Chapter 103
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 103
Chapter Title: Refusal of Donation Request
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Jin-seong stepped forward and bowed politely in greeting.
"Hello, I'm Kim Jin-seong, running a real estate investment company. I look forward to getting along with everyone."
As soon as he finished speaking, the villagers gave awkward applause. Jin-seong continued.
"I'm sorry for the late introduction amid the chaos of moving. Please don't take it to heart. I'll make sure to attend every village event from now on, so I hope you won't think poorly of me."
The villagers' expressions began to soften at his sincere greeting.
A murmur rippled through the crowd at the mention of company president.
"What? He's a company president?"
"Really? Then those rumors were nonsense. I thought something was off too."
Park Deok-su, in particular, smirked inwardly with satisfaction and jumped in to liven things up.
"Looks like there were some misunderstandings! Our Kim here is a busy man, and we jumped the gun. Come on, everyone, dig into the delicious food and enjoy the feast!"
Thanks to Deok-su's smooth talking, the atmosphere quickly warmed up again.
Jin-seong handed a prepared gift and some pocket money to Grandma Choi Soon-ja, who was celebrating her 80th birthday, and greeted her politely.
"Grandma, happy 80th birthday. I wish you long life and good health."
Grandma Soon-ja beamed at the yanggaeng box, black garlic tonic, and envelope of cash in her hands.
"Oh my, thank you so much. Even fancy gifts like these... What a kind-hearted, handsome young man."
The surrounding villagers nodded and smiled at the sight.
As he chatted naturally with the villagers over drinks and food, Jin-seong felt the walls between him and them starting to crumble.
That's when Deok-su sidled up to the seat next to him, sat down with a grin, and struck up a conversation.
"Hey, President Kim! Sorry for the late intro. I'm Park Deok-su, head of the village youth group. If anything comes up or you have questions, just hit me up. I'll sort it all out for you."
Jin-seong gratefully shook Deok-su's hand.
"Thank you, Brother Deok-su. Looking forward to your help."
Deok-su flashed a sly grin and handed Jin-seong his business card with his number.
Utterly unaware that Deok-su was the source of the rumors slandering him, Jin-seong exchanged numbers with genuine appreciation.
And so the 80th birthday feast wrapped up in a bright, jovial atmosphere, giving Jin-seong a chance to blend into village life.
Deok-su inwardly cheered as things went according to his plan.
Jin-seong exchanged smiles and goodbyes with the villagers.
Yet no one knew what impact this encounter would have on his life in the village going forward.
The next day, Jin-seong's headaches began.
A couple of visitors at first to peek at the house were no big deal.
But after two or three days, things escalated dramatically.
Now his house had become like a village landmark, with groups of people showing up every day.
One morning, as Jin-seong lounged on the living room sofa for some rest,
the intercom from the guard post rang urgently.
"President, big trouble. More elders have shown up."
Jin-seong clutched his head and sighed.
"Again today? Ugh... I need some rest right now. Make up an excuse and send them away."
"Got it. But they're being really stubborn..."
Jin-seong thought for a moment.
"Say I'm out and ask them not to wait—just head home."
Jin-seong hung up with a heavy sigh.
But from the entrance, the elders' stubborn voices were already audible.
"What do you mean? We're practically buddies with the guy~ Last time he let us tour the place and even served tea!"
The elders spoke loudly to the guard.
The guard looked troubled.
"I'm sorry, elders. The president isn't home right now. I'll let him know if you come by, so please head back for today."
One elder snapped gruffly.
"We've lived in this neighborhood forever... Blocking us from a quick house tour? Even if he's busy, we'll wait inside—he won't mind!"
The others chimed in.
"Right! Neighbors are like family, and he wouldn't treat us like that!"
The guard, looking pained, called Jin-seong again.
"President, they're insisting on waiting. What should I do?"
Jin-seong chuckled.
"Do not let them in, no matter what. If they get in once, it'll never end."
Emboldened by Jin-seong's firm tone, the guard replied.
"Understood. I'll make it clear."
The guard returned to the elders and said politely but firmly.
"I'm truly sorry. The president is out, so you can't come in."
The elders finally flushed red and started grumbling.
"Tsk tsk, gets a bit of money and acts all high and mighty? Can't even show his face anymore."
