Leveling Up Through Eating

Chapter 1068

Even after leaving the South Korea Hotel and getting home, Minhyuk still could not fully understand what Johnson had said.

“Money can make the people around you happy sometimes, but it can also make them feel burdened.”

‘Does he mean that because I’m not spending any money, the people around me feel burdened, and they’re being put in a difficult situation?’

Minhyuk was still young—just twenty-one years old. As someone with thrifty spending habits that people from all over the world admired, he just could not understand Johnson’s words. So, he went to his greatest advisor, his father, and relayed Johnson’s words.

Minhyuk’s father almost went mad with rage. “How absurd! How can another company executive get involved in another person’s spending habits?!”

Then, Minhyuk said, “He gave me thirty billion won to spend in three days.”

“...” Kang Minhoo, the furious father, suddenly calmed down and smiled gently. “Son, that is an excellent piece of advice.”

“...”

That was a rapid change of expression! The expression on Kang Minhoo’s face had turned into a playful one. Of course, he was still trying to figure out what Johnson meant through his son’s words. It did not take long for him to understand Johnson’s intentions.

Kang Minhoo had lived as the chairman of his company for a very long time. He knew it wasn’t necessarily a good thing for a chairman to always live frugally.

Even though Kang Minhoo wore shirts worth only tens of thousands of won at home, he would wear suits made by world-class designers and watches worth hundreds of millions of won when he made formal and official appearances outside. People would refer to money used to spend on those things with a very absurd name: “Dignity Maintenance Fee.”

‘I lived a frugal lifestyle for so long and only realized how it affects my surroundings after a very long time.’

As the owner and the emperor of his empire, the various aspects of Minhyuk’s life would definitely affect the people below him.

“Buy everything that you want for three days,” Kang Minhoo said.

He thought that Minhyuk should experience it himself. Besides, they would not have much to worry about even if Minhyuk were to spend a lot of money during those three days.

‘I know my son will not spend that money recklessly.’

Minhyuk had lived a very frugal life so far. So, Kang Minhoo thought it would be okay for his son to splurge and spend all he wanted in those three days.

‘It’s free after all.’

Kang Minhoo smiled gently. “Son, is there anything you want?”

“Hmm…”

Minhoo knew his son’s personality and character well. Even though he asked that question, he already knew his son did not want anything.

“I want to have one!”

“Oh! One of what, son?”

Chairman Kang Minhoo was delighted. His son, who was not interested in anything other than food, wanted something.

“Do you know that restaurant called Hamburg’s Touch?”

“Of course.”

It was a chain restaurant serving hamburgers and its number of franchises was increasing rapidly.

“I really love the hamburgers there!”

At that moment, Minhoo thought it was as expected of his son. ‘In the end, he only wants to buy and eat some hamburgers…’

Minhyuk, with his flushed face, said, “Can I take over that?”

“...”

Minhoo was speechless by his son’s thought process.

‘Goodness! He thought their hamburgers were delicious and wanted to acquire the company itself?’

“Son… That’s a bit…”

That’s as expected of his son, no?

***

Minhyuk used to read a lot of fantasy novels. In those novels, the poor protagonists often used their special abilities to make a lot of money. Then, they would use that money to do a huge flex. They bought buildings, foreign cars, and everything that they could have.

Unlike the protagonists from those fantasy novels, Minhyuk had been born rich. He only learned to live frugally because of habit and his frugal father’s teachings. Of course, that did not mean that they lived frugally like that. His father always maintained his dignity when out in public.

‘He also does not spare any money regarding his employees.’

“Sometimes it’s good to spend as much as you earn.”

Minhyuk did not know precisely what that meant.

The Beyond the Heavens Empire people had told Minhyuk to rest for a week. This was only natural. Why? Because he had fainted from overwork.

At that moment, Minhyuk remembered about his SNS account and decided to log in. He usually only entered his SNS account once or twice a year. He remembered the words that Locke had said around five months ago.

“Let me tell you, this hyung has bought a Nomborghini! And it’s a limited edition—only fifty have been sold worldwide!”

Minhyuk thought Locke had probably plastered his SNS with pictures of him and the car because the guy liked to show off.

‘It’s not a bad thing.’

Minhyuk smiled. Locke would probably be seen as a self-made icon. After all, he gained that money through his efforts. But when Minhyuk checked Locke’s SNS account, there were no photos of the car at all. In fact, there were only two posts on the account.

One was a photo of Locke with a calm and manly expression while wearing a headset and exercising. He wrote these words under his photo:

[It’s hot. Just like my body.]

