The next day afternoon.
A man entered the office of SL Entertainment’s CEO, guided by a secretary.
“Why do you keep calling me over.”
It was Ji Sang who came after receiving Sung Hyuk’s call last night.
Sung Hyuk, who was reviewing a proposal submitted by the content production team, briefly looked up. He responded with an indifferent gaze at Ji Sang, who was grumbling while walking towards the sofa.
“It’s natural for an unemployed person to come.”
“Get rid of the prejudice that unemployed people have free time.”
“It’s because of guys like you that they say unemployed people die from overwork.”
Ji Sang pretended to clean his ears as if asking whose dog was barking, and leaned back on the sofa.
“What’s the matter? Why did you call me?”
Sung Hyuk got up from his desk and moved to the sofa, starting the conversation.
“To help you escape unemployment.”
Ji Sang firmly shook his head.
“No. I don’t want to escape.”
“You’ve played around for over a month, that’s enough.”
“Who decides it’s enough? I’m not satisfied yet.”
Ji Sang was currently enjoying his sweet unemployed life.
Until just before he came to Korea, he had worked at America’s largest entertainment agency, home to world-renowned directors and actors. Last year, he worked as the executive producer of a drama that gained huge popularity worldwide.
He quit the company and returned to Korea at the peak of his success because he was tired of life in America. Though it was a somewhat absurd reason, no one who knew him was surprised.
That’s how much Yoon Ji Sang was recognized by everyone as a unique and free spirit.
“Work with me. I’ll give you the position of Global Business Team leader.”
“What’s so great about that team leader position.”
“If you don’t like it, forget it.”
Ji Sang, who was snorting, suddenly frowned.
“What’s with this attitude when you’re asking for a favor? Why so arrogant?”
“It’s not a favor, it’s a proposal.”
“Did you think I’d eagerly accept if you proposed with such bravado?”
“You will, won’t you?”
As if he had never been serious, the corners of Ji Sang’s mouth curled up.
“You know me too well.”
Sung Hyuk burst into laughter.
“I’m not trying to lowball you using our friendship as an excuse. I’ll give you the best treatment.”
“I’d like to rest a bit more, but I can’t pretend not to know when you’re begging like this.”
“It’s not begging, not pleading, it’s a proposal.”
Ji Sang grumbled that he never lets anything slide, then subtly changed the subject.
“Was this the important talk you wanted to have yesterday?”
He immediately corrected himself.
“No, I should say it’s less important than taking Young In.”
“It’s less important than taking Young In, but it is important.”
Realizing that further teasing wouldn’t even get him flattery, Ji Sang dropped his playful attitude and asked seriously.
“Seeing that you’re trying to rope me in too, it seems like you intend to do this properly?”
Sung Hyuk retorted with a frown.
“Is that even a question?”
“Since you gave up the Management Planning Division because of Young In, if things go well with her again, you won’t need to stay here, right? What I mean is, since you won’t be here long anyway, can’t you just maintain the status quo and leave?”
“I don’t know how long I’ll be here, but I have no intention of just maintaining the status quo and leaving. Even if I go, I’ll leave behind meaningful achievements.”
A satisfied smile appeared on Ji Sang’s face.
He knew how much the corporate atmosphere could change depending on the CEO’s management mindset, and that it was better to enjoy a leisurely unemployed life than to work under a CEO who wanted to settle for the status quo.
“You don’t want to appear incompetent to Young In, right?”
“You know that even if I wanted to be incompetent, I couldn’t, right?”
“I don’t know! I don’t know!”
Sung Hyuk didn’t care at all whether Ji Sang covered his ears and shook his head vigorously or not.
“Help Young In a lot.”
“Why are you asking me to help? You help her. The CEO is better than a team leader, right?”
“I want you to fill in the parts I might overlook. You’ll be able to communicate with her about work, right? I’m still ignorant about this industry, but you’re different.”
Sung Hyuk was confident that Ji Sang would be of great help not only to SL Entertainment but also to Chae Young In personally. Whether it’s information, experience, or connections, there would be a lot to learn in various aspects.
“Fortunately, you’re aware of your position.”
It was best to pretend not to hear the sarcastic remark.
“If anyone bothers Young In, tell me right away.”
“Are you recruiting me as an informant?”
“No, as a mole.”
“……”
“Should I say spy instead?”
“Yes, yes, do as you please.”
Sung Hyuk handed the prepared contract to Ji Sang, who now had a blank expression.
“Since you’re here, sign this before you go.”
Cha Sung Hyuk was a man who liked to act quickly and decisively.
[This is the timeline separator]−The CEO wants to see you.
Young In went up to the 8th floor after receiving a call from the CEO’s secretary.
At Hyesung, she had no problem with one-on-one meetings with CEO Kang almost every day, but one-on-one meetings with CEO Cha were quite uncomfortable.
The reason was that she worried others might think strangely of it. It was a case of a guilty conscience.
Young In entered the office with an uneasy mind, and her legs faltered. It was the moment she realized it wasn’t a one-on-one meeting.
A man she had never seen before stood up from the sofa, beaming.
“Hello, Young In.”
Who is this?
Before Young In’s lips could part, Sung Hyuk cut in with a blunt tone.
“This is a company.”
The standing man let out a disbelieving chuckle.
“If you want to separate work and personal life, no, if you want to at least pretend to separate them, you should do something about those lovey-dovey eyes when you speak.”
“I have no intention of separating such things. You just need to do it.”
As if he had never bickered with Sung Hyuk, the man turned to Young In with a gentle smile.
