Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Hey, You Crying?
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Before the sofa could even recover from the shock, the brothers headed to the bed section.
A third of life is spent sleeping. That made beds incredibly important.
Especially for Woojin, who felt intense fatigue after using mana, a bed wasn't just furniture—it was a charger.
"Bro, what about this one? It looks expensive just at a glance."
Sangjin pointed to the store's centerpiece: a white mattress that looked like a cloud plucked straight from the sky.
A salesperson swooped in like they'd been waiting, unleashing a torrent of flowery praise.
"Sir, you've got a great eye. This is our top-of-the-line 'Heaven Sleep' from our premium brand. It uses a revolutionary foam developed by NASA, and right next to it is the 'Nature Sleep,' which offers the soothing comfort of drifting off in a forest..."
Woojin let the spiel flow past like water off a duck's back.
His eyes were locked on the status windows floating in the air.
"...This is insane."
Woojin let out an involuntary gasp of admiration.
Sleep Induction and Fatigue Recovery—could there be a more perfect item for modern folks craving a good night's rest?
A happy dilemma began. Which option was truly better?
"Sangjin, lie down on it."
"Huh? Take off my shoes?"
"Yeah, hurry up."
Unable to resist his brother's command, Sangjin hesitantly stretched out on the mattress.
"Whoa... it's super soft. But anything special about it...?"
"What about the one next to it?"
Sangjin shifted to the Nature Sleep and lay down, but he just tilted his head.
"This one's nice too... but I can't tell the difference."
It seemed the skills only activated once you fell asleep.
The salesperson swore both were on another level, but Woojin decided to hold off.
"We'll browse a bit more."
Today wasn't about home furniture—they were here for office stuff.
They couldn't buy house furniture before even moving in.
Regretfully shelving the beds, the brothers headed to the office furniture section.
Woojin checked skills, while Sangjin picked designs.
Cheaper options were everywhere, of course.
But Woojin unhesitatingly chose the priciest lineup in the furniture complex.
The old saying was spot on: cheap stuff is like rice cakes—plentiful but not worth it.
If you wanted real performance, you had to pay up.
"This should do it, right?"
"Yeah, we got the most important desk and chair... Laptop for the computer. Oh! What about fridge or water purifier?"
"We'll hit the electronics mart near the house. They had tons of skill-enhanced appliances too."
"Sounds good."
A knowledge industry center in a new Gyeonggi satellite city.
True to its fresh build, the lobby gleamed with marble.
"No matter how many times I come, damn! Class is class."
Freight elevator to the fifth floor.
< Room 502 >
Woojin punched in the code, and the door clicked open with a cheerful beep.
Beep-beep—
High ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows flooded the space with light.
About 660 square feet, but the mezzanine made the usable area around 1,300.
Upper level for rest, lower for work. Perfect setup.
"Like I said before, this place is killer."
"Right?"
"Bro... I already feel like we've made it."
"We're just getting started, you punk."
Soon, delivery guys swarmed in.
The 'Comfort' sofa went to the second-floor lounge, the 'Concentration Enhancement' desk and 'Posture Correction' chair to the first-floor office.
Finally, the large conference table took center stage.
'Group Thought Adjustment.' Odd name, but if it sucked, he could just Reverse Enhance it away.
With furniture in place, the empty space now looked like a legit company.
Woojin opened a box in the corner.
A custom-made signboard from recently.
< Woosang Company >
Gold letters gleamed on black acrylic. No skills, just a plain item—but to the brothers, it was priceless.
"Just hang this by the door?"
"Yep."
Sangjin grabbed a screwdriver.
Scrrch—
The sign clicked securely into place.
Woojin raised his right hand to Sangjin, who grinned and slapped it without hesitation.
Smack!
The crisp sound echoed down the empty hall.
Woosang Company's real start.
A week passed.
Woosang Shop's chopsticks were sailing smoothly.
Limited to 300 a week, they sold out the instant they went live.
At this rate, 60 million won monthly was just a matter of time.
And today was the big moving day.
He'd reached the villa owner's son and settled everything.
Leave the place as-is, just take their stuff.
Deposit returned clean and smooth.
The brothers' belongings were sparse: a few clothes, Sangjin's books, two faded photo albums. That was it.
The rest of the furniture? Trash it.
It was the deal, and besides, they couldn't bring the stench of poverty into their new home.
Woojin gave the empty basement room one last look.
Black mold blooming, cracked window gaps, toilet that backed up at the drop of a hat.
Still, it was the bittersweet space that sheltered them from the rain.
'Thanks, anyway.'
