As the elevator doors opened on the guest floor, Tae Hong and Hae Jin followed behind the staff member who walked out first. Hae Jin walked with an admiring gaze at the impressive interior decor of the guest floor.

The atmosphere on each floor was quite different. It was clear they had targeted different audiences. Hae Jin diligently wrote down everything she observed.

The ultimate purpose of the guest rooms was to create a private space, with the main goal of making guests feel disconnected from the outside world while inside.

Hae Jin could only understand the meaning of those words after entering a guest room. Not only was the interior decor luxurious, but even the smallest accessories were carefully placed.

It made her think that if one were to engage in creative activities in such a place, inspiration would surely flow abundantly.

“It’s all good, but isn’t it a bit excessive for people who come here to rest?”

Unlike Hae Jin, who was full of admiration, Tae Hong was unimpressed. However, the staff members immediately addressed Tae Hong’s concerns.

“Of course, you might think that way. But this location faces due south, and the amount of sunlight that enters is sufficient. During the day, if you open the curtains like this.”

The staff member pressed a button, and the curtains, which were the same color as the walls, parted to the sides. Bright sunlight flooded into the room, making artificial lighting unnecessary.

“You can experience a different atmosphere in the guest room. You can enjoy rest with sunlight during the day and with art at night.”

Another staff member added to this explanation.

“In particular, we’ve put a lot of effort into the bathrooms.”

Hae Jin and Tae Hong followed the footsteps leading to the bathroom.

“Unlike other hotels, the bathrooms occupy a considerable amount of space. It’s highly satisfactory even for guests who come for relaxation.”

Indeed, the bathroom was noticeably large. The bathtub was as spacious as if a small pool had been placed there. Hae Jin nodded, acknowledging the considerable attention to detail.

“I see. What do you think, Jung Hae Jin?”

At Tae Hong’s sudden question, Hae Jin’s hand stopped writing notes.

“I think the luxurious feel of the guest room is quite excellent.”

Hae Jin gave her honest opinion.

“But as the team leader said, it feels slightly excessive.”

The staff members frowned at her words, which seemed to side with the team leader despite their explanations. But Hae Jin continued to express her opinion firmly.

“Have you heard about young people raising companion plants these days?”

The staff members’ eyes remained fixed on Hae Jin. They seemed to be slightly mocking, not hiding their expressions that seemed to say, ‘What do you know?’

“Not just young people, but older folks also keep plants nearby.”

Hae Jin smiled at the staff members and continued speaking.

“I think Yeonchang Group’s hotel branding should differentiate itself from others.”

They all had faces that seemed to ask, ‘So what exactly do you mean?’

“I want to reimagine the concept of the balcony. Hotel balconies are usually cold and empty, right? They’re mainly used for ventilation or getting some fresh air. But what if we decorated that space with plants? Like a small garden? I suggest investing half the ratio spent on the bathroom into decorating the terrace.”

Hae Jin concluded, alternating her gaze between her notes and the faces of the staff members.

Even those who had been looking at her condescendingly nodded their heads at her plausible words, unconsciously agreeing. Tae Hong, who had been listening without interrupting with his arms crossed, was one of them.

“That’s good, Jung Hae Jin.”

The power of that single sentence was remarkable. As they were leaving the room, the staff members handed their business cards to Hae Jin.

“We look forward to working with you, Jung Hae Jin.”

Hae Jin awkwardly smiled and accepted the business cards they offered.

Tae Hong was just watching this scene from the side. Just then, his phone rang. Tae Hong checked the number and dismissed the other staff members.

“This call might take a while, so it might be better for you to go down first and wait.”

At Tae Hong’s suggestion, the staff members agreed and took the elevator down first. Tae Hong answered the phone, and Hae Jin looked around at the places she hadn’t seen behind Tae Hong.

While Tae Hong’s call dragged on, Hae Jin continued to conceptualize ideas for the hotel. She thought and thought again, looking at the notes she had written.

What colors would be good for the hotel corridors, what decorations would suit, what kind of rest area should be set up in front of the elevators. Her mind was entirely filled with work.

With her eyes glued to her notes, she paced the long corridor with her pen to her lips. As she walked lost in thought, she suddenly realized Tae Hong was no longer in sight. At that moment, she bumped into someone.

“Oh? I’m sorry.”

The pen she was holding fell to the floor due to the collision. The person standing in front of her quickly picked up the pen. Hae Jin raised her head towards the man as she reached for the returned pen.

“Thank you. I was lost in thought.”

“It happens.”

The man’s voice was gentle. Hae Jin tried to take the pen, but contrary to his words, the man didn’t let go.

“Are you alone?”

“Pardon?”

This was a hotel. And the man had bumped into her on the guest floor.

Tae Hong was nowhere to be seen in the corridor, and the only people there were him and Hae Jin. What kind of question was that? A puzzled expression naturally formed on her face.

“What do you mean?”

