Chapter 58
Chapter 58
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 058
Chapter Title: You Made It? (1)
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[Whoa. I see. I hadn’t even thought of that. Wow…… As expected of our actor, your eye for this stuff is incredible.]
“This is nothing if it’s for you, Yeonwoo.”
[I never expected you to take care of things this thoroughly……]
“……”
No, seriously, a top actor. A chaebol heir, no less. How does he even know about stuff like that?
Yet strangely, the more he heard, the more plausible it sounded. And coming from someone at the pinnacle of Korean entertainment, it carried an air of credibility.
‘No. I can’t let this slide.’
Yeonwoo pulled himself together.
“We’ve been at this for six hours already. We’ve seen five houses. At this rate, we won’t find anything. Even if there are some flaws, we can always fix them up as we live there, right?”
House hunting turned out to be surprisingly grueling labor. Scrutinizing every detail like a hawk could only be done so many times.
‘Things like water pressure don’t really matter.’
“You must be tired.”
“Yeah, well……”
He couldn’t exactly say no.
“There’s a place that checks all the boxes perfectly. Want to check it out?”
“There’s a place like that?”
“Yeah. Great location, top-notch security, nice surroundings, and it’s available for immediate move-in.”
No need to hear more.
Yeonwoo had shot down every option here due to security concerns, neighborhood issues, or weak privacy protections.
But Kwon Sung-hyun was calling this a ‘great place.’
“Let’s go right now.”
Without a second thought, Yeonwoo called for it.
And then.
“……This is it?”
“That’s right.”
“Isn’t this your building, Sung-hyun?”
“It’s where I live. And the place I mentioned is here too.”
“……”
Yeonwoo was speechless as he took in the sight.
[Whoa. For real? It’s right below the actor’s place! Super close!]
Indeed. Kwon Sung-hyun’s recommendation was the unit directly below his.
“I’m not saying you should live where I do, but this place is pretty solid. Security’s airtight, with a 24-hour guard system and zero blind spots on the CCTV. Privacy is protected to the max. Sasaengs or stalkers don’t stand a chance.”
“That does sound solid……”
It was Kwon Sung-hyun’s home, after all. A carefully chosen residence.
But.
‘Something feels off.’
What was it? Why did he feel like he’d been played?
‘Must be my imagination.’
There was no reason for Kwon Sung-hyun to drag him around like this.
It had to be in his head.
“It’s vacant, so you can move in anytime. Oh, and there’s a soundproof room here. Plenty big enough for your studio. It was renovated recently, so it’s spotless. I even had it maintained regularly so it wouldn’t smell brand new.”
Kwon Sung-hyun explained as they stepped inside.
[Whoaaa…… Yeonwoo, this place is like a palace. But it feels different from the actor’s unit even though it’s right below?]
Kwon Sung-hyun’s place had a stark, modern vibe with just the essentials sparsely placed.
This one felt warm overall.
“But how do you know so much about it? This isn’t your place.”
Kwon Sung-hyun answered Yeonwoo’s question casually.
“I own the building.”
***
“Huh?”
The building? What?
‘The landlord, who reigns above even the creator, was standing right in front of me. No, wait.’
A chaebol heir and Korea’s top actor—maybe it made sense.
“A unit happened to open up, so I left it vacant on the off chance, but I never imagined it would connect to you like this.”
His bright smile looked utterly innocent.
“Having agency entertainers clustered together makes it easier for the company to manage. And it’s convenient having someone you know nearby, right?”
Was it?
‘I’d have to have friends nearby to know.’
Yeonwoo, who had no friends let alone acquaintances, found it an alien concept.
“This place won’t disappoint. Soundproofing’s all done—just move in. Plus.”
Kwon Sung-hyun’s lips curved into a smile.
“No need to shuttle back and forth between your place and mine anymore. Even now, I sometimes feel my body floating up while I’m asleep. You could spot it and handle it right away, no?”
True.
It was stable now, so no need to check constantly, but……
This guy had once left his healthy body asleep in a spirit state.
Yeonwoo had ended up here keeping watch.
‘Well, in the end, it’s a huge win for me.’
“But is this really okay? I don’t want to be a bother.”
“Why say something so hurtful? Having you here is a joy for me.”
“Still, I feel like I’m imposing too much……”
“It’s just money. You gave me back something far more precious than that.”
And at the same time.
-Ding!
[Harvestable Lifespan: 7 days]
The familiar text popped up above Kwon Sung-hyun’s head again.
‘I was wondering when it’d show.’
The man himself wanted it this badly……
The conditions weren’t bad. No, they were top-tier.
Yeonwoo shrugged.
“Alright…… I’ll take it.”
“Great. Shall we move you in right now?”
“Huh? Now?”
“You know, strike while the iron’s hot.”
What kind of lightning-fast development was this?!
Worried Yeonwoo might change his mind, the non-move move happened in a flash, like roasting beans under lightning.
‘I’ll have to explain to Han Grandfather later.’
