Just one more touch on the cell phone screen, and she could check her balance. All she had to do was confirm the shimmering numbers showing the balance, when she heard the sound of cold water being poured – it was Team Leader Moon Tae Hong.

Having been excited with anticipation, Hae Jin became quite sensitive due to the cooling of her enthusiasm. But he, who had no way of knowing the reason, stuck close to her side and lowered his face to look at the small screen of Hae Jin’s phone.

“Yeonji Bank?”

Though Hae Jin tried to hide it, he easily discerned the bank brand that peeked out from beside her fingers covering the screen.

“Is it the company salary account? Is today payday?”

The chaebol second son Mr. Moon Tae Hong probably doesn’t check his account balance. Hae Jin too once didn’t bother with deposits and withdrawals, but now she carefully tracked them.

“Yes. Today is D-day.”

With Tae Hong still pressed close, she quickly closed the app without being able to properly check. The money that had come in wasn’t going to run away, so she could check it later.

“Do you need something?”

Hae Jin sat back down, seemingly resigned. The balance still lingered in her mind like an afterimage.

“I don’t need anything, but there is something I should receive.”

As she made a face saying she had nothing to give and knew nothing, Tae Hong let out a dry laugh.

“You’re already making a face like you’ve forgotten?”

“I don’t remember.”

She thought he might not remember since there was nothing, but he was a man who didn’t know how to give up. She slightly moved her body to the side as if subtly pressuring him to step aside, but he pretended not to notice and didn’t budge an inch.

“You said you’d pay it back.”

“Pay what?”

At the mention of paying back, Hae Jin instinctively looked at the thermos placed beside her. Why did this have to catch her attention now of all times?

“I don’t remember the exact amount for the hospital bill since I didn’t bring the receipt.”

Somehow, she kept wanting to look at the thermos. In the end, it was related to the hospital bill.

“I have a rough idea of the amount, so let’s have meals worth that price.”

Is he really trying to build a relationship over meals? But she couldn’t let herself be drawn in like this.

“Didn’t you clearly say I didn’t have to pay back the hospital bill?”

When she asked pointedly, Tae Hong slowly chose his words. The flow of the conversation was gradually tilting in Hae Jin’s favor.

“I believe you told me not to talk about money in front of the team leader.”

Just as she was about to say that meant the hospital bill was water under the bridge, Tae Hong crossed his arms and stood at an angle. His gaze became slanted as well.

“That’s strange logic.”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t think I said not to pay it back.”

“But you said not to bring up money talk.”

“That’s why I said to pay it back with meals.”

Tae Hong turned away, leaving Hae Jin dumbfounded. It seemed he was determined to settle this for sure.

“Let’s make it today’s lunch.”

How convenient that just today’s lunch was free in that packed schedule.

“Representative Jung Hae Jin got her first paycheck too.”

Who would have thought my first paycheck would go to my superior Moon Tae Hong.

**

Tae Hong, who had said to have lunch together, went out on urgent business. Originally they were supposed to go together, but it was Tae Hong’s consideration for Hae Jin who wasn’t feeling well.

It was only for a fleeting moment that she thought she wouldn’t have to pay for the meal because Tae Hong had gone out.

She saw the thermos placed on the desk. Imagining him preparing it from the morning, she wondered if that measly meal cost really mattered.

Perhaps she should have just said outright that she’d buy it.

One way or another, whether in her head or heart, he kept coming to mind even when he wasn’t there.

With their appointment canceled, Hae Jin ate alone, hastily filling her stomach. Still, it felt oddly awkward eating alone, as if some bond had formed over meals.

Barely eating, she found herself desperately wanting the thermos on her desk.

This desperation – was it really for the thermos, or for the canceled lunch with him?

Well. As she got closer to the office, she kept thinking of the barley tea that had gradually warmed her insides. Yet in her heart, Tae Hong had taken root.

Perhaps she had been desperate for that canceled lunch with him after all.

With Tae Hong still not back in the office, Hae Jin spent a lazy afternoon at her desk.

Having eaten a light lunch, she wasn’t particularly sleepy, but she needed a caffeine boost at this time to make it through the afternoon.

After stretching once, she stood up from her seat and made eye contact with Yeon Jung at just the perfect timing.

She tried to ease the awkwardness with a nod, but that was only in Hae Jin’s mind. Yeon Jung, maintaining eye contact, stood up from her seat and walked towards Hae Jin.

Click clack, with each step Yeon Jung took, Hae Jin forced a smile. Yeon Jung stopped right in front of Hae Jin and raised her voice so everyone could hear.

“Isn’t today Jung’s first payday?”

Payday – they must have received their paychecks too. Then, what Yeon Jung wants is clear.

“If you got your first paycheck, you should treat us.”

She looked to the other team members for agreement, as if saying ‘right?’ Some nodded along, while others had expressions that said ‘is that really necessary?’

A treat, huh. She could almost hear Tae Hong’s voice saying the first paycheck should be used to treat one’s superior.

She had thought they were trying to squeeze blood from a stone, but perhaps treating Tae Hong would have been better.

In the end, she concluded she should treat him in good spirits after all this.

“Of course. I should treat everyone.”

Putting on a sociable smile, Hae Jin showed an even more enthusiastic attitude. She started taking menu orders from the team members in the office.

As Hae Jin acted even more proactively, Yeon Jung seemed displeased again.

