An Instinctive Proposal (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 34
The break room where female employees had gathered.
Yoo Ra had called everyone together, saying she had something to discuss.
Coincidentally, it was precisely when Yeon Woo was away from her seat—but Ji Hyun soon realized Yoo Ra had deliberately chosen this moment when Yeon Woo wouldn’t be present.
“Look at this. It came out of Assistant Manager Seo Yeon Woo’s bag!”
What Yoo Ra held out was CEO Jeon Il Soo’s business card.
While it was true that a subsidiary employee normally wouldn’t have a headquarters executive’s card, it wasn’t extraordinary enough to warrant summoning everyone like this.
“There must be a reasonable explanation for it.”
At Ji Hyun’s indifferent response, the other employees—who had been exchanging glances—nodded in agreement.
Because Yeon Woo was generally well-regarded among her colleagues, they weren’t easily swayed.
Seeming displeased by this, Yoo Ra continued in a somewhat agitated tone.
“A reasonable explanation? What could that possibly be? I’ve worked here for five years and never once had such an ‘explanation.’”
“Well, that’s Seo’s personal business—we wouldn’t know.”
“Team Leader Yoon, this isn’t the time for such casual thinking. Do you know what else was in her bag?”
Hearing this, another curious employee leaned forward and asked,
“What was inside?”
“Books about pregnancy and childbirth!”
At that, the gathered employees widened their eyes in shock. Someone even covered their mouth.
“Really?”
“Would I make something like that up? I’ve been so upset over this I couldn’t even sleep well. Why would CEO Jeon’s business card be in Assistant Manager Seo’s bag—alongside parenting magazines, no less?”
No one spoke after that.
An uncomfortable tension settled into the deepening silence.
Concluding the mood she wanted had finally been created, Yoo Ra softened her tone slightly and spoke again.
“So, this is what I think—could it be that Assistant Manager Seo…?”
She bit her lip as if struggling to voice something difficult, then quickly declared with sudden boldness,
“…is pregnant with Director Jeon Il Soo’s child?”
“No way!”
The employees, hearing their private suspicions spoken aloud, jumped in surprise.
“She wouldn’t do something like that. Seo’s not that kind of person.”
“Exactly. Even so, that’s going too far—unless someone finds a pregnancy test or an ultrasound photo…”
Some still wanted to believe in Yeon Woo, but Yoo Ra raised her voice again to press her point.
“At first, I thought the same. But you never know what goes on between a man and a woman! Honestly, aside from pregnancy, what possible reason could there be for those things to be in Seo’s bag?”
“But, Associate Heo—”
Ji Hyun asked with visible discomfort,
“Why did you bring that business card? It belongs to Seo.”
Yoo Ra flustered, waving both hands.
“I—I didn’t take it on purpose! I was so shocked I didn’t even realize I’d picked it up. I was a bit tipsy, and I’d been wondering all morning how to return it…”
As she launched into a lengthy excuse, someone tapped twice on the break room window.
Since they’d been secretly discussing Yeon Woo, the employees startled and turned around.
“What are you all doing in here?”
“Oh! Seriously, what is it?”
Recognizing who it was, Yoo Ra grumbled in an exasperated tone.
Kyeong Ho entered with a cheerful grin, pushing the door open.
“What’s got you all so serious? I knocked first, thinking it might be something I shouldn’t hear.”
Though from another department, Kyeong Ho was such a familiar face—thanks to his active participation in company events and clubs—that calling him the social hub of Tae Sung Biologics wouldn’t be an exaggeration.
“Haven’t seen you in a while, Deputy Lee.”
As expected, several employees greeted him immediately.
“Aren’t we still close enough to call each other ‘Deputy’? You used to call me ‘oppa,’ remember?”
“This is the office, though.”
Kyeong Ho’s arrival instantly lightened the tense atmosphere in the break room.
“But seriously, what were you talking about? I kept hearing Associate Heo’s voice.”
“Oh, nothing important.”
Yoo Ra quickly glanced at Ji Hyun.
She clearly wanted to drag Kyeong Ho into this gossip, but hesitated—knowing Ji Hyun was close to Yeon Woo.
“Oh, by the way—I’ve got some juicy news too.”
Kyeong Ho pulled up a chair and sat down naturally, looking around at the circle of employees before crossing his arms.
“I just heard it—it’s still hot off the press.”
“What is it?”
“But where’s Yeon Woo?”
“Of course you’d ask about Assistant Seo first—aren’t you two close?”
“No, it’s just that the big news I heard is actually about Yeon Woo.”
The room suddenly fell silent.
“…What is it?”
Yoo Ra asked, swallowing hard. Kyeong Ho calmly met the employees’ expectant gazes and answered at ease.
“Assistant Manager Seo Yeon Woo has resigned.”
“Gasp…!”
One employee gasped and covered her mouth with both hands.
Even Ji Hyun now stared at Kyeong Ho, stunned.
“See? I was right!”
Yoo Ra sprang up from her seat, excited. Now that it wasn’t just her secret anymore, she spoke confidently, no longer holding back.
“It’s obvious—she must be quitting because she’s pregnant! Everyone’s going to find out soon anyway, so why keep it a secret?”
“Associate Heo, how did you know it was pregnancy?”
“I…!”
Just as Yoo Ra was about to speak, she turned toward Kyeong Ho with a puzzled expression.
“What? Did you already know too, Deputy Kyeong Ho?”
Kyeong Ho merely shrugged and smiled.
At that moment, the room went dead silent—as if someone had doused it with ice water.
***
Returning to her desk, Yeon Woo found the office atmosphere oddly changed.
