Peninsula: From a supporting actor to the best actor in Chungmuro

Chapter 20: The VIP Customer of the Calico Cat
Mid June.

It's the fifteenth day that Kang Jae-hoon is tormented by his conscience at the Seongsu-dong real estate agency.

It is college graduation season.

A large number of customers have poured into the real estate market - students who are looking for houses in advance for the start of school in September and recent office workers who want to move to live near their company after graduation.

Jiang Jae-hoon stayed in the store on duty today.

The senior agents are all busy running orders, and so is the store manager.

This situation was exactly what he wanted - no need to go against his conscience.

2 p.m.

The chirping of cicadas outside the glass door mixed with the buzzing of the air-conditioning vents.

Jiang Zaixun's fingertips left afterimages on the keyboard, trying to filter out the most cost-effective house from the massive housing database.

At this moment, the glass door was suddenly pushed open.

The wind chimes made a slight sound.

Jiang Zaixun looked up.

The woman who came into view had most of her face covered with a black mask, and her camel-colored fisherman's hat made her eyebrows almost invisible.

It looks like an ordinary cotton sweatshirt, but the three dark patterns on the cuffs match perfectly with the Fendi early spring style on the inside pages of "VOGUE" magazine, which is Lee Sung-kyung's toilet reading.

——Rich people!

Definitely a VIP level customer!!

Jiang Zaixun didn't have time to think about it, he quickly stood up and bowed to greet:
"Hello, welcome to Seongsu-dong Real Estate. How may I help you?"

"Um"

The woman looked at the recommended listings posted on the wall by the door, and a muffled voice came from under her mask:

"I want to consult a shop."

"Could you tell me what you do?"

"cafes."

Jiang Zaixun quickly pulled out the map of the Shengshuidong area and spread it on the table, pointing to a few places and saying:

"This 50-ping (approximately 100,000 square meters) rents out at NT$150,000 per square meter per month, with a security deposit of NT$100,000,000. The next door is 80 ping (approximately 100,000 square meters) with a kitchen, but it's been inspected for fire safety."

[PS: Kang Jae-hoon's mini-classroom - Pyeong is a traditional Japanese unit of area, originating from the Chikan method and later introduced to Korea. 1 Pyeong ≈ 3.3 square meters.]

"Is there a store in Apgujeong?"

The woman suddenly interrupted.

"Apgujeong?"

"Yeah, the one on the corner of Rodeo Street."

"No problem, please wait."

Kang Jae-hoon's speed in typing "Apgujeong Shop" into the system's property search bar is comparable to Hwang Jung-min putting out a cigarette.

"found it!"

Jiang Zaixun pointed at the screen and said, "It's a shop on the corner of Rodeo Street in Apgujeong. The monthly rent is 36 million won, and the security deposit is 300 million won."

"So expensive?"

"Uh, this is the price in the top business district."

Jiang Jae-hoon answered with gritted teeth.

“Is the property right clear?”

Jiang Zaixun glanced at the landlord's name column in the system and nodded.

"Of course, the homeowner is a Chinese expatriate living in Hawaii and has given us full authority to handle the matter."

"overseas Chinese?"

The woman narrowed her eyes above her mask:
“Who reviews the Korean-language contracts of overseas Chinese?”

“Law and legal team.”

Cold sweat broke out on the back of Jiang Zaixun's neck.

The oppressive feeling this woman brought to him was exactly the same as when Hwang Jung-min checked his lines.

"Can I see the house tomorrow?"

"Of course, please leave your contact information."

Jiang Zaixun handed over the registration form with both hands, but the other party did not take it:
"Give me your phone number."

"it is good."

Jiang Zaixun pulled out a business card from the back of the business card holder on the table and handed it over with both hands.

"Kang Jae-hoon."

The woman's eyes moved from the business card to his face and paused. "The tie is quite unique."

Kang Jae-hoon looked down at the faded "IU" print:
“Thank you, it’s a gift from a friend.”

