IDMPYU 37

37. The Obstacle Beside the Fine Man

When the twenty-six-year-old young executive said he wanted to meet with CEO Baek Jang-mi, she was certain this deal was already a win for her. Rumors were already circulating in the industry that Shin Seung-ho, not the eldest son Shin Myung-ho, was the true successor to Shinyang Group.

The fact that he was studying business at a prestigious British university only added fuel to those rumors. But that wasn’t important to her.

Baek, who had worked her way up from the bottom, trusted her instincts more than idle gossip.

No matter how impressive the name, wasn’t he still a fledgling with no real-world experience?

Dealing with a naïve kid who had done nothing but study sounded like child’s play.

He was surely just another cocky amateur pretending to be a businessman. With that complacent mindset, Baek Jang-mi burst into a laugh the moment she met him.

“Wow, Baek Jang-mi, you’ve lost your edge.”

There was not a trace of the greenhorn she had imagined.

Recalling the rumors that many prestigious families were already trying to set up arranged meetings with him, she could understand why. Even to her eyes—hardened by years of seeing countless models and influencers in business—he was undeniably good-looking.

His upright forehead, horizontally long eyes without double eyelids, and sharply defined nose harmonized to give off an extraordinary aura.

The moment his plump, red lips moved, Baek found herself flinching and, before she knew it, completely focused on him.

“He’s not just anyone.”

He had a natural charisma that drew people in.

Each time his lips curved into a smile or he politely responded in his low voice, she felt her guard slowly melting away. The more they talked, the more she wanted him—on a professional level, of course.

Her initial, cautious wariness had completely vanished. She wanted to introduce him to someone she knew—she had her own connections, after all.

Young, handsome, with a bright future ahead—he was a highly desirable catch.

If she could successfully act as the matchmaker, her own name would be associated with such a fine product.

The warm sake she had been sipping heated her from within. She could normally hold her liquor well, but somehow, the sake poured by Seung-ho tasted sweeter.

“Should I introduce you to someone good?”

Caught up in the tipsy high, she let her true intentions slip out. But that was as far as it went.

Snort.

Just when she expected a pleased reaction, Seung-ho’s lips curled into a smirk. It was clear mockery.

Flustered, Baek’s gaze drifted behind him—landing on the serene face that had been silently standing behind him throughout the meal. Pale skin, downcast eyes—an overall striking look. Her frustration over Seung-ho’s scorn shifted naturally to her.

Baek slowly scanned Ji-hyun from head to toe and clicked her tongue. Her looks were passable, but her attire was a complete eyesore.

“Where do you even find clothes like that—certainly not in any proper mall.”

Typical of a rookie just entering the workforce, everything she wore screamed inexperience. Even as she sipped from her sake cup, Baek’s eyes narrowed on Ji-hyun. A clueless beauty with a capable man—it was the kind of scandal that happened all the time in this industry.

“Girls like that always end up seducing the guy.”

A sudden anxiety took over her. She couldn’t bear the thought of her handpicked gem losing value over someone like that. She decided she needed to say something.

No matter how composed Seung-ho seemed, he was still a young man with hot blood. Spending too much time together—anything could happen.

Baek looked at him with steely determination.

A fine man should never be accompanied by a lowly obstacle.

“So boring.”

Seung-ho murmured in a low voice, downing the now-cold sake in one gulp. The pale-faced CEO Baek, gripping her pen awkwardly, managed to sign the document and fled as though escaping.

Of course, she also apologized—though not to Ji-hyun, but to Seung-ho.

“I’m really sorry if I offended you. Truly, I apologize.”

Whether her flushed face was due to alcohol or embarrassment was unclear—she left immediately after speaking.

“She ought to have a scandal leaked about her trashy drinking habits in the business world.”

Still fuming, Seung-ho grumbled for a while before abruptly rising and approaching Ji-hyun.

He pulled out a card from his inner pocket and handed it to her.

“Take this.”

“What is it?”

She expected a snarky comment like ‘Can’t you tell?’, but instead he said:

“Buy yourself some clothes.”

