Chapter 3: Spending Money

Chapter 3: Spending Money

The city streets showed active movement as a powerful life force flowed through the atmosphere. The glass storefronts displayed neon lights which created moving colorful reflections on the pavement. Traffic sounds in the distance interacted harmoniously with the laughter of people shopping late in the night to form an entertaining city symphony.

Urek Han followed Kim Jenny as he maintained a steady pace while showing no discernible emotions on his face. The streetlights created a glow that revealed her confident walking posture. She walked ahead with relaxed composure while her hair gently moved with her steps.

Jenny stopped abruptly in front of an opulent storefront when they approached that specific district.

GUGOI.

A golden inscription of the name hung prominently above the entrance which created an atmosphere of elite status. The luxury handbags on display through the glass windows showed prices that would shock anyone with average income.

Urek received a half-smile from Jenny as she faced him.

She spoke with a casual tone while making her point clear. You can rest assured I do not seek luxurious items from others in exchange for my affection.

She moved her hair aside to look at him directly as if she wanted to see his response.

"I just want to see your sincerity… and your attitude."

Urek showed no signs of agitation but his mind was working rapidly to understand the situation.

So this is a test.

He recognized this tactic from previous experiences. A woman uses her own methods to evaluate a man's value by assessing both his financial status and his dedication to demonstrate it.

Still, he didn't hesitate.

"No problem," he said smoothly. "Take your time and choose carefully."

Jenny studied his confident demeanor with a doubtful expression.

He didn't flinch.

Didn't question her motives.

Didn't even attempt to negotiate.

Interesting…

She refused to grant him an easy escape.

She glanced at the store entrance as she plotted her following step.

But just as she was about to step inside.

A familiar voice rang out from within.

"Yunji, do you think this purse looks good on me?"

Urek's breath hitched.

That voice.

It was unmistakable.

A voice he knew all too well.

His heart clenched involuntarily, a sharp pang of something unspoken rising to the surface.

Without thinking, the name left his lips.

"…Rose."

The moment he spoke, the woman inside the store turned.

And their eyes met.

Time seemed to freeze.

Rose blinked, her expression shifting as recognition dawned upon her.

And just like that.

The past came crashing back.

Instinctively, Urek Han recognized the voice and stiffened. His gaze snapped toward the source, his breath catching for a brief moment.

"Rose…"

The name slipped from his lips before he could stop himself.

At the sound, Rose turned her head, her expression shifting from mild curiosity to unmistakable shock. For a brief moment, their eyes met. his filled with unreadable emotions, hers flickering with something indecipherable before a mask of indifference settled over her face.

The moment was cut short by a sharp, teasing voice.

"Oh, the ex-girlfriend," Kim Jenny said with a smirk, folding her arms across her chest. "It seems I've arrived at an inconvenient time."

Urek's lips curled into a faint, unreadable smile.

"No, you arrived at the right time."

Hearing his response, Kim Jenny's smirk widened.

Satisfied, she turned back to her shopping without another word. The tension between Urek and Rose lingered in the air, palpable yet unspoken.

A store attendant approached, speaking in a professional yet enthusiastic tone.

"Our store still has one last piece from the spring collection," she informed Jenny. "But someone is currently trying it on."

The words barely left her lips before Urek's gaze followed the direction she subtly gestured toward. straight to Rose.

She stood before a mirror, holding the elegant designer bag against her side, a contemplative look on her face. The soft store lighting reflected off the polished surface of the bag, highlighting its luxurious craftsmanship.

Next to her, a man stood with a relaxed posture, yet there was an underlying arrogance in the way he held himself. Yunji.

A whisper rippled through the store, hushed but unmistakable.

"Isn't that Rose…?"

"The beauty from the art department?"

"I heard she's always been with Yunji. So that means this guy is her ex…?"

"Man, that's awkward."

Urek heard every word, but he didn't react.

Instead, he watched as Rose turned to Yunji, her voice carrying an almost coaxing tone.

"Yunji, my birthday is coming up soon."

Yunji's brows furrowed slightly, as if the very topic was a nuisance.

"Birthday? Didn't we just celebrate yours?"

Rose, unfazed, flashed him a sweet, almost playful smile.

"That was my lunar birthday. People also have a solar birthday, you know."

Yunji's expression darkened slightly, irritation flashing in his eyes.

"Rose," he said in a quiet but firm tone, "you know I don't like girls who are too focused on material things. You're not with me for money, right?"

The words landed heavily, the meaning behind them clear.

For the first time since spotting Urek, Rose faltered. Her fingers, which had been gently tracing the bag's surface, curled slightly.

She knew.

In that moment, she knew she wouldn't be able to flaunt anything in front of her ex-boyfriend.

Kim Jenny, watching the exchange with an almost predatory glint in her eyes, stepped forward without hesitation.

"I'm sorry, if you're not taking this bag, I'll take it."

Her voice rang with finality as she turned to the cashier.

"Charge it to me."

The moment the purchase was completed, a subtle shift occurred.

[Kim Jenny's favorability has increased by 20 points.]

[Due to decisive payment, an additional 20 points have been added.]

[Kim Jenny's favorability has reached a total of 60 points.]

Urek observed the notifications with quiet satisfaction.

A single bag added sixty points… At this rate, if she buys a few more, I might just reach the required 95.

However.

A subtle realization crept into his mind.

The refund amount… was too low.

Something about the way the numbers were calculated felt… off.

And then

[System Alert!]