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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: Vice President's Hand...
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Lunchtime.
Yi Yeon entered the pantry next to the office, downed a bowl of cup ramen, and took a nap. Her hangover hadn’t fully worn off yet, so she needed some solid sleep.
“It’s so itchy today!”
It was because she’d rushed her morning preparations. She’d overslept with the alcohol still in her system, so the wig probably wasn’t secured properly. Something must have been off with the hairpins—it kept itching.
In the end, Yi Yeon got up from the sofa and straightened her appearance in front of the mirror on the wall. There were CCTV cameras everywhere, and she couldn’t risk taking off the wig to check with something unexpected happening.
She tidied only her stray bangs and left the pantry.
Yawn—.
She sat down and yawned, still fighting off the sleep she hadn’t gotten enough of, when Do Hyun’s footsteps approached.
“So, how about dinner tomorrow night?”
She hadn’t expected Do Hyun to propose so directly and swiftly.
She’d been nervous he might say something like, ‘Why do we need to get to know each other?’ or ‘I’m not really curious.’ But he seemed to have accepted it from some angle. Do Hyun was the type to pull out the iron horns while they were hot. Well, thanks to his decisive nature, they’d gotten married quickly too.
Do Hyun, standing in front of the office, beckoned to Yi Yeon.
“Yu Secretary, reserve a table for 7 p.m. at the J Hotel restaurant tonight.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll book a private room like usual. How many people?”
“Ah, a room might feel too stuffy, so get a window table. For two.”
“Yes, for two.”
“Anyone else coming?”
“Yes?”
She froze—.
Yi Yeon’s hand paused mid-scribble on her notepad as she listed the reservation details.
Idiot, Yu Yi Yeon.
He’d told her to book dinner for the two of them, but occupational habit had her firing off her usual questions.
Yi Yeon panicked, rolling her eyes before lifting her head from the tablet to look at Do Hyun.
Do Hyun stared at the desk, lost in thought, then let out a small sigh.
“Yu Secretary.”
“Yes?”
“Never mind.”
How anticlimactic. Yi Yeon mouthed silently at Do Hyun as he roughly swept back his hair.
What’s bothering him?
Do Hyun had a habit of running his hand through his hair when something irked him.
Yi Yeon considered asking what was wrong but let it slide and voiced her own curiosity instead.
“I thought it’d be a simple meal, but isn’t a restaurant a bit much?”
The J Hotel restaurant was a high-end spot where a meal per person ran into hundreds of thousands of won.
It was miles away from anything simple.
“First time, so we should go all out.”
He’d put some thought into it because it was their first time?
It was unexpected. She was surprised he could be so considerate.
“You’ve never been there before, Yu Secretary. It might be your first and last, so eat and enjoy to your heart’s content.”
There it was.
She’d almost mistaken him for someone romantic.
While Yi Yeon pouted, Do Hyun headed into the office.
“Yes, do you have a table available at 7 p.m. tonight? No. The room might be too... Ah, no. Do you have a window seat? Yes, please reserve that one.”
Yi Yeon made the call out of habit before realizing.
‘He didn’t know the one who might feel burdened was me.’
⋮
“And the name for the reservation?”
“Yu Yi Yeon.”
Dates usually had the man’s name as the booker. This felt more like an extension of work.
The two entered and followed the waiter’s lead. The spot he gestured to with a hand wave was the window table at the far end of the restaurant.
True to a hotel restaurant, it was subtly lavish from ceiling to floor. White Nordic-style tiles covered the floor, bathed in soft orange lighting from above, with elegant white lace curtains tied back to add a touch of luxury.
Do Hyun looked like a perfect statue fitting the ambiance. Or perhaps the restaurant seemed even more stylish because he was sitting there.
People at nearby tables kept stealing glances at their table.
Do Hyun, who meshed perfectly with the upscale vibe, and Yi Yeon, sitting confidently across from him despite not quite matching the place’s image. It was a rare, intriguing pairing—some guests whispered to each other, glanced over, then chuckled among themselves.
This was commonplace. She’d experienced it plenty walking alongside Do Hyun.
She was used to the stares drawn to him now, and even the curious looks at her for being with him.
But today, the gazes lingered longer because she was sitting right across from him as if it were natural, unlike usual.
“Pick whatever you want, Yu Secretary. You love eating.”
Ever since he’d seen the snacks piled in her drawer, Do Hyun treated her like a glutton. She did love food, but...
Reading the menu was the hard part.
‘I’ll go with the safest bet: steak.’
Having decided, Yi Yeon looked at Do Hyun, who was peering at his menu with his face half-buried in it.
His impossibly broad shoulders—or maybe the way he’d bowed his head—made his face look smaller, accentuating his sharp jawline.
They’d ordered, but neither spoke first.
Do Hyun stared blankly out the window, and Yi Yeon just watched him.
