Chapter 17
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Phone Number and Second Prize
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I drank the health drink Park Man-bok had given me. True to its reputation as something good for the body, it tasted goddamn awful. No idea how bitter it was.
Drained it clean.
'He went out of his way to give it to me, so I can't leave any behind.'
I drank it out of gratitude for the gesture.
Changed out of my clothes. Put on my workout gear. Left the locker room.
Was about to weigh myself.
When I overheard a handsome guy in his early thirties talking to Park Ha-yeon.
"If you're free sometime, wanna catch a movie?"
"Sorry. I don't like movies."
"Ah, got it, you don't like movies. Hmm, how about dinner then? I'll treat you to something delicious. Lobster? Steak? Lamb ribs? Name it."
"That sounds like too much. I'll politely decline."
"What about coffee? I know a great cafe with a nice vibe and killer desserts. Their desserts have tons of butter, so they're super rich and sweet."
"Sorry. I have a boyfriend."
It was like watching a spear clash against a shield.
The guy thrust his spear desperately, but it couldn't pierce Park Ha-yeon's ironclad shield.
The man got brutally rejected.
"Come on, don't be like that......"
The man's patience finally ran out. He reached for Park Ha-yeon's wrist.
"Ahem. Sir."
But he didn't grab it. Park Man-bok's intervention startled the guy. He involuntarily stepped back.
The man tucked tail and fled.
'Peaceful as ever.'
Jin-seong chuckled.
It was a common sight.
This wasn't the first or second time I'd seen an alpha male confess to Park Ha-yeon, get shot down, and end up with the Park Man-bok ending.
'Now I'm really curious. Who'll be the one to snag Ha-yeon's number?'
Who would be the thief to steal Park Ha-yeon's heart?
'I wish it was me. I want her number. I want her heart too.'
But that was damn near impossible.
Even the top alpha males had all gotten cut at the entrance.
All I had going for me were my two balls, so winning over a stunning beauty like Park Ha-yeon wasn't easy.
'Time to check my weight.'
Stepped on the scale. 80.7kg. Down 0.3kg from yesterday.
Noted it on my phone.
"Wow......"
An exclamation came from the side.
Looked over.
Park Ha-yeon was staring at the scale, unable to hide her admiration.
"You're amazing. Dropping nearly 15kg in such a short time."
"Thank you."
"Another 15kg or so, and you'll be at normal weight, right?"
"Still a long way to go."
"No way. You've already lost half? Only half left now."
Park Ha-yeon held out her hand.
"Mind giving me your phone for a sec?"
"My phone?"
"Yeah. I'll give you my number."
"Pardon? What'd you say?"
"I'll give you my number."
Jin-seong couldn't help but be flustered. Honestly, he couldn't believe it.
It was Park Ha-yeon's phone number—something even alpha males couldn't get.
For a guy with nothing but balls to get Park Ha-yeon's number?!
"What? Don't want it?"
"No, no! I do. It's just so sudden."
He shook his head vigorously.
"Don't get the wrong idea. I'm not giving it to you because I'm interested."
"Of course not?"
"We had a deal. If Kim Dong-wook turned out to be a scammer, I'd repay you."
According to Park Ha-yeon's investigation, Kim Dong-wook was indeed a scammer.
Not just any scammer—a real piece of shit, top-tier con artist.
"Thanks. You saved me. I'll buy you a meal soon."
He was endlessly grateful.
If oppa hadn't helped, Dad would've been scammed out of at least 30 million won.
Thanks. So grateful. Really want to repay him.
Handed over the phone. Park Ha-yeon entered her number.
"Why the grin? That happy to get my number?"
"Yeah, pretty happy."
"Saying it again, not because I'm interested. Just a small thank-you since I'm grateful."
Felt great.
Park Man-bok hadn't fallen for the scammer's trap.
Park Ha-yeon had given him her number out of thanks.
Park Ha-yeon thought of him as 'oppa' instead of 'pig'.
And finally, Park Ha-yeon's favorability had skyrocketed.
On the way home.
Jin-seong carried a fancy package in his hand.
'Beef.'
Park Man-bok had gifted him a beef set as thanks.
'I didn't help expecting any reward......'
He'd just wanted to help, plain and simple.
Followed his heart, nothing more.
Never even thought about compensation.
'Thanks, Sajangnim. I'll enjoy it.'
Hummed a little tune.
'Perfect. I can grill it with Ji-seong hyung.'
He'd promised to treat Lee Ji-seong to beef.
Hadn't forgotten.
[Me: Ji-seong hyung, got some beef as a gift. Wanna eat together?]
[Lee Ji-seong: Beef?]
[Lee Ji-seong: Sounds good. Count me in.]
[Lee Ji-seong: Where?]
[Me: How about after work tomorrow? It's late today.]
[Me: Oh, but problem. Where? Dorm's too cramped, and people would notice.]
[Lee Ji-seong: My place.]
[Lee Ji-seong: Just bring the meat.]
[Lee Ji-seong: I'll grill it up nice.]
[Me: Won't your family mind?]
[Lee Ji-seong: No worries.]
