Chapter 7

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Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 7

Chapter Title: Do You Know How Much My Monthly Rent Is?

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"Ahem... I never imagined in a million years that you would've watched that video too, Team Leader."

The Team Leader fiddled with her beer can, avoiding my gaze.

It was definitely an awkward situation for both of us.

On my channel, Science of the World, there was a video explaining why they smack your butt before giving you a shot in the rear.

And on Dr. Lee Soo-yeon's channel, there was a video of her dragging the channel owner to the hospital and administering the shot herself.

"No, it just popped up in my algorithm feed, so I watched it. But did you really go and get the shot? In the butt?"

"...Muscle shots are usually in the butt, right? It hurt, that's why."

I'd been feeling pretty under the weather with a cold at the time.

There was no need to hide the fact that she'd taken me to the hospital for treatment.

"Hmm, fair enough. You're a doctor, after all."

The Team Leader crossed her arms and nodded, reasoning that it wasn't weird since a doctor had done it.

But her expression was still subtly off.

I knew exactly why.

Her fondness for me wasn't just the simple camaraderie between colleagues.

Her lips were pursed in a pout—she clearly wasn't thrilled.

I wasn't clueless enough to ask why she was acting like that in a situation like this.

Better to change the subject.

"Anyway, Team Leader. Got any good ideas by chance? I'm running low on material these days."

"Ideas?"

The Team Leader's sullen expression melted away in an instant.

To flip 180 degrees on a single question from me...

Her idea turning into a video on my channel?

On a channel that's blowing up right now, no less?

Of course she'd be excited.

She rested her chin on her hand, hemming and hawing for a good while before her eyes lit up and she spoke.

"How about this? [Why Zero-Calorie Drinks Make You Gain Weight]."

"Whoa. Your clickbait skills are no joke, Team Leader. But how would that even pull in views?"

Zero-calorie means literally converging on 0 calories, so it can't make you gain weight.

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There are studies showing artificial sweeteners stimulate hormones and boost appetite, sure, but the drink itself doesn't add fat—that's a fact.

In that context, what came out of the Team Leader's mouth was pure nonsense I never could've imagined.

"No, listen closely. When you drink a zero-calorie drink, your tongue tastes sweetness, right?"

"Yeah. It's a bit different from real sugar, but still."

"So your body thinks sugar's coming in and gets all excited."

"Huh?"

What was this about?

"But what actually comes in is basically calorie-free water. How confused do you think your body gets?"

"Confused...?"

"Yeah. That sense of betrayal. Your body turns that betrayal into a thirst for revenge."

"What!?"

"If we turn this into channel-style bullshit... how about calling it the [Human Body Revenge Mechanism]?"

Human Body Revenge Mechanism?

First time I'd ever heard the term in my life.

"So the body, burning with vengeance, absorbs twice the calories from the next food it gets. What do you think? Sounds plausible, right?"

The premise of the body getting confused over zero calories was already hilarious, but absorbing calories at double rate out of revenge?

It was utterly ridiculous.

The Team Leader cracked up at her own idea, slamming the table and laughing hysterically.

"Ahaha! It's totally absurd. But it's perfect for your channel, isn't it?"

"This is gonna blow up."

I wasn't just saying it—I was genuinely impressed.

With that kind of creativity, she could start her own YouTube channel right now.

What should I do?

Make her my PD?

"I'll make it when I get home and upload it later."

"Really? Oh, can I watch you make it from the side?"

The Team Leader leaned toward me, resting against me.

Her soft, ample chest brushed against me.

Our Team Leader...

Was she a bit tipsy?

She'd never act like this normally, but today she was especially close.

And amid it all, her sweet feminine scent hit me, turning my face red without realizing.

How long had it been since I'd been this close to a woman?

"Huh? Min-jae, your face is red."

"I-it's the alcohol."

"You're so cute, Min-jae."

The Team Leader poked my cheek with her index finger.

What was up with her today?

This was dangerous.

If we kept this up, something might actually happen.

Who knew what a 28-year-old lifelong single like me might do.

In the end, an hour later, I put the pretty drunk Team Leader in a taxi and sent her home safely.

Watching her wave from the taxi window, I felt like we'd grown a bit closer today.

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Every refresh brought a flood of curses and hate in real time.

Does it hurt my heart?

Not at all.

If anything, my lips kept curling up uncontrollably.

"Good, perfect. Bark louder."

Feeling glee from the abuse—yeah, even I think that's a bit pervy.

But what can you do?

Every single curse looks like money to me now.