The glass door suddenly banged, and Jin Chengfan rushed in with his sweat-soaked suit.

"Damn this horrible weather—oh dear guest!"

The woman quickly lowered the brim of her hat and stood up.
"I'll have time to contact you tomorrow."

"Uh, okay. Take care."

The wind chimes tinkled.

After watching her get into the nanny car, Jin Chengfan turned to look at Jiang Zaixun:

"What's the origin?"

"He said he wanted to see the shops in Apgujeong."

"Apgujeong shop? Which one?"

Jiang Zaixun pointed at the computer. Jin Chengfan moved closer to the computer screen and clicked with the mouse:
"Come to Seongsu-dong to look for a designated shop in Apgujeong? Could this woman be someone from the same industry who's here to skimp on a place?"

"That shouldn't be the case. Doesn't our chain store also exist in Apgujeong? She might just be passing by and taking a look."

"Makes sense."

Jin Chengfan suddenly turned around and asked: "Did you leave your phone number?"

“She took my business card.”

"Ashi! Your business card is useless!"

Jin Chengfan slammed the table, spitting all over Jiang Zaixun's face:
"Wait for the customer to contact you? Do you think you're the Samsung Group call center?!"

Jiang Zaixun wiped his face:
“She said she would call.”

"She said she would call?"

Jin Chengfan imitated a woman's shrill voice and said, "She said she would give you a villa in Hannam-dong, and you believed it?"

Jiang Jae-hoon: “…”

9 p.m.

The light from the convenience store's door reflected Kang Jae-hoon's shadow.

He took out the newly bought can of tuna and squatted beside the green belt to pry open the pull ring.

"Meow--"

The calico cat came out from the holly bush and rubbed against his trouser leg.

Jiang Zaixun scratched the cat's chin:
"You also think she'll take a taxi tomorrow, right?"

The calico cat said nothing, but just kept pulling at his trouser legs to reach the can of tuna.

Jiang Zaixun handed the can over and touched its head:

"A customer of that level shouldn't stand me up. If I place an order, I'll replace it with Royal Cat Food."

The calico cat's purring sound seemed to be responding to his words.

The next day.

Seven o'clock in the morning.

The dew on the rolling shutters of the shops in Apgujeong has not yet dried.

Jiang Zaixun squatted on the curb and ate seaweed rice rolls, holding the shop keys.

Eight o'clock.

He checked his cell phone signal bars for the eighth time and turned the ringtone to full volume.

ten o'clock.

The sanitation worker passed by for the third time, pushing a trash can: "Young man, are you heartbroken?"

Twelve o'clock.

The midday sun melted the asphalt road. Jiang Zaixun huddled in the shadow of the fire hydrant and stared closely at every nanny car passing by the intersection.

Just then, his cell phone suddenly vibrated.

Jiang Zaixun quickly took it out and took a look - it was the behind-the-scenes footage of "Gu Family Book" pushed by entertainment news.

"Ashi."

He paused before putting his phone into his pocket and clicked on the picture again.

——Bae Suzy’s eyebrows and eyes in ancient costume seem too similar to those of yesterday’s customer, right?

Just as he was concentrating on comparing with his phone, a black nanny car suddenly braked at the intersection.

The car window was lowered a third, and Lin Yuner tilted her head to look at him:
"Kang Jae-hoon?"

"Ok?"

Jiang Zaixun looked up suddenly, squinting for five seconds before reacting:
"Senior Yoona. Ugh, Yoona? What's wrong with you?"

Jiang Jae-hoon suddenly fell silent.

The shop is in Apgujeong, the same place as SM Entertainment, so it's not surprising that she passed by here.

"Changed career to become a gate god?"

Lim Yoona pointed to the sweat stains caked on his shirt.

"Waiting for customers"

"What kind of client?" "A client buying a house. I'm here to experience life for a role in a new movie."

Jiang Jae-hoon grinned.

