Chapter 61

"No, thank you. I'm always grateful for your help, President."

"There are still a truckload of people who fail even with my help. It all comes down to one's own ability."

...

Is there really someone like me who has become someone?

I could only marvel at his character.

However, Choi Jung-hyun brought up the topic of gifts again.

"By the way, I have a pretty good idea of what gift you want... Isn't it about the franchise or the third branch? This store would be even better if it were a bit larger. It would be such a waste."

Well, of course I had thought about the franchise and the third branch, but I wanted to focus more on the Sinchon branch for now.

I intended to come up with a more direct sales strategy to boost Amuse's revenue rather than just expanding through franchises.

"It's not about the franchise. I'll visit you when you have time and talk about it."

Choi Jung-hyun tilted his head in surprise but quickly accepted my intention.

"Alright. You're always welcome, Yoo-won. How about I give you a pass to the headquarters?"

"A pass? Haha."

We were chatting warmly when Park So-jeong butted in, seemingly the embodiment of jealousy.

"Stop talking about work! Yoo-won, the managers here are really curious. Can you introduce them?"

"Ah, they don't want to be introduced?"

"Do you want to get beaten up?"

"Ah!"

As the night at Amuse deepened, I wasn't sure if it was because I was in a good mood or because I had been abroad for a long time.

'New York? America? No, no.'

After all, Korea is the best.

Koreans are the best.

*

After the late-night gathering, I returned to my room.

"Wow, really..."

Maybe it was because I had been staying at the hotel for a while, but the room seemed unusually cramped today.

"Ugh."

How could I have lived in such a place? How?

I thought about tidying up my luggage and getting a good rest, but it didn't seem possible.

I pushed the suitcase aside and sat in front of the computer.

Of course, I would have to do some legwork to find a proper place, but was there any reason to suffer from the start?

"Tam! Coco!"

With them, I rubbed my hands and accessed the real estate portal site.

'Shall I find a place to live a splendid life in my 30s?'

I filtered the search conditions. I wanted a place over 30 pyeong.

'Too big a place... might feel lonely.'

I thought about the room at Park So-jeong's wedding and how it felt like a cliché from a horror or mystery movie.

'The owner of a large mansion aging alone, rooms filled with dust and antiques, ghosts flying around the house at night, Tam and Coco!'

'...Up to 40 pyeong.'

The second condition had been set for about 10 years.

When it came to 'dream house,' there was only one answer.

'Han River view!'

Indeed, when it comes to Seoul, it's the Han River.

When you think of the Han River, you think of the Han River view.

A wide river seen through a large window, cars running along the orange streetlights, and the headlights.

The heat and noise of the big city of Seoul.

Just a step back from all that, a rocking chair, a glass of wine, and some mood music.

Just pure relaxation, pure romance.

'Kya!'

It wasn't just about romance; there were also practical reasons.

There's a walking path right in front.

You can go anywhere in Seoul easily.

You don't have to worry about the house price dropping.

The only downside might be the school district, but I'm not even married yet, so...

Then, I remembered the time I was acting coy in front of Trimerium, which was supposed to be my honeymoon home.

'Hehe, bring a blanket. I'll give you a kick.'

But now, there was no reason to be obsessed with Trimerium. It was just an apartment with no meaning to me.

"So, 30 to 40 pyeong... Han River view..."

Ah, but since both Amuse stores are in Mapo, should I look for a place in Mapo?

'Everyone sings the praises of proximity to work.'

Most of my friends and colleagues moved near their workplaces. Unless they bought a new home in Gyeonggi due to house prices or got a new apartment through a lottery.

'But why bother?'

As Amuse grows, who knows where the third or fourth branch might open.

And if the house is too far, I could just open an office in Mapo. I have the money, so what can't I do?

I could sleep there sometimes.

I could use 'Quality Conversion' comfortably.

I could meet investors, lawyers, and tax accountants there.

It would be hard to call them to the cafe as the number of customers increases.

The decision was made.

'Location doesn't matter! 30 to 40 pyeong with a Han River view!'

I set the filtering conditions and pressed the search button.

[Jeodensevil Han River / 28 billion won / 136㎡]

[Han River Sanghwa Mansion / 21.5 billion won / 105㎡]

[Apollo River Park / 43 billion won / 112㎡]

[Yeouido Mirinae / 47 billion won / 161㎡]

...

My mouth watered.

But it was different from the saliva I used to swallow while watching VLOGs of houses.

A premonition that my dream was about to come true.

A certainty that it was right in front of me, within reach.

With a trembling heart, I clicked on one of the listings.

The expected commission and tax information appeared.

The commission was over 30 million won, and the acquisition tax alone was 1.5 billion won.

'Ugh...'

But I didn't set a budget limit.

After all, it was my home where I would live for a long time.

I didn't need a huge amount of spare cash to do what I wanted.

'I can do everything even if I leave a few billion won.'

Moreover, I was confident.

Even if I became penniless, I was sure I could become rich again.

So, instead of buying a mediocre house and suffering, it was better to buy the best house right from the start.

How do I find the best house?

Tam and Coco always know the answer.

'Thanks again today!'

I changed the tab at the top of the real estate screen.

