Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: 10 Billion Won (2)
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The two people who found out first that I'd earned 10 billion won—and who were the happiest about it—were...
One was my loyal secretary, Si-hyeon, and the other...
The Nanny.
"Oh my goodness. You earned that much money? Y-You're not being scammed or anything, are you?"
"N-Nanny, you worry too much. You know I'm smart, right?"
"E-Even so... How on earth did you make that kind of money..."
The Nanny fussed over me, worrying for every possible reason... She was such a simple, small-town soul.
Or honestly, putting aside her kindness, she was below average in pretty much everything else. That was probably why she'd ended up as my nanny.
I'd heard she hadn't even gone to high school, let alone college.
She'd barely graduated middle school in the countryside, helped her parents with work, then gone through some tragic event before coming to take care of me. I had no idea whose connections had brought such a pure-hearted person into our home.
...Well, our nanny did have really good milk production. It was so embarrassing when I was little. I ended up getting way too used to it later, though...
"I talked to Grandpa, and we're getting you your own place too. We'll be moving there soon, so get ready."
I beamed and stroked her cheek. The Nanny, not even thirty yet, had a stubborn resilience etched into every part of her body from all her hardships.
That was the one thing about her I hated most. Everything of mine had to be beautiful, pretty, and in perfect condition.
Of course, I couldn't just remake her like some object, and since I'd grown so attached, ever since I could voice my opinions at home, I'd done everything to accommodate her.
"A-A house...? Wow..."
The idea of an eight-year-old getting her own place must've been shocking, because the Nanny gaped in awe. Her straightforward reactions suited me perfectly, coming from such a pure person.
"Hehe, I'm making my own house. I want to decorate it to my tastes, even if it costs more. A room full of game consoles, a living room with mirrors everywhere, a study with a secret room that opens at the push of a button..."
Secret rooms especially—I couldn't resist. It might be childish, but so what.
I'm a kid right now, so no one will think it's weird.
"Pfft."
The Nanny couldn't hold back her laughter and covered her mouth, giggling softly. I pouted and grumbled.
"What? That's what money's for."
In my past life, I'd made money like crazy without any hobbies, only to lose it all and then discover them. And I realized something.
Hobbies cost way more than you think.
Damn, I never expected the FBI to be that thorough. If I'd known, I'd have stashed it all in Swiss banks under fake accounts ages ago...
"No, no. It's just... this is why I can't stop worrying about you, miss. Remember? I breastfed you until you were four..."
"Hey! We agreed not to talk about that...!"
My face turned beet red. That was playing dirty!
Back then, Yoo Jin-cheol was in full playboy mode, abusing me and all. With a dad who didn't know the first thing about parenting, I felt like I was gonna die, so I clung to the Nanny desperately.
I mean, who doesn't even know when kids start walking?
The Nanny was on the verge of getting kicked out too, so I barely ate solid food to prove how essential she was.
It absolutely wasn't because I had some creepy fetish for big-breasted women. Even if I did, that was separate—this was a necessity.
For real.
Probably...
"Thank you, miss. You've been through so much because of a worthless person like me... To think you'd grow up this wonderfully..."
Ow. My conscience stung.
Watching her wipe away tears, I felt a sharp pang of guilt. Hadn't I sold my conscience off with tens of billions in my past life...?
Ugh.
Good thing it got refilled. I can sell it again later.
"No, no. I only survived thanks to you, Nanny. I'm always grateful."
I barely managed a smile, kissed her cheek, and skipped out of the room.
Pure, kind people are hard to deal with. Seriously.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After holding a funeral pre-notice for my resurrected conscience, I dashed to the secretary's office.
"Si-hyeon!!"
I bounced around looking for my loyal subordinate number one. If the Nanny was the most precious person since my reincarnation, Si-hyeon was the most comfortable.
I owed the Nanny a debt, but with my secretary, I'd only given favors.
"Yes, miss. I'm right here."
Her pretty face, lightly made up, curved into a small smile as she scooped me up.
"Ooh, makeup these days? I thought you didn't care since you're such a workout freak..."
Not that she'd have time with a boyfriend, since I drag her around all day...
"Ah, it's a hassle, but... it's polite for important meetings. I just came back from seeing the Secretary General."
Hmm, maybe he called her for something uncertain. I get the implication...
Should I tease her a bit?
"Aha, so Si-hyeon doesn't think I'm important. Sigh, I'm disappointed. I mean, I figured it might be that way, but hearing it outright hurts."
"W-What are you saying, miss!"
Lee Si-hyeon flushed bright red and waved her hands frantically, just as I'd expected.
"Yeah, yeah, I know. I know the excuse. No need to be polite with me since we're close, right?"
"Y-Yes, exactly..."
"Sigh. Being polite to a brat is exhausting—that's what you mean."
Si-hyeon was breathing hard now, trembling like she might collapse.
"Huh? Not reacting anymore?"
"Why are you doing this to me, miss..."
My secretary slumped like a deflated balloon. I patted her back and cleared my throat.
"Ahem. I have a favor to ask..."
There was something I'd always wanted to do if I made big money. No close person to accept it before, no power to hush the noise...
But now, maybe?
"C-Could I try slapping you with money just once...?"
"Pardon?"
"You know, like in the movies."
"W-Well... Go ahead."
Lee Si-hyeon looked at me with utter pity.
Hmm. Normally it'd be 'strangely' pitiful, but this was straight-up pathetic.
She sighed softly and offered her cheek. I grabbed a fresh stack of 10,000-won bills from the Bank of Korea and swung lightly.
-Slap.
Si-hyeon's head turned dramatically, her ponytail whipping like in a movie. Her exposed neckline was alluring.
'Ooh, one bucket list item checked off.'
Slapping with crisp bills... there was something thrilling and wickedly taboo about it.
Consuming the pinnacle of modern civilization in the most primitive way.
K-drama excellence...!
Hmm, but something's missing...
Ah, the line.
'Is this really okay...?'
A bit embarrassed, I mumbled, then spat the famous line and swung again.
"T-Take this and get lost...!"
-Slap.
Ahh, yeah.
.
.
.
Rustle rustle rustle.
Tilt tilt.
"Si-hyeon, you're not mad, right...?"
"...This is mine now, yeah?"
"...Probably?"
Historically accurate, sure.
"Then it's fine. Oh, and that was twice, so double it."
"..."
"No?"
I just gave it to her.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 10 billion won is a huge sum.
Enormous.
So honestly, excluding the house, spending on my personal tastes didn't make a dent.
I did spend a lot. Importing that Super Mario from Japan cost a fortune in smuggling fees. Bought an extra car as backup, and gave generous bonuses to the Daeha Securities employee who's gonna be my future subordinate.
Still, not a scratch on 10 billion.
'Tch. No wonder it doesn't feel satisfying...'
A week later, September 30th.
I lounged as usual, sucking on chocolate and flipping through the morning paper. Time to start coffee soon...
If only I were a bit older.
[264m Skyscraper 63 Building Opens... Korea's Tallest Building, World's Tallest Outside North America. Taller Than Namsan's Elevation.]
Hmm.
Cost about 100 billion to build? I'm still far off.
Buy it at a steal during the IMF fire sale.
Save pocket money for the important stuff.
'Maybe invest a bit more.'
I stood, grinned, and started rolling future knowledge around in my head.