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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: The Vice President Is Coming?
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“The dinner’s tomorrow, right?”
Su Jin had stopped by on her way up to the office and brought two iced Americanos to Yi Yeon’s desk.
“Lately, my throat’s been so parched. You’re making me repeat myself over and over. It’s burning me up inside and out. Gotta cool this anger with something ice-cold.”
Su Jin looked like she’d had another rough time with her boss.
Yi Yeon gulped down the coffee she’d received as payment for listening to the complaints.
“I’ll enjoy it.”
“Where’s the dinner at?”
“The Galmae Grill on the main drag.”
Su Jin set down the coffee she’d been chugging and clasped her hands together as she asked.
Her eyes blinked rapidly, brimming with a strange anticipation.
“Is that handsome newbie coming too?”
“I wouldn’t call him handsome, but yeah, that newbie’s coming.”
“So, you like that?”
What?
“You’re asking if I like it?”
Su Jin nodded vigorously.
“Yeah! You! Yi Yeon. I thought we were close, but maybe not. Was it one-sided love on my part?”
“What are you talking about?”
“There’s a rumor going around that you’re into that handsome newbie and making moves on him.”
“No way!”
“Oh dear, you scared me. Why are you yelling?”
Su Jin pressed her temples like her ears hurt.
“I just heard it too! As soon as I did, I bought these coffees and rushed over.”
Su Jin lifted her coffee with a grin.
“I told them it was nonsense. As if I don’t know everything about you.”
This is bad. There’s so much I haven’t told her.
“Y-yeah, right.”
“I’m jealous.”
Su Jin showered praise on how handsome Ji Hu was. She genuinely envied Yi Yeon for getting to go to the dinner with the newbie, always tacking on “handsome” whenever she mentioned him in front of others.
“Want to go in my place?”
“I’d love to. Me too.”
Su Jin ended her brief escape and said she had to get going now, vanishing in a flash.
It seemed like her main goal was to check if Yi Yeon was really into Ji Hu.
* * *
“Mm.”
On the morning of the long-overdue company dinner, Yi Yeon agonized over what to wear.
Truth be told, she’d decided deep down to stick with her usual clothes, but peeking into her closet, she couldn’t ignore all the outfits An Do Hyun had bought her.
They were gifts meant to be worn, so even if a dress was out, she should at least wear a blouse, right?
⋮
“Whoever’s girl she is, she’s gorgeous.”
An Do Hyun’s lips curved up as he waited for Yi Yeon downstairs.
Yi Yeon, approaching in the clothes he’d bought her, looked like a beautifully wrapped present in white and navy.
An Do Hyun reached out to pull the approaching gift into his arms, but Yi Yeon deftly slipped away from his touch.
His hand flailed lost in the air.
“No. You’ll wrinkle the clothes.”
At her refusal, his brow furrowed instead of the outfit. An Do Hyun hurried after Yi Yeon as she brushed past him and headed out the front door.
“You treasure the clothes more than me.”
An Do Hyun caught up beside her, his voice laced with playfulness.
Was he seriously jealous of clothes now?
“It’s precious because you bought it for me.”
Yi Yeon gave him the answer he wanted to hear, lifting her sleeve to inspect it here and there.
“You say that, and I can’t hold back. Wrinkles on the hand are fine, right?”
An Do Hyun gently wrapped his hand around hers as it brushed by, flashing a bright smile.
He intertwined their fingers, squeezing even tighter to crease her hand.
“I have a company dinner tonight.”
“I know.”
“How? I never told you.”
“I know everything without you telling me.”
Was he a real psychic?
How does he know when I haven’t said a word?
An Do Hyun tugged her clasped hand closer.
His lips brushed her soft handback.
She’d never imagined that a spark of courage would snowball into this, swelling until her heart might burst.
She loved how An Do Hyun expressed his feelings from the morning onward.
Her commute to work was blissful, thanks to this man who showered his affections without restraint.
* * *
“Secretary Yu, wrap it up and let’s go.”
Kim Team Leader—one of the dinner crew—came over to hurry Yi Yeon along.
He was one of the few employees who looked out for her.
Yi Yeon checked that her computer was fully shut down and stood from her desk.
“Alright, let’s head out.”
She said, grabbing her bag.
Kim Team Leader gave her a sly, low smile.
“Everyone else is already there. It’s just us now.”
“Wait a sec! I need to say goodbye to the Vice President…”
Peeking into the office, his chair was empty.
He’d been sitting there just moments ago. Where’d he go?
Yi Yeon turned her back on the vacant office.
She thought she should at least leave a message as she left the office with Kim Team Leader.
They passed through the lobby’s revolving door and clomped down the stairs.
A dinner was just an extension of work. For Yi Yeon, it was so exhausting it felt like it should come with hazard pay.
“How’s work been lately?”
Kim Team Leader spoke first.
