Life is Easier If You're Handsome novel Chapter 279

Gotham.

A city where the stench of steam seeps up from the ground.

A city where a somber jazz tune constantly lingers in the air of some vast, dim bar.

People move their shoulders in slow sync with the melody, never bothering to glance up at the sky that will never brighten.

Instead, they keep their gaze low, dodging puddles of damp filth underfoot.

And yet—

After the long night fades, in hope of the dawn that will someday return,

Gotham endures the heavy moonlight again tonight.

“What are you staring at so intently, sir?”

“Alfred.”

“I understand that solitude can be comforting, but I worry it may drift into loneliness.”

“Did you come to nag me again?”

“The Wayne line must continue, after all.”

I frowned at Alfred’s words.

How many times had he said that now?

Too many to count—so I just nodded vaguely.

“Alright, alright. Like you said, if I meet someone good, I’ll try to make something of it. That good enough for you?”

“You say that, and yet you never let anyone close.”

“It’s hard enough protecting what I already have. You want me to add more?”

Shff.

I pulled the curtain closed to block out the moonlight that seemed to be peeking in.

“Even so, a partner in life is always something worth having.”

“Well, I’ve got you, don’t I?”

“Ha! I’m honored to hear that, but...”

I'm far too old, and we both know that’s not what you meant.

So much for brushing it off.

Alfred clearly wanted a straight answer this time.

As if to say:

“So, what, you want me to attend that social gathering?”

One of those parties for the young and rich to flaunt how well they live.

I had no desire to discuss that.

“It’s a good opportunity, is it not?”

“The Wayne bloodline has been tainted since the day two billionaires adopted an abandoned Asian kid from an orphanage.”

I came back hard.

And immediately regretted saying it.

“They wouldn’t see it that way.”

“Yeah, I know... I know too damn well.”

I could see myself reflected in Alfred’s eyes.

A kid who knew nothing, holding cotton candy ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ in his mouth.

A child who ran down dark alleys to prove how brave he was.

Naïve. Foolish. Innocent.

“Sir.”

“Alright, fine. I’ll go. I’ll go to that place where a bunch of idiots show off their parents’ money and luxury brands.”

I waved a hand to chase away that version of myself. I didn’t want to see him anymore.

“What’s on the schedule for tomorrow?”

“There’s an event in the afternoon related to the orphanage.”

Which means my morning is free.

As I stepped forward, Alfred followed without needing any prompting.

“What’s the status of the suit?”

“Everything you asked for is ready.”

“Thanks, always.”

“It’s my pleasure.”

Step. Step.

A few more steps—and the study split open, revealing the hidden elevator.

Whirrr.

There’s only one button.

There’s only one destination anyway.

Screeeech. THUNK.

As the elevator clunked to a stop—

FWOOOSH!

Bats, startled by the noise, burst from the cave in a flurry of wings.

Alfred walked naturally to the wall of monitors, like he’d done it a thousand times.

“Where are we tonight?”

“The same place as always.”

“East End. Bowery.”

“Correct.”

“How boring.”

Few words. Fast movements.

Without hesitation, I slid into the Batpod.

No roaring exhaust.

Just silence. Smooth and steady.

“Have a good night, sir.”

“You too, Alfred.”

As the black cowl lowered over my head, I severed the chains that bound me—the orphaned Asian boy with no past.

Vrrrroooom.

The Batpod shot down the tunnel, the cold air of the night wrapping around my body—carrying with it the stench of Gotham’s foul steam.

All of it—makes me again.

Vengeance.

Midnight.

And—

A masked executioner.

All of it merges into a single word.

Batman.

My true name.

Settling deep into the darkness.

***

FWOOOSH!

The darkness lifted, and the world snapped back into place.

“...Huh.”

As soon as I snapped out of the immersion, only one thought crossed my mind:

This is just a draft?

And it was only a tiny piece.

Just the opening, really.

But even so, I understood exactly why this script was rated S+.

And more than that—

They said they’ve got another surprise script ready, right?

DC Studios was planning something massive.

And they were on their way to Korea to show it to me personally.

There was no way I wouldn’t be hyped.

Warner Bros. is apparently all-in on me too.

I was definitely going to give them priority.

“Got it.”

Seokho hyung nodded, and we updated the schedule immediately.

Originally, the plan was to do some Korean variety and radio shows. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

But YouTube turned out to be a faster way to connect with people—and a much more effective platform than TV.

Sure, going on TV now and then would still be good,

But right now, I didn’t feel the need.

“Oh, Seokho hyung. Actually, I’ll do just one show.”

“Huh? Weren’t you not going to do any?”

“That was the plan, but this one... I’m tempted.”

I used to watch it all the time.

And since The Pianist had so many food scenes anyway, why not tie it all together and give it a go?

“I’ll appear on this one.”

“Okay, I’ll lock it in!”

***

With The Pianist airing steadily on Disney Plus, it had officially become a global trend.

People everywhere were talking about Kim Donghu.

And with each mention, views on his Pianist reaction video climbed even higher.

At the same time, people became more and more curious about him.

It was like a thirst they couldn’t quench.

“There are already a couple of daily vlogs out, right?”

“Still feels like not enough.”

These days, every celebrity had their own channel—and used it to promote themselves nonstop.

It was how they kept their presence alive.

But Kim Donghu didn’t do that.

He still spoke through his work.

Which wasn’t a bad thing—

But—

“When’s Kim Donghu coming back to Rushman?”

“What about Please Take Care of My Fridge?”

“Just... anything! Show up on something!”

“He did a prank on Japanese variety, right? Come on, do Korean stuff too!”

The lack of appearances didn’t mean people weren’t dying to see him.

Because Donghu was good on variety.

He was so good, in fact, that the Rushman episode he starred in still had the highest YouTube views of the series.

His variety show power was on another level.

Which left broadcast stations constantly wondering:

How the hell do we get him to show up?

But then—

“Is this for real?”

“Yes!”

“He’s actually coming on our show? Kim Donghu?”

“Seriously?”

“I’m telling you—yes!”

Out of nowhere, one lucky program had been chosen by Kim Donghu himself.

“...Why though?”

“Maybe he just really likes food?”

“Uh... maybe?”

The show he picked was none other than the legendary long-running food program:

Tasty Guys.