If I Don’t Earn 1 Trillion Won, My Regression Ends - Chapter 85
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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 85
“Oh~ Really? Then should we buy a gift for our Suk-yeong. Hmm. This definitely looks cheaper than the gold and silver shops in Jongno. Those places really overcharge.”
‘No! Uncle! Absolutely not! It won’t be! It definitely won’t be!’
Of course, considering the price levels, it won’t be as expensive as 2026 standards!
But even so, even if it’s cheaper than the future, isn’t it still Bulgari in the end?
Bulgari. Tiffany. Cartier.
They were luxury jewelry brands considered the top 3 for brides’ dreams and wedding rings. I knew these brands very well since I had painful memories of preparing for marriage before my regression.
‘Ah~ I’m about to get PTSD again…’
No wait, hold on. What did Bae Seo-nyeok just say?
Terrace seats? He got seats while the auction was in progress?
“Uncle. Did you spend money to get that table?”
At my trembling voice, Bae Seo-nyeok answered indifferently.
“Not much.”
“…”
…Uh, yeah~ It’s not my money~ I’ll stop caring~.
Whether the commoner’s daughter was trembling or not, Mr. Seo Shin-hyeon and little Seo Cheong-song, who knew nothing and felt at ease, were having a very nouveau riche-like conversation.
“Dad. Lend me some money. Mom is working alone pitifully in Korea, so Cheong-song wants to buy her a gift.”
“Go ahead, son. You thought well. You’re being admirable for once. At eight years old, it’s time to show filial piety. Pick out a few souvenirs. Dad will deduct it from your allowance when I go back to Korea.”
“How much can I spend?”
“Tsk tsk. How can a man like you be so stingy? Those cubic things, how much could they possibly cost that you’re being so timid. Anyway, when your sister was eight, she was making a name for herself nationwide and roaming the securities market with Dad, but you… *sigh* Never mind. What can I expect.”
“Sister. We’re taking the boat back too, right? Huh? Cheong-song has something important to do.”
I pretended not to hear the Seo father and son’s conversation.
I didn’t know where to start pointing out the problems…
But thinking of it as sightseeing, the atmosphere around us was really nice.
7 PM. Umberto I Square on a cliff overlooking the entire view of Capri Island.
Distant wave sounds and jazz melodies flowed softly.
The cool sea breeze that came after the intense afternoon sun had passed cooled our heated skin.
The unique lemon fragrance of the Campania region that wafted over whenever the lantern-like decorative lights swayed in the wind.
The people sitting at the cafe terrace seats surrounding the plaza and at the circular tables in the center were dressed casually and had relaxed expressions.
Each table had Italy’s signature crimson aperitif Spritz, and quite a few people were drinking champagne.
“[Do you need a list, Signore?]”
“[You have Greco di Tufo, right? One glass, chilled please.]”
I listened to Bae Seo-nyeok’s order while resting my chin on my hand and looking at the low platform set up at the edge of the plaza.
It was where the auction was in full swing.
The auctioneer in a tuxedo spoke alternating between English and Italian, and maybe because technical terms were mixed in? …I could barely understand what he was saying!
‘Am I really capable of breaking into Hollywood…?’
Is an Oscar trophy possible? When I’m this much of a native Korean?
‘Meryl Streep’s language skills won’t be responsible for my daily conversations.’
That would at best only help with accent perfection!
“[Now then, everyone. It’s about time. The real reason we’ve all gathered in this plaza today. The moment you’ve all been waiting for. Let me introduce the highlight of the event.]”
It was while I was contemplating life, newly feeling the ‘wall’ of foreign languages.
The brightness of the plaza’s streetlights and decorative lighting dimmed-
“Wow!”
“Beautiful!”
People exclaimed in admiration.
A spotlight fell on the glass case on the auction platform.
“[‘Blue Tribute’. A treasure that Bulgari has kept hidden deep in their vault for half a century.]”
A pendant necklace set with a large gemstone.
The deep blue radiance under the lighting created the illusion of spreading throughout the entire plaza.
“[A 35-carat pear-cut blue sapphire. In 1960, a legendary Greek shipping magnate offered this to the legendary actress Elizabeth as a token of courtship, but unable to reach her heart which already belonged to another, this tragic masterpiece has been sleeping in Bulgari’s archives ever since.]”
The auctioneer spoke in a confident tone.
“[Look at this velvet blue from the finest Ceylon, clear without a single inclusion. Sapphires of this grade usually go to museums. The starting bid is 1 million euros.]”
Even I, just a spectator, was almost mesmerized.
‘Isn’t that the Titanic necklace…?’
Except for the shape of the gem, the impact was almost identical.
It made me realize why people go crazy collecting gems. The description of it being museum-grade treasure wasn’t an exaggeration.
‘What kind of person would buy something like that.’
“That’s a sapphire, right? Our Suk-yeong’s birthday is in September, so it would be perfect as a birthday gift. Her birthstone is sapphire.”
I chuckled softly hearing the romantic father’s innocent words.
Our family (specifically me) had made some money, but in the end, that was my life’s worth. Would I risk brain death from being extravagant?
Until I collect 10 billion dollars, luxury goods and gems are all pie in the sky.
It would be impossible unless I got shot in the head.
“Seo-nyeok. How much is that?”
“The starting bid is 1 million euros. It’s up to 1.38 million euros now.”
“1 million euros? So how much is that.”
Dad, who was counting on his fingers as if calculating exchange rates, muttered.
“120 million? Whew, that’s a bit pricey~.”
“…”
“…”
…What are you saying. Why are you dropping a zero!
Bae Seo-nyeok and I lost our words and stared at Dad.
July 14, 2003, today’s euro exchange rate: 1,340 won.
In other words, 1 million euros = approximately 1.34 billion won.
While I was agonizing over how to scold Mr. Seo Shin-hyeon’s shattered economic common sense while preserving his dignity as a person in front of Bae Seo-nyeok.
The precious dad slammed his palm on the table with a thunk.
“Okay! I’ve decided!”
What, what!
“Seo-nyeok. Put in a bid for around 1.5 million euros!”
“Dad, are you cra-“
“Don’t worry, daughter. I won’t touch the family account! Dad has some pocket money saved up separately. 150 million is totally manageable! That would be perfect as a gift for our 15th wedding anniversary!”
‘No, uncle, it’s not 150 million, it’s 1.5 billion!!!’
It was shortly after the euro currency was introduced.
Since it was a brand new currency that had just been released, people didn’t know much about it, and moreover, due to the IMF crisis, the dollar’s status had become tremendously high among Koreans.
The general public couldn’t easily think that this new European money they’d never heard of would be as expensive as the dollar.
Moreover, in our house, either I or Mrs. Bang held the economic power, so Dad just received allowance.
Since he quit his company two years ago and became a stay-at-home novelist, he hadn’t been engaged in any economic activities. Even the euros he brought this time were all money Mom had exchanged for him.
‘Where… where should I start pointing out the problems?’
Still, this pathetic unemployed novelist is my real father, so I can’t make him kneel in an outdoor place where everyone can see and shout that he’s a stupid fool.
Little Seosing-a isn’t that cold-hearted~. Maybe when we get back to the dormitory and settle accounts.
Anyway, the only one I could trust now was Bae Seo-nyeok.
‘Just brush it off.’
I signaled Bae Seo-nyeok with my eyes.
Then, as if understanding, Bae Seo-nyeok nodded and raised his bidding paddle.
“[2 million euros.]”
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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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