Chapter 27
Chapter 27
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Again, Writer
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The youngest aunt and the aunt-in-law checked the allowance he'd given to the kids and looked at Woo Ji-hyun with eyes full of worry.
It was because the amount in the envelope was bigger than they'd expected.
And it wasn't like there were only a few kids, either.
"I've been making pretty good money these days."
"Even so, it feels like you're pushing yourself too hard."
"It's fine. This is just me paying back some gratitude."
"Ooh."
At Woo Ji-hyun's last words, the uncle-in-law and the third aunt nodded with approving expressions.
As they did, they subtly glanced toward Woo Ji-hyun's father, who sat quietly in the corner, staring only at the TV.
Their eyes said he was nothing like his son.
But the man himself was so fixated on the TV that he didn't notice their gazes.
"How much did you put in?"
"Oh, just a reasonable amount."
"Save your money! Rent isn't cheap!"
"You know my personality. I gave them what I could afford without straining myself."
His mother, who had been bringing out food from the kitchen for the siblings and nephews, looked at Woo Ji-hyun and raised the corners of her eyes.
Money had to be saved the more you earned.
On top of that, being a writer was far from a stable job income-wise, which made her even more worried.
"Still, save what you can. And come home more often."
"My place is in Mansu-dong, though?"
"Isn't this your home?"
"Not a place for me to stay."
Smack!
She delivered a long-overdue backhand smack to her daughter-in-law's retort that didn't yield an inch.
When words didn't get through to her son, a beating was the medicine.
Plus, he was being cheeky.
"Ow!"
"You know, that sounds like makgeolli."
"Now that you mention makgeolli, I'm suddenly craving it."
"Want me to pour you some?"
The uncle grinned as if to say just give the word.
The fridge with makgeolli was only a few steps away.
"Even so, drinking in the morning is a bit much."
"Right?"
"Yeah, I should grab a few bottles on my way out later."
"I'll pack some side dishes too, so take them. Don't keep ordering delivery all the time."
She'd smacked his back, but her love for her son hadn't vanished.
That's why her mother spoke in a softened tone, casually.
"I'll gladly take them if you give them."
"Coming for side dishes would be a good excuse to visit more, right? It's not Busan or anything—it's the next neighborhood over. How does it make sense that it's so hard to see your face?"
"Say you'll come soon. Otherwise, this loops forever."
"Do what your sister says."
While their mother grumbled, the uncle and the eldest aunt whispered secretly.
They said it quietly so it wouldn't reach her ears and spark more nagging.
"Alright, I will. I have something to talk about with you anyway, Mom."
"With me?"
Her mother's face lit up.
It was the first time her son had said he'd come find her first.
She'd always had to beg or threaten him to visit, so him offering made her happy.
"Yeah, it's not about money. Just... various things? Stuff about you, I guess."
"A shot of soju?"
"That sounds good too."
"Hee hee hee!"
Her mother's expression brightened instantly.
And the overall mood grew warm and cheerful right along with it.
Everyone except one person.
"Sons really are the best. Mothers and little sisters are no match."
"There's my nieces and nephews. And my little sister too."
Woo Ji-hyun pointed to his little sister, quietly playing with the kids, and said it to his third aunt.
But even then, she shook her head.
"It's different. The difference between a son and a daughter, I guess. No matter how cute the nieces are, they're not the same as the child you birthed yourself."
"Of course."
Unlike the still-single third aunt, the youngest aunt—who had both a son and daughter—nodded in agreement.
She didn't stop using her chopsticks, though.
"I heard you quit the civil service exam prep. How's the writing going?"
"Yeah, it's tough right now, but if I hold on for a bit, good times are definitely coming. We're right on the cusp of a transition period. It's a market with real potential."
"If you say so, then it must be."
"Of course, not everyone succeeds."
Woo Ji-hyun shrugged.
But that was true in any field.
Countless challengers, but only a few victors.
Life itself was a jungle where competition was inevitable.
"Your face looks super confident."
"I've got confidence I'll make it. And I'm preparing steadily."
"Ooh, overflowing with self-assurance. But you're not gonna give us books?"
"Books?"
Woo Ji-hyun tilted his head.
He was caught off guard by the sudden request.
"I heard you've published quite a few since discharge. That's what your aunt told me."
"Yeah, a fair number. But I thought none of you read them. Martial arts novels have a pretty high barrier for general readers."
"Even for display. It's my nephew's book—shouldn't I have at least one set?"
At his third aunt's words, Woo Ji-hyun nodded vigorously.
He had plenty of books, so he could give them if they wanted.
Plus, he'd only given some to Kim In-hu and Im Sang-min, so they were piling up, hard to deal with.
