Chapter 10
“As I mentioned on the phone, this house has been vacant for a long time, so it’s not in a condition for someone to stay in tonight. The wallpaper paste needs to dry, and the floor boiler is completely broken…”
“Money is no object. Please just make it so I can stay here starting tonight. My situation is a bit urgent.”
Kwon Woo pulled a check from his inner pocket and placed it on the table.
Catching a glimpse of the amount, President Im’s eyes widened as if they’d pop out.
“Whoa! This much…!”
“I know it’s difficult with such short notice. For now, just make it so I can at least wash up and sleep here.”
“Yes, yes. Understood. I’ll work on the urgent parts first and make it at least livable for you.”
“Then I’ll leave it to you.”
As Kwon Woo finished speaking, President Im quickly pocketed the check, stood up, and began making phone calls.
“Mr. Kim, bring the equipment and come to the house next to Eunhasu Cafe right now. Yeah, yeah. On your way, call Mr. Jang for the wallpaper—tell him I’ll pay double his daily rate, so bring the wallpaper and come. Jangmi, I’m heading off.”
“Yes. Goodbye.”
As President Im hurried out the door, Jangmi’s gaze turned to Kwon Woo.
Since it was clear that his reason for repairing the house next door was related to acquiring this property, she couldn’t just pretend not to notice.
“Mister, what exactly are you doing?”
Jangmi asked accusatorily. Kwon Woo took off his jacket and draped it over the empty chair beside him, replying nonchalantly.
Do I need to explain what I’m doing to you?”
“I can’t just ignore what’s going on. Surely you’re not planning to live there after fixing up the house next door?”
“I’d prefer it if you signed the contract before it comes to that. If you don’t want to see me living here after fixing up the house next door, then convince your mother right now. Then I won’t have to come down here.”
“What?! You’re really planning to come down and live here? Aren’t you the Executive Director of Taesan Development? Are you that free?”
“I’m not free at all. I guess you don’t realize that acquiring this place is important enough for me to go this far.”
Ignoring Jangmi’s incredulous gaze, Kwon Woo spread open his laptop as if to show off. Then, as if giving instructions to his personal secretary, he added in a dry, unilateral voice.
“It’s hot. Bring me another coffee. Two shots of espresso, filled to the brim with ice.”
‘Does he think this is his office?’
Feeling spiteful, Jangmi glared at him and held out her palm.
Kwon Woo’s eyes narrowed.
He wasn’t the type to be easily pushed around either.
“The 50,000 won I paid last time should still be more than enough for coffee.”
“You’re going to camp out here all day and only pay for one cup of coffee? You need to pay for occupying the seat too. If you add up the coffee, the air conditioner usage fee, and the fee for using this place as your office all day, you’re already way over.”
Come to think of it, she wasn’t wrong.
Without further argument, Kwon Woo pulled another 50,000-won bill from his wallet and held it out.
Actually, the money wasn’t the point for Jangmi.
Even though she knew he wouldn’t bat an eye at this kind of overcharging, she was doing it to convey her discomfort, even in this small way.
She’d expected him to protest—say it was expensive, or something—but he didn’t.
As if he’d already figured out her personality, Kwon Woo readily pulled out the money.
And that, in turn, annoyed her even more.
Jangmi got a little more spiteful.
“That one bill isn’t nearly enough. You’ve been camped out here all day, so I can’t even take other customers. You need to pay for the lost business too. If you don’t like it, leave.”
“You get fewer than ten customers a day anyway? There are plenty of other empty seats besides this one.”
“That’s all because of you. With a guy like you parked at the front table by the door, customers turn around and leave when they see you.”
“It seemed like there were no customers to begin with.”
Kwon Woo’s factual statement made Jangmi retort as if to say ‘what are you talking about.’
“Mister, don’t you look in the mirror?”
I do. No matter how many times I look, I have a face that’s almost too handsome to be a businessman.
When he put on a proud expression, Jangmi let out a wry laugh.
“Don’t you know how uncomfortable your face is? With a guy like that taking up the front spot, who’s going to feel comfortable coming in and relaxing?”
