Chapter 24
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Money is Magic
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Excitement just wouldn't die down.
It felt like a warm electric blanket laid right over my nerves, all toasty and buzzing. I'd just come home after buying chicken for Mom and some for Han Sihyun.
"Chicken's here!"
Mom must've had Saturday overtime—her door was wide open. I bounced over to Han Sihyun's room with light steps and knocked.
"Hey, Han Sihyun. Got your favorite chicken."
Knock, knock, knock.
'What time is it, and she's still sleeping?'
Normally, her sharp tongue would've scared me off from even knocking, but today? No big deal.
"Your bro smashed a grand slam today and brought back chicken."
Thud, thud.
'Did she head out already?'
Still no response. Just to be safe, I eased the door open. Peeking in, Han Sihyun wasn't on the bed.
Creak—
Stepping inside, the women's suit that'd been hanging on the wardrobe handle was gone.
'No way she started her first day on a Saturday.'
A twinge of emptiness hit me. The sky was already darkening, and there was no one to share my high with. Maybe that's why I pulled out my phone without a second thought.
[Han Siwoo: Sold a mattress and frame today. Used the cash for chicken.]
Snap.
I plopped the bed haphazardly on her cluttered desk—littered with cosmetics—and took the pic. That's when a book caught my eye, totally out of place for Han Sihyun.
'Nursing Assistant Core Summary?'
Guess she's thinking about her future after all. Pretty impressive, prepping for a certification while working a gig that throws in a suit.
Bzzz—
Vibration in my hand. I checked my phone—Han Sihyun blowing up, furious I'd barged into her room.
[Han Sihyun: Thanks for the chicken.]
That last bit made me smirk. I plopped down on the bunk bed for a sec.
Creak—
Finally, the excitement was starting to ebb.
The faint bed scent, the familiar smell of Han Sihyun's room. Her usual grumbling—it all made my heart swell with pride and settle into calm.
'She's still using that old childhood bed.'
A full-spring setup that squeaked at the slightest move. My big sis and I had it first, then after my head got too big for it, she shared with our little sis.
Over ten years old now.
'Even as a bed salesman, I've been too oblivious.'
Maybe I should get her a new one.
I sent Kim Hyoi the last chicken gift icon, then headed to the bathroom. A slow, hot shower melted the tension from my body.
Fatigue crashed in all at once.
'Nine deals closed today—no wonder I'm wiped.'
Plus hauling foundations up and down, hitting three care visits before that.
"Gonna wake up sore all over tomorrow."
I knew it'd leave me whimpering, but the grin wouldn't leave my face.
I eyed the mirror.
Bangs hanging messy down to the bridge of my nose. Skinny frame. Pockmarks from acne dotted my face.
"Hair first, I guess."
In the webnovels I read, systems would bump stats and turn guys handsome or ripped.
Sure, jumping to another universe, my dick pulled off effects rivaling the hot leads in those looks-supremacy stories. No status screen needed.
'Right—money fixes everything.'
Flash enough cash, and your skin turns celeb-smooth. Money buys hair transplants to cover that receding hairline.
Spend on PT with meal plans, and your body's golden.
These days, plastic surgery's so advanced—a few million, and you're insta-hot with no trace.
What's a status window or magic got on that?
Modern tech is the magic.
'Eunhee noona said a clean cut would suit me perfect.'
"Heh heh heh heh."
A goofy laugh bubbled out as I pictured it.
Choi Eunhee, not squirting over my dick this time—but my face.
I toweled my hair roughly, back to my room, phone in hand.
'Hair first.'
[Missed Calls (2) Kim Hyoi]
-Yo, what's with the chicken again?
"Oh, sold a mattress and foundation today. Friendship fee for all your help so far. Free today?"
-Friendship fee? Bullshit. It's Saturday—I gotta work, you know.
Wanted to say I'd cover her daily wage to hang out, but even as friends, that's crossing a line. Hurt her pride too.
-Two chickens got me guilty. I'll carve out time—back ribs on me.
"Ooh, back ribs? Gotta raid your wallet then."
-It's not that pricey. You barely eat anyway. Yo, got a call—hanging up.
Twirling my long bangs in front of my eyes, I grabbed the phone desperately.
"Hey, thinking of a cut this time. Know any good spots?"
-You see my hair and still ask me?
Her hair was straight-up average. Short crop, sticking out every which way like a rough trim.
-Don't blow cash on that face—hit a cheap local joint like Blue Club near home, like me.
Click.
Hung up.
She had a point. One friend, and no clue on grooming. No one in my circle's into that anyway.
'Come to think.'
One person fit. Dressed sharp, slathered pricey makeup over a plain face.
"Gulp, gulp. Ahh..."
Han Sihyun popped a painkiller with her throbbing head. She'd been careful last night, but sipping one glass after another left her hungover anyway.
"Haa..."
'Seriously, do I gotta go out with that moron?'
The text from last night. Her brother asking for grooming advice—haircut, the works.
Normally, she'd ghost it. But he dangled a fat commission.
'A bed worth nearly three mil if I help.'
Folks think booze helps sleep—nah, it knocks you out but trashes quality.
Her dark circles were extra heavy today. Not like other nights were better.
Han Sihyun's sensitive side made that squeaky spring a sleep killer.
'I wanna try a fancy bed like that.'
One outing: salon, derm, full makeover on her dime. Done.
Felt date-like and gross, but she'd frame it as work.
"Hey, still sleeping?"
Couldn't kick the door—might catch that monstrosity standing tall again. Trauma made her palms sweat gross.
Thud, thud, thud.
"You said go out yesterday. Reserved it. Get up now."
-Yeah, heading out! One sec!
Crash. Door flew open. Trauma yanked her eyes down, scanning his crotch.
'Standing at attention, huh.'
Pajama pants on, hands covering the goods. The outline of that hideous club peeked through—Sihyun snapped her gaze up.
"I'm all set. Hurry it up."
"Uh, y-yeah. Thanks for waking me. Yesterday wiped me out—missed the alarm."
Thanks. Now earning decent, he looked beat. Skinny frame lugging beds around? Brutal.
Her first day on the job taught her earning hurts. Seeing him spend big on her? Kinda grateful.
Reflexively, Han Sihyun kicked his shin.
"Whatever—get ready."
Arms crossed, her eyes slid sideways. Her cheeks puffed oddly.
"Whoa, so I'm getting cut here?"
Only ever hit school-area auntie salons or Blue Clubs. First time in a sleek, upscale spot like this.
'Damn, pricey for sure.'
Six hundred kay already locked in, but petit-bourgeois panic thumped away.
"What're you waiting for? Go in."
She smacked my ass and strode ahead. Casually ordered a coffee, took a seat.
Her natural chin flick pulled me in. Absentmindedly got an Americano, sat down.
"How shall we style this?"
The world's prettiest stylist leaned in with a sweet smile—I mumbled like an idiot.
Annoyed at my fumbling, Han Sihyun shoved her phone pic forward.
"Perm with an iron perm. Style like this actor's see-through perm. Back clean taper to a 9mm fade..."
Half her jargon flew over my head. Really glad I dragged my sister along.