DYEH 35

Chapter 35

“I think I told you before — I’ll collect the debt of gratitude when I want to. And right now, there’s nothing I want.”

Seo-hee cut him off coldly. It was true. Now wasn’t the time to accept Woo-hyuk’s help. He was someone whose aid she planned to use only when it was absolutely necessary — and for a sacred purpose.

“What if I say I don’t like you refusing me?”

Woo-hyuk spoke words that didn’t match his heart. Seo-hee saw right through him and replied immediately.

“You’re not the type. If that were your intention, you wouldn’t have come all the way here to talk to me about it.”

He felt as if she’d hit a nerve. The more he saw her, the less he could figure her out. Every word she said carried a strange certainty, as if she could see the future — and oddly enough, things always seemed to turn out the way she said they would.

After all, wasn’t he here now because she’d persuaded him to come? And the more team missions they did together, the more he realized how exceptional she was.

He found himself wanting to know more about her.

“Have we met before? Before the library, I mean. Is it possible that I just don’t remember you, Ms. Han Seo-hee?”

It was a reasonable question. Their first meeting had supposedly been at the library, yet she spoke as if she had known him for years.

Even when it came to Professor Kim Sang-tae’s affair — she’d known things she shouldn’t have. He hadn’t pressed her for answers, but he couldn’t help wondering how she knew.

“No. We haven’t.”

He had secretly hoped otherwise — that maybe they had met before, that this was why she seemed to know him so well. If that were true, it might explain the strange interest he kept taking in her. Maybe he just couldn’t remember their past.

But of course, her answer shattered that hope completely.

“Really never?”
“Yes.”

Well, if they had met before, she’d have no reason to lie about it.

Woo-hyuk nodded slowly.

“If you’re done talking, I’ll get going.”

Just as Seo-hee turned to leave, her eyes caught a familiar face in the distance. Her brows furrowed instinctively.

Han I-soo? Still sneaky as a stray cat, I see.

How long had she been there? From behind a round column in the lobby, someone was clearly watching them — it was I-soo.

She was probably trying to eavesdrop on her and Woo-hyuk’s conversation.
Fine, Seo-hee thought, then I’ll use you, too.

I-soo was already dancing in the palm of her hand. Seo-hee could easily imagine what she would do next after spying here.

You came running for bait I hadn’t even thrown, Han I-soo.

Seo-hee decided to toss her a real one.

“Oh, Mr. Jin Woo-hyuk.”
“Yes?”
“I think it would be good to strengthen the design aspect a bit more.”

Woo-hyuk’s expression showed confusion, while I-soo’s eyes, still listening from afar, gleamed with interest. No doubt she thought she’d just overheard something valuable.

After slipping away unnoticed, I-soo disappeared. Seo-hee glanced sideways, confirming her retreat.

“I’m sorry, but I didn’t quite get what you meant.”

Woo-hyuk’s voice brought her back.

“Oh, I just meant — when you’re working on the PPT, please keep the design as simple as possible. Have a good night.”

With that, Seo-hee headed toward the dormitory.

A short while later, Chairman Han asked Choi Jung-hoon, who had come by for a report, about his grandchildren for the first time.

“So? How are they all doing?”

Since he’d personally given them a mission, the results would be revealed at the final presentation. He’d planned to act as if he wasn’t curious — but he couldn’t help wondering about Jin Woo-hyuk.

Since Seo-hee was interested in him, his own attention had naturally turned that way, too. Choi Jung-hoon knew perfectly well what the chairman was really asking, but played along, giving a neutral report first.

“Yes, fortunately, they all seem to be adapting well. Jun-young and Seo-hee ended up on the same team.”
“What? I told them to compete, and they went and teamed up?”

He said that, but a smile lingered on his lips — one of satisfaction.

After all, the group was too large to be led by one person alone. His real wish was that, after his death, they’d learn to cooperate and lead the company together.

Only the matter of who would ultimately take the helm remained undecided. He had expected pure rivalry, so hearing that Seo-hee and Jun-young had allied — even if just strategically — was pleasing.

