Chapter 4
Chapter 4
The Truth Behind the Rumor (1)
“Ugh!”
“C-Customer! Are you okay?”
“W-Water…!”
“Ah, yes!”
As soon as Lawyer Jung stepped out of the bedroom, she chased after her, exiting the master room and closing the door.
I drank the water Jung Ji-hyun handed me, staring at the closed door.
What on earth was that earlier?
Had I been so startled that I mistook the faces of the people on TV for my own?
When I didn’t say anything, Ji-hyun looked at me with concern and asked,
“Should I call an ambulance?”
“No! I’m fine.”
“Still…”
“I’ll be okay after resting a bit. I think my heart just got stressed after being on a plane for the first time in a while. You can leave now.”
“…Okay. Then, please get some rest.”
Seeing Ji-hyun hesitating and then heading toward the front door, I quickly went back into the bedroom.
I checked the faces on the TV again, and my jaw dropped.
It wasn’t a mistake.
The three muscular versions of me were grinning, still showing off their physiques.
“What the… what the hell is this?”
Even when checking the lottery balls, at first I thought it was just an advertisement.
But when I asked upon collecting the prize, I learned that the amount isn’t revealed until the winner is confirmed.
So I knew something was off.
And now, they’re saying they can change my body immediately?
Does that even make sense?
But I had no choice but to believe it.
After all, I won the lottery thanks to the TV advertisement.
This TV is definitely not an ordinary one.
A chill ran down my spine.
“I almost sold this thing, didn’t I?”
Trying to calm myself, I stepped closer to the TV and carefully examined my body—or rather, the bodies on the screen.
“Pretty impressive.”
The three versions of me had slightly different physiques.
The one on the left was lean with moderate muscles.
The middle one was fit with balanced muscles.
The one on the right had a thick neck and a bodybuilder-like bulk.
How long would it take to achieve the physique on the right? Six months? A year?
And yet, they’re offering to change me into that body immediately?
“Can this really work?”
But my doubt didn’t last long.
I could try first and worry later if it didn’t work.
‘For suits, the middle one seems best.’
The middle figure looked proportionate and toned, but suddenly showing up at the office with a body like that would definitely make people stare.
“Maybe start lean, then build muscle gradually?”
Without realizing it, I instinctively touched the left figure.
Then it hit me.
“This isn’t even a touchscreen. Can touching it actually select it?”
As I reached for the remote, the screen changed, and I froze.
The body skin I had selected appeared on the TV, following my awkward pose perfectly, as if recording a video.
When I straightened into attention, the figure on TV mirrored me exactly.
“Huh!”
190 cm tall, broad shoulders, narrow waist.
No model needed.
While admiring my new TV body in a bodybuilder pose, a message appeared above it:
[Apply this body?]
[Press OK to apply.]
A red button had appeared at the bottom of the screen.
“Definitely OK!”
No second thought.
I pressed the button, and a strange tightening sensation ran through my body as I took off my shirt to watch the transformation.
The loose belly fat clung to my muscles, transforming in real time!
Not just the belly, but the saggy flesh on my hips and thighs gradually turned into smooth muscle.
Whoosh!
My stomach and hips shrank, and my pants fell to my knees.
Just then, there was a knock at the door, followed by it swinging open.
“Customer, I got worried. Should we go to a nearby hospital…?”
Startled, I turned to find Lawyer Jung with wide, rabbit-like eyes.
Her gaze ran over my face, down my back, hips, and thighs.
Blushing deeply, she quickly slammed the door shut.
“I-I’m really sorry. I’ll wait for your call.”
Thud-thud-thud.
She hurried away.
Only after the sound of the front door locking did I finally exhale.
What if she really thought I was some kind of pervert?
At least, thankfully, my underwear was still barely on.
Embarrassment aside, it felt… good.
The body reflected on the darkened TV screen matched exactly the one I had chosen.
Even my facial features had slimmed down; my face looked sharper and handsomer.
But one problem remained.
“How am I supposed to go out and buy clothes?”
As soon as I got in the car, a message from Kang Min-hyuk arrived.
At his earnest request, Jung Ji-hyun went to the department store and picked a semi-formal suit from the brand he specified.
“I’ll take this one.”
“What size should I give you?”
“He’s 190 cm, shoulders about this wide.”
She spread her arms, realizing it was too wide, and pointed to a mannequin.
“That size, please.”
“Yes. Got it.”
“Uh… underwear too?”
Blushing, she whispered to the store clerk.
“Of course. How many?”
“Seven, one of each design.”
“Understood. Hoho. Is your boyfriend modeling? It’s so hard to find someone matching our mannequin perfectly.”
Ji-hyun’s face turned even redder.
“…Yes.”
“Here you go. Card or cash?”
“Here. Single payment.”
When she returned to the apartment, Ji-hyun couldn’t believe her eyes.
She had assumed Kang Min-hyuk was bulky, but in reality, he had a nicely built, moderately muscular body.
The “fat” appearance had just been due to clothes.
It felt like such a trick, and she was annoyed.
Maybe more so because she almost misjudged him as a pervert earlier.
‘Why hide such a great body?’
Thinking of his back made her face heat up.
Some celebrities disguised themselves in public to avoid recognition, but he was just a regular employee.
She shook her head to clear the thought.
‘Whatever the reason, I just need to do my job.’
“Customer, payment’s complete.”
