Chapter 150
Chapter 150
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 150
Chapter Title: Once Again, Writer
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A few days ago, Woo Ji-hyun smiled faintly as he recalled the settlement money that had come in.
Just as Elder had said to look forward to it, the money he’d earned from lyricist work was quite substantial.
Of course, it wasn’t on the level of what he made as a writer, but it was still more than he’d expected.
On top of that, YU&MI’s song hadn’t even been released yet.
“Web novel writers really make a ton of money.”
“Not all of them do. But no matter the industry, the top 0.1% live like kings.”
“That’s what my son has become, right?”
“Pretty much.”
Unexpectedly, things were going great in Taiwan, and he was getting reactions from Hong Kong, Singapore, China, and Japan, but even limiting it to Korea alone, Woo Ji-hyun wasn’t the absolute best.
He was definitely in the top tier, though.
That was why Woo Ji-hyun couldn’t answer definitively.
“What are you talking about? It’s hard enough just getting there. Mom’s just proud of her son.”
“What’s so great about this? There’s a lot more to come that’ll surprise you.”
“This is more than enough. Before you even hit thirty, aiming for a house, a car, and even a building.”
“Neither is fully mine, though. The house is on jeonse, and the car’s a lease.”
“You’ve got them in your possession. That’s what counts.”
Kim Kyung-ae looked at Woo Ji-hyun with eyes brimming with pride, as if she’d never worn a worried expression.
It was because the child she’d painfully given birth to had grown up so remarkably.
Even though she hadn’t done much for him as a mother.
He’d gone hungry for more than a day or two.
‘It’s all because of that worthless father of his…….’
They’d divorced by mutual agreement, but that didn’t mean their connection was completely severed.
They didn’t talk often, but they kept in touch occasionally.
Of course, it was always him reaching out to her.
“For now, let’s buy a building first and aim from there. But getting a big one like you’re hoping for might be tough, Mom.”
“Size doesn’t matter. Owning a building is what counts. Especially in Mansu 3 District.”
Kim Kyung-ae stared blankly.
She still couldn’t believe it.
“For starters, I’m thinking of checking out auction properties. Not viewing them in person today—just trying to get a direction with you. You know this stuff well, Mom. You’ve got a lot of connections.”
“I do. Whether I can trust them 100% is another story, but I can look into it. How much is my son thinking?”
“Around 10 billion max for now. That’s what I can prepare in cash right away.”
“Then a three-story commercial building is doable. A small shop-house too.”
Kim Kyung-ae quickly organized her thoughts.
She didn’t seem fazed at all by the huge sum of 10 billion.
Considering Woo Ji-hyun’s age, 10 billion was absurd, but that was only if you were born an average citizen.
In the world of true asset holders, 10 billion was pocket change.
“That’s what I had in mind. And I’ll give you the best spot on the first floor.”
“Huh? For me?”
“Yeah, time to hear ‘President’ again. No more working at other people’s shops.”
“Uh…….”
Kim Kyung-ae’s pupils trembled.
Her husband, who’d lived like a bum off his parents’ wealth, had left her to play the role of breadwinner for over twenty years before crawling back.
Her body was wrecked now—she couldn’t do hard labor even if she wanted to.
So she’d picked up odd jobs at friends’ or acquaintances’ shops to make ends meet. That was exactly what Woo Ji-hyun had pointed out.
“And you’re good at business. It’s in your blood. Just don’t overdo it like before—take it easy. A café might work well. No rent to worry about, at least.”
“I’ve never run a café. And I can’t even drink coffee.”
Kim Kyung-ae shook her head.
No matter how she thought about it, a café didn’t suit her.
She couldn’t stomach coffee at all, for one.
A meat restaurant would suit her better.
“There are all kinds of businesses, so just think about it.”
“That would be wonderful. I could put your little sister to work.”
“That’d cut labor costs. Or maybe not?”
“Eek eek!”
Kim Kyung-ae burst into laughter recalling her youngest daughter.
She agreed with Woo Ji-hyun’s words.
“I’d love to set up right in front of Dad’s shop, but that area’s too pricey.”
“Why bother? You’d just stress out. With that kind of money, better to buy in Seoul. I prefer quiet Incheon now that I’m older, but you should live in Seoul for once. You spent your twenties buried in work.”
Kim Kyung-ae looked at her son with pity.
She was proud of his success, but it also broke her heart.
He’d devoted his entire twenties to work to get here.
“At least I played when I could, so don’t worry.”
“That’s a relief, then.”
“Look into it for me, will you? See if there are any good properties.”
“Got it. Just trust your mom.”
Kim Kyung-ae’s eyes sparkled with determination.
The thought of owning her own shop—not someone else’s—filled her with motivation.
Plus, it was for her one and only son.
