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chapter 60
Aejeong was an employee in the Sales Department of the Yeongdo Group.
In other words, the man wearing that employee ID around his neck was someone who knew her.
“Sales Department 3, Hwang Dongchan.”
Of course, it was the first time she had met him.
But Dongchan, who already knew ‘Aejeong,’ adjusted his messy clothes while moving some luggage and continued speaking.
“What are you doing here? Ah, you came knowing this is an exhibition sponsored by Yeongdo. Well, I guess it makes sense—you’ve always followed events around and taken care of things even when you worked at your company.”
Through his words, Yoonjae understood what he meant.
“So that’s what the ID card was about.”
Now her understanding of his fixed stare and slightly unpleasant vibe made sense.
Since this was an exhibition hall that Yeongdo was collaborating with, he had told her to take the day off for her birthday but ended up bringing her back to work anyway.
Seeing the employee with the ID card around his neck seemed to confirm it.
However, one thing remained:
“Why does he talk like this?”
His choice of words, seemingly polite but subtly condescending, irritated her.
It wasn’t mere imagination—her instincts kept raising red flags. Still, she couldn’t suddenly ask, “Why are you talking like that?”
So they remained silent, responding with quiet composure. Fortunately, Dongchan seemed used to her silence and spoke first.
“But there’s no need to take care of a former employee. Well, still, since we met like this, let’s shake hands.”
There was no reason to refuse the hand he offered.
“How have you been?”
They exchanged handshakes with minimal words. So far, it was tolerable rudeness.
“I’ve been well, thanks to you.”
For the first time, giving a proper answer while shaking hands caused cracks in his hearty eye-smile.
“Thanks to me?”
He quickly pulled his hand away and burst into laughter.
It was an overly deliberate and artificial laugh, making her frown behind her sunglasses.
The rudeness that had been tolerable just moments ago no longer was.
“Wow, Aejeong, you’ve changed a lot. Life must be better now that you left the office. Right?”
Now the thinly veiled malice was obvious, nearly making her sigh.
She always noticed that among people associated with Juaejeong, no one was decent—not even herself.
They silently watched his teasing posture, and Dongchan, grinning smugly, sensed something off.
“…What’s going on?”
Being called to an event on a precious weekend even though he wasn’t in charge was already irritating. Seeing this sudden, unexpected appearance of the “class clown” was annoying.
Class clown.
It was the nickname for Juaejeong, the perennial junior employee of the Sales Department.
She had never received a proper evaluation since joining and would likely never become an assistant manager, earning the department’s nickname for their “perpetual underachiever.”
She wasn’t a socially awkward adult ostracized by others, but her slow hands, excessive gloom, and habit of constantly apologizing made her unliked.
In a harsh world, failing to fulfill one’s role naturally led to poor treatment.
She used to cry about it not long ago, but today, the atmosphere was different.
Straight and rigid, perhaps.
“…Or maybe not.”
Despite wearing sunglasses oddly, her quiet composure suggested she hadn’t changed that much.
Dongchan shrugged.
“But why the sunglasses? I almost didn’t recognize you. Still, since I got used to taking care of you at work, you recognized me right away. Without me, no one would have noticed you—you were that invisible. I told you I have a sharp eye.”
“….”
“What, are you still sulking over your performance review? I didn’t do it on purpose. I had no choice. So behave. If the manager dislikes you, act cute, do pretty things, and contact him. You always mutter to yourself and make mistakes.”
He babbled on, venting his frustration at being called in on the weekend.
Not forgetting to boast a little:
“Oh, I’m getting promoted soon. We’re meeting up, do you want to come? Everyone’s been wanting to see you, especially Seungjun…”
Just as she was gauging how far he would go, he noticed the ring on her bagged hand.
“Ah, Aejeong.”
He pointed to the ring, one even a layperson could recognize as valuable.
“Do you have a boyfriend?”
For the first time, it was a clear, understandable question.
She answered calmly.
“I’m married.”
She saw no reason to hide it. Only then did Dongchan’s eyes register the truth.
