dkrc Chapter 6 Oppa, you've really hit the jackpot!
Chapter 6 Oppa, you've really hit the jackpot!
Su Yu became famous for no apparent reason.
It's not like the kind of thing that makes celebrities trend on social media when they release an album; it's just that in this small neighborhood, a candid side profile photo taken by a passerby has made him known as "that amazing convenience store clerk" among the locals.
Early that morning, Su Yu had just arrived at the convenience store when she saw three girls blocking the glass door. They recognized her from the cosmetics counter next door. They were holding up their phones, cameras pointed at the store, snapping photos incessantly.
Su Yu walked past them and heard hushed Korean voices: "Wow, wow! She's even more stunning in person than in photos! Her bone structure is amazing!" "Is she really a trainee? Why is she working at a convenience store?"
He pretended not to hear and pushed the door open to go inside.
Mr. Park was leaning against the cashier, waving his phone with a "I already told you" look on his face.
"Su Yu, you've really hit the jackpot this time."
"What?" Su Yu bent down to tie his apron.
"Our area's chat group has exploded. Someone posted your photo and asked which entertainment company you're a trainee from. We can't even keep up with the replies." Boss Park handed over his phone. The photo showed Su Yu's profile, sunlight illuminating her jawline, highlighting her sharp features, with an even softer glow than in real life.
Su Yu glanced at it. "Not bad."
Boss Park looked at him speechlessly. "At this point, you should be embarrassed and say 'This is so awkward,' why are you giving your opinion?"
"It's a really good photo; I could even use it as my profile picture." Su Yu tied her apron and straightened up.
Boss Park shook his head. "You kid, not only have you changed in appearance, but your personality is different too. You're going to be in trouble later."
"What's the trouble?"
"You used to be like a ghost standing at the cashier. Now it's a tourist attraction, everyone comes to chat you up and watch the spectacle."
Su Yu thought for a moment. "A tourist attraction? How about the boss gives me a raise on my 'ticket' commission?"
Boss Park was taken aback and rolled his eyes. "Aigoo, there's no way to communicate with you." He turned and went into the warehouse.
There weren't many customers in the morning, but everyone seemed off. Regular customers would linger on his face for a couple more seconds when paying. One auntie who often bought water took out a bottle of water that cost 1,000 yuan, handed over 2,000 yuan, and refused to give him change.
"Take the extra, buy yourself a pack of cigarettes," the aunt said with a smile.
Su Yu pushed the money back. "Auntie, I don't accept tips. Please take it back, and I'll give you two extra skewers of fish cakes next time you come."
The auntie paused for a moment, then smiled and took the money back. As she left, she looked back at him and muttered, "This child is handsome and kind-hearted."
Boss Park leaned closer, looking utterly heartbroken. "You just turned down a thousand dollars! Your hourly wage is only five thousand! One-fifth of that!"
Su Yu looked down and sorted through the change. "If I accept it, and she brings a bunch of her old friends tomorrow, giving each of them a thousand, am I supposed to stand at the door singing and dancing? I don't have that talent."
Boss Park was speechless again and stormed back to the warehouse.
Around noon, Shirley pushed open the door and came in.
No mask, large-framed sunglasses, headphones around his neck, and a takeout bag in his hand—it was that upscale Korean restaurant in Gangnam District where the queue starts at two hours.
She walked straight to the cashier, placed the bag on the counter, her movements seemingly casual, but she gripped the bag opening with a slight force.
"Su Yu," she called out.
Su Yu glanced at the bag, recognized the brand, and looked up at her. "Did you specifically send someone to queue up?"
"No, that's not it." Shirley took off her sunglasses, turned her face away, her ear tips flushed, and twirled a strand of hair with her fingers. "My manager insisted on buying it, and I can't finish it all. It would be a waste to throw it away. It's a bargain for you. You're always eating those near-expiry rice balls, ugh, it's pathetic to look at."
They clearly wanted to give it to him, but they had to find an excuse.
Su Yu didn't expose him, but his lips twitched slightly as he opened the bag. A fragrant aroma wafted out – Nine-Legged Slope Stewed Pork Ribs, exquisitely prepared. "Thanks."
Shirley couldn't help but smile as she saw him accept the money. Leaning against the counter, she whispered, "Don't overthink it. I'm just returning a favor. I still remember the five hundred dollars from last time, and how you helped me fend off those stalker fans."
Su Yu picked up a piece of pork rib and put it in his mouth; it was tender and flavorful. He didn't react dramatically or put on airs; he was just like usual.
Sherry became even more concerned. She had seen too many people who fawned over her, but only Su Yu treated her like an ordinary girl, without trying to please her or being deliberate, and she felt very relaxed around him.