From 'Desired Listings' to 'Completed Transactions.'

I printed out all the pages of completed transactions that met my conditions. The period was the last two years.

Zing— Click.

Zing— Click.

Ah, there was one more condition.

Only print listings that were completed through 'broker transactions,' not 'direct transactions'!

Actually, looking at houses online is just exploration, and its limitations are clear.

Not all listings are available, and there are many fake listings to attract customers. There are also unpredictable variables that can only be discovered through multiple site visits.

But I couldn't visit every house along the Han River several times in just six days.

So, I came up with an idea.

Finding a competent real estate agent to do the legwork for me.

An agent who has handled many completed transactions would naturally be competent.

They would have more listings.

They would have earned the trust of more customers.

They would have negotiated more reasonable prices.

'Leave the difficult part to the experts.'

Soon, all the printouts were ready.

"Tam!"

The orange fox flew over with a wide, happy smile.

I held the printouts in both hands and presented them to Tam's snout.

"Try this."

But, contrary to my expectations, Tam didn't open his mouth.

Instead, he flew in circles, creating a circular band in his wake.

—Pew Pew Pew Pew Pew!

A light cluster similar to the old Tam, red and yellow.

"Oh... So this is how it works?"

Is it some kind of summoning circle? It reminds me of Granjo.

I moved the offerings to the center, and the papers fluttered and flew as if sucked into a vacuum cleaner.

—The power of 'Quality Conversion' is activated.

—Item: Mokhyu A4 paper

—Quantity: 235.21

—Estimated processing time: 9 minutes 20 seconds

—Do you want to start the conversion process?

Right, I have a lot of coupons.

There's no reason to save them for finding a house.

I'll use a Lucky Strike!

—'Lucky Strike' is activated, applying a bonus efficiency to 'Quality Conversion.'

—The 'Preview' skill is activated!

—Please select the result.

—A. 190 sheets of Mokhyu Premium A4 paper

—B. Chat logs related to the satisfaction of residents of the completed transactions

—C. List of real estate offices that brokered the completed transactions

Wow, option B was really tempting.

Although the completed transactions might not have much significance, the evaluations of the same complex or building would be similar.

But I could check them after deciding on a listing.

First, I wanted option C.

I decided to find the person who handled the most transactions.

A little later, another message appeared.

—'Quality to Quality Conversion' is complete.

—Please 'consume' the completed items.

—Time limit: 3 minutes

The light cluster spat out the papers and disappeared.

I caught the fluttering papers and read them.

They contained listing information and the names of the real estate agents who brokered them.

[Han River Lucky Real Estate Office]

[Han River View Real Estate]

[Yeongdeungpo One-Stop Real Estate Office]

...

I started counting.

Which real estate office had the most completed transactions?

But the names were all similar, making it hard to count.

'Han River View, Han River Breeze, oh...'

Still, one place had handled an overwhelmingly large number of transactions.

It was insane.

93 completed transactions of Han River view properties in just two years.

93 transactions would mean 20 million won in commission each, totaling 1.8 billion won.

[Han River Hee Real Estate Office]

Even the name was Han River Hee!

This was it.

I had a good feeling. Bang!

*

The next morning at 8:30.

The real estate office hadn't even opened yet.

[Han River Hee Real Estate Office]

[Yeouido APT Monthly Rent 1.5 billion / 2.5 million 144㎡]

[Yeouido General Commercial Space 2 billion / 1.4 million 66/34㎡]

[Call for inquiries 02-78*-06**]

I read the advertisements on the real estate office and then returned to the car to wait for Han River Hee.

I wasn't really bored.

Shopping for a house on my phone was super fun!

'Wow, this place is good too. It's not right next to the road, so it should be quiet.'

While looking for a Han River view house, I found out that there was a heated debate in the community about 'Han River view south-facing vs. north-facing.'

Moreover, there were various drawbacks listed, such as the summer sunlight reflecting off the river causing eye strain and heat, and the riverbank being humid and prone to condensation.

But I wasn't worried at all.

There was an expert who had handled nearly 100 Han River view properties, and no house is perfect.

'The view is amazing, though.'

Sure, my Panamera's fuel efficiency and the need to go to the gas station were a bit disappointing.

But focusing on the many advantages rather than a few drawbacks seemed better.

"Huh? Is that her?"

A lady in a beige suit was walking briskly toward the real estate office.

She checked the store's exterior and advertisements thoroughly even before opening the door. She seemed very meticulous.

I immediately got out of the car and followed her into the real estate office.

"Hello, are you President Han River Hee?"

"Yes, that's me. Are you here to look at a house? So early in the morning?"

"Hehe, yes. I want to find one quickly."

"What should we do? Please sit down. I'll make you some cold tea."

Despite her surprised expression, Han River Hee skillfully prepared and brought a cold green tea.

I sat on the sofa, and she sat opposite me with a cup in both hands.

"Oh, but what should we do? I don't think I can handle business today. I gave you the tea out of courtesy, but can you come another time?"

What is she talking about?

She came to work and can't handle business?

"Is that so? Are you off all day today?"

"Yes, I'm sorry. I have to go somewhere urgently today."