Chapter 17: Moving into Luxury The Hill

[Yes, I have time.]

I wonder if they might decline.

I’m worried.

Honestly, we still don’t know each other well, and I’m not sure if I’m putting too much pressure on them.

But still, I should make the offer.

It’s only proper.

I’ll at least bring it up.

[If the contract is completed tomorrow, I’ll be having a housewarming. I’d like to invite you, Ms. Moonhwa. Would you be able to attend?]

[Yes, that seems possible. When do you plan to have it?]

Oh! They accepted immediately.

I was overthinking this for no reason.

By the way, when would be a good time for the housewarming?

They seem busy on weekdays, so it should be on the weekend.

[How about this Saturday at 7 PM?]

[Yes, that works fine. But, is that okay? It overlaps with your broadcast time.]

[I’ll take a break from broadcasting that day. I’m not that crazy about streaming, haha. By the way, could I have your phone number? I’ll contact you later. Ah! If you’d rather not, I completely understand.]

[No problem.]

I received Moonhwa’s phone number and ended the conversation.

I felt a little relieved.

I’m glad I’ll be able to show some gratitude, even if just a little.

I’ll treat them to delicious food.

Next, it’s Dajang… Well, they said they’d give me their contact details tomorrow.

I’ll mention it then.

“Now, should I study a bit?”

Even though it’s a deposit-free rent contract, some prior knowledge is still necessary.

I can handle it at the site, right? But I shouldn’t think so lazily.

I took out the materials I had prepared in advance and studied the precautions for rental contracts.

+++

I can’t believe they invited me to their house first.

I even got their phone number.

What should I do? Could it be that they were actually interested in me?

No, stay focused.

It’s just a simple gesture of gratitude.

I shouldn’t get ahead of myself.

“Why does my wardrobe look like this?”

I stood up and walked into the dressing room.

It’s clear that I’ve stopped paying attention to my appearance lately.

Everything is outdated, last season’s clothes.

Yuseong isn’t someone who cares about luxury brands, but I still want to show a decent look.

I’ll stop by the department store this morning.

“Is my face okay?”

I stood in front of the full-length mirror, turning my face this way and that.

Personally, I think I’m pretty, and I’ve heard that often enough.

But strangely, I don’t feel confident now.

It’s at an all-time low.

From today onward, I won’t have dinner.

I’ll only eat lunch, and then skip the rest of the day’s meals.

I firmly resolved this.

+++

I got out of the taxi and looked around.

The luxurious apartment designs caught my eye.

So, this is the Luxury The Hill apartment complex.

Can I really live here?

It’s hard to believe.

“Sera, I’ve just arrived. Where should I go?”

[It’s okay. I already saw you getting out of the taxi. I’ll come to you.]

“Okay, I understand.”

I pressed the end call button on my phone and waited for the landlord, Sera.

It didn’t take long before a woman in her early 30s with blonde hair waved at me and walked over.

A middle-aged woman with glasses followed her, bowing in greeting.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Na Sera.”

“Yes. I’m Shin Yuseong. Nice to meet you.”

“I didn’t expect the tenant Hyejeong introduced to be the hot Yuseong. I’m surprised.”

“Well… I’m not that well-known, you’re too kind.”

“Haha, so modest.”

After a brief greeting with Sera, the contract process began.

I received the real estate agent’s business card and ID and visited the office to verify their identity.

I called the city hall to check the license number of the certified agent.

There was no problem.

They are verified.

It’s a bit embarrassing to be in front of someone introduced by a friend, but it’s my first time signing a contract for a house.

I need to be extra careful.

We returned to the apartment complex and began the tour of the luxury facilities.

“The first floor has high-end leisure facilities, including a gym, swimming pool, sauna, billiards, and screen golf, as well as cafes and convenience stores to ensure the residents’ convenience.”

“Could I take a closer look?”

“Of course, please.”

It really is nice.

The building, which hasn’t been completed for more than five years, feels brand new.

The facilities are all modern and stylish.

Having stayed in various luxury hotels for international competitions, I can confidently say this is not inferior to any of them.

Maybe it’s because I’ve been living in a cramped officetel?

It feels like night and day.

In my heart, I’m already a resident of this apartment.

I want to move in quickly.

But I mustn’t get complacent until the contract is finalized.

I casually looked around the facilities.

“Now, let’s check out the most important property.”

“Yes.”

Finally, I got to see the place I’d be living in.

The first thing that stood out was the large living room.

I approached the window to look at the view.

A wide walking path that reminded me of a park.

The landscaping was quite nice.

“The layout includes 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a living room, an integrated kitchen, a dressing room, and a balcony.”

“Does the heating system work well?”

“Yes? Well, of course. It’s a luxury complex, after all…”

“Okay, I see.”

The air conditioning was set up, so cooling wouldn’t be a problem, but I asked about the heating because I was curious, and the agent seemed a bit flustered.

What kind of country bumpkin am I, asking such a thing?

I felt a bit embarrassed.

Sera behind me giggled.

