Chapter 109

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On Monday morning, after the manager’s meeting hosted by the president ended, Youngsu Park went back to his office. Given his sullen face, it seemed that he, along with other managers, were rebuked severely by the president for the matter of the luxury department splitting into a separate company.

Let’s have a meeting,
said Youngsu to the team members.
As if he was waiting for the team manager anxiously, assistant manager Yonggu called the meeting. Younggu tried to slip out of the office.

If you don’t mind, please attend our meeting, manager. As this is not a brainstorming session, you may attend.


Really? Are you sure?

Yonggu immediately held the meeting, but the team members didn’t bring any good ideas about the fate of the luxury department.
Actually, it was almost impossible for them to come up with any good idea as the president declared that he could not separate the luxury department from Aurum as an independent corporation.
However, Yonggu proposed the same idea again.

There is no other way. You have to persuade the president to separate it from Aurum as an independent corporation,
said Yonggu.

Don’t you think I don’t know that, man? The president wouldn’t be persuaded…

answered Youngsu with a sigh.
Then Yonggu proposed a new idea suddenly,
I think it is much easier to persuade the president than to try to come up with a new idea. If you allow me, I’d like to meet the president directly and persuade him.

Youngsu made a blank expression on his face, saying
You want to see him?


Yea, I’ve been agonizing over the issue over the weekend. And I thought the president might agree with my idea.


Have you prepared a proposal in advance?

As if he already prepared it, he showed a file to Youngsu. It was a proposal he worked on with Hyunwoo over the weekend. Of course, there was no mention of Hyunwoo’s network with the TV talent.

Selling the studio set instead of the furniture?


As you know, this is the luxury marketing intended for the rich, so if we design the atmosphere of the whole set afresh instead of selling one luxurious piece of furniture, I think there is a great potential for making profits.


In other words, you’re suggesting sponsoring a TV soap opera instead of traditional marketing. I don’t think it will be that easy to get the sponsorship.


As it’s a difficult task, we’ll get the big reward when we succeed. Aurum has a great PR man like you. We can depend on your PR capabilities, I think.

Yonggu flattered him to the best he could, which Hyunwoo watched in amusement. Youngsu accepted Yonggu’s idea.

Thanks, Manager Park.

Yonggu and Youngsu went to the president’s office. Hyunwoo wanted to go as well but decided not to because he thought Yonggu could manage it on his own.
About one hour later. Both of them came back to the office. Hyunwoo got nervous all along while they’re meeting the president, but he was relieved to see their bright faces.

What happened?

Yonggu made a circle with his finger at his asking,
The president said he would give it a positive consideration. He’s going to decide on it at the meeting this Friday.

The team members’ faces brightened. Though the president didn’t make a final decision yet, it was obvious that the purchasing team earned high marks again this time. If this trend continued, all of them would get a promotion during the next year’s regular performance period.

Nice job!

But Sangho didn’t feel good about it, with a sullen face. He seemed to be concerned more about his cold,
Cough! By the way, when are they turning on the furnace? It looks like they’re trying to save too much money when it’s too cold outside.


I agree. My feet are getting too cold.

Younggu was of the same opinion. As it got cold so suddenly, he suggested turning on the furnace to the president but was rejected.
The next day, the temperature dropped even further and came with a heavy wind.
The team members of the purchasing team began to complain.

I’m afraid I will have to wear long underwear starting tomorrow.


I have to buy cotton slippers immediately.

Hyunwoo shared their feelings. Though he didn’t feel as much as his team members, his feet were cold, so everyone sat cross-legged and took off their shoes.
It was already lunchtime. After having a quick lunch, Hyunwoo came back into the office.
Suji Min, who had arrived at her desk already, approached Hyunwoo after looking around the office.
She held out a paper bag to him.

What’s this?


I purchased this yesterday. They hosted a sales event called
One plus One,
so I purchased another one,
said Suji.
When Hyunwoo opened it, he saw a pair of beige slippers. Hyunwoo had been thinking of buying slippers because of his cold feet in the office. He removed the packaging and put on the slippers.

Wow! They’re so warm. Thanks!