"Oh--"

After hearing the explanation, Lin Yuner turned around and took out a bottle of ice water from the car refrigerator and handed it over:

"A person as serious as you will succeed in everything he does."

"Thank you."

"gone."

When the car window was raised, Lin Yuner added: "Besides choosing a tie."

Kang Jae-hoon looked down at the wrinkled "IU" print, then tilted his head back and drank some ice water.

One p.m.

The sanitation worker passed by for the fourth time and threw a bottle of mineral water at his feet:
"Young man, you have a heat stroke and no one is carrying you."

Jiang Zaixun looked down at the mineral water at his feet, wiped the sweat that had flowed into the corners of his eyes, and the back of his shirt was already stained with salt.

3pm.

Unable to bear the scorching sun, Jiang Zaixun went into the convenience store next door to use the air conditioning and memorized the cafe decoration guide by looking at the materials.

Six o'clock in the evening.

Kim Sung-Bum's death call made the phone hot:

"Are the people here?!"

“There might be a traffic jam.”

"Stop it! Get back here and show the international students houses!"

"..."

Eight o'clock at night.

Jiang Zaixun, who was still squatting at the door of the shop, finally confirmed that he had been stood up.

He stood up and kicked the rolling door. The dust that flew out of the keyhole made him cough.
"Ahem. I told you not to trust someone wearing Fendi."

as predicted.

When he returned to the store for the evening party, Jin Chengfan slammed his performance report:

"I can't even keep my VIP customers. Go distribute flyers tomorrow!"

"..."

Ten o'clock at night.

Just as Jiang Zaixun turned the door lock of the shared house, the cell phone in his pocket suddenly vibrated.

He put his hands to the hot receiver and said "Hello". A soft female voice came from the other side:

“Is it too late to look at the house now?”

"There's still time! I'll be there in half an hour!"

"See you in forty minutes then."

After hanging up the phone, Jiang Jae-hoon turned around and walked out.

Lee Sung-kyung peeked out of the kitchen, biting her yogurt straw. "Hey, where are you going?"

“Take clients to see the house!”

The moment the security door closed, her mumbling mixed with the hum of the refrigerator:

"Do you really have to fight so hard, idiot?"

The streetlights on Apgujeong's shopping street pulled Kang Jae-hoon's shadow into pieces of gummy bear.

He squatted in front of the rolling shutter door, chewing on a triangular rice ball he had bought from a convenience store, while the countdown on his phone screen lit up - there were still 7 minutes left until 10:40.

The sound of tires rolling over gravel pierced the silence, and the black nanny car slid silently to the side of the road.

When the car door opened, the tip of her high heels tapped the ground:

"Sorry, I was delayed by some trivial matters."

Jiang Zaixun hurriedly swallowed the rice ball and choked and beat his chest:

"No, it's okay! I'm glad you came!"

The rolling shutter door of a shop in Apgujeong suddenly rolled up and got stuck in mid-air.

Jiang Zaixun kicked the rusty slide rail and held up the flashlight of his mobile phone to illuminate the entrance:
"The fire inspection is A-level. Look at the fire extinguishers in the corner. They were all replaced last month."

The woman bent over and went in, holding up the flashlight of her cell phone.

Jiang Jae-hoon followed closely behind, touched the switch of the electrical box and turned on the light.

"Since you specifically wanted to see this shop, you must have done some research. This is a must-go route for SM and JYP trainees going to and from school. There are three music show recording studios within a 2-kilometer radius, so you're targeting a precise customer base."

Jiang Zaixun chattered on and on according to the information he had memorized:

"The floor height is 5.2 meters, which can be used as a mezzanine or loft design. The door head is spacious, which is very suitable for brand display."

The woman suddenly stopped at the corner wall and knocked on it with her knuckles.

Jiang Zaixun was filled with joy and immediately spoke:
"The drawings show that this wall is non-load-bearing. Once it's opened up, the space utilization rate will be very high, allowing you to flexibly renovate according to your needs."

The woman nodded and continued her tour.

