★Chapter 01: Marry Me★
“Marry me.”
“No, I won’t.”
“I’ll deposit 3 million won into your bank account every month.”
‘Is she trying to buy my life with money? I can easily earn around 3 million won per month myself. Though I’ll probably be bedridden with a serious illness next month.’
Apart from the money, this is only the second time we’ve seen each other face to face. It’s quite sudden to make such a proposal. There must be something off, like a missing screw…
“500.”
“After taxes?”
“Of course. I’ll also provide extra allowances for family events.”
“And what about other conditions?”
“You can just live your life as usual. Don’t go around meeting women just because you have money and end up getting photographed by reporters.”
Sounds like a lifetime sentence to only jerking off.
It’s not particularly difficult. After all, I never had any intention of getting married, let alone dating. Even if I wanted to, my circumstances wouldn’t allow it.
‘This… It’s a golden opportunity, isn’t it?’
Continuing my usual part-time job would bring in a solid 5 million won each time. It’s an extraordinary offer that won’t come twice in a lifetime.
However, the word ‘marriage’ felt weightier than I had anticipated, making it difficult to accept so easily.
“Oh, and Ha-neul-ssi’s father will be transferred to a VIP room in the hospital operated by our group. Naturally, it will be free of charge.”
“Have you done a background check on me as well?”
“Of course. I’m not a crazy woman who would marry just anyone.”
‘So it’s true.’
I barely managed to swallow the words that were about to burst out of my mouth.
No matter how I look at it, there is no real downside for me. I can simply continue living my life as I always have, accumulating lovers along the way. My life, no, our family’s life would change.
‘She wouldn’t be after the insurance money… I guess.’
Granddaughter of the chairman of the Daehan Group.
Since the moment she was born, she received the love of her entire family, and the stocks she possessed as a newborn were already worth over a billion won.
It’s not an exaggeration.
Literally, as soon as she was born, she received a gift of stocks worth a billion won from her grandfather. By the time she became an adult, there was an extra zero added to it.
As someone who has never even touched a hundred million won in their lifetime, I can’t even fathom it. In any case, my insurance payout wouldn’t even compare to this woman’s pocket money.
“But why me of all people?”
I’m aware that it’s a foolish question, but at the same time, it’s a question that must be asked.
If you just open the phone book, there would be plenty of men from prestigious backgrounds—handsome, wealthy, and from long-standing wealthy families—better than me.
“You’re a web novel writer, right? Not popular.”
‘Did she really have to add that last part?’
It feels like a lack of consideration for the other person.
In any case, since it wasn’t an incorrect statement, I nodded lightly. And then she spoke again.
“When was the last time you went out?”
“Um…”
“Exclude today and going out to buy necessities. Something that can truly be called ‘GOING OUT.'”
When was it?
It definitely wasn’t this month.
The fate of an unpopular web novel writer meant that if I didn’t publish daily, I couldn’t even earn enough for basic living expenses.
Moreover, I was in the process of completing my previous work and enduring the endless process of monetization. My work is free, but everything outside is paid.
“…I can count the number of times I went out last year.”
At this point, I feel like I know why this woman chose me. Since I rarely go out in the first place, the chances of causing trouble are low.
“I understand.”
“I also like you for that reason.”
“Is it because you don’t have to explain it?”
“Yes. And…”
Suddenly, Kang Ba-da(1) reached out and took off my glasses. Then she brushed her tousled bangs to the sides and slowly tilted her head, examining me.
“You look decent even without makeup. Your face is average, and your overall physique is quite good.”
No ex-girlfriends.
No criminal record.
No hobbies or activities outside.
In addition, she listed one after another of my strengths, all described from her perspective. It seems like she knows more about me than I do.
“And you’re also a Seoul National University graduate, right?”
“For now.”
“My parents and I are also Seoul National University graduates. That adds another three points in your favor.”
‘Great, my past self.’
It was a moment that made me proud of myself, juggling work day and night while dividing my time for studying. Even when I was in school, I earned a decent amount through private tutoring.
“…Adding everything up, the total score is 95. Among several candidates, you received the highest score, so I chose you.”
“What’s the other 5 points for?”
“I’m not attracted to that aspect.”
