Chapter 11: The Virtuous Cycle of Good Deeds

Kang Jin looked at Kang Doochi and asked, “Then…does having more money mean one is exempt from being punished for sins?”

In the afterlife, accumulating wealth signifies doing many good deeds during one’s lifetime, indicating they likely committed no sins.

“Even among kind-hearted people, who can truly claim to be entirely sinless? The afterlife evaluates every action, including unintentional misdeeds.”

“So, Jijang must have done incredibly virtuous deeds throughout his life.”

“Not only in his life but even after death. He continues to amass wealth, becoming richer over time. You could think of him as the Samsung Group equivalent in the afterlife realm.”

“What an extraordinary individual!”

As Kang Jin spoke, Kang Doochi waved the check.

“That’s why he can casually hand out million-won checks like this, right? Others wouldn’t give you such large amounts.”

Kang Jin glanced at the check while listening to Kang Doochi’s explanation.

“So, will this money go into my JS Finance account?”

“Yes, or I can convert it into currency for your current life. How would you prefer it? Deposit it directly, or exchange it?”

As Kang Doochi posed the question, Kang Jin scrutinized the check and subtly asked:

“If there’s a lot of money in my JS Finance account, does that mean I’ll have a comfortable afterlife?”

“Absolutely. In the afterlife, numerous expenses await you. From finding a place to stay to buying food, everything requires money. It truly is heartbreaking to pass away without any savings.”

“Then, how much money do I currently have in my account?”

“Does having a large balance in your JS Finance account ensure a comfortable afterlife?”

“I anticipated this question. However, I’m sorry to say you cannot check your balance while still alive.”

“So, it can only be verified once you’re dead,” Kang Jin concluded.

Kang Doochi nodded and replied with a smile, “But as the operator of One Meal Restaurant, I imagine your account must be quite substantial. Despite the inconveniences here, those managing establishments like yours often become JS Finance VIPs.”

‘Indeed… With all the free meals provided, there must be significant savings in JS Finance.’

Kang Jin muttered internally before asking, “Then, can I use the money from my balance only after death?”

“That’s not entirely true. If needed, you can convert any amount from your afterlife balance into cash for use in this life.”

“So can I save money from this life?”

“That’s not possible. You can only convert afterlife currency to real-world currency. Moreover, cashing out your afterlife earnings is not recommended. The nights in the afterlife are bitterly cold, and hunger becomes unbearable, making one feel like their hands could reach for food straight from their throat.”

“Well, South Korean winters are also freezing without money, and you’ll starve if you’re broke.”

“The cold and hunger in the afterlife are vastly different from what you experience here.”

Kang Jin nodded at Kang Doochi’s words.

“I don’t plan to withdraw immediately. I just wanted to know if it was possible.”

“Shall I deposit this check then?”

“Yes, please do.”

Although one million won was significant, Kang Jin didn’t urgently need it right now.

Shin Suho had agreed to cover Kang Jin’s tuition fees, and apart from utilities like electricity and water bills, there were no other significant expenses while living here. Additionally, with around four million won already saved in his bank account, he could survive for at least a year without any additional income if he was frugal. Therefore, there was no immediate need to withdraw one million won in cash.

Moreover… Since it wouldn’t disappear, it made sense just to leave it in the account.

However…

“Does it earn interest?”

“Interest?”

“As with any bank account, it should accrue interest.”

Kang Doochi initially looked puzzled by Kang Jin’s question but then smiled and nodded.

“Of course, it does. Especially our JS Finance offers very favorable interest rates.”

Kang Jin sighed at Kang Doochi’s response before noticing the empty bowls of red bean porridge scattered around the restaurant. Kang Doochi chuckled as he caught his gaze.

“They say ghosts dislike red beans.”

Kang Doochi seemed to have guessed why he made the red bean porridge, causing Kang Jin to awkwardly smile.

“Well… I was feeling slightly scared.”

Kang Doochi nodded understandingly.

“I understand, but unlike what humans believe, there is no specific food that ghosts avoid.”

“No foods they dislike?”

“Have you heard about vampires not liking garlic?”

“It often appears in movies, right?”

Kang Doochi laughed at Kang Jin’s response.

“I know a vampire who loves Baeksuk, a traditional Korean chicken soup with garlic, whenever he visits South Korea.”

“Vampires…do they really exist?”