“Team Leader Chae Young In, why are you standing there? Come and sit down.”
Young In tried to figure out the man’s identity until she walked over to the sofa and sat down. But she ultimately failed.
“Are you feeling better?”
Someone who knows I drank the day before yesterday. His identity became more and more curious.
“Excuse me, but who are you……”
“Personally, I’m Cha Sung Hyuk’s friend, and professionally, I’m Yoon Ji Sang, who will be in charge of the Global Business Team.”
“Ah!”
As Young In’s eyes widened, Ji Sang’s eyes widened in response.
“Do you know me? Have you heard about me before?”
“Yes, I’ve heard a lot about you before.”
“I hope it wasn’t bad things?”
“As you know, CEO Cha Sung Hyuk doesn’t talk behind people’s backs.”
“He does it to their face.”
“Yes.”
Sung Hyuk was displeased with how well the two got along.
He was also annoyed that Young In, who didn’t smile at him, was smiling at Ji Sang.
“Chae Team Leader, you can go now.”
It hadn’t even been a minute since she sat down, and she was being told to leave.
Young In’s questioning gaze turned to Sung Hyuk.
“Did you have something to say……”
“I called you up to greet Team Leader Yoon Ji Sang. The greeting seems to be over.”
“Ah, yes. Then I’ll go back down.”
Young In bowed to Ji Sang, who said they should see each other often, and stood up. She left the office while listening to one man threatening to terminate the contract if he acted friendly one more time, and the other man countering with a threat of suing for unfair dismissal.
It seemed unreasonable to expect a peaceful company life.
[This is the timeline separator]In the blink of an eye, the first week at SL Entertainment passed, and Saturday arrived.
A little past noon.
Young In was sitting in a comfortable armchair by the window, monitoring a variety show featuring her assigned actor, when she received a phone call.
−Team Leader Chae Young In.
What’s this scheme now?
Young In hid her true thoughts and responded professionally.
“Yes, CEO.”
−I have something to discuss about work, let’s meet today.
“Today is Saturday.”
−Don’t you want to come?
“Yes, I’d like to enjoy my precious day off.”
−Well, can’t be helped then. It’s urgent, but I’ll wait until Monday.
Young In instinctively wavered at the mention of urgency, but she quickly composed herself.
“Yes, it would be better to discuss it at the company on Monday. Please let me know a convenient time, and I’ll come see you then.”
−I have several meetings scheduled for Monday, so it’s difficult to set a specific time now. I’ll come down to Team 5 when I have a moment.
“Please have your secretary call me, and I’ll come up.”
−I was thinking of coming to get you myself and going up together, as a bit of exercise.
Is he a messenger or something……
“Won’t others think it’s strange?”
−Why should we care?
“……”
Young In became certain of his intentions, which she had been unsure about.
−Then I’ll see you on Monday.
“What time and where should I go?”
−Are you saying you want to meet today?
“Yes.”
−I don’t want to interfere with Team Leader Chae’s precious day off.
“You already have.”
−Shouldn’t you say I was about to, but didn’t?
“……”
His nonchalant attitude was so annoying that the veins in her hand holding the phone bulged.
−How about 7 o’clock? Let’s talk over dinner.
“It’s about work, right, CEO?”
−Of course.
“……”
Can I trust this?
−You seem doubtful. When have you ever seen me lie?
“You might not lie, but you often talk nonsense.”
A pleasant laugh wrapped around her ear.
−If it’s not about work, I’ll buy you meals for life.
“I’ll pass.”
−Is this what you call nonsense? Or is it flirting?
“I think it’s both.”
The laughter grew a bit louder.
−If Team Leader Chae had accepted, I might have deliberately talked about something completely unrelated to work, but since you’re declining, I have no choice but to talk about work. I’ll send you the location after I hang up, so see you later.
“Yes, I’ll see you then.”
Young In put down her phone and burst into laughter.
She decided to honestly admit it today. That she enjoyed the casual conversations and light jokes with Cha Sung Hyuk.
Although she pretended not to be very interested, she was actually curious about what he wanted to talk about.
__________
Female On Top
One-line summary: The female lead is actually cold-hearted and extremely rational. She has stage-by-stage relationships and won’t two-time, but there will always be someone who secretly likes her.
This novel has the following triggers, so if you’re sensitive to these, please don’t read:
1. The female lead has had many relationships, but she treated each one seriously and broke up properly.
It’s just that the men unilaterally pestered her incessantly. For the female lead, when she doesn’t like someone anymore, she simply doesn’t like them.
(This applies to her relationships with Male Lead 1, 2, 3, and 4 as well, but she’s loyal in each 1-on-1 relationship!)
2. In this novel, Male Lead 2 and the female lead kiss in a car, and Male Lead 1 sees it and beats up Male Lead 2.
The female lead calls the police and sends both Male Lead 1 and 2 to the police station! Male Lead 1 begs the female lead not to break up with him.
3. Male Lead 1 has a gentle appearance but an obsessive personality.
Male Lead 2 has a delicate and soft appearance, slightly green tea-like (two-faced).
Male Lead 3 is a youthful college student and a smart person who has secretly liked the female lead for a long time.
Male Lead 4 is the female lead’s father’s special assistant, a business elite with deep, hidden thoughts.
4. At the beginning of this novel, the female lead has already broken up with Male Lead 1 (Chapter 4) and gotten back together with Male Lead 2 (ex-boyfriend).
5. Enter with caution if you have triggers!!!
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