doesn’t all the stress just melt away?”

“Completely.”

“Ah, right. Send me your account number. Gotta pay you back.”

“Oh, yeah.”

Ryu-seong immediately transferred the money after receiving the number. He paid back the borrowed amount plus a generous amount of interest.

“Huh? This is way more than I lent you.”

Lee Shin-woo tilted his head after checking the deposit notification.

“That’s the interest.”

“What kind of interest is this much? Since when did you even charge interest?”

“Krrrm.”

“What’s with that? You’re not the type to do this.”

Lee Shin-woo narrowed his eyes.

Ryu-seong flinched for no reason and avoided eye contact.

“There’s… a thing.”

“What thing? What the hell did you do?”

“Just…”

“Just what, you bastard!”

As expected, it was hard to hide it even from his closest friend since their balls dropped. After endless grilling, he finally spilled it.

“Ah, I did a bit of crypto!”

“What? You crazy son of a—!”

“No, listen, the information was just too solid. I couldn’t help it.”

“Bullshit.”

“I’m serious. This was legit, 100% confirmed inside info.”

The more he insisted, the more Lee Shin-woo—who had been scolding him—seemed to waver a little at Ryu-seong’s confident attitude. He still looked a bit suspicious, but he seemed to roughly accept it.

“It was really that certain?”

“Yeah.”

“Where’d you get the info from?”

“Uh… there was this senior from the military I used to be really close with. You probably don’t know him. He’s working in the crypto industry now.”

“Really…?”

“Yeah. We were drinking and he let it slip, then immediately made this ‘oh shit’ face. So I kept pouring him drinks and pressing him until he told me.”

“Hmm. Did you make a lot?”

The question he’d been waiting for.

“Heh. Honestly, yeah, I made a fucking lot.”

“Well, if you made money, that’s what matters.”

“Exactly. Thanks to that I made good profit, so just take the interest.”

“…Alright.”

Right now, with the contract almost over, things must be especially tough. Researching new chicken recipes costs money too. For a guy who readily lent him a large sum even in that situation, Ryu-seong couldn’t just pretend he didn’t notice.

“Next time I’ll let you in on it too.”

“Fuck off.”

“Even if it’s hard to believe, a small amount should be fine, right? I’m not telling you to go all in. Just spare cash, like 1–2 million won, shouldn’t be bad.”

“Hmm.”

“Anyway, not having that kind of money won’t ruin your life. But if you listen to me and even make four or five times profit, that’s something, isn’t it? At least you’d have some breathing room.”

“Five times my ass.”

“Anyway!”

“Well… you’re not exactly wrong.”

“Should I tell you or not?”

“Ahem.”

“Deal?”

After thinking for a long while, Lee Shin-woo let out a short laugh.

“If it’s really solid information… yeah, deal! Then I can buy something delicious for Ha-bin and Ha-min.”

“It’s been a while since I last saw them. They must have grown a lot, huh?”

“Of course. They’re in that phase where they shoot up in no time.”

“Right, that age.”

“They talk about you sometimes. Asking when you’re coming again.”

“Really? They actually said that?”

For some reason, a smile crept onto his lips.

“Yeah. For real.”

“Krrrh, now I really want to see them. They were so damn cute.”

“Come by whenever you have time.”

“Is that okay?”

“Why wouldn’t it be? We sometimes all gather as a family to see them anyway.”

“I just… you know, you and your wife are both busy with the kids. I feel bad adding myself to the mix.”

“You feel bad about every little thing. If you want to see them, just come. Anytime.”

“Got it, you punk. Since we’re at this point, for Ha-bin and Ha-min’s sake, I’m definitely making you money!”

“There you go again with the bullshit.”

“Krrrhahaha.”

“Enough, let’s have another drink.”

Their glasses clinked.

Clink—

Yeah, at this age, talking about money really is the best.

*

Maybe because it was beef, they didn’t eat as much as expected. Still, they ate until their stomachs felt like they’d burst. When only a few pieces were left, Ryu-seong packed up five servings of the best cuts.

“Man, I’m stuffed.”

“Calling a driver.”

“Yeah, we should.”

After paying the bill, he handed the packed meat over to Lee Shin-woo.

“Take this home and eat it with the family.”

“Whoa.”

“What, punk.”

“You’ve been doing a lot of things you never used to lately.”

“Back then I didn’t have money.”

“Right, heh.”

“So, you taking it or what?”

“Of course I’m taking it.”

Lee Shin-woo took the bag and muttered quietly.

“Ahem… thanks for the meal.”

“Look at this guy acting all shy with his thanks.”

Just then, the substitute driver arrived. Perfect timing.

“You called for a driver?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

After confirming the number, the driver got into the driver’s seat. Lee Shin-woo took the passenger seat, and Ryu-seong sat in the back. They chatted casually for a while until Ryu-seong got out at a suitable spot.

“See you.”