Ji-hyun pushed his hand away firmly.

“No, I’m fine. This is good enough.”

“Good enough?”

He repeated her words, his gaze turning cold as he looked at her small hand pushing him away.

“Choi Ji-hyun, I’m not going to criticize you for living frugally. But at least when you’re working with me, dress appropriately. Not all neat clothes are created equal.”

His calm tone was pleasant to hear, but the content was brutal. Ji-hyun felt bitter. As much as she hated to admit it, he wasn’t wrong. Seung-ho continued:

“The people I deal with are the kind who judge you by your first impression. If anything, your world is worse. Don’t let them look down on you from the start. You can manage that much, right? You think that CEO would’ve talked down to you like that if you weren’t dressed like a pauper?”

Ji-hyun couldn’t understand why Seung-ho was getting so angry—it wasn’t even his problem. He had insulted her more often and more harshly than anyone else. So why was he acting like he was the one being humiliated?

“Okay, I get it. I’ll keep it in mind. But I don’t need the card. I’ll handle it myself…”

As she tried to dodge the issue, he grabbed her wrist and forced the card into her hand.

“Just take it. Unless you want to go through the hassle of shopping twice.”

Knowing she could never win against him, Ji-hyun sighed and nodded. Finally, Seung-ho’s lips curled into a satisfied smirk.

“I’m starving. That food was tasteless.”

“…Huh?”

Gone was the gentleman—now he stood slouched, hands in his pockets, nodding toward the door.

“Let’s get something to eat.”

“…Okay.”

Somehow, he looked incredibly cool.

“You’re paying, right?”

But his words quickly ruined the mood.

“Why would I?”

“Oh, look at you.”

Seeing her shocked face, Seung-ho gave an incredulous laugh.

“You should treat me to celebrate your new job. Who do you think got you this position?”

Reading her skeptical expression, he raised an eyebrow.

“You really don’t get it. You had no problem eating and drinking with others, right? Or would you rather buy me a drink? I prefer whiskey, by the way.”

The word “whiskey” made Ji-hyun pale. She shoved him toward the exit.

“No, no. Let’s eat. Just food.”

Smiling at her panicked urging, he walked ahead as if indulging her.

While looking over the menu, Ji-hyun’s expression darkened.

She had mentally prepared herself since the place looked extravagant, but there wasn’t even a lunch special. Every dish had at least five zeros attached. Seung-ho, watching her scan the menu repeatedly, spoke casually.

“This is my go-to spot when I want sushi.”

He looked completely at ease, wiping his hands with a wet towel. Ji-hyun glared at him.

“Of course it is. You’re rich.”

He knew full well she was just an intern, yet brought her to this fancy sushi place anyway.

“Um, I didn’t want to interrupt while you were reading the menu…”

He moved the teapot and cups toward them and continued.

“Yeah?”

“I already ordered. Something off-menu.”

She felt dizzy. She could practically hear her unpaid salary flying out the window.

“You inconsiderate jerk.”

“You didn’t really expect me to eat tteokbokki or something to match your level, did you?”

Sipping his tea, Seung-ho’s eyes crinkled as he saw her obvious disappointment.

For a moment, Ji-hyun wanted to smack herself for ever thinking he was charming.

Eventually, the food arrived.

The large plate only held sushi and ginger—no other dishes.

Even at a glance, the high-quality fish sat perfectly atop small balls of rice. Ji-hyun picked up the most familiar flounder sushi and put it in her mouth. The tender fish and fluffy rice melted instantly on her tongue.

It was nothing like the discounted sushi from the supermarket.

Seung-ho nodded approvingly after popping in a few pieces.

“This place really gets the sushi balance right.”

Just as Ji-hyun was enjoying the melt-in-your-mouth sushi—and worrying about the bill—a big barley shrimp was placed in front of her. Seung-ho, acting like he was paying, looked smug as he offered it.

Annoyed by his nonchalant attitude, Ji-hyun didn’t refuse and popped the shrimp into her mouth. As she chewed, she heard him chuckle.

“Eat up. You’re probably going to have to work late tonight.”