Chapter 35
Chapter 35
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: Good Deeds (1)
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The moment I decided to live a good life, something way too big came crashing down on me.
"…Let's not go there. Just stick to our usual spots."
All the sudden energy to argue had drained out of me, so I said it quietly. The nanny's puzzled gaze fixed on me.
"Oh my, why not?"
"The air in the new building feels off. The smell's weird too."
I threw out the excuse of new-building syndrome to stop the nanny and Si-hyeon from heading to Sampoong Department Store. I knew it wouldn't collapse for another five years or so…
But how could I let them go? Sampoong was the kind of place where, thanks to the butterfly effect of history, even if it crumbled tomorrow, I'd just shrug it off. Sending my nanny there, of all people? No way.
'I don't plan to actively stop it…'
To be honest, running around trying to prevent accidents all over the world didn't suit my temperament at all—far from it.
Let's lay it out plain: what I do for a living is basically exploiting people to make money. Sure, maybe pushing a stock down a few more percent saves one life but costs another. Do I even have any conscience left?
The higher you climb, the harder it is to keep innocent blood off your hands. Of course, being human, it's not exactly pleasant…
Wouldn't it be great if we all just ate well and lived well? I'm no demon; I don't enjoy seeing people suffer.
Then why make money so ruthlessly?
Because, obviously.
I want power bad enough to stomach it.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ In the end, I went to the luxury boutique in Myeongdong and bought some clothes. Underwear too… and even skirts and dresses I never usually wear.
Being a chaebol heir means I sometimes need to dress the part formally. Suits are best, honestly… but with family watching, I had no choice.
I gazed silently at the nanny making a huge fuss over how pretty I looked, deep in thought.
'Should I stop it?'
Unlike 9/11, this was something I could actually prevent. If I was willing to take the hit…
Unlike money, human resources are tough to recover once they're irreversibly lost. I remembered Kim Hae-ik's wife and two kids—the former Senior Presidential Secretary for Economic Affairs, now retired after the regime change—dying in the Sampoong collapse.
Sure, I could handle that with a private heads-up… but by the time Sampoong or Seongsu Bridge goes down, way too many people connected to me in Korea will be at risk.
As for people not connected to me…? Honestly, not my problem.
Just because I know a bit of the future doesn't mean I own it. Otherwise, who'd be responsible?
Even without regressing, those involved must've seen the risks. If you're saying people had no clue it'd collapse…? That's not true.
'Ugh, you conscienceless construction crooks. Build it sturdy for once. Don't gamble with lives—scam the money fair and square.'
Why am I even wrestling with this? Is it my fault? No, it's theirs.
Ugh.
But living in Seoul, it's unavoidable. Leaving it be risks hurting or killing people close to me.
They say in the global village, everyone knows everyone within five handshakes. Especially Sampoong—Korea's top department store right now, conveniently in Seocho, so tons of my contacts shop there.
-Whew. I'm a cool-headed chaebol third-gen beauty. People's deaths? Not my circus. Plus, Sampoong killed a lot but ultimately led to better disaster response systems and crackdowns on shoddy construction. Blocking it might cause bigger accidents later.
Imagine suddenly hearing Si-hyeon's little sister died in the collapse, then trembling with guilt and spiraling into some tragic tale… Not my style.
I don't want to see Si-hyeon staring at me with dead eyes or her head hung low in despair.
Well, okay, maybe I kinda do—but getting a Si-hyeon side story means the original vanishes. Reality's always a hardcore bad-end game. Remember that.
"Miss! What're you thinking so hard about? Come on, try this one too."
The nanny shook my shoulder. She had a few more cute outfits draped over her arm.
"…Just thinking about doing some good deeds."
Si-hyeon widened her eyes beside me, her face saying what the hell did this kid eat?
"Finally laying hands on the nanny too? Boo, you deviant."
Nope, just the look you give ordinary trash.
"…Si-hyeon, what the hell do you think I am?"