[Lee Ji-seong: Just me at home.]
[Lee Ji-seong: Wife and kid are at her parents'. Back Monday.]
[Me: Aha. Perfect. Sounds good.]
[Me: See you at work tomorrow.]
[Lee Ji-seong: Yep, tomorrow.]
Plans set.
'Ha-yeon.'
Park Ha-yeon was added to his KakaoTalk friends list.
Zoomed in on her profile pic.
'She's really pretty.'
Goddess material.
'Damn, that haughty, prickly charm is just......'
Stared at the photo for a good while.
[Me: Hi.]
[Me: Yoo Jin-seong here.]
Reply came about 10 minutes later.
[Park Ha-yeon: Hi.]
[Park Ha-yeon: When are you free?]
[Park Ha-yeon: Tomorrow evening work?]
[Park Ha-yeon: I'll buy dinner.]
Jin-seong furrowed his brow.
Tomorrow evening?
He'd already planned to grill beef with Lee Ji-seong after work.
[Me: Sorry. Tomorrow evening's tough. Prior commitment.]
[Park Ha-yeon: Can't be helped.]
[Park Ha-yeon: Sunday then?]
[Park Ha-yeon: I'm free anytime Sunday.]
[Me: Sorry. Sunday's tough too. Got plans ㅠ]
Sunday was out too.
Meeting Choi Ah-young for spicy rice cakes and bingsu.
[Park Ha-yeon: Thought you were a total loner with no friends, but you're busier than I expected?]
[Park Ha-yeon: When works for you? Tell me a good day, I'll match.]
[Me: Loner? Harsh words.]
[Park Ha-yeon: You are a loner, oppa?]
[Park Ha-yeon: Can't do empty flattery.]
[Park Ha-yeon: Unless you're not?]
[Park Ha-yeon: I'll apologize if not.]
[Park Ha-yeon: So when?]
[Me: Haha;; Can't deny it.]
[Me: Yeah, total loner here.]
[Me: Monday evening should work. Off at 8, meet at 9?]
[Park Ha-yeon: Got it.]
[Park Ha-yeon: Any favorite foods?]
[Park Ha-yeon: Anything you wanna eat?]
[Me: Not picky. Eat anything.]
[Me: What do you like? Let's go with what you want, Ha-yeon-ssi.]
[Park Ha-yeon: Love dakgalbi.]
[Me: Oh?! Dakgalbi!! One of my faves too!!]
[Me: Dakgalbi it is. Monday dakgalbi date.]
Going for dakgalbi with Park Ha-yeon.
Phone rang from Mom.
- Son, how you holding up? Super busy? Not a single call. Gonna forget your voice.
"Yeah, swamped. Working out morning and night, putting in the hours for that raise. No time to breathe."
- Aigoo, that busy? Diet going well?
"Yep, smooth sailing. Down 14.3kg."
Casual chit-chat.
- Son, come home soon.
"Why?"
- Why? Wanna see your face.
"Got it. I'll make time."
- Good. Mom'll cook up a storm.
Mom's voice brightened.
- Oh! Right! Son, son, Mom had a dream today?
"What kind?"
- You hugging a baby pig to your chest.
A money dream.
Pig dreams meant money.
- Son, buy one lottery ticket later.
- Mom got one earlier.
- No telling if it'll hit.
- If it does, pay off some debt.
- If Mom hits first prize, I'll buy you a house.
Lottery was the classic for pig dreams.
Hung up.
"Pig dream, huh......"
Jin-seong trailed off. Pulled a lottery ticket from his worn wallet.
"Hope it hits, but......"
Stared at it blankly. Then smirked.
Probably wouldn't.
Clocked out. Headed to Lee Ji-seong's place. Grilled beef on the hot plate.
"Damn, looks tasty."
"Hyung, drink?"
"Yeah, pour one."
They poured soju for each other.
"On a diet, but okay to eat this?"
"Nah, shouldn't. But how do you resist beef and soju?"
"Impossible."
"No choice. Eat guilt-free and kill it at the gym."
"Smart thinking."
Beef melted in his mouth. Soju went down smooth.
"Gotta hit the bathroom."
"Sure, go ahead."
Lee Ji-seong stood up.
Jin-seong grabbed a piece of beef, ate it, and glanced at the TV.
Lotto drawing was on.
'Lotto, huh......'
Pulled his ticket from his wallet.
"Huh?"
Jin-seong jolted. The pleasant buzz from the booze vanished in an instant.
And for good reason......
His pupils shook violently.
'Second prize?!'
He'd won the lottery.
'Second prize!!!'
A whopping second prize.
'Whoa, fuck, jackpot!'
Lee Ji-seong returned.
"What's up?"
"N-nothing."
"Meat's burning. Eat up."
"Y-yeah. Right. Gotta eat. Haha. Eat good. Real good."
"Drunk already?"
His mind was blank.
No clue if meat was going in his nose or mouth.
"Hyung, hypothetically. If, say, you hit lotto second prize. What would you do with the winnings?"
"Second prize? Hmm, after taxes maybe 40 mil? I'd pay off all my loans first."
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