"Yeah. All friendly at first when he moved in, but now that we're close, he turns cold?"
In the end, they turned away, muttering.
"Thinks he's better than us locals just 'cause he's got cash?"
"Exactly. Knew something was off from the start."
Jin-seong couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity.
"First they spread rumors I made money illegally, now they're barging in claiming we're close."
Scratching his head, Jin-seong pondered how to handle this ridiculous situation.
Jin-seong muttered to himself, deep in thought.
"If I keep letting them in, they'll treat my house like the village hall..."
That's when his phone rang.
Jin-seong checked the caller and frowned.
It was Park Deok-su, whose number he'd gotten recently.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Brother Jin-seong! Calling 'cause I got something to say."
Deok-su jumped right in like they were old pals.
"Sure, go ahead."
"Well, the village hall's getting real rundown, so we're planning repairs. Thought you might chip in a bit as a new neighbor."
Already irritated by the morning's elder invasion, Jin-seong's voice sharpened at the sudden money ask.
"Why should I pay for village hall repairs?"
Caught off guard by the icy response, Deok-su stammered.
"Come on, we're neighbors now. The hall's for everyone, so let's all pitch in a little. Why say it like that, young man?"
Jin-seong sighed.
"Look, I just moved in. How do you think I feel being hit up for repair fees out of the blue?"
Deok-su raised his voice.
"Hey! That's hurtful. We're all living here together. It's a community space—why so much complaint about sharing the cost?"
Jin-seong held back, then asked calmly.
"Hoo... Okay, so how much per person?"
Deok-su perked up excitedly.
"Well... It's been ages since repairs, so it'll cost a bit. But since you've got money to spare, how about 10 million won? We'll cover the rest..."
Jin-seong couldn't believe his ears.
He acknowledged the hall was old, but demanding that from someone who'd barely moved in, just because he seemed rich, was outrageous.
Especially right after one greeting—it crossed every line.
Figuring he'd invite endless repeats if he didn't shut this down now, Jin-seong responded coldly and firmly.
"You've used the hall for decades—you should pay more. I've been here weeks, so why me? Fix it among yourselves first. If it needs work again later, I'll contribute then."
Stunned by the resolve, Deok-su was speechless for a moment.
He tsked in disbelief.
"Tsk tsk... Stingy young folks don't hear good things!"
Jin-seong fired back at the jab.
"Fine, handle it yourselves. Curse me behind my back all you want. I don't know what you think one hello entitles you to, but no more money demands or unannounced visits."
With that, Jin-seong hung up.
Deok-su stared at the phone in shock.
"This rude punk hangs up on me?"
Glaring at the device, he'd expected Jin-seong to be easy to manipulate, but the pushback flustered him.
"Tougher than he looks..."
Deok-su fumed, wondering how to play this.
Deok-su immediately rounded up the villagers at the hall.
Responding to his urgent call, they gathered in groups until the hall buzzed.
Deok-su cleared his throat dramatically before the crowd.
"Ahem, quiet down and listen! That new young guy with money—we asked for a small donation for hall repairs since he's one of us now..."
Even before he finished, curious eyes fixed on him.
One villager asked.
"What'd he say?"
Deok-su sighed theatrically, shaking his head.
"Oh man, he flat-out refused! Said he's new here—why should he pay?"
Murmurs erupted.
Wrinkled old Park grumbled.
"What kind of rude guy is that? New in town, he should donate something right away—that's normal, right?"
Nearby aunties piled on.
"Exactly! All that money, but gets snippy about chipping in?"
"Thinks cash makes him better than locals? People need basic manners. So rude!"
Voices rose, and Deok-su fanned the flames.
"That's what I mean! We're not broke—it's about sharing as neighbors. But he rejects outright and hangs up. First time I've seen such a guy!"
The villagers shouted agreement in excitement.
"Right! Don't need rude outsiders, rich or not!"
"How to live next door to that? Knew from that fancy house something was off!"
Deok-su hid his satisfaction behind a worried frown.
"We should tighten up village rules, yeah? No recognition for folks skipping events. Agreed?"
All nodded vigorously.
"Yeah! No hellos for him!"
"We don't need his type here!"
The hall filled with denunciations of Jin-seong.
Deok-su stoked their resentment, steering the village against him as planned.
Jin-seong's smooth integration into the village seemed derailed already.