Chapter 29

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 29

Chapter Title: Spending the Toto Winnings

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After taxes, how much would he end up with? What to do with the prize money? How much to deposit? How much for allowance?

He was lost in happy thoughts.

"Did you do Toto too?"

Lee Ji-seong asked. Jin-seong snapped out of his reverie.

"Yeah, I did. 100,000 won."

"100,000 won? Did you win?"

"No? I lost. Followed Kwang-woo hyung, and Tottenham totally ruined it. Argh, if only Tottenham had won, it'd have been over 70 million won..."

He wasn't exaggerating.

"Haha, shouldn't have done it. Lost 100,000 won to pointless curiosity. With that, I could've stuffed myself on galbi and still had plenty for round two."

He couldn't exactly say he'd pocketed 45 million won.

He wanted to brag, but held back with Kim Kwang-woo watching.

"Never doing Toto again. Better off donating. No fun, no thrill, just empty."

"Yeah, skip that crap. Buy meat with the money—a hundred times better."

Jin-seong and Kim Kwang-woo's eyes met.

Kim Kwang-woo's gaze wavered.

Kim Kwang-woo resolved to quit for good.

Of course, Jin-seong didn't buy it for a second. Quitting Toto wasn't as easy as saying it. You had to actually do it.

'Well, time will tell.'

He lost interest.

Lunchtime hit the bank. Collected his winnings.

Taxes deducted, about 35.1 million won to receive.

'Jackpot.'

A grin spread across his face at the bank balance.

'Era of Success is a god. Unbeatable. Lotto second prize, instant scratch-off, Toto jackpot—what a streak!'

Thanks a ton. I'll live right. Spend it well. He offered another prayer of thanks to the divine app.

Transferred funds.

First, 33 million to the deposit account.

Savings plus deposit: 48 million won.

'50 million incoming!'

Just 2 million short.

Next, allowances to the family.

1.31 million left.

'The rest is all mine.'

His ambitions grew.

Used to quake over a single 10,000 won.

Even cut his 350,000 won allowance to 250,000 because it felt like too much.

Now, casually planning to blow over a million.

'Perfect timing. Was running low on pocket money...'

Pocket money tight, expenses piling up.

Reply gift for Park Man-bok.

Everland with Choi A-young.

TV might arrive soon.

Buy drinks for Park Ha-yeon.

Gifts essential to win women's hearts.

New clothes now that he'd slimmed down.

Gymwear too.

'Diet was getting pricey, honestly.'

Pressure mounting.

Eggs and bananas cost peanuts.

But adding soy milk, chicken breast, and sweet potatoes spiked the bill.

1.31 million won.

Rain in a drought. Time to spend smart.

Clocked out.

'Hungry.'

Boiled sweet potato and soy milk hit the spot.

'What if it's just phantom hunger?'

Couldn't touch eggs or bananas. Just looking furrowed his brow.

Over two months of it—totally sick of them. Wouldn't glance their way for a while.

Showered.

'Clean up, then shopping.'

Stepped out of the dorm.

Bought clothes: winter parka, neat casuals, socks, thermals, underwear, gym set.

'Way too pricey.'

610,000 won on apparel alone.

Even sticking to value picks, it added up big.

Earning money's brutal, but spending? Effortless.

'Need a trim.'

Hit his regular salon—first time in ages.

"Welcome."

"Have a seat."

"Sure."

"First time here?"

"Huh?"

"New face? Nice to meet you."

"...?"

The owner lady tilted her head.

A dozen-plus visits, loyal regular.

The lady owner didn't recognize him at all.

Jin-seong realized two facts.

One: looks ruled all.

Pig days, her favorability was a measly 13.

Just(?) a glow-up, and it started at 50.

Two: awareness of his transformation.

'I've really changed.'

In a short time. Unrecognizably. In the best way.

Satisfied.

Diet was worth it. Handsome potion investment paid off.

And...

'Gotta bulk up the hair too.'

He wanted lush locks.

Honestly, sparse hair bugged him more than short stature.

'But... height too... dick size up... luck boost... skin fix...'

Endless to-do list.

"Looks way better trimmed."

"Thanks."

Full-body mirror check.

Before and after: night and day. At least three years younger. Easily 30% handsomer.

Extremely pleased.

'Now, mart for groceries and gift sets, bookstore for Jae-gu hyung's recs—done.'

Bustled about.

Shopping complete. Dropped loot at dorm.

Hit the gym. Park Man-bok beamed a welcome.

"Later than usual today?"

"Did some shopping. Here."

"What's this?"

"Thanks for helping A-young."

Jin-seong handed over a premium hanwoo gift set. Top-grade beef, a whopping 330,000 won.

"Why such a lavish gift?"

"Just gratitude. Sajangnim, you kept A-young safe. Without your help, it'd have been disaster."

"Just did what anyone would. Thanks for the gift."

Park Man-bok accepted it.

Eh? Health drinks weren't necessary...

Forced to take one anyway. Chugged it down, not a drop left.

'Tastes like crap.'

No sign of Park Ha-yeon. Probably swamped with exams.

Missed her. Missed Choi A-young too.

Flopped onto the mattress.

Received emoji packs. Two sets even.

He totally had. Fantasized about getting drunk Park Ha-yeon and naughty fun.

Switched to chatting with Choi A-young.

Phone call with Choi A-young.

"A-young, favor: no more 'noob,' okay?"

- "But you are a noob~?"

"..."

Couldn't argue facts.

- "Pffhehe, got it. No more noob."

Calls with Choi A-young were ramping up lately.

From chit-chat...

- "Got confessed to at work today~"

"And?"

- "Turned him down. Said I'm seeing someone~"

"I see."

- "Wish guys wouldn't confess. Too much pressure~"

- "Oppa excepted. Might consider yours~"

...to deep talks.

- "Wish I could earn big money~"

- "Live without worries~"

- "But no clue how~"

Close enough now for real heart-to-hearts.

The day to grab drinks with Park Ha-yeon.