Chapter 81
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 81
Chapter Title: First Kiss with Mi-yeon
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Oh Mi-yeon headed back to finish making the kimchi fried rice.
‘Mi-yeon noona...’
He thought about Mi-yeon.
Mi-yeon's affection level was 10.
Affection: 10
Ever since her affection level appeared, Mi-yeon had pleasured herself every night, fantasizing about him.
She never let it show.
She felt hurt whenever he met other women.
It pained her heart.
‘Can't be helped.’
Whether she felt stressed, irritated, or wounded, issues with women were unavoidable.
Jin-seong honestly liked Mi-yeon, but he liked Park Ha-yeon and Choi A-young ten times—no, a hundred times—more.
Because he hadn't even kissed Mi-yeon, while he had been intimate with Ha-yeon and A-young.
‘I should soothe her a little later.’
He slipped off his cardigan and hung it in the closet. He tackled the dishes spotlessly. He filled a glass with tap water and headed to the Wish Tree.
33/100
The Wish Tree had grown considerably.
It was nearly twice as big as when he first got it, its branches longer, and it was starting to sprout green leaves.
Glug glug—!
He watered it, pouring in his earnest wishes.
“I hope the people around me are happy.”
I hope the people precious to me stay healthy.
I hope peace settles in my heart.
I hope no misfortunes come my way.
I hope there are plenty of reasons to smile.
That would be nice.
34/100
The Wish Tree grew. Its branches thickened, and green leaves bloomed.
‘Feels good.’
Was it the warmth of his wishes?
Or the tree's growth?
Every time he watered it, a subtle coziness and warmth washed over him. A satisfied smile crept onto his face.
‘I should help Mi-yeon noona.’
And gently soothe her while I'm at it.
He went to Mi-yeon's place. She was frying eggs with an apron tied on. The soup bubbled away.
‘Pretty.’
Mi-yeon was dressed in a gray long-sleeve tee, jeans, and a pink apron. Jin-seong lost himself gazing at her lovely figure from behind.
‘Wow. That waistline is insanely pretty.’
He drew close. He wrapped her softly in his arms from behind.
Flinch—!
Mi-yeon jumped in surprise. It was completely unexpected. She never imagined he'd hug her from behind.
“Noona.”
“Huh? Y-yes? Yes?”
Her stammering voice brimmed with fluster.
“Why is cooking so pretty on you?”
“……?!”
“And why is your back view this pretty?”
“…….”
Her fluster was brief. A blush bloomed on Mi-yeon's cheeks.
Jin-seong's sweet words tickled her heart. His gentle embrace set it racing.
“I... I'm cooking right now...”
“You cook, noona. I'll hold you.”
“If you hug me from behind... I can't cook...”
“Wow, your perfume smells incredible. What kind is it?”
“Even so, I'm older... your noona... Don't slip into casual speech. Respect me.”
Affection: 11
Inner Thoughts: Hearing casual speech... Jin-seong feels like a real man... Not a junior... More like a love interest...
Inner Thoughts: Gotta flip the fried egg... but with Jin-seong here, I can't...
Jin-seong turned the gas down to low.
“Don't like it? I'm using casual speech anyway.”
“Ha... really... do whatever you want...”
“Mi-yeon-ah.”
“Call me Mi-yeon noona.”
Affection: 12
Inner Thoughts: That low voice... calling me Mi-yeon-ah... Heart fluttering. So ticklish. Honestly, I love it.
Inner Thoughts: I wish Jin-seong would keep calling me Mi-yeon-ah.
Inner Thoughts: Should I make another fried egg? So he'll keep hugging me?
She plated the perfectly fried egg, added a dab of oil to the pan, and started another one.
“Mi-yeon-ah.”
“Yeah?”
“I like you.”
“S-say that to other girls. I d-don't like Jin-seong one bit.”
“Really? You don't like me?”
“W-what are you saying? Why would I like Jin-seong? Not at all, not even a little, not a speck.”
Affection: 13
Affection: 14
Affection: 15
Throughout preparing the meal,
Jin-seong whispered sweet words while holding Mi-yeon close.
It was odd.
The coffee's effects had worn off, leaving him down, irritated by the women's perfume clinging to him.
Yet her heart melted. She felt butterflies, happiness. Mi-yeon wished this moment could last forever.
Affection: 16
They ate dinner together at Jin-seong's place. Kimchi fried rice topped with Mi-yeon's fried eggs, paired with clear pine nut soup.
“Noona.”
Inner Thoughts: Ah...
When Jin-seong called her ‘noona,’ Mi-yeon felt a pang of regret. She wished he'd said ‘Mi-yeon-ah.’
“Noona—no, Mi-yeon-ah.”
Inner Thoughts: Ah...
Her mood brightened. She loved it.
“Yeah?”
“This kimchi fried rice is so good. The best!”
Thumbs up!
