Chapter 8
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Intensive Interview
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Lee Soo-yeon stroked my head.
It felt strange.
I was older than her, but it was like she was treating me like a little brother.
No, it wasn't just a feeling—it was basically a fact.
Normally, a guy would feel his pride bruised in a situation like this...
But I quietly accepted her touch.
This was the scary thing about financial therapy.
In a capitalist society, doesn't the one with the money become the big brother or sister?
So what if she patted my head a little?
The fact that I wasn't wagging my tail like a puppy was me holding onto my last shred of dignity.
If Lee Soo-yeon told me to call her "noona," I'd shout it out right then and there.
After all, the one getting pampered is always the most comfortable, body and soul.
"Here you go, the car keys."
"Oh..."
Once I signed the contract, Lee Soo-yeon placed the smart key in my hand.
The cool, hefty grip pressing into my palm.
This was the moment my first car entered my life.
My heart pounded.
Why am I shaking over something like this?
As I mentioned before, it was a 2017 Hyundai Elantra AD.
Thanks to the previous owner taking such good care of it, the exterior and interior were practically like new.
Sitting in the seat, the plush cushion enveloped my butt.
I'd sat in it earlier, but now that it was mine, it felt even softer.
I gripped the steering wheel.
The leather wrapping perfectly around my hands wasn't bad at all.
They'd even left the Android Auto display, Hi-Pass terminal, and a latest-model black box with 512GB memory intact.
"The boss said they'd replace all the consumables. Engine oil, transmission oil, coolant, brake oil... and what else was it?"
"Spark plugs, key kit, and outer belt set, ma'am."
"Right, right, those too. The tires still have plenty of tread left, but they'll swap front and back once for you. Right?"
"Of course, no question about it."
The dealer nodded repeatedly beside her, flashing an obsequiously friendly smile.
"Since you're the wife, I'll pour my soul into the maintenance. We'll even do a full underbody coating as a free service."
"Isn't that spray like ten thousand won a can?"
"Wow, as expected from the boss lady!"
For a used car that cost just 10.5 million won, the services felt excessive.
She must have given the dealer some hint beforehand, or maybe Lee Soo-yeon herself just naturally commanded VIP treatment.
Money really was the best.
I felt the truth that the world runs on money deep in my bones once again.
"We'll finish the inspection and have it delivered to your home."
"Delivery..."
I wanted to drive it home myself.
But maybe not yet.
"Alright, let's go, Min-jae."
Lee Soo-yeon grabbed my arm and pulled me along.
We left the inspection to the pros and headed out.
Now that I looked, her face seemed pretty excited.
Her eyes sparkled like a mischievous kid plotting fun.
Is buying me a car that entertaining?
I'd heard rich people treat spending on their partners like a hobby.
Lee Soo-yeon fit the bill perfectly.
*
We arrived at a quiet café near the used car lot.
Being a weekday afternoon, we were the only customers.
We took a seat by the window and ordered two iced Americanos.
The cool AC air hit me as I took a sip of coffee, and finally, I felt alive again.
Lee Soo-yeon stuck her straw in her mouth, grinned playfully, and got to the point.
"Min-jae, I want to post an interview video on my channel."
"An interview? With me?"
"Yeah. An interview with the owner of 'The Truth of the World' channel."
It was a bit sudden.
But since we were both in this to make the most of each other, no reason to refuse.
Lee Soo-yeon rested her chin on the table and continued.
"Nothing fancy. Just asking why you started this channel and a few things subscribers would be curious about."
"Not prying into my personal details, right?"
"Of course not. We'll mosaic your face and distort your voice properly, so don't worry. Our subscribers are dying to know who you are."
"Hmm..."
"Your channel's subscribers are probably curious too, right? The comments are full of questions about what you do."
I pretended to mull it over, rubbing my chin, but honestly, there wasn't even a speck of reason to say no.
How could I argue with my benefactor who dropped 10 million won cash on a car?
Plus, it'd promote my channel too—no downside for me.
Hell, thank you very much.
"Sure. Let's do it. I've already gotten my appearance fee upfront anyway."
"That's my manly Min-jae. Let's film right now then."
"Huh? Right now?"
Here?
It was quiet, but the café was still open for business.
Lee Soo-yeon rummaged in her bag, stood up, and headed to the counter.
She handed something to the owner standing at the entrance.
An envelope?
Wonder what's inside.