“Will coffee be enough? Since it’s hard to make time for dinner, you should buy desserts too.”

Oh, that’s perfect, Yeon Jung said with a satisfied smile towards Hae Jin.

“Of course. Order whatever you’d like.”

Hiding a deep sigh, Hae Jin even asked for recommendations on what was good at the cafe in the lobby.

Only after confirming the menu and making sure there was nothing else did Hae Jin leave the office.

She let out a sigh upon reaching the lobby.

She had been planning to share the joy of her first paycheck with her team members anyway. Of course, the difference was whether she did it herself or was prompted by others.

Though Yeon Jung’s obvious actions weren’t to her liking, she decided to buy gladly since she wanted to get along well with them.

She had used the cafe in the lobby occasionally. Though she hadn’t tried the desserts there before, she thought it would be nice to try them this time. So she ordered.

Hearing from the employee that it would take some time due to the variety and quantity, Hae Jin sat down.

Since she had never sat here before, she hadn’t had the chance to properly take in the lobby. There were so many people passing by.

Then she recalled when she first came here. She had been very nervous, but also excited.

Who would have known that her passionate heart would keep changing into one of interest and affection.

When a person has hit rock bottom, can they not be shaken when a solid wall-like person reaches out a helping hand?

Ah, the human heart is fickle. Once you start thinking about leaning towards someone, it keeps endlessly heading in that direction.

When the buzzer went off and Hae Jin went to pick up the drinks, the quantity was substantial.

Just as she was about to pick up her phone to ask a team member for help, she caught a familiar scent from behind.

“Team Leader?”

Standing right behind her was Tae Hong. Tae Hong looked back and forth between Hae Jin and the drinks and desserts piled up in front of her.

His face seemed to be asking what all this was.

“I treated everyone.”

“Who?”

“The team members.”

“What about me?”

Ah, well you see… Before Hae Jin could explain the situation, his hands were full of drinks.

“I can carry them.”

“Bring the rest.”

Is he upset? Hae Jin followed his lead for now. The two headed to the office with their hands full of drinks.

When Hae Jin entered, team members came out to greet and thank her, but as soon as they saw Tae Hong following behind, they were busy reaching out to take the drinks he was carrying.

Tae Hong distributed the drinks to the team members one by one.

“This isn’t from me, it’s from Representative Jung Hae Jin.”

Tae Hong made sure to clarify who was treating.

Only after handing out the last drinks and desserts did Tae Hong stand next to Hae Jin.

“Now, enjoy the coffee and desserts that Representative Jung Hae Jin is treating you to.”

It felt like he was drilling in that Jung Hae Jin was treating right to the end.

“Representative Jung Hae Jin, come with me for a moment.”

Having finished his business, Tae Hong took Hae Jin and left the office.

Not knowing where they were going, she followed him into the elevator and naturally pressed B1. But Tae Hong canceled that button and pressed 1 instead.

“Why are we going to the first floor?”

“I need to have coffee too.”

Since she had bought just enough coffee, there obviously wasn’t any for Tae Hong. Quickly grasping the situation, Hae Jin, who had already made up her mind to treat him, added:

“Team Leader, please order whatever you’d like. I’ll gladly pay for it.”

Tae Hong gave a meaningful smile.

“Your empty words are quite charming.”

He ordered the coffee he usually drinks and passed the dessert menu selection to Hae Jin. She chose mostly based on her own taste, but included a few types he preferred as well.

And when Hae Jin tried to pay, the card in the employee’s hand was Tae Hong’s.

“It must have been hard enough to mark me.”

His reason was simple. Can a person move someone like this? Hae Jin faced Tae Hong holding the coffee and desserts.

“Is it my turn to mark now?”

She wondered what he meant.

“I mean Jung Hae Jin’s heart.”

He truly was an unpredictable rugby ball of a team leader.

Not knowing the destination, they left the company for now.

“Where should we go?”

The car was naturally driving straight ahead at the green light.

“The hospital.”

Hae Jin felt a warmth in the corner of her heart at Tae Hong’s words, which showed how much he cared for her health. He was still worried about her indigestion. How could he move her like this again?

“Team Leader, thank you, but I’m really fine. I’m already grateful that you took me straight to the hospital when I collapsed, paid the hospital bill, and even made barley tea for me yourself. I was deeply touched.”

Hae Jin was unknowingly listing things, unable to contain the warm feelings in her heart. Having even paid for lunch, she was already two or three times moved.

“I’m really alright, so we don’t need to go to the hospital.”

Next time I’ll definitely treat you to lunch, she kept promising herself inwardly. For the first time in a while, she was overwhelmed with emotion from someone’s deep concern.

“Really, really, I’m fine.”

So she ended up rambling even more. She felt as if her whole body was being pickled in emotion.

“I see I’ve moved Representative Jung Hae Jin’s heart that much.”

Tae Hong barely held back his laughter. Pfft, laughter escaped through his lips.

This doesn’t bode well. She noticed his shoulders shaking beside her.

“Right. Hearing it confirmed verbally, I realize I’ve done so many wonderful things.”

Hehe, Tae Hong was now openly laughing, unable to hold back. He turned his face towards the window, trying hard to contain himself, but it was evident even in her wide field of view. Finally suppressing his laughter, he said:

“I understand, but right now we’re going to visit a patient. To visit Director Lee.”

Oh no. I’m done for. Jung Hae Jin.