Chapter 23: Looking for an Editor

After somehow managing to buy my sister a coffee, we were finally able to part ways.

She offered to drive me home in her car, but since it was a quick ride on the subway, I declined and returned home alone.

Although Seohwa noona outwardly appeared indifferent, she seemed somewhat lonely as she left, her smile tinged

with a hint of regret at my refusal.

“Milk, I’m home.”

“LFOF.”

As usual, when I got home, the cat, Woo-yu, greeted me, perched majestically atop the cat tower.

It was rare for him to come all the way to the entrance to welcome me, so I thought maybe he was just in a good

mood today as I headed to my room and flopped down onto the bed.

Thud.

“Haa….”

As the tension released, a sigh escaped me reflexively.

In a way, the time I spent alone with Seohwa noona felt even more exhausting than meetings at the office. She would

occasionally flash me a playful smile from across the table, which was incredibly hard to withstand from the

perspective of a man in his prime.

Is this what it’s like to have a distance from a fan? It seems I’ll need some time to adjust.

Anyway, I had things to do, so I switched on the computer and changed into comfortable clothes as soon as I got home.

There was about an hour left until the broadcast began.

I could just quickly jot down the points I needed to cover during the show and then dive in. Until then, maybe I’d do some web surfing.

“Looking for YouTube editors….”

While I was scrolling through short YouTube clips to clear my mind, a notification popped up from a channel I was

subscribed to, and I read it aloud without thinking.

Now that I think about it, the deputy manager mentioned starting a YouTube channel during today’s meeting.

Should I also dive into this?

I’m not particularly good at delegating tasks to others, and more importantly, I felt my broadcasts lacked excitement,

which is why I’ve been putting it off until now.

No, saying I’ve been putting it off is more accurate; I was convinced I wouldn’t do it.

However, reflecting on it now, I wonder if there’s really any reason to be so scared and avoid it. I won’t die just

because I tried, and if it flops, I can just give up early on.

Right, whether it succeeds or fails, I might as well give it a shot.

“…Ah.”

As I sorted through my thoughts and contemplated putting out an editor ad today, a sound like a snap echoed

through my mind as something flashed past.

Come to think of it, that guy had said something like that before. Should I just ask him?

【Me】

【Me ᅣᅣᅣᅣᅣ】

[Me – What are you doing?]

I opened the chat window with ‘Park Jaeseong’ and started typing messages quickly.

He was none other than my one and only friend, a childhood buddy since the third grade, and the one who

recommended I start streaming. In a way, he was my benefactor.

Anyway, why isn’t this guy checking his messages? It’s already been ten minutes. Is he seriously sleeping at this hour?

[Park Jaeseong – What?]

[Park Jaeseong – I’m busy playing LoL]

Just as I began to wonder, exactly twelve minutes later, I received a reply.

His response, lacking any semblance of courtesy, nearly made my head explode, but upon hearing his valid reason, my anger quickly subsided.

Well, I can’t really blame him for playing LoL.

But why is he replying while in the middle of a game? He usually ignores messages unless it’s from his girlfriend or if

he’s not in the mood to reply, even if it’s his parents.

【Me – Did I die? How come you replied while playing LoL?】

[Park Jaeseong – I just finished]

【Me – Oh.】

Of course, I should have known he’d be that kind of jerk. I feel like an idiot for believing he’d take even a moment

from his game to reply.

Well, since the game is over, asking him should be easier.

【Me – Can we talk for a second?】

【Me – I want to ask you about what you mentioned before.】

[Park Jaeseong – Sure]

Both of us dislike the hassle of typing too much, so our communication quickly shifted from messages to a call.

I hit the call button, and before even a second had passed, he picked up. At the same time, a somewhat deep voice resonated through.

• What do you want to ask?

Skipping any greetings or small talk, he jumped straight to the point, prompting me to sigh and begin speaking.

“Didn’t you say you know an editor?”

• Yeah, I do. Why? Are you looking for one? Aren’t you not doing YouTube?

“Actually….”

I could imagine how absurd it might sound, considering I had rejected Jaeseong’s suggestions multiple times before,

but now I was trying to talk about starting a YouTube channel as if flipping my palm. I began recounting the

conversation I had with the deputy manager today.