“Married? No way. How so suddenly? There was a man? Oh, no…”
He blinked like a startled toad, and his gaze shifted slyly toward her stomach.
The implication was clear.
“Aejeong, you’re more active than I thought. Why didn’t I know sooner? Oh, so that’s how it is. Naughty, huh?”
Snap.
The tenuous line of civility broke.
“If I’d known you were this bold, I’d have tried being closer. But no, a quiet cat climbs the stove first…”
“This mouth of yours has been blabbing nonsense all along.”
“…What?”
“Where do you think you’re staring? Act your age, jerk.”
When someone is utterly baffled, words fail them. Dongchan was in that exact situation. His mouth opened, but no sound came out, as they removed their sunglasses.
“…!”
Their frost-sharp eyes met his, and his mouth snapped shut.
Those murderous eyes were nothing like the Aejeong he knew.
A different person—he thought that in an instant.
She was that different.
Of course, his shock mattered little to her. She stepped forward, glaring at Dongchan, who was about her height, radiating deadly intent.
“If you came to work, do your work instead of bothering people. What the hell are you? Who do you think you are?”
Words like blades shot out in rapid fire, a stark contrast to her previous silence.
Dongchan stammered backward, and she grabbed his employee ID, sneering.
“Hwang Dongchan? You’re all talk and no brains. Where do you get off being sleazy? Do you know me? Naughty? Cat? Really…”
Just as she was about to rip the ID out with all her strength, a large, warm hand from behind enveloped hers.
“You’ll hurt your hand.”
Worried she might hurt herself on the hard ID card.
Slowly, the familiar warmth against her back and the low voice soothed her boiling anger.
It was Yoonjae.
He pressed down on her shoulder, loosening her grip on the ID.
“Relax.”
“No… that bastard… that jerk.”
“Bastard or jerk, both are insults.”
“Yeah, he makes me curse.”
She released her hand from Yoonjae and stomped her feet in frustration.
‘How much has this idiot been through?’
Why were all the people around like this?
Sensing her unspent anger, Yoonjae moved her beside him and checked Dongchan’s ID.
“Sales Department 3, Hwang Dongchan, Manager.”
He casually filed Dongchan’s profile in his mind.
“See you again.”
It would be a completely unwelcome reunion for Dongchan.
A familiar face.
Seeing Yoonjae, Dongchan thought that, but he still hadn’t recovered, ignoring the strange déjà vu and venting his late frustration.
“…Wait, what? You guys are tormenting people in pairs! Stop! Hey, you!”
As he reached to grab her arm, Yoonjae’s hand sharply slapped his away.
Then, with a glare that spread like a beam, he grabbed Dongchan by the collar.
“Ugh!”
Caught instantly, Dongchan stood on tiptoe. The height difference made it hard to breathe, and he could say nothing.
Yoonjae’s eyes were like a calm lake, but the beam they emitted was suffocating.
“Let’s stop.”
“…cough.”
They would meet again anyway.
Yoonjae let go of Dongchan, who didn’t understand the unspoken warning, and turned away without regret.
Only after some distance did Dongchan rub his neck, igniting his anger.
“…Those guys…”
“Manager Hwang, what’s wrong? What happened?”
From afar, two employees, including Deputy Manager Kwon, had rushed over in a panic.
Dongchan tugged at his tie aggressively.
“Kwon, you said you’re like the police. Give me the contact. Oh, and check the CCTV too. Those jerks won’t get away with this.”
“Why? What did you talk about with the Executive Director?”
“Stop talking. Just give it to me… what? Who?”
Dongchan snapped out of it, realizing what he had said, and looked at Kwon.
But Kwon, who had only been watching and couldn’t imagine the collar-grabbing, smiled innocently.
“It’s Executive Director Ha Yoonjae. The person who was with you just now. Did you greet him? You seemed really close.”
“….”
Dongchan blinked and slumped, utterly dazed.
“Manager? Manager, what’s wrong? Uh, uh?”
The frantic gaze followed the two, but they had already disappeared.
