Chapter 35: Good Deed (1)

I decided to be good, and suddenly, something huge happened.

“…Let’s not go there. Let’s go somewhere else.”

My resolve falters; I speak quietly. My nanny looks at me questioningly.

“Oh, why?”

“New buildings have bad air. The smell is off.”

I use the excuse of sick building syndrome to dissuade my nanny and Sihyeon from visiting Sampoong Department Store. It’s still five years until the collapse…

But how could I let them go? Sampoong Department Store’s collapse is a historical inevitability. Sending my nanny there is unacceptable.

‘I don’t plan to actively prevent it…’

Actively preventing accidents worldwide doesn’t suit me.

My actions are, frankly, exploitative. My actions might cause additional deaths, but do I still have a conscience?

The higher you rise, the harder it is to avoid innocent bloodshed. Honestly, it’s unpleasant, even for me.

It would be nice if everyone lived well. I’m not a devil; I don’t enjoy people suffering.

But why am I so ruthless?

Because.

I want power, even at this cost.

***

I went to a luxury department store in Myeongdong and bought some clothes, underwear, skirts, and dresses—things I rarely wear.

I’m a chaebol; I need formal attire. Suits are best… but I’m still wary of my family.

Watching my nanny excitedly praise my appearance…

‘Should I intervene?’

Unlike 9/11, I can prevent this. If I accept the cost…

Unlike money, human lives are irreplaceable. I remember Kim Haeik’s (former Economic Secretary) wife and children dying in the Sampoong collapse.

I can prevent that, but by the time Sampoong and the Seongsu Bridge collapse, many people I know will be involved.

Those who don’t know me… I don’t care.

Is knowing the future enough to bear responsibility? Many should be held accountable.

Even without regression, those involved might have seen the future. Did they not know it would collapse…? No, they did.

‘Those heartless construction companies. Build sturdier buildings! Stop playing with people’s lives; make money honestly—or cheat fairly.’

Why am I worrying about this? Is this my fault? It’s their fault.

Ugh.

But this is unavoidable while living in Seoul. Preventing it could harm or kill those I care about.

Five degrees of separation, right? Sampoong is Korea’s best department store… in Seocho, easily accessible to my network.

-Hmph, I’m a cold, beautiful chaebol heiress. I don’t care if people die. Sampoong’s collapse improved safety and construction standards. Preventing it might cause a larger disaster.

Witnessing Sihyeon’s devastation at the news of her sibling’s death in the collapse, and her becoming emotionally distraught… is not my style.

I don’t want to see Sihyeon’s despair.

Actually, I kinda do, but losing Sihyeon would be a major setback. Reality is a hardcore survival game.

“Miss! What are you thinking? Try these on.”

My nanny shakes my shoulder; more clothes are in her hand.

“…I was considering doing something good.”

Sihyeon’s eyes widen. She looks like I’ve done something wrong.

“Finally reaching out to the Nanny? A truly wicked person.”

No, she just has a look of disgust towards ordinary bad things.

“…Sihyeon, what do you think of me?”

“Someone who gives money to secretaries to see their cleavage?”

The nanny sighs, pulling my cheeks. It hurts.

“Hmph, Miss! You only learned bad things from your father.”

I wish she wouldn’t say that. I can’t help myself.

“…Sorry.”

I owe the nanny greatly; I apologize sincerely. She looks at me with concern.

“Miss, just grow up kind and healthy.”

“That…”

I hesitate.

Sorry, Nanny. Growing up kind seems impossible.

But I have an exceptionally healthy body; that’s something.

“…Sorry. I should have taken better care of you.”

Lee Sihyeon jokingly apologizes. I lightly tap her shoulder.

“Why are you apologizing?”

“Ah, just… hmm, I feel I haven’t done a good job as a nanny.”

I spend some time with them. It’s fun.

“Oh, what makeup do you use? You take such good care of yourself, Miss… skin care is hard.”

“Haha, yes, Miss. She takes incredible care of those around her. She has a kind heart, our Miss.”

“…Really? I guess I’m well-treated for a secretary…”

Lee Sihyeon looks at me with newfound admiration.

…Being seen as kind is irritating.

I don’t need to maintain my appearance, but I don’t correct the misunderstanding. It’s convenient.

“Hmm, Sihyeon. That department store was nice. Let’s go there again.”

I say casually.

“Ah, but we should go to Sampoong too. It’s close to home, right? In a year or two, the new building smell will be gone…”

Haa, Sihyeon. You’re a problem.

Why am I doing this?

‘Miss, just grow up kind and healthy.’

I remember my nanny’s words.

…Damn it. Why did she say that today?

Fine, I’ll do it.

Something good.

“Nanny, did you enjoy our outing today? It was fun, right?”

She smiles broadly, nodding.

“Of course. We went to the department store, and I got to dress you in pretty clothes.”

Many wealthy people died in the Sampoong collapse. Department store shoppers were mostly wealthy.

But no one from Ilsung Group died; they only used Ilsung Department Store in Myeongdong.

“Interested in owning a department store?”

The nanny’s eyes widen.

“…Yes?”

Saving those close to me without attracting attention…

Creating and managing my own department store.

‘Good. I was planning on this anyway.’

While I’m transmigrated, the lack of convenience stores is saddening. I need to popularize ‘convenience stores’ and ‘part-time jobs.’

Ah, part-time jobs became popular because of the IMF. Just saying.

“Didn’t you think the employees were ignoring us?”

“Not at all.”

Lee Sihyeon says incredulously.

“Haa, Sihyeon. Didn’t you want to bully the department store employees? Walking there was tiring.”

“…”

I want to do something good, but satisfy my desires too. I can bully employees in my department store.

It’s not like I’ll slap them; they’ll be well-compensated.

I need to buy a department store, at least a small one. My clothes won’t fit in most department stores later…

“So you’re going to create a department store?”

“Yes. I bought a game company too, right? Sihyeon, I’ll give discounts to those close to me.”

Those ignoring me and using competitor stores… they’re expendable.

I only need to protect those close to me.

“…Didn’t you say you’d do something good?”

“This is good, by my standards.”

Sampoong will be a loss-making venture…

It’s good enough.