Chapter 1

#1 <Our Da->

It was a successful life.

That’s what the world said. Starting as a contract employee, he climbed the corporate ladder, transitioning to a full-time position and moving through key subsidiaries. Now, he’s the team leader of a core department in the group.

Some might scoff, calling it nonsense or overreacting hysterically. To those hypothetical masses, an old friend simply said, “You idiots who’ve never really worked a day in your lives.”

“……”

Above all, Son Jin-hyeok was single. His few friends envied that the most. Well, isn’t a life envied by friends the most successful kind?

*Phew—*

After running about 20km, he stepped off the treadmill and caught his breath.

After showering, he checked his smartphone in the locker room and narrowed his eyes.

「25 Missed Calls」

He preferred solitude, so he used private gyms instead of the company one, and he hated the hassle of carrying his phone around. There was only one person who’d call so desperately without leaving a text or message. Just as he was about to call back, his phone buzzed again.

The 26th call.

“Yes, Executive Director.”

– *Blurbleblurble-*

A woman with a slurred voice babbled on the other end.

“Understood.”

Having reached the level of understanding her gibberish, his mind was as clear as a mirror even when his boss called during his free time.

***

Son Jin-hyeok quickly scanned the bar as he entered, spotting Executive Director Hong Soo-jung. She was sitting at the high stool in front of the bartender, her usual spot. She swayed like kelp in the waves. Why would someone who owned a hotel drink alone elsewhere? She must’ve sent her secretary and bodyguards away.

Her bobbed hair, disheveled, perked up as she spotted Jin-hyeok, her bleary eyes focusing.

“Ting-dang-nim, you’re here~?”

Her hair looked like it had been in a fight with her scalp. If only she wouldn’t glare like that. Why do drunk people all act the same?

“Eegba, eegba-. She said she’s gonna drink it all~.”

“Haha! You got me again, sir.”

Jin-hyeok ignored Soo-jung, who was pointing at the bartender, and exchanged a knowing glance with the bartender, who had become familiar by now.

Soo-jung tapped the empty stool next to her, signaling Jin-hyeok to sit.

“That girl, you wanna drink~?”

If only she could pronounce properly.

Jin-hyeok sat down, muttering, “Not yet. I just finished working out.”

“Ooh, our Ting-dang-nim must be hungry~. How about some ramen~?”

This was getting out of hand. Jin-hyeok awkwardly smiled at the bartender, raising his palm as if to say, “Enough.” He clenched his teeth.

“It’s fine. Let’s finish this and go.”

“Yeees, sir~.”

Despite being completely wasted, Soo-jung answered as if offended.

There was one whiskey bottle on the counter. Had she drunk three glasses? There was still plenty left.

Jin-hyeok raised two fingers at the bartender, raising an eyebrow. The bartender sheepishly smiled and held up one finger.

‘Guess I’ll be finishing it again today.’

Soo-jung insisted on finishing the bottle, even though they could’ve saved it. She was weak to alcohol.

The only daughter of the Sein Group chairman. Their relationship began when Soo-jung, then 29, joined Sein Heavy Industries as an employee. Jin-hyeok was a contract team leader and her mentor. The chairman had instructed her to learn from someone who could teach her properly in a tough environment.

Everyone tiptoed around Soo-jung, but Jin-hyeok was different. He scolded her for minor mistakes and stepped in to fix major ones.

His message was simple:

– “If you’re going to do it, do it right.”

He refused the chairman’s bonuses and special treatment, quietly focusing on his work.

To Soo-jung, it seemed like everyone in the organization relied on Jin-hyeok.

Perhaps that’s why. Soo-jung began relying on him too. As she climbed the ranks and moved through subsidiaries, she sweet-talked Jin-hyeok into assisting her.

The honey was too sweet to refuse.

“I was able to rise so quickly thanks to you, Team Leader.”

Despite having had a few drinks, Soo-jung spoke surprisingly clearly. Her face was flushed, and she leaned forward, looking up at him.

“Not at all. It’s all your effort, Executive Director.”

“Ah-, what did I even do~?”

Unlike the upright Jin-hyeok, Soo-jung swayed as if she might fall off her chair at any moment.

“You’re the one who brought me here.”

Soo-jung blinked her cat-like eyes, pondering what that meant.

‘It’s your credit for recognizing me.’ Amused by his own humor and Soo-jung’s cute reaction, a faint smile crept onto Jin-hyeok’s lips.

“Ah! Ahh-! You’re laughing! You’re laughing!”

It was rare to see him smile, so it was surprising. Soo-jung, who had been desperately pointing at the bartender, finally slumped over. It was a miracle she had lasted this long, given how red her face turned after just one drink. Between them, a 700ml bottle of whiskey was now empty.

