Chapter 38
..D-don't be ridiculous! What kind of lie is that...!!
Th... there should be a post I made in the stock gallery as a throwaway account...
Wait! Wait!!
He'd once posted in the stock gallery as an anonymous user: 'If Executive Director Hwang Seok-ju becomes chairman of the Somyeong Group, the stock price could rise another 10%. Right?'
No one had paid it any attention, and he'd been dejected.
As everyone's eyes landed on him, his face turned blue.
It's like a fixed-nick account turning blue.
Just be honest.
You actually want to be chairman, don't you?
You're not happy with Somyeong's direction right now, are you? It seems like you've been thinking of ways to grow Somyeong even further. Since it came up today, why don't you give the chairman a briefing?
He turned to Old Man Hwang Pil-jung.
He was a terrifying uncle like a tiger, but ambition showed in his gaze.
Go on. I'm not trying to cut you down.
After hesitating, Hwang Seok-ju let out a sigh.
He took off his glasses and ran a hand over his face.
What emerged was the face of an ambitious man.
...All right.
After that, it was a passionate presentation.
As if he'd prepared for it, he confidently laid out the company's direction for growth, and Old Man Hwang Pil-jung was very satisfied.
Excellent!! Yes. If you want to be chairman, you have to develop the company even more and satisfy the employees and shareholders!!
Thank you, Chairman!
If it's you, I can retire with confidence.
I'll do my best!!
Congratulations, hyung.
Congratulations.
Congratulations.
-Clap clap clap!
The people gathered around him applauded and congratulated him.
Seeing him awkwardly accept the congratulations, there didn't seem to be anything left for me to do.
Old man. Then I'll be going.
Huh?! You're leaving already?!
Well, there's nothing else for me to do.
And it's getting late, too.
Of course, today wasn't a streaming day, but I still had to go take care of things.
Wait! Wait!!
Old Man Hwang Pil-jung hurriedly stopped me.
Then he said seriously.
Which company are you with right now?
Uh. Well...
For now, President Hong's company, Nodde World, and Saseong.
When I told him I also had ties to Japan, he said seriously,
Wow, you've got your fingers in a lot of pies.
Because I want to increase my influence and public recognition.
Why?
Because I might need it someday.
...Did you see something or what?
No, nothing like that. There has to be a reason I was given this ability.
I can see the future and change it.
In the worst case, if I see a future where countless people are put in danger, the right thing to do is raise my own recognition and influence so I can change it.
Wouldn't people be more likely to accept what I say if it's coming from someone who's built up goodwill everywhere, rather than from an orphan with nothing to his name?
Hah. You're truly an admirable young man.
I'm pretty good, you know.
Then how about putting one foot into Somyeong as well?
Somyeong?
Not a bad idea, but could Somyeong even create an outside-director position too?
That wouldn't be difficult. Just act as an adviser for me. As for the salary... I'll make it this much.
Wow... that's a lot.
Don't look down on Somyeong.
I never really looked down on it, though.
Still, there's no reason to refuse if he's offering.
I'll gratefully accept it. But just because I'm an adviser doesn't mean I'll only be tied to the chairman...
Haha. So you don't want to be tied down, huh? I get it. I get it.
He grinned and patted my shoulder.
Then we'll see each other again later.
Yes. See you again later.
After greeting Old Man Hwang, I left the mansion.
Hong Siyeon, who came out with me, smiled lightly.
You're becoming quite the big shot.
A big shot, huh.
At this point, I guess I really am one.
I'm pretty good, aren't I?
Aha ha ha~! That's right!
Hong Siyeon, laughing as if amused, slowly stopped the car.
We were already home.
Thanks for today.
What for? I had fun too. Just seeing that tiger of a Chairman Hwang Pil-jung get flustered was pretty fun.
Haha. Then I'm glad.
By the way, Noah.
Yes?
What do you plan to do from here on out?
I haven't really given it any big thought.
I want to eat well and live well.
But that's not all there is.
What I told Old Man Hwang earlier was everything.
...Noah, you're a kind person after all.
I may be an orphan, but I don't want to live like one.
.
.
.
-Hyung! Is this you?!
A few days after meeting Old Man Hwang.
While I was streaming, one of the viewers posted a link.
-Huh?! It's real!
-What? This happened when you went to Japan last time?
-As expected, hyung! I knew I could trust you!
Ah. Is this that one?
The thing that happened on the train.
It had spread on the Japanese internet, and there was CCTV footage attached.
They recognized me right away.
Yeah. That's right.
-How did you know?
I was nearby, and the kid was about to fall, so I caught him...
-As expected, hyung!
-I knew I could trust you!
-The fortune teller feared by Japan and coveted by China!!
I have no idea why Japan would fear me and China would covet me, though...
The chat was in an uproar again.
I should start wrapping things up.
It wasn't a big deal, so don't make such a fuss. Now... next...
-Me! Me!
-Read mine too!! Should I dump Taeyoung Materials stock now? Huh?
[Erikajoa donated 100 gold!]
[Which idol from Toyble do you think would be good this time?]
