At Woojin’s sudden declaration of resignation, Taehan’s mind became complicated.
The reason he’d assigned this task to the person called ‘Han Woojin’ in the first place was because his head worked quickly and he had a meticulous side. Moreover, since he only chased after ‘money’ itself, he was very convenient to manipulate.
A person who satisfied everything but lacked only the single element of ‘money.’ Therefore, Taehan threw bait to Woojin, and Woojin bit that bait without hesitation. Their interests aligned quite well and continued smoothly for two years.
However, that relationship began to shake around the time Jaehyun left for America.
‘Han Woojin, pulling such a cute stunt?’
There had been some kind of deal between Cha Jaehyun and Han Woojin in America. Cha Jaehyun had bought off Han Woojin. Since Han Woojin was a bastard who only valued money. Taehan quickly concluded.
“Do you know what type of person I detest most? Weathervane-like people with no guts who are swayed here and there. If you’re dreaming futile dreams, it would be best to stop. Unless you want to regret it enough to overturn your entire life so far.”
Taehan relaxed his expression and spoke to Woojin with a cynical smile.
“…There is absolutely nothing of the sort that the Executive Director is thinking. If the part you’re concerned about is true, I will return everything I received from the Executive Director.”
Smart Woojin immediately understood Taehan’s intention and clearly conveyed that Taehan’s thinking was wrong.
Woojin looking straight into his eyes and answering with a resolute attitude. From this appearance, Taehan could tell that Woojin wasn’t harboring other thoughts.
If he hadn’t sided with Cha Jaehyun either, then why was this bastard who’d always listened well suddenly not listening to him? Taehan found Woojin very presumptuous for openly deviating from the path he wanted.
‘He’s changed? Then I have no choice but to verify it directly.’
“…Seeing Woojin-ssi’s attitude, I understand that I misunderstood. If my attitude offended you, I apologize. It seems you don’t need to quit your secretary position. Let’s watch for the time being.”
“…Yes, Executive Director. However, I don’t think any unusual matters will occur going forward either. I’m also aware that this point corresponds to grounds for contract termination. Since grounds for termination have occurred, I will quit without complaint.”
“No. You must keep the promised period, right? You’re more lacking in responsibility than I thought. Put aside talk of quitting at this point. Ah, you don’t need to make any special reports either.”
“…Yes, Executive Director. Confirmed.”
Taehan answered with a slight smile as if something interesting had happened.
Woojin had decided to resign from his secretary position today. It was because he thought Taehan was despicable for gradually pressuring him and urging him to bring Jaehyun’s weaknesses.
He himself who’d accepted such a proposal was the same, but when Woojin thought of Jaehyun’s face, he reached the conclusion that he could no longer continue such actions.
Although if he quit his secretary position he wouldn’t be able to meet him for a while, Jaehyun would soon go to America. When that time came, he could follow Jaehyun to America too. He could perform a meeting disguised as coincidence anytime.
However, contrary to Woojin’s thoughts, Taehan instructed him to continue his secretary position. Moreover, he added the strange condition that there didn’t need to be any reports.
‘What’s going on.’
Woojin had once again faced a new phase.
* * *
After the dinner, my relationship with the cold Seo Hanryul improved a lot.
The day to go sign the contract with Youth wasn’t far off. After the audition acceptance news, I could sleep with my legs stretched out, and smiles bloomed on my face.
“In just a few days you’ll be affiliated with Youth~ How do you feel?”
As soon as he finished his schedule and got in the car, I threw him a happy question.
“…Just go sign the contract with your name.”
Several days had passed since passing the audition, but the guy’s reaction was still apathetic. Only I was excited, only I was happy. In the novel, he was so happy after getting into Youth, but now I was alone beating the drum and playing the janggu, feeling all the joy by myself. What on earth was he thinking as he lived?
“Hey, are you that happy?”
He asked as if I was pathetic.
“Then should I not be happy?”
“If you’re that happy, why don’t you go to your house and throw a party or something.”
He said something out of left field. At his strange remark, I thought I should restrain myself from being happy going forward.
“What are you talking about? Forget it. I’ll take you home. Let’s go.”
“If you’re that happy, let’s have a party or something? Go to your house.”
Last time he constantly took me to his house day and night, but this time he made a fuss about going to my house.
“Why are you suddenly making a fuss about going to someone else’s house?”
“Will you go while I’m asking nicely?”
“Geez… Fine. I’ll go straight to my house.”
There it was again. That expression full of displeasure. I had no choice but to comply with his demand.
[Dding]
As I was starting the engine, I heard a message notification sound.
‘What now?’
[I plan to visit your house tonight.]
‘…?’
It felt like someone was mercilessly striking my skull with a 3-ton hammer.
The person who sent the text was none other than Cha Taehan. The saliva in my mouth began to dry up.
