Chapter 30
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Hyo-jin
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Kim Jin-seong's days were always flashy,
and now that kind of routine had become familiar.
Ever since he'd risen to the position of sub-headquarters boss,
he'd completely stepped away from the nitty-gritty work of managing the lower-level master agents
or handling site promotions.
Thanks to that, Jin-seong had an abundance of free time.
Every day, he'd wake up, enjoy a leisurely late breakfast,
and head to the massage parlor to unwind his tired body.
He never skimped on spending money to take care of his body and mind.
Around lunchtime, he'd start making the rounds to the master agents' offices.
He'd drop by each one, check in face-to-face,
and make sure they had all the essentials—drinks, snacks, whatever they needed.
Offering personal words of encouragement to motivate them was another thing Jin-seong never overlooked.
Occasionally, he'd slip a few bills of cash to agents short on settlements or living expenses, on the down-low.
Jin-seong's favorite time of day was night.
As the sun set, he'd hand off all operations to Hyun-sik, who was handling things masterfully,
and head to a glitzy room salon.
In the room, money was no object.
He'd drink, hang out with the girls, and spend like water,
but for Jin-seong, it was just money that refilled when he woke up the next day.
Jin-seong believed money sitting unused had no real meaning.
Spending what he'd earned freely felt more rational to him.
The money he made was beyond imagination, but so was what he poured into his underlings.
From office rents to outfitting new master agents with burner SIMs and secondhand phones,
the expenses were massive.
Even taking in hundreds of millions in cash every month left almost nothing in hand.
But Jin-seong never regretted his spending.
He saw it as an investment to grow even bigger.
He'd experienced firsthand that the more you sow and invest, the greater the returns,
so he spent without hesitation.
If anything, he was constantly pondering how to make even more money,
how to build an even bigger sub-headquarters.
Having tasted the top once already,
Jin-seong's desire to climb higher only grew.
He loved this life of pouring money into bigger visions.
And day by day, he raced toward greater heights, more dazzling than ever.
The morning after a night of heavy drinking, with his head throbbing
and his face puffy, Jin-seong called Hyun-sik to bring him some water.
He gulped down the ice-cold water Hyun-sik fetched.
"Ugh, I'm dying for real."
His stomach churned, but he forced himself to shake it off
and shuffled into the office room. Lighting a cigarette, he pulled up the admin page.
His gut was burning so bad he could barely focus on the screen, just sitting there dazed.
Outside, Hyun-sik was bustling away.
Before long, he'd taken over managing the lower master agents for Jin-seong,
handling picks on the Naland site and all the real work,
earning recognition for his skills.
Now he was known as "Hani's right-hand man."
Just then, Jin-seong's phone buzzed.
He glanced at the screen casually, and his heart sank.
"Doing well?"
It was a KakaoTalk from Hyo-jin, whom he'd broken up with two years ago.
These days, as sub-headquarters boss, Jin-seong had started posting his flashy life on SNS.
Pics riding a leased Porsche Boxster with the office crew, fancy dinners at pricey spots,
shopping at luxury stores—everything screaming success.
At first, old acquaintances who'd ignored him in his tough times started reaching out,
but Jin-seong shut them down cold.
People only hit you up when you're on top, he figured.
Hyo-jin was the last one he expected.
His heart started racing.
Fully awake now, Jin-seong stared blankly at the screen for a long time.
Complicated emotions surged up.
He'd thought he'd forgotten her, but maybe he'd just been pretending.
Exhaling a long plume of smoke, he pondered, then slowly typed back.
- Doing well. You?
The reply came quick.
- Yeah, hanging in there. Looks like you're really living it up. Good for you.
Not sure what to say, Jin-seong lit another cigarette.
Two years flashed through his mind in an instant.
Back then, he'd been broke, and Hyo-jin had drifted away.
Only now did he realize how deep that wound still cut.
After agonizing, he sent a short reply.
- Yeah, thanks.
He set the phone down, chest heavy.
He didn't know what he was hoping for or why she'd reached out now.
He'd thought the past was settled, but human emotions didn't wrap up that neatly.
Hyun-sik poked his head in.
"Boss, you feeling okay today?"
Jin-seong forced a casual smile and nodded.
"Yeah, coming around. How's everything going?"
"Good, sir. Picks are hitting today—mood's great."
Jin-seong grinned, satisfied, and checked the admin page again.
Yeah, time to live in the present, not the past.
He'd made it. No reason to look back.
But Hyo-jin's message lingered on his screen, subtly shaking something deep inside.
The morning was pretty hectic from the start.
He fussed with his outfit in the mirror, running a hand through his hair one more time.
Usually he'd throw something on quick, but today he was extra careful.
"Hyo-jin... it's been forever."
Her message wouldn't leave his head.
Two years since. And yet her memory was as sharp as ever, like no time had passed.
He wondered if she looked the same.
Finally ready, he headed out.
The bright yellow Porsche Boxster gleamed even brighter in the sun.
