The Young Boss (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 12

After the sudden, thunderbolt-like meeting, the team members spent the entire day huddled together in deep thought.

What on earth should they get rid of?

No matter how hard they tried, they simply couldn’t identify a single feature worthy of removal.

After all, when merging seven separate applications into one, it was impossible they hadn’t already focused on cutting things out from the very beginning. What they had now was the result of ruthless, bone-deep sacrifices—so how could they possibly be asked to cut even more? What exactly were they supposed to do?

Even after repeated meetings until quitting time, the team still couldn’t find an answer, so Si Hyeon finally threw her hands up.

“Let’s call it a day here. I’ll think more about it myself.”

In truth, Si Hyeon was the team’s only UX planner; everyone else handled development, UI design, or similar roles. In other words, the deletion task requested by the department head had essentially been hers alone from the start.

“Wait a moment.”

As she headed toward the bus stop, someone called out from behind. Turning around, she saw Tae Ha standing there.

“What is it?”

Her voice came out sharper than she intended. After everything from last night and the comments she’d heard during this morning’s meeting, she simply couldn’t feel kindly toward Tae Ha right now.

“Um, about this morning… I…”

Before Tae Ha could finish his sentence, someone else called out to Si Hyeon.

“Si Hyeon!”

Seeing Woo Jin approaching, Si Hyeon was startled.

“Are you done for the day?”

Woo Jin grinned and placed his hand on Si Hyeon’s shoulder, but then suddenly stiffened as he noticed Tae Ha behind her.

“Who’s that?”

Meeting his suspicious gaze, Si Hyeon quickly spoke up.

“Say hello, Oppa. This is Tae Ha—the one I’ve always talked about. Tae Ha, you say hello too. This is Kim Woo Jin, the man I’m going to marry.”

Yet the two men, for some reason, didn’t exchange greetings at all. Instead, they just stared fixedly at each other for a long while.

Woo Jin wasn’t exactly short at 175 centimeters, but Tae Ha had already measured 187 centimeters during his military physical exam—and now he seemed even taller.

Naturally, Tae Ha ended up looking down at the other man. Sensing this wasn’t particularly pleasant, Woo Jin lifted his chin high and stared straight back at Tae Ha.

“…”

After a tense silence thick with unspoken tension, Woo Jin finally demanded, as if forcing the words out.

“When did you find her again?”

His tone clearly implied, “Why didn’t you tell me?” so Si Hyeon quickly explained.

“It’s only been a few days. Tae Ha joined our company—I was completely shocked too.”

“Oh, really?”

Only then did Woo Jin’s expression relax slightly. With a hint of smug superiority, he gave Tae Ha’s shoulder a few encouraging pats.

“I heard you’re a high school graduate, so it’s great you got into a good company. Well, working life isn’t as easy as you’d think—just hang in there. Once you become a section chief like me, things will get better.”

He didn’t seem to notice Si Hyeon fidgeting anxiously beside him.

“Oh wow, Si Hyeon always described you as such a kid, I thought you’d be tiny! You’re huge—you could even play basketball. How about we grab a drink sometime to celebrate your new job?”

Tae Ha remained expressionless, only watching silently as Woo Jin chattered on.

Just then, a group of coworkers leaving the office spotted Tae Ha and called out.

“Department Head, are you heading home now?”

“Have a good evening, Department Head!”

Tae Ha gave a light nod.

“Thank you all for your hard work.”

Only then did Woo Jin’s face show clear dismay.

“Department Head?”

Glancing briefly at the flustered Woo Jin, Tae Ha turned around without a word and walked away.

“Department Head? A twenty-six-year-old?”

Woo Jin asked again and again, unable to believe it.

“Tae Ha’s been developing apps since high school. You wouldn’t know, but he’s famous in our industry—and he even runs his own company.”

“Then why did that guy join your company?”

