If I Don’t Earn 1 Trillion Won, My Regression Ends - Chapter 79

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 79

“….”

Should I call this… a woman’s intuition?

Sometimes a feeling rises from instinct before the frontal lobe can even assess the situation.

A sense that something feels off.

It was eerie.

Since it was stuck in a vase, the landlord might have left it there as simple decoration while cleaning, but the first thought that came to my mind was… 2 years ago.

It was the lily bouquet from an unknown sender that I received at the Yewon Festival.

‘But I haven’t received any since then?’

In any case, I was someone who had been a victim of a kidnapping incident.

Even though a long time had passed, the traces left by that incident were carved deep into my bones.

Not only was I much more sensitive to crime than others, but my vigilance was also considerably high.

That’s why I didn’t just let the lily from 2 years ago slide – I informed my parents and immediately reported it to the police.

But CCTV wasn’t well-developed, so they couldn’t find anything due to technical limitations, and since there was no actual damage, the police found it bothersome too.

It was an era when there were no stalking punishment laws.

It was unsettling, but since nothing had happened for over 2 years after that.

I was starting to gradually forget about it too…

“It must be a coincidence, right?”

Right~ It doesn’t make sense.

My joining Haemun’s new project was top secret among top secrets.

It wasn’t like the future where Instagram was common, so there was no way for dormitory information to spread.

…Unless it was someone I knew who was nearby.

Worry doll specialty. The negativity doesn’t stop.

As I stood there awkwardly in the silence, too scared to leave the room or sit on the bed, that’s when it happened.

Ring ring ring!

“Oh my god!”

The bell sound was like thunder.

The phone on the table vibrated with a rattle. My startled heart pounded at the rough analog cry.

‘Wh-what timing…?’

I hesitated before picking it up with trembling hands.

“…Hello?”

[“Hey. Juliet. Why did you take so long to answer? Guess how many times I called today.”]

It’s Rampa Lim…!

My heart that had been hanging high settled back into place. It seems a sigh of relief escaped without me knowing.

[“What’s wrong.”]

Rampa Lim’s tone, which had been cheerfully floating, immediately sank.

“No… nothing. Nothing at all. Why did you call, oppa?”

[“No, I can tell. Something’s up. Tell me.”]

(No. I know. Something’s wrong. Tell me.)

What am I supposed to tell him? That I was alone getting scared and making a fuss?

At that firm voice, I felt inexplicably choked up and snapped back coldly.

“What do you know? You came all the way to Italy but won’t even meet me, so what do you know to act so smart? Do you even have any intention of seeing my face? You said you’re going to Belgium next week. Before coming, you made such a big deal about finally seeing me, but are you the only one who hates lies? I hate them too. Why did you even mention the time difference? It’s the same whether you come to Europe or not.”

[“….”]

The other side goes quiet.

Silence continued. After my outburst, I belatedly thought ‘oh no’ and bit my lower lip.

No… I was already exhausted to death, and right after coming back I got scared then relieved, rode an emotional roller coaster, and then Rampa Lim even got serious… Ugh. Whatever.

‘No matter how much I ramble, it’s all just excuses.’

In the end, I was just venting my anger.

Because Rampa Lim was comfortable and easy to deal with.

I covered my face with my hands and collapsed onto the bed with a thud.

“…Sorry.”

[“….”]

“I’m trash…”

As I mumbled while buried in the pillow, a low laugh came through the receiver.

[“What? I can’t hear you. Speak louder.”]

“…I’m trash! I’m sorry!”

[“It’s fine, angel. If there was trash as cute as you, I probably would have lived in a garbage can.”]

…Comforting is really a talent.

How did this guy become such a smooth talker?

Though the signs were there from childhood, once he hit puberty, Rampa Lim was practically flying.

My thought process naturally flowed toward his colorful romantic history, but as if telling me to focus, Rampa Lim spoke.

[“If you were upset, why didn’t you say anything all this time? I thought you weren’t even thinking about me. You have to tell me for me to know.”]

“Shouldn’t you have noticed on your own?”

[“You’re only being bratty with me, right?”]

“If you don’t like it, I’ll fix it…”

[“I’m asking because I’m worried you might do this with other guys too. Only I should know how cute you are like this.”]

Rampa Lim laughs teasingly.

The low sound rumbling in his throat traveled through the phone line to my ear. His voice, nearing the end of puberty, was soft and languid, easily providing comfort.

Just as I had forgotten about being scared and was chatting away with Rampa Lim.

Suddenly it got noisy outside, and I could hear footsteps of people going up and down the stairs in groups.

Then came knocking on my door too.

– Sing-a! If you’re not sleeping, come out, your father is here!

Ah, the second group has finally arrived!

Instantly wide awake, I hurriedly said goodbye to Rampa Lim and rushed out of the room.

♧

[“I have to go! I think my dad is here! I’ll call you later~.”]

“Okay. Take your time. Don’t run.”

I wonder if she heard the last part.

Rampa Lim stared down at the receiver that only made beeping sounds.

A square phone card popped out from the payphone slot. Rampa Lim flicked it up, caught it, and put the card’s edge in his mouth.

‘Can’t even get properly angry. Dummy.’

She really is nothing but a sweetheart. I wonder who will take her away later?

I should keep a good watch on the surroundings from now on.

Here I am cherishing her not just as a little sister but almost like a daughter, and thinking of her falling into some random guy’s hands, damn it.

Just thinking about it made his chest feel stuffy, and Rampa Lim felt he wouldn’t be able to rest in peace even in the afterlife.

‘Ah. Right, I can’t even go to the afterlife.’

Will Sing-a be there for me in the next life too?

Then I’d have no other wishes.

When Rampa Lim walked the night streets and entered his lodging, the crew gathered in the living room all turned to look like a pack of meerkats.

On the messy table were protein shakes, potato chips… several laptops still displayed driving data.

“Hey hey~ Romeo. Did Juliet reject you again? You don’t look good.”

“Juliet? Who’s Juliet?”

“She exists. The little sister that Rampa absolutely adores.”

“Alfred has a daughter?”

“Are you kidding? If she were Alfie’s daughter, would Rampa be this worked up? She’s the girl next door, apparently.”

“Aha~ Girl next door. The classic beginning of a first love story. Pretty romantic for an Aussie guy.”

Italian and English poured out in a jumbled mix.

Rampa Lim raised his middle finger and shot back in fluent Italian.

“Sta’ zitto. Non insultare la mia Maria.”

This place was Northern Italy.

The dormitory near Ferrari’s exclusive test track, the ‘Fiorano Circuit.’

Excluding the Ferrari factory and circuit, it was truly a countryside village with nothing else. Opening the windows only filled the air with the smell of burning tires and the sound of engines warming up—the middle of nowhere among nowhere.

The only people around were these big and small Marios…

‘What else could this be but a prison without bars.’

Rampa Lim thought indifferently.

After listening to Sing-a’s lily-of-the-valley-like voice and now looking at the Marios’ musty and strongly characterized faces, he wondered if this was what it felt like to fall from heaven to hell.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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