After my monologue, there was silence on the other end, not even a response or interjection, and only after I finished

did I hear him mumble an indistinct sound.

• You idiot, you should’ve just done it when I told you. Your broadcast style is perfect for YouTube!

“How can I trust what a non-expert says? Back then, the average viewers were even less than now.”

• No, it’s not just me…. Ugh, whatever. I shouldn’t have said anything. Even when I try to help, it’s no use.

As he muttered as if he were wearing a bitter face, I felt a bit guilty, but I decided to push the conversation forward

about the editor.

“Anyway, I wanted to check if the editor you mentioned is still looking for work.”

• I haven’t found a job yet. To be exact, I got fired about two months ago.

“Why?”

• The boss there didn’t even pay properly. So, I worked for three months and quit, and I was busy reporting to the labor office until recently.

“Sounds like a real jerk.”

Ugh, if you’re going to exploit someone, at least you should treat them with some basic respect. Even I, who have

never exploited anyone, know this. Why are there so many guys out there who have sold their conscience? Tsk tsk.

“So, does that person do a good job? I’m a bit worried since I’m hiring an editor for the first time.”

• I don’t think they’re bad? I heard they took on some outsourcing work for a company recently.

“Is that so?”

Outsourcing for a company isn’t an easy task. In fact, the pay for working with companies is significantly higher than

for YouTube editing, and I’ve heard the competition is fierce.

So, if a company is willing to hire them, they must have some level of verified skill.

This kind of talent is currently unemployed? This is quite tempting.

“Then introduce that person to me. But I’ll treat you to a meal.”

• Oh, you’re buying beef?

“As long as the person who introduces me is reliable, I can’t refuse.”

Look at how quickly they jump at the chance to get a free meal. Such a hyena-like guy.

Still, my income hasn’t been too bad recently, and I don’t have many places to spend money, so I nodded coolly,

thinking that a beef meal once in a while is acceptable.

Then, I heard a sound from across the table as if someone was typing on a keyboard, and not long after, I heard Park

Jae-sung’s voice.

• I just asked, and he said he’s free any time this week. When do you want to meet?

“You already asked? You’re really fast at handling things.”

• If I’m getting a beef meal, I have to be quick about it.

He answered with a teasing tone, but deep down, he must have noticed my impatience and was trying to arrange a

meeting as quickly as possible. I appreciate it.

So, I thought it would be best to set a schedule, briefly taking my eyes off my phone to open my computer calendar

and check the dates.

Hmm, since my schedule is pretty free, it would be good to meet and talk as soon as possible.

“Then let’s meet soon, the three of us. I can buy the beef then.”

• Wow, it seems like your wallet is a bit full these days? Offering to treat two people?

He was amazed that I would readily agree to cover the cost for two servings of beef.

I’m not the type to flaunt money, but in situations like this, I wanted to ride the wave, shrugging my shoulders and

speaking with a slightly arrogant tone.

“This is all thanks to the chairman.”

• Chairman?

“Something like that.”

To be precise, it’s not the chairman but the viewers, but expressing it that way just didn’t feel right, so I opened my

mouth and then closed it, backtracking late.

“Anyway, let’s plan to meet for lunch soon, and I’ll send you the details about the place and time once I have them.”

• Okay, I’ll let him know too.

“H?”

Just as I was about to end the call, I suddenly felt a strange closeness in how Park Jae-sung treated that editor, and

curiosity struck me.

Who could they be? A family member?

“Hey, just to check, what’s your relationship with that editor?”

• What relationship? It’s Nayun, isn’t it? Didn’t I mention that?

“…What? Nayun?”

Did I mishear the name?

Could it be that the Nayun I know is the same Yu Nayun? The one who has been dating Park Jae-sung since middle

school and constantly tried to provoke me?

At that moment, I felt all the puzzle pieces click into place in my mind, and I slapped my forehead.

Damn it, he wasn’t trying to help a friend; he was trying to get his girlfriend a job. My desire to treat him to beef was

evaporating as I realized this.

No wonder they were able to contact each other immediately and that he seemed to know so much about the other

person’s private life. It had to be Yu Nayun.

Seeing a face I was already sick of made me even angrier.

Now, does this mean I’ll have to watch this couple flaunt their relationship right in front of me and play the role of

the water boy?

What a miserable life.

Should I just quit YouTube right now?