Hae Jin asked, putting force into her eyes. But the man was the epitome of composure.

“It’s an unusual place, isn’t it?”

“What is?”

“A woman focusing on a notebook in a hotel corridor.”

“Is there something wrong with that?”

Hae Jin asked with her eyes even wider. She felt uncomfortable, as if he was trying to attach meaning to something that would be nothing if not looked at with interest.

“It’s refreshing.”

But the man quickly countered Hae Jin’s question.

“Please give me the pen. I have company.”

When Hae Jin pulled the pen with a bit more force, it came easily. Hae Jin gripped the pen and immediately turned around to walk in the opposite direction. As she turned the corner, Tae Hong had just finished his call.

“Is your call over?”

Hae Jin asked, her voice slightly out of breath. Tae Hong shifted his gaze from his phone to Hae Jin.

“You’re out of breath?”

“I walked a bit fast.”

Tae Hong’s eyes quickly scanned her. He seemed to be checking thoroughly if something else had happened.

“Let’s go down.”

As Hae Jin didn’t make a big deal out of it, he also withdrew his gaze. They arrived at the lobby, talked a bit more with the staff, and then got up.

“It’s not me you should be impressing, but Jung Hae Jin.”

Tae Hong slightly turned his head towards Hae Jin, who was standing half a step behind. The staff’s gazes shifted from him to Hae Jin.

“The person in charge here is not me, but Jung Hae Jin. I’m just the one who signs the approval documents.”

It meant that from now on, this person would be acting on his behalf.

As Hae Jin bowed her head with a request to work well together, the staff members also bowed. With the atmosphere seeming to have concluded well, they left the hotel with light steps.

And as they were finishing up, shaking hands with each other, there was someone watching them in the lobby.

“A Yeonchang Group pen, and working with Moon Tae Hong?”

It was Park Seo Woo, who had bumped into Hae Jin earlier. His eyes shone sharply as he looked at the two with interest.

**

Hae Jin, who had gotten into Tae Hong’s car, still couldn’t take her eyes off her notebook.

“What are you thinking about so hard?”

Tae Hong, not wanting to disturb her concentration on work, but with a slightly twisted heart, ended up breaking her focus.

“I was thinking we should come to the hotel again.”

Screech! The car came to a sudden stop. Her body lurched slightly forward due to the abrupt halt.

“I’m sorry. I was distracted.”

Hae Jin pulled the seatbelt forward slightly and then let it return to its place. Tae Hong asked if she was okay and started the car again.

“We should come back to the hotel.”

Hae Jin, unaware of what was surprising him, repeated.

“The more I look at it, the better it seems. If I get the chance, I’d like to have a proper conversation with the hotel staff in charge.”

The more enthusiastically Hae Jin talked, the less he reacted. Taking his reaction as positive, she pushed a bit further.

“Do you happen to know any higher-ups at this hotel?”

Thinking she might as well try to ask for his help, Hae Jin inquired, but Tae Hong’s answer was sharp.

“I think I’ve done enough by bringing you here today and arranging a meeting with the staff.”

“Team leader. Do you think I’m doing this for my own benefit? Isn’t it all for Yeonchang Group?”

Hae Jin flared up at Tae Hong’s words, which she interpreted as unfair. Would a meeting alone be enough? Did he know how many aspects needed attention when planning?

The most accurate data comes not just from pushing a pen, but from actually staying at the hotel and identifying its strengths and weaknesses.

“Do you think I don’t know the Grace Hotel staff?”

“If you know them, please use your influence. You said you’d help.”

She knew better than anyone that she had to do everything possible for the given task.

She had to use all available connections, as long as it wasn’t illegal, to get what she could. Even then, it was questionable whether a perfect proposal would come out.

“But I don’t particularly feel like introducing you.”

He firmly drew the line, making it clear that her approach wouldn’t work anymore. His narrowed eyes made the line he had drawn even more solid.

“Don’t think about using connections, just work well with the staff. After all, you’ll be working with them anyway.”

“That’s true, but still, hearing about the original founding motives more directly…”

“Stop thinking unnecessary thoughts.”

Tae Hong cut her off. Realizing that further requests would be meaningless due to his unusually sensitive reaction, she decided to resolve things on her own if he wouldn’t help.

His immovable head finally turned towards Hae Jin.

“I think we need to come to this hotel a few more times.”

Tae Hong’s brow furrowed even deeper. His expression was constantly saying, ‘What nonsense are you talking about?’

“There’s nothing better than direct experience, right? Reading someone else’s written review is indirect experience. People read reviews not only to check before visiting a place but also to experience someone else’s emotions about a place they haven’t been to.”

Just then, the car stopped at a red light. Tae Hong turned completely towards Hae Jin.

“If the opportunity arises, I don’t think it would be bad to stay here once.”

“If that’s the case.”

Hae Jin’s focus shifted to him as she heard the contemplation in his voice.

“Let’s book it together.”