Chapter 153
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 153
Chapter Title: Oh Hanam's Convenience Store Visit
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I stared blankly at the fallen chair for about five seconds.
I think I only imagined smashing the back of Oh Hanam's head with that chair about three times. In reality, all I did was set the chair upright and stand there dumbfounded.
"……."
Dumbfoundedly... I just blinked and stared at Oh Hanam.
Wearing leather gloves on his right hand, he was browsing the convenience store products this way and that, letting out nonstop exclamations of admiration.
"Wow. There are so many amazing things here."
It was just normal behavior anyone could do. But seeing that bastard act like that made me immediately suspect some ulterior motive.
'Why did he come here of all places? To mess with me?'
Already in a frustrating situation and feeling on edge, having one of the causes show up right in front of me of his own accord sharpened my nerves even further.
The funny thing was, looking at that guy's face made me feel a bit resentful toward Han Seyong.
If Han Seyong had perfectly resolved the issue with Oh Hanam, things wouldn't have turned out like this.
...That kind of thought kept coming up. Since Han Seyong actually had the power to do it, I couldn't shake off the lingering regret.
'He won't even pick up his phone.'
According to Han Aebom, it was to toughen me up. Who the hell was that guy to decide whether I got toughened up or not?
I got even more pissed because I couldn't figure out his intentions.
Was he maybe planning to parachute me into one of Hanban Group's subsidiaries?
"Ha...."
A scoff escaped me involuntarily. My situation must really be serious. I could tell from the ridiculous delusions spinning in my head.
Plus, Han Seyong had helped me, yet here I was feeling ungratefully resentful that he hadn't helped cleanly. It was laughable.
As Han Aebom had said before, this was no different from the mindset of someone who saves a drowning man and then demands his bundle.
With this kind of attitude, I couldn't beat Han Seyong or Oh Hanam—hell, I couldn't even catch up.
"Your complexion doesn't look good. Are you alright?"
I flinched.
While I was lost in thought for a moment, Oh Hanam had closed in right up to my face. His face was handsome no matter when I saw it. If he'd been born a chaebol heir, at least he could've been ugly.
Psychopath bastard. Damn siscon bastard.
I forcibly calmed myself by mentally turning the guy into a pervert.
"Ah, yes. I'm fine."
My voice was laced with wariness despite my efforts, and Oh Hanam burst out laughing unwittingly. He quickly clapped a hand over his mouth, but muffled laughter kept leaking out.
'Is he really insane?'
As I stared at him with blank eyes, Oh Hanam—who'd been doubled over laughing—quickly reverted to his poker face and apologized.
"Ah, I've shown such rudeness. My apologies."
It was a polite apology, but it didn't feel sincere at all.
Especially that bastard's eyes. His gaze.
It always gave me chills. His mouth curved in amusement, but his eyes were lifeless like a dead fish's. I'd never seen eyes like that before.
"Hmm, well. Hmm."
After a brief pause, Oh Hanam opened his mouth in earnest.
"I've read reports related to you, Hyunwoo, cover to cover about thirty times, so I expected something like this. But reading it on paper and seeing it with my own eyes feels completely different. It's thrilling."
"Yes?"
What the hell did I just hear? What had he read thirty times?
"After poring over Kim Hyunwoo's life about thirty times... I got a precise picture in my head of the kind of person you are. Honestly, I might know you better than Hana does now."
Goosebumps prickled up my arms.
Suddenly, I wondered if I should be singing Han Seyong's praises. If Han Seyong hadn't reined in Oh Hanam's craziness even somewhat, what the hell would this bastard have done?
I couldn't even imagine it, and that made it creepier. Because whatever it was, it was beyond imagining.
"So, even anticipating this situation, I had a slight anxiety."
Anxiety?
"Your unpredictable growth rate and pace of change, I suppose. Anyway, I worried you might react differently than I'd predicted. I was truly on edge about it."
What the hell was that supposed to mean?
"You don't seem to get it. Hmm, I don't usually say things like this out loud... but since I have a certain fondness for you, Hyunwoo, I'll explain."
It was the last kind of fondness I ever wanted. Still, I was curious enough to listen. I really didn't understand a single bit.
"I'm glad your complexion looks bad."
"......?"
Oh Hanam's serious face made it seem like he'd just dropped something shocking, but since I didn't get it, it didn't faze me.
At my reaction, Oh Hanam grinned.
"This proves how pure you really are, Hyunwoo. Once you start company life, you'll be in for quite a shock."
"I've done some social life, even if not full company work. Military service, and the convenience store part-time job was decent..."
"That's all child's play."
What did you just say, you punk?
"What I meant—in other words—is that if you'd had a happy look on your face, my mood would've been utterly ruined."
"Ah!"