But I had to confirm it, didn’t I? What else could I do?

I went into the bathroom to check the water pressure.

The water came out fine, and the fluorescent lights worked properly.

There was no mold on the wallpaper, so there were no leaks.

“What about the soundproofing? I do internet broadcasting, and I have to shout in the room.”

“It’s perfect. There have been no complaints about noise between floors.”

“That’s a relief. What about the internet?”

“It’s connected.”

I continued checking everything thoroughly, taking pictures with my phone along the way.

No issues were visible.

In fact, the conditions were so good that I couldn’t help but admire them.

The TV, refrigerator, washing machine, air conditioning, and all necessary appliances were included.

Even things like tableware and bedding were provided.

I could just move in as is, with nothing else to worry about.

With conditions like this, people would be rushing to rent it out right away.

Why was it available without a deposit?

I began to have doubts.

“Yuseong, do you like it?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Then, let’s sign the contract right away. You must be tired from standing for so long. Plus, I’m not idle myself; I have business trips to prepare for.”

“I understand.”

I accepted Sera’s suggestion.

I had seen enough.

It would be rude to delay any longer.

I decided to sign the contract.

We went down to the first-floor cafe and sat across from each other.

Sera had been smiling brightly since earlier, and her expression seemed a little suspicious.

Why was she looking at me like that?

It felt like she was watching a child with amusement.

It made me uncomfortable.

I needed to be a bit more assertive.

“Sera, could I check your ID? I need to verify that you are the property owner.”

“Of course. Personal verification is important.”

She didn’t seem flustered.

She immediately took her ID out of her wallet and handed it to me.

I compared it with the registration certificate, and it was definitely her.

Great, next step.

Let’s continue checking everything.

There were no signs of auction or foreclosure.

Clean.

Perfect.

I guess it’s no surprise considering she’s Moonhwa’s sister.

There’s no flaw in her financial standing.

What kind of work do these people do?

“Please verify that the rental contract address matches the registration address. There are a lot of scams lately where people just slightly alter the house numbers, haha.”

“Ah, I know! I was just about to check that.”

“Wow! You’re so sharp.”

Was she teasing me?

Oh well, maybe I’m being too cautious.

She’s looking at me with such a sly smile, as if she’s about to pinch my cheeks in jest.

But I won’t take shortcuts. I’ll make sure to double-check everything.

“Alright, I’ll make the seal.”

About 20 minutes had passed.

By asking the broker some questions I didn’t know, I finally completed the contract.

The terms were for a 3-year lease, with a rent of 5 million won per month.

Finally, I had found a new house to move into.

When I think about it, it’s quite amazing.

The 5 million won rent doesn’t feel burdensome at all.

Just a few days ago, I was agonizing over buying broadcasting equipment that cost 700,000 won.

It’s all thanks to the viewers, including Moonhwa.

“Congratulations. You’ve moved in under incredibly good terms. I wasn’t going to say this, but…”

“Boss?”

“Huh? Oh, it’s nothing.”

What’s this?

The broker seemed to hesitate, like he was about to say something but then backed off.

It’s strange.

I clearly made a good deal, so why does it feel like I’m being tricked?

It’s really confusing.

“I’ll take care of the registration. Let’s have dinner afterward. I’ll treat you.”

“Yes, I’ll do that.”

I registered my move online and received the confirmation date.

Now, all the procedures were finally finished.

I sent the broker off and sat down for a moment to chat.

“Is streaming fun?”

“Yeah, I get to do what I love and make money at the same time. I’m really enjoying it.”

“Is it rude to ask how much you make?”

“Uh, well… Yes?”

“I’m just kidding. You must make a lot, with how handsome you are. I was surprised when I saw your videos online.”

Heh heh.

Most of the questions came from Sera.

She was an incredibly sociable person.

Even though it was our first time meeting, it didn’t feel awkward at all.

She was excellent at leading the conversation.

Is this the confidence of a successful person?

“Do you have a girlfriend?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Heh! You’ve been caught, huh…”

“What did you just say?”

“I’m sure, even if you don’t have a girlfriend, there are plenty of girls who like you. I’m interested in you too, even though we just met.” Heh heh.

“No, no. I pretty much stay locked up in my room, so I don’t know any girls.”

I felt like I was being interrogated.

It reminded me of when I first joined a professional gaming team and went into the dorms.

During the holidays, I was surrounded by relatives, being interrogated.

It’s uncomfortable.

Let’s end this conversation here.

“Should we go eat now?”

“What do you think of Hyejeong?”

Sera suddenly asked.

Who is Hyejeong?

I’d never heard that name before, so I asked again.

“Who’s Hyejeong?”

“Huh, you didn’t even know her name? She’s the one who connected me with you.”

“Oh! You mean Moonhwa? Of course, I think she’s a great person. She’s really a lifesaver to me.”

“Ah…”

“So Moonhwa’s real name is Hyejeong. I had no idea, just like Sera said.”

Wait a second.

Sera is six years older than me, so if Moonhwa calls her ‘noona’, that means she must be younger than her.