“...”

Minhyuk was rendered speechless. In his speechlessness, he accidentally clicked the “go back” button and was met with a post without photos.

[Nomborghini, sold. Please refrain from making malicious comments.]

Minhyuk was confused. He could still remember how excited Locke had been. He had been practically singing while waiting for his Nomborghini to arrive in Korea.

‘He sold it?’

When Minhyuk checked the comments section, he saw the comment with the most likes.

[In the first place, it’s beyond your means. Lol. Minhyuk is donating his money, yet here you are, posting and bragging about your Nomborghini. Minhyuk doesn’t even have a car, yet you’re posting a watch worth one car?]

“...”

Minhyuk was rendered speechless. It was shocking to see the post plastered with plenty of such comments. It always started with “You and Minhyuk…” It was ridiculous. Minhyuk and Locke were completely different people, so why did they have to compare each other?

At that moment, Minhyuk understood that the people were posting ridiculous comments telling his friends that they were worse than him because he was the master and the owner of the Beyond the Heavens Empire.

The comments were filled with envy, jealousy, and sarcasm.

Minhyuk almost laughed at the absurdity of the matter. However, he had never heard anything about this from Locke.

He also went to the SNS profiles of his other members. He was expecting photos of cars or maybe houses, but none of them had any posts like that.

‘They’re being cursed and mocked needlessly because of me.’

Of course, Minhyuk did not despise them even if they spent their money on expensive things.

Then, he glanced at something.

‘Since I am required to use it, I must.’

Minhyuk grabbed the black card. It was not as if he could not use or spend money.

‘I just did not want to use it.’

He had received a lot of help from his guild members, especially the high-rankers. They had even willingly given tens of billions of won for the sake of their guild. Instead of just saying thank you, he wanted to show them through his actions how grateful he was.

‘Today, let’s be Flex Minhyuk.’

He would try to repay the kindness they had given him with what he had.

If Flex Minhyuk included his 700 billion won in savings, the 800 billion won in the bank account his father secretly opened for him, and the market cap of Ilhwa Group, which would belong to him in the future, his total assets would amount to 600 trillion won. And since he was the emperor of the Beyond the Heavens Empire, he possessed an additional more than 100 trillion won, which was the value of his empire.

It was time to show off this money.

***

The Nomborghini store was said to cater only​​ to chaebols. They were a symbol of wealth.

The store’s new employee, Lee Hyun-Soo, was being scolded by the Nomborghini Dealership’s team leader.

The team leader rolled his eyes at him and scolded him harshly in a low voice. “Can’t you tell the difference between a rich person and a beggar, huh? Ignore the guests wearing shabby clothes and focus on the people wearing nice outfits.”

“B-but… they’re still customers…”

“Customer? They don’t have any money; what customer?” Team Leader Kim Dae-Hyun looked at Lee Hyun-Soo incredulously. “They don’t have money. They just come here to take a look and post pictures on SNS. Do you think they’re customers? They’re nothing but beggars.”

“...”

Lee Hyun-Soo remained silent.

“Do you know how many Nomborghinis I sell in a year? Instead of those brats, I’m worthy of a Nomborghini.”

Lee Hyun-Soo was the type of person who wanted to show basic manners toward the customers regardless of whether they had the money or not. He dreamed of riding and owning such a good car one day, so he fully understood that the people who visited the store also had the same dream.

Kim Dae-Hyun called people with that dream beggars. Lee Hyun-Soo could not help but feel skeptical about that.

‘I even bragged to my Beyond the Heavens Empire members that I got a job here, but…’

It was tough to get a job in this place, so Lee Hyun-Soo had boasted about it to his guild members. Alas, as the number of good cars he sold increased, his dream of owning one faded.

“Don’t even give water to those brats who look like they have nothing! Ah! More importantly!” Kim Dae-Hyun glared at him. “Don’t even let them touch the car! Do you understand? No. Don’t even show it to them!”

“Ah, yes!”

After saying his piece, Kim Dae-Hyun put on a wide smile and ran over to a woman who looked rich. “Goodness! Madam, welcome.”

Lee Hyun-Soo, who was fixing his clothes, heard the door to the dealership open.

‘Wow, he’s tall. Is he a model?’

Because of Kim Dae-Hyun, Lee Hyun-Soo had memorized all of the brands of watches, clothes, and so on. His team leader wanted him to judge people based on those things and only sell cars to people who wore them.

Lee Hyun-Soo saw a taxi leave just after the man entered the store. It seemed he had taken the taxi there. The customer even looked around as if he did not know where to go.

