Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: HOME
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Our car left the rest area and hit the freeway once more.
The scenery outside the window gradually shifted from gray factory districts to lush green rice fields.
The acrid air grew clearer by the minute, and the sky seemed higher and bluer.
And finally, we arrived at Heyri Art Village.
The moment we stepped out of the car, we were greeted by air from an entirely different world.
Instead of the musty smell of concrete, the fresh scents of earth, grass, and trees tickled our noses.
Instead of ear-splitting noise, the rustle of leaves in the breeze and the chirping of distant birds enveloped our ears.
Even the air itself felt different. With every breath, it was like my lungs were being purified.
We stood there silently for a moment, soaking in that unfamiliar peace with our whole bodies.
The breeze was soft and warm, and the sunlight was dazzling but not harsh.
The one who broke that serenity first was Haneul.
"Wow!"
The kid spotted the vast lawn and let go of her mom's hand, bolting forward.
Her golden hair—identical to her mother's—fluttered in the sunlight as she laughed and ran.
Every time her little feet hit the green grass, there was a soft patter, and her laughter echoed across the open space.
Chaewon watched her daughter's back with the most loving smile.
Her face no longer carried the shadow of a single mom burdened by the world's weight.
The wrinkles around her eyes, the worry lines on her forehead—all gone. Only the face of an ordinary "mom" gazing at her child's joy remained.
The wind gently tousled her golden hair, but she paid it no mind, her eyes fixed solely on Haneul.
Yura seemed a bit awkward at first, too.
For someone used to the city's gray landscapes, this greenery must have felt alien.
But even she was slowly being swept up in the surreal vibe of the galleries, cute cafes, and quirky architecture blending together.
Her usual prickliness gave way to quiet curiosity as she looked around.
She muttered things like, "What's that?" at the exotic buildings.
I just took it all in quietly.
Haneul laughing, Chaewon smiling at Haneul, and Yura next to them with an awkward but relaxed expression.
Warm sunlight wrapped around us all, and a cool breeze tousled our hair.
I realized then that the 5.2 billion won we'd raked in like mad over the past seven days was all for this moment.
This ordinary, perfect "family" scene.
That was everything I'd truly wanted.
I'd always vaguely wanted to make money.
Vaguely wanted to get rich.
But I never knew what I really craved.
Maybe it was that faint memory of "doenjang jjigae" from back then?
Even without Post-Nut Clarity, my mind felt strangely clear.
The chaos of dark emotions emptying out into clarity.
It was something different from the sensations of "pleasure" that Yura and Chaewon provided.
This wasn't calculated, cold sharpness.
Not the kind of awakening where complex formulas or market analyses filled my head.
It was more... warm.
Like some long-frozen corner of my heart was slowly thawing.
Memories from the orphanage flashed by.
Always hungry, always lonely, always yearning for someone's warmth.
That ordinary scene I'd seen at a friend's house.
Mom's homemade doenjang jjigae, Dad coming home from work, the family's laughter around the dinner table.
Back then, I was just jealous.
And I vaguely thought someday I'd have that too.
But as time passed, those dreams got crushed under reality's weight, until money—the numbers—dominated my mind.
But now,
this moment...
I think I knew what I really wanted.
I want it.
And there it was, in one corner of Heyri Village—a "house."
Exactly as I'd imagined.
A wide yard, a spacious home that looked like a painting.
True to an "art village," it was like someone's fantasy of humanity brought to life in the real world.
HOME.
The house looked like it leaped straight out of a fairy tale book.
Red brick walls accented with white window frames, large glass panes that seemed to glow with warm light inside.
Tall trees softly embraced the house in the yard, with colorful flowers blooming below.
And a lawn big enough for kids to run wild.
I could picture Haneul playing there.
Chaewon hanging laundry in the garden, Yura sipping coffee on the terrace.
Price? No idea.
Just a "quick sale" sign with a phone number.
Even so, I called without hesitation.
1 billion? 2 billion? 3 billion? Didn't matter.
I could make that much again.
Seed money? Opportunity cost?
All meaningless.
Right now, in this moment, I wanted just one thing.
All four of us living together in that house.
That was enough.
The deal went smoothly.
The owner was on the verge of auction due to crazy loans and needed cash fast.
I had plenty of cash.
I didn't haggle.
1.25 billion won.
More than the 1 billion I'd withdrawn for flexing, but I didn't regret a penny.
Didn't care about Yura's "you're insane" stare or Chaewon's worried gaze.
"Hey, you sure about this? 1.25 billion! 1.25 billion!"
Yura grabbed my arm and yelled, but I just smiled.
"Cheolsu... let's think about it more. Isn't this too rash?"
Chaewon said worriedly, but my mind was set.
1.25 billion contract.
The realtor flew over for the 7.5 million commission, hands shaking as he prepped the papers—he hadn't expected a deal this big.
