True to Sojeong’s words, on Haeyeon’s first day at Dalli Coffee, the team didn’t assign her any special tasks. Feeling somewhat out of place in the busy environment, she decided to clean up the messy break room.
As it approached 6 PM, the end of the workday, Manager Seol Yoojun stood up and announced to everyone, his voice not loud but piercingly clear.
“Let’s all leave on time today since we have a new employee.”
Cheering erupted from the team. According to Sojeong, there had been several days of overtime, and everyone was exhausted. Seeing the quick shutdown of computers following the manager’s command, Haeyeon admired their efficiency.
“Manager, aren’t we having a welcome dinner for our new employee?”
An employee asked, sparking agreement from others. Manager Yoojun, with a laugh, looked around at his team.
“Alright, let’s have a dinner party for once.”
His surrender was met with an even louder cheer than when Haeyeon had first greeted them.
‘A dinner party?’
Surprised by this unexpected event, Haeyeon sent a message to Doha.
The go-to place for the Management Support Team’s gatherings was a barbecue restaurant. Initially overwhelmed, Haeyeon soon relaxed in the easy-going atmosphere.
“Our manager doesn’t force anyone to drink since he has been abroad. It’s like a dream dinner party for us. So, Haeyeon, relax.”
Looking around, Haeyeon noticed quite a few team members opting for soft drinks over alcohol.
Sizzle [Dash].
Delicious sounds filled the air as various cuts of meat, including pork belly, were placed on the hot grill. The mouth-watering aroma and the warming atmosphere made the setting more enjoyable.
As drinks were passed around and the mood grew more relaxed, Manager Yoojun, seated at the same table as Haeyeon, struck up a conversation. He was considerate enough to handle the grill tongs and scissors, considering she was new.
“How was your day, Min Haeyeon?”
Though it was odd having her superior cook the meat, Haeyeon honestly shared her thoughts on her first day.
“I feel bad for not doing much.”
Being idle all day made her somewhat uncomfortable. She had joined the company with somewhat impure motives, but she intended to give her best from now on. However, she couldn’t shake off the discomfort of not having done anything substantial today.
Yoojun, setting down the tongs, smiled with his dimples showing.
“It’s normal for the first day. But our team is indeed busy, so your idle days will be brief.”
Ah. Haeyeon recalled Sojeong’s tired face from earlier and couldn’t help but laugh.
“To all our team members who worked hard through several nights of overtime. Let’s fully enjoy tonight. Isn’t that what corporate cards are for?”
As Yoojun waved the card, a loud cheer erupted from the group. Everyone raised their glasses – a mix of soju and soft drinks – clinking them together with a clear, ringing sound.
After a refreshing swig of his drink, Yoojun turned to Haeyeon with a smile.
“Min Haeyeon, you don’t really like alcohol, right? Feel free to drink whatever you like. No pressure.”
Haeyeon looked at him, puzzled. How could he know her preferences on their first meeting? His seemingly detailed knowledge about her surprised Haeyeon, and seeing her reaction, Yoojun chuckled and explained.
“Someone warned me not to give Min Haeyeon any alcohol when they heard about our team dinner.”
“What? That’s confusing…”
The more she heard, the more baffled Haeyeon felt. Remembering her initial encounter with Yoojun that morning, she recalled feeling a sense of familiarity.
“Didn’t your sister tell you?”
Haeyeon’s eyes widened slightly, prompting Yoojun to frown and chuckle, saying, “I’m Seol Ju-ah’s younger brother.”
Haeyeon’s expression blanked in shock. Yoojun quickly explained that he had studied abroad when he was younger and learned about Dalli Coffee’s business at its international branches. He had only returned to Korea earlier this year, which is why Haeyeon had never crossed paths with him, and Ju-ah seldom talked about her brother.
‘No wonder Ju-ah never mentioned it.’
[Dash] “That little brat, always causing trouble.”‘Ah, so that’s why.’
Haeyeon shook her head in disbelief.
“Oh, you didn’t know? I thought Ju-ah would have told you since she always nags me about looking after Min Haeyeon…”
Yoojun muttered softly, with a hint of annoyance in his voice. But Haeyeon couldn’t interject, sympathizing with his feelings.
Observing Yoojun rubbing his forehead, Haeyeon saw him in a new light. Despite his youthful appearance and position as a team manager, she had assumed he was older.
‘He must be a spy.’
