Chapter 46

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Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 46

Chapter Title: Yeji

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After dropping by Yeji's stream consistently for a few days, she even remembered my nickname and greeted me warmly.

She probably didn't have a ton of viewers, so every single chat felt precious. Yeji always welcomed everyone kindly.

After going back and forth a few times, I ended up getting friendly with her regular viewers too. Now, whenever I popped in, we'd even greet each other.

Today, like clockwork, I fired up my computer right at her broadcast time and tuned in.

But today, Yeji's face on the screen looked a bit gloomier than usual.

"Oppa-nims... Work was really tough today. Relationships with people are so hard, right?"

Watching her force a weak smile and speak in a downcast tone tugged at my heartstrings.

I knew all too well that stress from ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠office politics.

Memories flooded back of working at the shop with Dad, clashing with family every day and feeling the strain.

Viewers comforted her and sent a few star balloons here and there.

A few hotshots fired off 1,000 or 2,000 at a time, and her expression gradually brightened.

"Oppas, I'm in a bad mood today, so how about a drinking mukbang? You all love that, right?"

Yeji smiled as she suggested it, and the chat exploded with cheers.

Yeji smiled at the screen and said,

"Alright then, order some snacks, grab your drinks in 30 minutes, and we'll drink together! I'll order soju and snacks too!"

As Yeji prepped for the drinking mukbang, I figured it had been a while since I'd had a drink at home, so I pulled out a bottle of whiskey.

I set up some simple snacks and got everything ready in front of the computer.

Drinking alone isn't all that great, but having someone on screen drinking along with you made it way more fun.

Soon, the 19+ rating popped up, and Yeji's drinking mukbang kicked off.

As she filled her soju glass, she started venting about the stress from work.

Just as I'd guessed, her troubles were mostly about relationships with people. Listening to her, it didn't feel like someone else's story at all.

Yeji kept knocking back shots amid the viewers' empathy and encouragement.

Before long, her face on screen was flushing red.

I sipped my whiskey, feeling a pleasant buzz, and typed in chat.

Yeji saw my question, paused to think, then grinned brightly.

"CoinKing oppa, hmm... I'd need at least 5 million won a month to comfortably quit my job, right? Streaming isn't stable, so I gotta earn more than at the office to feel secure."

I nodded and checked Yeji's earnings again.

About 60,000 star balloons this month.

After fees and taxes, that'd be around 3-4 million won.

5 million a month didn't seem too far off.

It was about time I ditched the free viewer tag and subscribed as a fan.

Her streams were hitting the spot more than I'd expected.

Just as Yeji stood up to grab another bottle, I timed it perfectly and sent 10,000 balloons. That was about a million won in cash.

Yeji came back with the soju bottle, saw the screen, and freaked out.

"Huh...? What? CoinKing oppa? 10,000 at once...? Whoa... Thank you so much...!"

She looked genuinely shocked, bowing her head repeatedly in gratitude.

The chat went wild with excitement.

I posted in chat, and right away, the electronic girl's mechanical voice read it out.

"Finally subscribing as a fan. Watched for a few days, and today's drinking mukbang was fun. Hope to see you around for a long time."

Yeji beamed at the screen.

"CoinKing oppa, seriously, thank you so much! See you often, yeah!"

After that, I sipped whiskey until the stream ended, firing off 1,000 or 2,000 balloons at a time for fun.

Her reactions were adorable, and sharing the drinking vibe like this was surprisingly enjoyable.

Jin-seong had become one of Yeji's top donors before he knew it.

In AmericaTV terms, "hotshots" were the top 10 biggest supporters, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say Jin-seong was covering most of Yeji's monthly income over the past few days.

Yeji let out joyful screams on stream, unable to believe the sudden income surge. Even her monotonous, depressing office routine started feeling a bit fun.

It wasn't enough for her to quit her job yet, but it was definitely a huge boost to her life.

Meanwhile, Yeji's streams had carved out a big spot in Jin-seong's daily life too.

He'd been cashing out his coin assets bit by bit and splurging on star balloons across AmericaTV. No one there had more spending power than him.

He checked coin prices multiple times a day, cashing out just enough to keep things steady without crashing the market. Balloon money was pocket change for him.

Even when Yeji wasn't streaming, Jin-seong browsed other internet broadcasts to kill time.

Internet streaming had become his new hobby.

