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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Public and Private
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The next afternoon.
A man was ushered into the CEO's office at SL Entertainment by a secretary.
“Why did you call me here?”
It was Yun Jisang, who had come after getting Seonghyeok's call last night.
Seonghyeok, who had been reviewing a proposal submitted by the content production team, glanced up. He watched Yun Jisang grumble as he walked towards the sofa, responding with a nonchalant gaze.
“Of course, a jobless man would come.”
“Get rid of the prejudice that jobless people have free time.”
“It’s because of guys like you that people say the unemployed die from overwork.”
Yun Jisang leaned back on the sofa, pretending to clean his ear as if to say, ‘Whose dog is barking now?’
“What’s the point? Why did you call me?”
Seonghyeok rose from his desk and moved to the sofa, beginning to speak.
“To help you escape unemployment.”
Yun Jisang shook his head resolutely.
“No. I don’t want to escape.”
“You’ve been playing for over a month; that’s enough.”
“Who decided that was enough? I’m still not satisfied.”
Yun Jisang was currently relishing his sweet life of unemployment.
Before he came to Korea, he had worked at the largest entertainment agency in the US, home to world-renowned directors and actors. Last year, he served as the executive producer for a drama that gained immense popularity worldwide.
He quit his successful career and returned to Korea because he was tired of life in the US. It was a rather absurd reason, but no one who knew him was surprised.
That was how much Yun Jisang was recognized as a unique and free spirit.
“Work with me. I’ll give you the position of Team Leader of the Global Business Team.”
“What’s so great about a mere Team Leader position?”
“If you don’t want it, then don’t.”
Yun Jisang, who had been snorting, suddenly frowned.
“What kind of attitude is this for someone asking a favor? Why are you so arrogant?”
“It’s not a favor, it’s an offer.”
“Did you think I’d jump at an offer made with such audacity?”
“You’re going to take it anyway.”
Yun Jisang’s lips curved into a smirk, as if he hadn't just been serious a moment ago.
“You know me too well.”
Seonghyeok let out a small laugh.
“I’m not trying to lowball you just because we’re friends. I’ll give you the best terms.”
“I do want to rest a bit longer, but since you’re practically begging, I can’t pretend not to notice.”
“It’s not a favor, not begging, it’s an offer.”
Yun Jisang grumbled about Seonghyeok never letting anything slide, then subtly changed the subject.
“Was this the important thing you wanted to talk about yesterday?”
He immediately corrected himself.
“No, wait. I should say it’s less important than taking Yeongin.”
“Even if it’s less important than taking Yeongin, it’s still important.”
Realizing that further teasing would only earn him no pleasantries, Yun Jisang dropped his playful demeanor and asked seriously.
“It looks like you’re serious about this if you’re pulling me into it.”
Seonghyeok frowned and retorted.
“Is that even a question?”
“You gave up the Management Planning Division for Yeongin, so if things work out with her again, you won’t need to stay here, right? My point is, you’re not going to be here long anyway, so couldn’t you just maintain the status quo until you leave?”
“I don’t know how long I’ll be here, but I have no intention of just maintaining the status quo until I leave. Even when I do leave, I’ll leave behind meaningful achievements.”
A satisfied smile spread across Yun Jisang’s face.
He knew how much a company’s atmosphere could change depending on the CEO’s management philosophy, and he also knew that it was better to enjoy a carefree life of unemployment than to work under a CEO who was content with the status quo.
“And it’s not because you don’t want to appear incompetent to Yeongin, is it?”
“You know I couldn’t be incompetent even if I wanted to, don’t you?”
“I don’t know! I don’t know!”
Seonghyeok paid no mind, regardless of whether Yun Jisang covered his ears and shook his head vehemently.
“You help Yeongin out a lot.”
“Why are you telling me to help? You help her. A CEO is better than a Team Leader, right?”
“You fill in the gaps where I can’t pay attention. And professionally, you and I can communicate well, right? I’m still ignorant of this industry, but you’re different.”
Seonghyeok was confident that Yun Jisang would be a great help not only to SL Entertainment but also to Chae Yeongin personally. There would be much to learn from him in various aspects, whether it be information, experience, or connections.
“Fortunately, you know your place.”
He could simply pretend not to hear the sarcastic remark.
“If anyone bothers Yeongin, tell me right away.”
“Are you recruiting me as an informant?”
“No, a stooge.”
“......”
“Should I say a pawn?”
“Yes, yes, whatever you say.”
Seonghyeok handed the prepared contract to Yun Jisang, who now wore an expression of resignation.
“While you’re here, just sign this before you go.”
Cha Seonghyeok was a man who preferred quick resolutions.
***
- The CEO wants to see you.
Yeongin went up to the 8th floor after receiving a call from the CEO’s secretary.
