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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Secretary Yu?
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Kang Yeon Jeong sat in her office, staring intently at Yi Yeon's corporate messenger status, waiting for her to log in.
Finally, the light blue indicator lit up.
Even so, there was no reply to the message Yeon Jeong had sent right after arriving at work.
Feeling frustrated, Yeon Jeong picked up one of the stacks of approval documents piled high on the desk next to her.
Whatever, just go up!
If asked why she'd come up, she planned to say it was to get approvals signed.
It took less than five minutes—no, not even three—for the ever-curious Yeon Jeong to stand in front of Yi Yeon's desk.
She couldn't miss this entertaining spectacle, especially since no one else would appreciate it as much as she did.
She wanted to witness the moment when Do Hyun's wife and his mistress secretary came face-to-face.
Rushing over in a hurry, she saw who appeared to be Secretary Yu with her head bowed over her desk, writing something.
Since someone was sitting at Secretary Yu's spot, Yeon Jeong assumed it was her.
"Secretary Yu! Why'd you read my message and not reply...!"
The moment Yeon Jeong's eyes met the woman who lifted her head, she froze like a broken machine, unable to continue.
Her dilated pupils from the shock looked like overinflated balloons about to burst.
The woman slowly rose from her seat, exuding an air of elegant poise even in her posture.
Yeon Jeong found herself blankly tilting her head up to follow the woman's face.
Her lips curved into a gentle, upward arc, sending a ticklish flutter through Yeon Jeong's heart.
It was the first time she'd felt this way about another woman.
She'd seen plenty of pretty girls, but this was the first time she'd been this close to someone so openly stunning. They said even famous top-tier celebrities left you gaping and dazed up close, and now she understood why.
It wasn't just her striking looks; her aura was captivating too. Her clear, unwavering eyes made her seem poised and resolute.
She was An Do Hyun's woman, through and through.
The woman in front of her hadn't spoken yet, but Yeon Jeong knew.
This was the woman who had turned Woosung Card upside down.
But her eyes felt strangely familiar...
"Assistant Manager Kang, I've gotten so many messages that my computer's lagging."
Ding.
It felt like someone had bonked Yeon Jeong on the head.
"Secretary Yu?"
Ha... No way. It shouldn't be possible. It had to be impossible.
Yeon Jeong tried to steady her trembling eyelashes.
Unlike Yi Yeon, who gazed at her with a relaxed smile, Yeon Jeong's mouth had gone completely dry.
All the outrageous things Assistant Manager Kang had said to Yi Yeon flashed through her mind like a montage.
-Secretary Yu, ever thought about changing your clothes?
-At least switch up your hairstyle.
-Do you always wear such oversized sizes?
-Doesn't anyone say anything if the secretary dresses like that?
Oh, God!
Maybe she should start her own religion today...
'Kang Yeon Jeong! You had no idea who you were messing with, did you?'
Yeon Jeong scolded herself harshly.
Looking at Yi Yeon now, she felt ashamed of her own words.
How could she have commented on the looks of a woman like this?
Seeing Yi Yeon like this, Yeon Jeong realized she had no right to say anything about appearances.
Heat rose to her face from the embarrassment.
"It's me, Assistant Manager Kang."
"So... you're Secretary Yu."
"Yes, the man in there... well, my husband."
Yi Yeon pointed directly at Do Hyun with her finger.
Yeon Jeong turned her head to follow, spotting Do Hyun sitting in the office.
'Am I in trouble? No, wait. Lately, I haven't nitpicked at Secretary Yu, right? That's something.'
"Um... I'll come back up later."
For now, Yeon Jeong just wanted to escape the moment.
Backing away, she vanished from Yi Yeon's desk as quickly as she'd arrived.
"Eek! Look who it is!"
The moment Yeon Jeong left, Su Jin showed up as if on cue.
Su Jin bounced over, stomping her feet in exaggerated excitement. It was so amusing that Yi Yeon let out a pleased laugh.
"You're really Yi Yeon?"
Even with big performance bonuses, Su Jin had never been this hyped.
Yi Yeon wondered why her appearance brought Su Jin such immense joy.
"Seeing you makes me feel so vindicated! All those people who nitpicked you must be dying inside! Yes!"
Su Jin looked ready to break into a traditional fan dance any second.
She kept going with her unfinished rant.
"The affair rumors are totally squashed now! So satisfying. You're even more explosive in person! No wonder you hid it!"
Su Jin's excitement showed no signs of stopping.
No, it seemed to ramp up even more.
Why was she so worked up? Why the dance routine right off the bat?
Su Jin continued in an even louder voice.
"It's like I've gained a heavenly army! My shoulders are puffed up so much it tickles!"
"Why your shoulders?"
"I'm the closest to Secretary Yu in this company, aren't I? Everyone knows it! If anyone dares mess with the best friend of Vice President An's wife, tell them to step up! That damn old coot might finally stop dumping weird chores on me!"
