Chapter 358: Girlfriend
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 358: Girlfriend
The Digital Marketing Team all clocked out right on time today.
Section Chief Yoon had said that since they’d be buried in work starting tomorrow, they should at least head home early today.
After leaving on the dot, the Digital Marketing Team headed to a pork belly restaurant near the office.
“It’s been a while since we had a department gathering.”
“Tell me about it. We haven’t really had a reason to have one.”
I’d heard that people usually avoid company dinners, but since they were so rare for this team, the atmosphere was actually quite welcoming.
If you asked if they didn’t want to just go home since they finished on time, the answer would likely be that they usually finished on time anyway because there was no work to do.
“It’s already been a week since Woo-jin joined us, and we haven’t even given him a proper welcome party yet. Since we’re all here, let’s make it official.”
All eyes turned toward me as I was pouring water into the cups. It seemed they hadn't expected to be holding a welcome party for me.
To be honest, neither had I.
“Is pork belly really okay with you?”
“Shouldn’t we be eating beef?”
Assistant Manager Oh and Staff Member Jung asked, stealing glances at me. Since I was a chaebol, they seemed to think I didn’t eat things like pork belly.
“I love pork belly. I’d eat it every day if I could.”
“Wow.”
Employee Kim stared at me as if I were a marvel. I figured that after a week, the fantasies they had about me would have started to fade, but apparently not.
Anyway, we ordered the pork belly, and as the drinks began to flow, the atmosphere of the gathering ripened.
Section Chief Yoon explained today’s business report calmly and without exaggeration. However, the reaction from the team members listening was as explosive as fireworks at a festival.
“Whoa! That’s insane!”
“I’ll handle the coordination with the Sales Team. Those people owe me a few favors, so they won’t be able to push us around.”
“Then we’ll be getting support requests for the China export deal too, right? Can you put me in charge of that? I have some decent connections on the Chinese side.”
Assistant Manager Choi and Assistant Manager Oh, who were directly under Section Chief Yoon, were particularly ecstatic.
Even at the dinner table, they were already discussing how to divide the labor and who would take charge of what.
“Let’s stop talking shop while we’re eating. We’re going to be sick of talking about this starting tomorrow anyway.”
Seeing his team so happy, a slight smile played on the Section Chief’s lips, looking quite proud.
The drinks began to flow even more vigorously.
“Woo-jin, thank you.”
Assistant Manager Choi, the second-in-command, whispered as he poured soju into my glass.
“I didn’t really do anything.”
“Heh, cool as ever. You’re a better guy than I thought, Woo-jin.”
No one there was unaware that this situation would never have happened without me. Still, I didn’t particularly want to take the credit.
I really had just sat there.
Section Chief Yoon had made all the preparations; if his plan had been flimsy, it would have been torn apart in the end.
“Section Chief Yoon was the one who seized the opportunity.”
When I said that while looking at the Section Chief, the other team members also expressed their gratitude to him.
“Finally, we’re doing some real work.”
“Wow, this is great. It feels so good to be able to work without having to walk on eggshells around everyone.”
“I’ll work hard and learn everything I can!”
The gathering reached its peak.
As time passed, the empty bottles began to pile up.
“And that’s how I ended up marrying my wife. By the time the wedding rolled around, we already had a baby on the way.”
Section Chief Yoon told the stories he had promised me earlier.
The fact that he had dated a girl he met in college and went straight to marriage was quite romantic, and it made me realize once again that Section Chief Yoon possessed an unexpected boldness.
“What about you, Woo-jin? Are you enjoying college life? You only realize after it’s over that those were the best years of your life.”
The somewhat hot-tempered Assistant Manager Oh asked me with a laugh.
He must have been in a great mood from the drinks, considering he usually didn't even talk to me.
“It’s fun for me. I’m living life to the fullest in my own way.”
“Do you have a girlfriend?”