“Uncomfortable, you say. People usually call this face an ‘overwhelming visual.’ Your taste is really lacking.”
Kwon Woo answered coolly, stroking his chin.
Jangmi scoffed and pushed her open palm closer to his face.
“Save your concern about my taste. Just pay for the loss of business. The disturbance fee, the seat usage fee, the atmosphere degradation fee, and even the fee for my heart having to endure this unpleasantness.”
“Your business acumen is on par with a corporate raider. If you keep talking like that, I might want to scout you for our company.”
Not intending to argue over 50,000 won in the first place, Kwon Woo pulled out another 50,000-won bill from his wallet.
There. That should be enough?
He placed the two bills on her palm, as if doing her a favor.
In doing so, their fingertips touched, just for a split second.
Kwon Woo’s smooth fingertips brushed gently across Jangmi’s soft palm.
It wasn’t like he’d held her hand outright—just the very tips, ever so lightly.
But.
In that moment, time seemed to stretch tenfold.
The spot where their fingertips touched tingled as if electrocuted.
What is this?
Startled, Jangmi flinched and quickly withdrew her hand.
Jangmi’s trembling eyes were deeply reflected in Kwon Woo’s, which were fixed on her.
Her heart thumped embarrassingly, and Jangmi tried to step back with a fake cough.
To which Kwon Woo, with a nonchalant face, opened his mouth.
“I think I should be the one getting the heart-calming fee, not you.”
“…Excuse me?”
“Never mind. Since I’ve paid for the coffee and the seat, I was just saying to hurry up and bring me a cold coffee to wake me up.”
“What are you talking about.”
Jangmi muttered to herself and quickly turned toward the counter.
—
Late in the afternoon, Yeongran returned from the peach orchard. As soon as she opened the cafe door, she spotted Kwon Woo holding his spot.
Frowning immediately, Yeongran raised her voice toward Jangmi at the counter, loud enough for Kwon Woo to hear.
“That young man is still at it again. I told you, if he comes back, don’t even let him in the door—why did you let him in again?”
Even with Yeongran’s blatant attempt to show him out, Kwon Woo’s face showed not a hint of being fazed. He rose from his seat.
He’d already expected this level of cold reception, so he bowed politely with a calm face.
As he briefly lowered and raised his head, Jangmi’s explanation followed.
“Mom, that guy paid a seat fee. 100,000 won.”
“What? 100,000 won?”
Yeongran’s eyes widened instantly.
As they say, there’s no business like money.
Yeongran’s tone, which had been treating him like an annoying peddler just moments ago, softened considerably.
“Is that so? Seems like he has money to burn. Good. If he comes tomorrow, make sure to charge him a seat fee then too. Going forward.”
Looking at Jangmi, Yeongran spoke even louder than before, making sure Kwon Woo could hear.
—
Today, the Eunhasu Cafe closed earlier than usual, at seven in the evening.
This was because Yeongran, who had returned from working at the peach orchard, was in a hurry—today was the day in the drama *Love Flows Like the Milky Way* when the female lead finally hits the male lead on the back of the head and begins her revenge.
As a result, Kwon Woo couldn’t even bring up the subject of the land acquisition and had to leave, practically chased out.
Still, he wasn’t too disappointed.
Even if he couldn’t talk today, Yeongran knew exactly why he was here.
He thought that was enough for today.
Leaving the cafe, Kwon Woo headed straight to the house next door, which President Im had hastily repaired during the day.
Pushing open the rusty gate and stepping inside, the first thing that caught his eye was the overgrown yard that had been neglected for years.
The weeds had been roughly cut, but old furniture, hastily brought out from inside to make the house livable for him starting tonight, was piled up in one corner of the yard.
It would probably take weeks to make it look like a proper living space.
Kwon Woo thought he’d have the yard cleaned up tomorrow and went inside.
As he opened the door, the smell of damp wallpaper paste hit him.
It had been a long time since he’d stayed in such a shabby place.
The only furniture was a bed and a desk, hastily brought in from a furniture store in town.
Kwon Woo slowly looked around the room and let out a short sigh.
He didn’t know if he’d be staying here for days or months, but for now… it was hot. Unbearably hot.