"The property is commercial land, free of mortgages or disputes. The owner's power of attorney is locked in the safe at our headquarters, ensuring a secure transaction."

"The property fee is 1.2 won per pyeong, which includes garbage removal and security services, with no additional management fees."

"..."

In this way, Jiang Zaixun accompanied her and introduced everyone.

When she returned to the door, she finally spoke:
“The rent here is 12% higher than in Cheongdam-dong.”

"The reason the shops on this street are so expensive is that there is a stable group of fans who are the main consumers."

In fact, there is no need for Kang Jae-hoon to elaborate on this point.

Apgujeong is synonymous with fashion and wealth.

After the hit of "Gangnam Style" in 2012, it directly entered the top three business districts in South Korea.

Although its passenger flow is slightly lower than that of traditional business districts such as Myeongdong and Dongdaemun, its influence ranks among the top in the country.

Whenever a new group from SM or JYP becomes popular, the sales of surrounding shops will skyrocket.

"I contacted the landlord this morning and he said he's willing to provide two months of rent-free time to support renovations. He can also recommend a design team to help you control costs."

At this point, Jiang Zaixun suddenly remembered the tactics Jin Chengfan taught him to force a deal, and suddenly slapped his thigh:
"Oh right! We heard in our group that Lin Yuna is also coming to see this shop tomorrow!"

"Lin Yuna?"

"Yes, the one from Girls' Generation."

She took out her phone and swiped it, then suddenly turned the screen towards him——

Girls' Generation's Im Yoona takes on the leading female role for the first time – Reuters at the script reading for "The Prime Minister and I"

Jiang Jae-hoon suddenly realized.

No wonder she was in such a hurry at noon, it turned out she was going to attend a script reading.

etc.
Jiang Zaixun looked over the phone screen and saw the death stare above the other person's mask, which was the same as when he secretly used Li Shengjing's hair mask. He coughed lightly and very unnaturally.
“It is possible to change the itinerary”

"Then she must first learn the art of clones."

"Uh"

"Tell the landlord to extend the rent-free period to three months."

"Three months? I need permission."

"I can pay the deposit now."

"Row!"

The woman pulled out a cashier's check from her chain-link wallet. The ink on the stamp was still wet.
"Pay the deposit now and sign the formal contract at the end of the month."

Kang Jae-hoon stared at the anti-counterfeiting watermark on the check payable to Shinhan Bank - exactly the same as the "big order" bill that Kim Sung-hwan showed off last week.

"has a problem?"

"without"

Jiang Zaixun hurriedly took out the receipt book and wrote "Shop rental deposit" in the "Reason for payment" column with the tip of his pen.

"Please sign."

She took the receipt, signed her name in the dim light and handed it back.

"Bae Suzy?! Are you the Bae Suzy from Miss A?!"

"Same name."

"Oh"

Jiang Zaixun looked at her suspiciously and said, "You are much more elegant than her."

".Thanks."

For some reason, he always felt that this thank you had a bit of gnashing of teeth.

On the return subway ride across the Han River, Kang Jae-hoon stared blankly at the "LV" tie in the reflection of the window.

The deposit receipt was sent to Jin Chengfan, and the other party replied with a 60-second voice message.

When you click on it, all you see are exclamations like "Asiba" and "Big Fortune" appearing alternately.

The calico cat was squatting at the door of the convenience store waiting for him, and the royal cat food bag was shining with gold in the moonlight.

The streetlight cut his shadow in half.

One half is real estate agent Kang Jae-hoon, and the other half is actor Kang Jae-hoon.

Walk downstairs to the house.

He looked up at the fifth floor - the warm yellow light of Li Jingcheng's bedroom was particularly eye-catching in the dark night.

The moment the key was inserted into the keyhole, the light went out.

The tuna rice balls that Kang Jae-hoon bought for her disappeared from the refrigerator.

Instead, there was a box of gimbap with a "Sample" label on it.

(End of this chapter)