Judging by Su Jin's booming 'um haha' laugh, Yi Yeon could imagine how far her fantasies had flown.
Su Jin, is that why you're so thrilled?
Yi Yeon briefly pondered when she'd have to clean up Su Jin's unrealistic delusions.
She wanted to tell her it was just wishful thinking and bring her back to reality, but for now, she let her bask in the happiness.
Yi Yeon lightly bounced on her heels along with Su Jin, who had her wrapped in a hug and was jumping around.
Su Jin, you're happy, aren't you?
Watching Su Jin enjoy it even more than she did, Yi Yeon's own heart suddenly felt refreshingly clear, like a weight had been lifted.
The anxiety and fear from the lobby earlier seemed to have just passed by.
Su Jin, but you know... didn't you say stuff about my looks too?
Get some hair clinic treatment. I'll help you pick clothes, let's go shopping.
Don't you remember?
Of course, it had been well-intentioned.
It was as if Su Jin had an eraser in her head as she clapped her hands.
"Oh, right! Lunch today is definitely the company cafeteria?"
"I was planning to avoid the company cafeteria for lunch today no matter what."
On a day like today, drawing all this attention, go to the cafeteria? Eat in the company cafeteria packed with employees on her first day showing up like this?
Even Yi Yeon lacked the courage for that. No, she didn't want to muster it.
"I want to eat alone today."
"No way, I won't allow it. I plan to analyze and savor every single expression from the company folks. I'll crush the noses of everyone who dared slander our Secretary Yu!"
Whose nose are you planning to crush like that?
It seemed Yi Yeon was the hot topic today.
She wondered if it might be better to just satisfy everyone's curiosity all at once and be done with it.
There were probably more than a few employees dying of curiosity.
She wasn't sure about crushing noses, but dealing with constant annoyances later might be worse than one big embarrassing moment now.
That seemed like the quickest way to get back to normal office life.
Once Su Jin, with whom she'd promised lunch, headed off, Do Hyun emerged from the office. He glanced in the direction Su Jin had disappeared, narrowing his brows.
"The bouncy one finally left?"
"Bouncy one? Secretary Jeong Su Jin?"
Do Hyun nodded as if to confirm.
Bouncy one? Really?
He must have watched them hugging and bouncing around together.
Yi Yeon gave a light laugh at Do Hyun's playful words.
"I don't have any lunch plans today."
Lately, Do Hyun seemed to forget sometimes—no, often—that she was his secretary.
She knew he had no lunch plans, but today wasn't a day for them to eat together.
Showing up together for lunch right now, on top of this morning? Breakfast had been enough.
"Then enjoy your delicious solo lunch. I have a lunch appointment today."
"I thought you'd eat with me on a day like this. You okay without me next to you?"
"On a day like today, I don't think we should even do lunch together."
Yi Yeon smiled brightly at Do Hyun, who stood with his arms crossed in front of her.
When she smiled so prettily like that, Do Hyun had nothing to say.
"I'm going to the company cafeteria with Secretary Jeong today."
"That bouncy one from earlier?"
Did he really not know her name? He'd seen her with Su Jin multiple times.
Do Hyun finally nodded in understanding and uncrossed his arms.
"Enjoy your lunch."
With that, Do Hyun zipped back into his office.
'Huh, is that it?'
She'd expected him to say something like, "The employees will stare in the cafeteria—are you okay with that?"
But even if he asked, she'd say she was fine, so it would've been a pointless question anyway.
Yi Yeon blankly stared into Do Hyun's office.
Why did lunchtime have to come so fast?
Arriving at the company cafeteria, Yi Yeon swallowed hard.
Today's lunch would have to be eaten through her nose, it seemed.
She'd braced herself to come, but the stares were burdensome up close.
"Tteokgalbi today?"
Su Jin, who had linked arms with Yi Yeon, recited the menu.
Of all things, tteokgalbi, which she didn't like. Not a good start.
Even while lining up for food, the whispers were so clear it felt like they were right in her ear.
Most people already knew through Su Jin and Yeon Jeong that Yi Yeon was the vice president's wife. That's why they stared even more openly.
The silver lining was that the main topic was praise for Yi Yeon's looks, and the misunderstanding about Do Hyun being a cheater had been cleared up nicely.
Grabbing her tray, Yi Yeon hurried to the seat where Su Jin waited and sat down.
Steel ing herself to choke it down, she picked up her spoon—only to lift her head again as the murmurs grew louder.
The employees at nearby tables were all staring behind Yi Yeon and whispering.
'What is it?'
Wondering if even the chairman had arrived, Yi Yeon turned around.
'Ah, should have brought some digestive medicine. Eat now.'
Her eyes met those of a man walking steadily toward her from afar, tray in hand, looking right at her.
"No seat next to you?"
Do Hyun grinned at Yi Yeon.
Leaning down, he whispered low into her ear.
"Here to help Yu Yi Yeon."