The Regressor Plays the Game Too Well - Chapter 82

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 82
Episode 82
As Jin-woo emerged from the Luxury Watch Store, he furrowed his brow and grumbled under his breath.
Was he upset about being treated unfairly?
When had he ever experienced such treatment?
No—Jin-woo’s frustration stemmed from his visits to the previous stores.
“What kind of watches don’t they have in stock? How am I supposed to buy anything?”
First, he’d sought out a watch—that ultimate symbol of wealth!
He’d headed to the Rolex boutique, a name recognized by the masses.
But what was this?
Money couldn’t buy what they didn’t have.
He’d heard nothing but excuses: no reservations available, no inventory, come back later.
Then what about the watches on display?
Of course he’d wanted a new one rather than a display model, but they had none.
‘Apparently buying through resellers is a hassle too.’
Jin-woo clicked his tongue in utter bewilderment.
Still, if he was going to buy something, he wanted it to be renowned.
Rolex had prestige, certainly, but even as a resale, it felt secondhand—something Jin-woo personally disliked.
So he’d turned to Omega instead.
The price was reasonable, and it was still a respected name, so he’d purchased one as a gift for his father.
‘He’ll love it, won’t he?’
His father had always been quite fond of watches.
He’d recognize the quality.
Besides, his son was succeeding now—wasn’t it fitting to arrive laden with fine purchases?
With that thought, Jin-woo carried his shopping bag toward the next store.
Next came a stop for his mother’s gift, naturally.
Prada—a name most people would recognize!
When it came to handbags, it was the brand that came to mind.
‘Even if I don’t know much about it, I’ve heard of it, so it must be good.’
With that casual reasoning, Jin-woo stepped inside the boutique.
He felt the gazes of other customers sweeping over him from head to toe.
He’d dressed rather carelessly today, hadn’t he?
Even he could see it—what must others think?
He’d have to be more mindful next time.
Still, the staff member simply smiled warmly and greeted him.
It was satisfactory service.
Of course, that was only because he was holding the Omega shopping bag.
Not that Jin-woo realized this.
“Welcome. Is there anything in particular you’re looking for today?”
At the staff member’s courteous inquiry, Jin-woo paused thoughtfully before nodding.
“I’m looking to buy a gift for my mother.”
“Oh my! How wonderful. Your mother will be delighted. Please, come this way. We have our women’s handbags displayed over here.”
“Yes, of course.”
Jin-woo replied as such while surveying the interior of the store. The shop itself was quite spacious.
It made sense that a place like this would be larger than a watch boutique.
With that thought, I followed the staff member and arrived at a section displaying several handbags.
Though they were nearly similar in style, there were quite a few bags that looked impressive even to someone as uninformed as myself.
Which one should I choose?
While Jin-woo was deliberating over this.
The staff member glanced at him and thought to herself.
‘This customer will definitely make a purchase!’
He came saying he wanted to buy a gift for his mother, yet he’s already carrying a shopping bag from the Luxury Watch Store in his hand.
This meant he was a customer who had come to the Department Store to buy gifts for his parents.
Lee Mi-kyung could be certain of it.
Young people who occasionally come to buy gifts for their parents after their business succeeds or things go well!
Doesn’t that happen from time to time?
There are often cases where stocks skyrocket and that’s why they do it.
That’s why Lee Mi-kyung had responded to Jin-woo with such kindness right away.
It was the same now.
“If you haven’t found what you’re looking for, would you like me to make some recommendations?”
Wasn’t it implicitly forbidden to approach young male customers in conversation?
But if they’re deliberating like this, I can certainly offer some suggestions.
Above all, people buying gifts for their parents sometimes want recommendations, even if they’re young men.
That’s why Lee Mi-kyung had asked.
As expected.
Jin-woo’s expression brightened slightly as he nodded.
“Yes, would you do that for me?”
“Of course. Please have a seat in this chair and wait a moment. I’ll bring some recommendations for you.”
“Ah, yes.”
“I’ll be right back.”
When Lee Mi-kyung hurried off like that.
Jin-woo chuckled watching her go.