“Oh, I’ll give it 10 points.”
“What do you mean?”
“Because we get along well.”
…
She stared at me silently.
At times like this, I realize that appearances truly matter. Even though she’s looking at me with what seems like negative emotions, I don’t feel bad at all.
“So are you going to do it or not?”
“Everything is fine, but let’s modify the contract conditions a bit.”
“If it involves any form of physical intimacy, I absolutely refuse.”
“That’s a bit disappointing as a man.”
“…!?”
She flinched and took a step back. Her face seemed slightly flushed. It’s quite refreshing to see a reaction that could easily come out of a comic actually happening.
Surprisingly, she seems vulnerable to this kind of joke. I felt tempted to tease her even more, but I haven’t stamped the documents yet. It would be troublesome if the client changed her mind before that.
“You don’t have to accept any additional allowance, but please participate in our family events as well. I don’t want to upset my parents.”
“Sure. If you’re aiming for a perfect disguise, that would be better.”
She readily accepted my proposal and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper from her bag, extending it towards me.
At the very front page was a marriage registration form.
Behind it were various contracts.
“In case we end up divorcing, this is a contract stating that you won’t claim any property division. The rest are cohabitation agreements and other miscellaneous documents.”
“I see.”
The documents were filled with personal information about me. Thanks to that, I was able to quickly review them for any errors and sign them.
“…Did you read them properly?”
“I’ve read them all.”
“Don’t lie. How did you read the contracts so quickly?”
“I’ve read a lot of books since I was young. I naturally developed speed reading skills.”
I enjoyed reading, and there was so much to see in the world. Thanks to that, I trained myself to read as quickly as possible since I was young.
Naturally, my concentration greatly increased, and if it was short-term memory, it didn’t easily slip away.
“Books and contracts are different, you know.”
“Then ask me about them.”
“Question 1.”
“A (Kang Ba-da) and B (Kim Ha-neul) individually manage their own income. However, they will consult each other regarding shared income.”
“…What about question 5?”
“Dating or engaging in sexual relationships with other individuals is strictly prohibited during the contract period.”
We continued with several more questions and answers, and eventually, ‘Kang Ba-da’ acknowledged my speed reading skills.
After putting the signed contracts back in her bag, she willingly reached out her hand towards me.
“Well, let’s get along. Husband.”
“I also look forward to it. Wife.”
As we shook hands with a suitable response, she furrowed her eyebrows.
“Wife, isn’t that a bit much?”
“How about ‘woman’?”
“Are you doing this on purpose?”
“Then should I just call you ‘Bada-ssi’?”
“Just that is enough.”
“Understood. Sea-ssi(2).”
“That’s a joke, right…!”
*Clutch*
Kang Ba-da glared at me intensely and gripped my hand tightly. Her hand was warm, matching the late spring weather.
* * *
I returned home right away. After a quick home workout and shower, I lay down on my bed.
When I checked my phone, I had received a message from Kang Ba-da. It was a schedule chart outlining the upcoming plans for our marriage.
“…She’s quite organized.”
I tended to act on impulse, but she was the complete opposite. She even created an Excel sheet with detailed listings of time, dates, and the number of people involved.
If we were an ordinary couple, it would have been overwhelming, but since I saw it as a business arrangement, it put my mind at ease. I just had to follow along.
Buzz, buzz!
Suddenly, my phone vibrated. Just by the unique vibration, I could tell it was a notification from the banking app.
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Galaxy Bank – Kang Ba-da
Deposit: 5,000,000 KRW.
“…It wasn’t a dream after all.”
As I looked at my bank account, it finally felt real. There were days when my salary platform had this many customers.
‘Did I win the pension lottery?’
Lately, since I received around 5.5 million KRW after taxes from the pension lottery, it was a bit less than that. But that was for a mere 20 years, while I had it for a lifetime.
Moreover, the odds of winning the pension lottery were approximately 1 in 5 million. In percentage terms, it was 0.00002%, a probability even lower than winning a lottery in Korea.
That’s why I was simply grateful.
Grateful that a chance like this, like “gold,” had come to me.
‘I should tell my parents first.’
*Ring, ring*
I immediately called my mother. The ringtone played a few times before she picked up the call.