At Hyesung, she had countless one-on-one meetings with Kang Daepyo without a second thought, but a private meeting with CEO Cha felt quite uneasy.
The reason was her fear that others might think it strange. It was a case of a guilty conscience.
As Yeongin entered the office with an uneasy heart, her legs faltered.
It was the moment she realized it wasn’t a private meeting.
A man she didn't recognize rose quickly from the sofa, his face lighting up.
“Hello, Yeongin.”
Who is he?
Before Yeongin could even open her mouth, Seonghyeok cut in with a gruff tone.
“This is the office.”
The man standing there let out a hollow laugh, as if dumbfounded.
“If you’re going to separate public and private, no, if you’re even going to *pretend* to separate them, then do something about those love-struck eyes of yours before you speak.”
“I have no intention of separating them. You’re the only one who needs to.”
As if he hadn't just been bickering with Seonghyeok, the man turned to Yeongin with a gentle smile.
“Team Leader Chae Yeongin, why are you standing there? Come and sit down.”
Yeongin tried to figure out the man’s identity as she walked to the sofa and sat down. But she ultimately failed.
“Are you feeling alright?”
Someone who knew she had been drinking the day before yesterday. Her curiosity about his identity grew.
“Excuse me, but who are you…?”
“Personally, I’m Cha Seonghyeok’s friend, and professionally, I’m Yun Jisang, the new head of the Global Business Team.”
“Ah!”
As Yeongin’s eyes widened, Yun Jisang’s eyes widened in turn.
“You know me? Have you heard about me?”
“Yes, I’ve heard a lot about you before.”
“Surely not anything bad, right?”
“As you know, CEO Cha Seonghyeok doesn’t badmouth people behind their backs.”
“He does it to your face.”
“Yes.”
Seonghyeok was displeased with how well the two got along.
It also annoyed him that Yeongin, who wouldn’t smile at him, was smiling at Yun Jisang.
“Team Leader Chae, you can leave now.”
She had barely been seated for a minute, and he was telling her to leave.
Yeongin’s gaze, full of questions, turned to Seonghyeok.
“But you wanted to…?”
“I asked you to come up to greet Team Leader Yun Jisang. The greeting seems to be over.”
“Oh, right. Then I’ll head back down.”
Yeongin nodded briefly to Yun Jisang, who told her they’d see each other often, and stood up. She then left the office, listening to the conversation between one man threatening to terminate a contract if the other acted friendly just one more time, and the other man countering that he would sue for wrongful termination.
It seemed expecting a peaceful work life would be too much to ask.
***
In the blink of an eye, the first week at SL Entertainment passed, and it was Saturday.
A little past noon.
Yeongin was sitting in a plush armchair by the window, monitoring an entertainment program featuring an actor she managed, when she received a call.
- Team Leader Chae Yeongin.
What’s his game this time?
Yeongin hid her thoughts and responded professionally.
“Yes, CEO.”
- I have something work-related to discuss. Can you see me today?
“Today is Saturday.”
- You don’t want to come in?
“No, I’d like to protect my precious weekend.”
- Then there’s nothing for it. It’s urgent, but I’ll wait until Monday.
She was instinctively swayed by the mention of urgency, but Yeongin quickly composed herself.
“Yes, I think it would be better to discuss it at the office on Monday. Please let me know a convenient time, and I’ll come to see you then.”
- I have several meetings scheduled on Monday, so it’s hard to confirm a time right now. I’ll come down to Team 5 when I have a moment.
“If you call through your secretary, I’ll come up.”
- I was thinking I could come down myself to call for you, get some exercise, and then we could go up together.
Is he a messenger?
“Wouldn’t people find that strange?”
- What do I care?
“......”
Yeongin became certain of his true intentions, which she had previously doubted.
- Then I’ll see you on Monday.
“What time and where should I go?”
- So you want to meet today?
“Yes.”
- I don’t want to disturb Team Leader Chae’s precious weekend.
“You already have.”
- Shouldn’t you say I *almost* did?
“......”
His nonchalant attitude was so annoying that veins popped out on the hand holding her phone.
- How about 7 PM? We can talk over dinner.
“This is still about work, right, CEO?”
- Of course.
“......”
Can I trust him?
- You look like you don’t trust me. When have you ever seen me lie?
“You may not lie, but you often spout nonsense.”
A pleasant laugh echoed in her ears.
- If Team Leader Chae had accepted, I might have deliberately talked about something completely unrelated to work, but since you’re declining, I suppose I’ll have to talk about work. I’ll hang up and text you the location, so I’ll see you later.
“Okay, see you later.”
Yeongin put down her phone and let out a small laugh.
Today, she decided to honestly admit it: she enjoyed the small conversations and light banter she shared with Cha Seonghyeok.
She pretended not to be very interested, but in truth, she was curious about what he wanted to discuss.
