“Marry me.”

“I refuse.”

“I’ll deposit 3 million won into your bank account every month.”

Is she trying to buy my life with money? I can earn around 3 million won a month, easily. Though I’ll probably be bedridden from exhaustion the following month.

Setting aside the money, this is only the second time we’ve seen each other. I never expected such a sudden proposal. It’s like she has a screw loose…

“500.”

“After tax?”

“Naturally. I’ll also provide an extra allowance every time you attend a family event.”

“And what about other conditions?”

“You just have to live your life as usual. Just don’t go meeting women now that you have money and end up getting photographed by reporters.”

Sounds like a lifetime sentence to only jerking off.

It’s not particularly difficult. I never planned on dating, let alone getting married. Even if I wanted to, my circumstances wouldn’t allow it.

This… Isn’t this a sweet deal?

Just continuing my usual half-unemployed life would bring in a steady 5 million won. It’s an extraordinary offer that won’t come around twice in a lifetime.

However, the word ‘marriage’ felt heavier than I anticipated, making it hard to accept easily.

“Oh, and Haneul-nim’s father will be transferred to a VIP room in the hospital operated by our group. It will naturally be free of charge.”

“Did you run a background check on me?”

“Of course. I’m not some lunatic who asks just anyone to marry her.”

So she isn’t.

I barely managed to swallow the words that were about to pop out.

No matter how I look at it, there’s no real downside for me. If I simply continue to live the way I have—keeping my distance from women—my life, no, my family’s life, will change.

She wouldn’t be after the insurance money… Surely not.

The granddaughter of the Daehan Group chairman.

Thanks to the love of her entire family since birth, the stocks she owned as a newborn were already worth over a billion won.

It’s not a figure of speech.

She literally received a gift of 10 billion won in stocks from her grandfather the moment she was born. By the time she became an adult, another zero had been added.

As someone who has never even touched a hundred million won in my life, I can’t even imagine it. In any case, my insurance payout wouldn’t even be this woman’s pocket money.

“But why me of all people?”

I know it’s a stupid question, but it’s also one that absolutely needs to be asked.

If she just opened her phone book, there’d be countless men from ‘prestigious families’—more handsome, wealthier, and with generations of money—than me.

“You’re a web novel writer, right? An unpopular one.”

Did she really need to add that last part?

It feels like a lack of consideration.

Since it wasn’t untrue, I gave a light nod. She continued speaking.

“When was the last time you went out?”

“Hmm…”

“Exclude today and going out for necessities. Something that can truly be called a ‘proper outing.’”

When was that?

It definitely wasn’t this month.

The fate of an unpopular web novel writer means that if I don’t serialize daily, I can’t even earn minimum living expenses.

Plus, I’m currently enduring the endless paywall process after finishing my previous work. My work is free, but everything outside is paid.

…I can count the number of times I left the house last year on one hand.

At this point, I think I understand why this woman chose me. Since I rarely leave the house, the chances of me causing trouble are probably low.

“I’m convinced.”

“I like that about you too.”

“Is it because you don’t have to explain it?”

“Yes. And…”

Suddenly, Kang-bada reached out and removed my glasses. She then swept my messy bangs to the sides, slowly nodding her head as she examined me.

“You’re decent looking when you’re not unkempt. Your face is average, and your basic physique is quite good.”

No female friends.

No criminal record.

No external hobbies.

In addition, a string of my strengths, all described strictly from her perspective, were listed. It seems she knows more about me than I do.

“You’re also an Seoul National University graduate, right?”

“For now, yes.”

“My parents and I also graduated from Seoul National University. That adds another three bonus points.”

Well done, past me.

It was a moment that made me proud of myself for working part-time day and night, yet still carving out time to study. I even made decent money tutoring while I was in school.

“…Adding this and that, your total score is 95. You got the highest score among the candidates, so I chose you.”

“What’s the remaining 5 points for?”

“I’m not attracted to you.”

