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Chapter 20
Nade-ro’s thick eyebrows shot up, and flustered gazes intertwined in a chaotic tangle.
Amid the quiet uproar, Hyun-seung remained calm. Throwing a huge stone into a serene lake and maintaining such a composed expression—it was impressive. Yena silently watched Hyun-seung’s neat profile, grateful that he had voiced what she had wanted to say herself.
Jinsang, clearly flustered, fumbled as he answered.
“Uh? Ah, no, that’s not it. From my experience, trying something new often just wastes money without any real effect. It may be predictable, but this plan is the safest and most reliable.”
Hyun-seung looked Jinsang straight in the eyes.
“There are already numerous domestic and international famous golf wear brands on the market. As you said, do you really think a predictable event like this can distinguish us from existing brands?”
Even though all the key executives of Ilseong Industries were present, Hyun-seung was unshaken. Whenever his low, calm voice filled the room, people listened attentively, subtly tense.
“Uh! Y-yes… The ‘J.U.N’ brand targets young golf enthusiasts, so just that alone—”
“That’s exactly why I think we shouldn’t launch events in the same way as before.”
“……”
Jinsang opened his mouth to reply but then closed it. At that, Nade-ro, clearly displeased, glared sharply at Hyun-seung, letting his disapproval show.
“Huh! Director Cha, the old ways are the best. Sticking to what you know is always safest. It’s never easy, you know. And it’s not like you have some brilliant plan. Tch.”
Nade-ro, unfamiliar with genuine debate or exchange of ideas, seemed to interpret Hyun-seung’s words as defiance—toward either Jinsang or himself. He openly scolded Hyun-seung and then turned back to Jinsang.
“By the way, Deputy, have you considered the VIP list for the launch event?”
“Ah, no, I haven’t thought about it concretely yet, but I think a famous celebrity or sports star currently trending in the media would be ideal.”
“Then… who could that be? That one who recently appeared in a big article with Executive Choi… the one who got super popular from a Netflix drama?”
Jinsang glanced at Yena as he spoke.
“Uh, are you talking about Go Eun-chan?”
“Yes, that’s right. Go Eun-chan! It would be perfect to invite him. The hotel mentioned in that article… it was the Four Seasons, right? Exactly fits. If Executive Choi and Go Eun-chan meet at our Ilseong Industries event at the Four Seasons, wouldn’t that be a hit already? The reporters will come on their own.”
“……!”
The executives’ embarrassed gazes subtly shifted toward Yena. Some barely suppressed a smirk.
Yena, silently listening, felt her ears burn instantly under the attention. But she didn’t have the courage to argue. She kept her gaze fixed on the floor, trying to suppress the surge of shame and anger.
Hyun-seung furrowed his brows deeply as he looked at Yena.
After the planning team’s presentations concluded, Jinsang’s launch event proposal was finally approved by the executives. Thanks to Nade-ro’s blatant support, Jinsang’s plan narrowly surpassed Dahyun’s proposal.
After the announcement, Nade-ro’s exaggeratedly loud voice echoed through the conference room.
“Hahaha! See, what did I say? Deputy, or should I say now Manager, Jinsang Lee, congratulations on your promotion in advance.”
“Thanks to the Vice President, I will continue to work hard.”
Jinsang’s flushed cheeks reflected his joy, and he kept bowing repeatedly to Nade-ro.
Yena, witnessing this spectacle, lowered her head and pressed her tired eyelids with her fists. After the noisy commotion died down and everyone gradually left, Yena remained behind, alone like a stone.
Thinking of Jinsang—the murderer who had even taken Ji-yoon’s seat—made a surge of heat rise from deep within her. She bit her inner lip as she recalled Nade-ro openly mocking her and the executives subtly siding with him.
It was a harsh reminder of how insignificant her position was within Ilseong Industries. She had thought she could handle anything, but reality was not so forgiving. She felt lost, unsure where to begin or what to do.
“Executive.”
