“Let’s exclude the name.”

Chairman Cha immediately caught on to what Seonghyuk meant.

“Someone in the Seongmyeong Construction must have touched your nerves.”

“Oh Chairman, please understand my youngest son, O Chang-geun.”

“If he’s your youngest son, did you bring him in from outside?”

“Yes.”

Chairman Cha, silently staring at his indifferent son’s face, nodded his head soon after.

“It’s your first request, and I can’t refuse it.”

The reason for not asking for details was that if there was a mind to answer, they would have explained the situation from the beginning.

If a son who has never disappointed once says it’s a request, there must be a good reason to believe it, even if it’s trivial. Of course, it would be a tremendous blow from Seongmyeong Construction’s perspective.

“Is there anything else you need besides removing Seongmyeong?”

“No.”

“Tell Song CEO that your orders are the same as mine.”

“Thank you.”

“If you’ve made up your mind to step on it, don’t seek approval. It’s better not to start if you can’t step on it properly.”

Not distinguishing between public and private matters was a family tradition. Chairman Cha was strict with his family, but even stricter with those who opposed or confronted his family.

“I understand.”

Seonghyuk’s thoughts were the same as his father’s. That’s why he intended to do it that way.

After work, Haeyun took Youngin to a pork belly specialty restaurant, and after enjoying a glass of soju and a piece of crispy pork belly, he sighed.

“Team leader, please enjoy. Team leader chose beef, but because of the mess with my credit card this month, I’ll have pork instead.”

“Did Haeyun decide to treat today?”

Youngin, who came without knowing that Haeyun would treat, widened his eyes in surprise.

“Last time, I bought beef as an appetizer.”

“Since I couldn’t shut your mouth with an appetizer, I have to vomit it out now.”

“Did the president hear any rumors between us?”

“That’s not it, but…”

A few hours ago, Haeyun went to the president’s office and had a serious conversation. When Haeyun finished his story, Youngin let out a sigh.

“Why did you say such a thing?”

“I thought the team leader would never do it. There’s no rule that says Baek Hee-ran can’t go further than now. So I thought it would be better for the president to know.”

After confidently defending herself, Haeyun suddenly rounded her shoulders, lowered her head, and apologized.

“I’m sorry for being presumptuous.”

“I said it because I was worried about you. I’ll let it go this time, so don’t do it again.”

“Yes…”

Even though Youngin received an answer, he couldn’t relax, so he added a word.

“If the president also steps in, the situation will get worse. Haeyun, you know that too.”

“It’s just my feeling, but I don’t think the president will come forward. The team leader said he wouldn’t want it, and the president seemed to agree.”
“I hope Haeyun’s feeling is right.”

Haeyun, who was gauging Youngin’s reaction, subtly changed the subject.

“There’s something I want to ask Team Leader.”

“What is it?”

“Do you like the president?”

Caught off guard by the unexpected question, Youngin momentarily hesitated.

“Why suddenly ask that?”

“The president told me to ask Team Leader directly.”

“Huh?”

Haeyun belatedly revealed what she had not yet finished saying, including Seonghyuk saying, “I really like Youngin.”

“In my opinion, Team Leader also seems to like the president, right?”

“Oh, I do.”

Youngin admitted without hesitation, not wanting to deny her true feelings with a lie. She didn’t want to pretend since Haeyun had already noticed from before, and she didn’t want to hide it any longer.

“But why aren’t you two dating? You really suit each other.”

“No, we really don’t suit each other.”

“That’s not true.”

“It is.”

Are there people who don’t suit each other as much as we do?

Erasing the bitter smile from her face, Youngin raised her voice to a passing employee.

“Please bring another bottle of soju here.”

Particularly good at drinking today, Haeyun, who kept downing soju, ended up getting drunk. Youngin, who had brought Haeyun to her place and left, was about to call a taxi but changed her mind.

Deciding to walk a bit while feeling the night breeze, it was just past 9, and there were few people around, so it wasn’t scary.

Throughout the walk in the dark alleyways of the residential area, Youngin pondered the words she heard from Haeyun today. The more she thought about it, the more her anxiety grew.

Determined to get a clear answer and shake off the unease, Youngin called Seonghyuk.

Hello, Youngin.

Grateful that he answered the call so naturally, as if the hesitation was meaningless. If he had reacted with “Why are you calling all of a sudden?” or “What’s going on?” she would have had to think longer when she needed to make another call in the future.

“I heard from Haeyun.”

So, I thought you were calling.

“Don’t get involved if possible. I’ll handle my own matters.”

Don’t worry. I have no intention of getting involved in your and Baek Hee-ran’s affairs.

“Really?”

Really.

“I promise.”