For Sale: Male Lead, Obsession Included - Chapter 141

“The heck. Jin, that bracelet!”

You crafty puppy.

When I pointed at the bracelet hidden under Jin’s sleeve, he visibly panicked and pulled his sleeve all the way down to cover his hand.

“Ah, ah. That’s—”

“You wanted to wear the same one as me?”

“Th, that. I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”

“Why are you sorry?”

“You might’ve felt uncomfortable… I did it without asking…”

I stopped short on the path we were walking together and stepped in front of him, blocking his way. When I looked up, Jin’s face was bright red, and he looked so apologetic he seemed like he might burst into tears at any moment.

If Jin had ears and a tail, wouldn’t they both be drooping completely.

To reassure the large, fidgeting puppy, I deliberately smiled even more brightly.

“I’m not uncomfortable at all! You could’ve just said you wanted a couple item with me. Why hide it!”

“A-A couple item?”

No, was I trying to reassure him, or did I just want to tease him more.

I deliberately brought up the word couple to fluster Jin even further. A man who usually showed no emotional sway and stayed blunt was reacting like this, all emotions on display and completely flustered. How could I not tease him.

Only after Jin’s tanned skin had turned completely red did I finally stop teasing him.

From the outside, he looked like a bear who could beat up a wolf, so why was he so upright and pure.

“I’m glad… no, I’m actually happy that you’re not upset.”

Today, I realized that his words, that he wasn’t uninterested in me, were still valid.

It made somewhere in my chest feel ticklish.

“I’ll see you at dinner later!”

After waving goodbye with the hand wearing the bracelet Jin had made for me, I went into my room and took out ink and hanji.

It was fortunate I’d stocked up on them to teach Jin the imperial language. I sat at my desk for the first time in a while and sank into thought.

Just as Jin said, with only two seasons left before leaving Dongguk, it was time to truly choose which of the three methods I’d use to obtain residency.

“Hm. That method really is the best.”

The method I’d been considering ever since leaving the Empire. Making a ton of money.

Becoming a hero in chaotic times, or buttering up members of the Nobles Council, those were unrealistic. But becoming rich was difficult, not impossible.

No matter how long it took, earning 100,000 gold didn’t feel entirely unrealistic to someone like me, who had knowledge of the 21st century and this world’s future.

‘Right. Let’s make money.’

I’d thought long and hard about what method I should use to earn money. I could make money through ‘opening up trade routes,’ which I’d proposed to Ribolto when I left the Empire, and then organize merchant caravans that traveled those routes to do business.

Or I could seek out talented individuals from the original story and sponsor and cultivate them.

There were many methods, but in the end, what I chose was ‘self-employment.’

Back when I lived as a franchisee of a major convenience store chain, my dream had been to have my own convenience store.

To franchise a convenience store at the intersection near my home, work the day shift myself, hire part-time workers for the remaining hours, and make a modest living. That had been my simple dream.

Of course, the problem was that I died before achieving that dream and transmigrated into this world instead.

That was also why I decided to make money through self-employment. It was my dream, and managing a convenience store was one of the few things I was genuinely interested in and good at.

What was it like when I walked the capital’s streets at night. Once the sun set, everything closed except inns and entertainment districts. People who got off work late had nowhere to eat, and even if you suddenly got sick in the middle of the night, there was no hospital you could go to.

But what about Korea, with its 24-hour convenience stores in the 21st century. You could drag yourself out in slippers at any time and buy everything from late-night snacks to alcohol, and if you needed it, you could always buy medicine and daily necessities.

That was the kind of store I wanted to open.

In this world, where there were no 24-hour stores at all, a convenience store open 24 hours a day, all year round, would definitely be revolutionary.

Just thinking about it made my heart race.

My store. A small convenience store filled with my own products.

After all, shouldn’t anything you do be enjoyable first.

I decided to enjoy the journey itself toward the goal of residency.

“I heard the store preparations are going steadily.”

I’d been reassured by Ribolto’s words that he’d smoothly bought the three-story building in front of the Peach Bridge at a cheap price, but lately I’d heard there was some guy buying up all the surrounding land and buildings and demanding that I sell my building too.

What a nuisance.

I don’t know what his intention is in buying up all the surrounding land, but I have absolutely no intention of selling that building.

Why? Because that spot is the best, the absolute best location!