‘Money really does make a difference.’
I never expected to receive such treatment.
It still didn’t feel quite real.
But it wasn’t bad at all.
There’s nothing bad about having plenty of money.
Now that I thought about it, this was the first time I was buying such an expensive gift for my parents.
‘I’ve bought them small things before, but I’ve never sought them out to give such an expensive gift.’
Even before the regression, though I occasionally saw their faces and bought them meals, I had never visited them to give expensive gifts.
Even on birthdays, we’d kept meals simple.
Thinking about it now, I felt a twinge of regret.
I’d lived well enough before the regression too.
Yet I had no memories of treating them particularly well.
That was something I genuinely regretted.
Video revenue would keep flowing in steadily from now on.
I should visit them like this more often.
And.
‘While I’m at it, let me buy them wallets too. I’ll put some cash in them.’
Now that I thought about it, I recalled that both my father and mother had worn wallets.
Since I’d returned ten years back, I wondered if that was still the case.
They were the type who’d made frugality a habit since childhood.
So replacing them wouldn’t hurt.
And if I put money inside, wouldn’t that be nice?
I should think of it as pocket money and give them one more gift.
While I’m at it, I’ll buy a gift for my younger brother too.
As Jin-woo was thinking this, Lee Mi-kyung returned.
When he asked to see the wallet, Lee Mi-kyung answered excitedly and moved about busily once more.
‘Exactly! My approach worked perfectly! I’m the best!’
There had been a minor misunderstanding.
But it wasn’t anything important.
* * *
Jin-woo stepped out of the Department Store and saw his newly purchased car.
He started the engine with the key fob.
Vroooom!
A deep, weighty exhaust note roared out, like some beast crying.
A B-brand X5M.
He’d chosen the fastest model available, and fortunately there was a cancelled unit in stock, so he’d gotten lucky and received it in just a few days.
The design pleased him, and everything about the car was satisfying!
The price wasn’t even a dent to Jin-woo’s finances.
Anyway, Jin-woo loaded the shopping bags into the back seat and climbed in.
The chassis was high and solid, and the performance was excellent too.
Though the driving feel was somewhat stiff.
Still, I was satisfied.
‘They’d be happy if I went straight there, wouldn’t they?’
But just to be safe, I should call ahead.
Jin-woo called his mother first.
But what was this?
The call went through completely without her picking up.
Was she busy?
Father would be working right now.
Of course he wouldn’t answer.
Which leaves only one option.
Watch—the moment I call, she’ll pick up immediately.
Should’ve called here from the start.
-Hey, oppa, what’s wrong?
Just hearing her voice shows how rude she is.
But she’s my one and only sister, after all.
I’ll cut her some slack.
“Are you home?”
-Huh? Yeah! I had a free period today, so I’m here!
“What about Mom?”
-She’s cooking right now! Dad’s coming home soon since it’s almost dinner time!
As expected.
So that’s why he didn’t answer.
Jin-woo understood and responded accordingly.
“Got it.”
-Huh? Why?
“I’m heading over now.”
-What!? Why are you coming?
“Crazy girl. I’m going to my own house—why are you asking why?”
-It’s Dad’s house, not your house, technically.
“Look at that attitude. Don’t regret it later.”
-Whatever, fine. I’ll tell Mom you’re coming.
Click.
Min-ah, my sister two years younger.
They say just hearing her voice is enough to irritate you.
Just look at how she talks.
But seeing her speech pattern unchanged made me realize anew that I truly had regressed.
Ten years later, she’d be married and her tone would mature somewhat.
But right now, she’s still the same.
Since this is ten years ago, it makes sense she’d be unchanged.
Anyway.
Though I could be annoyed, I found myself smiling wryly as I thought.
‘Don’t regret it later.’
As I said that, I glanced at the shopping bags visible in the rearview mirror.
I already had a very powerful weapon at my disposal.
* * *
Kim Seung-min’s sister Min-ah ended the call with her brother Jin-woo and let out a soft laugh.
What was he even talking about?
It’s funny, really.
Still, it wasn’t bad coming home after so long.
