Jung Hae Jin was the one making Moon Tae Hong unable to focus on the documents. He nervously put down his pen and leaned back deep into his chair.

As he interlaced his fingers behind his head, bandages were still attached to the tips of his overlapping fingers.

“Jung Hae Jin, huh.”

Lost in thought, Tae Hong stretched out his long arm and opened the last drawer. The document in the file was Jung Hae Jin’s resume.

Strictly speaking, it was more personal information than a resume. It was true that he hadn’t seen her actual resume, but if she was Jun Tae’s parachute, would it be credible?

He had a secret source. Someone who could bring any information with just one phone call. This would probably be more reliable.

He had received it but hadn’t read it yet. He wasn’t particularly interested, and having more information is always better, so he just prepared it in advance.

However, in just two days, Tae Hong developed a slight interest in Hae Jin. He thought she was just an insignificant parachute, but her quick actions made him think she might actually catch him off guard.

Needing to be sure, he opened the document.

A confident self-introduction, eyes carefully choosing clothes, a face full of concern for his injury, and reddened cheeks when they were close. Various expressions quickly flashed through his mind.

The daughter of Jung Han Sung, CEO of Sion Company. He vaguely remembered his father mentioning Sion occasionally. Was it a place run by an old friend? He hadn’t paid much attention, so he only had a faint recollection.

So Jung Hae Jin was the daughter of his father’s friend? Although a parachute, it was quite an amusing relationship. No wonder her driving skills, shopping ability, and even knowledge of good restaurants. She was a daughter who had used her father’s card a lot.

A sneer escaped at the puzzle pieces fitting together. Then suddenly, the part about her working in the planning department at Sion caught his eye.

When was it? There was once a big news article. There was an incident where a global hotel brand was launched domestically.

Sion was the company that led the agreement at that time. At one point, he had worked hard behind the scenes to bring that person in charge to Yeon Chang.

What did the HR department say back then? That the only woman in the planning team wouldn’t budge. Of course, she wouldn’t move from her father’s company.

Jung Hae Jin. How should he handle this multi-talented Jung Hae Jin?

Tae Hong’s eyes, having read to the bottom line, moved back to Hae Jin’s photo.

“Now that I look at it, that expression was definitely a mask.”

He needed to get a proper grip. If used well, she could be a great help to Yeon Chang.

The fact that she was his father’s parachute bothered him the most.

**

It was just as he was checking his evening schedule. Lee Byung Soo approached Jung Hae Jin. Hae Jin, who was checking her schedule, was still buried in additional materials.

Knock knock, at the sound of tapping on the desk, Hae Jin finally lifted her face. Byung Soo pushed up his cold gold-rimmed glasses.

He glanced over the documents Hae Jin was looking at and spoke.

“The team leader is busy, right?”

“Ah, yes.”

“It’s not a big deal. It’s been a while since we’ve had a new entry-level employee in our Strategic Planning Team.”

Even counting a parachute as a new hire. She was grateful for the thoughtful gesture. She nodded slightly in response.

“From what I see, it doesn’t look like the team leader has any free days, so when is the earliest schedule that could finish early? We should at least have a modest welcome party for our new member.”

Hae Jin quickly scanned her schedule. However, she still couldn’t get a sense of which meetings might end early.

“Could I check and let you know? I’m not sure just from the schedule yet.”

Hae Jin wore a troubled expression. Byung Soo smiled as if it was only natural.

“That could be the case. The team leader doesn’t really like company dinners. It’s just like a casual gathering among us, so don’t feel pressured. Just set it for a day that looks like it might end early.”

Slowly continuing his words, Byung Soo winked and returned to his seat.

Not only the team leader dealing with a murderous schedule, but she herself had no personal time following that schedule.

“Sigh, financial therapy is the only answer.”

Counting down the days to the upcoming payday, Hae Jin focused on her materials.

The last evening schedule was simple. The meal ended quickly. She carefully observed Tae Hong’s mood.

“Um, Team Leader.”

Tae Hong, who had his eyes closed, opened them.

“Yes, go ahead.”

His hoarse voice seemed to indicate he was tired.

“Is there a schedule this week that might end early?”

His head tilted towards Hae Jin as if to ask what she meant. Seeing him staring at her, Hae Jin confessed honestly.

“Ah, well, I’m not familiar with the work yet, so I can’t really tell.”

Hae Jin spoke frankly. Curiosity flickered in Tae Hong’s eyes at her words.

“Actually, Manager Lee suggested arranging a company dinner earlier.”

“Company dinner?”

Tae Hong’s eyebrow raised slightly, then lowered again.

“Is there a company dinner I don’t know about?”

Oops, did I misspeak? As Hae Jin pressed her lips together, Tae Hong began to coax gently.

“I’m not angry, so please continue.”

Thinking that the words were already out, she explained the earlier situation. After listening calmly, Tae Hong nodded slowly.

“It seems Manager Lee has taken a liking to Jung Hae Jin.”

“Pardon? What have I done?”

“That’s what I’m saying. What welcome party when you haven’t done anything yet?”