Truth be told, he preferred staying home alone at the computer over going out and mingling.

As a natural homebody, chilling in this comfy setup made him happiest.

For Jin-seong, who woke up mega-rich from coins overnight, money wasn't a goal anymore—it was just a tool to enjoy life.

Quietly chatting with streamers on screen was the perfect end to his day.

Like that, internet broadcasting took on special meaning for him.

My little sister called.

She was having a second kid.

My first niece or nephew was already two—time flew faster than I'd thought.

Being the first, they held a special place; I adored their gummy smiles and cute antics whenever they visited.

I'd play for a few hours and send them home, blissfully ignorant of parenting pains—just pure cuteness.

No responsibilities; that was uncle life.

Having another one? Thrilling.

Joy hit, but so did the urge to do something nice for her.

Perfect timing.

I called, and Na-young picked up right away.

"Hey, Na-young. Congrats on the second. Take care of yourself and ease up on work."

She sighed at my words.

"Oppa, two kids means I gotta save more. How can I rest? It's not like I can just take a break."

"Quit work and relax already. What if something happens to the baby? I'll set you up with a cafe after you give birth and rest. Ditch the cafe manager gig. Pregnant and slaving away for peanuts?"

I said it firmly, and she shot back incredulously.

"What money do you have to buy me a cafe?"

I chuckled.

"I won the lottery jackpot, dummy. Quit, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠stay home, have fun. Oppa will support you big time."

Na-young yelped in shock.

"Whoa? For real, oppa? Do Mom and Dad know?"

"Yeah, don't tell you, but parents know. Soon they'll quit too; I'm buying them a building to live off rent."

Na-young suddenly sounded sulky.

"What? Am I not family? Why leave me out?"

I fumbled.

"Was gonna tell you, timing sucked. And you're complaining when I'm offering a cafe?"

I teased with a laugh, and she backpedaled fast.

"I was just saying. Who's complaining?"

Sisters are cute like that. With her set too, the whole family could be happy. Felt great.

One last thing.

"Oh, and I moved. Bring the kid over sometime. I'll treat you."

She jumped on it.

"Really? We'll come with her dad, oppa."

"Sure, text when you're coming; I'll send the address."

Hanging up left me at peace. Having enough to pamper family? Priceless.

That's what the money was for.

A few days later, my sister and her family—hubby, kid, and all—came over.

Na-young cradled my first niece/nephew; brother-in-law Wan-cheol was right there too.

First time seeing them like this since leaving the family home. Nice.

"Whoa, oppa, this place is huge. Prime spot!"

Na-young gawked at the spacious 40-pyeong apartment; Wan-cheol scanned around, impressed.

I'd ordered fancy delivery ahead of time.

"Should've cooked, but oppas no chef. Just ordered."

Na-young laughed, shaking her head.

"If you cooked well too, it'd be unfair. We'll eat up."

Pregnant Na-young and driving Wan-cheol skipped booze for drinks, savoring the food slowly.

Chit-chat flowed with nonstop laughs.

Mid-meal, the kid started fussing.

I ate enough, stood, and scooped them up.

"Aww, what's our little one fussing about~ Uncle's got you; feel better?"

They grinned big in my arms, head on my shoulder.

Too cute; I cracked up.

While I held them, Na-young asked seriously.

"But oppa, lottery first prize gets you this? Investments from winnings?"

No need to spill the coin beans from Young-jin.

Casual reply.

"Invested the prize money; yields were solid. Lets me live comfy."

Wan-cheol smiled warmly.

"Hyung-nim, you've suffered long. Glad it's paying off."

I nodded gently, kid in arms.

"Wan-cheol, you or Na-young hit hard times? Tell oppa anytime. Gotta take care of family first now."

He bowed, a bit shy.

"Ayy, hyung-nim, don't blow it all. Save for when the kids grow and really need it."

I patted the kid's back, grinning.

"Obviously. No worries about them; just raise 'em healthy."

Time passed; kid yawned, fussy from tiredness.

Na-young stood reluctantly.

"Sleepy kiddo. We'll head out, oppa."

I walked them out, stroked the kid's cheek fondly.

"Drive safe; come again. Oppa'll buy lots of treats."

Door shut; alone in the quiet home, warmth washed over me.

Being able to do this for family? Awesome.

Today felt extra happy.