Chapter 48: The New Assignment
Although I don't want to admit it, the man who has become my real boss...
After the meeting with Kim Eunjung, the Chairman that I was briefed on this morning, he went into his room. I waited as long as I could, but he didn't come out, so I opened the door and entered.
It had been about five days since there was a unilateral change in position...
Apart from the casual meeting, he hadn't said a word about me...
No other work instructions...
Looking at the atmosphere, it seemed like all the things for today were over, so now I could ask, right?
"Excuse me."
".. Yes, Agent Lee Ayoung. What is it?"
What the hell?
Did I mess up?
Why is he suddenly speaking so coldly?
He wasn't like that when he spoke last time.
"I told you last time to prepare so I could take on the work while you were there, and since you came, it seems everything is ready?"
Ah, what a mistake.
Anyway, this is now a workplace.
"Yes.. I came to tell you that."
"Yes. You did well. Then, shall we talk about the work?"
"Yes"
Pull yourself together.
Lee Ayoung.
The man who stood up from his seat took me by the arm and brought me to the table next to him.
I have to report work here now.
Without showing any sign of discomfort, I looked around and sat in the chair. The man sitting across from me poured a pre-prepared cup of tea and started talking.
"As you already know, I've been involved in quite a few things."
Right.
Not few, a lot.
People don't know, but half of the things that have happened in South Korea during this time were done by this person.
I thought he would finally stay quiet, but he made a support declaration for the Ina Young candidate and created more work.
Be quiet for a bit.
"As you know, before it was just about creating communities where men gather... Now, because I've ended up handling work as a representative of men, it seems I've even gotten involved with people like Kim Eunjung."
Hmm.
Suddenly bringing up old stories.
I happened to see that...
"So the work has piled up too much.. I can't handle it, so I wanted someone who works well to help out, and I recruited you even though I had to force it."
Don't get carried away.
Don't be arrogant, Ayoung.
"I was satisfied with the work handling I've seen from the side."
It's just empty praise.
Ignore it.
Ignore.
"And the most impressive thing to me was... that you don't talk much."
This is the snake's whisper trying to seduce me.
I must not be seduced.
"I thought that after I found out what I did to Ayoung, there would be some way for the rumor to spread.. but it didn't? Thank you. For keeping it secret."
Hmm.. It's not like that specifically.
"And.. the strong will to serve the country and the people as a diplomat that you showed when you came to see me last time was good too."
This too.
"Anyway, the reason I recruited Ayoung is these things, and there might be something that Ayoung feels is unfair from her perspective."
The heart that was excited by the continued praise and positive evaluations suddenly cools off sharply.
What?
Did he know this?
Knowing that and still doing that?
"With the sudden position change, you might suspect that you can't do the work you want."
Of course!
I had been doing a lot of administrative work, but still nominally
I had been holding back because it was the diplomatic work I wanted to do since I was little
When I woke up one day and saw I was doing personal secretary work, would I be satisfied?
"You might hate the fact that you ended up working under me."
This too!
People around see it as a fox who got promoted by seducing a man
But in reality, it's a nameless position with unknown future, and I came here.
Of course not happy.
Plus, is this a promotion? Or demotion?
"I understand. So, I'll give you one right."
Huh? Right?
"If after a month, you feel dissatisfied with the work you're doing or not attractive as a workplace, I'll take responsibility and let you return to your original position."
Haa...
What kind of things is this man doing that he can change my position at will?
Once changed, it seems he's telling the truth.
Hmm...
It's obviously a lie that he took me out by talking to the team leader.
Does he meet with the president?
No way...
No matter how many incidents he's caused, Ayoung, this is too much.
Right, no matter how the world has become and men have become precious and important, the president is a bit...
That's why I understand after hearing about the meeting with Kim Eunjung.
"I'll also provide sufficient compensation with a sense of apology for wasting Ayoung's time. But if the work you're doing is satisfying and attractive as a workplace, you'll continue working with me?"
Compensation?
If it's sufficient compensation, is it my annual salary?
...Where does this confidence come from?
What kind of workplace did I work at?