“Oh, I’d give you 10 points.”

“What do you mean?”

“We get along well.”

………

She stared at me without saying a word.

At times like this, I realize how much appearance matters. Even though she’s clearly looking at me with negative feelings, I don’t feel bad at all.

“So, are you going to do it or not?”

“Everything is fine, but let’s revise the contract conditions slightly.”

“If it’s a request for physical intimacy, I absolutely refuse.”

“That’s a bit disappointing as a man.”

“…!?”

She flinched and took a step back. Her face seemed slightly flushed. It was quite fresh to see a reaction that typically only happens in comics in real life.

Surprisingly, she seems to have no immunity to this kind of joke. I was tempted to tease her more, but I haven’t signed the documents yet. It would be troublesome if the client changed her mind beforehand.

“You don’t have to accept the extra allowance, but please participate in my family’s events as well. I don’t want to upset my parents.”

“I see. If we’re going for a perfect disguise, that would be better.”

She readily accepted my proposal and pulled a stack of papers from her bag, presenting them to me.

The front page was the marriage registration form.

Behind it were various contracts.

“This is a contract stating that you won’t claim any property division if we divorce. The rest are cohabitation agreements, and other miscellaneous things.”

“Understood.”

The documents were filled with my personal information. Thanks to that, I could simply check for errors before signing.

“…Are you reading that properly?”

“I’ve read it all.”

“Don’t lie. How can you read a contract that quickly?”

“I read a lot of books when I was young. My speed-reading naturally improved.”

I truly love reading, and there was so much to see in the world. As a result, I trained myself to read everything as fast as possible from a young age.

My concentration naturally increased greatly, and when it comes to short-term memory, I’m second to none.

“Books and contracts are different, you know.”

“Then ask me about them.”

“Number 1.”

“Party A (Kang-bada) and Party B (Kim Ha-neul) will individually manage their respective incomes. However, they will consult each other regarding joint income.”

“…Number 5?”

“Dating or engaging in sexual relationships with any other person is strictly prohibited during the contract period.”

We exchanged several more questions and answers, and eventually, ‘Kang-bada’ had to admit my speed-reading skills.

After putting the signed contracts back in her bag, she willingly extended her hand toward me.

“Well, let’s get along. Husband.”

“I look forward to it too. Wife.”

As I shook her hand and gave a suitable reply, she frowned.

“‘Wife’ is a bit much!”

“How about ‘Old Lady’?”

“Are you doing this on purpose?”

“Then should I call you ‘honey’?”

“Just ‘Bada-ssi’ is enough.”

“Understood. Bada–Sea.”

“You think that’s a joke…!”

Stare!

Kang-bada glared at me intensely and gripped my hand tightly. Her hand was warm, fitting the late spring weather.

I returned home right away. After a simple home workout and shower, I lay down on the bed.

When I checked my phone, I had a message from Kang-bada. It was a schedule outlining the upcoming plans for the marriage.

“…She’s efficient.”

I tend to act impulsively, but she was the complete opposite. She even created an Excel sheet with detailed listings of times, dates, and headcounts.

If we were an ordinary couple, it would be overwhelming, but since I viewed it as a business arrangement, it put my mind at ease. I just had to follow it.

Buzz, buzz!

Suddenly, my phone vibrated. That unique vibration told me it was an alert from the banking app.

Galaxy Bank – Kang-bada

Deposit: 5,000,000 KRW.

“…It wasn’t a dream after all.”

Looking at the bank statement, it finally felt real. There are days when my salary platform has this many customers.

Did I win the pension lottery?

Recently, the pension lottery gives about 5.5 million KRW after tax, so it’s a bit less than that. But that’s for ‘only’ 20 years, and mine is for life—that’s the difference.

Moreover, the chance of winning the pension lottery is about 1 in 5 million. In percentage terms, that’s 0.00002%—a probability that would make a Korean gacha game weep.

Therefore, I was simply grateful.

Grateful that a ‘golden’ opportunity like this had found me.

