I am not a Yandere chapter 34

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Jihoon, startled by Yeongdeok’s audacity, scoffed before angrily replying.

“What the hell are you talking about? Why would you give me money? I don’t need your dirty cash.”

“When did I say I’d give it to you for free? Your mindset is seriously rotten.”

“What?”

“I’ll lend it to you. You can pay me back with your labor. I’m short-staffed at the shop anyway. This works out perfectly.”

Yeongdeok, who had been considering hiring someone for the shop, now thought he had saved himself the trouble of posting a job ad.

‘Well, even a guy like him must have some use somewhere. He may be pathetic, but since he’s good at catching bugs, I bet he can at least handle cleaning the bathroom.’

Jihoon’s eyes widened as he looked at Yeongdeok.

“So… you want me to work part-time at your store?”

“Yes. Consider it a favor I’m giving you, so be grateful.”

Jihoon had been feeling a bit desperate since he suddenly needed money due to his mother’s situation.

When Yeongdeok offered to solve Jihoon’s problem in an instant, Jihoon found himself momentarily speechless.

Blinking like a fool, Jihoon asked again for confirmation.

“Really… You’d lend me however much I ask for?”

“How much could a guy like you possibly need to borrow from me?”

As Yeongdeok said this like it was no big deal, Jihoon felt an odd sense of relief swell in his chest.

He used to hate Yeongdeok’s arrogant attitude, but today, that same arrogance felt like salvation.

Afraid that Yeongdeok might take back his offer, Jihoon quickly accepted.

“Then… can I ask for your help?”

“Of course. But you’ll repay it with 50% interest.”

“Fuck, 50%? You’re such a damn con artist.”

“I’m joking. Looks like my jokes don’t land with your stupid brain.”

“Your jokes are hard to figure out….”

“Is that so? Anyway, stop looking so pathetic. That big body of yours is the only redeeming thing about you.”

With a confident smirk, Yeongdeok extended his hand to Jihoon.

Despite feeling annoyed by Yeongdeok’s remarks, Jihoon firmly grasped his hand.

The moment their hands touched, Jihoon felt a strange, unexplainable sensation.

Thump.

His fingertips seemed to tingle with a buzzing vibration.

While Jihoon was feeling this peculiar sensation, Yeongdeok’s thoughts were entirely filled with satisfaction.

‘How about that, writer? It looks like I’ve completely seen through your psychology.’

Enjoying his sense of triumph, Yeongdeok tightened his grip and pulled Jihoon closer.

As Jihoon stood up, his head bumped into the umbrella Yeongdeok was holding.

“Tsk. You’re tall for no reason.”

“What are you talking about?”

When Yeongdeok tried to raise the umbrella higher, Jihoon took it from his hand and placed it over Yeongdeok’s head.

The umbrella, which Jihoon easily held, fit Yeongdeok’s height perfectly.

“I didn’t ask you to hold it. You must have a slave complex or something.”

“Shut up. And what’s with this frog umbrella? It doesn’t suit you at all. You look like a kindergartner.”

Despite his grumbling, Jihoon scratched the back of his neck and mumbled quietly.

“Still, at least you’re wearing normal clothes today. It… suits you.”

“Really?”

As Jihoon and Yeongdeok finished their conversation, the heavy snow that had filled the sky began to let up.

“Alright, let’s draft up the contract soon.”

“When do I start working? Are you really short on help?”

“I’d like you to start at least by next week.”

“I thought I could finally rest a little after exams.”

Jihoon stretched his arms and loosened his shoulders while lamenting his fate.

But there was a new determination in his eyes.

“I can start working as soon as tomorrow.”

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A few days later, having become an employee at Yeongdeok’s store, Jihoon banged on the front door of his house, matching Yeongdeok’s schedule as he got ready for work.

“Hey, Cha Yeongdeok. I’m ready. Let’s go.”

Yeongdeok, who was already preparing to leave, checked his reflection in the mirror before putting on his shoes and heading into the hallway.

The car keys dangled from his fingers.

“We’ll take the truck to the store.”