*

“Can I call you Oppa?”

No.

“Oppa, do you know why my nickname is the Great Magician?”

I do.

“Oppa, do you think I’m cute?”

Carried on Jin-hyeok’s back, Soo-jung babbled incessantly, swinging her legs.

Dream.

‘Did I ever have a dream?’

A dream is something you want to do or become. Jin-hyeok was talented, but he was someone who couldn’t dream of anything. It felt like all he did was read, memorize, and ace exams. That was all he could do.

‘Even though I dropped out of college.’

He wanted to live an ordinary life.

It didn’t have to be glamorous, but at least similar to his friends.

There was a time when Jin-hyeok lived as a mischievous kid, loved by his parents.

Mom, Dad……

“Oppa, do you like running that much?”

I do. Running was the only thing that made me feel alive. Only when I ran until I was out of breath did my heart pound.

Ignoring Soo-jung, who was babbling excitedly and swinging her legs, he walked silently.

“Oppa, are you impotent?”

Now you’re crossing the line.

Should I just drop her? Jin-hyeok muttered.

“Oppa.”

Someone of her social position calling a subordinate “Oppa” was a bit much. Relationships were a tricky area for Jin-hyeok, who spent most of his time alone.

“Ah, Oppa~.”

Getting no response, Soo-jung shook her legs vigorously.

“Yes.”

“Do you wanna go eat ramen~?”

This wasn’t the first time. Like someone with a grudge against ramen, she always craved it when drunk. She claimed her long study abroad had addicted her to ramen, but there was no evidence to back it up. Maybe that’s why she’s the executive director.

“We’re at the hotel. Let’s have ramen next time.”

Hotel staff who recognized Soo-jung rushed out. As she stepped down in her high heels, she suddenly seemed taller. After confirming she entered her room, Jin-hyeok instructed the manager to keep things quiet.

“Make sure nothing leaks.”

“Of course, sir.”

It wasn’t the first time, so the staff knew the drill.

He sat in a chair in the hotel lobby to cool down. The season was turning chilly, and he didn’t want to catch a cold after working up a sweat.

He took out a photo from his wallet.

He pointed at each person in the photo with his finger.

‘Mom, Dad, me, Jang Gun-i.’

He never got to call them mother and father.

They left too soon, leaving behind only their young son.

His mother, who was kinder and gentler than anyone in the world.

His father, who was more handsome and affectionate than any movie star.

‘I’ll visit you tomorrow.’

The wind blew into his eyes, blurring the photo.

He put it back in his wallet and left the hotel. The cold wind wrapped around him like a cloak, but he didn’t mind. He shook his broad shoulders once, letting it fall away.

***

Jin-hyeok arrived early at work again.

His day started by checking the progress of the team members working on major group projects. As he meticulously went through each report, the department head’s secretary brought him coffee. He had told her not to, but she insisted it was the department head’s orders.

The aroma of coffee calmed him.

He electronically signed the reports submitted by his team members.

Still early before regular work hours, he took a moment to check his personal assets. He planned to sell his officetel, and combined with his stocks and savings, his assets totaled around 4 billion won.

The small piece of land his father had worked so hard to protect was to be left alone……

‘If I exercise my stock options, it’ll be around 6 billion.’

Enough to live quietly alone.

It might be time to buy a car.

It would be good for living in the countryside.

“Good morning!”

“Hello.”

It was still 40 minutes early, but team members started arriving one by one. Masters, PhDs, and even former overseas branch managers. Each was a talented individual with impressive credentials. Some even outranked Jin-hyeok.

Some team members had struggled at first, but under Jin-hyeok’s guidance, they had grown into planners who could hold their own anywhere. Knowing they would support Soo-jung well even after he left put his mind at ease.

It wasn’t a world where just anyone could succeed, no matter how smart they were. Jin-hyeok didn’t deny that his success was partly due to Soo-jung. He was aware that Soo-jung relied on him. That’s why declaring early retirement wasn’t easy.

But he had made up his mind. To leave the secular world and live reminiscing about the childhood love he received from his parents. That was Jin-hyeok’s remaining plan. If anyone asked, he’d say it was the choice of a man with no motivation and depleted passion.

“Team Leader, the Executive Director has arrived.”

“Ah, thank you.”

The department head’s secretary came to inform him in person, even though they had a messenger.

He put on his jacket and followed the secretary.

Entering the department head’s office, he found Soo-jung sitting upright, awkwardly smiling.

“Ahem! Team Leader, about yesterday-.”

“Manager Min Yong-rak’s report on the diversification of the overseas electronics business should have been submitted for approval.”

“Ah, yes.”

Yesterday was just another day, nothing special.

Jin-hyeok, whose emotions had dulled, saw no reason to make a fuss.