Although Kim Dae-Hyun said not to entertain or even look at people like the man, Lee Hyun-Soo still approached this customer.

‘I-I’m going to do it my way!’

Lee Hyun-Soo was just that stubborn.

He greeted the man with a polite bow. “Welcome!”

As he bowed, he saw that the man was not wearing anything branded. Instead, he was wearing a neat pair of jeans and a white T-shirt paired with a wide-brim hat and a mask on his face.

The man bowed slightly in response. “Can I see your cars?”

“Yes, please come this way.”

Lee Hyun-Soo politely led the way.

Just then, the man touched his neck and said, “I’m quite thirsty. Do you have anything to drink?”

Lee Hyun-Soo hesitated. “Ah…”

Kim Dae-Hyun had warned him not to give water to people who were not dressed to impress. Nevertheless, he still brought some water and handed it to the man.

“I took it from the refrigerator; it’s cold.”

“Kghhk. Water tastes really good,” the man remarked with a chuckle.

Lee Hyun-Soo thought, ‘Huh? Why does his voice sound familiar?’

Lee Hyun-Soo tilted his head in confusion. ‘There are probably at least one or two people who sounded similar, right?’

The man asked to see a car, so Lee Hyun-Soo guided him to one.

“Wow. This is pretty. I’ve never had a car like this before. Actually, I still don’t have a car at all.”

Lee Hyun-Soo chuckled. “Haha. That’s fine. I also don’t have a car yet. Everyone’s like that.”

Wouldn’t it be nice if someone like this man became successful and bought a car later? Once he succeeded in life, he could also ride a car like this.

The man cautiously reached for the car’s door. “Can I take a look inside?”

“Yes, of course…”

“Hey!” Kim Dae-Hyun called out.

He had failed to sign a contract with the rich woman, So, when he saw what Lee Hyun-Soo was doing, Kim Dae-Hyun felt a wave of anger rise to his head.

He pulled Lee Hyun-Soo to the side and whispered, “Didn’t I tell you, huh?! Don’t give water to brats wearing cheap clothes! And I told you not to show them the cars!”

Kim Dae-Hyun looked at the man from head to toe, which caused the man to panic and stop in his tracks.

Then, Kim Dae-Hyun said, “I’m sorry, sir. We will be having our lunchtime soon. I’m afraid we can’t show you the car. Please, get out.”

It was a blatant dismissal.

Lee Hyun-Soo looked puzzled. “He can look at the car even during our lunchtime…”

“Haha. I’m sorry, but no.”

“...”

The man looked at Kim Dae-Hyun and then at Lee Hyun-Soo.

Then, he said, “I planned on buying it today, but you’re telling me that I can’t?”

“Sir?”

“Ha!” Kim Dae-Hyun snorted as he repeatedly looked at the man from head to toe. He deliberately did it, as if he wanted the man to see it. “Please come back after lunch.”

“This is making me uncomfortable. You’re blatantly looking at people from head to toe and even snorting at them?” The man crossed his arms. “Your employee, Lee Hyun-Soo, did not do that though. Hmmm. Is it because of the clothes I’m wearing?”

Then, the man smoothed his shirt.

Kim Dae-Hyun sighed deeply. It was obvious he did not want to deal with the man.

Kim Dae-Hyun replied, “Do you think I wouldn’t be annoyed if someone who does not have any money comes here and does something like this? Get out…”

“I’m buying, though?”

“...?”

The man pulled out a black card, which was usually only given to VIPs.

‘Apel?’ Kim Dae-Hyun uttered inwardly.

Apel’s name was written on the card. Although Kim Dae-Hyun knew nothing about that specific card, there was one thing he knew about cards like that.

‘Most black cards do not have any limit!’

The man said, “This, this, this, this, this…”

Lee Hyun-Soo’s and Kim Dae-Hyun’s eyes grew wider and wider with each car the man pointed at. Realizing the situation, the branch manager quickly approached them.

The man concluded, “I want everything in this store. And ten more.”

“...!”

“...!”

At that moment, Kim Dae-Hyun felt like he was being suffocated. The man wanted at least twenty cars.

Genuinely worried for the man, Lee Hyun-Soo flashed his business smile and tried to explain. “Sir, all those cars combined will amount to 16 billion won. Leasing and installment plans would be a problem…”

The man looked at Lee Hyun-Soo and said softly, “I’m paying in a lump sum.”

ChubbyCheeks's Thoughts

CC’s Thoughts:

I want a friend who flexes like this. Thank you. Lololol.