“Huh? What’s this?”

Min Je picked up the gift box. How could this man have such quick reflexes? Before Ha Yeon could do anything, the gift was in his hands.

She was no match for his arm length or agility. Ha Yeon, now resigned to whatever happened, quickly answered.

“It’s a gift.”

Though somewhat abrupt and brazen, Ha Yeon spoke nonchalantly as if this was all part of the plan.

If anything, it was Min Je who was flustered.

“A gift? For me?”

As if he had never thought he would receive a gift, he kept blinking his eyes.

“Tomorrow is your birthday, Director.”

“Ah…”

“What, don’t tell me you didn’t even know tomorrow was your birthday?”

“Yeah, I guess so.”

Seeing Min Je laugh awkwardly, Ha Yeon let out a sigh. Why was this man so indifferent to himself?

It upset her, and words of nagging poured out.

“Don’t tell me you’ve lived all this time not knowing your own birthday? You’ve never had a birthday party?”

Am I being scolded right now? Min Je chuckled as he rubbed his chin. But it felt strange, as it was the first time someone had lectured him like this.

Straightening his loosening lips, Min Je tried to answer calmly.

“When seaweed soup came out for breakfast, I figured it must be my birthday.”

At the words ‘seaweed soup’ from his mouth, Ha Yeon was at a loss for words. It’s not like you only eat seaweed soup once a year, so how could he tell it was his birthday from that? It seemed to prove how indifferent he was to his own birthday, leaving a bitter taste in Ha Yeon’s mouth.

Was it because he didn’t know his exact birth date? Or was he thinking of parents he’d never seen? Or was it something like, ‘It would have been better if someone like me wasn’t born at all’?

Seeing Ha Yeon thinking hard with a sympathetic expression, Min Je let out an exasperated sigh.

“Anyway, thank you. For the birthday gift.”

As Min Je expressed his gratitude, Ha Yeon cut off her complex train of thought and deliberately smiled brighter.

“It’s okay. From now on, I’ll make sure to remember your birthday without fail, Director.”

Min Je smirked as he watched Ha Yeon speak as if making a promise to herself. The words ‘from now on’ seemed to stick in his heart more than the promise to remember his birthday. Because her words sounded like a promise for the future.

It was quite a comforting thing to hear. Somehow, he looked forward to a future where he would continue to be with her. Not the repetitive daily life where yesterday feels like today and today feels like tomorrow, but a future with her that somehow seemed rosy.

“Really? Come on, let’s make a promise.”

Min Je felt as if those words were a stroke of luck and didn’t want to let them go. So, doing something Ji Hoo might do, he held out his pinky finger. If only he could bind her to this seemingly hollow promise, he desperately wanted to do so.

Unaware of Min Je’s inner thoughts, Ha Yeon smiled as she linked her finger with his. It was fascinating to see him act like a child.

“Alright, it’s a promise.”

Their intertwined pinky fingers swayed in the air, not knowing that this seemingly insignificant promise would become an inescapable bond. Only after linking fingers did a satisfied smile appear on Min Je’s face.

“I’m not sure if you’ll like it. Why don’t you open it?”

Ha Yeon’s expression grew tense. She couldn’t help but be nervous, having chosen the gift based on her own preferences without knowing what he would like.

Min Je untied the ribbon on the gift box and soon opened it with a click. A navy silk tie was revealed. It was a very stylish design with toned-down red patterns perfectly matched.

‘Director, your suit fit is really good. Especially navy-colored ties suit you best.’

He recalled Ha Yeon’s words from a while ago when she was drunk on wine. So she chose a tie based on her taste. Thinking about this, Min Je felt a warmth creeping up the back of his neck.

“Thank you. I really like it.”

Ha Yeon’s eyes widened, as if witnessing a rare scene, because it was so unusual for Min Je to be shy.

His ear tips had turned red, suggesting that his words of appreciation were not a lie. Even though she knew it wasn’t an appropriate thought for a man much bigger than herself, she couldn’t shake off the feeling that he was cute.

“I’m glad you like it.”

Ha Yeon smiled brightly with relief. Min Je, who had been staring intently at her smiling face, asked hesitantly.

“Will you tie it for me tomorrow morning?”

“Yes, I will.”

As Ha Yeon nodded willingly, Min Je embraced her gently and said.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

Ha Yeon laughed out loud, feeling somewhat ticklish.

“What if I tie the necktie strangely?”

“It’s okay. Even if you tie it strangely.”

Hearing his voice add that whatever she did would be fine, Ha Yeon couldn’t calm her fluttering heart and hugged his broad back in return.

“Happy birthday.”

Ha Yeon said, pouring her sincerity into every word. Upon hearing this, Min Je thought. Even though it wasn’t the first time he’d heard these words, somehow it felt like the first time in his life that someone had wished him a happy birthday.

He vaguely concluded that it was probably because no one had ever congratulated him with their whole heart like Ha Yeon did.

In any case, it was certainly the first time he had celebrated his birthday in such an extravagant manner.

The next morning, Ha Yeon went to Min Je’s room to tie his tie as promised.

She had agreed without much thought. After all, tying a tie wasn’t an incredibly difficult task.

But Ha Yeon had just changed her mind. There couldn’t be anything more challenging than tying a tie.

Min Je in his crisp white shirt looked 10 times more handsome than usual.

