Chapter 16

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Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 16

Chapter Title: The Chaebol's Part-Time Job Offer

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I sat in the back seat of the taxi, gazing out the window.

Because it was the weekend, there were hardly any cars or people on the roads or sidewalks.

'Maybe I should grab a coffee at the cafe on the way.'

The place where I'd parked my car yesterday was the public lot behind the cafe.

My precious Avante.

The alcohol had worn off completely, so it was time to go pick it up.

I felt a little bad about leaving it on the street all day.

'But there was no helping it. I couldn't drive you after drinking.'

At least that wasn't just an excuse.

That would be a crime.

It was then.

Bzzz.

Bzzzz.

My phone buzzed in my pocket.

It didn't ring just once and stop.

It kept whining incessantly.

'Who could it be?'

One person immediately came to mind.

Lee Soo-yeon.

Since we'd parted ways like that earlier, maybe she had something left to say.

I quickly pulled the phone from my pocket.

And turned on the screen.

"...Not her?"

My guess was completely off.

It wasn't Lee Soo-yeon.

The name at the top of the KakaoTalk screen belonged to someone else.

I stared blankly at the screen for a moment.

Then slowly scrolled up with my finger.

Cold sweat seemed to trickle down my back.

She'd been sending them nonstop since earlier.

The problem was that I'd been too distracted to reply to a single one.

I'd even entered the chat and checked the contents.

The little "1" had vanished... a classic read-ignore.

In other words, she knew I was doing it right now.

That latest message was the final blow.

I'm screwed.

My fingers trembled involuntarily.

What the hell was I supposed to say?

While I racked my brain, time kept ticking away.

For now, I typed a hasty reply.

As politely as possible.

And as pitifully as possible.

I even added a woof at the end.

Hmm, but after sending it, it sounded like total bullshit.

Accidentally tapped while sleeping?

That's like saying a cat downloaded porn.

As expected, Eun Ha-min didn't buy it.

The reply came instantly as the "1" disappeared.

I had nothing to say.

I'd actually woken up around 1 p.m., showered, eaten kalguksu with Lee Soo-yeon.

Who'd believe I only just woke up now that it was past 3 p.m.?

It was ridiculous to claim I hadn't checked my phone once in all that time.

Anyone could see it was an excuse.

And she was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠right, so I couldn't argue.

I decided to just apologize honestly.

Any more weird excuses would just make it worse.

Then a few quick messages popped up.

Fortunately, Eun Ha-min seemed willing to forgive me.

Though I had no idea what price I'd pay later.

I glanced out the window and replied.

Oh, offering hourly pay.

Then I should pin my location right away.

I sent the location of the cafe where I'd met Lee Soo-yeon yesterday.

I had to go there anyway to get my car.

Eun Ha-min sent a photo.

It was a pajama shot taken in a lavish-looking room.

Cute.

But "use as a side dish"... did she mean what I think?

"Sir, could you go a bit faster?"

"Yes, sure."

The taxi sped up.

At least I needed to arrive before Eun Ha-min and wait.

That way, I'd get in less trouble.

Luckily, I got there first.

Around 3 p.m., so there were a few people, but it was fine.

The window seats might feel awkward, so I went inside.

It had a good view of the parking lot entrance.

Hmm, my cute Avante.

I'd worried someone might have scratched it overnight, but it looked fine.

"Ready to order?"

"Two iced Americanos, please."

I took the vibrating pager and sat down.

'What should I say when she gets here?'

Meeting Eun Ha-min made me pretty nervous.

Not just because she was the second daughter of Hanbit Group, but as Hanbit Distribution's executive director, she was basically my boss.

Of course I wanted to make a good impression.

Plus, hanging around her might score some crumbs.

'She gives a lot of pocket money too.'

Five million won? That's not some mutt's name.

From now on, my name is Five Million Won.

I was staring blankly out the window when a car pulled in.

A Genesis G90.

A few people in the cafe turned to look out the window.

The back door opened, and Eun Ha-min stepped out.

Wearing sunglasses, arms crossed.

Even from afar, her aura screamed "bad mood, don't talk to me."

Ting-a-ling♪

Eun Ha-min entered the cafe.

She lowered her sunglasses slightly and scanned the room.

Spotting me, she strode over.

Clack.

Clack.

I jumped up and bowed my head.

"You've arrived."

"..."

Eun Ha-min stared at me without a word.

She took off her sunglasses and tossed them on the table.

Her eyes looked fierce.

Was she really mad?

"Um, Ha-min?"

"Haa. Oppa, just call me Ha-min. You're eight years older—why the formal 'ssi'?"

"But calling you by name feels a bit..."

She let out a deep sigh.

Then plopped down in her chair.

Crossing her legs, propping her chin, she looked up at me.

The glare from moments ago had softened a little.

"Seeing your face, I can't stay mad."

"Huh?"

"I'm seriously annoyed, but your face calms me down. It's unfair."

Eun Ha-min pouted.

It felt like a compliment, but weird too.

She glanced back and forth at the two coffees on the table.

Then snatched the one in front of me.

"Mind if I have this?"

"Uh? That's the one I was gonna drink."

"So?"

"No, this one's fresh, so you should have this..."

Eun Ha-min nonchalantly put the straw in her mouth.

And slurped it down.

I watched her blankly.

There was a fresh one right next to it—why that one?

"Um, the new one's over there."

"Doesn't matter."

She pulled away from the straw.

A red lipstick mark stained it.

She flicked the straw.

"Any other guy, no way. But if it's something my puppy oppa drank from, it's fine. And I'll drink that one too. I'm thirsty."

"Ah..."

"What? Heart fluttering?"

Eun Ha-min narrowed her eyes and smiled.

That fox-like expression.

I cleared my throat.