He hopped in, fired it up, and drove to Hyo-jin's place.
Pulling up, he spotted her walking from afar.
Two years on, he recognized her instantly.
She opened the door and slid cautiously into the passenger seat.
"Long time no see."
Jin-seong smiled at her. She gave an awkward smile back.
"Yeah, really has been."
Her face mixed awkwardness and excitement.
He eased the car forward, thinking to himself,
Two years later, Hyo-jin hadn't changed a bit.
Maybe just the hairstyle.
That unique vibe of hers was still there.
They pulled into a nice cafe.
Soft, classy atmosphere, with sleek tables and chairs.
Sitting across from her, they sipped coffee and caught up.
"How've you been?"
He hesitated at her question.
Couldn't spill the real details.
"Started a little business. Rough at first.
Had a hundred million in debt... but I gritted my teeth, and lucked out—paid it off in a year."
Hyo-jin nodded seriously, listening intently, like she got it.
"Must've been brutal. How'd you handle all that alone?"
"Eh, you just survive."
He smiled, but old hard times flickered in his mind.
After coffee, they drove to a high-end restaurant.
Elegant decor and polished vibe welcomed them.
They sank into comfy sofas, ordering steak and pasta.
Chatting over the meal, and when the hefty bill came,
he swiped his card without a second thought.
Something unimaginable back then, but routine now.
"Great food. Thanks."
Hyo-jin smiled. He waved it off lightly.
"No big deal. Don't sweat it."
As they headed to the car, she spoke up hesitantly.
"Jin-seong, wanna grab a drink?"
He chuckled softly and agreed right away.
"Sure. Got a lounge bar I hit up a lot—let's go there."
They headed to the lounge bar on the 8th floor of a hotel by Suseong Lake.
Upscale spot with dazzling lights and modern decor.
Skipping the noisy bar, they paid extra for a quiet room.
Blue-toned luxury sofas and sparkling accents made it even more elegant.
Hyo-jin settled in comfortably, smiling.
"You really made it big."
Jin-seong laughed lightly.
Following her gaze out the window, Suseong Lake's night view sparkled beautifully.
In that moment, all the past struggles felt rewarded.
The booze was hitting; his body felt languid.
Truth be told, since her first message, a petty grudge had simmered.
The girl who'd left him broke and struggling reaches out now that he's loaded.
Honestly, it was a bit laughable and bitter.
Yeah, today he wanted to show her just how well he'd done.
A childish, petty revenge: "Look what the guy you dumped became."
He didn't hate her that much, though.
His gambling addiction was his fault.
Still, she had ditched him then, and that stung.
But without that, he might not have clawed his way this far.
In the end, maybe he owed her thanks.
Entering the room, Hyo-jin looked around, eyes sparkling.
Seated, Jin-seong scanned the menu and ordered pricey sides and drinks:
a 130,000-won fruit platter with steak and lobster platter, flashy as hell,
Johnnie Walker Blue, and some sweet cocktails she'd like.
A brief awkward silence, then food and drinks arrived—they clinked glasses, chatting away.
Maybe the alcohol,
but old feelings rushed back. He wanted to be honest.
"Truth is... I resented you big time back then."
Hyo-jin's face stiffened.
"Blamed you, clenched my teeth and worked.
But looking back, it was my mess. You had to leave—no choice."
She nodded slowly.
"I was at that age where marriage was looming.
Honestly, hearing about your debts scared me. I'm really sorry."
He smiled at her.
"Water under the bridge. If I still cared, would I be here?"
She finally relaxed, smiling.
They drank comfortably, like old times.
But as more booze flowed, the buzz intensified. Head heavy, he stood.
"Time to head out. I'll call a driver—get you a taxi."
Hesitating, she spoke softly.
"Jin-seong, hotel's right below... stay the night?"
He almost laughed. Her intentions were obvious.
If he gave in now and went upstairs, they'd pick right back up.
She wanted that, clearly.
Bright smile:
"Sorry, got urgent office stuff—gotta head back now."
Her face fell.
A twinge of guilt, but he calmly called her a cab
and watched it drive off.
Then he got his driver and returned to the office.
Hyun-sik was chowing down on jokbal, paused curiously at Jin-seong's entrance.
"Bro, weren't you meeting the ex?"
Jin-seong plopped down beside him, grinning.
"Yeah, we drank. She wanted me to crash first."
Hyun-sik smirked like he knew the score.
"See? Told you. Hits you up 'cause you're doing well now—wants another shot."
Jin-seong poured soju without a word and downed it. Grabbed a piece of jokbal, thinking,
Bit embarrassing in a way, but he'd vented two years of pent-up frustration pretty gentlemanly.
Wasn't it the ultimate revenge to live better than them?
He chuckled to himself, then hit the sack.
Yeah, he'd gotten his revenge his way today.
And it felt pretty damn satisfying.
A smile crept on as he drifted into deep sleep.