Unaware of Yeongdeok’s reckless driving skills, Jihoon nodded in agreement. ‘Sure, it saves on transportation costs.’

However, only three minutes after getting in the car, Jihoon bitterly regretted his decision.

---

Stumbling out of the truck, Jihoon wobbled like a paper doll, clutching his mouth.

“Shit. I thought I was really going to die. Hey, am I still alive?”

With a pale face, Jihoon fumbled around his chest, as if to confirm his heart was still beating.

Despite the short distance between home and the store, it felt like he’d faced a dozen near-death experiences in that brief time.

To double-check that he was alive, Jihoon even patted his face.

“You can’t even tell if you’re dead or alive? I’m no longer surprised by how low your intelligence is.”

“That’s all because of your shitty driving.”

Ignoring Jihoon’s complaints, Yeongdeok unlocked the store door.

He wondered if it had been a good idea to hire such an idiot.

Jihoon followed him inside.

When Yeongdeok handed him a red apron with the Yeongdeok Chicken logo on it, Jihoon grimaced at the tacky design but still put it on.

With the apron on, reality, which had felt distant and dreamlike, suddenly hit Jihoon hard.

Life really is unpredictable, but who would have thought he’d end up working as a part-timer at Cha Yeongdeok’s store?

Then again, the fact that this guy even opened a chicken place in the first place is absurd….

Jihoon stared intently at Yeongdeok.

Sensing his gaze, Yeongdeok stopped pulling out the cleaning supplies and said,

“I’d like you to help with seating customers and serving. I’ll handle the kitchen.”

“That’s all I have to do?”

“Also, help with cleanup when you have time.”

“Got it.”

Jihoon listened as Yeongdeok explained how to operate the POS system and the things that needed to be prepared before opening the store.

As Yeongdeok went over everything and prepared for the day, time passed, and the shop opened for business.

Before opening the door, Jihoon took a deep breath and then began guiding in customers who had been waiting in the cold outside.

“How many people?”

“Two, please.”

“Right this way.”

From the kitchen, Yeongdeok watched Jihoon interact with customers like a hawk.

He thought Jihoon would fumble awkwardly, but surprisingly, Jihoon was good at dealing with people.

After taking orders from the tables, Jihoon approached Yeongdeok.

“Table 1 wants fried chicken, Table 2 wants half-and-half, and Table 3….”

“Got it.”

As soon as Jihoon placed the orders, Yeongdeok began frying the chicken.

Watching him work with such focus, Jihoon felt like he should do something to help, so he asked,

“Is there anything I can help with?”

“No. Just keep handling the customers. Did you set the tables?”

“Oh, right.”

At that, Jihoon grabbed water, cabbage salad, and pickled radish onto a tray and quickly headed out.

Thanks to that, Yeongdeok could focus solely on frying the chicken.

Perhaps having Jihoon around wasn’t so bad after all.

Even though they only worked together for one day, Jihoon turned out to be quite competent.

Because of that, Yeongdeok found himself relieved of some of the workload he’d been handling alone.

As the day passed, the business was wrapped up smoothly.

Jihoon flipped the “Open” sign on the door to “Closed” to stop any more customers from coming in.

“Good job today.”

“So, I can head home now?”

“No. I need you to organize the storage room.”

“Fuck… This is overtime.”

“I’ll pay you for it.”

At the mention of overtime pay, the scowl on Jihoon’s face eased.

‘I never thought I’d turn into such a slave to capitalism.’

With a sigh, Jihoon followed Yeongdeok into the storage room.

“Why is it so cold in here?”

The storage room was freezing.

Jihoon shivered, rubbing his arms to keep warm.

“I need you to sort the supplies.”

Jihoon glanced around the room.

The shelves were practically empty, either from poor organization or a lack of stock.

Yeongdeok started pulling down boxes from the corner.

The yellow labels on the boxes indicated their contents.

“Just organize them by category on the shelves.”

“Alright.”

Jihoon easily lifted the large box and organized its contents on the shelves.

Yeongdeok also started working without saying much.

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