It wasn’t the first time.

“Um, there’s a C-level meeting today……”

“Already? Understood.”

No need for lengthy explanations.

For some reason, Soo-jung avoided meeting her father, Chairman Hong Ki-jun, like a rebellious child. That’s why Jin-hyeok attended high-level meetings in her place, and Chairman Hong didn’t mind.

“Sorry, again.”

“Not at all. Then-.”

He nodded lightly and left the office.

He’d have to take the first bus to his parents’ graves tomorrow. He could buy the traditional rice drink in his hometown, and he wondered if the dried fish was still in the freezer. His parents, who didn’t drink, loved the rice drink.

“Manager Min, I’ll be heading to the hotel. Let the team leave early.”

“Got it! Have a good weekend, Team Leader!”

Manager Min Yong-rak replied playfully but respectfully. A former overseas branch manager and legal team leader, he had been on the verge of being dismissed after losing a consumer compensation lawsuit. Jin-hyeok had brought him onto the team. Over fifty and higher-ranked than Jin-hyeok, he never looked down on the younger, lower-ranked team leader.

Above all, he was passionate about his work, determined to make his last stand.

Jin-hyeok handed him a shopping bag from under his desk.

“Please wish your wife a happy birthday for me. I’m counting on you.”

“Oh my! You’re too much-. Hehe, thank you.”

Though Jin-hyeok was known for being stiff, he took good care of his people.

***

There were a few executives younger than Jin-hyeok.

But the executives’ eyes were drawn to him. He exuded an aura like a movie star, standing out quietly among the directors and executives.

The notoriously laid-back CEO of Sein Networks tapped Jin-hyeok’s arm.

“How’s it going with Executive Director Hong?”

“What do you mean……”

“Hey-, don’t play dumb.”

Probably because of the rumors about them visiting hotels together.

Finally, the chairman’s car arrived, and the executives straightened their attire.

Everyone bowed deeply, but Jin-hyeok only gave a slight, respectful nod.

Being tall, he stood out even from a distance.

“Hoho-, our group’s powerhouse is here.”

Chairman Hong Ki-jun approached Jin-hyeok, patted his back, and pulled him by the arm.

As the two walked in, chatting warmly, the others whispered.

“Look at that, he’s been chosen as the son-in-law.”

“His daughter’s been on his mind ever since her divorce, and it’s been over ten years now.”

“It wasn’t a divorce; Executive Director Hong called it off!”

“Anyway, he’s in his seventies, so he’s probably preparing to hand over the reins to his daughter.”

“Or maybe to his son-in-law? Chairman Hong inherited his father-in-law’s business too.”

“Now that you mention it, that could become a group tradition.”

They say as men age, their energy goes to their mouths.

That was certainly true.

***

After the meeting, a cold rain poured from the dark sky.

The executives lined up in front of the hotel to see off the chairman.

The chairman’s car stopped in front of Jin-hyeok, and the VIP window rolled down.

“Team Leader Son, you don’t have a car, right? It’s raining; why don’t you ride with me?”

Even though they were going in different directions, the chairman insisted, implying he had something important to say.

Even Jin-hyeok, who was indifferent to others, could tell.

“Yes, of course.”

Manager Kim, the driver, hurriedly got out and opened the rear door.

Jin-hyeok nodded to Manager Kim and got in.

As the car with Jin-hyeok started moving, the executives bowed in unison.

Though the bow wasn’t for him, it felt strange to receive such a send-off.

“Manager Kim, it’s raining, so let’s take the long way.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

What are you trying to say? Jin-hyeok had an idea but didn’t dwell on it. He had his own plans.

They chatted about various things.

Then, out of nowhere, Chairman Hong asked, “Did you have a dream?”

The chairman’s gaze was fixed on the rain hitting the window.

‘I wanted to live an ordinary life.’

Jin-hyeok silently placed his hand on the thin wallet in his pocket.

The wallet contained only one photo.

Then, Chairman Hong clasped Jin-hyeok’s right hand with both of his. His hands were soft and warm. Before Jin-hyeok could process the warmth, the chairman spoke.

“Perhaps you……”

Here it comes.

He didn’t have the courage to refuse the old man. Should he ask for time to think? This felt like it could complicate the rest of his life.

“I’ve already talked to my daughter’s mother……”

Even her mother was brought up.

Just as Chairman Hong was cautiously getting to the point.

“Our da-.”

*BANG—*

*SCREECH—*

A loud noise shook the car, and their bodies lurched violently.

Instinctively, Jin-hyeok stretched out his arm to shield the old chairman from the impact.

***

It felt like he had been lying down for a very long time.

Why is my cheek wet? Jin-hyeok muttered to himself.