– Yes, my son?
“Mom, have you eaten?”
– Yes, I have. How about you?
“I’ve eaten too.”
– You didn’t eat convenience store food again, did you? Your health will really deteriorate if you keep that up. Should I send you some side dishes?
“No, today I had steak.”
– Steak?
The place Kang Ba-da took me to today was a high-end restaurant operating as a private room. Thanks to that, I was able to thoroughly enjoy dishes I had only seen in movies.
“It was great there. Next time, I’ll take you there.”
– Do you have money for that?
“I won the lottery, you see.”
– Five thousand won?
“No, five million won.”
– Wha–!? Oh, my goodness. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.
I could hear my mother’s surprised scream and her apologetic voice following it from the other end of the line. Since it was around this time, my father would be at the hospital, so she must be apologizing to the people sharing the same hospital room.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t expect you to be so shocked.”
-Weren’t you surprised as well?
“I’ll transfer it directly to your account. Consider it as living expenses.”
– Fine. Use it to buy more steak.
I knew it would be like this.
After raising us children all her life and taking care of everything, she refused to accept money from her own kids. Even though it was a struggle for her to handle medical expenses and daily living costs.
“I knew you would react like this, so I already sent it.”
– No, is this for real!?
“If you send it back, I won’t see Mom’s face again. Think about it.”
There was a long silence from my mother.
When she finally spoke again, there was a hint of moisture in her voice.
– …Thank you, my son. I’ll use it well.
“Yes. Oh, and…”
– Yes?
“I’m getting married, Mom.”
*Click*
The call suddenly ended. After a moment, I called again, and this time, it was my father who answered.
– Why are you making someone else’s wife cry?
“Is Mom crying?”
– Yes. What did you say to make her like this?
“Um… I just told her I’m getting married.”
*Click*
The call was disconnected once again.
…It seems like the news of getting married was more shocking to our parents than me winning the lottery.
‘Well, I’ll explain that later.’
When I checked my phone, my message inbox was unusually active. The culprit was undoubtedly Kang Ba-da.
: Hey.
: Hey there.
: Smart.
: I sent you a gift and a message. Check it now!
The last one was not a real gift; it was just a sentence. Did you really think I would fall for something like that?
: Wow, I just checked it now.
: Are you really going to work like this?
: (throws phone emoji)
I glanced at the clock.
It was just past 11 o’clock. I realized the downside of this job. It seemed like a place where there was no distinction between day and night, no fixed working hours.
“…I guess there’s nothing I can do for now.”
While contemplating various thoughts, numerous messages kept flooding in. Before any further misunderstandings piled up, I decided to make a phone call.
“Hello?”
– Wh-why are you suddenly calling? You scared me.
“Bada-ssi seems a bit in a hurry, so I called. What’s going on at this hour?”
– I’m sorry for contacting you so late. But I have some upcoming plans starting from tomorrow, and I need confirmation. Did you see what I sent you?
“We meet at the beauty salon at 8 a.m., then have a reservation at a restaurant at 11:30 a.m. After that, we have plans to go to the department store to buy clothes, right?”
Hmm….
A surprised tone could be heard. It seemed like she thought I wouldn’t know about it.
-Anyway, I’m finally taking a vacation, so don’t be late under any circumstances!
“Understood.”
– …
“If you don’t have anything else to say, I’ll end the call now.”
– …Yes, goodnight.
“You too, Bada-ssi.”
*Click*
The call ended, and a deep silence settled in. Although it was a familiar silence, it felt strangely unfamiliar today.
Lying on the bed absentmindedly, my gaze suddenly fell upon the computer.
“…I guess I can’t write today either.”
Today was the last day of my backup supply. Money issues were resolved anyway. It would be best to quickly abandon any failed works.
[Keep writing.]
[Enjoying the read.]
[I’m having fun reading it.]
There were still readers who followed along. I should go as far as I can.
I took out a piece of chicken breast from the refrigerator and took a bite. Then, I sat in front of the desk and started pounding the keyboard.
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Footnote: (1) Kang Ba-da: River and Sea, symbolizing power and tranquility.
(2) Pun
TL note- Hello, dear readers! It’s Nosha, I’ve picked up a new novel to translate!
