Kang Hyun grinned, smiling again.

He’s smiling well now. That’s a relief.

Ji An, who had stupidly followed his smile and blushed her cheeks, shook her head vigorously.

She had empathized as if she had become Han Seo Yoon herself. This was a real problem.

“Hello, Executive Director.”
“Hello.”
Ji An, who had entered Seowon Construction with Kang Hyun, was only able to get on the executive elevator after receiving the most attention and greetings she had ever received in her life.

“You’re popular.”
“It’s because the executive director, who was rumored to have become a hermit, has appeared after 4 years. There’s going to be a lot of work.”
“I like it!”
Why is he so happy about work?

His hand, which had been about to caress Ji An, who looked like a wagging puppy, grasped the air.

For a brief moment, he made the foolish wish that he had the ability to stop time.

So he could touch Seo Yoon in a moment unknown to anything or anyone.

“You’re here.”
Director Do greeted Kang Hyun with a face as bright as Ji An’s. He found today the worth of having guarded the executive office alone for 4 years.

Ji An, having a naive face which didn’t fit with Seok Won at all, scurried over to the desk prepared next to him, and while looking over the office computer, notebook, and various equipment provided for her, she let out a small cheer.

—Ms. Seo Ji An, come to the office.
Kang Hyun called for Ji An not even 5 minutes, no, 3 minutes after he entered the office.

Seok Won let out a bitter laugh when he heard his slightly raised voice. The sight of Kang Hyun, not knowing what to do every single minute and second, was apparent to him.

Despite having returned alive after 4 years, how poignant must a lover be who can’t even properly call out a name.

Following Seok Won’s gesture to go on, Ji An, who entered the office, waited for her work instructions in front of a spacious midlevel executive’s desk.

“Director Do will prepare the handover documents for the secretary office soon. After checking, please gather the proposals posted on the intranet by department and bring them here.”
Kang Hyun seemed familiar, as if he had come to work every day without fail and kept his position. There was no trace to be found of having rested for 4 years and returning.

Executive Director Tae Kang Hyun.

Ji An stared at the nameplate, which felt only strange. Some of Kang Hyun’s actions during this time were not unfamiliar to an extent she couldn’t understand.

Like when she reached out her hand to wipe the sauce on his mouth, and he tilted his chin towards her.

However, him sitting at the midlevel executive’s desk and the view of the city stretched out beyond the glass window behind him, the space, resembling its owner, was desolate and felt strangely unfamiliar.

I wonder if Han Seo Yoon has ever been here.

Perhaps because she couldn’t erase the thought that she was looking at him through Seo Yoon’s eyes, such a question suddenly arose.

“Please provide the documents related to the major projects currently underway as well.”
“Yes.”
“Make sure to summarize all future meeting schedules without any omission and have Ms. Seo Ji An directly report them. Since Director Do Seok Won has a considerable amount of work, I’d like Ms. Seo Ji An to handle all facetoface reports and outside schedules.”
“Yes? Yes.”
Ji An, who couldn’t bring a tablet or writing tool, diligently repeated the instructions verbally.

Kang Hyun gathered every possible excuse to see Ji An as often as possible. He might look like a wicked boss exploiting a newbie who hasn’t even properly received the handover, but he just wanted to see her one more time.

I had endured over four years, yet I couldn’t bear being apart for even a minute. I wonder why.

“Secretary Seo.”
“Yes, Director!”
“Ask the department head for a Japanese boxed lunch order for lunch. Let’s enjoy the good food after we finish our work.”
“Understood.”
Like a soldier standing at attention, Jian bent over and exited the director’s office.

The highspirited workplace life had been critical from the third day onwards.

Having been away for a while, Kang Hyun reviewed everything from minor plans in progress in all teams.

Jian had to run around all day due to the numerous meetings and discussions she was partaking in.

“Secretary Seo. It seems like some data from the design team is missing.”
“Yes, I will bring it to you immediately.”
The Taegang Hyun at work was a completely different person than the one at home.

It was fascinating how a man who had clung to a picture of his deceased lover could work this insanely.

Except for the one day when there was an external luncheon, he even had his lunch in the office while reviewing documents. And he spent more time in the director’s office than at his desk in the secretary’s office.

It was better to work on the sofa in the director’s office since he was being called dozens of times a day.

“Director, you need to eat.”
“You eat first.”
“Well, then I will be outside……”
“No, sit down. Let’s eat together.”
Kang Hyun, who had impulsively spoken, hastily changed his words and pulled Jian, who was trying to step outside, to sit on the sofa.

It was enough to have wasted their time together once by getting lost in work.

Looking at the neat Korean boxed lunch, Kang Hyun opened the wooden chopsticks and first handed over the egg roll and sausage to Jian’s portion.

“Thank you.”
Having had many meals together at the company, Jian no longer refused and put the delicious side dish in her mouth.

While discussing workrelated topics and finishing his meal, Kang Hyun thought about how to make sure Jian, who was cleaning up the lunchbox, wouldn’t immediately leave the office.

“Sort the design team’s data here. Read it and check it, I will review it immediately.”
“Alright.”
Looking at Jian, who cheerfully nodded her head, Kang Hyun didn’t really want to separate the office and the secretary’s office.

He wanted to bring Jian’s entire desk into the director’s office, but he couldn’t actually suggest it.

It would certainly be a torment to endure being with Seo Yoon all day.

“Here on page 4……”
When he raised his eyes because there was a part to correct, he saw Jian, who had her laptop on her lap, nodding off.

She had indeed worked hard for a few days.

Kang Hyun, who had approached her as quietly as possible, closed the laptop, placed it on the table, and sat next to Jian.

He had only gently pulled her head to rest on his shoulder, but Jian suddenly collapsed onto his thigh.

“Hmm…”
Thankfully, Jia An, who hadn’t woken from her sleep, settled into a more comfortable position with a small moan.

Facing her sleeping face directly, Kang Hyun’s heart started to thump wildly.

He wanted to touch her pale face, but fearing she would distance herself upon waking up, he had no choice but to let her be.

It was a moment of fleeting happiness.

“Executive Director?”
After a leisurely nap on her boss’s lap, Jia An blinked her eyes in surprise as she looked straight at Kang Hyun’s face.

Pretending not to notice, Kang Hyun turned his head and kept his lips sealed.

It’s all because you were lying still on my lap.

But he couldn’t explain why he, who was working diligently at his desk, had taken a seat on the sofa, and not just anywhere, but right next to Jia An. Blaming her entirely was impossible.