Chapter 168
Since Kang Ji-woo’s second aunt was said to be arriving soon, I didn’t delay any further and packed my things.
“You can stay longer if you want.”
“Yeah, just stay here until the day after tomorrow and ride back with Sang-hyun hyung. He said he can come to pick us up then.”
“No, I have some things to do at the company.”
Kang Ji-woo, knowing that there wasn’t much for me to do at the dorm other than playing games, composing, and practicing as usual, looked at me with suspicious eyes.
In truth, I didn’t have any particular tasks lined up, just as Kang Ji-woo suspected, but staying here any longer didn’t seem right either.
I already felt a bit guilty for staying much longer than I had initially planned.
“If he has work, we should let him go. It’s hard even on a day off.”
Thankfully, Kang Ji-woo’s mother, who seemed to understand my dilemma, nodded in agreement.
“Haha… It’s not that hard.”
My luggage had increased significantly compared to when I arrived.
Kang Ji-woo’s family had packed various side dishes for me to eat well during the remaining holidays.
“Thank you, but you really didn’t have to give me so much….”
“It’s fine, take it.”
“I don’t think I can eat all this even if I eat it throughout the entire month, not just the holidays….”
Although I had brought some decent health supplements as a visiting gift, I couldn’t shake the thought that I was receiving way too much in return.
“This is yakbap (medicinal rice), try it and if you like it, take some.”
“No, I’m—”
Before I could say anything, a moderately sweet piece of yakbap was popped into my mouth.
“How is it? Not good?”
“No! It’s delicious!”
This shouldn’t be happening.
But who could dare say it’s not tasty after eating it?
“That’s great. Then I’ll pack some more for you.”
This was a big problem.
Kang Ji-woo, who knew my taste better than I did, saved me by constantly intervening with comments like, “He likes this, pack more,” and “Mom, he can’t eat this because of the smell. Just leave it out.”
“Dad, stop giving him stuff. He can’t carry all of this by himself.”
“Really?”
Fortunately, Kang Ji-woo had some sense.
“Yeah, let’s just sort out what he can eat right now, and I’ll bring the rest later. Sang-hyun hyung said he’d pick me up by car then.”
“That works.”
“……”
Sure, it works for you all.
But my opinion was lightly dismissed.
This family had a tendency to become abnormal in front of food, whether it was people or dogs.
Yesterday, when I took Daebak and Sobaek out for a walk, just saying “paw…” made them offer their paws, sit, roll over, spin, and jump around in a frenzy.
Of course, the adorableness of the dogs made me generously give them treats.
… Somehow, I felt like this visit started and ended with food.
“Yeah, if we forget something, Ji-woo can bring it to you.”
Phew. I sighed in relief.
A little later, the taxi I had called arrived in front of the house.
Fortunately, I was able to get a cab on New Year’s Day.
“Then, I’ll be going now. Happy New Year.”
“Take care.”
“Goodbye, Raon hyung.”
Even though I said it was fine, Kang Ji-woo’s family, as if on cue, came out to the front gate to see me off.
Except for Kang Hae-rim, who had been asking me since earlier if I couldn’t leave tomorrow, and when I didn’t change my mind, burst into tears, sulking, and locked herself in her room on the second floor.
“Tell Hae-rim I’m sorry I couldn’t grant her request and that we’ll meet again next time.”
“Don’t worry too much. She’s still young. We’ve spoiled her a bit since she’s the youngest.”
I thought I saw a silhouette behind the curtains of the second-floor window, but I just smiled.
“Sobaek, Daebak, stay healthy and well.”
I petted the white and black dogs, who wagged their tails just the same, with a heart full of regret.
I must definitely raise a dog someday.
“Why do I feel like you’re more reluctant to part with them than with us?”
Startled by Kang Ji-woo’s grandmother’s words, I shook my head.
“No, it’s not like that…!”
I knew it was a joke, but I felt I had to deny it to avoid misunderstandings.
Strictly speaking, I hadn’t even spent half a day at Kang Ji-woo’s house, but it made it all the more regretful.
I felt I made the right decision by coming.
“You think you made the right choice, right?”
Nodding vigorously at Kang Ji-woo, who seemed to read my thoughts exactly, I got into the taxi, which honked once patiently.
“Then, I’ll be going for real now.”
I got into the taxi, rolled down the window, bowed my head, and waved to the people looking at me.
Kang Ji-woo’s grandmother was stern yet kind, his father was, for lack of a better word, ‘lovely,’ his mother exuded an aura like Han Seok-bong’s mother going out to catch a tiger with a kitchen knife, Kang Ji-woo was just Kang Ji-woo, the second, Kang Min-seo, was as calm as his grandfather, whom I never heard speak, and the third, Kang Bo-ram, was always flustered whenever she saw me, while the youngest, Kang Hae-rim, was mischievously cute like a squirrel. Daebak and Sobaek, needless to say, were adorable.
