Chapter 18: LIFE ON EASY MODE
IN JUST three days, Garam's life completely changed.
Yep, money really moves things fast and effectively.
The day after Garam signed the necessary documents to get married, he received the note that his marriage to Song Sihyuk had been registered already.
Is it supposed to be this fast?
On the second day, he received all the necessary documents and property title that made him the owner of his parents' house.
Yes, Song Sihyuk really brought back the house and gave it to Garam.
I wonder how much he paid the previous buyer…
But he didn't want to know, so he didn't ask.
Plus, the third day was a bit hectic.
"This apartment is mine?"
It was a spacious and fully-furnished two-bedroom apartment in a hot location.
By 'hot,' Garam meant it was located in a good neighborhood that was near a subway, a bus station, a big shopping mall, and plenty of convenience stores around.
Moreover…
"It's near Yonhee University and our crappy agency…"
Shooting Star Entertainment, Garam's crappy idol agency, was located in the area where most young people would often hang out in.
That's where they scout their trainees.
"Yeah, that's exactly why I chose this place for you," Song Sihyuk said while looking around. "I'm not satisfied because this place is small, but I knew you wouldn't accept my penthouse."
"I don't need your penthouse, Hyung."
"Yeah, I know. But you need this place, right?"
Well, Garam couldn't deny that.
My parents' house is near my high school, but it's a two-hour commute to Yonhee University…
"Lim Garam, catch."
Hmm?
Garam was startled when he saw Song Sihyuk throw a small item to him.
His instinct kicked in and caught it.
"A key?" Garam asked, and then he lifted his head. "This is a key to a Hosung car…"
It was a car made by Hosung Motor Group— aka HMG.
The conglomerate owned by Lee Taeho's father…
"Chairman Lee's mistress sent that car to you as compensation for hitting you," Song Sihyuk said, smirking. "Her compensation is as cheap as her entire personality."
Aigoo.
A Hosung car may be a local brand, but it still wasn't a cheap car for an average Korean.
But Sihyuk Hyung is a chaebol, so I can see why a Hosung car is cheap for him.
"You can keep it if you want," Song Sihyuk said. "But if you're not satisfied with that compensation, we'll send the car back to that woman."
"I wouldn't accept this car if you didn't send your subordinates to beat up that ahjumma."
"Like I said, do you have proof that I did that?"
"The voice in my head."
Song Sihyuk laughed out loud as if he had heard the funniest joke in the world.
This hyung is so easily entertained.
"Anyway, I'll accept this car since I feel bad for that ahjumma."
"Are you sure? I can get you a better, foreign car."
"Hyung, I'm a bit of a patriot, you know?" Garam said, showing his Ilsung phone to Song Sihyuk. "See? I'm using an Ilsung phone instead of that foreign phone that's popular among young people."
The Ilsung phone was made by, well, the Ilsung Group.
It's the biggest conglomerate in Korea— bigger than Sihyuk Hyung's SG Group.
"You're not a patriot, Lim Garam— you're just too poor to afford a foreign phone."
Tsk.
It was true, though.
The latest Ilsung phones are expensive, but still cheap compared to a certain foreign phone.
"Let's go."
"Where are we going this time, Hyung?"
"To your crappy company," Song Sihyuk said. "I'll introduce you to the team I made to look after your career while I'm gone."
"Do they know that we're married?"
"No— they just think I'm your sponsor."
"Oh."
"Don't worry, they signed an NDA," Song Sihyuk said. "You don't want your group members to know that you have a 'sponsor,' do you?"
"No, I don't want them to know. It's not because I don't trust them," Garam said, smiling bitterly. "I just don't want them to feel guilty."
"You're too mature for your age."
"I should at least be this mature so you wouldn't look too bad for marrying someone my age, Hyung."
Song Sihyuk chuckled, and then he gently patted Garam's head. "Don't seduce me too much, Garam-ah— I already said we won't consummate our marriage. Not yet, at least."
But why is this hyung holding back when I already know he's a horny dog?
Of course, Garam was smart enough not to ask that out loud.
***
MUCH to Garam's relief, only three people were included in the team that Song Sihyuk mentioned.
He realized that his secret husband really worked fast.
His (former) shitty boss' office looked shabby and cheap.
But, now, it looked like a decent office of the CEO of a (small) entertainment agency.
"Garam-ah, this is Myung Hyesu— she's the new CEO of this crappy company," Song Sihyuk said, obviously disinterested. "You can't tell, but she's an Alpha."
"A married Alpha," Myung Hyesu said proudly, showing off her wedding ring. "I'm married to the former idol Bona."
Garam let out a soft gasp. "From the girl group Sunshinees?"
"Oh, you know them even though they disbanded a year after their debut?"
"Yes, ma'am. I used to be a fan, and Bona-nim was my bias."
Myung Hyesu smiled as if she were proud that she had met one of her wife's fans.
Garam, on the other hand, was satisfied.
At least, CEO Myung looks like she knows how to manage a group since she's married to a former idol.
Unlike the previous shitty CEO.
"Enough," Song Sihyuk said, annoyed. Then he pointed at the two men standing silently behind Myung Hyesu. "That's Shin Junho, an Omega."
Shin Junho was the cute and slightly chubby man wearing casual athletic clothes.
"The one standing next to him is Shin Geon," Song Sihyuk said, pointing at the tall man wearing a black suit like a bodyguard. "He's an Alpha. Shin Geon and Shin Junho are married."
Aww, how cute.
"Shin Junho will serve as your group's manager," Song Sihyuk explained. "Shin Geon will be your personal manager and bodyguard, Garam-ah."
Oh.
Well, it's normal for a group to have at least one bodyguard, so it should be fine.
Anyway, Garam exchanged polite greetings with Shin Junho and Shin Geon.
"The three of them will make sure your little Kpop group will succeed," Song Sihyuk said, and then he looked at Garam. "But if you're not satisfied with their job, tell me— I'll fire them and replace them with a more competent team."
Aigoo.
Garam smiled awkwardly because he knew what Song Sihyuk just did: he just let Myung Hyesu, Shin Junho, and Shin Geon know how much power Garam had over the Alpha.
In that way, Myung Hyesu, Shin Junho, and Shin Geon would be careful around Garam.
I can tell my life will be on easy mode from now on.
***
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