"I'll send them by courier. Text me your address."
"Got it!"
"Send us some too!"
The eldest uncle-in-law, focused on eating, shot his hand up.
Woo Ji-hyun chuckled and nodded at how he'd heard from that distance and raised his hand.
"Sure thing."
In his past life, he'd oddly felt too embarrassed to give books to relatives.
But not anymore.
He knew that soon, it wouldn't be a culture just for the unemployed—it would become something everyone, young and old, enjoyed casually.
Society's sneering view of it as lowbrow lit would completely flip.
Web novel writers would even be envied, so he faced Seollal with pride-filled eyes.
* * *
"Here we are!"
Arriving at a fairly upscale Japanese restaurant, Woo Ji-hyun spotted Jo Jin-gu already there and bowed his head.
Jo Jin-gu beamed and led him in.
"Hello, Section Chief."
"You must have had a tough trip here, Writer."
"No, it wasn't far."
"Even so, the bus routes aren't the most convenient."
Jo Jin-gu opened apologetically, knowing the lines from Incheon to Sinjung-dong were a bit tricky.
But he'd still suggested meeting here for this exact place.
There were plenty of eateries near Bucheon Station, but few true gems.
This one was a bit hard to reach, but the taste was guaranteed.
"It's fine. Better than Seoul, at least. Taxis are easy to grab."
"True that. Haha."
"But prices look steep here."
Woo Ji-hyun scanned the interior calmly.
It wasn't huge, but the upscale vibe suggested high prices.
Maybe that's why, even at dinner time, it wasn't crowded.
"It's not as bad as it looks. And I've got this."
"Won't the boss complain if it's too much?"
"I already got permission."
Jo Jin-gu proudly pulled a card from his wallet.
Barun Publishing's corporate card.
"It's been a while—time to nourish the body, right?"
"Order whatever you want. You've earned it, Writer Woo Ji-hyun. Truth is, we've under-treated you so far."
Heavenly Thunder Sword Hero had sold well, and so had Asura Sword Emperor.
But the biggest plus was that sales didn't drop off sharply in the later volumes.
Even as a long series past ten volumes, Heavenly Thunder Sword Hero's final volume only sold 200 fewer copies than volume four.
And Asura Sword Emperor was cruising along.
"I have been a bit reclusive. Haven't gone out much."
"That's the best part for us. As long as you meet deadlines, we're happy."
"Hahaha."
Jo Jin-gu's face darkened abruptly, as if recalling someone.
Woo Ji-hyun gave an awkward smile and checked the menu.
"Everything here's great overall. Sushi if you like that, sashimi's excellent too. Might feel softer than at a regular sushi joint, but the taste is top-notch."
"I eat anything as long as it doesn't look hideous."
"Shall I recommend then?"
"Yes."
Since Jo Jin-gu was covering the bill, Woo Ji-hyun nodded readily.
Better to let the expert pick than choose something pricey and burdensome.
Clink.
After ordering the priciest dinner set, Jo Jin-gu smoothly called for a bottle of sake and poured for Woo Ji-hyun.
It was premium stuff—the aroma was worlds apart from regular sake.
'I've come a long way.'
Woo Ji-hyun smiled inwardly at the treatment he'd never dreamed of before.
In his past life, around now, he'd finished the trashy Legender and written Heavenly Thunder Sword Hero as a last shot.
If this flopped too, he'd quit the biz.
But now, everything was different.
From an unknown to a writer every publisher coveted.
"Let me pour you one too."
"Please."
Jo Jin-gu straightened up at Woo Ji-hyun's formal pour.
Meanwhile, dishes began filling their table one by one.
"It's delicious."
"Right? I stumbled on it by chance and come when I can. Pricey, so not often. Haha."
"So that's why you brought me."
"Yep. One legit way to use the corporate card."
Jo Jin-gu grinned and nodded.
But Woo Ji-hyun couldn't hide a twinge of bitterness.
Even a section chief feeling the pinch at this price showed the market's harsh reality.
'Three, four years from now?'
Once ebooks took hold and paid serials opened up, genre lit would face an earth-shaking shift.
The problem was the wait.
No one back then was certain it'd happen.
Just preparing.
"Feels like I'm being used."
"No way. And it's not for just anyone."
"True. Fair enough."
The top dinner set plus sake wasn't cheap.
And that was just round one.
Big eaters would rack up even more on food.
"I heard you met with Future Books folks."
"Yeah, they invited me over recently. Knew some people there."
Once the mood had mellowed, Jo Jin-gu broached it gently.
But Woo Ji-hyun didn't flinch at the potentially touchy question.
He'd expected it.
Writers knew each other a degree apart, and so did publishers.
"Did you sign a contract?"