“I’m used to it all now.”
“Don’t you think the Vice President’s changed lately?”
“The Vice President…?”
“It’s been a few months since he got married, right? Maybe it’s the marriage, but before, he had this sharp edge—like he was unapproachable and cold. Now even when he’s expressionless, he feels warm.”
Perceptive Kim Team Leader had picked up on An Do Hyun’s shift in vibe.
Yi Yeon herself had been inwardly uneasy about the change in his gaze. Apparently, it wasn’t just her—others noticed too.
“He does seem a bit softer.”
Truthfully, he’d softened so much he was melting like fresh cream, which was the problem.
Yi Yeon gave an awkward smile.
She couldn’t fully agree or disagree with Kim Team Leader’s words.
“But Secretary Yu, you really didn’t know he got married? I figured he’d at least invite you. You didn’t go and just pretend otherwise with us?”
Kim Team Leader elbowed her lightly, eyes twinkling mischievously.
“Oh? Here it is.”
Was a restaurant sign ever this welcoming?
Thanks to the sharp-eyed Kim Team Leader, the walk here had felt like a thousand—no, ten thousand—miles.
“Welcome. How many in your party?”
The server rushed over as soon as they entered to check the headcount.
“We’re with a group. Reservation under ‘Woosung Card’?”
“Yes. Right this way.”
Mentioning the name, the staff led them confidently.
Upstairs, coworkers already seated at the long table were grilling meat to juicy perfection amid the lively chatter.
Kim Team Leader spotted his seat first and sat down amid the bustle.
“Secretary Yu, over here.”
The only open spot was there anyway. Heading to the empty chair, she saw even more familiar faces.
Out of all the seats, the empty one was at the table with Yeon Jeong and Ji Hu.
It was like they’d deliberately saved it for her.
Ji Hu, who usually called her Yi Yeon, seemed mindful of the others and beckoned her to their table as “Secretary Yu.”
“We must have some fate. Out of all these tables, this seat’s open.”
“Ji Hu put his bag on the spot next to him, so everyone naturally sat elsewhere. Now I see he was saving it for Secretary Yu?”
With Ji Hu there, Yeon Jeong’s cutesy voice was in full nasal mode as always.
“I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable by reserving the seat right next to me.”
The maknae dutifully grilled meat with tongs, giving Yi Yeon a faint smile.
“Oh my, why would sitting next to Ji Hu be uncomfortable? Not for me.”
She wasn’t curious at all.
Yeon Jeong seemed less interested in the meat and more in soaking up Ji Hu’s attention.
“I heard the Vice President’s stopping by briefly today. He never shows at dinners except year-end or new year parties, but he covers the bill and leaves…”
Unlike other teams, the Strategic Planning Group loved when An Do Hyun joined dinners.
The women thrilled at the chance for even a glance from him, while the men appreciated how he’d foot the entire bill after barely staying, letting them drink without worry.
“The Vice President’s coming?”
“Yeah, didn’t Secretary Yu know? You worked together today. He didn’t even tell you? You two must not be that close.”
Yeon Jeong giggled, clearly pleased at the idea.
Yi Yeon had no clue. No wonder he’d casually mentioned knowing about the dinner this morning.
Hearing An Do Hyun was coming both excited her and sent tension creeping in.
And of all places, she was at the same table as Ji Hu.
Then Yeon Jeong suddenly clapped and turned to Yi Yeon.
“Right! Secretary Yu, I took a good look when you came in. That blouse—isn’t it from that super expensive luxury brand? The new release, right?”
How does she know? To Yi Yeon, it was just another white blouse. Yet Yeon Jeong spotted even this simple one.
“I’m really into luxury stuff, you know. It looks simple, but it’s not just any simple.”
Good lord. With all the blouse designs out there, how’d she recognize this?
Yi Yeon figured she’d play dumb and deny it.
“Look here. The logo on the cuff. This is the real deal.”
“I never thought you’d actually spot it.”
“You can’t fool my eyes. It’s a size smaller than your usual stuff, right? Brand new?”
Yeon Jeong seemed curious if Yi Yeon had bought it with her own money.
Like she wanted to ask how she afforded such pricey clothes, so Yi Yeon answered.
“Yeah, it’s new.”
It was new, after all.
Yi Yeon nodded to herself, rationalizing it away.
“Coming to a greasy BBQ joint in something this expensive? Bold move.”
Chatting with Yeon Jeong might mean missing out on meat altogether.
Yi Yeon quickly popped some well-grilled meat into her mouth and mumbled around it.
“Didn’t think about the smell.”
She’d only pictured showing An Do Hyun the blouse, forgetting all about meat odors.
“Time for a drink.”
Kim Team Leader raised his glass.
No pressure to drink, so everyone paced themselves freely.
“Why doesn’t Ji Hu have a girlfriend? He’s so handsome.”
