Chapter 34
Chapter 34
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: - 34
Chapter Title: An Unclichéd Revenge
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◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ To me, a café had always been nothing more than a pit stop to grab coffee before work.
Far from savoring the interior design or the scenery, I'd spend my time there fretting about the future, knowing the office was just thirty minutes away.
But things were different now.
Time was on my side, and I didn't need to worry about what tomorrow might bring.
The only dilemmas I had here were things like what to do with my day tomorrow.
"Nice atmosphere here, right?"
Yeona, sitting beside me sipping her warm mocha latte, tossed the comment my way casually.
I nodded in agreement.
For starters, the scent was on another level.
The fragrance wafting through the café was a subtle, soothing aroma you couldn't find in the city bustle.
A refreshing blend of faint coffee notes and laid-back leisure.
The decorations suited the peaceful vibe perfectly—mostly warm tones.
Everything inside, from the furnishings to the ornaments, looked like it cost a pretty penny.
Even the cushion under me was so plush it felt amazing.
I could easily imagine living here forever.
"...It's nice."
This wasn't some polite small talk for the sake of socializing—it was genuine.
The words bubbled up straight from my heart.
Hearing that, Yeona broke into a pleased smile.
So this is the smile of someone with real leisure.
"Not sure if you'll keep coming to the club meetings or not, but remember this place. It's the best out of all the cafés nearby."
This spot offered a view of mountains and a little river just like my house, but without any trace of urban grit.
She had a point—I should drive here often once I got a car.
The club, though...
No real reason to show up again.
Especially not as long as that young-forty poser kept hanging around.
Lost in those thoughts, I took a light sip of my hazelnut coffee.
"...Why does this taste so off?"
"What's wrong? Not your style?"
I shook my head at her question.
"No... it's way better than any coffee I knew before."
Yeona burst out laughing at my remark.
I had no idea what was so funny, so I just stared at her blankly.
"That's why it's pricey."
I nodded as she stopped laughing and spoke.
Expensive stuff always has a reason.
No wonder everyone orders without batting an eye at the prices.
The high-end department store brew had been delicious enough, but this café's coffee blew it away.
Maybe the scenery helped.
My house has a similar vibe... maybe swap the pod machine for a pro setup...
This house was huge, but I'd fill it up at this rate.
Everything made me want to buy more stuff for it. Maybe just go for an even bigger mansion?
But I hate the hassle of moving again.
I'd just pay and show up, but the waiting time sucked.
Not a bad idea overall, though. I was mulling it over seriously when Ji-hoo casually took a seat at the table next to ours.
"Nice place, huh?"
Subtly flashing a jacket I hadn't noticed before and fiddling with his wristwatch to show it off.
Yeona shot him a side-eye and let out a jab.
"Cold or something? Why'd you throw on a jacket?"
"What? I can wear one if I want."
Was he trying to impress me with money? Fat chance.
I smirked at the sight, rolled up my sleeve, and flashed my own watch.
He'd get it if he was into that flashy stuff.
And anyone driving a convertible Mustang would recognize it.
"Oh, pretty watch."
Yeona caught on quick, eyeing my watch with wide eyes.
Ji-hoo's smile vanished in an instant.
His face froze solid.
Inside, he was probably appraising the price right then.
The outfit I had on was designer too, actually.
Didn't seem like he knew that.
Of course. If he did, he wouldn't be bragging about his clothes and watch.
Or maybe not—they weren't that pricey, so he might've underestimated anyway.
Either way, I grinned smugly and went to take another sip—
"Nice watch. Around thirty million won, maybe?"
He lowballed my watch's price by seven million.
Even at Dongmyo market, they wouldn't haggle that hard.
"No. Thirty-seven."
I corrected him straight away.
But instead of panicking, he chuckled and shook his head.
"Nah. Same brand as mine. I know the prices. Saw it at the department store last time."
Shouldn't he know even better then?
I scratched my head, not getting where he was going.
Then he pulled out his phone, searched something, and shoved it in my face.
"That's used prices. Looks like it has a lot of wear."
The screen showed used listings for my watch model.
Real ones around thirty million.
Site's lowest, with heavy scratches.
Was he saying my pristine piece looked like that beat-up junk?
Zero eye for quality.
Hmm...
A little thought, and it clicked: he just didn't want to admit it.
High-end watches like this—you can tell new from used at a glance.
Each comes with serial numbers and purchase dates documented. Proving otherwise would be weirder.
Why should I even prove it to him, though?
I'm not the type to storm home for receipts over some snide remark.
"Really? Weird. I bought it at the department store. Do they sell used as new there?"
I asked casually, and Ji-hoo hesitated, fumbling for his next line.
Finally, some quiet. I let out a silent sigh of relief.
Young-forty poser or this show-off—they're all the same.
Nothing more pathetic than flexing pride over stupid crap.
I figured he'd shut up like the young-forty guy, but I clearly underestimated Ji-hoo.
"It... it happens sometimes. Go check the serial number there."
This was straight-up bluffing now.
Even Yeona was giving him a pitiful look.
Undeterred, he switched topics.
"Anyway, how was the Dark Horse? Pretty rare here—must've felt different."
Full circle back to cars from watches.
Tough crowd for car talk.
I'd joined the club for Mustang intel, and getting it was this hard?
Maybe this club was just like the hiking one.
Both enthusiast groups, kinda.
Better not come back.
I slurped down the rest of my coffee and shared my take.
