Chapter 17
Chapter 17
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Hotel-cation
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◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ — Thump thump thump thump thump.
"Wh-what's that??" I jumped at the tremendous noise and looked up at the ceiling.
It was coming right from overhead, so it had to be the upstairs neighbors.
I glanced at my phone. It was 8 p.m. now.
Maybe because it was a bit late for dinner, it felt like the kids up there were all hyped up after eating.
"Hmm..."
I pondered for a moment.
Should I go upstairs and ask them to keep it down?
I listened to the steady thumping for a bit, then shook my head.
"I'll be making some noise myself in two days anyway..."
The place echoed more because it was empty, and thinking about the ten million won worth of furniture arriving all at once in a few days, I decided not to go up now.
In two days, I'd definitely be hauling stuff around and assembling furniture, making plenty of noise myself.
Besides, this was the first time I'd heard any floor noise since moving in, so no need to stir up trouble.
"What feels good should stay good."
I didn't know how long I'd live here, but at least while I was, I didn't want any bad blood with the neighbors.
— Thump thump.
After sitting quietly for a bit, it definitely quieted down some compared to before.
If it was just occasional like this, it'd be fine. Way better than my old place near the station.
That studio had zero soundproofing—I could hear the woman next door panting and moaning.
"Compared to back then, this is much better, but..."
I let out a small sigh.
I'd planned to unroll my sleeping bag in the new place, but now my head was starting to ache.
The emptiness made every sound echo.
And sleeping deeply felt somehow uncomfortable.
"Hmm..."
It was weird to crash in an empty house with no furniture or anything. Why was I putting myself through this?
"Maybe I'll just chill at a hotel for two days."
It was still a weekday and off-season, so plenty of rooms should be available.
The moment "hotel stay" popped into my head, I started searching right away.
"Might as well sort by highest price first."
I chuckled to myself and sorted by price.
Luxury hotels lined up one after another.
Clicking through them, rooms were indeed plentiful.
Most even included breakfast buffets. Perfect—I could handle meals there too.
"Whoa, they even have a pool inside?"
Flipping through photos, I saw guests could use the communal pool, and pricier rooms had private ones.
I had no intention of swimming, but it was still impressive.
Hotel-cation.
This was real luxury.
Gazing at the hotel photos with glee, I hit the payment button without hesitation.
1.3 million won per night, breakfast or dinner included.
Two nights made 2.6 million?
"Not bad at all."
Cheaper than my compact car.
Even less than the furniture currently being packaged up.
My first hotel-cation ever.
Back in the day, I'd seen the term and inwardly grumbled about how much money you'd have to have to waste it on a hotel.
Come to think of it, the Team Leader had once taken family leave for a group hotel-cation.
While making everyone else come in and dump work on us.
Sudden rage boiled up.
"Should've just thrown him in jail."
Something like, 'This guy burst into my room!' or 'A stalker's chasing me!!'
If I'd phrased my statement like that, his life would've been royally screwed.
A twinge of regret.
"...Being too nice is my problem."
Maybe I turned out such a pushover because my mom lived so kindly.
My foolish mom.
She always took whatever crap I threw at her.
"Anyway."
I smirked up at the ceiling.
If Mom were here, she'd probably smile at the upstairs noise and say, 'The kids sure are lively~.'
But I knew better.
Being too nice doesn't pay.
Especially with no money—there's zero reason to live kindly then.
Well, now I had a reason to live kindly.
"Now, what to pack..."
I glanced around for clothes or stuff to bring.
Not that I even had a carry-on to pack into.
Guess I'd just go like this.
The hotel had a mall right next door anyway—I could shop for clothes and a suitcase there.
"Clothes, huh..."
Clothes.
Not sweats—something sharp.
Maybe just grab a hoodie and jeans to wear around.
At least women could pull off men's clothes without issue.
Size might be tricky, but I wouldn't look weird.
"That's a relief, I guess."
Mulling over what to buy, I slipped on my shoes.
— Thump thump thump.
"...They won't keep running around like that later, right?"
A bit uneasy, but they hadn't run around when I viewed the place or stayed briefly yesterday, so probably fine.
Worst case, it'd work itself out.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 8:40 p.m.
Most guests had checked in and settled into their rooms.
