18
### Chapter 18
The next morning.
The moment I opened my eyes, I instinctively checked the W Investment Securities app.
[Total Assets: ₩571,500,000]
The profits from the U.S. stock market were sitting there in plain sight.
Five hundred seventy-one million won.
Just a few months ago, it was a number I couldn't even imagine.
The Kang Seojun who used to compare convenience-store lunchbox prices and agonize over a hundred or two hundred won no longer existed.
I got out of bed, stretched lightly, and headed outside.
Kim Hyuntae was waiting in front of the building.
"Hyungnim, hop in!"
He enthusiastically opened the sliding door of the van.
It was a Kia Carnival provided by the company.
I climbed into the back seat as usual.
But after the vehicle crossed a few speed bumps, my brow unconsciously furrowed.
Thunk.
The seat felt hard.
The suspension seemed to transfer every vibration from the road directly into my body.
Normally, I wouldn't have cared.
Today, however, it felt particularly irritating.
'This is uncomfortable.'
Travel time was practically rest time for me.
Yet the vibrations, the noise, the stiff seat—
All of it reduced the quality of that rest.
I gazed out the window and thought.
With nearly six hundred million won sitting in my account, was there really any reason to put up with this discomfort?
In a capitalist society, the reason for making money is simple.
To live more comfortably and more efficiently than before.
Money sitting in a bank account is nothing but data.
Only when you spend it does it improve your life.
My decision was made.
"Hyuntae."
"Yes, Hyungnim!"
"What time does today's schedule end?"
"The interviews should finish around 3 PM. After that, you're free."
"Good."
I leaned back in my seat.
"We've got somewhere to stop afterward."
"Where are we going?"
I answered simply.
"Let's do a little shopping."
#
4 PM.
Kim Hyuntae stared blankly at the sign above the building.
[Porsche Center]
Beyond the enormous glass windows, sleek sports cars displayed their elegant curves like works of art.
"H-Hyungnim... why are we here...?"
I looked at him.
"What, did you think we came to eat lunch?"
I strode into the showroom.
The automatic doors opened.
Cool air and the faint scent of leather greeted me.
The salespeople turned their heads.
Their eyes widened.
"Huh? That's Kang Seojun."
"It really is. Kang Seojun from Doctor Criminal."
The arrival of one of the hottest actors in Korea was enough to create a stir.
The salesperson who appeared to be the highest-ranking quickly approached with a smile.
"Welcome, Actor Kang Seojun! You look even better in person. I'm a fan."
"Nice to meet you."
I returned a polite nod.
"Is there a particular model you're looking for?"
I didn't even need to look around.
I'd already made my choice.
At the center of the showroom sat a black machine crouched beneath the lights like a panther.
A Porsche Panamera 4.
The symbol of a successful man.
The perfect combination of sports-car performance and sedan comfort.
Exactly what I needed.
"I'll take that one."
I pointed toward the car.
"The Panamera. Jet Black. Can I take delivery immediately?"
The salesperson's eyes sparkled.
"As a matter of fact, we have exactly one fully-optioned vehicle available for immediate delivery. You're very lucky, sir."
"That's good to hear."
I opened the driver's door and sat down.
The leather seat wrapped comfortably around my body.
The steering wheel felt solid and substantial in my hands.
Approved.
Spending more time thinking about it would only be a waste.
"I'll take it."
As I stepped out of the vehicle, both the salesperson and Kim Hyuntae stood there with their mouths hanging open.
"Y-You'd like to sign the contract immediately?"
"Yes."
I pulled out my card.
The salesperson hurriedly prepared the paperwork with trembling hands.
"Excellent choice, sir. How would you like to handle payment? Would you prefer an installment plan?"
Most people purchased vehicles at this price point through leasing or long-term financing.
But I shook my head.
I hated debt.
Paying interest was inefficient.
And most importantly—
I had more than enough cash.
Holding out my card, I spoke casually.
"Full payment."
The showroom fell silent.
The salesperson blinked.
"Excuse me? Full payment? The vehicle costs over two hundred million won."
"That's right. Charge it all at once."
"...!"
Behind me, Kim Hyuntae grabbed the back of his neck dramatically.
The salesperson hurriedly accepted the card with both hands.
"Of course! I'll process it immediately, sir!"
I signed the paperwork.
More than two hundred million won disappeared in an instant.
#
"Wow..."
On the way from the dealership to a department store, Kim Hyuntae still looked dazed.
"Hyungnim, that's insane."
He shook his head repeatedly.
"Paying cash... so this is what true style looks like."
"Stop exaggerating. A car is a consumable."
"A Porsche is not a consumable! It's not a convenience-store snack!"
Kim Hyuntae clicked his tongue.
Soon we arrived at the luxury section of a department store.
"Hyungnim, why are we here? Buying clothes?"
"Yeah."
I stopped walking and looked him up and down.
Worn-out sneakers.
A cheap suit jacket with frayed sleeves.
Pants with stretched knees.
He was hardworking and loyal.
But he needed some fixing.
"Hyuntae."
"Yes?"
"An actor's image is built by his manager. If you walk around looking that shabby, people will criticize me too. They'll say my agency doesn't take care of its actors."
"Ah..."
He scratched his head awkwardly.
"Sorry. I haven't really paid attention to myself."
I dragged him straight into a men's luxury suit store.
A high-end brand known for its tailoring and fabrics.
"Welcome."
I pointed at Kim Hyuntae.
"Show me your best line for him. Full set. Suit and shoes."
"Hyungnim?!"
Kim Hyuntae frantically waved his hands.
"I-I'm fine!"
I pushed him toward the fitting room.
"I'm buying it. Just wear it."