Staff Member Jung, the lone lady of the group, was quite enthusiastic about anything related to dating. She had been very active earlier talking about dating programs with Employee Kim.
“I do. She’s incredibly pretty.”
Maybe I was a little drunk.
I found myself bragging without realizing it.
“Ooooh!”
“As expected of Woo-jin!”
“The guys who have it all really do have it all!”
Even the slightly risky jokes were easy to laugh off now that we were soaked in alcohol.
As we were deepening our bond like that...
Vrrr! Vrrr! Vrrr!
A timely phone call arrived.
— Seo Ye-rin —
“I’ll be right back after taking this call.”
I slipped out of my seat and headed outside.
Other office workers from different companies were outside smoking during their own gatherings.
“Hello?”
— Woo-jina, where are you right now?
“Me? I’m at a department dinner with my coworkers.”
— Oh...?
Seo Ye-rin sounded a bit flustered.
I wondered if something was wrong, but she just sounded disappointed.
— I came to pick you up because you weren't at the dormitory. I guess I should just go back.
“You came to pick me up?”
It’s not exactly a short distance.
— Yeah, I thought you might be working overtime, so I came by. But if you’re at a dinner, I should just go.
“...I’m near the office. Do you want to come by for a second?”
— Is that okay?
“I don’t think you can join the dinner, but I thought I could at least see your face. I’d feel bad just sending you back like this.”
Even if she couldn't stay long, we could at least see each other outside the restaurant. It was only a five-minute walk from the office anyway.
A short while later.
Seo Ye-rin actually showed up.
Wearing a long denim shirt over black pants and an eight-panel baker boy cap, she looked like a professional model.
“Woo-jina!”
Dressed in perfectly casual attire down to her flats, Seo Ye-rin ran and threw herself into my arms the moment she spotted me.
“Whoa!”
“You smell like alcohol!”
I nearly stumbled back.
Seo Ye-rin buried her face in my chest and nuzzled against me.
We had spent all of last night together, yet she acted so happy to see me that it made me feel good.
“Sorry, I couldn't skip the dinner today. They were holding a welcome party for me.”
“No, it’s fine! It’s news that Woo-jini is finally pulling his weight at the company. But it’s not going to end anytime soon, right?”
“Yeah, probably not.”
“Then I should tell the others.”
Tell them?
The others?
“They all decided to come. I told them I was going on a surprise date to pick you up after work, and they said they were bored and wanted to come too.”
“....”
“Sending the 'Get lost' text now—!”
“Woo-jin?”
I heard the Section Chief’s voice from behind me.
I turned my head to see the team members who had come out for a smoke.
Assistant Manager Oh and Employee Kim’s eyes widened so much it was as if you could hear them pop.
They were shocked to see Seo Ye-rin in my arms.
“Wait, isn’t that... that person? The famous one?”
“She’s one of the top ten hot rookie actresses on Neutube lately... Her name is—”
“Hello, I’m Seo Ye-rin.”
Seo Ye-rin immediately composed herself and bowed politely in greeting.
The fresh smile on her lips was so perfect it made me wonder if it was acting.
“I came to pick Woo-jin up, but since he’s at a dinner, I was just about to head out after seeing his face.”
“Ah, we’ve interrupted you.”
Section Chief Yoon scratched his head awkwardly.
“Not at all. Woo-jin needs to experience social life too. He was raised a bit spoiled, so he doesn't know much.”
Look at her, making jokes with a smile.
When she’s with me, she says things like, 'Sex. I really want to have intense sex right now,' or 'You're tired? Take off your pants first, I need to check if you're really tired.'
But in front of others, she becomes the innocent and fragile goddess of the English Department.
“Hmm, if it’s not too uncomfortable, why don’t you join us for a bit?”
What?
I was so stunned by the Section Chief’s sudden suggestion that I didn't even have time to react.
“Oh! Really? Is it okay if I join?”
“Of course.”
“Oh my! Please, come in! We’ll clear a spot for you!”
