Chapter 34

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Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 34

Chapter Title: The Reason You Shouldn't Take a Cold Shower After Working Out

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Hotel's premium fitness center inside.

Even though it charged guests and I timed it right after lunch to avoid the crowds, there were still quite a few people around.

And their eyes were fixed on the two of them, as if by prior agreement.

Lee Soo-yeon and Eun Ha-min.

The chaebol third-gen YouTuber and the doctor YouTuber.

They were already celebrities with tons of fans, but even non-fans couldn't help staring.

And me...

I was pointing the camera right at them.

"Okay, cut. We'll stop here."

At my words, the two paused their cheerful gym intro.

Only after confirming did I turn off the recording and wipe the sweat beading on my forehead.

'It's pouring like rain.'

I looked up at the ceiling.

Cold air was blasting from the system AC, to the point white mist was visible.

'Even with ACs pumping out Freon gas that destroys the ozone layer, it's still hot...?'

Was the gym heat some kind of unquenchable fire that cold AC couldn't touch?

Well, paying top dollar at a fancy hotel to work out must generate some serious heat.

But the view through the viewfinder was so stimulating it made me forget the heat entirely.

Even I had to swallow hard every time I tried to film.

'Thought I'd built up some immunity by now...'

Eun Ha-min and Lee Soo-yeon.

Their light workout clothes were... getting more tempting the longer I looked.

No, drawing reactions.

"Whew, that was tough. Did it come out good, oppa?"

"It came out great. Wanna see?"

"Yeah, play it."

Eun Ha-min approached, breathing heavily.

Pastel-toned yoga bra top and leggings, top and bottom.

Her figure was on full, unabashed display.

Lee Soo-yeon next to her was no slouch either.

Black bra top and dark gray leggings.

'Should I ask for just one photo later...'

Sweat-soaked strands of hair clinging to her nape... anyone would find it sexy.

No, lethally attractive enough to make you turn back for another look.

And sure enough.

Glancing around, people weren't just peeking—they couldn't tear their eyes away.

I was no different, using angle checks as an excuse to indulge.

The video quality went without saying.

Two of them working out in 4K?

Pure view-count cheat code.

"Here, have some water."

I handed over two chilled bottles I'd prepared.

They twisted off the caps and chugged.

Even drinking water looked like a CF.

Could probably land some PPL deals later.

"Haa... feels alive again."

Eun Ha-min grabbed the hem of her bra top and flapped it.

Sweat trickled down between her cleavage.

"Ugh, so sticky. Covered in sweat."

"Go shower in the room."

"Can't we just head to the bathhouse like this?"

"Right now? No way."

I shook my head firmly.

If the pay gym was this packed, who knew what chaos a free bathhouse would bring.

"What? Why not?"

"You think the bathhouse is empty at this hour?"

"Hmm... chase everyone out?"

"Then you'd be the power-tripping chaebol heiress in the video."

"Tch. Fine, back to the room to wash up."

Eun Ha-min nodded, convinced.

She wasn't keen on risking her heir competition with dumb owner antics.

Then she leaned lightly against my arm.

Her damp, hot body heat touched me.

"Guess we'll go up and shower then, oppa."

"Yeah?"

"Working out wore me out so bad? Can't even lift a finger. Will puppy oppa wash me with his hands?"

Eun Ha-min dropped the bombshell with a mischievous eye smile.

We'd been filming in the corner, so no one overheard, but I hurriedly glanced around and cleared my throat.

"Ahem! Ha-min, watch your mouth. Eyes everywhere."

"So what? It's just us."

"Not just us, Ha-min."

Then Lee Soo-yeon, who'd been quietly sipping water, chimed in.

She looked down at Eun Ha-min with pitiful eyes.

"Acting all loose at your age, barely twenty. Can't you see Min-jae looking troubled?"

"Twenty's adult? You still see me as some middle-schooler scarfing tteokbokki and hot dogs at a snack bar?"

"Probably a twenty-year-old living on tteokbokki and hot dogs. Dream on. Min-jae's showering with me, so you're on your own."

...Neither was normal.

Lee Soo-yeon wrapped my other arm, flashing a provocative smile.

"Right, Min-jae? Scrub my back? Can't quite reach."

This could turn into a real mess.

Washing them was one thing, but who knew what came after.

"Ladies, first off? Cut it out... If spa sightings hit the net from here, can you handle it?"

"Tch. No choice."

"Sightings would be awkward. Ads aren't even up yet."

Well, folks here probably wouldn't post sightings anyway.

They valued their own privacy enough not to spill others'.

The two smacked their lips and pulled away together.

I half-pushed their backs to hustle out of the gym.

Back at the hotel room, they beelined for the bathrooms.

Luckily, ambassador suite with two baths.

Shower sounds started, and only then did tension ease.

I sank into the living room sofa.

Plush leather cradled my back.

