Chapter 5.1

Chapter 5.1

Monday morning, Hajun returned to his office after a busy executive meeting. Executive Director Park fell into step beside him.

Executive Director Park, who outranked Hajun, frequently sought him out. Hajun figured it was because Park was his father’s man.

Seeing Hajun’s gloomy and battered face, Executive Director Park quietly asked,

“How was the meeting?”

“Fine.”

“Then why do you look like that?”

“As you can see, I just got verbally thrashed. Every time I suggest something, they just shoot it down. If they’re so against everything, they should just do it themselves. They pile on tons of work and exploit me, but they never listen to what I have to say.”

“That’s why you need to show them what you’re capable of this time. You’re going to Germany soon, aren’t you?”

Wasn’t that a matter big brother secretly handed over to him, which is why he called Hajun at dawn? Does everyone have eyes and ears everywhere? It felt like any slip-up, and they’d even know the color of his underwear today.

Wait. Was his underwear today: navy, or black?

He couldn’t remember. Seeing how easily a “tent” had formed this morning, it seemed his “big shot” downstairs was safe. Or had it shriveled up from disuse lately?

…F-/ck. He was so sick of work, his mind was wandering to all sorts of nonsense.

Hajun let out a sigh.

“If the Chairman tells me to do it, I’ll do it. What power does a child exiled from Seomyeon Group have anyway?”

Park chuckled at the word ‘exiled.’

“I’ve scheduled a meeting with the interpreter this afternoon. I thought it would be good to meet beforehand and have a meal.”

Hajun looked puzzled. Just how amazing was this interpreter that they needed a preliminary meeting? He already had a mountain of backlogged work. If he had time for this, he’d rather go home and sleep.

“Is there really a need? If Executive Director Park chose them, I’m sure they’re perfectly capable.”

Park straightened Hajun’s crooked tie as he spoke.

“It’s an important business trip. I’ve secured a very competent interpreter, so you’ll find them quite helpful.”

Hajun stopped halfway to his office. A strange premonition flashed through his mind. It felt like too much of a fuss for Executive Director Park to seek him out at this particular time just to inform him about an interpreter meeting.

“Is it a woman, by any chance?”

“Yes.”

“Is she pretty?”

At that question, Park pressed his lips together. It was such a typical Hajun question, after all. He then added,

“The President didn’t deliberately assign this interpreter to marry off his only son during this trip.”

“So my premonition is wrong?”

“Yes, it’s truly because she’s a very capable interpreter. Besides German, she’s also fluent in French and Italian. Keep her with you throughout the trip for your business. Take this opportunity to make some international friends too.”

Hajun scoffed. His father had babied him his whole life, never even letting him study abroad for fear he’d die overseas. And now, belatedly, telling him to make international friends? It just meant he should bring all useful contacts into the company’s fold. He really underestimated his son.

“I can manage that perfectly fine without her help, you know?”

“I know, Director. I’m well aware of your excellent social skills.”

Hajun, who had resumed his brisk pace, turned around once more. He stripped away the facade from Executive Director Park’s heavy, serious face.

“Uncle, can’t you just drop the formalities when we’re alone? It makes me uncomfortable. I already hate coming to work, and you acting like this just makes me want to come even less.”

“Why? Do you want to play hooky?”

“What’s ‘hooky’? Ugh, seriously. That’s why you’re impossible, uncle. How can you be my age and still have the same level of maturity as me?”

“Oh, so you know your own level, do you? Stop messing around and work hard. You need to get promoted faster than me.”

Executive Director Park, still looking at Hajun as if he were a seven-year-old kid, annoyingly pinched one of Hajun’s cheeks.

“Ow, ow! That hurts!”

“Your reaction just makes me want to let go even less.”

“So? Why did father suddenly assign a female interpreter? This has a hidden agenda, doesn’t it? Seriously, spill it.”

“Well, why don’t you ask the interpreter yourself this afternoon, Director Kim Hajun?”

Executive Director Park, now stiffly formal again, released Hajun’s cheek and disappeared into the elevator.

Honestly. Everywhere he went, everyone was desperate to give him more work. This was why he hated it. He couldn’t wrap his head around the idea that he would someday rule over his uncle.

This sucks. He was in a terrible mood.

Hajun gently rubbed the cheek Park had pinched.

Hajun’s complexion, which had been poor for a few days, was back to normal. He had snuck away from work for a quick exercise session, and now his whole body felt energized.

Indeed, moving his body was a hundred times better than being stuck in a stuffy office, poring over dense documents.