The old man could be surprisingly petty. If he found out Yeonwoo moved without a word, he might sulk for ages.
The manager, who’d driven half a day for the real estate tour, slinked over like a ghost once Kwon Sung-hyun was out of earshot.
“Yeonwoo, take good care of that guy from now on. You’re really saving a bunch of us. Thanks for putting up with his whims so cheerfully……”
The weary-faced manager whispered.
Sung-hyun doesn’t mean any harm, so please be understanding……
With a wistful final word, the manager slipped away.
“……?”
He must be exhausted. He hadn’t looked half-dead last time.
The puzzlement faded at the Child Spirit’s call.
[Whoa! Yeonwoo! Look at this!]
“What is it?”
Yeonwoo froze at the sight in the room he’d entered absentmindedly at the Child Spirit’s urging.
“……?”
What was all this?
The large room brimmed with machines and instruments of every kind.
A grand piano dominating one corner, electronic piano, violin, cello, guitar……
That wasn’t all.
One side held multiple large monitors and heaps of mysterious machines.
‘Kinda like what I saw at the radio station?’
Deeper in was a separate recording booth partitioned by transparent glass.
[Wow…… This is like another world. Recording booth, mixing gear—everything’s here! I’ve only seen this on TV, and now it’s in our Yeonwoo’s house! So cool!]
The little yellow bird flitted excitedly around the studio.
“Like it?”
“What’s all this…… Did you get it for me?”
Kwon Sung-hyun’s eyes crinkled warmly.
“I collected them bit by bit, and I thought you could use them, so I brought them over.”
“Collected them bit by bit? All this……?”
“All this? It’s a drop in the bucket. The composers and singers I know wouldn’t bat an eye at this. I’m actually bummed I couldn’t get even better stuff……”
Yeonwoo could almost see the big dog’s ears and tail drooping.
But the feeling was weird. Similar to that tricked sensation from earlier.
What was it?
“It looks plenty good to me……”
Look at the room filled with brand-new instruments, machines, and tools, gleaming without a single scratch, polished to perfection.
‘They’re practically bragging, “I’m brand new.”’
“There’s a saying artisans don’t fuss over tools, but good tools make artisans better, right?”
“True.”
“It’s not much, I know, but bear with it for now, and I’ll prep better ones soon. Or better yet, want to go pick some out right now? You’d probably prefer choosing in person.”
“No, no. I don’t know anything—what am I supposed to pick? And you’ve already got so much here. Why buy more? What about all this perfectly good gear? It’s unnecessary……”
“Yeonwoo.”
Kwon Sung-hyun gazed at him steadily with calm eyes.
“Don’t take away my joy, okay?”
……
No, was spending money really that joyful?
He wanted to refuse, but that expression sapped his will.
‘Fine. If he enjoys it that much.’
Free stuff was like poisoned chalice, they said. Not that Yeonwoo wanted poison……
But he was offering. What could he do?
Even if he refused now, Kwon Sung-hyun would probably throw in lifespan, and Yeonwoo……
‘Sigh. Lifespan’s the real deal.’
One thing he’d learned from the drama’s Multi-Lifespan Auto-Harvest: lifespan from influence had ups and downs.
It poured in during peak production or right after finale, but tapered off over time.
In short, not foolproof.
Influence mattered, but sustained exposure to people did too.
Otherwise?
‘Good thing I have the lifespan vending machine.’
Yeonwoo eyed Kwon Sung-hyun.
‘Intake’s been dipping lately. Maybe harvest a bit? …Nah. Even if he’s got 120+ years of lifespan vibes, better ration it.’
Who knew when he’d need it urgently? Even a day’s worth could be crucial then.
“Alright…… Got it.”
Kwon Sung-hyun’s face lit up.
“But don’t waste money on nonsense.”
“This isn’t even a blip on the waste radar. Want me to show you real waste? Interested?”
His head tilted innocently, yet prodding subtly.
Korea’s top-tier star’s spending spree. Intriguing, if he was honest……
“……Pass.”
Better for his sanity not to see.
The stuff here was probably better than new buys anyway.
Yeonwoo scanned the studio again.
Then turned to Kwon Sung-hyun.
“Whew. Come to think of it, I forgot to say thanks. Appreciate you going to the trouble.”
“No trouble at all.”
Whoosh. He could almost see a tail wagging like a propeller.
“But…… how do I even use all this……?”
Piano and violin were doable thanks to the masters’ imprinted skills, but those weird machines and computers?
Maybe that question did it.
“Oh. Friend! You need me?”
***
A few days later.
A visitor barged in brazenly, thick arms swinging lazily.
Lee Juha.
The Child Spirit, flitting about, greeted him first.
[Big ol’ bear’s back!]
“Whoa! A bird?!”
[How dare you call this noble one a bird, you bear!]
The sparrow pecked relentlessly at Lee Juha’s crown.
“Ow!”
[Hmm. Nice view from here. So fluffy and cushy……]
It settled right on his head like a nest.
Lee Juha blinked in confusion, then peered inside and lit up.