Ever since I moved out during university, I barely saw them.
What wind blew in today, I wonder.
Min-ah thought this as she called out to her mother, who was busy preparing dinner in the kitchen.
“Mom! My brother’s coming!”
“Huh? Your brother? What’s the occasion?”
“I don’t know! He just said he’s coming!”
“Oh my, we don’t have much prepared. Should I go out and buy something right now?”
At her mother Jung Kyung-sook’s words, Min-ah let out a snort of laughter and shouted.
“Come on! Your son’s coming so you want to make meat!? Why don’t you ever make meat for your daughter?”
“You! People will think I’m starving you! Just today you were complaining I’ve gotten fat!”
“Ugh! Mom, seriously!”
“He really did call. Should I call him now and ask what he wants to eat?”
Watching her mother ignore everything she said and think only of her son felt a bit unfair.
But he was coming after so long.
I figured that was understandable.
If he came more often, maybe this wouldn’t happen.
Anyway, it’s annoying.
Min-ah thought this and casually suggested.
“Then why not go buy some pork belly?”
“No need. I’ll just call your father.”
“Right, it’s about Dad’s quitting time.”
“He can pick up some pork belly near the house and we’ll have it with scallions.”
“Oh, I love pork belly!”
Still, it was nice that the menu changed since he was coming after so long.
If I play my cards right, maybe we could get chicken for dinner too…
No, that would make me gain weight, so I should hold back.
Well, I’ll think about it after I see him.
While Min-ah was thinking this.
Jung Kyung-sook made a phone call.
From the voice, it was Dad.
“Yes, honey. Could you pick up two portions of pork belly on your way home?”
-Pork belly? What’s the occasion?
“Oh, well, our Jin-woo says he’s coming.”
-Jin-woo? What wind blew in to make him come?
“I don’t know. Just pick some up for us, would you?”
-Alright, I’ll be there soon. I’ll grab some near the house.
“Okay, thanks.”
After hanging up, her mother sounded quite excited, and her father’s voice had been cheerful too.
Min-ah felt a twinge of jealousy seeing that.
But she decided not to let it bother her.
It was only natural to fuss over someone who hadn’t visited in a long time.
Besides, it wasn’t as though her parents always favored her brother over her—she’d grown up feeling quite loved herself.
While Min-ah was in her room scrolling through her phone,
her father, Kim Seung-min, arrived home remarkably quickly, as if he’d been nearby.
“I’m home.”
“Oh, Dad! Oh, pork belly!”
“Why do you seem more excited about the pork belly than your old man? Ha ha.”
Despite his words, her father looked quite pleased, and Min-ah couldn’t help but smile at the sight.
It was a harmonious household, after all.
“Min-ah! Take out the griddle and wipe it clean! Honey, go wash up quickly. Jin-woo will be here soon.”
“Okay, Mom.”
“Got it.”
Though it was a hassle, her mother looked quite busy.
So Min-ah helped out and wiped down the electric griddle.
It had been unused for quite a while, so dust had accumulated. After a quick rinse,
she placed it directly on the dining table.
A table laden with food for the first time in ages,
spread abundantly across the surface.
“Wow, you put all this together so quickly?”
“Your brother’s coming, so we can’t just serve the usual. It’s been so long since he visited.”
“I suppose that’s true.”
“Ha ha, what’s he coming for anyway?”
“I don’t know. Dad, ask him when he gets here. I just said okay and hung up, so I have no idea.”
Her father nodded at Min-ah’s words.
Then, at that moment.
Beep beep, beep beep beep.
The doorlock button sound, sluggish from not being used in a while.
Jin-woo had arrived.
“Oh! Speak of the devil and he shall appear.”
“Looks like your brother’s here.”
When her mother and father hurried out excitedly,
Min-ah also chuckled and made her way to the entrance.
Then the door opened and Jin-woo stepped inside.
But in a form she hadn’t anticipated.
Seeing her brother Jin-woo grinning widely while clutching various luxury shopping bags, Min-ah’s jaw dropped.
“Didn’t I tell you you’d regret this?”

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