Chapter 14
The discussion about the new business with my mother-in-law had come to an end. No, there hadn't been any discussion at all. Kim Seok-hun had simply asked, "Shall we do it?" and his mother-in-law had answered with a soft, "Yes, do it." That was all there was to it. As his mother-in-law and his wife, she had given her total approval for everything Kim Seok-hun did, offering complete support without a single thought for the possibility of failure or success. In this way, Kim Seok-hun began to conceive of a business rather than just a job. "I should keep working out at the gym and learn computer skills," he thought. He started researching for opening his own gym while deciding to continue attending the same gym he had originally planned to use and the academy where he could learn computer functions. After all, he would be the one running the gym himself. His days became clear: mornings at the gym, afternoons at the computer academy, and evenings back home for pleasant time with his mother-in-law. And today, this very moment, it was time to head to the computer academy. "Wonder what we'll be learning today?" With a slightly lighter step and a touch of excitement in his heart, Kim Seok-hun made his way to the academy. "Ding-dong!" On the fourth floor of a building housing multiple small businesses, Kim Seok-hun arrived at the smallest academy at the very end of the hall and naturally opened the door, stepping inside. Perhaps because he had been coming here regularly for the past few days, he had grown quite accustomed to it. The moment he arrived, he naturally brewed a cup of mixed coffee for the students and took a seat in the lecture room, waiting for the lesson to begin. About ten minutes passed, and then— "Oh, hello. You're early today." "Hey, early? Ten minutes early is the norm, right?" "Hehehe." Without fail, the academy director and instructor, Kim Mi-jin, entered the lecture room with her gentle smile. The academy was named after her, but... "It's me, but... Will this even last?" She was alone. Between two and four in the afternoon, the only student taking her class was him. Of course, evening sessions might have students, but... "From what I can tell around here, it doesn't seem like there are many." Besides, this area wasn't one with a large number of middle and high school students anyway. Whatever the case, it wasn't something he needed to worry about. "Then shall we begin?" "Yes, instructor!" This was Kim Mi-jin's private tutoring-style class. "Here, do this first, then control-C, then control-V on another layer! See? It's easy, right?" "Whoa... That means I can make hundreds of things, right?" "Hehe, that's right. Anything's possible in the digital world." "Whoa... It's really amazing." It was amazing. The copy and paste right in front of him was incredible, and the warm palm of the academy director's hand resting on the mouse beside him, guiding it, felt soothing. 'Huuu... mmm...' Her silky hair and the fragrance that came with it made Kim Seok-hun instinctively turn his head, but that was all. After receiving the entire lesson while subtly stealing glances at the teacher, he asked once it was over. "Do you have another class right after this one?" "Hm? No, there aren't any until six." Two hours of free time until the next class began at four. "Oh? If you have time, could you help me out?" "Hm? What...?" Despite only a few days knowing Kim Mi-jin, Kim Seok-hun—who had liked her kind personality—made a small request. "Actually, I'm preparing to open a store. I need computers and programs for it." "Ah!!" "So, I want the academy director's help in buying the necessary supplies." "If that's the case, I know exactly what you mean. Hehe." Perhaps because spending time with her had been quite enjoyable? Or simply, for no particular reason... It was also part of what he needed to do to open the gym, but somehow he just wanted to ask. * * * * * With the academy director Kim Mi-jin, Kim Seok-hun headed to the electronics market. Since the order he had made hadn't arrived yet, he used Director Kim's car and, together with her, made their way to Yongsan. After all, computers were best found there, even if it meant risking a bad deal if one didn't have proper knowledge. The drive to Yongsan. "By the way, Seok-hun, what kind of store are you planning to open?" "Hm? Oh, I'm thinking of trying out a gym." "Oh my? Really? I heard it costs a fortune." "Really?" Of course it would. The equipment was expensive. "When you open it, I have to go. Hehe, you'll teach me how to exercise, right?" "I'm learning it too, haha." Hmm... Now that he heard it, he was a little curious. The academy director always wore loose-fitting clothes like hoodies. Because of that, there was no way to check her figure. Still, from her face and legs, she probably had a somewhat chubby, cute look. Of course, that was from a man's perspective. "Feel free to come anytime. The instructor is free of charge." "Oh? Ohoho, I definitely will!" "Haha." Short, insignificant conversations went back and forth, and soon they arrived in Yongsan. The serious shopping for computers began. "Seok-hun, let's go to another place." "Hm? Why... It looks good here." "No. Let's