Woojin bowed slightly to the villa interior.
"Bro, what're you doing? Let's go."
"Yeah, coming."
Woojin shut the front door without a backward glance.
Slam—
The landlady grandma stood outside, arms crossed.
Deposit paid to the penny.
She glared at Woojin with resentment but said nothing.
The brothers loaded their bags into the pre-called taxi.
As Woojin climbed in, he rolled down the window and tossed out a line.
"Grandma, be nicer to the next tenants. Thanks for putting up with us all this time."
"...Yeah. Sorry."
Woojin doubted his ears.
"Pardon?"
"I said sorry! This old bat got greedy and screwed you brothers over. Just chalk it up to stepping in shit from a senile grandma."
Some might scoff, trying to brush off seven years of hell with that.
But Woojin didn't.
He'd hated her guts, but they'd never cross paths again.
No need to go out sharp to the end.
"Sorry too, for my rude mouth. Stay healthy."
"Yeah, looks like you're headed somewhere good. Glad you're doing well."
Woojin chuckled.
The first button was botched, but the last one fit perfectly.
Vroom—
The taxi pulled away.
In the rearview, the grandma stood with hands behind her back, shrinking to a dot then vanishing.
Woojin and Sangjin locked eyes and burst out laughing.
"Ah, feels so good."
"Bye-bye, our hellhole home."
The taxi entered the new apartment complex in the satellite city.
The air alone differed from the gloomy old villa even in daylight.
Meticulous landscaping, wide roads.
"Whoa... it's like a park, a park!"
Sangjin gawked; Woojin whispered primly.
"Don't be so tacky, man. People'll think you've never seen a new build."
"...I haven't? When would I ever come to a place like this? Bro, look! Gym!"
Sangjin's eyes went wide.
The community center had a gym as standard, plus library, study rooms, even a golf simulator.
Heaven for workout-loving Sangjin.
"Heard about it, but seeing it... nuts."
"Quit gaping and let's go."
Woojin struggled to keep his grin down.
Seeing his brother happier than when he'd handed over ten million in pocket money filled his chest.
Woojin's place was next to the community center, 11th floor.
Beep—
Unlocking the door revealed a glossy shoe cabinet and sleek inner door welcoming them.
Three bedrooms, 800 square feet of space.
Bigger and airier than the 630 sq ft he'd eyed. The awkward size meant long vacancy, scoring him a deal.
"Bro? This the right place? Too big for just us?"
"Bigger's better. Hey, turn on the boiler. Place feels chilly."
Sangjin marveled at the wall touchpad.
"Whoa... boiler by touch?"
"Stop freaking out. We're moved in—time for food. Jajang for me."
"Gan-jajang for me."
"You're getting fancy lately?"
"Gan-jajang's just tastier."
"Alright, then I'll do jjajang with extras."
"Yeah, me too!"
Ding-dong—ding-dong—♪
Soon, a clear bell chimed—worlds apart from the villa's screeching buzzer.
The living room wall pad showed the delivery guy crystal clear.
"Open door..."
Sangjin tapped cautiously.
His lips twitched at the simple action.
"Man, no more peeking through the door crack."
Opening up, steaming jajangmyeon awaited.
Slurp-slurp—
In the bare living room, only the sounds of noodle-slurping echoed loudly.
Sangjin chopsticked away while scanning the house, like he was dreaming.
Woojin watched quietly, then spoke.
"Sorry for being a shitty brother all this time."
Sangjin's munching stopped.
"Finally, I can stand tall in front of you. Damn... took over twenty years to straighten my shoulders for my little bro. Heh."
It was heartfelt.
With the realtor, it was just a 'nice place.' With his brother, it felt like our home.
That feeling swelled into a hot lump climbing his throat.
Sangjin was no different.
Years of hardship and gratitude for his brother hit at once.
Mouth full of jajangmyeon, he bit his lip to hold back sobs.
Eyes reddening, fat tears plopped to the floor.
Woojin patted his shoulder.
"......"
The brothers leaned on each other wordlessly, breathing in their new nest's air.
After a bit, sensing the mood dipping too low, Woojin teased.
"Hey, you crying?"
Sangjin scrubbed his eyes and yelled, jajang sauce smeared on his mouth.
"Wha—I ain't crying! Just... overwhelmed by how good the jajangmyeon is!"
"Heh heh heh, sure. Let's go with that."
Then—
Ding-dong—ding-dong—
The bell rang again.
Woojin checked the wall pad and whooped.
"Oh, it's here! Perfect timing!!"
The screen showed furniture delivery staff hefting big boxes.