Whether they come to curse or fight, views go up either way.

Ah, it's really making money now.

I hope they fight more.

The day after enjoying the promotion party at work—Saturday.

I was meeting Lee Soo-yeon.

We'd probably see each other almost every weekend from now on.

We both had a lot to gain from each other, surprisingly.

Her channel, Dr. Lee Soo-yeon, had broken 100,000 subscribers in just two weeks since launch.

Her sub growth was steeper than mine, a Shorts YouTuber.

Maybe that's why she was more proactive than me.

She'd declared she'd drop everything and come if I called.

Every time I dropped absurd medical BS videos, her fact-check rebuttals were setting Korea ablaze.

Win-win, total win-win.

Not bad for me either.

When else would I get weekly dates with a beauty like that doctor?

And hanging out more, it felt like she'd eventually okay all sorts of things.

Whatever those things are—still a secret.

Stepping out front, I spotted the familiar red sports car.

The driver's window rolled down, and sunglass-wearing Lee Soo-yeon waved.

"Min-jae! Over here!"

I casually opened the passenger door and got in.

This car was starting to feel familiar now.

"Where we headed today? You haven't said yet."

"Oh, right. Let's go. Head to a used car lot first."

"Used car lot?"

Lee Soo-yeon widened her eyes in surprise.

I buckled my seatbelt and replied.

"Gonna pick up a car. It's inconvenient without one."

Today's goal: snag my first ride.

Not that I had money for anything fancy.

YouTube Shorts revenue wasn't huge yet, and payout was still ways off.

Spark, Ray, Casper.

One of those light cars would do fine.

Honestly, asking her for rides every time we met was getting embarrassing.

"Doesn't bother me? Any other guy maybe, but a man like you? Always welcome."

Appreciate it, but a man's gotta have his pride.

Can't ride shotgun forever.

"Anyway, I know a good spot. There's a decent used car complex in Gangnam too."

Lee Soo-yeon turned the wheel, claiming she knew a place.

A used car lot smack in central Gangnam? Felt pricey, but I went along.

The nav led to a massive building.

I'd imagined outdoor lots crammed with cars, but this was like an indoor parking garage.

I hesitantly headed to the light car section I'd scoped out.

A cute Ray caught my eye.

Good for hauling stuff too—just right.

Working logistics, maybe that's why?

I was drawn to ones with max cargo space.

"Min-jae, no way you're looking at light cars?"

Lee Soo-yeon stood beside me, frowning.

"Yeah. Cheap to maintain, tons of perks. Perfect for me."

"Nah, come on. Light cars get no respect on the road. Double expense."

"Well, true, but..."

"Just let me buy you one."

I doubted my ears.

What did she say she'd buy?

"Huh? No, buy me a car?"

"Yeah. The ones you're eyeing aren't pricey anyway. Figured around 10 mil max, right?"

Spot on.

Without waiting for my reply, Lee Soo-yeon waved at the dealers rushing over from afar.

"Over here! Show us some sedans in the 10 mil range!"

A luxury sports car rolling in had the staff on fire, naturally.

Four in total.

They shoved business cards at us, bowing 90 degrees.

"Ma'am! We'll take care of you!"

"How'd you know we got S-grade stock!"

They'd pegged Lee Soo-yeon as the big spender.

And for some reason, she was "ma'am."

In the end, from the four dealers' competitive pitches, we picked the best-conditioned one.

2017 Avante AD.

White, no accidents, reasonable mileage.

Price: exactly 10.5 million won.

"We'll take this."

Her word, and the deal flew through smoothly.

She coolly transferred via phone banking on the spot.

I dazedly took the contract.

Was it really okay to accept this?

"Um... Soo-yeon? You sure I can take this? It's a huge amount..."

"Pfft."

Lee Soo-yeon burst out laughing, unable to hold it.

"Min-jae, you're seriously so cute."

"Ahem..."

"You know how much money you've made me, right?"

"Uh..."

She'd only applied for monetization too, hadn't she?

Or was it the value of a 100k sub account?

"And do you know how much my clinic's monthly rent is?"

"No clue."

"Just rent—pure cash to the landlord—is 30 million won."

Th... thirty million?

My jaw dropped.

Money I'd have to slave 8+ months for...

Was just one month's rent for her.

"Mere 10 mil? No biggie for me, so don't stress. Just say thanks and hop in. Got it?"

"Th-thank you."

"Our Min-jae is just too cute. Moments like this make me forget you're younger."

Lee Soo-yeon ruffled my hair.