Time: Friday, 6:48 PM
Location: Kang Family Living Room
The old fridge in the corner was wheezing again. It sounded like an asthmatic hippo trying to start a chainsaw underwater.
GRRGHHHHHHHH… CHHHHHHHHHHH…
Everyone ignored it, as usual.
The TV was blasting a soap opera where someone's twin brother had just come back from space. Soo-Min was trying to eat ice cream before it melted into soup. Joon-Ho's father was cutting sausages with kitchen scissors while complaining about bus passengers.
"I had a guy today who paid with twenty coins," he muttered. "And one of them was Canadian!"
"I told you we need a new fridge!" Umma snapped. "This thing's possessed. It hums at night!"
Soo-Min nodded. "Yesterday it burped at me."
"I heard it call my name once," Joon-Ho added, then paused. "Wait, that might've been a dream."
His mom slammed the fridge door.
"I wish a rich uncle would appear out of nowhere and buy us a new one!"
Joon-Ho silently took that as his cue.
He would buy them a fridge.
Quietly. Secretly.
Like a reverse ninja Santa Claus.
---
Operation: Secret Fridge Delivery
Step 1:
He went online that night and searched "fancy fridges that don't sound like haunted saxophones."
Step 2:
He ordered a sleek, ultra-quiet, double-door smart fridge that could talk, make ice, and even suggest recipes. It cost ₩4.2 million. Pocket change from last week's gold brick.
Step 3:
For the name and contact info, he used:
Recipient: Anonymous Family Support Program
Phone Contact: Random uncle voice AI app he downloaded from a shady website
Step 4:
Scheduled delivery for Saturday at 10 AM.
He rubbed his hands together and grinned.
"This is foolproof."
---
Saturday Morning: 10:01 AM
"UMMAAAAAA!!" Soo-Min screamed from the kitchen.
"There's a GIANT FRIDGE outside!!"
The doorbell rang.
Ding-dong.
Outside stood two delivery guys and a shiny new fridge, wrapped in sparkly gold ribbon.
Umma opened the door in her pajamas and screamed.
"WHO ORDERED THIS?! WHO SENT THIS?! WHY IS IT SPEAKING ENGLISH?!"
The fridge said, "Welcome. I am your cool new companion. Let's chill together."
The neighbors came out. One took a photo. Another clapped.
"Delivery for Kang Family," the man said. "Paid in full by… some 'Uncle Support Program'?"
"Uncle?" Appa stepped forward. "I don't have any rich brothers. I have one cousin who sells used socks."
The delivery guy handed over a receipt. At the bottom was a note:
> "Stay cool. From someone who loves the sound of ice cubes and silence."
"…This is suspicious," Umma said, squinting.
"It's a scam fridge!" Appa declared. "It's probably bugged by the government!"
"I'm keeping it," Soo-Min said, hugging the fridge.
---
Meanwhile, in Joon-Ho's Room…
He was hiding in the closet.
Yes, literally inside his closet. Next to his PE uniform and broken badminton racket.
His phone buzzed.
> [System Notification]: +5 Family Satisfaction
[Passive Bonus Activated: 'Warm Fuzzies']
[New System Upgrade Unlocked: "Spend = Stat"]
"…What?"
> [From now on, spending money to improve your daily life or family increases your base stats.]
> Today's Stat Boost: +2 Charisma.
You are now 2% less awkward in conversation.
Joon-Ho whispered, "If this keeps up… I might become a functioning adult."
But then his door burst open.
"YAH, OPPA!" Soo-Min yelled. "Did you buy the fridge?!"
"I-I was sleeping—!"
"You're not even in bed!"
"I was… hiding from dust mites!"
She glared.
"I don't trust you. Your socks smell like gold. And last night you yelled in your sleep, 'I am the vending lord of snacks!'"
"I was dreaming!"
"You were floating again!"
"That was allergies!"
"You're a rich space boy and you're hiding it, aren't you?!"
He sighed.
"You can't prove anything."
She pulled out her phone.
"I have footage."
"...Delete it and I'll buy you three limited-edition webtoon sketchbooks."
"Done."
---
Later That Night: Dinner With a Robot Fridge
The fridge suggested steamed dumplings and side dishes.
Appa tried to unplug it three times.
Umma prayed over it with a salt shaker.
Soo-Min gave it a name: "Chilly Oppa."
Meanwhile, Joon-Ho ate quietly, feeling warm inside.
His family didn't know where the fridge came from.
They didn't know about the gold.
Or the planet.
Or the hovering snacks.
And that was okay.
He liked it that way.
---
To Be Continued…