"So, what brings you all the way here?"

"I get weekends off too. Had some free time, so I thought of you."

Eun Ha-min propped her chin again and stared intently.

"Why no video yesterday?"

"Ah."

"I was waiting. Stayed up checking if it'd go up, then fell asleep."

She spoke in a whiny tone.

Seeing her like this, she was adorable.

"You watch all my videos?"

"Of course?"

Eun Ha-min tilted her head.

Like asking if the sun doesn't rise in the east.

"They're surprisingly fun after a while. You edit well—tech stuff, the flair. Helps just watching."

That's the AI doing it.

My AI even gets praised by a chaebol heiress. Jealous.

"Glad it's helpful."

"And."

She wagged her finger.

"When I comment on your Shorts channel, viewers flock over. Boosts your views and subs big time."

"Funny how my subscribers barely grow though."

Lee Soo-yeon was already at 600k.

Eun Ha-min had gained nearly 300k since the chicken video.

Meanwhile, my Shorts channel was still at 70k.

Subscriber growth way too low relative to views.

'Well... revenue's coming in fine anyway.'

More subs don't always mean more views.

I'd read in a book that high views with low subs often mean higher revenue.

"No time yesterday. Was a bit busy."

"Hmm... okay? You'll upload today, right?"

"Gotta. Been thinking about topics."

"How about using my idea?"

Eun Ha-min's eyes sparkled.

Childlike innocence, begging to turn her idea into a video.

"What's it?"

"Oppa, I'm giving you a special chance today. The honor of making a video with Eun Ha-min's premium idea."

"What is it?"

I propped my chin and looked at her.

Eun Ha-min pulled her chair closer and leaned in.

Lowering her voice like sharing a secret.

"Listen. Pet dog and cat channels are trending, right?"

"Yeah."

"But you're not a real dog, you're my puppy."

"...Yeah?"

Something ominous.

I dreaded the weird turn.

"So! Make a video like '[Chaebol Raises a Human Doggie?]'. End with you in dog ears and tail photo or clip!"

"..."

"I'll even appear. Leash around your neck, walking you around."

That... Ha-min?

Title should be '[Opening New Horizons in Owner Risk]' or something.

I could see Hanbit Group Chairman issuing a national apology.

No, even my AI hadn't imagined this.

I'd opened the AI app with voice recognition just in case, and right on cue, it responded.

My ultimate AI was utterly stunned.

Like Orion Arms’ Akai Lect or something like that.

I checked Eun Ha-min's face.

Not joking—she genuinely thought it was a great idea.

Pure madness.

I could feel it.

"...Ha-min."

"Oppa. Calling me Ha-min without 'ssi' feels about ten billion times better."

"I'll pick the ideas myself."

"Tch. No fun."

Eun Ha-min pouted and leaned back in her chair.

Her disappointment was plain.

Eun Ha-min threw out a few more ideas after that.

All weird, but hilarious and fun to hear.

And her chattering away beside me was too cute.

Who'd think this charming woman would dream up '[Chaebol Raises a Human Doggie?]'.

"But Ha-min."

"Yeah?"

"How do you make your YouTube videos? Planning, editing?"

Before I knew it, I was using her name but still polite speech.

Weird habit.

I asked because...

I got curious.

No way she hit a million subs on talent alone.

There had to be something.

"Me? I have separate writers and PDs."

"Ah."

As expected.

Money was king.

"No time for that. Even shooting's a hassle."

"Fair enough."

"And I'm not that great at it, right? Gotta admit what I'm bad at."

Surprising.

She knew her weaknesses well.

"Better not ruin it myself. Pay pros instead. Use that time on what I do best. Way more efficient, no?"

Eun Ha-min chewed her straw casually.

Couldn't argue.

No, it was spot-on and smart.

Know your flaws, buy them out, get top results.

Business classes paying off?

She seemed like a spoiled girl one moment, a shrewd businesswoman the next.

I saw her in a new light.

Sensing my gaze, she smirked.

"Everyone's got strengths and weaknesses. I'm no exception."

"Having that much money is pretty exceptional."

"Yeah, can't deny that."

Eun Ha-min shrugged.

Annoying, but true.

She shook her empty cup—she'd finished her coffee.

Then snapped her fingers like something occurred to her.

"Oh right, almost forgot. Oppa, free the evening two days from now?"

"Two days?"

I mentally checked my schedule.

Work was only daytime, so evenings were free.

"Nights are always open. Why?"

"Clear it. Got a part-time gig for you. High-paying sweet deal."

"O. Sounds good."

Her lip curled up at my quick yes.

High-paying sweet deal.

My ears perked up.

Nothing more precious to a money-hoarder like me than Eun Ha-min's daily allowance.

"How much?"

"Way more than you think. A lot more."

"Count me in."

No hesitation.

Pride?

Does it buy meals?

Money ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠from Eun Ha-min was bound to be substantial.

"As expected of my puppy. Good listener."

"Woof."

"Cute."

Eun Ha-min stroked my chin, then my cheek.

"Good boy, my puppy oppa."

Amid the playful gaze, a strange mood mixed in.

Her smiling face seemed faintly flushed.

Hallucination?

"See you in two days then. Send location via KakaoTalk."

"Got it. What should I wear?"

Being around Eun Ha-min made me conscious of clothes.

"Nah. Just normal stuff. Your face is all that's needed."

Eun Ha-min stood.

Put her sunglasses back on, reverting to haughty chaebol heiress mode.

"Heading out first. Upload that video. Alarm's on—gonna stay up."

"Yes. Drive safe."

"You too, oppa. Careful driving."

She waved and left the cafe.

I watched her climb into the luxury car's back seat, then finally relaxed, slumping in my chair.

Two days from now.

What kind of part-time job needed big money and my face?