The café owner's face softened considerably after taking the envelope, and he flipped the open sign to closed—looked like he approved.
Lee Soo-yeon came back, pulling out a compact vlog camera and mini tripod from her bag.
Thoroughly prepared.
Setup was done in seconds.
She aimed the lens at me and gave the cue sign.
The red recording light came on.
"Hey, subscribers! It's Lee Soo-yeon, your one and only doctor from Dr. Lee Soo-yeon."
The recording started with her familiar opener.
I straightened my posture and looked toward the lens.
"Today, whether it's special or regular... anyway, I have a special guest. The one heating up—no, shaking up—the YouTube scene lately? The owner of 'The Truth of the World' channel!"
Lee Soo-yeon clapped enthusiastically to hype it up.
I awkwardly clapped along.
"Nice to meet you. I'm the disruptive species shaking up Korea's YouTube ecosystem, The Truth of the World."
"This is your second time on our channel. Oh, please excuse the mosaic and voice modulation in editing before upload!"
Lee Soo-yeon bowed to the camera.
I bowed too.
"Alright, straight to the first question."
"Go ahead. Ask away."
"First question! Why do you post these... honestly, kinda weird and bizarre videos? Flat Earth, pigeons as CCTV... Are you in your right mind making these?"
Straight fastball from the start.
I calmly delivered my prepped, intellectual-sounding answer.
"In this era flooded with misinformation... I wanted to be an intentional 'anti-thesis' spouting nonsense."
"Anti-thesis? But your haters seem to be multiplying."
"Hmm. Maybe I wanted to paradoxically express the truth hidden in lies. Crack the common sense people take for granted and slip the real truth through the gaps."
I had no idea what I was even saying.
It was pure bullshit.
I could see Lee Soo-yeon biting her lip to stifle a 'pfft' laugh, her shoulders trembling slightly.
Funny? I'm serious here.
No matter how rich she was, I couldn't forgive that.
Lee Soo-yeon cleared her throat loudly and switched to a serious face for the next question.
"Yes... so profound and philosophical. My apologies for not realizing."
"Glad you get it now."
"Next question. Comments say your voice tone and word choice in videos aren't ordinary."
"Yeah."
"Are you maybe a professor or researcher? Or ex-intelligence agency?"
Of course not.
I was a logistics worker grinding game items for rice money.
But I couldn't say that.
I gazed pensively out the window, then stared straight at the camera.
"The moment my major and identity are revealed, I'll become a target for the entrenched academics."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"There are too many powers that see me as a thorn in their side. My channel could vanish overnight, and I could be buried from society without a trace."
"Aha..."
"I just want to remain an independent scholar, quietly pursuing truth in the shadows."
I nodded solemnly at Lee Soo-yeon.
But she...
"Oh, sorry. I can't hold it. I'll edit this part out nicely. But what kind of concept is that?"
Lee Soo-yeon burst out laughing.
She slammed the table, shaking the camera wildly up and down.
She swallowed her giggles, wiped tears from her eyes with a tissue, and tossed the next question.
"Ahem, got it. Really sorry. I'll be serious now."
"Looking forward to it."
"Third question. Your channel's views are growing the fastest in Korean YouTube right now, right?"
"All thanks to you viewers and subscribers."
"Yes, yes. One thing they're curious about is revenue. You nailed the Shorts algorithm—making good money, huh? Be honest."
Revenue...
This was a sensitive topic.
"Money is just a means to pursue truth, not the goal. Anyway, yesterday's earnings were 150,000 won."
"150,000 won?"
"Impressive, right?"
To me, it was a huge brag.
150,000 won a day was 4.5 million a month.
Not every day, sure, but seeing the potential was key.
But Lee Soo-yeon's reaction was lukewarm.
"Eh... what? For that view count, aren't you under-earning?"
"Huh?"
"I thought you were pulling millions a day."
She gave a bored smile.
150,000 won was small to her?
Rich kid.
On impulse, I reached under the table and smacked her thigh.
"Ow! Why'd you hit me!"
"You think 150,000 won grows on trees?"
"True. That should cover your car tax."
Then, suddenly, I snapped back to reality.
No matter how close we were, smacking her precious thigh—a woman's thigh, no less.
But Lee Soo-yeon didn't seem offended.
Instead, she wore a strange smile, rubbing the spot my hand had touched.
She cleared her throat and moved on smoothly.