"Different from the Challenger. Hard to put into words... Challenger feels like a racehorse at the track, Mustang like a wild stallion galloping across the plains..."
Yeona chuckled; Ji-hoo tilted his head.
Bad analogy?
"Yeonbi, that's a fun way to put it. I get the vibe."
"Hm... too poetic for me. So, what car are you thinking of getting, Yeonbi? You've tried a few now."
I pondered Ji-hoo's question.
Mustang and Challenger—both appealed, honestly.
But Challenger was out for reasons beyond the car itself.
"Not sure. Riding them made some things iffy."
Ji-hoo nodded with a slight smirk.
Felt like he was looking down on me, so I met his eyes.
He shrugged back, toying with his watch.
Flirting or picking a fight?
His ambiguous attitude soured my mood.
If he was hitting on me, just say it outright like before. This wishy-washy stance was hard to counter.
"Got a dream car at least? You know muscle cars, came out to test drive—curious if there's something."
Yeona nodded too, watching me.
A bit pressured, I racked my brain. Even as Min-ho, Mustang was the only one I'd considered.
Forcing it, the cliché Lamborghini popped up.
Obviously not buying that.
Just feels too flashy.
I shook my head—nope.
"Really? I'm digging the Mustang Convertible now, but when I tire of it, Carrera GTS next. Wanna drive sometime?"
Carrera? At least 200 million won sports car.
Mustang Convertible was nice and pricey, sure—but different league from Carrera.
Big flex.
His effort seemed kinda sad; I sighed softly.
Yeona, fed up beside me, chimed in.
"Trying hard, huh? What's with you today?"
"Did I do something wrong? Can't club members chat like this?"
Ji-hoo's face twisted at Yeona's scolding—he looked at his limit.
But Yeona wasn't backing off.
"Even if you like Yeonbi, know your place. Why throw a tantrum?"
"Argh, seriously. Lady. I got this. Why keep yapping..."
"Lady? What did you call me?"
Tension spiking, I stood to defuse it.
Luckily, no one else around—smoke break maybe—and it wouldn't blow up.
Relieved, I glared at Ji-hoo.
"Not interested. Yeona, taxis nearby?"
"Uh... yeah."
Yeona looked up, startled.
Ji-hoo seemed thrown too.
Stunned eyes turned hostile quick.
"Hey. Who do you think you are?"
Target switched to me.
Seen plenty blow up when things don't go their way. Ji-hoo fit the bill.
Makes sense. Young guy rolling in a Mustang, designer watch and clothes—entitled much.
But his words and actions? No real chaebol would act like that.
I didn't know them personally, but true heirs didn't go rogue like this.
So I pegged him as mid-tier rich and played accordingly.
Fewer people richer than me anyway.
Whatever—not the point.
"Who am I? Not some chaebol, but you've been so damn arrogant since..."
He was really pissed, spitting that out.
Funny—I kept a straight face.
"What? Think I can't afford a Mustang, let alone a sedan?"
He shot up like I'd hooked him.
Angry face like a grumpy teddy bear.
Not cute—that distorted.
"Watch is used. Clothes? Cheap designer from the store. No bag. Broke loser with a pretty face thinks..."
Pretty face? Compliment?
Guess that's how he saw me.
Was gonna just fight and bounce amicably, but nah—that lit a fire.
"...Fine. Think what you want."
I spun my brain fast.
And boom—a perfect idea hit.
They say anger rushes blood to muscles, dulling thought for fight mode. Not always true, apparently.
Leaving Ji-hoo fuming, I exited the café in high spirits.
Is money spent to screw someone a waste?
Still think so.
But if it's for my own enjoyment? Not at all.
Like buying that 10th-floor penthouse.
Gonna score a sweet ride out of this.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A car-loving girl I hadn't seen in ages.
A month and some weeks had passed since Yeona's favorite, Yeonbi, fought with Ji-hoo at the café and stormed out.
She'd cut Ji-hoo off completely that day—no chats—but still showed up to club meets steadily.
Maybe she'll come back...
All for Yeonbi.
Despite the blowup, Yeona had caught a faint smile as she left.
So yeah. Felt like she'd roll up in a slick Mustang any day.
No way it was all talk.
Her clothes and watch.
Rough estimate: forty million won.
Ji-hoo had trashed the watch as used, but anyone looking close knew better.
So, locked in at forty million.
Even loaded folks don't flaunt like that on purpose.
No typical girly status bag either.
To Yeona, that was Yeonbi's natural style.
A chaebol who didn't bother dressing up.
Face bare of makeup too.
So she figured...
"Uh... we got an extra member today?"
She spotted the distant Carrera right away.
"Whoa, how much is that?"
"Shh..."
Yeona turned to Ji-hoo amid the gasps.
Sure enough, panicked stare fixed on the car.
That Carrera, proving its 200-million-plus worth, parked gracefully with elegant poise.
Kim Gi-seo, spacing out at it, approached slowly to check the owner.
"Um... Mushroom Club member...?"
Window rolled down slow at his question.
Revealing the driver bit by bit.
"Quitting. Tried it—sports cars beat muscle for me."
"Wha—?!"
Ji-hoo gawked, eyes bulging at the woman inside.
His shocked mug was priceless; Yeona burst laughing despite herself.
"Still in the club? Long time no see—wanna ride? Dream car, right?"
Behind the wheel: none other than Yeonbi.
Sunglasses on, grinning as she gripped the wheel.