Chapter 50

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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: You Live Your Own Life Too
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“Yu Yi Yeon, secretary.”

The moment Yi Yeon’s name was mentioned, Do Hyun’s expression hardened.

Who had turned on the air conditioning in the meeting room this fall? The employees who had been sitting turned to look around.

By now, there wasn’t a single employee who didn’t know Yi Yeon’s title as “Vice President An Do Hyun’s wife.”

The love story between the chaebol third generation heir and his secretary had the whole country buzzing right now.

The employees who had subtly looked down on Yi Yeon as the “ugly secretary” until then were now too busy watching her every move.

Whenever they passed by her side, they held their breath and kept their heads down toward the floor.

Worried that she might recognize them from when they had ignored her in the past.

No one was unaware of the fact that Hee Ra had been chasing after Do Hyun.

And now, that same Hee Ra had specifically picked Do Hyun’s wife, Yi Yeon, as the guide...

The employees seated around the conference table could only exchange uneasy glances with each other.

“But isn’t it weird for a secretary to do the explaining? These days, Secretary Yu is so famous that if she appears on ‘Corporate Welfare,’ it’d make Woosung Card even more of a hot topic, but still...”

Team Leader Kim, unable to wait for Do Hyun’s response, opened his mouth to break the awkward silence.

But even he couldn’t push it firmly.

In truth, if Yi Yeon stepped up, it would be a huge hit.

Yi Yeon was already famous even without the fact that she was Do Hyun’s wife.

With her celebrity-like looks hitting the mass media, it was certain to have a positive effect on Woosung Card’s promotion.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s the secretary or a department member. They just go to the company cafeteria, eat a meal, and introduce the welfare benefit they like the most.”

The program “Corporate Welfare” was so popular with young people that companies competed fiercely to appear on it.

Small and medium-sized enterprises or mid-tier companies that weren’t well-known desperately hoped to appear on “Corporate Welfare” to attract more talent.

“Let’s leave the decision to Secretary Yu.”

Finally, the tightly shut Do Hyun opened up.

He soon wrapped up the meeting neatly.

After the meeting ended and he returned to his office, Do Hyun felt a heaviness in one corner of his heart. He fidgeted in his chair, unsure whether to get up, and paced restlessly in front of the window.

Do Hyun thought he knew the reason for his stuffy feelings.

He was anxious that Hee Ra, with her rollercoaster emotions, might do something strange to Yi Yeon.

If Hee Ra had acted like her usual self, she would have barged into the company or wherever the moment she saw Do Hyun’s marriage article, yelled, cried, and caused a scene...

She was being too quiet and well-behaved.

If she kept doing the same things as always, he wouldn’t be anxious. It was because she was acting differently that he was more worried.

Jealousy could blind someone and make them do anything.

He couldn’t bear to see even a single hair on Yi Yeon’s head get hurt.

He should have spoken more firmly to Hee Ra. He should have drawn a clearer line about their relationship one more time.

He felt regretful.

Do Hyun picked up his cell phone and called somewhere.

[Hello?]

“If you have time, let’s meet for dinner tonight.”

* * *

“So, what are you going to do?”

Su Jin, walking toward the cafe with her arm linked through Yi Yeon’s, asked.

“I don’t know.”

Should she get some camera training in advance?

She had never been filmed before, so she wondered if she could speak and act well in front of a camera with so many people watching.

“What if you stutter? What if you make a slip of the tongue?”

Nothing had been decided yet, but just thinking about the camera focused on her made her heart feel like it was going to jump out.

“You haven’t even confirmed you’re doing it, so why worry already!”

Su Jin’s advice didn’t register well.

What if she got nervous for no reason, messed up, and smeared mud on Do Hyun’s face?

If she did poorly, it felt like everyone would criticize her.

What if it aired nationwide and she looked like a total fool?

Her awkward speech, gestures, and actions already flashed vividly before her eyes, making her squeeze them shut.

She felt like she’d die of awkwardness.

And yet...

She didn’t want to mess up in front of Jeong Hee Ra.

She knew it wasn’t the time to be jealous over something like this, but she couldn’t help it.

Couldn’t she do well?

Once the video aired, more people would learn about who Yi Yeon really was.

She felt once again just how amazing real celebrities were.

Even eating a meal at a restaurant wouldn’t be relaxing with all those stares around.

Just like her...

Yi Yeon recalled the day she had dropped the disguise and gone to work looking like a monkey.

But even so, she didn’t like the idea of avoiding it just because Hee Ra had specifically pointed her out.

She had no reason to dodge Hee Ra.

“I just have to introduce the company, right?”

“Yeah! Say you’ll do it no matter what! What if Yu Yi Yeon becomes famous and quits? Though, you could quit now if you wanted.”

“What are you talking about? If I quit now, what would I eat and live on?”

“You should have ditched that awful disguise ages ago. If you’d still been in disguise, you’d have almost filmed in that ugly look? Though, that might’ve been entertaining to watch.”

Su Jin laughed uproariously as if it was hilarious on her own. Today, that loud laughter grated annoyingly.

If they hadn’t gone public with the marriage to Do Hyun, she wouldn’t have had to drop the disguise or get singled out.