They were an enviably harmonious family.
* * *
On the way back to the dorm in the taxi.
Ban Yo-han, who was still hearing all sorts of things from his family for choosing to be an idol over continuing his studies, sent a desperate message saying he almost suffocated to death during a family dinner while watching the Idol Variety Show on TV.
Thinking back to Ban Yo-han’s various antics on the Idol Variety Show, I prayed for his mental well-being.
‘Representative Ban Ga-eul must have been there too…’
I could vividly imagine the pained expressions of the aunt and nephew, trying hard to hide their discomfort.
**Foxling [Guys]**
**Foxling [If you don’t hear from me by lunchtime tomorrow]**
**Foxling [I probably got beaten to death by my sister and dad overnight]**
**Gyun Seong-ha [Good luck.]**
Seo Moon-gyeol [Hang in there.]
A message from Seo Moon-gyeol, who was definitely being sincere, appeared right next to Gyun Seong-ha’s, who was definitely teasing him.
Kang Joo-boo [(photo)]
Kang Joo-boo [(video)]
Kang Joo-boo [I grilled meat with the youngest, walked the dogs, and played board games ㅎㅎ]
Foxling [Ha..]
Foxling [I honestly wish I could go to your house..]
Ignoring Ban Yo-han’s grumbling, I recalled the pocket money I received this New Year.
30,000 won from Kang Ji-woo’s parents, 100,000 won from Go Soo-jong’s grandfather, and 1,000,000 won from Muk Hye-sung.
A total of 1,130,000 won.
‘I think I got more than what I usually make from a schedule….’
Since discovering the account where a fixed amount was deposited monthly under the name “On Raon” last year, I had regained some sense of financial awareness I lacked before, having become more financially comfortable.
Muk Hye-sung’s New Year’s money wasn’t exactly heart-stopping for me now, but…
Considering the usual maximum amount of 50,000 won for New Year’s money from Kang Ji-woo’s family and various posts online, I realized that Muk Hye-sung’s 1,000,000 won was quite a lot for just one bow.
‘Is it okay to accept this much from a cousin, not even an uncle?’
Of course, for Muk Hye-sung, who has been successfully working as a celebrity for 20 years, 1,000,000 won wasn’t a big deal…
Me [I didn’t bow for the New Year’s money, but thank you very much. Also, thank you for letting me stay at your place and for the birthday gift last month. I feel guilty receiving so much from you ㅠㅠ It’s not that I’m ignoring your kindness!! Happy New Year.]
After much deliberation, I quickly pressed the send button and stuffed my phone into my pocket.
Muk Saem [Can you talk now?]
Whoa, my heart.
Me [I’m outside right now ㅠㅠ]
Luckily, I had a valid excuse to avoid a call.
Muk Saem [Just take it, I have a favor to ask.]
Well then…
Me [I’m doing pretty well on variety shows lately, so… no matter what the favor is, 1,000,000 won is a bit much ㅎㅎ..]
Of course, I momentarily forgot my fear of Muk Hye-sung and made a joke.
A message popped up.
Muk Saem [Muk Saem sent you a money packet.]
“What the…?”
Muk Hye-sung sent another 1,000,000 won just like earlier.
If the daily transfer limit of the fintech service provided by the messenger wasn’t 2,000,000 won, he seemed ready to send more.
While I was dumbfounded and couldn’t say anything, a long message arrived.
Muk Saem [Raon, it’s not that I’m blaming you, but you shouldn’t be so complacent already. I’m fine, but your attitude can come off wrong to others (summary) Also, let me know if you need more.]
In summary, it was a stern warning from a senior who was celebrating his 20th debut anniversary, telling me not to act arrogant after just three months of debut.
How should I deal with someone who takes jokes seriously?
While it seemed cool to act like he earned such amounts effortlessly, being on the receiving end felt a bit intimidating.
‘What does he mean by “let me know if you need more”….’
I decided to apologize.
Me [I’m sorry ㅠㅠㅠ It was a joke ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ I’ll never do it again ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅜㅜ Just tell me anything you want, I’ll do it ㅠㅠㅠ]
Muk Saem [Give me your account number.]
Me [Anything but that ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ]
Me [(White cat banging its head against the wall emoji)]
Muk Saem [Just kidding.]
“……”
This person…?
However, since Muk Hye-sung told me to keep the second 1,000,000 won, I decided to embrace his 1,000,000-won humor.