TGMND 14

He didn’t intend to steal the money from the beginning. It just happened to be like that.

“The person who was deceived is a fool..”

Yeo-woon dragged the tulip item he originally intended to give to Earth Star into the item window and entered the 1.2 billion he had extorted from him.

[Party] Ji9star: Why do you give me my money back?

After pressing the confirm trade button, Earth Star didn’t press the accept button, instead, he left the window, and the trade window disappeared from the monitor.

‘Trade has been canceled.’

‘Ji9star has sent a trade request.’

[Party] Ji9star: I also have a conscience and won’t rip off items from beggars like you… lol

[Party] neutaaaa: ? Just take it when someone offers.

[Party] Ji9star: No;

This trade was also canceled for the same reason.

[Party] Ji9star: This is outrageous! You haven’t even done the third advancement job change and you’re shamelessly returning the money!!

[Party] CatMeowMeowMeow: He was angry because he got scammed earlier lol I guess he feels awkward for just accepting it haha.

[Party] ParkRoach: Just take it, he has a lot of money.

[Party] Ji9star Ahem

[Party] neutaaaa: I did think about just taking it but

[Party] neutaaaa: Thank you for playing 20 rounds of the game today.

[Party] neutaaaa: I know it’s a hassle haha.

Yeo-woon knew that going around the same map not just once, but 20 times was not easy. Even though he did it because he had a goal to achieve, it was something he was thankful for. It wasn’t a cute pet or a useful mount item for him, but for someone earnestly seeking it, receiving the item might bring even more happiness.

[Party] neutaaaa: Even though Earth Star didn’t help at all, I was going to give it to you from the beginning.

[Party] CatMeowMeowMeow: He didn’t help, so why are you giving the money back? Hahaha, are you a philanthropist?

[Party] ParkRoach: If Ji9Star accepts the money back after that, he’s really trash; there’s nothing to take, so the rumor will spread that he scammed newbie money.

[Party] Ji9star: Oh, I won’t accept it;;;

[Party] neutaaaa: ㅜㅜ I have to go out tomorrow for an interview… I’ll just give you the item and leave.

It was true that he had to go out. There was no time to argue anymore as the second interview was scheduled for tomorrow morning. It would be a big problem if he overslept.

[Party] neutaaaa: Byebye

[Party] Ji9star: Wait a minute

Yeo-woon immediately left the party before Earth Star could even say his farewell. He also had his own plan. Instead of logging out of the game right away, Yeo-woon warped to the village and ran to the postman.

‘You’ve got mail.’

[Couple] Ji9star: Damn

[Couple] Ji9star: Did you just send mail?

The chat message arrived as soon as Yeo-woon submitted the email with 1.2 billion won attached. He asked him to respond immediately, and the pestering continued.

‘It’s getting annoying. Why is he causing a fuss even though I gave him money?’

Yeo-woon chose not to reply and immediately shut down the computer.

***

Jeong Se-hyung: Lee Yeo-woon, how is the interview?

: I have a lot to say.

Jeong Se-hyung: Haha, let’s have a drink.

: Call me at night…

Jeong Se-hyung: Ok!

Yeo-woon completely messed up the interview. For some reason, the words he wanted to say got stuck in his throat and he stuttered a lot. After the interview ended, the interviewee sitting next to him called the head of the human resources team “uncle” and went to eat. It wasn’t only here that he submitted his documents, and it wasn’t like he thought it had to be this place, but he couldn’t help feeling dirty. If there’s a preferred candidate, they should either accept or reject others without causing unnecessary trouble.

Before the memories faded and this damn emotion subsided, Yeo-woon found a nearby cafe to write a raw review on a job search site. However, all the cafes nearby were strangely crowded, with every seat taken. The thought that people were wandering too much filled his mind. Just like last time, Yeo-woon crossed the crosswalk and walked along the familiar road.

The pleasant fragrance of coffee passed his nose as soon as he opened the glass door. Although all the seats were taken, luckily, he noticed one customer holding a tray getting up. Yeo-woon went straight to that seat and quickly put his bag down. Those close let out a collective groan as they scrambled like meerkats to get to the seat.

Yeo-woon didn’t understand why everyone wanted to move here in this narrow space because there was no place to plug in a laptop. Is this some kind of famous spot that only he didn’t know about?

“…?”

As Yeo-woon got up to order coffee with his wallet in hand, he saw a familiar face. The man inside the counter stared at the air with a face that seemed annoyed with everything and unwilling to work. Yeo-woon sat down again. The seat he happened to be sitting in had a very good view of the inside of the counter even when he was sitting there.

“Would you like to order?”

A man asked him a question as he proceeded to the counter and looked over the menu. Yeo-woon glanced at his chest. The name ‘Yoon Ji-gu’ was engraved in yellow letters on the black name tag.