-Hyung! Help me too! I got offers from two places after interviews and can't decide which one to choose!
[Gulag donated 100 gold!]
[Should I confess now or not? Huh? I've been asking since the early days of your stream, so please check for me ㅠㅠ]
"Gulag. If you confess this time, you'll succeed right away. That girl likes you too. Hang in there."
-Gulag : I'm really going to trust you, hyung, and confess tomorrow!
-Boo.
-Couples get lost.
[Baymons donated 100 gold.]
[Hyung. Lately, Mom seems to be having a hard time. Should I take her to the hospital?]
"Baymons. She doesn't have any particular illness, but there seems to be something bothering her. It's because of the gift your friend's son gave her, so you should give her something too."
-Baymons : Ah... then I guess I should cut back on the money I send to hyung.
Do that.
-Baymons : Huh? Really?
Do you think I'd be greedy for that little money...
"I don't even have a mom!"
Anyway, Baymons immediately typed that he was going to prepare a gift, and the others in chat started thinking about gifts too.
They asked me, but I don't know what their mothers like either.
If their mothers were chatting, I'd probably know too...
While chatting like that and reading fortunes for the ones who were on my mind, it was already time to end the stream.
"Anyway, that's ten readings down again today. All right. Then I'll see you again next time at this hour."
-Bye~!
-When will it be my turn to get my fortune read...
-Please read mine next stream too!
It wasn't anything particularly special, but it was a fun stream in its own way.
Mmm~!
After talking so much, I was thirsty.
I opened the fridge to get something to drink...
Nothing.
The fridge only had two bottles of water.
I'm craving coffee...
Is there a café open at this hour?
Looking at the clock, it was already 9:40 p.m.
If I went to a nearby café, maybe I could just barely order one cup?
I threw on some clothes and went outside.
It was midnight, but thanks to the surrounding shop signs and streetlights, it didn't really feel dark.
The café I reached after walking down that street.
Luckily, it hadn't closed yet...
We're closed.
Damn it.
What a shame, but it can't be helped.
I walked on with a sigh.
By the time I got near home, I spotted a café when I was about to buy some cheap coffee from the convenience store on the opposite side and head in.
It was where I first met Kang Injeong.
That place usually closes at nine, so why is it open?
Hello. Are you still open for business?
Welcome.
There were no customers in the quiet café.
Doesn't this place usually close at nine?
Haha. Yes, that's right. But my daughter still hasn't come back yet, so I'm keeping it open a little longer until then.
I see. Then can I order now?
Of course.
The relaxed-looking middle-aged owner smiled and prepared the coffee.
Thank goodness.
One café latte, please.
Yes. I'll make it delicious for you.
I was sitting there waiting for the coffee when...
-Ding!
The door opened.
The person who came in looked like she'd just become an adult.
She was a woman about my age.
Dad! Aren't you done yet?
Oh~! Saegyeong. Dad's almost done now. I'll just make this customer's coffee and then close up.
A father and daughter.
To an orphan like me, that looked really nice.
Your coffee's ready.
Thank you. The bill...
Haha. This one's on me. My daughter and I were going to drink some too anyway.
No way.
Free coffee, seriously.
I looked at the father and daughter.
They really did look like a close father-daughter pair.
So I had to say something.
Do you know me by any chance?
Um... are you a celebrity?
Sorry. We don't really know much about that sort of thing...
I'm Kang No-ah. If you don't mind, would you turn this card over?
I held out a playing card I always carried with me, just in case.
The café owner took it and reluctantly flipped the card over.
It was the Two of Spades.
Then I had to tell him.
Sir. Two days from now at 4 p.m., a customer will come here.
What do you mean, a customer coming to a café...
Lee Bin.
...!!
Lee Bin.
A middle-aged actor in his fifties, known as a national actor.
He'd starred in three films that topped ten million admissions.
And he was the actor this owner and his daughter liked.
Fans never catch a break, and these were people who had gone their whole lives without once seeing the actor they loved, yet here they were getting to see him.
R-Really?
What do I do... should I skip school that day?
I figured that was a fair enough return for a cup of coffee.
And one more thing.
Yes?
Don't serve the almond pound cake that day.
Huh? Why? That's the most popular item...
He'll have an allergic reaction.
I had seen the future.
The owner, delighted to see Lee Bin, served the almond pound cake he'd made himself.
Lee Bin happily ate it, and disaster struck.
Watching Lee Bin get rushed to the emergency room, the owner was left dumbstruck.
That future.
It began to change.
Into a scene where Lee Bin was amazed by the coffee and the owner and his daughter were beaming with pride.
A future satisfying enough as repayment for the kindness of one cup of coffee.
notes":"Aligned the chapter title to the existing series pattern and smoothed a few awkward literal phrases (anonymous/throwaway account, café timing, and the donation/chat lines). Kept 'Hyung' where the source uses it, and used clearer neutral wording for any slightly ambiguous references. No accidental repeated-word errors remained in the draft."}]}]}】}】}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]} 】}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}] }]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}}}♀♀♀♀♀♀】}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}]}