"Someone who calls stuffing cash in secretaries' cleavage 'good deeds'?"
The nanny sighed at that, pinching and stretching my cheeks. It hurt.
"Sigh, Miss! You're at it again. You've only learned the bad stuff from your dad."
I wish she wouldn't say that. Makes it impossible for me to argue.
"…Sorry."
I owed the nanny so, so much, so I apologized meekly. She looked at me with worried eyes.
"Miss, I don't care about anything else—just grow up kind and healthy, okay?"
"That's…"
I hesitated.
Sorry, Nanny. Growing up kind seems to have gone off the rails already.
But hey, I've got an absurdly healthy body, so that should count for something, right?
"…Sorry. I should've taken better care of you."
Si-hyeon joked an apology. I pouted and lightly smacked her shoulder.
"Why're you apologizing?"
"No, just… Hmm, it hits me now how bad I've been at this nanny gig."
I spent some time bantering with them like that. It was actually fun.
"Oh, what cosmetics do you use these days? You take such good care of yourself, Miss… makes skincare tough."
"Haha, yeah, the miss is like that. Treats people around her like gold, even if it doesn't show. She's got a soft heart, our miss."
"…Really? Come to think of it, for a secretary, I feel pretty well-treated…"
Si-hyeon looked at me with newfound emotion.
…Getting treated like a good person makes my stomach churn.
It was just because my body didn't need much care, but I didn't bother correcting the misunderstanding. Easier if they think that way.
"Hmm, Si-hyeon. That department store we checked out was pretty good. Let's go there from now on."
I said it casually, like it was no big deal.
"Eh, next time let's at least try Sampoong. It's close to home, right? In a year or two, the new-building smell should be gone…"
"…"
Ha, Si-hyeon. You're killing me here.
Do I have to do this good deed that doesn't even fit my vibe, just for you?
-'Miss, I don't care about anything else—just grow up kind and healthy, okay?'
The nanny's words from earlier suddenly popped into my head.
…Damn. Why'd she have to say that today of all days?
Ha, fine. Let's give it a shot.
Good deeds.
"Nanny, you had fun today, right? Nice outing?"
She beamed and nodded.
"Of course! Going to the department store with you after so long… and dressing you up in pretty clothes."
When Sampoong collapsed… even rich folks died in droves. Makes sense—department store shoppers are mostly well-off.
But no one from Ilsun Group affiliates died. They only used Ilsun Department Store in Myeongdong, set up by the group.
"Ever thought about owning a department store if I bought one?"
The nanny's eyes trembled.
"…Pardon?"
It was the only way to save my inner circle without drawing too much attention.
Build and run a whole new department store.
'Perfect timing. I was planning retail anyway.'
I'd time-slipped but was shocked at how few convenience stores there were. I felt a mission to popularize 'convenience stores' and 'part-time jobs' fast.
Oh, FYI, part-time jobs blew up because of the IMF. Just so you know.
"No, when we were there, didn't the staff seem kinda snooty?"
"Not at all."
Si-hyeon said it like it was ridiculous.
"Sigh, Si-hyeon. No urge to round up all the staff and throw your weight around? Or does it make sense for us to trek around on sore feet?"
"…"
If I'm doing a good deed, I can indulge a petty power-trip too. Not like with other stores—with mine, that level of flexing is fine.
I'm not slapping faces or anything; I'll pay them well.
"Gotta buy a department store, even a small one. My sizes won't be in stock at most places later anyway…"
"So the conclusion is… you're making a department store?"
"Yep. Like how I bought that game company. You, the nanny—anyone close gets discount coupons galore."
Some might ignore me and shop elsewhere. Fine—they weren't worth saving anyway.
I only need to protect my circle.
"…Didn't you say you were doing good deeds?"
"It counts as good in my book."
Post-collapse, that store's profits tank anyway—it's a clear money-loser.
Yeah. That's plenty good.