go." Her shopping was surprisingly serious. Kim Seok-hun had only ever used computers for yaoi, movies, dramas, games, and so on, and he had always bought complete products, so he didn't know much. Perhaps because of that? As she chatted with the shop owners about the parts and checked prices, her expressions kept changing constantly. It was only later that he learned the truth: most of them had simply repackaged used goods to look brand new. "I'm a woman, so I can cheat like this." "Whoa... Now that I hear it, it's really too much." "That's why people get mad. Hah... Everyone's just trying to make a living, but it'd be nice if they were a little more honest." "I guess so... Most are like that." "Yes, hehe. Don't worry though, shall we go?" "Yes." The shopping began again and lasted more than an hour. Just as they were both getting tired, they finally met a shop owner who sold normally. On top of that, this owner was also running a YouTube channel, so he had a high level of trustworthiness. Since they were buying the latest model, they had to order the parts and decided to make the payment on the spot. After finishing the shopping, Kim Seok-hun said, "Whoa, if I had come alone, I would have been in big trouble. This is really appreciated." "Hehe, no. It's only natural when a student needs help." "Come on, even so, I'm grateful. I'd like to treat you to dinner sometime." "Hm? But... today there's a class at six..." "Haha, that's right? When do you have time?" "Um..." Kim Mi-jin looked a little troubled. Seeing that expression, Kim Seok-hun thought, 'Oh no.' "Ah, I've put too much of a burden on you. If you have time later, please tell me." "Hm? Ah... Yes. I'll do that. Hehe." Kim Seok-hun had only wanted to express gratitude with a meal, but he seemed a little clumsy. 'Even if it's not dinner, I should find some other way to show gratitude.' Whatever the case, Kim Seok-hun had really had a normal time for the first time in a while. Time with his ex-wife had been anything but normal, after all. Everything with her had been based on 'sex.' On top of that, the bad things he had been doing recently weren't normal either. But he didn't regret them, nor did he deny them. Even if that time came again, he would have made the same choice. "Thank you very much today." "Hehe, don't mention it. Take care. See you tomorrow." "Yes! I'll do my best tomorrow too." "Hehe." Kim Mi-jin headed back to the academy to prepare for her next class, and Kim Seok-hun returned home with a peaceful heart, knowing his mother-in-law was waiting for him. Meanwhile, Lee Yeon-seo was out. The place she was heading to was a six-story building in Dapsimni, Dongdaemun-gu. From the basement first floor to the fifth floor above ground, excluding the second, every floor was occupied by tenants. A building that was quite popular, with 1,240 square meters of land and 660 square meters of built area, in the area known for Dongdaemun. When Lee Yeon-seo arrived in front of the building... "Huh? Aigoo, ma'am!" A man who recognized her came running out urgently, greeting her with a friendly smile and a slight nod. "Hello, President Kim." "Hahaha! Of course, hello. What brings you here?" "I came to look around the building for a bit." "Oh, you should! Hahaha." At Lee Yeon-seo's appearance, the man called President Kim laughed loudly and called out "Ma'am, ma'am!" Several people appeared, one by one. "Oh, ma'am!" "Ma'am!" "Aigoo, ma'am!!" Yes, they were all the owners of the businesses inside this building. The reason they called her "ma'am" was because the building belonged to Lee Yeon-seo. After divorcing ten years ago and returning to Korea, she had purchased this building and several smaller ones. The remaining cash was left in the bank for living expenses. Now, ten years later, her buildings had more than doubled in value. Real estate agents didn't hesitate to call her an investment genius. The current value of this building was about 15 billion won. Since Lee Yeon-seo had bought it for about 6 billion, her admiration from the agents was only natural. Together with the building manager, Lee Yeon-seo walked around the building and its surroundings, heading toward the second floor, the intended destination. "Hmm... Even this is fine." "Ma'am, will you sign the contract here?" "Hm? No, I'm giving it to my son-in-law." "Son-in-law... Ah! The eldest son-in-law?" "Yes, hehe." The manager, who knew about Kim Seok-hun, smiled while frowning slightly. It was only natural. He knew the guy was enjoying every kind of benefit by meeting just one woman. But now he was giving him the entire second floor of this building, which would bring in at least 15 million won a month... The manager felt a sharp pain in his stomach and was speechless. "A construction project will start here soon, so please prepare well." "Yes, of course, ma'am." Should the manager feel jealous or just be stunned? This building belonged to the young, beautiful woman in front of him, while he was just a paid manager... "Gulp--" Even after all this time, no matter how he looked at it, Kim Seok-hun was a total threat. How could he not be? That was exactly why Kim Seok-hun worried about his mother-in-law. The reason had appeared.