Chapter 58
Chapter 58
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: International Marriage Hope Edition
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There was actually a reason for having Lily do YouTube activities and upload photos.
The fear of people.
I wanted to eliminate her fear of the strange looks people gave her.
People don't bother looking if they really hate something.
Of course, the subscribers were gathered through public broadcast trolling, but Lily done up pretty was truly beautiful.
Would people captivated by Lily's charm say bad things about her?
No. If they hate it or aren't interested, they don't look at all.
Comments praising Lily.
Familiarity with others' gazes.
People get happy from constant praise.
I wanted to heal Lily's childhood trauma with those happiness hormones.
And my thinking hit the mark exactly.
"Hehe, they say I'm pretty. Look at this."
We also made an Instagram account, and now Lily was a full-fledged influencer.
The followers were enormous.
It was consumed more in the US than Korea for now, but in the cosplay scene, Lily's cosplay had become famous for its mystique.
Probably because of Lily's unique looks that didn't need special makeup.
A ton of ad inquiries came in, but we rejected them all.
YouTube revenue alone was overflowing.
Major YouTuber, influencer, top-tier cosplayer.
That was Lily's new job.
Comparing to my main store income right now... I was at the level of needing pocket money.
'Ahh. Pocket money husband... not bad?'
The shutterman was the dream of all men, after all.
Of course, we made an account in Lily's name and diverted all revenue there, but I handled overall management.
"Hubby~"
"Yeah?"
"When does the busy stuff end?"
"Hm... seems like it'll take a while."
The 'Hansang' business had just started, so I was insanely busy.
"Hiiing~"
Lily looked sullen. Needed a solution.
"Sorry. But I'll try my best to spend time with Lily."
"Really? Hehe, great."
Almost a year since marriage, and she still adored me that much.
Didn't want to be apart.
Hmm... she might need friends to hang out with when I'm gone...
I started thinking a lot.
RD Law Firm.
Choi Ji-young's office.
Ji-su, who had consulted full of hope 6 months ago,
now faced the lawyer with a face distorted in anger and impatience.
"Lawyer! It's already been 6 months!"
Ji-su couldn't hold back and yelled.
"And the lawsuit still isn't done? Does that make sense?"
Choi Ji-young looked up from her documents.
The gentle smile from welcoming the client 6 months ago was gone from her face.
Just a cold, businesslike expression.
"Kim Ji-su. Sit down. Haven't I reported via email several times?"
"Reports? It's always just 'wait'! At first you said it was a sure win, it'd end quick!"
Choi Ji-young let out a deep sigh.
Honestly, she hadn't expected it to become this headache-inducing.
The opposing lawyer was tenacious and vicious.
"The opponents keep dragging out time. They demanded the entire Korean court judgment records, with court certification and perfect translations attached. Just preparing those took months. Recently, they challenged the California court's jurisdiction itself."
"What does that mean! Isn't that your job as lawyer?"
Ji-su yelled as if unable to comprehend.
"Don't just say there's no way! Do you know how much money I've sunk in already? Retainer, monthly fees! Just tell me when it'll end!"
To Ji-su's desperate shout, Choi Ji-young replied coldly.
"Kim Ji-su. To be frank, the main trial hasn't even started."
"......What?"
"So far it's just paperwork battles. Please wait a bit more."
"Wait? I've waited 6 months!"
"Waiting is fine, but..."
Choi Ji-young glanced at her computer monitor and said.
"The US firm's fees billed this month haven't been deposited. What's going on?"
"......!"
Ji-su was speechless for a moment.
"Th-that... I told Dad! It'll be deposited soon!"
"We can't proceed without fees deposited."
Choi Ji-young notified in an emotionless voice.
"Handle the deposit first."
Ji-su bit her lip.
The confident lawyer was gone, replaced by a cold clerk chasing money.
Unable to reply, she left the office.
Ji-su's face was deeply twisted as she exited the RD Law Firm building.
She walked with irritated heel clicks.
'Damn... over 40 million gone already! Pure 40 million won flown away!'
Irritation surged.
Why was she dragged around by the law firm like this?
A woman's world revolves around her.
In the past, many believed the sun and stars revolved around Earth.
This theory is called geocentrism.
Because from Earth, it looks that way.
With human eyes, the sun rises east in morning, sets west in evening.