She could clearly feel her colleagues glancing at her—but whenever she met their eyes, they quickly looked away, which was unlike them.
Had something happened while she’d been gone?
But Yeon Woo quickly brushed the thought aside.
She was leaving soon anyway—once handover was complete. It was time to withdraw even the feelings she’d given.
She decided she should at least tell Ji Hyun, who’d always looked out for her, about her resignation first.
But Ji Hyun’s seat was empty.
With no other choice, Yeon Woo sat back down and stretched both arms forward.
‘I’m not feeling well.’
Maybe because she hadn’t slept properly, her whole body felt heavy and sluggish as time passed.
Should she have postponed her plans with Kyeong Ho to tomorrow?
But she already felt bad enough about canceling a promise she’d just made.
‘It’s only for an hour.’
Just as she resolved to push through and placed her hands back on the keyboard to finish her document—
“Assistant Seo.”
A colleague from the neighboring desk suddenly appeared and set a takeaway cup on her desk.
“Have this while you work.”
The lid covered the contents, so she couldn’t see what was inside.
“What is it?”
“Coffee.”
They’d worked together for five years, but this was the first time the colleague had bought her coffee.
“I got it for myself and grabbed one for you too—you’ve looked really tired lately.”
“Oh… Thank you. I’ll enjoy it.”
Though puzzled by this unusual gesture, Yeon Woo accepted it gratefully. She wouldn’t actually drink the coffee because of Tteun Tteun, but the thoughtfulness warmed her heart.
She left the coffee untouched and resumed typing her document.
When she wasn’t feeling well, it was better to wrap up work quickly and rest before leaving.
After typing for a while—
“Aren’t you going to drink your coffee?”
Her neighbor peeked over the partition and asked.
“I had coffee at lunch, so I’m not in the mood right now. Besides, I don’t mind cold coffee—I’ll have it later.”
The colleague gave her a strange look and replied, “Okay,” before disappearing behind the partition again.
‘Was it supposed to be drunk right away?’
Yeon Woo briefly glanced at the cup sitting conspicuously beside her.
Just then, a messenger window suddenly popped up on her monitor.
[Secretary Seo. Come in.]The sender was Ki Tae Han.
Since he rarely summoned her directly through messenger—usually going through Sung Won—Yeon Woo rose from her seat with a vague unease.
As she walked toward the CEO’s office, she felt an odd gaze prickling the back of her head.
When she looked back, the office appeared as usual—so she tilted her head in confusion and knocked on the CEO’s door.
“Sir, it’s Seo Yeon Woo.”
Inside, Tae Han was rapidly signing his way through a towering stack of approval documents.
For a long while, only the scratch of his pen filled the room. Yeon Woo stood with her hands clasped, waiting for him to speak.
“What are you doing after work?”
Finally, what came wasn’t a work instruction or even mention of her resignation—but a personal question.
Yeon Woo hesitated briefly.
These days, she dreaded answering whenever he asked something like this.
“I have plans.”
“With Deputy Lee Kyung Ho?”
Still focused on the documents, Tae Han asked as if he already knew.
“Yes, that’s right.”
“How long will you be meeting?”
Though his question struck her as odd, she answered honestly.
“For about an hour.”
“One hour.”
Tae Han repeated her answer quietly, then finally set down his fountain pen and looked up.
“Got it. I’ll wait.”
“…What?”
Yeon Woo stared at him, thinking she’d misheard.
“Wait? You’ll wait for me, sir?”
“Yes. Me, for you.”
Yeon Woo fell silent, at a loss for words.
Just the other day, he’d abruptly approved her resignation, saying he suddenly felt he had to let her go—and now, out of nowhere, he was saying he’d wait for her?
“Why?”
“Let’s watch a movie.”
Yeon Woo’s chest tightened at what felt less like a natural conversation and more like a unilateral declaration.
“Why would I watch a movie with you, sir?”
“You said you wanted to. Right now, the only thing I can offer you is something as simple as a movie.”
Only then did Yeon Woo recall something she’d said long ago.
Could he possibly remember that and be offering this because of it?
Wanting to confirm something unbelievable, she spoke again.
“As I’ve mentioned before, when you asked what dating was, I merely gave an example of a typical date.”
“I know. I’m asking you out on a date—exactly the ordinary kind you described.”
Realizing Tae Han was serious, Yeon Woo stood there for a moment, her resolve faltering.
“Sir…”
She quietly clenched her fist.
“Is this some kind of farewell benefit before I leave?”
“A benefit?”
Tae Han let out a soft chuckle, as if amused by her unexpected question, then shrugged amiably.
“Think whatever you like.”
“…”
“I told you. I can do it too.”
Was it her imagination, or did he seem genuinely pleased?
Yeon Woo fell into thought once more.
He probably expected her to indignantly refuse—but this time, she changed her mind.
There was no reason to refuse. Since he was being like this, she wanted to fully experience him for herself, at least until her last day.
Until her hollow, empty heart felt even slightly filled.
“Alright. I’ll contact you once I’m done with work.”
Finally seeing she understood, Tae Han smoothly curved the corners of his lips into a satisfied smile.
Turns Out He’s Been Secretly in Love with Me
One-line summary: He acts like he doesn’t like her but is actually playing hard to get.
Synopsis:
Xu Muzhou like her. He has liked her for a very long time, and through repeated schemes, he finally closed the distance with her.
But this is still far from enough.
He wants to be the one who stands out among her many suitors, to fight for her attention, and to make her take the initiative to pursue him.
_____
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aah, serim really messed up.
claimed to know everything but in reality know nothing.
allergic reaction could be really dangerous.