IDMPYU 36

36. I’ll Introduce You to Someone Nice.
“Haa…”

Jihyun sighed after downing a hangover cure she bought at the pharmacy. Her stomach churned like hell, and she felt like she was going to die, but she kept moving without rest until the sky started to look yellow. She thought the deliveries were finally done and was setting a salad down in front of Seungho when—

“It smells.”

“…What?”

Jihyun was momentarily flustered by the casual but sharp words.

“Alcohol smell.”

Could it be that she still reeked of alcohol?

Jihyun subtly sniffed the collar of her shirt. But all she could smell was the lingering scent of the perfume she had sprayed that morning—not a trace of alcohol.

“Getting drunk right after your first day at work? That’s even more careless than I thought.”

Did Seungho have a blade on his tongue? Every word he spat was sharp and polished.

“I’ve lost my appetite because of the alcohol smell. Take it away.”

He even made her feel guilty for something that didn’t make sense.

This was too much. Just as she felt she’d hit her limit, Jihyun caught a look in Seungho’s eyes.

The slightly curved slant of his eyes made her want to curse out loud. He was enjoying her misery.

“Your stomach must be upset. Go buy yourself another hangover drink.”

“I’m fine. It’s not that bad.”

His act of pretending to care only fueled Jihyun’s stubbornness, and she clenched her teeth.

Seungho dropped the stack of documents he’d been reading and casually interlaced his fingers.

“You do know it’s been less than an hour since you started work, right? Today’s schedule is packed. Even if you feel sick, too bad. I won’t tell you to go home early.”

She wanted to say she was fine again, but her stomach twisted violently. Left with no choice, she trudged back toward the entrance.

‘Seriously, what was I thinking drinking so much? Foolish Choi Jihyun!’

She wanted to punch her past self. Leaning against the flowerbed beside the pharmacy, Jihyun lifted her head. The sky, which had only shown clouds lately, was unusually clear. It was the kind of weather that made her want to go home.

“Ah, I want to clock out already.”

Her phone vibrated in her hand.

“Perfect timing.”

She frowned deeply as she picked up the call, and before she could even speak, a scolding voice came through.

—What are you spacing out for? Think this is recess at school?

“I was just heading back.”

—Liar…

His words made her jolt as if he were watching her. When she looked around, she spotted the same black sedan from yesterday. It was Seungho’s car. Her steps toward him felt heavier.

‘I really want to go home.’

Jihyun quietly stood behind Seungho, holding her breath as she watched a dozen neat side dishes being brought out.

The meeting was set in a private room at a high-end traditional Korean restaurant—apparently, the person they were meeting preferred this kind of setting.

“So we finally meet, Director Shin Seungho.”

A well-dressed middle-aged woman sat across from him.

“I expected you to be young, but you’re even better looking than I thought.”

When she smiled, her eyes didn’t crinkle—likely thanks to Botox. She was old enough to have a son Seungho’s age if she’d married early, but her gaze still carried a faint spark of interest in him.

“You flatter me.”

Seungho smiled modestly.

“Representative Baek, you look much younger than I expected as well.”

It was obviously flattery, but the woman giggled like a schoolgirl. Seungho picked up the warm sake and poured it into her glass.

Jihyun tried to suppress the strange expression twisting her face. She couldn’t see his face since he had his back to her, but Seungho’s uncharacteristically gentle tone felt foreign.

“Let’s talk over the meal.”

“Of course. But your secretary?”

Representative Baek, picking up her utensils, glanced at Jihyun.

“Does she have to keep standing there?”

Seungho turned his head and gave Jihyun a sideways glance.

“Why?”

“It makes me uncomfortable. I hate when people eavesdrop on conversations…”

It sounded like she was being considerate, but in truth, she was asking for privacy.

Jihyun hesitated and looked at the broad back in front of her. Representative Baek glared as if to say, Why aren’t you leaving yet? Seungho took a sip of water and wiped his mouth with a napkin.

“She’s not leaving.”

“…What?”

Baek’s expression twisted at his unexpected firmness. To be more accurate, only her lips moved—the rest of her Botox-filled face stayed taut.

“My secretary will stay. So let’s skip the nonsense and get to the point.”

Seungho deftly steered the conversation back on track.

Representative Baek had started with a small online shop that had exploded in popularity. The expanded business was split into various affiliates. Though she had stepped back from the main company, she still made the major decisions.

Seungho was planning to acquire one of her smaller subsidiaries—a social media marketing company.

“It’s a small but profitable company. Don’t you think the price you offered is a bit insulting?”

Jihyun swallowed nervously. She had skimmed through the documents Seungho gave her earlier. Though the terminology was difficult, she couldn’t forget the staggering figure with over ten zeros. Even as a business novice, she knew it wasn’t a lowball offer.

“If that’s how you feel, I apologize. I’ll raise the price.”

He replied without hesitation. Baek’s eyes widened, but she quickly pressed her lips together.

“I thought you’d be hesitant to negotiate, being young and all. But you’ve got guts.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Baek seemed more pleased with the deal now. She picked up a grilled yellow corvina and placed a piece in Seungho’s rice bowl.

“Director Shin, are you seeing anyone?”

Jihyun’s gaze shifted toward Seungho’s back. She hadn’t expected that. Did the 26-year-old Shin Seungho have a girlfriend? She was quite curious.

“…”

Baek nodded as if his silence was an answer.

“You’re too handsome to be single. But they say it’s good to meet lots of people while you’re young.”

As Baek chattered on, Seungho stopped eating and let out a deep breath. Jihyun knew that sound very well—it meant he was getting annoyed. That he still breathed so calmly when clearly irritated was just like him.

“I know a girl who’s drop-dead gorgeous. Want to meet her?”

Baek muttered as she picked at her food.

“No, she’s a bit too light-hearted. I’ll introduce you to someone better.”

Seungho still didn’t respond, but Baek, now flushed from the sake, grew more talkative.

“And just a bit of advice—you should hire a male secretary. If you keep a woman by your side, scandals are bound to happen. Even if she’s not on your level, gossip spreads fast and it’ll ruin your image.”

She gave Jihyun a side glance and leaned in to whisper.

“Girls like her are always hungry for successful men. Be careful.”

Seungho suddenly set his chopsticks down with a sharp clack.

“Hoo…”

He tilted his head and let out a long breath. The mask of his gentlemanly act seemed to peel off, and Baek’s pupils wavered.

The atmosphere turned ice-cold in an instant.

“Did I… say something wrong?”

Baek forced a laugh to ease the tension.

“Informal speech…”

“Hmm?”

“You’ve been speaking informally this whole time. I’m not your son, Representative Baek.”

His low, calm voice sent chills down Jihyun’s spine.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I just got too comfortable, wanting to get closer.”

Baek waved her hands, flustered. Ignoring her, Seungho turned to Jihyun.

“Bring the contract.”

Baek’s face turned pale as she sensed the gravity of the situation.

“There’s no need to rush the deal…”

“If we’ve agreed on terms, we should sign right away. I’ll stick to the original amount. But…”

His eyes shifted from Baek to Jihyun.

“I want an apology.”

“…What?”

Baek and Jihyun’s faces twisted in sync at his shocking words. Only Seungho remained calm, reviewing the contract.

“You insulted what’s mine, and I’m in a really foul mood right now. So apologize.”