“Yeah, catch you later.”

He stopped by a nearby sushi place, picked up a two-person assorted set to go, and walked home. Strolling leisurely in the night breeze, he arrived home before he knew it. When he opened the front door, his mother greeted him.

“You’re back?”

“Yeah. Here, sushi.”

“Two portions?”

“Hyun-ah’s gonna steal some anyway.”

“My son’s got some sense, huh?”

As expected, Ryu Hyun-ah came running with a wild scream.

“Waaaaah! Sushi! Sushi!”

“Wanna eat together?”

“Mom’s the best!!”

Ryu-seong, listening from the side, made a dumbfounded face.

“Hey, I’m the one who bought it, you know?”

“Yeah, thanks?”

How should he put it…

It was seriously getting on his nerves.

“I swear—”

“What! Why! Gonna hit me again?”

“Forget it, go away.”

He was in a good mood today, so he’d let it slide.

Thinking that to himself, he went to his room, showered, played with Lucky for a bit, and then went to bed.

Maybe because the tension had finally released.

He felt like he passed out in an instant.

Mmm…!

But what the hell was this rich, savory smell suddenly wafting over?

“Wow, you’re still not waking up?”

“…?”

“Seriously tough.”

He cracked his eyes open blearily. The smell grew even stronger. What he’d thought was savory quickly turned into a straight-up stench in no time.

“Pffft.”

The moment he saw Ryu Hyun-ah giggling like an idiot, he realized. That crazy little demon in front of him had just unleashed a poison gas attack.

“Ah, you little—!”

He jumped out of bed and delivered a solid smack to the back of her head.

Thwack!

Ryu Hyun-ah scrunched her face in pain and flailed her arms and legs wildly.

“Argh! Why the hell are you hitting the back of my head! I told you to wake up!”

“Ugh, damn it. What the hell did you eat…!”

Ryu-seong hurriedly fled the room that was now filled with fart stench.

“You’re gonna regret this.”

“What regret?”

“I was seriously thinking of giving you pocket money regularly with a big heart.”

“Bullshit. Heh heh.”

Ryu Hyun-ah giggled as she ran off to the living room.

“Mom! Oppa woke up and the first thing he did was smack the back of my head!”

“Seong-ah! I told you not to hit the back of the head! Her head’s already not the brightest—if it gets worse, what then?”

“Ah, she farted on me while I was sleeping.”

“…Yeah, that was Hyun-ah’s fault.”

“I had to wake her up somehow since she wouldn’t get up! And my head isn’t dumb, okay!”

Watching the two of them bickering nonstop, their mother shook her head and set the rice bowls down on the table.

“Enough. Come eat breakfast already.”

“Okay, just gonna wash my face real quick.”

“Hyun-ah, go call your dad too.”

“Okay!”

He washed his hands and face in the bathroom. After drying off with a towel, he headed back to the kitchen.

The whole family gathered at the table.

“Let’s eat.”

Dad picked up his spoon and chopsticks.

“Enjoy the meal.”

“Enjoy the meal.”

Everyone said it together and began eating.

*

Dad left for work, and both the younger brother and sister headed out for university lectures. The only ones left at home were Mom and Ryu-seong. Mom did the dishes while Ryu-seong ran the vacuum cleaner.

“Mom, anything else to do?”

“Nope, that’s it.”

“Then I’m gonna rest?”

“Sure, go ahead. Want me to cut some fruit for you?”

“Nah, I’m good.”

After finishing the housework, he sat on the sofa and watched a few TV shows.

“Pfft, hahaha, this is fucking hilarious.”

At first he was laughing so hard his sides hurt, but gradually it started to feel boring, and random thoughts began bubbling up.

Hmm.

How long can I keep living like this, doing nothing?

He glanced around the house—it was quiet; Mom must have gone out too. Lucky was napping in the corner. In the stillness, only Ryu-seong was sprawled out on the sofa.

Everyone else in the family was doing something.

Except him.

Naturally, his mind drifted to the question of what he should do going forward.

“A job…”

Honestly, it didn’t feel meaningful.

But at the same time,

He couldn’t keep living like a jobless bum forever. Especially not when it would disappoint his parents. At the very least, he wanted to at least look like he was doing something.

Investing really seemed like the answer.

No matter how much he thought about it, that felt like the most plausible path.

“Yeah. Full-time investor.”

The thrilling sensation of making money using that imperfect insider crypto information was still vivid. If he really became a full-time investor, staying home wouldn’t look strange, and even if he made a fortune, people around him probably wouldn’t suspect much. Let’s give it a shot. The moment he firmly decided on that direction—

[Limited Quest Cleared!]

[Settling…]

[Number of people significantly influenced: 3,781]

[Acquiring 0.005 Good Deeds Points per person.]

[Rounding applied.]

[Acquired 19 Good Deeds Points.]

The long-awaited hologram finally appeared.

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