Suji smiled a bit and went back to her desk as if it was nothing.
Suddenly, Hyunwoo felt something strange.
If she bought another one at the One plus One sales event, she should give it to Sangho, right?
To make sure, Hyunwoo stole a glance at Sangho’s desk, pretending to go to the restroom.
There was nothing like cotton slippers in his desk. Instead, there was a pair of artificial leather slippers there.
What the heck is this? Why did she give them to me then…?
Suddenly, Hyunwoo thought of what happened between him and her last Saturday when he was at the House of Happiness. While he was having a meeting with the Ani & Funny staff, he received a text message from Suji. At that time, he didn’t give it much thought, but when he came to think about it again, there was something special about it. In particular, her response to the blocked number was striking. Why did she think the caller of the blocked number was Hyunwoo? Maybe she had been expecting a call from him. That was the only reason if Hyunwoo had to find one.
She wanted to have dinner with me then?
That was possible, but it was only a guess at this point.
Is Suji interested in me?
When Hyunwoo thought as far as that, he stopped thinking about it anymore because it was just unthinkable given her cold attitude toward him until recently.
Hyunwoo shook his head, I should not run before my horse to market. Otherwise, I’ll get hurt. Maybe she’s using me to keep Sangho alert and tense.
However, Hyunwoo thought he had better repay for her gift, What kind of gift should I choose for her?
At 7:50 am on Wednesday morning, Suji got out of the swimming pool. She was learning how to swim in the morning these days as she felt she was gaining weight. When she came out, she felt the biting wind of the early morning. She walked at a quick pace to catch a taxi.
Suddenly, someone called her from behind.

Hey, Suji. This way!

Surprised, Suji turned her head and saw Hyunwoo there waiting.
She raced toward her with a happy mind,
Oh my god! How come you’re here?


I’ve been waiting for you. Take this.

Hyunwoo held out two canned coffees in his pocket. When she held them, she felt a chill all over her body was gone in a moment.

Take this one, and let me take the other one,
said Suji.

Oh, I didn’t buy them to drink. Still warm?

Only then did Suji figure out why he brought the canned coffee. He prepared them as the replacement for glove warmers.
Suji smiled, thinking This guy has good sense!

You must be very cold. Just get in!

Suji got in Hyunwoo’s van.

I feel sorry, Suji


About what?


My van is just too ugly for a beautiful lady like Suji.


Cheee… don’t say that!

Suji slightly twisted the bridge of the nose whenever she said ‘Cheee…’ and then smiled as if she was playing a joke. Hyunwoo found it very attractive when she did that, and he thought he wanted to meet a woman like Suji if he had a girlfriend.

By the way, what brought you here?


To give you a ride.


Oh, don’t make fun of me.

Suji didn’t believe him because he had never done this to her before.

Well, I wanted to repay you for the cotton slippers. That’s why I came here to give you a ride even though I would get to the office a bit late.

She looked surprised to hear that, folding her arms over her heart. Hyunwoo just smiled. Originally, Hyunwoo thought of giving her a ride this time only, but her favorable response was more enough to have him give her a ride next time as well.
Hyunwoo thought he could sound out her feelings in this manner. If she didn’t feel affectionate toward him, she would feel his favor uncomfortable and refuse it in one way or another.
Yea, it’s better for me to be rejected now rather than later when I get hurt.
Looking at her, Hyunwoo asked,
You’re taking swimming lessons on Monday, Wednesday. and Friday, right?


Yes. Why? Are you going to give me a ride again?


Well, it depends on how you’re treating me. Hahaha

Hyunwoo smiled an impish smile. Suji also smiled as if she felt good about his proposal.
On Friday morning, Hyunwoo drove to the swimming pool, timed with her exit time.
A little later he saw Suji coming out. As if she was expectant of something a lot, she looked around as if she was looking for someone.
Hyunwoo felt much better to see that.
He got out of his van quickly, shouting,
Hey, Suji. Over here!


Wow! Brother Hyunwoo!

Waving her hand, she walked toward him with quick steps. At that moment, Hyunwoo thought of a certain movie scene. How would she react if he ran toward her, hugged her and then spun her around?
Hyunwoo wanted to give it a try very much but held back the temptation. Instead, he held out the two canned coffee heated warm.

Why, what a man of good sense you are! Thanks,
said Suji, with a happy expression on her face. Seeing her happy, Hyunwoo felt the same. He felt as if they became lovers at the moment.
However, Hyunwoo felt more and more perplexed.
Is Suji really interested in me? What about Sangho then?
Hyunwoo felt it was too early to judge Suji’s affection for him.
They headed to the office. The old security guard, Suyoung Oh, tilted his head, seeing Suji seated beside Hyunwoo in the van.

You’re together again today!


He promised to give me a ride on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

At the moment, Hyunwoo was about to say,
When did I promise?

Her response like that was quite unexpected. Hyunwoo could not deny it anyway when she looked at him with the glittering eyes that seemed to ask him to rejoin,
Right, Hyunwoo?

Hyunwoo nodded his head,
There is a swimming pool on the way here.

Suyoung tilted his head again but didn’t say anything this time.
Hmmm…Hyunwoo mother’s food factory is located in Hwasung. Is there a swimming pool on the way here? Why didn’t I notice it before?