Chapter 35
Chapter 35
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: Friend (10-Year Age Difference)
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◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Popularity is so high that immediate delivery isn't possible..."
Carrera 4 GTS.
Rear-wheel drive felt a bit too scary, so I looked for an all-wheel-drive model.
The price was around 250 million won.
Surprisingly, that wasn't the full price including everything—it was just the starting point.
Compared to the Mustang Convertible, which starts in the high 80 millions, it was on a whole different level.
With delivery fees, options, VAT, and so on, it probably wouldn't exceed 300 million, right?
"300 million..."
It was the most expensive thing I'd bought so far, so I hesitated a little.
No, wait. I've got the apartments.
The empty 8th floor and the half-empty 10th.
I'd already spent enough to buy about eight Carreras.
No need to worry.
Still, I didn't want to splurge blindly, so I researched diligently.
Be decisive on necessities.
Be thorough if there's something to buy.
Even if I spend lavishly, I'd stick to those two rules.
It's the most important thing as my spending grows.
Of course, based on those rules, the Carrera was already on my purchase list.
Anyway.
There's a saying that a nobleman's revenge is never too late, even after ten years.
So waiting a year or two for a Carrera should be fine.
But my revenge target wasn't a nation—it was an individual.
A nation? Ten years would be okay.
But a person? No.
Especially if it's Han Ji-hoo. I couldn't drag it out that long.
He might get hit by a rock on the street and die any day.
Looking at him, it feels like it could happen tomorrow.
To keep my revenge from fizzling out pointlessly, I decided to lower my sights a bit.
Not compromising on the model, of course.
Driving something lesser would just invite mockery.
A used one...?
That's what I came up with: used.
But not from a regular used car lot.
Even pros say it's hard to spot lemons—how could someone like me?
If I avoid getting ripped off, that's a win.
The place I had in mind was the brand's own certified pre-owned dealership.
For sports cars like the Carrera GTS, brands run specialized pre-owned outlets.
Staff inspect and certify them, selling only S-grade vehicles they manage themselves.
That's why these luxury cars barely depreciate.
Varies by car, but usually under 10% loss.
And the condition is near-new.
This works for me.
It'd be fine like this.
Used, but not some random used car.
The minor downside of fewer options wasn't a big deal.
Inventory's limited, so I'd shop around and pick a good one.
Shortening the 1-2 year wait means putting up with this.
Cars can be swapped anytime.
If I don't like it later, buy new.
So no getting too attached.
Maybe get a Mustang as a sub car later?
I pondered briefly, then shelved it.
That'd make three cars.
Maintenance would pile up.
Postpone adding cars for the distant future.
Taxes scare me—I don't even know how much.
Gotta visit the tax office later...
Lost in those thoughts, I started searching brand certified pre-owned dealers. ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Wanna take it for a spin? Dream car, right?"
People who bluff like that usually do it to protect their pride.
When someone they dismissed turns out better, they nitpick to salvage their ego.
Half-assed proof backfires.
Take time, but do it right.
Social life hack.
When they bluster nonsense, pretend to buy it.
But I didn't need social niceties now.
Overreact, and they hold grudges.
Don't want "watch your back at night" vibes, so moderate.
...Too much?
After wrapping up, I reflected—nah, probably fine.
No one dumb enough to mess with someone richer.
I brushed off the worry and casually scanned faces.
Club members stared blankly.
Stunned, confused.
Maybe envy.
And Han Ji-hoo, caught in an emotional whirlwind.
His dream Carrera.
He'd bragged about upgrading from Mustang when bored—but nonsense.
All show.
Proved by his flushed glare.
Saw the 9th-floor couple in his face.
Money's the best, after all.
Famous burger chain owner's line popped up.
Money.
I like money.
"Yeon-bi...! The car's so pretty!"
Yoo Yeon-ah approached with a bright smile.
The club's one friendly face—I whipped off my sunglasses and smiled back.
"Just got it. Muscle cars are great, but they make good subs, so I prioritized the sports car with the long wait."
Said it loud for all to hear—Han Ji-hoo's face went from red to erupting.
He bolted without a glance back after hearing me out.
Then the forty-something who'd tormented me and others slipped away quietly.
Men lack grit these days.
Of course, speaking as a former man.
"Yeon-bi, mind if I ride?"
Yeon-ah eyed it enviously.
Her Dark Horse started at 90 million base.
Plus options, shipping, duties, cert fees—easily over 100 million.
So she picked muscle over sports car.
Less envy, more genuine curiosity.
Either way, no reason to refuse.
She'd been the only kind one.
"Of course."
I smiled faintly, unlocked it.
She hopped in, door barely open.
Sat gingerly, eyes devouring the interior.
"Wow... this is nice..."
"Where to?"
After soaking it in, she buckled up, pondering.
"Hmm... know a good spot. Wanna go?"
"Sure."
Accelerated—exhaust roared.
Sharper than Mustang's heavy rumble.
I revved harder for show.
Backfiring—hated it done to me, but fun firsthand.
And it sounded great.
Can't peel their eyes off.
Han Ji-hoo and the forty-something surely heard from afar.
Smirked inwardly, drove out of the lot.
"By the way, stock available? Usually over a year wait... oh, used?"
Nodded at her question.
She stared.
"So... you really bought it to rub it in his face?"
Couldn't help chuckling.
She laughed too, adding,
"Yeon-bi, you're scarier than you look..."
"Not scary. Just... petty."
"That's what's scary. Who drops over 200 million on one guy?"
True—laughed again.
No sane person wastes cash like that.
"Was gonna get a car anyway—timing worked out."
"From Mustang to Carrera? Big leap."
Chuckled, sped up.
She yelped, then laughed delightedly.
"Wow... fast for real. Hey, Yeon-bi, can I ask something?"
"Yeah."
"Might be rude... how old are you?"
Pondered briefly.
Tell the truth?
If they know a 21-year-old rolls like this... weird thoughts?
Why I'm cautious with people, hiring.
Assets mismatched to age.
Clean origin, but can't explain truthfully.
No one'd believe anyway.
Could lead to suspicions, reports.
Lying's weird too.
Brainstormed fast.
Lie and tangle vs. truth and misunderstanding?
Truth wins.
"Twenty-one."
"...Huh? Tw... twenty-one?"
Yeon-ah gawked.
Get it—I'd freak too.
"...Look super young, guessed young, but not this young."
"How old'd you peg me?"
"Tw... twenty-six, seven? Even that seemed young, but figured babyface."
Fair.
What 21-year-old joins a club to buy a Mustang?
"Thought you were little sis... now I feel old."
"What's your age?"
"Age, not 'honored age'! I'm not that old!"
She faux-glared playfully.
Teasing aside, she didn't look old.
Generous: early thirties.
From afar? Never guess thirties.
"Thirty-one this year. Sigh... ten-year gap..."
"Not much difference."
True enough.
Younger than my Choi Min-hoo days.
She didn't know, so bristled again.
"Keep that up? Anyway, we can drop formalities, right?"
"Sure, whatever's comfy."
"Good, Yeon-bi. Call me unnie."
Unnie...
Tricky.
Said "noona" before, but never "unnie."
Pondered, then,
"Auntie... no?"
"Wanna die?"
"Ow! Don't hit the driver!"
"Red light anyway!"
Light shoulder punches.
Stung, but not bad.
Club was worth it, maybe.