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Chapter 43: A Travel Novice’s Flex
“Doctor, how do you feel about inventing the time machine?”
Reporters surrounded a short scientist in a white lab coat, eager to interview the creator of the time machine.
“I can finally grow taller!”
Instead of answering, the scientist shouted and disappeared—only to return as a younger version of himself, gulping down milk.
“Growing children should drink three glasses a day. Adults, two.”
Do Minho’s milk commercial featured a genius scientist, only 130 centimeters tall, who invents a time machine to return to his growth years and drink milk to become taller.
For this, Minho even wore special makeup to portray both a middle-aged man and his eight-year-old self, pulling off both roles perfectly.
“Hyung, if I drink milk, will I really grow taller?”
“Yes.”
Genetics matter, but it’s still better than not drinking it.
“Then did you grow tall by drinking milk too?”
“Yes.”
Minho himself was only about 130 centimeters tall, but among kids his age, he was considered relatively tall.
I’ll reach 190 someday.
He even had the shameless wish of being five centimeters shorter.
Maybe I should take up weightlifting…
“But do you guys really want to go to Fantasy World?”
“Yes!”
“If we go now, you might not be tall enough for most rides.”
He wasn’t either.
Even at nine or ten, he’d still be too short for many attractions—roller coasters usually required at least 150 centimeters.
“Still, I want to go! There are castles where princesses and princes live!”
It’s still fun even without rides, apparently.
Fantasy World, known as the world’s greatest theme park, was loved even by small children who couldn’t ride many attractions.
It brought the worlds of famous fantasy stories to life.
Some even said it was more beautiful than imagination itself.
And because it kept evolving with human creativity, people kept returning.
There was even a saying—people are divided into those who have experienced Fantasy World and those who haven’t.
Even children from a small rural orphanage, who had barely left their town, dreamed of going there.
Though Minho, despite his artistic talent, had lived such a barren life that he once thought of it as just a place with roller coasters.
Still, maybe it’s worth going once.
“Alright. Let’s go.”
“Really? We’re going to Fantasy World?”
“Yes.”
“All of us?”
“Of course.”
Cheers erupted.
For older kids who had never traveled beyond school trips, the excitement was even greater.
“But we’re going because of the broadcast, right?”
“Don’t worry. We’re going to have fun. The staff will come too, but not to make you work.”
“What does that mean?”
“Until now, they filmed us for the show. This time, they’ll film for us. You won’t have to appear on broadcast. Instead, you’ll get professional photos.”
“That doesn’t make sense.”
“It does.”
“How?”
“I’m paying for the trip.”
“What?”
Round-trip tickets to the U.S. alone cost around ten million won.
And Minho planned to cover everything—for over a hundred people.
“Why would you do that?”
“The station offered support, but it was minimal. And if we’re traveling, I don’t want us to be rushed or uncomfortable.”
“Still… that’s too much!”
“You’re all good to me. To us.”
“But…”
“I just want to.”
I want to live by giving, especially to those close to me.
The children couldn’t understand him—but they stopped questioning.
“Sounds fun.”
Their earlier hesitation turned into quiet excitement.
Even Minho reflected.
Why was I so stingy earlier?
“Doesn’t it feel like a waste of money?”
“I earned it to spend it.”
“That’s different…”
“And I’m not stupid. I know what to spend on.”
He made it clear—they weren’t his responsibility forever.
Study hard and stand on your own.
“By the way, does Fantasy World have a zoo?”
“Probably.”
“Yay!”
“Then let’s also go to the zoo in San Diego Zoo.”
“What’s that?”
“The biggest zoo in the world. It has the most animals.”
“Wow! I want to go!”
“Me too!”
“Alright. Let’s spend the whole winter vacation in the U.S.”
“Really?”
“Of course.”
---
“You’ve really made a lot of money.”
Kang Jiseop stared at the travel plan in disbelief.
“You’re taking all these people to the U.S. for a whole month? And staying in luxury hotels?”
“Is that a problem?”
“Of course not! That’s at least eight weeks of content!”
With additional material, they could secure even more episodes.
“The executives can’t complain either. We hit 50% ratings and sold out ads.”
“That’s good.”
“But we should hire a professional travel agency.”
“I’ll handle it. I owe you that much.”
“Please do.”
“Leave it to me!”
Still, Director Lee hesitated.
“Do we really have to go abroad? There are good places here too.”
He had learned the ticket cost—over 1 billion won.
“This isn’t right.”
“Then I’ll go alone.”
“…That’s not what I meant.”
“Can’t we travel together as a family?”
“You can’t spend 1 billion like it’s nothing.”
“But I can’t wait until I earn enough to treat it like nothing either. Travel as a child and travel as an adult are different.”
“…Do you even understand what you’re saying?”
“I do. But I’m eight. Even if I lose everything, it doesn’t matter. I’ll earn it again. This isn’t wasting money—it’s using it to be happy.”
Silence followed.
“And I’m not reckless. I don’t spend on just anything. I just want to buy happiness.”
“I’m tired of postponing happiness.”
Kang Jiseop supported him.
“He’ll earn even more next year. Why stop him from doing something meaningful?”
“…Alright. Do as you wish. But save the rest.”
“I will. But not in won.”
“What?”
“I’ll convert it to dollars. Something feels off about the economy.”
They didn’t fully understand—but they trusted him.
“Should I do the same?”
“It’s a good idea. Or buy gold.”
“You’re into finance too?”
“You can earn money while having fun.”
“Then let’s make that our next theme.”
“Sounds good.”