His tone was openly hostile, and Si Hyeon’s head began to ache. She knew Tae Ha didn’t care much for Woo Jin, but she hadn’t expected the feeling to be mutual. Why were they growling at each other like this when they hardly even knew one another?

“Our OneApp project was dragging badly, so upper management brought him in as a rescue player. It’s a one-year contract.”

Even after her explanation, Woo Jin still looked unconvinced. Realizing this wasn’t going anywhere, Si Hyeon quickly changed the subject.

“But why did you come all the way to my office today? I thought you were busy lately.”

“You went through so much trouble visiting my parents yesterday to pay your respects. I came to treat you to something nice.”

Hearing this, Si Hyeon felt some of the lingering resentment from yesterday begin to soften.

After all, it must have been hard for him to openly take her side in front of his parents—he probably worried about making things awkward for himself.

“So you do know I went through a lot, huh?”

“Ah, of course I know. I know everything.”

Woo Jin affectionately wrapped his arm around her shoulders, and Si Hyeon couldn’t help but smile. Maybe this was the beauty of a long-term relationship—precisely because you knew each other so well, even hurt feelings didn’t last long.

“Is there anything you’d like to eat?”

“I really want seafood pasta—it’s been ages.”

“Great. Then shall we go back to that place we went last time?”

Even though it was already after work, the daylight still lingered as days grew longer. For once, they walked hand in hand down the street, where cherry buds had just begun to bloom.

Si Hyeon was in good spirits—even managing to forget about Tae Ha temporarily—right up until they sat across from each other in a cozy café-restaurant, enjoying the warm evening sunlight.

“You know, Si Hyeon…”

Woo Jin began cautiously, shortly after their food arrived.

“About our wedding expenses… Could you possibly prepare an additional thirty million won?”

“Thirty million won?”

Si Hyeon had saved about 150 million won from her job so far, and Woo Jin had roughly the same amount. They’d already agreed to combine their 300 million won, add a lease loan, and secure a new home for their marriage.

“So that’s why you were acting so sweet today—you came just to ask me this?”

Although she shot him a slight glare, Si Hyeon mentally ran the numbers.

They’d planned to marry around autumn and use whatever they earned until then for the wedding ceremony and honeymoon—but suddenly needing an extra thirty million threw all her calculations off.

“But why all of a sudden? Is it because lease prices shot up again?”

“No, it’s just… I think we really should prepare a traditional bridal gift set for my family.”

“A bridal gift set?”

Si Hyeon’s expression hardened.

“What are you talking about? We specifically agreed to skip all that since we’re splitting the housing costs fifty-fifty.”

“I wanted to do that too, but… I realized my sisters-in-law all brought bridal gifts when they married in. If you show up empty-handed, it’ll put you in an awkward position.”

“Our situation is different! When your brothers got married, your parents helped with the house payments!”

“But I have a better job than they do—they both work at small and medium-sized companies, so of course our parents helped them.”

His answer was so confidently delivered that Si Hyeon was left speechless.

“Think about it. No matter how kind my parents are, how could they possibly look fondly on a daughter-in-law who doesn’t even bring a suit or a bag when their son gets married?”

Woo Jin spoke as if trying to persuade her.

“Yesterday, even though my parents didn’t say anything about your mistake, I could tell they were bothered—probably wondering if you didn’t receive proper upbringing since you grew up at your relatives’.”

“Mistake?”

Si Hyeon genuinely couldn’t believe her ears and repeated the word in disbelief.

She’d gone to the salon to get ready, arrived bearing gifts in both hands, greeted everyone from his parents down to the youngest nieces and nephews, and even helped prepare side dishes like seasoned lettuce wraps from scratch—and now he called that a mistake?

“What exactly did I do wrong?”

Her voice inevitably turned sharp.

“You didn’t place spoons in front of my parents before the meal yesterday. Because of that, they’re worried you might lack proper home training, given you grew up at your relatives’.”

Woo Jin spoke as if lecturing a clueless child.

