Chapter 50
Chapter 50
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: After Losing the Cow, Slightly Fixing the Barn
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"Hello, author. I've been enjoying the work you're serializing on your blog personally."
Lee Jo-wan, the PD, was making a call somewhere with his voice tone pitched just a bit higher.
"Regarding the early conclusion... well, yeah, it wasn't just my unilateral decision; there were all sorts of interests entangled..."
The person he was talking to so earnestly was none other than Dashi Maring, the author he'd forced into an early wrap-up.
"Yes. Under the same conditions as before... no, even slightly better ones, how about serializing on our platform..."
It was a somewhat servile look, different from his usual cold demeanor.
Put nicely, it was professional. Put harshly, it was career-focused.
Even so, the chapters Dashi Maring had uploaded were only up to 6.
Far too few to judge the overall completion of the work, and ambiguous even as an early glimpse.
But enough to gauge the author's potential and the work's future.
Moreover, Lee Jo-wan had watched exactly how the author's work had progressed.
'If I bring her back this time... I can push for a bolder direction...'
One side of his brain thinking about after a successful contract.
The other side calculating proposals to match contract terms.
As he busily turned these over while chatting with the author, he froze at Dashi Maring's words.
—If you give me about double my original fee, I'll think about it.
Double.
Double was absurd.
Not understanding why such a ridiculous demand, Lee Jo-wan laughed awkwardly and began negotiating.
"Author, double might be a bit tough. Realistically, we could do 1.2 times... and if the work settles in the top ranks, up to 1.5 times..."
Of course, Lee Jo-wan had no idea.
That she was already getting 1.5 times her original fee.
So at the PD's words, Dashi Maring chuckled softly and bluntly refused.
—You said the same thing at the first contract, right? Anyway... I'm not planning to re-sign.
"Author, I know you're upset about the early conclusion before. That's why when I saw you starting a similar work on your blog this time, I..."
Normally, he wouldn't even approach after 6 chapters, let alone persist like this.
Yet the reason he was holding on so tenaciously was simple.
A PD from a rival platform had left a greeting on the author's blog.
If left alone, the author would jump ship, and if a similar work to one on their platform serialized there with better quality...
It would harm the platform and him in every way.
Focusing on career is important.
But prioritizing career over people's feelings is definitely a problem.
Especially after kicking out an author with an early conclusion, then immediately trying to woo her back.
So Dashi Maring rejected all of Lee Jo-wan's proposals and hung up.
.
.
.
"Unbelievable."
Muttering softly after cutting the call, the author Dashi Maring.
He started drawing his manuscript again, feeling a small sense of superiority inside.
And genuine gratitude toward the sponsor who'd coolly sent nearly 400,000 won as promised.
'No joke...'
The email he'd first thought was just a prank.
He'd gone along out of lingering attachment, but even uploading chapter 1, he'd sighed shortly, wondering what this was all about.
After chapter 1 went up on the blog and views hit 1, the promised million won prepayment arrived right away.
And yesterday with chapter 5, today chapter 6, the rest of the promised amount came through.
"...This is really legit money, right?"
Something so outlandish felt unreal.
He'd even gone to the bathroom to splash water on his face, but the amount on the sponsorship site hadn't changed.
So he kept drawing.
And sometimes, even on days not scheduled, he'd post to the blog, drawing exactly as he wanted.
Who is the sponsor?
Who would give me this much money?
Honestly, it didn't matter.
What mattered was that someone sponsored his work with this much cash, and that they liked it.
So he...
"...This time, let's draw it to the end."
Muttered to himself in the now brighter room, making a vow.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ When a work you're enjoying suddenly cuts off.
Most readers have no choice but to accept it helplessly.
I was the same, but not anymore.
If the author has the will to keep going, like this.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Sponsorship completed.] I can send enough to cover manuscript fees.
Direct bank transfers cause issues, so I'm using a sponsorship site.
"Webtoon artists don't make as much as I thought..."
She must've struggled hard to earn that much.
"Even 1.5 times doesn't hit 400,000 won..."
Reminds me of my old days, and it's amazing I can send this casually now.
A fleeting thought that the money felt a bit wasteful.