A short while later.
Kim Hyuntae stepped out wearing a new suit.
The difference was dramatic.
The fit hugged his frame perfectly.
The fabric carried a luxurious sheen.
With proper shoes, he finally looked like a top star's manager.
His eyes widened as he stared into the mirror.
"Wow..."
He looked genuinely shocked.
"Is this really me?"
The employee brought over the bill.
Suit and shoes combined cost several million won.
The moment Kim Hyuntae saw the price tag, he nearly fainted.
"H-Hyungnim! This is way too expensive! It costs more than my monthly salary!"
"Think of it as a bonus."
I paid without hesitation.
"You won't have to feel inferior anywhere now."
I smiled.
"You're my manager. Walk around with your shoulders back."
"Hyungnim..."
His eyes turned red.
Sniffling, he bowed ninety degrees.
"Thank you so much! I'll be loyal for life! I'll dedicate my bones to you!"
"Forget the bones. Just do your job properly."
I laughed.
"If you're going to stand beside me, you should at least look the part."
Handing him the shopping bags, I watched his expression.
Taking care of the people who work for me.
That was one of the safest and most efficient investments in the world.
Just look at his eyes.
At this point, Kim Hyuntae looked ready to jump into a fire for me.
#
The next day.
A glorious day off with no schedules.
I gripped the steering wheel of the Panamera I had taken delivery of yesterday.
The destination was already entered into the navigation system.
[Home]
A small provincial city three hours from Seoul.
The place where my parents lived.
Vrooom—
The deep engine note vibrated through my chest.
I entered the highway.
The moment I pressed the accelerator, the car surged forward effortlessly.
The silence and stability were on a completely different level from the Carnival.
I turned up my favorite music.
Whoosh.
The wind brushed through my hair.
An open road stretched before me.
Success tasted far sweeter than I'd imagined.
After three hours of driving, I entered a familiar neighborhood.
The narrow alleyways where I'd played as a child.
The old walls were still there.
Through those cramped streets, a two-hundred-million-won Porsche slowly glided forward.
The elderly women sitting outside stared with wide eyes.
Screech.
I parked in front of the old gate.
"Who's there?"
The gate opened.
A familiar face appeared.
My mother.
She looked confused as she stared at the shiny black car parked outside.
I opened the driver's door and stepped out.
"Mom."
"...Huh? Seojun?"
Her eyes widened.
"Oh my goodness! My son is here? Without even calling?"
She hurried out in her slippers and grabbed my hands.
I could feel the roughness of her fingers.
"But whose car is this? A company car?"
"No."
I smiled.
"It's mine."
"What?"
She looked between me and the car repeatedly.
"Yours? You bought something this expensive?"
She couldn't believe it.
My father emerged from the house as well.
Though normally reserved, a faint smile appeared on his face.
"You're here."
He nodded.
"Have you eaten?"
"Not yet."
I grinned.
"I came to eat Mom's cooking."
#
A meal was laid out in the small living room.
Kimchi stew.
Rolled omelet.
Seaweed brushed with sesame and perilla oil.
It wasn't a luxury omakase course.
It wasn't a hotel buffet.
Yet to me, it was the most expensive meal in the world.
"Eat more."
My mother kept adding side dishes to my rice bowl.
"Your face has gotten thinner."
On the television, one of my commercials was being replayed.
My parents barely paid attention to their food.
They kept alternating their gaze between the TV and me.
"These days you're on TV every time we turn it on."
My mother smiled proudly.
"The neighbors are going crazy. They didn't even know you were my son before. Now they all call me a celebrity's mother."
"Are you sleeping properly?"
My father asked quietly.
"Are you eating well? Don't ruin your health trying to earn money."
Neither of them asked how much I made.
Neither asked for spending money.
They only worried about my health.
My throat tightened.
I set down my spoon and picked up my phone.
Opening my banking app, I entered a transfer.
[Transfer Amount: ₩300,000,000]
[Recipient: Mom]
I pressed Send.
My account balance nearly emptied.
But I didn't feel the slightest regret.
Money could always be earned again.
Ding.
My mother's old flip phone rang from the corner of the living room.
My father's phone chimed as well.
"A text?"
My mother opened her phone.
Then—
"...!!!"
She froze.
"H-Honey..."
Her voice shook.
"Look at this. My eyes must be failing me."
My father took the phone.
His hands began trembling too.
"S-Seojun."
He stared at me.
"What is this money? Did you send it by mistake?"
"No."
I calmly took another spoonful of kimchi stew.
"It's for you and Dad."
"What?"
My mother looked stunned.
"Three hundred million won...?"
"There are still debts left, right?"
I smiled.
"Pay them all off. Renovate the store too. And if things get difficult, hire someone and make life easier."
"No... but..."
Tears welled up in her eyes.
These were people who had spent their entire lives chased by debt.
People who had struggled over ten thousand won and twenty thousand won.
Decades of burden washed away in a single moment.
"I won't make you worry about money anymore."
I looked at both of them.
"I'll take care of everything. So just stay healthy. Eat good food. Go traveling."
"Oh..."
My mother finally broke down crying.
"Our son..."
My father quietly turned his head and wiped his eyes.
Then he patted my shoulder with his rough hand.
"Thank you."
His voice was thick with emotion.
"I'm proud of you."
I scooped up a large spoonful of rice and put it into my mouth.
It was warm.
Far better than convenience-store lunchboxes.
Far better than catering trucks on set.
The warmth filled me all the way to my heart.
'It's delicious.'
Maybe this was why I'd worked so desperately.
So I could enjoy this meal without worry.
Happiness flooded through me.
At that moment, it felt impossible for life to get any better.