“Jeong Hee Ra is so elegant and pretty. Of course, to me, you’re prettier than her... But if you don’t go, you’ll lose even the chance to crush her with your face? That’s all I’d regret. I sometimes hear employees talking about whether Jeong Hee Ra, who followed the Vice President around for so long, or you is better...”

She had no intention of feeling down, but the words “elegant and pretty” stuck with her.

Then, what clothes should she wear on filming day... Wait, why was she already picking out outfits?

“Should I... try?”

Su Jin clapped like a seal and cheered.

“Yes! If not now, when will our Yi Yeon prove herself? It feels like Jeong Hee Ra pointed you out to embarrass you outright! You’ve got to flatten that nose of hers! I’m so excited already? You’re already like homemade jam!”

Hearing her cheer like that made her weirdly not want to do it. Was it a contrary streak?

She couldn’t even figure out why she had suddenly decided to do it.

Just because of Hee Ra’s provocation? Or the jealousy built up over time?

“No, maybe I just won’t go.”

This really didn’t suit her after all. It was better not to do something pointless.

“A girl has to keep her word once she says it. How can you back out like this?”

* * *

Filming always has variables. Even if you allocate plenty of time, delays happen inevitably.

Hee Ra arrived at the restaurant and pulled her sunglasses up higher.

“It should be under An Do Hyun.”

Hee Ra followed the staff member’s guidance.

The staff led her to a private room that wasn’t open to the public.

Hee Ra liked this about Do Hyun. The thoughtfulness in subtly considering the other person. The care felt in his indifference. That’s what made people crave him more desperately.

In the room the staff showed her to, Do Hyun was savoring his wine, swirling the glass.

“Sorry I’m late. Filming ran long.”

Hee Ra apologized as she pulled out a chair and sat. Do Hyun just nodded as if it was fine.

“You must be hungry. Order some food first.”

Hee Ra smiled at Do Hyun, who stared indifferently at his wine glass and took another sip.

That indifference was truly maddening.

But there was another feeling Hee Ra had every time she met Do Hyun.

Anxiety.

Every time she saw him, a sense of unease gathered in one part of her chest.

Maybe she was scared that he didn’t love her.

“Did you help me get the Woosung Card model gig, oppa?”

Hee Ra assumed as a matter of course that Do Hyun had helped her.

“That’s why you still don’t know me.”

“Why wouldn’t I know you, oppa? Don’t be like that.”

Hee Ra pouted her lips, but her eyes kept curving happily.

Do Hyun’s sudden call asking if she had time that evening had made her soar with joy. She had been in a funk because of his marriage article anyway...

Deep down, she wanted to go to the company and yell at Yi Yeon.

Asking if she liked seducing men in disguise, if she’d had fun all this time. If she really had to go that far to hook a rich guy.

Every time she had gone to her saying “It’s great having you as my sister secretary” or “You’re so reliable,” how much she must have laughed inwardly—it made her stomach churn just thinking about it.

Ji Su had coaxed and soothed her, so she had held back somewhat.

“Woosung Card ad too? Don’t go starting fights for no reason. Hold it in for now and ask the Vice President separately what happened.”

“Oppa, what’s with the marriage article?”

Hee Ra’s voice, low and weak, echoed across the table.

“Why did you drag Yi Yeon into the filming?”

Do Hyun didn’t answer Hee Ra’s words and instead questioned her back.

A voice that sent chills down her spine.

It seemed like anger but not quite—an inscrutable tone.

“Drag her in? Isn’t it good if Woosung’s daughter-in-law goes on TV and promotes the company?”

“...”

“Don’t worry. You think I’d pull something stupid during filming?”

At Hee Ra’s words, Do Hyun’s eyebrow twitched.

“If anyone pulls something stupid, they won’t get away with it.”

Do Hyun set the wine glass he had been fiddling with down on the table.

“Hee Ra.”

Hearing the gentle call after so long, Hee Ra slowly lifted her head to look at Do Hyun.

“Live your own life now. Don’t contact me so often.”

Hee Ra stared blankly at Do Hyun, who was openly cutting her off.

This had to be a lie. A dream.

“Why say something like this all of a sudden? You’re scaring me, oppa...”

“I’m scared Yi Yeon might get even a single hair hurt because of you.”

Do Hyun spoke only about Yi Yeon, as if their conversation meant nothing.

“Ha, so you really got married? To that disguising secretary? I’ve been watching you for years, oppa. How could you get married without a word?”

Tears welled up in Hee Ra’s eyes.

“I told you, you don’t like me—you’re just afraid of losing me. If you keep pushing that you like me, our relationship can’t continue anymore.”

“How would you know my feelings, oppa!”

Hee Ra finally let out the tears she had held back.

Do Hyun just placed a box of tissues in front of her shaking, slender shoulders as she cried and sat back down.

“Yu Yi Yeon is the only one I love. I have no intention of doing anything that could cause her misunderstandings or hurt her feelings. I think I’ve waited plenty already.”

Do Hyun stood up without lingering.

“Hee Ra, find someone who likes you.”

After Do Hyun left, Hee Ra couldn’t get up from her seat for a long while.

Worried about even a single hair getting hurt?

This was all because of that secretary who deliberately disguised herself to seduce Do Hyun.

“I won’t let you get away with this.”

Hee Ra forced strength into her tear-filled eyes.