Choi Jung-hoon, sensing the chairman’s mood, added some praise.

“Jun-young and Seo-hee seem to work very well together. I was worried about Jun-young, since he’s been in the U.S. for so long, but he’s adjusting to the corporate culture better than expected.”
“I see.”
“And there’s another member in their team…”
“Who?”
“Jin Woo-hyuk.”

A faint smile curved the chairman’s lips.

“Ah, so that’s how it is.”
“I haven’t confirmed much yet, but from what I’ve observed, their relationship seems to be more than just professional.”
“We’ll see. When one of the two has feelings, it rarely ends with nothing.”
“I’ll keep watching for a while longer.”
“And that girl, I-soo?”

He couldn’t completely ignore her either — she was also his grandchild, after all. Smart and quick-witted, yes, but…

“She’s formed her own team and is preparing separately.”
“And how’s she getting along?”

That was what worried him most. He had long known that the polite girl in front of him behaved quite differently when others weren’t watching.

But that kind of attitude would be unacceptable at work. I-soo wasn’t just another employee — someday she’d be in a leadership position within one of the subsidiaries. Conduct mattered.

“She’s ambitious, but doesn’t seem to get along well with her teammates.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. There’ve been reports of arguments during team-mission prep.”
“We’ll see whether it was healthy debate or plain arrogance. Either way, we’ll find out during the final presentation.”

At least they were adapting. That was a relief — and perhaps why the chairman found himself all the more eager for the upcoming event.

“Make sure the schedule’s adjusted so I can attend the presentation on time.”
“Yes, Chairman.”

Time at the training center flew by.

As they prepared for the final presentation, the awkwardness among team members had vanished — though they weren’t exactly close friends either.

Woo-hyuk, Jun-young, and Dong-jin had become quite friendly, living together in the same dorm, but Seo-hee kept her usual polite distance. She was courteous but never crossed the line — not even with Jun-young.

It might have stung, but Jun-young didn’t show it. He hadn’t even spoken to his own sister, I-soo, after all.

“Everyone feeling okay?”

As team leader for the past three weeks, Jun-young encouraged them one last time, having guided the team well with his maturity and sense of responsibility.

“Couldn’t be better!”

Dong-jin joked brightly.

“I’m fine, hyung.”

Woo-hyuk’s reply was typical of him.

“Still, don’t lose focus,” Seo-hee reminded them calmly, keeping everyone sharp.
They really did look like the perfect team.

Once each team was seated at their tables, the training director stepped onto the stage, just like on the first day.

“Well, everyone — great job completing the program. I don’t think we’ve ever had such a passionate group of new recruits.”

Laughter and applause rippled through the hall.

“Normally, my speech would mark the end of training, but as you know, this time’s an exception.”

He was referring to Chairman Han’s special project.

“The chairman will be arriving shortly. Presentations will begin with Team 1, so please prepare. Good luck to you all.”

With that, he stepped aside — and Chairman Han entered, accompanied by Vice President Han Tae-gyu from Shinseong Electronics. Since the mission involved the company, it made sense for him to attend.

Once they were seated at the long table in front of the stage, the final presentations began. Out of all submitted plans, only ten teams had been chosen to present — fortunately, both I-soo’s team and Seo-hee’s had made the cut.

The atmosphere was tense and serious. The chairman’s face was filled with expectation — though it didn’t last long.

Maybe it was too much for new hires, he thought in disappointment.

Even though he’d mostly expected results from his grandchildren, he couldn’t hide his letdown. His questions to presenters grew sharp and clinical — the kind you’d hear in a real executive meeting.

The room quickly froze under the pressure.

“Next team, please.”

Then, amid the heavy air, a confident voice rang out.

“Hello, I’m Han I-soo, and I’ll be presenting for Team 10.”

Her bright, energetic tone cut through the tension like sunlight. She looked unshaken — even triumphant.

Watch me, Grandfather.

With a confident smile, I-soo even met Tae-gyu’s gaze. With her father present as well, she was determined to make an impression.

“I’d like to ask for your understanding before I begin.”
“Go ahead,” the chairman said coolly.