I belatedly understood what Oh Hanam had said. So, this bastard was glad I looked half-dead.
"It's not really because of you, so don't sweat it. You haven't done anything yet, anyway."
I snapped back irritably, and Oh Hanam's laughter erupted again.
"Kuhuhu, kuhu... kuk!"
This bastard sure knew how to laugh.
And heartily too—like he was choking on it. Seeing that blissful expression irritated me for no good reason.
"You really are fun to tease, Hyunwoo. It was all on purpose. Even doing nothing."
"What kind of brilliant... Ah!"
I was about to scoff at his bullshit.
But out of nowhere, a strategy sim game from my college days that I'd grinded hard popped into my head. I'd studied top rankers' basics diligently, and one technique was holding back skills on purpose.
Just keeping an important skill in reserve had a bigger effect than using it.
Wasn't that what Oh Hanam had just described?
...Right?
"So, by doing nothing, you expected me to wither away on my own... right?"
Hearing that, Oh Hanam widened his eyes briefly before nodding with a pleased smile.
"Exactly. Better comprehension than I expected. I like it."
Chilling smile.
"In that vein, here's a good tip: to spite someone you can't stand, show the happiest face possible in front of them. Just like me."
What a fucking asshole.
I was cursing him inwardly when he suddenly held out a 50,000-won bill. Wondering what it signified, I looked.
"So many products here, recommend something light to tide over hunger. The 50,000-won's your tip."
Thinking it was ridiculous, I was about to retort when Oh Hanam added on.
"Oh, for reference—I know tipping for convenience store recs isn't normal. If it bothers you or hurts your pride, just hand it back."
"......No. I'll recommend. With all my heart."
His know-it-all attitude pissed me off to no end.
Meanwhile, my hand was betraying me, pocketing the 50,000-won bill with zero hesitation. I'd figured my pride was worth at least a million, but dang, that yellow bill changed everything.
Honestly, recommending snacks for 50k? Total steal.
"For light eating, this and this. For a drink, I recommend this."
I picked a high-quality 7,900-won bento (small portion but top-notch) with a complimentary mini udon cup, plus the most reliably popular iced cup drink.
Part of me wanted to push some funky-smelling beverage or that fake milk tea taste to watch his face twist...
But the 50k bill burning a hole in my pocket nagged at me every time.
"Feels like I made the right call tipping you 50k, Hyunwoo."
Huh?
"Otherwise, you'd have shoved weird stuff my way to screw me over."
"Hup...!"
This time, even I was floored.
Did this bastard have a 'mind reading' skill or something? No other explanation. Unless I was a total idiot with every emotion plastered on my face...
"Your face shows everything so plainly, Hyunwoo. Makes me let my guard down in a bad way. Kinda scary."
Guess I really was pathetic.
But I wasn't just gonna take it lying down.
"Fine. I'll acknowledge what deserves it."
"...?"
"You're smart and capable. Honestly, way more than me...! But that doesn't mean you can keep tormenting Oh Hana like before. Anything else, sure—but making her happy... I do that way better than you."
It stuttered midway, cringy lines included.
But I'd said my piece.
Our first encounter, I'd been too flustered for proper words. Compared to then, this was miles better.
"Ha, this is trouble."
While pouring hot water into the mini udon cup, Oh Hanam's lips curled up. For a split second, his dead eyes seemed to sparkle—was that my imagination?
"Seriously... When Chairman Han Seyong suddenly summoned and wrecked me, I even thought about killing someone for the first time."
......Killing someone? Me, maybe?
I gulped, and there was Oh Hanam, eyes crinkling in delight.
"At this rate, I might really end up calling you big bro. Worrying."
Says the guy who shouldn't!
Imagining a bastard like you calling me big bro and glomming on—that was the world's worst nightmare.
'More than that, it's obvious he's talking to me. Slipping in the casual speech like that.'
Oh Hana had shown hints of casual speech too. Was this the terror of DNA, of genetics?
"I'll enjoy your recommendations. See you next time."
"Yes?"
I'd assumed he'd eat inside, so my eyes went wide. Meanwhile, black-suited bodyguards who'd just entered scooped up the food and headed to the car.
Oh Hanam shoved his now-empty hands in his pockets and spoke.
"Ilha Group's vice chairman isn't that idle. Got business overseas—heading straight to the airport. Just a quick stop. Oh, and this is a bonus since I liked it."
Oh Hanam stuffed ten more 50,000-won bills into my pocket and breezed out of the store. He was so casual I couldn't even say goodbye. Dazed, I muttered.
"Wow, what the hell is that guy's deal?"
While fiddling with the eleven 50,000-won bills in my pocket, I thought.
Daily wage of 550,000 won... sweet.
Save it up?