Ah, these rose-colored glasses. Ha Yeon sighed briefly and approached Min Je, who muttered.

“I’ve always wanted to try something like this.”

With a smile brighter than the morning sun, he looked incredibly dangerous.

“So even you, Director, dreamed of something ordinary like regular people.”

When Ha Yeon spoke as if slightly surprised, Min Je chuckled and murmured, “Is that so?”

Because of the height difference, Ha Yeon was almost hanging on his neck and didn’t notice his lips curving meaningfully.

“I’ve helped my dad tie his tie a few times, so I know how to do it, but I’m not sure if I’m doing it well.”

Ha Yeon chattered nervously. Perhaps because Min Je was intently observing her face, her fingertips trembled.

She intentionally kept talking, feeling that if she didn’t, she might make a mistake due to being conscious of his gaze.

“It’s almost done. Now, I just need to put the end of the tie into this knot and pull…”

As Ha Yeon pulled the tie, Min Je suddenly pulled her waist close. As soon as she was drawn into his arms, Min Je gently sucked on her lips.

After that, he smiled, causing a tingling sensation down her spine, and said.

“This is what I wanted to try.”

“Ah…”

Ha Yeon was at a loss for words and could only let out a dazed murmur. So it wasn’t that he wanted to experience having the woman he liked tie his tie before work, but that he wanted to kiss the woman tying his tie.

What on earth are you thinking? Ha Yeon’s face turned bright red due to the inappropriate thoughts that crossed her mind as she inadvertently tried to guess his thoughts.

“I wish it was my birthday all year round.”

Min Je grinned and once again captured Ha Yeon’s lips in a lingering kiss.

“Well, I don’t really mind that.”

Ahem, Ha Yeon answered, unable to meet his eyes. Min Je, who hadn’t expected her to agree with him, burst into laughter before hugging her tightly.

“I don’t want to go to work.”

“That’s not allowed.”

“You said it was okay to have a birthday all year round, but you’re so strict about this.”

As Min Je’s voice hovered around her nape, Ha Yeon felt goosebumps from the ticklish sensation.

Perhaps it was impossible not to love this man from the start. Ha Yeon smiled faintly at that thought.

“Today, you seem even more childish than Ji Hoo, Director.”

Just as Min Je was about to separate from her and argue, disagreeing with her words.

Ha Yeon suddenly planted a quick kiss on his lips. Min Je’s eyes widened in surprise for a moment.

“I prefer competent men who are good at their job…”

Hearing Ha Yeon’s words accompanied by a sly smile, Min Je let out a groan.

“What’s this? Hearing that makes me want to work extremely hard and become super competent. Is this what it feels like to be trained?”

“What are you talking about?”

They both burst into laughter at Min Je’s joke. And because their lips met again, Min Je ended up being a little late for work.

“Good morning.”

As Min Je greeted them with a bright smile, the art gallery staff simultaneously flinched.

“Yes, Director. Good morning.”

“Good morning.”

They managed to return the greeting, but everyone couldn’t help their eyes darting back and forth.

‘Why is he like that?’

‘How should I know?’

They exchanged quick glances, trying to figure out why Min Je, who was usually stoic and rarely showed emotion, had appeared with a dazzling smile, but no one knew the reason.

Moreover, for a man who was always punctual to be late! And to be able to smile so leisurely despite being late! No matter how much they thought about it, the staff couldn’t understand the situation and could only exchange glances.

Just then, Jun Won entered, and one of the employees who couldn’t contain their curiosity grabbed him and complained.

“The Director is so strange today. He was late but still came in with this self-illuminating smile saying ‘Good morning’. Something major must have happened to the Director, for sure.”

Jun Won slowly stroked his chin as he watched the employee excitedly imitate Min Je. Kang Min Je, what on earth have you been up to lately?

“Alright. I’ll check it out.”

Jun Won headed towards the Director’s office, receiving the staff’s intense gazes and encouragement that were almost painful.

“Director, it’s me.”

As Jun Won knocked, a voice identical to usual told him to come in.

Huh? It doesn’t seem like anything’s wrong? Jun Won entered the Director’s office, tilting his head in confusion, and began to say what he had come to say.

“If there’s no special schedule today, I’ll be at the gallery…”

Jun Won’s words trailed off and he stiffened. He froze involuntarily due to the strange feeling that sunlight was pouring only onto Kang Min Je’s face.

“Go ahead. I trust you, so manage the schedule as you see fit.”

It was unbelievable. Who knew Kang Min Je’s tone could be this gentle!

What on earth happened? As Jun Won narrowed his eyes and stared at Min Je, he suddenly said.

“Do you notice anything different about me?”

As he said this, he stroked his necktie ostentatiously.

He received a gift, alright. He was showing it off so blatantly that anyone could tell.

Jun Won immediately guessed who the gift was from. To think that the great Kang Min Je would become someone so easily read. Jun Won’s mouth gaped open, shocked in many ways.

When he didn’t answer right away, Min Je couldn’t wait and spoke again.

“This tie, doesn’t it suit me perfectly? It’s like it was made just for me.”

Well, well, this is getting more and more outrageous. How did he manage to hold back from bragging until now? Unable to suppress his increasingly crooked feelings, Jun Won blurted out.

“The tie is pretty, but you look kind of disgusting.”