“If there’s a Maiden Ghost in our culture, why can’t there be Western ghosts?” Kang Doochi chuckled and then looked down at his porridge. “People believe that red bean porridge repels ghosts…but truthfully, ghosts actually enjoy it. By leaving out some porridge, they feel welcomed and won’t harm the household.”

“So instead of driving them away, we’re treating them as guests.”

“In general, foods rumored to repel ghosts are often their favorites.”

“But why is it said that ghosts dislike these foods?”

“It’s human nature to deceive themselves. Offering food to ghosts might make people feel inferior, but believing they’re chasing the ghosts away gives a sense of victory. That’s how the misconception about ghosts hating red bean porridge spread.”

“It’s quite absurd.”

“Welcome to this world. There will be more absurd things to come.”

Kang Doochi’s words prompted Kang Jin to rise from his seat.

“I need to bring out more food first.”

“Thank you.” With a smile, Kang Doochi returned to his table.

Suddenly, Kang Jin called after him, “As someone working at a bank, surely you’re not dining without paying?”

Kang Doochi chuckled at his remark.

“Don’t worry; just bring it over. Despite appearances, we are employees of JS Finance, responsible for managing money. Would we dare eat without payment?”

Reassured by Kang Doochi’s response, Kang Jin turned and entered the kitchen. Once there, he placed buckwheat batter on a frying pan while discreetly glancing back towards the main hall.

Kang Jin sighed and shook his head as he watched the JS Finance employees—no, the Bank of the Afterlife staff—drinking alcohol and eating food in the dining area.

Whatever. I’m just here to sell food whether it’s for humans or ghosts. If they don’t pay, I can use their money in the afterlife; if they do pay, I can spend it here. Just focus on making good meals.

Muttering this to himself, Kang Jin shook the frying pan to prevent sticking before starting to slice meat.

True to his word, Kang Doochi paid sixty million won for the meal before leaving. It might seem like a lot for six people, but considering they consumed enough food and drinks for sixty individuals, it could be argued that he only covered the cost price. Therefore, paying sixty million won was not excessive for the meal.

Kang Jin woke up early and started sweeping near the entrance of his restaurant before opening the refrigerator door. The fridge was mostly empty due to yesterday’s feast by the JS Finance employees.

“They must be ghosts… They sure ate a lot.” Kang Jin stared at the barren shelves as he searched for a notepad to jot down needed ingredients.

*First, they finished all the pork…

As Kang Jin prepared to write down items to order from Donghae Food Supply, his eyes caught sight of numbers scribbled on another note:

<7, 14, 17, 23, 41, 42>

His eyes sparkled upon seeing them.

“Yes… These are lottery numbers!”

—What’s that?

—What do you mean? It’s the winning lottery numbers. Now we’re even for the meal.

The ghost named Lee Hyeon had given him these lottery numbers as payment for his dinner. When he first mentioned it, Kang Jin thought he was just talking nonsense while writing them down…

Now it really seemed like something a ghost would say. Kang Jin quickly took out her phone and checked the date.

“Today is Saturday?”

Then Kang Jin quickly left the store. he started walking somewhere.

“Yes! The ghost should pay for the meal. Yes! That’s right.”

Kang Jin went to a lottery ticket outlet near a pedestrian crossing, pulled out a lottery form, marked it quickly, then handed over 5,000 won to the owner.

“Here you go.”

The owner glanced at the lottery paper from Kang Jin, smiled, and inserted it into the machine.

“You have chosen the same numbers for all five games.”

“I had a good dream,” Kang Jin replied as the owner took the lottery tickets from the machine and placed them on his forehead.

“Become rich. Here they are.”

Praying wouldn’t make someone rich, but it didn’t feel bad to receive such well-wishes.

“Thank you.”

As Kang Jin took his lottery ticket and walked away, the owner watched him leave before jotting down the numbers on another piece of paper and purchasing a game with those same digits.

Occasionally, people came to buy lottery tickets after having dreams about winning numbers. While not all these dreamers won, whenever such customers visited, the owner would also purchase a ticket using their chosen numbers. It was just a shot in the dark, but there was no harm in trying.

Unaware that the owner had bought another ticket based on his numbers, Kang Jin eagerly examined his own.

7, 14, 17, 23, 41, 42.

Kang Jin smiled as he saw five identical games with the same set of numbers.

If I win first prize five times…how much money would that be?

With pleasant daydreams swirling in his head, Kang Jin returned to his store.