'Nap a bit...? No, no.'

Work, Kim Min-jae.

YouTube thrived on striking while the iron's hot—build the dam before the water rose.

Pulled my smartphone, fired up the AI app familiarly.

Had an idea watching them sweat at the gym.

"AI app. Make a video. Theme: The scientific reason cold showers after workouts ruin muscle growth."

I smirked watching the finished video.

"Whoa... this guy's insane."

Content was wild.

Mitochondrial heat sensitivity?

Irreversible delay?

Total nonsense, but weirdly convincing.

Mix in tough words, and people think [Oh, sounds expert] and buy it.

"This one's pretty plausible. Good job."

I patted the screen like petting its head.

Text popped up.

"..."

This jerk?

Praise?

Not an insult, right?

'Sometimes I swear this thing has a soul.'

I knew the truth, anyway.

That post-workout cold shower bliss.

Cooling overheated muscles contracts blood vessels, reduces swelling and inflammation.

Above all, that refreshing zing was addictive as drugs.

But for views, truth took a backseat.

In a false world, hiding truth and spouting lies.

That was me.

Uploaded the vid straight to the channel.

Thumbnail: buff guy despairing under cold water.

Title: [Shocking! Cold Showers Are Melting Your Muscles!]

Hit upload, and comments flooded in.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"Min-jae, what're you watching?"

"Our puppy oppa. Not watching porn, right? Backed up?"

A fresh scent wafted from behind.

Lee Soo-yeon and Eun Ha-min emerged from the baths, sitting on either side.

Both in just white hotel bathrobes.

Toweling damp hair as they spoke.

I swallowed dryly without thinking.

"Ooh? Oppa swallowed."

Eun Ha-min poked my cheek with her index finger, playful.

"Reaction coming? Huh?"

"N-no."

"Liar. Ears red?"

Lee Soo-yeon poked the other cheek.

Her moist fingertip felt vividly soft.

"Be honest, Min-jae. Our workout outfits... got a reaction, right?"

"N-no, I said!"

I burrowed deeper into the sofa, shaking my head.

Had to play cool, keep it business.

"S-so, infinity pool shoot? Now?"

"Nah, sun's blazing. Backlight ruins it."

Eun Ha-min shook her head, resting her head on my shoulder.

Shampoo tickled my nose.

"Sunset with lights on. That's prime vibe."

"Then what till evening? Nothing to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠do..."

Lee Soo-yeon shrugged at my question.

No plans apparent.

"Oh! Right. Got something to show."

Eun Ha-min bolted up like she'd remembered.

Robe flapped, flashing thigh, but she ignored it, grabbing the tablet PC.

Plopped back beside me, shoving the screen.

"Check this, oppa."

Company intro doc.

Top bold: [Seha Co., Ltd. (SEHA)]

"Ah, our corp."

"Yup. Means 'the world's great flow.' Cool, right?"

"Ooh... grand name."

"Not just the name."

Eun Ha-min swiped.

M&A progress graphs.

4 acquisitions complete.

3 game studios, 1 MCN.

One game studio...

[Eclipse Studio - 67% Stake Acquired]

"Ooh..."

"The game company where puppy oppa sang. I ate it up."

Eun Ha-min beamed, throwing a V-sign.

Wanted to kiss her cheek, but Soo-yeon was there, so held back.

"News dropping soon. Ha-min's new Seha Corp acquired Eclipse."

"Ooh... chaebol indeed..."

Admiration slipped out.

Beyond enjoying, wielding direct dev influence.

Ultimate fan status?

"What're you two on? Corp?"

Feeling left out, Lee Soo-yeon peered, head tilted.

"Didn't see oppa's game, unnie?"

"Saw it, but... not into games. Why pivot to starting a company?"

"Long story."

Stuck on Hanbit Soft grab.

We tag-teamed the explanation.

"No biggie for you. Games just sell themselves."

"Hmm... so Min-jae won't get too busy to meet me?"

"Yup."

She giggled at my reply.

Extra sultry today.

Oh, naked underneath?

Just robes.

"Sounds good then."

Lee Soo-yeon pondered, then eyed Eun Ha-min decisively.

"Hey, Ha-min."

"Yeah?"

"That MCN contract you mentioned."

"Yeah?"

"Sign me up. Wanna contract with your company."

Silence fell.

Eun Ha-min's eyes widened.

"Unnie... no agency?"

"Nope. Channel grew too grassroots."

"Ah... yeah. 'Million club' now."

"Bragging at 7 mil?"

"Bragging, yeah?"

"Tch... anyway, need MCN. Perfect timing."

Lee Soo-yeon hugged my arm tight.

Eun Ha-min's face soured instantly.

Lips pouted duck-like.

Interrupted Eun Ha-min's pout vs. smug Lee Soo-yeon's smile.

Caught between, I felt odd tension, eyes fixed on the tablet.