“What are you doing? Aren’t we going?”
“…”
Why was Cha Taehan looking for me? At least with Chairman Cha Taesan, I could predict what he’d say…
“Hey, snap out of it!”
When I didn’t answer for a while, he grabbed my shoulder and started shaking me. Of all days for him to insist on going to my house, Cha Taehan was coming. Even bad luck couldn’t be this filthy bad.
‘First I need to deal with Seo Hanryul.’
“…I’m really sorry. Suddenly an important guest is coming to my house tonight. I’ll definitely invite you next time. Please understand today.”
“Another guest? You blew off the schedule from the first day before saying an important guest came, right? How amazing is this important guest that they make appointments however they please?”
As expected, Seo Hanryul showed no signs of giving up easily.
“…I’m sorry. I don’t think I can go today.”
“Who’s the important guest?”
Seo Hanryul began to wonder about the guest’s identity. But I absolutely couldn’t tell him the guest was Executive Director Cha Taehan. If he learned about Executive Director Cha Taehan, the possibility of him figuring out my identity would become very high.
“Ha… Seo Hanryul. I’m really not joking around. It’s really an important guest, okay? I’ll tell you who it is next time. I think I need to urgently go home today.”
When I thought of Cha Taehan barging into my house, it felt like my soul was all leaving my body. I blurted out words without thinking of the consequences, with the intention of dealing with Seo Hanryul later.
“…You have someone that important to you too? Got it.”
I thought I’d have to argue with him for quite a long time, but he showed surprisingly willing agreement. Seeing him quickly lower his tail made me feel grateful, which made me feel self-pity that I’d become his dog.
[Arriving in 30 minutes.]
Another text arrived. This crazy bastard Cha Taehan sent a brief message saying he’d arrive in 30 minutes, as if my schedule didn’t matter at all. If I was late, he’d probably shoot lasers full of murderous intent from his eyes again.
“Hey, I’m really sorry but… can you get home by yourself today? The guest seems to be arriving at my house earlier than expected. …I have nothing to say except that I’m really sorry. Next time I’ll invite you to my house and really treat you grandly. …Please let this slide just once.”
I asked cautiously while watching Seo Hanryul’s mood.
“Really, you do all sorts of things. …Fine, whatever. I got it. And I won’t forget that you said you’d treat me grandly. If you say something different next time, you’re dead.”
Fortunately, Seo Hanryul coolly agreed to the second request too. I felt uneasy at his appearance that was different from usual, but since putting out the most urgent fire was the priority, I decided to think about it later.
“…Really, thanks. For understanding. Then I’m going first.”
I gave Seo Hanryul a quick goodbye and immediately got out of the car.
“Haah…”
This was Gangnam Station. The distance to my house near Cheongdam Station took about 15 minutes by car. The problem was that it was rush hour now. If I took a car, I’d definitely be late, and there was no way Cha Taehan would care about my circumstances.
‘Right. That’s it.’
Something came to mind and I picked up my phone.
“Hello, is this quick service?”
“Yes, hello. Please tell me your location and type of item.”
“Please arrive quickly in front of the Yuhwa Holdings building at Gangnam Station. The item is kind of big.”
“If the volume is very large, a motorcycle won’t work. Only a Damas van is possible, is that okay?”
“Ah, a car won’t work. The item is somewhat big but small enough to put on a motorcycle, so please send a motorcycle. How many minutes until arrival?”
“Yes, I’ll process it for a motorcycle. It’s difficult to tell you the exact time, but you can think of it taking about 5 to 10 minutes.”
“Yes, thank you.”
Taking a car home at this time was out of the question. The subway also required many transfers, so that was hopeless too. So I came up with the absurd idea of taking a quick service motorcycle home.
Even I thought it was a crazy idea, but with Cha Taehan coming, I absolutely couldn’t be late.
“Are you the person who called for quick service? Where’s the luggage?”
About 5 minutes later, a motorcycle stopped in front of me.
“Ah… Hello, driver. I know this is a strange request, but there’s no separate luggage—you just need to take me. It’s not far, just to the front of Apellium in Cheongdam-dong, please.”
“What? Are you messing with me right now? People aren’t allowed.”
As expected, the driver’s expression twisted. Even I would have shown the same reaction.
“Driver, I’m sorry. I urgently need to get there. If I take a car, I definitely won’t arrive on time, so I’m making this strange request. Please, just this once.”
I searched my pockets, found a wad of cash, gave it to the driver as a tip, and casually got on the back seat.
“Well I’ll be, I’m seeing all kinds of people. Ha… Get on for now. Wear the helmet in back and hold on tight.”
“Yes, thank you. Please arrive as quickly as possible.”
The man started as if he couldn’t win. As expected, money was the best.
