Chapter 82
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 82
Chapter Title: Theft Incident
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The phone rang from early morning, jolting me awake. I grabbed it groggily.
Headquarters' voice came through, buzzing with excitement.
"Chairman, the contract just finalized!"
I was caught off guard for a second.
"...Already done acquiring it?"
It had moved way faster than I'd expected, leaving me a bit stunned.
Headquarters followed up that the purchase price had come in much lower than anticipated.
Suddenly at a loss for words, I just offered some formal thanks.
"Oh, really? Good work. You've all done great."
I hung up and set the phone down, staring blankly for a moment.
"What the hell... why are they working so damn hard...?"
I muttered without thinking.
My head was spinning.
My original plan was simple: set it up so I got about 3 billion a month in rent, enough to keep the principal intact without any hassle.
But somehow, the company kept growing bigger.
At this rate, I might get dragged in and have to work myself. The thought soured my mood.
That wasn't the life I'd envisioned at all.
I'd planned to hole up in my nearly finished mansion, living easy without ever stepping out.
"Ah, I was gonna let the dogs roam the yard, take leisurely strolls..."
I gave a bitter laugh to myself.
Then I recalled the last thing Headquarters had said during the call.
"Chairman! We need to hire more staff now.
There's too much work after this acquisition for our current team!"
His words echoed in my ears. I let out a sigh.
His passionate tone only weighed heavier on my chest.
Things were speeding ahead, bigger and faster, in a direction I never wanted.
I'd meant to just front the cash and chill in the background, but now the company felt like it was dragging me along.
Before heading to the gym, I dressed with a heavy heart and muttered again.
"Why the hell is everyone working so damn hard... seriously."
Lately, I'd gotten hooked on cycling.
Honestly, the gym bored me to tears.
With all the money, I figured I should exercise to stay healthy long-term, but that was it.
Riding a bike changed my mind a bit.
You pass by people and scenery—it was fun to watch it all fly by.
Today, I grabbed my bike lightly and headed out front.
Premium bike lived up to the hype; it was super light, no effort to carry.
I hopped on at the apartment entrance and started pedaling hard.
A cool breeze hit my face right away.
Familiar sights whipped past, clearing my stray thoughts.
Wireless earbuds in, favorite tunes blasting—it felt like my own private world.
Near home was a calm riverside path.
I eased off the speed along the river trail, letting the breeze cool me while giving my thighs a break.
"Huff... huff... man, tougher today."
I sat at a table out front of a nearby convenience store for a breather, chugging an electrolyte drink.
The cool liquid slid down my throat, revitalizing me.
Morning hours meant light foot traffic.
Still, I caught glimpses of folks hustling through their daily grind.
Watching them fired me up a little too.
"Everyone's out there grinding hard..."
Absorbing that energy, I sat quietly for a while, taking in the scenery and passersby at a leisurely pace.
This time was pure bliss.
These simple, relaxed pleasures were happiness to me.
Suddenly, Jin-seong felt an urgent need for the bathroom.
Thirst from the ride had him downing the electrolyte drink too fast.
Face tense, he scanned around for a restroom but spotted none.
In the end, he dashed inside the convenience store.
Behind the counter sat an older man with a kindly face, probably the owner.
"Sorry, sir, but it's urgent—mind if I use your restroom?"
The owner smiled warmly at Jin-seong.
"Heh, looks like you chugged that drink."
He pulled a small key from a drawer and handed it over.
"Head down the alley next to the building. Bathroom's there."
Jin-seong bowed hastily and took the key.
"Thank you!"
Clutching it, he hurried around to the alley and the restroom.
It was cramped and rundown, likely a staff-only setup.
After finishing up quick, Jin-seong emerged looking much more relaxed.
Back at the store, he returned the key.
"Sir, thank you so much. You saved me."
The owner chuckled and waved it off.
"Happens when it's urgent. Come by again."
Jin-seong smiled brightly, stepped out, and figured he'd rested enough to ride again.
But out front, staring at where he'd parked his bike, his face froze.
"......Huh?"
The bike he'd left right there was gone.
Panicking, Jin-seong looked around again, but no sign of it anywhere.
Jin-seong pulled out his phone with a dumbfounded look and called the police right away.
Minutes after reporting, sirens wailed as a patrol car pulled up to the store.
Two young officers stepped out and approached him.
"You the reporter?"
Jin-seong stood there, still incredulous, and nodded with a sigh.
"Yeah, that's me. My bike got stolen.
Someone took it while I was in the bathroom."
One cop pulled a small notepad and started jotting notes.
"Didn't lock it?"
Jin-seong winced, a bit embarrassed.
"Yeah... forgot just for that quick trip."
The cop shook his head sympathetically.
"Aw, man, gotta be more careful..."
Luckily, the CCTV at the convenience store covered the spot.
The cops went in with Jin-seong, reviewed the footage, and caught the theft on video.
Based on that, they said they'd need to file officially, so Jin-seong rode with them to the station.
While filling out the report, when Jin-seong mentioned the bike's price, the officers' faces lit up in shock.
Unlike typical bike thefts, this was a ultra-high-end model no average person could afford.
After wrapping up, Jin-seong left the station exhausted and grabbed a taxi home.
Stepping through the door, he let out a huge sigh and grumbled.
"Ugh, what rotten luck...
They weren't kidding about Korea being Eom Bok-dong's kingdom."
Korea had notoriously high bike theft rates.
In the shower, Jin-seong stood under the cold spray, calming his tangled thoughts.
Muttering to himself:
"Whoever you are, if they catch you... you're in for it."
Jin-seong was pissed about the theft, sure, but even more furious at wasting his precious time.
"Mom, can I have some allowance?"
Young-su eyed his mom cautiously as he asked.
She frowned instantly.
"Didn't I just give you some? What'd you blow it on already?"
Predictably, no dice.
Young-su pleaded awkwardly.
"I hung with friends and spent it all... please, just a little more?"
She waved him off firmly.
"No. How many times now?
You can't keep blowing money without a plan."
Realizing he was beat, Young-su turned away sulkily.
"Fine... whatever. I'm going out with friends."
School was off for founding anniversary.
He'd planned PC bang League with the crew, but he was flat broke.
The last few days, he'd covered games for broke buddies out of loyalty, draining his allowance.
Young-su pondered.
One friend he'd spotted cash for recently owed him.
Had to hit him up.
He hesitated, then dialed.
"Hello?"
Friend picked up.
"Yo, Young-su, out already?"
Young-su broached carefully.
"Nah, I'm broke... Mom won't give more."
Irritation leaked through the line.
"Dude, five of us for League today.
What're we supposed to do?"
Young-su stammered.
"Hey... I covered yours last time.
Can you spot me today?"
Friend shut it down.
"I'm broke too."
Young-su called BS.
"You got allowance yesterday!
No loyalty?"
Friend shrugged it off.
"Got stuff to spend on."
Outraged at the gall, Young-su flushed red.
"Wow, low blow! Begging me last time, now stingy with yours?"
Friend fired back shamelessly.
"You did it 'cause you wanted to. Why blame me?"
Young-su couldn't take it anymore.
"Wanted to? You begged like crazy!
Unbelievable."
Friend half-assed it.
"Whatever! Bug your mom more or scrape cash somehow.
You bail, game's on you!"
Dumping blame like that left Young-su speechless.
Fuming, he hung up without hearing more.
"Screw it."
Friend yelled desperately.
"Hey... hey! Get the money...!"
Young-su stared at the dead phone, dazed.
"Ah, what now...?"
Stuck on the roadside, lost in thought.