Tae Hong casually moved the screen on his phone back and forth. At his piercing words, Hae Jin lowered her head.

Right. I haven’t done anything worthy of a welcome party. Of course.

“This Friday, I can go to the client meeting alone.”

The client meeting on Friday that popped into Hae Jin’s mind was quite far away.

“Are you okay driving alone?”

Perhaps he sensed the concern in Hae Jin’s voice. A laugh escaped Tae Hong’s lips.

“Who’s worrying about whom?”

As he said this, Tae Hong, still holding the phone he was looking at, folded his arms and slightly turned his body towards Hae Jin. Even while driving, she could clearly feel Tae Hong’s intense gaze.

“The distance is far, so even designated drivers might not come.”

Her concern was met with a sharp, cutting remark.

“Who said anything about calling a designated driver?”

“Pardon? What do you mean?”

“Can’t Jung Hae Jin drive there for the welcome party, and then come pick me up?”

Look here, Team Leader. You don’t know about company dinners? Company dinners? The flower of a company dinner is alcohol, how can you not let the flower bloom?

“Team Leader, you should just say not to have the company dinner.”

“That can’t be. It’s Jung Hae Jin’s welcome party.”

“How is coming back to pick you up my welcome party?”

Hae Jin was about to protest, feeling it was too much, but she didn’t say anything more. It didn’t seem like he would listen anyway.

“I’m joking.”

You sure know how to joke scarily. Hae Jin glared at Tae Hong with laser-like intensity.

“Enjoy it to the fullest. I’ll take care of the schedule myself.”

“So does that mean I don’t have to come pick you up?”

“I’m not that petty of a person.”

Indeed, the Crown Prince should have that level of generosity. Anyway, knowing that he takes responsibility for his words, Hae Jin felt relieved.

Time passed relentlessly. A routine naturally formed. In the morning, she would commute with Tae Hong, and at lunch, the predetermined restaurant tour would begin.

Tae Hong was the type to eat well without being picky, and he seemed to secretly enjoy this tour. You could tell by how he would casually ask about the next location.

Within the company, Hae Jin got along well with her team members. Since there were no projects to work on together yet, there were relatively few occasions for conflict.

Finally, on the day of the welcome party, Tae Hong had already left due to another schedule, and Hae Jin was reviewing other schedules until the other team members finished.

“Jung. Let’s go.”

Byung Soo approached Hae Jin first. Over Byung Soo’s shoulder, she could see other team members tidying up their desks.

“We’ve made the reservation, so let’s move together.”

Hae Jin quickly wrapped things up and followed Byung Soo. The Strategic Planning Team, having chosen a place near the company, couldn’t hide their excitement for the long-awaited company dinner.

“You don’t have company dinners often?”

“Company dinner? What’s that?”

Byung Soo shrugged his shoulders as if asking what a company dinner was. Other team members chimed in, adding that it had been too long since the last company dinner.

“We’re having one because Jung joined, we don’t usually do company dinners.”

“Really? I thought the Strategic Planning Team would do it often since you achieve your goals every year.”

“You even looked into our team’s performance?”

Byung Soo’s gold-rimmed glasses glinted.

“Ah, just in case. I thought it might be of some help to the Team Leader.”

“No matter how I look at it, Jung, you don’t seem like just a parachute.”

Byung Soo looked at Hae Jin with eyes trying to figure her out, then smiled as if trying to hide his expression.

“Come on, a parachute is a parachute. What are you saying?”

Hae Jin also smiled awkwardly, trying to hide her embarrassment and glossing over the situation.

“A parachute needs a lot of fuel to fly high. You know that, right?”

But Kim Yeon Jung’s voice was heard, pouring cold water on the situation. The surrounding noise suddenly quieted down, and even Hae Jin fell silent.

“Come on, let’s quickly order first.”

Byung Soo spoke up, trying to quickly change the atmosphere as if to liven things up. And as the ordered food and drinks came out, the empty bottles began to pile up one by one.

“It would have been nice if the Team Leader could join us.”

At the words of some team members expressing regret, Hae Jin found herself nodding without realizing it.

“The Team Leader doesn’t really like things like company dinners.”

“I don’t remember ever drinking with the Team Leader.”

Everyone seemed to agree, nodding their heads in agreement.

“But I thought he’d join us this time since he allowed the company dinner, I was looking forward to it.”

“That’s right.”

Me too, others chimed in. At these voices that sounded like complaints, Hae Jin became curious.

Why doesn’t he like company dinners?

“Do you know the reason?”

At her voice that came out without her realizing, everyone’s attention focused on her.

“The reason? He didn’t say anything specific, but maybe he said he doesn’t like drinking?”

“Well, with his packed schedule every day, how could there not be alcohol? Just drinking all that would be…”

Hae Jin looked at the team member who made a face as if he was drinking himself and shuddered.

There were indeed many drinking occasions when she accompanied him. Of course, since they were dealing with clients, his expression wasn’t gloomy, but he wasn’t the type to drink excessively either.

But what does it matter? How nice it is to have a company dinner without your direct superior.