Mi-yeon's kimchi fried rice was tastier than he'd imagined. The finest dish she'd ever made.
“How good is it?”
“The absolute best. Best kimchi fried rice I've ever had. Seriously top-tier.”
Double thumbs up!
Mi-yeon flashed a radiant smile at his enthusiasm—not her usual ethereal fairy smile, but a brilliantly bright one.
Her cat-like eyes stood out.
‘Dazzling.’
Jin-seong thought her smile was truly beautiful as he heartily polished off the rice.
They finished the meal.
Mental Recovery Item: 46/100
They enjoyed coffee and light snacks.
“How's YouTube going these days?”
“Good, smooth sailing. Hit 30k subscribers yesterday, average views over 50k.”
“Already? That's fast. Wasn't it around 10k just recently? Shot up to over 30k?”
Jin-seong nodded.
“Streaming's doing even better than YouTube. Averaging over 300 viewers, daily net profit over 1 million won.”
“Daily net 1 million...? Incredible. You're killing it without even showing your face.”
Mi-yeon pointed at the Wish Tree on the table.
“But what's this tree?”
Jin-seong shook his head side to side.
“Not sure exactly. Got it by chance. Keeping it 'cause it's pretty.”
“Aha.”
Mi-yeon stared intently at the Wish Tree.
She couldn't tear her eyes away.
“It's strange.”
“...?”
“Somehow... my heart feels all cozy and warm.”
“...?”
Inner Thoughts: Staring at the tree... my mood's lifting.
Inner Thoughts: Peace fills my heart... warmth settles in.
Jin-seong stroked his chin.
‘Hmm... Every time I look at the Wish Tree, my heart gets cozy and warm... Maybe it's not just my imagination...?’
Jin-seong gazed at the Wish Tree.
His heart grew cozy.
Warm.
Fulfilled.
A smile formed.
Seemed like it wasn't just his imagination.
Mi-yeon picked up the pot. She sniffed the Wish Tree's scent.
“Wow—! So fragrant—!”
A pleasant aroma wafted gently.
“Can't you give me the tree?”
“Sorry, absolutely not.”
“Why? Is it special?”
Inner Thoughts: Ordinary tree? No way, no way. It's special.
Inner Thoughts: Like that special coffee that calms the mind, this must be a special tree that warms the heart.
Jin-seong shook his head.
“Mi-yeon-ssi, absolutely not.”
Mi-yeon looked disappointed.
“Got it. Don't call me Mi-yeon-ssi. Feels distant—I hate it. Just call me Mi-yeon-ah.”
“Okay.”
Jin-seong stood up.
“Wanna go for a walk?”
“Sure.”
They stepped out. He took her hand. They strolled leisurely through the nearby park. The cool night air felt great.
They sat side by side on a bench.
“If you wanna be an actress, go for it.”
“……?”
“I'll help. I'll cheer you on.”
“...Thanks. Just hearing that means a lot.”
She gave her fairy smile. She gently rested her head on Jin-seong's shoulder.
“If you hate acting, find a new goal.”
“A new goal...?”
“Yeah. A new goal.”
“A new goal... Hmm...? Think I can find one?”
“Probably. If you really look, you probably can.”
Mi-yeon turned to gaze at Jin-seong's profile.
His upright, kind eyes. His sincere, warm heart.
“...Thank you.”
Mi-yeon stood. She positioned herself in front of the bench where Jin-seong sat. She leaned down and pressed her lips to his.
It was a brief kiss.
“Thank you so much. I'll look for it.”
Affection: 20
He opened the NH Securities app.
KSO Inc.'s stock was climbing at a ferocious pace.
His principal of 184 million won had ballooned to 277 million.
He'd made 92 million in a short time.
‘Perfect!’
Jin-seong grinned contentedly. Just looking at the bright red stock screen made his stomach feel full.
He patted his belly.
‘Bliss.’
He messaged Yi Myeong-ho.
Myeong-ho hyung, you said you work at KSO, right?
Lol, I actually invested in KSO, and it's risen a ton.
Huh? You invested in our company?
Oh?! So you're a company shareholder lol
Yeah, the stock's surged big time this round lol
Yep. Stock's up a lot. Already over 70% gains ^__^
Signs look ominous. Minimum 3x rise, I bet.
Nah, 3x is tough. From what I see, tops out at 1.5-2x.
Really? I see min 3x, max 4.5x lol
It's a solid company with plenty of reasons to rise ^__^
He hoped Yi Myeong-ho would score big on stocks.
Not 2x, but 4x or more.
But giving advice wasn't easy.
The next day.
KSO Inc.'s stock rose 10%.
The day after.
KSO Inc.'s stock hit the daily limit up.
Days passed.
Jin-seong, I'm thinking of selling off soon.
Ah? Planning to hold a bit longer.
I've got good instincts? Feels like it'll rise more.