I should tell my parents first.

Trill-trill-trill—

I immediately called my mother. The default ringtone played a few times before she picked up.

– Yes, son.

“Mom. Did you eat?”

– I did. How about you?

“I ate too.”

– You didn’t eat convenience store food again, did you? Your health will really suffer if you keep doing that. Should I send you some side dishes?

“No, I had steak today.”

– Steak?

The place Kang-bada had taken me to today was a high-end restaurant with private rooms. Thanks to that, I freely enjoyed food I’d only ever seen in movies.

“It was good there. I’ll take you sometime.”

– Where would you get the money for that?

“I won the lottery, you see.”

– Five thousand won?

“No, five million won.”

– Wha—!? Oh, my goodness. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.

I heard my mother’s surprised scream and repeated apologies over the receiver. Since it was this time of day, my father would be in the hospital, so she must be apologizing to the people sharing the room.

“Sorry. I didn’t expect you to be that shocked.”

– How could I not be shocked?

“I’ll send it straight to your account. Use it for living expenses.”

– No, you use it to buy more steak.

I expected this.

After dedicating her life to raising her children, she’d never accept money from her kids. Even though they struggle to manage the hospital bills and living costs.

“I knew you’d say that, so I already sent it.”

– No, seriously!?

“If you send it back, I won’t see your face again. Just so you know.”

My mother was silent for a long time.

When she finally spoke again, her voice had a slight tremor.

– …Thank you, son. I’ll use it well.

“Good. Oh, and.”

– Yes?

“I’m getting married, Mom.”

Click—

The call suddenly cut off. A moment later, I called back, and this time my father answered instead.

– Why are you making someone else’s girlfriend cry?

“Is Mom crying?”

– Yes. What did you say to her?

“Um… I just told her I’m getting married?”

Click—

The call was disconnected again.

…It seems the news of my getting married was more shocking to my parents than me winning the lottery.

Well, I’ll explain that later.

When I checked my phone, my message window was unusually active. The culprit was, of course, Kang-bada.

: Hey.

: Look here.

: Knock-knock.

: I sent a gift and a message. Check it now!

The last one wasn’t a real gift, but just written out as a sentence. Did she seriously think I’d fall for that?

: Wow, I just checked it.

: Are you really going to work like this?

: (throws phone emoji)

I subtly checked the clock.

It was just past 11 o’clock. I suddenly realized the downside of this job. It seems to be a place without days, nights, or fixed working hours.

…I guess I can’t do anything about it for now.

As I was thinking, numerous messages kept flooding in. I called her before any more misunderstandings piled up.

“Hello?”

– Wh-why are you calling suddenly? You scared me.

“Bada-ssi seemed a bit urgent. What’s going on at this hour?”

– I apologize for contacting you late. But I have plans starting tomorrow, and I needed confirmation. Did you see what I sent?

“We meet at 8 a.m. for the hair salon, followed by a reservation at a restaurant at 11:30 a.m. After that, we’re going to a department store to buy clothes, right?”

A gasp

I could hear a surprised sound. It seemed she thought I wouldn’t know any of it.

– Anyway, I’m taking a rare vacation, so don’t be late under any circumstances!

“Understood.”

– ………

“If you have nothing further to say, I’ll hang up now.”

– …Yes, goodnight.

“You too, Bada-ssi.”

Click—

The call ended, and a deep silence settled. Though it was a familiar silence, it felt strangely unfamiliar today.

Lying on the bed absently, my gaze fell on the computer.

…I guess I can’t write tomorrow either.

The saved drafts run out today. Since the money problem is solved now, it would be best to abandon a failed work as quickly as possible.

[Keep writing well.]

[Enjoying the read.]

[I’m having fun reading it.]

But there are still readers who follow along.

I suppose I have to go as far as I can.

I pulled out a piece of chicken breast from the refrigerator and bit into it. Then, I sat down at my desk and started typing on the keyboard.