But I'd vowed not to skimp on money spent on things I love, so I sent it without burden.
'Well, there's the monthly fund set aside anyway.'
Funds aside, bank interest makes this amount nothing.
My spending has grown.
Still, I keep the vow not to waste on weird stuff.
Though to others, sponsoring an author like this might seem weird.
But anyone who's had a series cut off midway would understand, right?
Of course, even sponsoring like this doesn't guarantee a good outcome.
Then what. Let go without regrets.
'For now, what's up so far is to my liking.'
Munching crunchy toast, I turned back to my phone.
'Daily uploads would be too much even with more money, huh?'
I get a bit of the black company president's mindset.
Still, no demanding that as a decent person.
Reviving a dead series satisfies me.
Plus, the author posted extra on off-days a few times, so plenty.
"Whoa, just changing one character makes this much difference."
I scrolled through the updated chapters—not just different, but better—for a good while.
Finished reading, satisfied, I leaned back in the egg chair.
No yoga today.
So more leisurely pace than usual.
Stretched fully, and the doorbell flashed.
"Right on time, sharp as ever."
Na Yeon, my live-in housekeeper.
She cleans and cooks every visit—life's a breeze.
She was supposed to return to school this semester, but said she'd stay longer for this good gig.
Well, the bonuses I slipped in midway probably helped.
'Maybe ask her to go full-time.'
She's that good—cooking's the best part.
Handles most menus, all to my taste.
Might be why I've been gaining weight bit by bit.
"Hello~"
She arrived shortly.
Comfy jeans and light long-sleeve for work, as usual.
Awkwardness mostly gone; I treat her casually now.
Not calling her "sis," but comfy, just that vibe.
"How were the side dishes and rice I prepped?"
"Ate it all."
She smiled faintly, checking the fridge.
"Wow, you really polished it off."
I smirked, joined her at the fridge, opened the freezer for her to see.
"Froze it all too."
"Hmm... I put away enough for the week. Still growing?"
Her gaze from my face drifted to my chest as she spoke.
I subtly covered with both hands; she burst out laughing, pulled a notepad from her bag.
"Anything you want this week?"
Her standard question.
I know to give specifics—cooks appreciate it.
Answering "anything" to "what to eat?" begs a knuckle-rap.
No thanks; I always think hard.
This time:
"Hmm... kimchi jjim."
"Ooh, kimchi jjim! Great. Sides?"
"Your usual sides are plenty."
"Then this week's menu is set."
Menu decided in a flash.
Home cooking without cooking.
Housework without doing it.
Looking back, not doing anything was the real issue, more than the food.
'Good thing I started yoga.'
Realizing later might've piled on the pounds.
Yoga alone won't cut it; need a home gym space, even simple.
Such thoughts as I sat back on the sofa.
Phone buzzed lightly—message from Yeon-ah.
💬 Messages — Yeon-ah (Screenshot of comment from luxury brand Barbarin official account on my post) O~ Choi Yeon-bi~ You're blowing up~ (Emoticon of bunny doll with shady eyes) — Me ??? — What's this? — — Yeon-ah SNS notifications off, so you missed it Check quick I checked my post right away.
📰 My Post (Photo of me in Barbarin coat, standing on sunset bridge - taken by Eun-ah.) My favorite coat. Trench coats for fall, right? #fall #trenchcoat #barbarin #coat #daily 💬 Comments — User Whoa, sis looks like a model~!! — User Coat info? — User Always enjoy your pics, thank you. ⭐ Top Comment — @Addoal My bday gift locked in~ — User ↳ Reply ?? — @dlola2022 This coat is fire irl, should've bought then — User ↳ Cool, dept store tomorrow? — User ↳↳ Go go go — User Really suits you. Pic is top-tier too — User Satisfied with this — Yohana Gola Hello, My name is Yohana Gola. I want to conversation with you, So Would you accept to send me a DM? — Barbarin Official KR Hello. Barbarin Korea official account manager. We'd be truly grateful if you allow personal messages. 'Barbarin official account?'
Why would a luxury brand official want to DM me?
Tilting my head, I hit the message permission button.