“Please give me an Americano and a cheesecake.”

“Eat in?”

He was quite intimidating when he was in training clothes with a hat last time, but it was only slightly less now. Even though he was wearing such a neat uniform, the piercing in his ear seemed to give him a strong presence. Just meeting his eyes made Yeo-woon’s heart pound. Even if he were to ask how much money Yeo-woon had right now, there didn’t seem to be any discomfort. Yeo-woon took a deep breath and calmed himself.

“Last time.”

The man who had been clicking the menu name on his POS system looked up as Yeo-woon spoke. Yeo-woon wondered if he had said something for no reason because of the sharp stare that seemed to be glaring at him.

“You were feeding the cat in front of me, right?”

“Do you live around here?”

“No. I was just asking for directions.”

“Do you know me?”

“I don’t know?”

“Then why pretend to know me?”

“… I guess you don’t remember me. At that time, I tried to ask for directions and you were very surprised. I remember…”

At Yeo-woon’s words, the man’s eyes strangely lingered on his face, and then he closed his mouth, turning his head sideways. For some reason, Yeo-woon felt disappointed that he hadn’t recognized him. On the other hand, the man was unable to hide his displeasure for some reason.

He operated the POS machine a few more times, confirmed Yeo-woon’s card in the card reader and calculated the order. With a clattering sound, the receipt was printed with letters. He tore the receipt, and handed it over with the card, saying,

“Your order—”

“Hyung, all the cheesecake in the display is gone, so should I slice some from inside?”

“…The receipt is ready.”

“…?”

“…”

The man seemed to realize something was strange belatedly. The part-time workers behind him turned their heads and suppressed their laughter, and the man’s face gradually began to turn bright red. After observing him turning entirely red from the back of his neck to his white ears, Yeo-woon accepted the card and receipt he offered.

Unable to openly laugh in front of the embarrassed person, Yeo-woon returned to his seat, holding the card tightly, and bowed his head for a moment. Five minutes later, Yeo-woon brought the drinks and cake back to his seat, turned on his laptop, opened the job search site, and wrote with more concentration than when writing his self-introduction. After finishing, he couldn’t help but feel satisfied as the post expressed a polite anger.

Jeong Se-hyung: I’ll be at your house later around 9 o’clock.

: Yep

Jeong Se-hyung: Should I bring something?

: Yep

There was no reason to clean the house just because friends were coming. Besides, any effort to clean up would likely be undone by the next morning. Thinking he could wake up in about an hour, Yeo-woon closed the job search site window. He began to engage in other activities, closing the current affairs news window and his subscribed webtoons. Suddenly, he remembered something and searched for the cafe’s name.

Review by ‘ewkj****’ ★★★★★ (Recommended 180)

Since it was recently opened, the bathroom is really clean! The coffee taste is just okay, but considering the coffee around here, it’s not bad. The important thing is that the part-time worker is good looking. Thanks to him, property prices might go up.

Review by ‘vkflz****’ ★★★★★ (162 recommendations)

The Americano is cheap~ The cake goes really well with coffee and the part-timer is delicious.

Review by ‘ewkj****’ ★★★★☆ (130 recommendations)

The coffee tasted just so-so, but sometimes the cat came to visit. And one of the employees is handsome haha.

‘alqwk****’’s review ★★☆☆☆ (2 recommended, 150 not recommended)

What’s up with the reviews here? Is it some kind of viral marketing that’s trending these days? Hm… I think I’m more good-looking. The coffee is cheap and decent.

Review by ‘kkjja***’ ★★★★★ (120 recommended, 1 not recommended)

Since it’s in the neighborhood, I stopped by. I thought it was a practice room for an entertainment agency~ I was skeptical, but these trustworthy reviews are a first for me… Thank you 🙂

Last time, Yeo-woon only checked the ratings without considering cafe reviews. However, opening the review section, he noticed that many praised the appearance of the part-time worker. Yeo-woon lifted his head and gazed at the busy man across the room. Was this café, tucked away in this remote place, bustling with people all because of him?

“…”

“…”

Staring in that direction, Yeo-woon locked eyes with the man. For some reason, the man furrowed his brows and quickly averted his gaze first.

Review by ‘dudns****’ ★★★★★

I came for the second time, and the cake is delicious!! I might drop by occasionally when I’m in the area.

After leaving a cafe review like a guestbook entry, Yeo-woon closed his laptop and took a sip of the coffee he was enjoying. Yeo-woon drew a teardrop as if finishing the drawing he made on tissue paper while playing with his hands and listening to the quietly flowing music.

It’s not like he did it consciously; he just naturally enjoys drawing. That’s how it has always been.