The check-in rush and dinner buffet hours were over, leaving a leisurely lull.
Not the largest scale in Korea, but this hotel bore a well-known company's name and drew all sorts—domestic and foreign guests, even VIPs. It was quite grand.
One employee here took pride in working at such a place.
"Take care on night shift."
"Yes, sir. Good night."
Front desk staff Han A-rang replied brightly, seeing off her superior.
Her makeup was minimal per hotel policy, her uniform neat and tidy.
Adults would praise her modesty; young guys would double-take on the street. She was that pretty.
She quietly captivated the male staff's hearts.
Aware of it, she occasionally made unreasonable requests of them with sly charm.
Today was no different—she'd swapped shifts to snag this prime weekday off-season night slot.
She settled in, planning to leisurely scroll her phone.
"Alright..."
She plopped down comfortably and unlocked her screen.
As she pondered what video to watch, someone approached the desk slowly.
Han A-rang sighed inwardly and stood promptly.
'Huh...?'
She tilted her head at the approaching guest.
'Guest? No one like her on today's list.'
The woman with jet-black long hair swaying as she neared the desk.
Her hair gleamed softly, well-maintained.
Her face looked bare of makeup yet flawless.
Her petite features were perfectly packed—straight out of a drama.
Even in sneakers, she was taller than Han A-rang, with model-proportioned legs.
Any other woman beside her would look like a middle or high schooler.
'Wow...'
Han A-rang, raised like a princess, couldn't even fathom measuring up.
They say you have to compare long and short, but this woman was so superior, no comparison needed.
For some reason irked, she masked her expression and bowed politely.
"Welcome."
"I have a reservation. Can I check in?"
Han A-rang tilted her head again at the question.
It was nearly 9 p.m.
Not impossible, but checking into a luxury hotel this late was odd.
She didn't look foreign or VIP. No nearby events either.
'What's her deal?'
Hotel-cation at almost 9 p.m.?
No good explanation came to mind.
Feeling a bit sour, she checked the guest's details.
"May I have your name?"
"Reserved under Choi Yeon-bi."
"Yes, one moment please."
Choi Yeon-bi.
The name evoked car mileage; Han A-rang smirked inwardly as she typed it in.
Then she froze, stunned at the room booking.
"...Excuse me?"
"Ah, yes. I'll process it right away."
Choi Yeon-bi.
The mystery woman's reservation: the Premier Suite at 1.3 million won per night.
'What does she even do?'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Over ten billion won spent so far.
Yet I'd never once felt like I was truly living extravagantly.
The car and house were necessities; other buys too.
Steak and ice cream bordered on luxury, but the cost was negligible—hardly extravagant.
Anyway, heart pounding, I opened the door and realized all my past "luxuries" were nothing.
"...What is this..."
I lost my words at the sight.
The vast living room was elegantly furnished in vintage style.
The biggest TV I'd ever seen dominated the center, flanked by floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the city nightscape.
"Wow..."
I couldn't tear my eyes from the view outside.
Toy-like cars zipping about. Lights that never seemed to fade.
Tiny dots weaving between them.
This was the world.
The city I lived in.
Mystical.
And beautiful.
Old memories surfaced.
Back in middle school, there was a retreat.
Knowing we were broke, I hid the flyer from Mom.
Marked myself absent on the spot and turned it in.
That day, Mom chewed me out big time.
What'd she say again?
'Do you think I can't afford to send you? Why decide on your own without telling me?'
Something like that, tears and anger mixed.
Retreat day.
Left awkwardly alone with Mom.
Hating the gloomy vibe, I tried heading to the library.
But 'I've got a place to go with you. Wait.'
She wouldn't let me.
Soon after, lunch bag in one hand.
My hand gripped tight in the other—my mom.
She led me up the hill behind our neighborhood to that open city vista.
My home was so vast and cool.
My usual view so narrow.
Thoughts swirling, clutching my racing heart.
'Next time for retreat or school trip, tell me. I can manage that. Got it?'
Mom stroked my head, saying so.
What expression was she wearing?
I couldn't recall clearly now.
But.
Definitely not sad.
"...Beautiful. Just like back then."
I stood mesmerized, gazing endlessly at the nightscape beyond the grand window.