"By the way," she said, twirling a strand of her hair, glancing briefly out the window, her voice lowered, "Are you free this weekend?"
Su Yu chewed on the ribs without saying a word.
"My weekend schedule ended early, and my manager keeps making me go to the beauty salon. It's so annoying," Shirley said, tracing circles on the table with her finger. "I just want to find a quiet place to be... Could you come with me to sit by the Han River for a little while? Just for a short time."
"Want me to go for a walk in the breeze?" Su Yu looked up.
"Yes!" Shirley nodded immediately, and fearing he would refuse, she quickly added, "I'll pay you a month's salary, it's a super good deal!"
Su Yu looked at the expectation hidden in her eyes. This girl, who had always lived in the spotlight, was probably really tired.
"Okay." He paused, "but this meal will have to be paid extra as overtime pay."
Shirley paused for a moment, then smiled, her eyes crinkling into crescents, her whole being brightening. She leaned forward, lowered her voice, and with a hint of probing and a touch of coquetry, softly called out for the first time—
"Oppa...isn't this enough?"
Su Yu's heart skipped a beat, her hand paused for a moment, but her face remained calm.
"Since you've already called me Oppa, I'll accept this meal."
In the afternoon, Yoon Shi-yoon came to buy sports drinks.
As he entered, he bumped into a middle school girl buying a Coke and shrimp chips. The girl stared at Su Yu the whole time, her hands trembling as she handed him the money, her face flushed. She said, "Watch carefully," and then hurriedly ran out, tripping over the threshold as she went out.
Yoon Shi-yoon placed the drink on the table, glanced at the little girl's retreating figure, and looked at Su Yu.
"You're a local celebrity now. You should wear a mask when you go out."
"If I wear it, people say I'm an idol; if I don't, they say I'm a hidden trainee. I can't escape it whether I wear it or not." Su Yu scanned the code to collect the money.
"With your looks, you can't hide them even if you want to." Yin Shiyun unscrewed the bottle cap, turned his face away, and spoke in a flat tone, but Su Yu could hear a hint of approval in his voice.
Su Yu raised an eyebrow. "Are you being so sweet-talking today?"
"Say the truth." Yoon Shi-yoon took a sip of his drink and muttered, "It's too hot; I don't have the energy to keep a cold face."
Su Yu looked at him. His face was expressionless, but the faint light beneath his feet flickered, like a candle flame being blown by the wind. He didn't expose him.
Around 4 p.m., a middle-aged man wearing glasses walked in, holding a folder in his hand, and went straight to the cashier.
"Excuse me, are you Mr. Su Yu?"
Su Yu nodded.
"I'm a talent scout from DK Entertainment, my surname is Jin." The man handed over his business card. "We saw your photos online and would like to invite you to sign as an artist. With a little polishing, you'll definitely become a star."
Su Yu took the business card, glanced at it, and put it back on the table. "Not interested."
The talent scout was visibly stunned. "Your qualifications are highly sought after in the entertainment industry, and our company has excellent resources. Won't you reconsider?"
"I don't have any social media accounts, and I don't want to be an artist. I just want to work a stable job." Su Yu pushed the business card back.
The talent scout didn't press the matter further and left another photo. "It's okay, contact me anytime if you change your mind."
After the person left, Su Yu picked up the business card and casually placed it under the cash register mat. There, too, was the slip of paper Shirley had written her number on, folded together.
Su Yu got off work at 8 p.m.
I had just stepped out of the store when my phone vibrated. It was a message from Shirley: "Off work? You look so different today. It's not just that you're handsome, you're practically glowing! You're amazing!"
Su Yu looked at the message and a smile crept onto his face.
The second rule followed immediately: "Don't change again tomorrow, or I won't recognize you."
He replied with two words: "As much as possible."
He put away his phone and walked towards the semi-basement. The streetlights cast long shadows. He looked down at his hands; they were long and clean, and the base of his thumb no longer ached. Instead, there was a strange lightness in them, as if they held some kind of strength that he couldn't quite grasp.
Back in the still-leaking shack, he stood in front of the sink and looked in the mirror. His features were still the same, but his entire aura had changed, becoming so unfamiliar that it made him uneasy.
He turned on the tap and splashed cold water on his face, over and over again. The biting coldness brought him a little more awake.
"Don't think about it," he said softly.
Lying in bed, my phone lit up again.
Sulli: "Goodnight, monster oppa."
Su Yu looked at those four words, a smile appearing in his eyes.
He replied with a single word: "Peace."
The summer night outside the window was unbearably hot and humid.