It's the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Korea, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The work I was doing was handling secrets that ordinary people couldn't even know and working for South Korea in the international community.
I wanted to do that kind of work, but am I satisfied with secretary work? Do I feel this is attractive?
"I didn't know you had the right to choose."
"Of course. I respect individual will."
The words that were meant to sting, but he smiles without changing his expression...
Ugh, disgusting.
I want to crush him.
"Yes. I understand what you said."
Anyway, good.
I'll fill just one month and return to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Think of it as winning the lottery.
One month work and my annual salary.
One month work and my annual salary!
Mmm!
Positive mindset.
Good.
"All preparations for the work you mentioned are complete. What kind of work should I do from now on?"
When working, I act professionally.
How much work is there in secretary work? How difficult would it be?
Act professionally, do the work, get paid, and leave.
Ayoung.
"The first things you'll do are to organize the current diplomatic situation and problems in South Korea and their solutions. You don't need to be perfect with the solutions. Honestly, I don't expect that. Instead, investigate the diplomatic issues South Korea is facing accurately. Without missing any."
Huh?
Uhm?
I wasn't supposed to be a secretary?
"Then, the next work you do is to gather materials from government agencies on the international situation around the world, or do your own investigation, whatever method you like, and organize and bring it."
Why am I doing diplomatic-like work that I couldn't even do in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?
Huh?
"And of course, all work related to me is classified and has secret clauses, you know? If you take the materials or leak them elsewhere, not only the workplace but your life will be in danger, so be careful."
I have been doing mostly document work lately?
Plus secret clauses?
You can't talk about it?
Mom...
I'm scared.
"Well, thinking about Ayoung working or not talking much, there's no need to worry. You'll understand everything, right? Then I'll go up first."
What kind of talk is this.
No, I don't understand.
I don't understand anything.
"Good evening."
"Yes? Wait a moment! I don't understand. Where are you going? Is it urgent?"
Don't go, you bad guy.
Please tell me and go.
"Ah... I'm going to have sex."
What kind of talk is this.
The person was telling a serious story!
What kind of words are you saying!
If it's a superior, can you say weird things? Is sexual harassment allowed!
"I wasn't supposed to be watching Park Seonghun's secretary work?"
"Yes? No."
"Why did you bring Ayoung when picking a secretary."
"What?"
Treating a person like a secretary and not giving her the secretary work?
"I don't know what you're saying, so do the work you said as quickly as possible."
No, why am I doing the work of 5th grade or higher high-level diplomats?
"Yes? Then please tell me exactly where I was transferred."
"Didn't I tell you that too?"
"Yes!"
"Ah.. I see. I was appointed to a position equivalent to the Deputy Minister of the Male Family Ministry this time."
Deputy Minister?
Under the Minister?
"Frankly, the department itself was created not long ago, so the organization is a mess, so it's not accurate. Anyway, think of it as working under me."
Am I working directly under the deputy minister?
Then it's really a promotion, right?
"Instead, from the outside, it's an organization that doesn't exist, so if others ask, just say you were transferred to the Ministry of Male Family Affairs."
But why is there no organization?
"Administratively, that's how it is."
Administratively?
My thoughts can't keep up..
What kind of words are these....
"Wait a moment, what kind of organization is it that's classified? And the election just ended, what does this mean? The reorganization of the new administration hasn't even been done yet?"
I just got elected and was cheering "manse" (long live).
What did the presidential candidates say about reorganizing the government?
Ah, how?
I can't remember.
"Right. Roughly similar to the National Intelligence Service? The name isn't even stable yet, so I don't know well either."
Is it working like the National Intelligence Service with classification?
But where is there an organization that does such work besides the NIS?
Is it newly created?
"Ayoung, who is a national civil servant and diplomat, feels pride and responsibility in serving the country and the people."
" The personnel transfer has already been done, and it's decided that I'll work under you?"
"And I've told you what work you have to do, so go work quickly."
"If I do all of it, there won't be time to rest."
"Now, I'll let you do the real work you want to do, not just document work."
"Work hard."
The man who said irresponsible words patted my shoulder and left the room.