“Auntie! One more order of pork belly here!”
Assistant Manager Oh and Employee Kim fussed over Seo Ye-rin as they led her inside.
Look at those guys; they just came out to smoke and went right back in.
“Section Chief...”
“She came to see you, didn't she? I’d feel bad if we took up your time.”
The Section Chief patted my back and put a cigarette in his mouth.
I let out a sigh and walked inside. Seo Ye-rin was already seated next to my spot, greeting the rest of the team.
“Are you and Ye-rin... by any chance...?”
Staff Member Jung asked with expectant eyes.
Seo Ye-rin gave a bright smile and linked her arm with mine.
“Yes! We’re dating! I’m Woo-jini’s girlfriend!”
“Wooooo!”
“So fresh.”
“It’s good to see. A handsome man and a beautiful woman.”
“I wish I had a girlfriend like this when I was in college!”
The atmosphere of the dinner, which had been ripening, flared up again with Seo Ye-rin’s arrival.
“How long have you two been dating?”
“Since the winter break of our freshman year!”
We’re going with that?
We were definitely still at Gold One back then.
“What do you like most about Woo-jin?”
“I like how he protects me while pretending he isn't, I like his slightly silly side, and I love how he accepts me no matter what I do!”
“Wow, that’s so sweet! Such a beautiful love!”
“I hope you stay together for a long time. Really, you two.”
“Wow, my wife and I used to be like that once.”
“Assistant Manager Choi, you do nothing but complain about your wife every day.”
The conversation itself wasn't a problem.
She was the type who knew how to read the room.
‘I guess we can get through this.’
The party grew even more heated as she revealed she was an actress.
Now, Seo Ye-rin was the complete center of attention, answering questions as they came.
“It’s here.”
“Ugh, there he is.”
Two familiar women walked through the door.
Choi I-seo and Yoo Ah-rin.
I looked at Seo Ye-rin in shock, and she gave me a mischievous smirk.
I thought she said she texted them to get lost.
Why are they here?
“Hey, Kim Woo—huh?”
“...What’s going on?”
Yoo Ah-rin and Choi I-seo looked flustered as they saw us. It seemed they hadn't known we were having a department dinner.
The team members were equally confused.
Just as they were wondering who these two newcomers were, Seo Ye-rin answered.
“I’m sorry! I was supposed to meet my friends nearby!”
“Ah, ahh! I see!”
“So they’re Ye-rin’s friends.”
“Wow, your friends are all beauties too. Are they actresses as well?”
The team members were making a fuss while also looking disappointed. They probably thought Seo Ye-rin would be leaving now that her friends were here.
“Ah, sorry guys. Our Woo-jini was in the middle of a dinner.”
“...Our?”
Choi I-seo, sensing something suspicious, furrowed her brows. She was scanning the room to figure out the situation.
“Is Woo-jin close with them too?”
Employee Kim asked a perfectly god-awful question.
If I were the president, I would have cut this guy's salary right then and there.
“Pardon?”
“They’re your girlfriend’s friends. Are you close?”
Only then.
I realized why Seo Ye-rin had called those two.
And in that moment, I felt as if nine tails had sprouted behind her back.
Seo Ye-rin quickly clung to my arm and said, “Oh, of course! He’s close with Woo-jini too! We’re in the same department, so they helped us out a lot back when we were in the flirting stage! Right?”
“Heh, how interesting.”
“Look at this bitch...”
Scoffs of disbelief and cold voices followed.
At this dinner table, my girlfriend was Seo Ye-rin.
Then what about the other two?
I couldn't exactly announce that they were also my girlfriends.
“Yes, I’m just Woo-jin’s friend, Choi I-seo.”
“I’m Yoo Ah-rin, also from the English Department.”
Grip!
Their hands pressed down on my shoulders from both sides, applying pressure.
‘Mommy...’
I felt like I might cry from fear, so I pretended to take a drink and wiped my eyes.