Stamp, transfer, done.
Calculate acquisition tax, transfer ownership...
It took exactly one week for a homeless orphanage kid who'd lived in a 200-sq-ft monthly rental to own a 1.25 billion, two-story dream house.
The moment I got the keys after all the paperwork, I finally had "my home" for the first time.
A perfect house straight out of a dream.
Proof shots were a must.
I snapped pics of Chaewon, Yura, and Haneul.
Photos with the wide yard as backdrop.
Haneul bounced around excitedly, striking poses, while Chaewon smiled awkwardly, still in disbelief.
Yura grumbled at first, "What, proof pics? So childish," but ended up holding Haneul's hand for shots too.
In front of the picture-perfect house, in the green yard, on the terrace... dozens of photos.
A month ago, living in a 200-sq-ft studio, I couldn't have dreamed of this.
In every photo, we were beaming.
Like a real family.
"Alright, now let's properly tour the house."
I turned the key and said. Time to step into our new nest.
Building area 1,400 sq ft, total 2,700 sq ft across two floors.
Second floor had a terrace, sunroom, and bright windows.
Tucked away from tourist traffic.
Opening the front door revealed a spacious living room welcoming us.
High ceilings and big windows flooded the place with natural light.
Unbelievable space for someone used to a 200-sq-ft studio.
First floor: living room, kitchen, two bedrooms, bathroom.
Kitchen was huge with an island counter, and a big door led straight to the yard from the living room.
Second floor was even more impressive.
Two bedrooms, bathroom, and the sunroom stole the show.
The glass-enclosed sunroom felt like a greenhouse, opening to a terrace overlooking all of Heyri Village.
"Wow... this is like something out of a movie."
Yura marveled, circling the sunroom.
Haneul was already darting everywhere, claiming her territory, while Chaewon eyed the kitchen and murmured, "Cooking here would be amazing."
Its quiet spot away from tourists made it perfectly private.
Yura and Chaewon chattered about furniture, while I picked a car for getting around this inconveniently located place.
No luxury cravings yet, so a mid-size domestic SUV.
We decided each buys their own furniture with their own money, but unify the design.
"Hey, so what's the overall concept gonna be?"
Yura asked, scrolling furniture sites on her phone.
"Nordic style? Bright and clean."
Chaewon suggested.
"Sounds good. Would work for Haneul too."
I agreed.
We unified colors too: white and natural wood tones for harmony throughout.
"Beds to personal taste, but match frame colors."
"Yeah, and I'll buy everything for Haneul's room. Kids' stuff needs to be special."
"Living room furniture jointly then?"
"Sofa and table we'll share anyway."
Opinions aligned easier than expected.
Respect personal spaces, decorate commons together.
We set "work" rules too.
Monday to Friday only, weekends off.
But if we all wanted, secretly after Haneul's asleep.
"So, after dropping Haneul at daycare... that's work time."
Chaewon summarized.
"Weekdays, 9 AM to 4 PM. Second floor's ours then."
Yura added.
"Weekends, real family time."
I agreed.
Simple rules: Weekday days "work," rest is normal life.
Absolute no when Haneul's around.
"And at night... well, when that happens, keep it quiet."
Chaewon said, blushing.
"Obviously. Can't wake Haneul."
And so our rules were set.
Clear lines between business, daily life, pleasure, family.
That way, everyone could relax.
"Guess this is really our new life starting."
Yura murmured.
"Yeah, in our own home."
And move-in complete.
We tossed all old furniture and junk.
Me, Chaewon, Yura. Nothing from before.
My rickety studio desk, creaky bed, stained blankets—all to the trash.
Chaewon's shabby two-room stuff, Yura's studio crap—same.
Like erasing the past completely.
The poor days, the hard times we'd endured alone.
New house, new furniture only.
Clean Nordic sofas, white dining table, plush beds. All brand new, all chosen together.
Haneul adapted fast to the new setup.
Her own pretty room kept her grinning all day.
"Now, let's really live properly."
In the wide living room, the four of us around the first dinner, I said.
Outside the window, Heyri's beautiful sunset; inside, warm lights.
A true new beginning.
What was meant to be a week off stretched past two weeks.
Time to make money again.
Dropped Haneul at daycare by car in the morning, came back, grabbed Chaewon's wrist mid-dishwashing, headed upstairs.
Yura was already waiting in the "workspace."
The revamped sunroom workspace had new computers and monitors set up.
Heyri's quiet view outside the windows.
We sat at our stations, booted up. Back to routine after so long, but the setup was worlds apart.
No more cramped studio—perfect space of our own, new start.
Two weeks' rest left body and mind light.
But tension crept in too: time to fire up Post-Nut Clarity again.
"Whew, alright, let's get to it. Yura, rimjob. Chaewon, suck dick. No time to waste. Hurry up, you sluts."
I said it straight, pure pro mode, no personal feelings.