* * *
Woo Ji-hyun woke up early that morning and paid extra attention to his outfit, unlike usual.
Not a full suit, but slacks, a shirt, and loafers.
He packed the documents he’d prepared since last night into cardboard boxes and loaded them into his car in the parking lot.
“Let’s head out.”
With the trunk and passenger seat crammed full of boxes, Woo Ji-hyun shrugged and drove toward Guwol-dong.
“You’re here.”
As soon as Woo Ji-hyun pulled into the Namdong Police Station parking lot and stepped out, a middle-aged man approached.
Unlike Woo Ji-hyun, he was in a crisp black suit, with sharp eyes.
His lean build made his sharp features even more striking. He bowed politely to Woo Ji-hyun right away.
“Hello.”
“Did you bring all the documents?”
“Yes, but there’s a lot. Even after the president hand-picked the evidence.”
“I figured. I looked into it myself—pretty serious stuff.”
The middle-aged man shook his head, thinking of Korea’s persistently low copyright awareness even in the 21st century.
The current state made it seem like Korea was still far from being a developed nation.
The economy might be close, but civic consciousness? Not even.
Clack. Rattle.
As the middle-aged man pondered Korea’s copyright awareness, Woo Ji-hyun opened the trunk.
He unfolded a familiar cart and neatly loaded the cardboard boxes onto it.
“Must be the webtoon stuff. Quite the volume.”
“Still less than a civil suit. This is years of accumulation for filing today.”
“You’ll have to sign a ton, then.”
“Tough, but it’s necessary. My rightful rights.”
“Well said.”
The middle-aged man, here as Woo Ji-hyun’s lawyer for the day, nodded.
As someone in the legal field, Woo Ji-hyun’s stance was obvious.
It also paid his bills.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes.”
After eyeing the mismatched Porsche and cart for a moment, the middle-aged man followed Woo Ji-hyun into the Namdong Police Station.
They headed straight to the Cyber Investigation Division on the second floor.
“Long time no see. Feels like almost two years.”
“You came in person?”
“Yeah, wasn’t a bad experience.”
Though not a good one either, Woo Ji-hyun thought with a meaningful smile.
After the elevator doors opened, Woo Ji-hyun slowly wheeled the cart and knocked on the Cyber Investigation Division door.
It was wide open as always.
“Hm?”
A lieutenant with dark circles down to his chin widened his eyes at the conspicuous cart and boxes.
He didn’t look like a delivery guy at first glance.
And the man walking beside him screamed legal professional.
He’d seen enough people to know instantly.
“Hello.”
“What brings you here?”
“The whole team’s changed.”
Woo Ji-hyun scanned the Cyber Investigation Division as he spoke.
The layout was the same as two years ago.
But the faces were all new.
Not a single familiar one.
“Everyone had their reasons. So, what’s this about?”
Seong Dong-gu, sporting a lieutenant badge, asked again.
This time looking at the middle-aged man.
The lawyer smiled and opened a box on the cart, handing Seong Dong-gu a thick stack of complaints neatly stapled.
“We’re here to file copyright infringement complaints. Web novels and webtoons.”
The middle-aged man grinned.
He also placed his business card on top.
“Whoa, the lawyer himself?”
“Yeah, big case. Substantial volume. And after here, straight to Incheon District Court.”
“The court?”
Seong Dong-gu blurted out involuntarily.
His demeanor shifted slightly.
From tired and annoyed to straightening up the moment he heard “lawyer.”
Anyone bringing one wasn’t your average writer.
“Yeah, civil suits on the cases sent to prosecutors that ended in suspended prosecution or fines.”
“Whoa.”
Seong Dong-gu let out a sigh.
Hiring a lawyer meant they were serious.
He mentally wished peace to those who’d thought they could relax.
No settlements meant civil suits were fair game.
“Copyright statute of limitations is seven years—plenty of time.”
“Ah, you’re Woo Ji-hyun, the writer. Loved God of Martial Arts, Return. Webtoon too.”
“Please handle it well. And to add, our writer isn’t doing this for profit. It’s for proper copyright awareness. And exercising rightful rights.”
The lawyer continued as if he were Woo Ji-hyun’s spokesperson.
But these words were essential.
Some writers did file just to squeeze settlements.
Hence the talk of “copyright shakedowns.”
“We know that. The suspects are the ones who broke the law illegally.”
“Please take care of it, Lieutenant.”
Woo Ji-hyun spoke politely to Seong Dong-gu, who nodded in agreement.
Not just words—he also handed over pre-prepared drinks.
“Haha, thanks. I’ll enjoy them.”
“We won’t take more of your time, then.”
“Yes, safe travels.”
Lingering too long wasn’t ideal, so Woo Ji-hyun timed his exit perfectly.
He still had to hit Incheon District Court.
Busy day ahead.