What could he be thinking so deeply about?
Hey, enough posing—say something!
“Vice President, you strike me as someone who likes Western food.”
Unable to stand the awkwardness, Yi Yeon spoke first. Do Hyun smoothly shifted his gaze from the window to her.
“I don’t like Western food.”
“Oh... I thought you did. So, what do you like?”
Sharing info could start light with food preferences.
“Army stew.”
“Huh? Army stew...?”
It didn’t suit Do Hyun at all. A guy who seemed like he’d only ever slice steaks, and his favorite was army stew? Yi Yeon’s eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected answer.
“I’m shocked you like army stew, Vice President. It’s so out of character.”
“I’m shocked your eyes are surprisingly big, Yu Secretary.”
Oops—she glanced at Do Hyun. Contrary to his words, his expression was blank as he stared piercingly at her eyes. Yi Yeon quickly ducked her head.
She should’ve kept her usual half-lidded gaze...
The surprise had made her relax unconsciously.
Yi Yeon cleared her throat awkwardly. Then she hurried to steer the conversation.
“I love army stew packed with Spam too. It’s the only dish I can make well. I like cooking it at home because I can load up on as much Spam as I want.”
Yi Yeon beamed brightly. Nothing beat the happiness of eating. Talking about food made her hungry already.
Thanks to Do Hyun’s casual revelation, she felt a tiny spark of connection. Given the setting, she didn’t need to be so on edge around him.
“Such a glutton.”
Do Hyun let out a small chuckle at her chatter.
His little laugh inexplicably lifted Yi Yeon’s mood. The meal, which she’d thought would be uncomfortable, was turning out fun.
“I’ll prepare the wine you ordered.”
Had they ordered wine too?
“You like wine, Yu Secretary.”
She vaguely recalled mentioning it at a company dinner once.
He’d remembered and ordered it?
“I like it, but I don’t know much about varieties—just drink it for the taste.”
Yi Yeon smiled awkwardly. The wine bottle on the table didn’t look cheap.
With the food and this wine, was Do Hyun going overboard today?
‘It might be your first and last, so eat and enjoy to your heart’s content.’
Was “last” referring not to the restaurant, but to their first—and possibly last—meal together?
“Um, Vice President...”
Yi Yeon called him softly. Do Hyun looked up from the wine at her voice.
“You’re ordering so generously, like it really is the last time.”
“Eat till you’re stuffed.”
The steak and wine paired like a dream, sliding down smoothly and pleasantly.
No real conversation flowed as the plates and bottle emptied somewhat.
“How’s four months of married life been?”
Do Hyun asked.
About their four months as a couple.
Was today for sharing marriage reflections?
“Hmm... Nothing stands out. Just occasional visits to see the Chairman and living on the second floor—that’s it.”
They barely knew if the other was even home, only sensing it from faint noises. There couldn’t be any memorable moments.
“That’s the problem. We’re newlyweds with zero memories. You’re right, Yu Secretary. We can’t fool Grandpa forever with this half-baked act.”
“So that’s why you agreed so readily when I suggested getting to know each other?”
“I was thinking we needed some decent conversation too, but you brought it up first. We should do this two or three times a week—for each other’s sake.”
Yi Yeon nodded. Do Hyun had been on the same wavelength as her around the same time.
The thought that this wasn’t their last meal oddly relieved her.
“Sounds good.”
With that, they rose from their seats.
“Goodbye.”
The staff saw them off—Do Hyun must have settled the bill already.
How many people could casually pay for such an expensive meal? Yi Yeon hadn’t contributed a won but felt like she’d dined alone, leaving her guilty toward Do Hyun.
The unexpectedly relaxed vibe had her eating better than thought. Her appetite returned, and she polished off her plate clean—Do Hyun even pushed other dishes her way, urging her to eat more.
‘Vice President, you must be full.’
Yi Yeon left the restaurant and walked toward where Do Hyun stood.
“Thanks for the meal, Vice President.”
“Yeah, you ate well.”
He was blunt in the most piercing way. Stung by the comment hitting her conscience, Yi Yeon secretly glared at the back of his head.
The chauffeur arrived, and Yi Yeon and Do Hyun settled side by side in the back seat.
The stuffy car air heated her body, making the alcohol buzz rise again.
The car sped along the road, and Yi Yeon cracked the window for cool air on her face.
It’s too quiet.
Yi Yeon, bothered by Do Hyun sitting utterly still, shot a side-eye at him.
Do Hyun just stared out the window silently.
That’s when it happened.
Screech—.
“Eek—.”
A cat darted into their lane, forcing the car into an emergency stop.
Distracted by Do Hyun, Yi Yeon yelped in shock. Thankfully, the seatbelt kept her from face-planting into the seat.
But separate from the seatbelt, something was supporting her body. Yi Yeon slowly looked down.
“Vice President... your hand...”