A soft voice sounded behind her. Startled, Yena turned around, realizing she wasn’t alone.
“Ah… you’re still here.”
Hyun-seung studied her expression with concern.
“Yes. Are you okay? You look exhausted.”
“I’m a bit tired today.”
“You’ve been overworking lately.”
Hyun-seung recalled how Yena hadn’t been taking breaks and had thrown herself into company work.
“No, compared to the work I used to do, this is nothing…”
“Excuse me?”
“Oh, it’s nothing.”
Yena quickly averted her face to hide her flustered expression. Hyun-seung continued gently, as if comforting her.
“Please don’t pay too much attention to Vice President Nade-ro’s words.”
“Yes, of course. I’ll do that. I want to get some fresh air. Could you drive for me? Driving’s not easy for me these days.”
“Of course. I’ll drive.”
Hyun-seung smiled gently.
The red Ferrari slid smoothly out of the underground parking lot.
“Executive, do you have a destination in mind?”
“Yes. There’s a place I’ve wanted to visit for a long time.”
“Where should we go?”
“A small hill next to Gwangjang-dong Central Market.”
“Excuse me?”
“There’s a small hill next to Gwangjang-dong Central Market. I want to go there.”
“……!”
Hyun-seung’s eyebrows twitched. He silently repeated Yena’s words in his mind.
“You know where the Central Market is, right?”
“Yes. But how do you know that area? It’s a suburb of Seoul.”
Yena chose her words carefully.
“I… visited it when I was little. But today, I just feel like going again. There used to be many acacia trees on that hill. They probably haven’t bloomed yet.”
“Acacia trees?”
“Yes, I like acacia trees.”
Hyun-seung’s grip on the steering wheel tightened.
During the drive, neither spoke. The car was filled with quiet stillness.
The hill Yena mentioned was very close, just across the street from the Central Market.
“There’s no parking there, so we need to park at a public lot near the market. If you turn right here, you’ll see it.”
“Understood.”
Hyun-seung was confused. It was his first time coming to a suburban area of Seoul with Yena, and also his first time visiting a small back hill. Moreover, Yena guided the way as if she were familiar with it, which made him even more suspicious.
Yena walked ahead confidently, ignoring curious glances. Hyun-seung followed quietly, keeping his eyes on her. At the entrance to the hill across from the market was a small store called Happy Super.
“Oh my! This store is still here. I used to come here all the time as a kid.”
“……?”
Hyun-seung paused to look at the sign. Weathered and rusty, it showed the passage of time. Yena quickly added explanation.
“Oh, I just came here once as a kid. It’s still the same. Haha.”
Tall acacia trees densely filled the small hill.
Entering a narrow path, the green leaves radiated vitality. The hill felt almost mystical, like stepping into another dimension.
Yena, seemingly forgetting Hyun-seung’s presence, wandered along the acacia-lined path, humming to herself. “Ah, the flowers haven’t bloomed yet. I’ll come back when they do.” She seemed like a child, innocent and carefree.
Hyun-seung froze, memories of Ji-yoon creeping back unexpectedly.
Could it be…? Somehow, Yena’s silhouette reminded him of young Ji-yoon.
After wandering through the hill for a while, Yena finally seemed to remember and turned to Hyun-seung with a faint smile.
“I’m sorry for making you come along. Should we head back to the company now?”
“Yes, Executive.”
“Let’s have something cold to drink at the store ahead first.”
“Sure.”
In front of Happy Super was a slightly tilted table with a faded red umbrella. It looked exactly like in her childhood memories. Yena sank into a red plastic chair.
“Let’s drink here. What would you like?”
“Just water, thank you.”
“I’ll get it.”
Before Hyun-seung could protest, Yena sprang up and disappeared into the store.
A moment later, she returned holding a water bottle in one hand and a slightly swollen banana milk in the other.
Hyun-seung stared at the banana milk in her hand, curiosity finally overcoming him.
“It’s my first time seeing you drink banana milk, Executive.”