To explain geocentrism, some proposed complex theories.
Forcing reality to fit.
A woman's view of the world is similar to geocentrism.
A woman tends to believe the world and people exist centered on 'herself'.
As a result, men and women fundamentally think differently.
Men pursue self-interest but prioritize honor, justification, social reputation more.
Women pursue self-interest but prioritize safety, emotions, mood more.
This is natural male-female instinct.
The delusion the world moves for me.
Same with the law firm situation.
Changed attitude unlike start, money keeps flowing out, no results.
If man, suspicious nature would have cut losses long ago.
But Ji-su dragged on due to complex reasons.
Female imagination.
Female competitiveness.
And finally, 'agreeableness'.
First at firm, Choi Ji-young said to Ji-su.
"I'm a woman too, so I know your feelings well."
"We women gotta help each other!"
With that, Ji-su felt deep 'agreeableness' toward her.
Trust formed that way.
Plus imagination of getting money.
And competitiveness to beat Kim Ji-hoon.
All combined, binding her.
Tendency to trust easily.
Women's ease in banding explains 'woman helps woman' saying.
Recent stat: 74% voice phishing victims 20-30s women.
Because that trait strongest.
Not that Ji-su stupid.
If stupid, would've gone media for self-destruct interview.
She's purely faithful to female instinct.
Falling for lawyer's sweet words, still running hope circuit.
Had to keep pouring money.
No different from voice phishing.
Habitually pulled out phone to call someone.
Boyfriend Min-jun.
But soon frowned and put phone back in bag.
Couldn't call now.
He luckily debuted as rookie actor, filming drama supporting role.
Her last lifeline.
Disturbing his work bad for her too.
Suddenly recalled pre-debut him begging to end, shoving money.
'Hmph. Made me like this, trying to live well alone? No way.'
Ji-su unknowingly smiled.
'Climb higher, baby. Higher you go, more it hurts falling.'
Felt irritation melt away.
More he succeeds, less he'll abandon her.
Min-jun her final insurance.
Maybe more important, certain than money from Ji-hoon.
'Living as actor's wife? Not bad.'
If Min-jun heard her thoughts now, might sob on spot.
Ji-su's mood lifted quick.
She started homeward steps light, even humming.
"Ugh, I must be hopeless!"
Ji-su's mom beat chest, frustrated.
"What if you really lose the trial? Divorce, spent nearly 200 million so far!"
Ji-su fiddled ear, retorted.
"No, did I expect this? Kim Ji-hoon ran without paying, his fault, why blame me?"
"What!?"
Mom shrieked in rage.
"If you hadn't cheated first! This wouldn't happen, you wench!"
"Argh, whatever! Whatever!"
Ji-su yelled heading to room.
"I'll win trial get money, or no way pay debts so far! So deposit lawyer fee quick!"
"Ugh... me really...!"
At first, Ji-su minded parents a bit.
Now, desperate.
And had sturdy insurance 'Min-jun'.
'Ah whatever, it'll work out.'
That psychology let her brazenly demand money.
Bang!
Ji-su slammed door shut.
In room, flopped on bed fiddling phone.
'Hm... Min-jun Kakao last 3 hours ago...'
Habitually opened SNS.
Kim Ji-hoon.
6 months ago rocked world, now much quieter.
No more Korea fuel from him, interest cooled fast. Good news for Ji-su.
Her face needed least exposure.
'Hehe. When Min-jun top star later, can't let past drag ankle?'
Such calculation, so Ji-su diligently part-timing.
Needed 'lived hard' traces.
And if past dug up later.
'I'm victim unfairly denied asset split.'
Believed firmly women support if frame held.
Ji-su started stalking Lily's Instagram feed.
5 million followers.
Lily in photos unreal glowing.
"Hmph. What pretty fuss over this incurably ill bitch?"
Envy boiled.
Women lack self-objectification, but this looks gap undeniable.
"Tch..."
Ji-su roughly tossed phone on bed.
Peaceful Stock Gallery today too.
Ji-hoon's update posted.
Stock Gallery women pissed at Ji-hoon's happy international marriage life, started bashing international marriage itself.
This was funny too.
America basically Christian country.
Strong religious influence means valuing 'family' conservatively more than thought.
Yet Korea bashing any country 'promiscuous' laughable.
Stats show no qualification.
So their claims always roasted like this.