“I told them you were probably just nervous—it was your first time—so I’d handle it. But they still seemed uneasy, so I thought reconsidering the bridal gift was the best first step. After all, it’d be nice for you to be a beloved daughter-in-law, wouldn’t it?”

Si Hyeon’s words caught in her throat, and she set down the fork she’d been holding.

She’d waited until his parents and even her future sister-in-law had started eating before she finally picked up her own utensils out of politeness—and now he was blaming her for not placing the spoons herself?

“Didn’t you see? I was running back and forth from the kitchen carrying trays the whole time—I didn’t even have a spare moment to set out spoons.”

She’d been so busy even topping up water glasses that she’d only managed to sit down at the very end—and now he was complaining about spoons?

“No, but it’s basic manners for juniors to set the spoons. Since you didn’t do it, my sister-in-law had to step in. Can you imagine how embarrassing that must’ve been for my parents to witness?”

Si Hyeon stared at Woo Jin anew, as if seeing him for the first time.

Was this really the same man she’d been with for six years?

What on earth was so special about a spoon? Even if it were important, was it really grounds to question her entire upbringing?

She was angrier at Woo Jin than even at his parents who’d nitpicked behind her back. Even if they’d mentioned it, shouldn’t he have defended her? At the very least, shouldn’t he have kept it from her?

And now, based on that, he was suddenly bringing up a bridal gift she’d never even planned for.

“…”

Swallowing the lump rising in her throat, Si Hyeon wordlessly held out both hands. Thanks to Tae Ha’s careful ointment application yesterday, the pain had faded, but her palms remained visibly red.

Woo Jin examined her hands with a puzzled look, then frowned.

“Your hands are all rough again. Aren’t you using the hand cream I bought you?”

He even scolded her.

“What’s with these hands? They look like an ajumma’s, not a young lady’s. I don’t mind, but you’ll need manicures and such for the wedding soon—you really should take better care of them.”

Si Hyeon closed her eyes and let out a sigh. This man understood nothing. He didn’t even try.

“I think I’ll head home now.”

She grabbed her bag and stood up.

“What? You’re leaving already, right in the middle of dinner?”

Woo Jin stood up in surprise, but Si Hyeon ignored him and walked straight out of the restaurant.

Outside, darkness had already fallen completely. The temperature had dropped sharply after sunset, and the cold wind mercilessly seeped through her thin trench coat.

[Ask yourself seriously, just once.]

Why, at this very moment, did Tae Ha’s words from this morning’s meeting come back to her?

[Could it be that you’re mistaking something you can’t let go of for something you simply won’t let go of?]

Let go… of Woo Jin?

Shocked to realize she was even considering such a thought—something she’d never once entertained before—Si Hyeon hurriedly pulled her coat tighter and quickened her pace.

Exhausted in both body and spirit, Si Hyeon returned home. She longed to collapse into bed, but today just happened to be garbage collection day.

She’d missed last week’s pickup due to being busy, so her trash had piled up—and she couldn’t afford to miss another week. Si Hyeon heaved heavy garbage bags into both hands and groaned her way toward the elevator.

A large hand reached out from behind and pressed the elevator button for her.

“Thank you.”

As she spoke, the person took her garbage bags right out of her hands and stepped into the elevator.

“Oh, it’s fine! I can manage…”

Startled, she tried to protest, but then she saw the person’s face and couldn’t believe her eyes.

“Tae Ha?”

While she stared in surprise, the elevator reached the first floor. Tae Ha calmly placed the trash in the designated spot and got back on the elevator without a word.

“What? How do you even know where I live?”

But Tae Ha didn’t answer. When the elevator stopped at Si Hyeon’s floor, he simply strode out.

“I said, how do you even know where I live…”

Her breath caught as she watched Tae Ha enter the passcode for the next-door unit and open the front door.

Only then did he turn to look at Si Hyeon and speak.

“It’s our home.”