That had crossed her mind. Doha must have asked Ju-ah to keep an eye on her. Working in the same company but in different departments, Haeyeon had little chance to interact with Ju-ah, her superior.
So, Seol Yoojun being her team manager was no coincidence.
“……I can’t believe him.”
Listening to Yoojun’s ongoing resentment, Haeyeon softly smiled and sipped her drink.
The first team dinner at Dalli Coffee concluded successfully. Those heading for the second round of drinks left, and Haeyeon, having fulfilled her part, decided to go home.
“See you tomorrow, Haeyeon!”
“See you, seniors!”
As Haeyeon waved goodbye and was about to hail a taxi, she noticed a familiar car on the roadside. Recognizing it as Doha’s without needing to check the license plate, she approached. Sure enough, the passenger side window rolled down, revealing Doha as the driver.
“Why did you come? I told you I’d be late.”
Haeyeon couldn’t help but express her concerns, despite being pleased to see him.
“Just this once, forgive me, Haeyeon.”
Seeing Doha’s pitiful look and his efforts to pick her up made Haeyeon relent. Being around her husband, who always made her feel secure, lifted her spirits.
“Did your first day go well?”
“There wasn’t much to do.”
In the car, Haeyeon narrated her day’s experiences to Doha, who responded with warm smiles and genuine interest.
“Oh, and our department manager turns out to be Ju-ah’s brother.”
Glancing at Doha as he drove, Haeyeon casually dropped a question. She wasn’t trying to dig something out of him with this query; it was more of a casual inquiry, with no particular expectation attached.
Regardless, Yoojun was someone to be cautious of, and that fact remained unchanged.
“Really?”
“Yes. Can you believe Seol Ju-ah didn’t tell me this crucial piece? The team manager was caught off guard, unaware of it.”
“Ha-ha, is that so? That’s just like Ju-ah.”
In their light-hearted exchange, nothing seemed amiss. Under normal circumstances, it would have been easy to let it slide, but knowing that Doha might be hiding something made Haeyeon feel uneasy.
‘It’s impossible for Doha not to know that Seol Yoojun is Ju-ah’s brother.’
Yet here he was, not showing any sign of it and breezing past the topic.
How many things had he kept secret all this time?
‘But that ends now.’
Haeyeon thought about Yoonho’s promise to send her the information by the end of the week.
“He lived abroad?”
“Yes. In England.”
With the sunroof open, Haeyeon’s hair fluttered in the night breeze. Doha, driving, had a constant smile on his face. Looking affectionately at his profile, Haeyeon eagerly anticipated the day she would meet Yoonho.
My Ex-Girlfriend Is The Regent In The Female-dominant World (Male lead transmigrates to the matriarchal world)
Two years ago, Gu Sui picked up a homeless woman in ancient costume from the street.
Apart from occasionally claiming to be a princess from a female-dominant country due to illness, her figure, appearance, intelligence, and martial arts skills were impeccable.
Naturally evolving from roommates to girlfriends, as time went on, Gu Sui found it increasingly difficult to tolerate her queen syndrome.
“Mu Jiulu, can you stop controlling me inside and out? Let’s break up.”
Gu Sui made a breakup call, and since then, he couldn’t find any trace of her.
A year later, Gu Sui, who was planning to move, woke up the next day and found himself in a different place.
“Young Master, today is the day you choose your Wife-master through martial arts competition at Jade Dew Pavilion. Please get up quickly.”
Gu Sui: Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing?
As the only son of a general’s mansion in a female-dominant dynasty, the young empress personally issued a decree allowing Gu Sui to select his Wife-master through martial arts competition. Whoever could defeat him could marry him.
Gu Sui: “……”
He didn’t inherit the original owner’s martial prowess, so anyone could defeat him! And what the hell is a Wife-master?
Forced to come to Jade Dew Pavilion, the densely packed women below made Gu Sui’s agoraphobia act up, and his face was full of resistance.
Until he saw the Regent sitting on the second floor, with a smile on the corner of her lips, her eyes wicked and nonchalant.
Hmm… she looked a little familiar.
It turned out that the Regent also found him a little familiar.
Mu Jiulu fiddled with her bone clasp, her deep gaze locked on the man who was out of place in this world.
“Finally, I found you.”
Male transmigrates into female-dominant world
One-sentence summary: What goes around comes around, taking turns in the crematorium