“Ah, yes. Thank you.”
Ji-hyun carried the shopping bag and headed straight to River Palace.
“I brought the clothes you requested.”
“Thanks. Can you leave them at the door?”
“Yes.”
Just hearing her voice replayed the earlier scene in my mind.
My heart raced like it was diseased.
‘Why does his voice suddenly sound so handsome too?’
Ji-hyun leaned against the bedroom door, restraining her curiosity, waiting for him to come out.
If the clothes didn’t fit, she would have to exchange them.
Soon, the bedroom door opened.
Kang Min-hyuk appeared, saying,
“You have a good eye. The suit fits perfectly.”
“I’m glad you like it!!!”
Ji-hyun froze for a moment.
A man straight out of a magazine smiled at her.
For the first time, she felt a strange mix of emotions.
An unfamiliar flutter in her chest made her mind freeze.
Her only thought: I can’t just go back to the office like this.
“Customer, is there anything else you need?”
Ji-hyun, who wanted to follow me to the department store, was finally sent off.
Having her along would’ve made shopping easier, but my purpose here wasn’t just to buy clothes.
I debated whether to choose in person or head to the customer service center.
I remembered how Bu Ryeo-si and Jang Mo had received VIP services before.
“What can I help you with, sir?”
“I’d like VIP service.”
“Are you a VIP member?”
“No. How can I get it?”
The consultant looked uneasy.
“You need to spend a certain amount annually.”
“How much to use the VIP lounge?”
“150 million KRW, sir.”
I scoffed at the amount, recalling Bu Ryeo-si’s antics.
‘No wonder he always wanted cash when I offered gifts. He used his own card and enjoyed the VIP benefits himself.’
I composed myself and said,
“I’ll reach that today. Let me use the lounge.”
“Well, sir… if your last month’s purchases fall short, you can’t use the lounge.”
“I see.”
No choice. Time to borrow the power of Im & Jeong again.
I contacted Lawyer Jung to explain the situation.
“My lawyer says to have it changed.”
“Oh, yes.”
The consultant hesitated but took the call. After a few exchanges, the flustered consultant sat, bowing deeply, handling the call.
“Yes, yes. Understood. Yes.”
After hanging up, the consultant stood quickly, apologized, and said,
“Really sorry, sir. I’ll guide you to the VIP lounge. Please follow me.”
So that was the power of Im & Jeong. Impressive.
And I made a resolve. I would obtain such power myself as soon as possible.
“What’s this? You gave my name to the consultant?”
“My job is to ensure the client’s convenience.”
Seeing the blush on Ji-hyun’s face, Hong Yu-na shot a suspicious glance.
“She’s not an ordinary customer, huh?”
“That’s right! But why did you call me suddenly?”
“Oh! Right.”
Yu-na leaned toward Ji-hyun cautiously.
“Have there been any strange rumors about Iljin Group recently?”
“Rumors? What?”
“I heard something absurd recently. Chairman, do you have a hidden daughter?”
Since Iljin Group was a client of Im & Jeong, Ji-hyun knew many secrets.
But a hidden daughter? She had never heard of that.
“Come on~ The chairman is old. What are you talking about?”
“No, it’s possible. The daughter is 27.”
“27? How do you know that?”
“She came to our department store. Made such a fuss.”
Yu-na shuddered at the memory.
“A difficult customer, huh? Famous?”
“So you don’t know, right?”
“No, haven’t heard anything.”
“Alright. I’ll leave now. Let me know if you find out later.”
“I will.”
As Ji-hyun stood up, Yu-na muttered to herself, giggling.
“They said that man was really handsome. Like a model.”
“Ah, no! He’s just a customer. A customer!”
“You look great, sir.”
“Hmm. Isn’t this a bit flashy for the office?”
“No, not at all. For young people these days, this level of fashion is basic.”
Basic? Even our fashion department staff rarely dress this way.
Anyway, my model-like body made every outfit fit perfectly, like it was tailored.
“Our brand’s clothes are very difficult to pull off. You’re the first who looks good in everything.”
“Really?”
“Hohoho. Truly. Are you a model?”
I knew the praise was part of a sales tactic, but it felt good.
“I’ll take everything here.”
“Yes, sir.”
The store clerk’s high-pitched voice was pleasant to hear.
When following Bu Ryeo-si, my role was to endlessly praise. Trying on dozens of outfits with one or two purchases would tire even the staff.
There was a luxury store called Ertes, so exclusive even Bu Ryeo-si dared not enter without permission.
One bag could cost tens of millions, a scarf hundreds of thousands.
Once, a famous actress’s bag caught Bu Ryeo-si’s eye, and she pestered for it endlessly.
Now, I spent 200 million KRW here, all to gather information on Yang Mi-jung.
But too many people were around. I couldn’t gather confidential info publicly, so I would imitate Bu Ryeo-si.
I handed my card to the marketing staff and whispered to leave only the manager behind.
No bold staff would refuse a customer who spent 200 million KRW.
After a brief discussion, the manager remained, other staff taking the clothes out.
I smiled at the nervous manager and gestured for her to sit.
“Please sit. I have a question.”
“No, I’ll stand.”
A bit strict. But everyone has a weakness. I asked directly.
“Has actress Yang Mi-jung visited this store recently?”
The manager’s expression changed dramatically at the name.
Even for important customers, revealing others’ info is difficult.
But her hesitation had already given me the answer.