I thought her voice sounded young, but I really didn’t expect her to be that young.

It’s a shock.

Her immense wealth doesn’t match her age at all.

“No, I didn’t mean ‘lifesaver’ in that way. Hold on a second.”

Sera picked up her phone.

I glanced to the side instinctively, and she did the same.

There wasn’t anything special.

There were a few customers drinking coffee.

But then, who’s that woman?

She had a giant hat, sunglasses, and a mask, completely covering her face.

She put her phone down on the table with irritation, and the atmosphere seemed a bit scary.

I’d heard that many celebrities lived in Luxury The Hill, so she might be one of them.

I wasn’t particularly interested.

I’m past the age where I’d get excited seeing a celebrity.

I turned my attention back to Sera.

“Sorry, I tend to get too curious about other people’s love lives. I’m meddling too much.”

“It’s fine, it happens. So, shall we go eat?”

“Sorry, but I can’t. I actually have another appointment. Let’s part ways here.”

“Oh, well, if that’s the case, I guess we can’t do anything about it. Thanks for helping me get such a nice place.”

“Yeah, I hope we can meet again soon.”

Sera stood up and hurried out of the café. She must’ve been really pressed for time with her other appointment.

Actually, it worked out better for me.

Honestly, I felt uncomfortable eating alone with a woman.

I had no idea which restaurant to take her to with her lavish lifestyle.

Well, I guess I should get up too. I packed up the documents and put them in my bag.

+++

There was a lot to clean up.

How much stuff could a test-taker living in a goshiwon (study dormitory) have?

I’d thought it would be easy, but I was wrong.

Especially the terrifying textbooks.

There were more than 10 of them.

Can I just throw these away?

They seemed well-used.

You could tell that someone had really studied hard with them.

I had installed League of Legends on the computer, and I had a Twitch TV account, so I thought it was a bit pathetic, but it seems I didn’t just waste time.

Ah, whatever.

Sorry to my past self.

I’ll try to live a better life.

I started cleaning up the room.

I threw the textbooks in the recycling bin, and the blankets… Well, I don’t need them anymore, so they went into the trash bag.

Next, I made sure to pack up the clothes.

I neatly folded them into my suitcase.

Now, the only things left were the computer and broadcasting equipment.

It was a good thing I kept the boxes.

After packing everything properly, I taped them up.

Done! Wow, I’m sweating from just doing this.

Should I shower before I leave?

Nah.

I’ll have to do it again anyway, so no need to waste time.

Click! I took a final photo and posted it as a notice.

+++

Streamer Yuseong – Announcement (I’ve finished preparing for the move.jpg)

The contract is all settled. I’m packing up and moving now.

Goodbye, goshiwon.

PS. I’ll update you all on the streaming schedule later.

Right now, I have to finish the move and work on editor reviews, so I’m busy.

[Entering Luxury The Hill ]

[Of course, if you’re handsome like a man, you’re born with all the talents. I’ve been streaming for just a few days.]

[So, do you want a kiss? teasingly talking]

[I’m not jealous, haha, but isn’t this obvious for someone like Yuseong?]

[Opa, are you hiring a maid? I’m good at laundry and cooking.]

[Laundry and cooking. Yuseong can probably do it better than you.]

[If you live alone for a long time, you’ll get better at it. Who says women can’t do housework?]

[It’s all prejudice. Actually, most famous chefs are women.]

[Shut up and stream!]

[Wow, outright saying that you’ll be on long break, hahaha]

[Goodbye, goshiwon. Hahaha, it’s cringy.]

[Ah, really, haha, he’s handsome. I can’t focus on work these days because of Yuseong.]

+++

I read through the comments on the notice.

I took a short break.

Seriously, it’s funny.

I don’t get why they’re all so desperate to argue.

Just live a peaceful life.

No one gives you a prize for winning an online argument.

[It’s DaMaeDaMae.]

Phone: 010-5500-7500.

Bank account: Bank. 62-845-19526□0.

Nice to meet you.

I logged into TV and checked my messages.

Dajang had sent something.

Oh! Right, Dajang.

I had been so distracted I had almost forgotten about her.

She had sent me her phone number and account number.

Should I call her?

I’m not sure, but since I have her number, asking through a message feels awkward.

I quickly pressed the call button.

[Hello?]

Oh! She picked up immediately.

Her voice wasn’t what I had expected.

Based on her chat tone, I thought she’d be shy and awkward, but no, her voice was calm and composed, surprisingly intelligent.

“Hello? This is Shin Yuseong.”

[I know. The only person who can call this number is you, Yuseong.]

“Ah, is that so?”

Did she buy a new phone?

Did she do it to make sure I’d know?

Dajang is such an unusual person.

Instead of just telling me her old number, she got a new phone.

I feel a little bad now.

But there must be a reason.

Maybe she didn’t want to share her number with me for some reason.

Let’s quickly get to the point.

“I’m planning to stream later today, but I’ll check on the broadcast setup at my new place.”

[Ah, so you’re officially moving today?]

“Yeah.”