“Why ask me to report if it’s going to be like this?” thought Yeon-woo, feeling slightly embarrassed.
“Mom, I’m coming down today.”
Before leaving for work, she called Seon-ok to remind her.
Seon-ok surprised her with unexpected news.
“Last night, Kyu-bin asked for your number, so I gave it to him. He said he’s in Seoul until today and wants to meet you to come down together.”
“Kyu-bin?”
Yeon-woo hadn’t received any contact yet.
“Alright. See you tonight.”
After checking the time, Yeon-woo hung up and left her house, carrying a small suitcase.
‘So I’m meeting Kyu-bin today?’
It had been precisely 10 years since they parted at seventeen. She couldn’t quite picture what an adult Kyu-bin would look like.
Arriving at work with her suitcase for Cheonan, Yeon-woo started by checking the materials she had organized the day before.
With Tae-han having many external appointments and a crucial meeting followed by dinner, there was much to prepare for him even at the office.
Deep in her work, her phone rang. It was an unfamiliar personal number.
Recalling what Seon-ok had told her, Yeon-woo stepped out of the office to answer the call.
“Hello?”
“Is this Seo Yeon-woo’s phone?”
The voice was familiar.
“Yes, but… is this Kyu-bin?”
“Yeah, it’s me. Nice to hear from you!”
There was a slightly awkward laugh from the other side of the phone. Yeon-woo also felt shy but happy.
“Nice to hear from you too, Kyu-bin. How have you been? It’s been so long. Is this your first time back in Korea since you moved?”
“Yes. I’ve wanted to contact you before, but it didn’t work out. Have you been well?”
Kyu-bin’s voice, as gentle as it was during their childhood, made Yeon-woo even happier as they continued their conversation.
“You’re at Taeseong, right? Seo Yeon-woo, you’ve made it. You were always good at studying.”
“Made it? What about you? What are you doing?”
“I’m running a small business.”
Realizing how much time had passed, Yeon-woo was amazed that the mischievous Kyu-bin she knew was now a business owner.
Ten years had brought many changes to both of them.
“You’re amazing. Really cool.”
But what hadn’t changed was the familiar warmth and friendship they felt towards each other.
“When do you finish work? I’ll come pick you up. I’m in Seoul for work too.”
“Where in Seoul are you?”
Coincidentally, the place where he was working was surprisingly near her office.
“Then let’s meet after work. I’ll text you before I leave.”
Yeon-woo ended the call with a smile on her face, feeling relieved and excited.
As she turned to go back to work, she jumped in surprise.
“Wow……!”
Yeon-woo’s shoulders shot up in alarm.
Tae-han stood there like the grim reaper.
“Hello.”
She greeted him first.
But the look in Tae-han’s eyes was anything but ordinary.
His eyes were like those of a growling, fierce animal.
Tae-han, who usually looked indifferent, opened his mouth.
“Who were you talking to?”
“Just a friend.”
The call had barely lasted three minutes, and even if it had been over five minutes, a private call wasn’t a matter to be criticized.
Hearing her answer, Tae-han kept his piercing gaze on Yeon-woo for a moment before breezing past her into the office.
Was he in a bad mood about something?
Yeon-woo followed him quietly into the office like a rabbit, careful not to disturb him.
“Good morning, President.”
As he entered, the other employees stood up and greeted him.
Tae-han, as always, didn’t look back and strode across the room.
Suddenly, he stopped and turned around. Yeon-woo, feeling guilty without reason, timidly raised her head.
His gaze was fixed precisely on her.
“Secretary Seo. Come in.”
And then there was an icy silence.
Before Yeon-woo could respond, Tae-han turned and disappeared into his office.
“What’s going on? Seo Deputy, did you do something wrong?”
“……I don’t know.”
Was it really because of her private call?
Yeon-woo knocked on the president’s office door and stepped in, stopping about five steps from him.
“You called me…”
“We need to go to the dinner meeting together tonight.”
“What?”
Surprised by the sudden request, Yeon-woo paused to recall today’s schedule.
“Me?”
“Yes, Secretary Seo.”
Stunned, Yeon-woo stood speechless.
Though she was his secretary, her role was mostly indoors.
It was unusual for her to accompany him on his schedule, typically done by Sungwon or Chief Ko.
“The chief and the director are here today.”
“It has to be you.”
But Tae-han’s response left her speechless.
“It’s better to have a female companion.”
Before Yeon-woo could reply, Tae-han spoke expressionlessly.
“The dinner starts at 5 PM. It won’t take too long. Prepare accordingly. I’ve already informed Director Kim to adjust your work.”
His tone seemed even more brusque than usual.
Tae-han looked at Yeon-woo, standing there lost for words, and nodded curtly.
“Got it, you can go now.”
Unable to refuse her superior’s instruction, Yeon-woo bowed briefly and left his office.
However, it wasn’t easy to understand. There were many senior female colleagues besides her, so why…
And Kyu-bin was supposed to pick her up.
There was no choice. She would have to meet Kyu-bin in Cheonan tomorrow.
Returning to her desk, Yeon-woo texted Kyu-bin about the situation, then gazed thoughtfully at the closed door of the president’s office.
It was impossible to fathom what he was thinking.
Male lead reborn without memories — but he still falls for her.
The person he finds displeasing in this life turns out to be his cherished wife-master in previous life…
Xie Zhi and Fang Xianxing who had known each other for less than three days through a blind date sat in the same car in front of the civil affairs bureau. They had a disagreement and failed to get married.
Xie Zhi immediately took out his phone, slid through his contacts, and randomly selected the next marriage candidate.
The woman snatched his phone and hung up. Looking at his phone wallpaper, she awkwardly changed the subject: “An ancient painting, eh? It looks pretty good, it’s just that the person in the painting looks a bit like me.”
When he heard this, he sarcastically mocked her for being so delusional, completely unaware that, the person in front of him was the reincarnation of Wen Ru, the famous prime minister of Yuan Shun whom he most admired…
The female CEO who doesn’t want to get married with a divorce agreement in hand × The male archaeological researcher who will only get married if he’s sure he can get divorced
