Chapter 195
Chapter 195
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 195
Chapter Title: A Spotless Surprise
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“That's not fair. You left me out!”
Hyun Ye-won cried out with a pouty face.
“I know how to watch the sunrise too!”
I'd asked what everyone did for New Year's Eve, and when I said I'd gone to see the sunrise with Baek Jae-ha and Jeong Da-on, this was her reaction.
Should I have asked Hyun Ye-won to come along?
“It was a last-minute decision. And we'd already promised it would just be the three of us.”
“Ugh. Next time, you have to take me too.”
“Sure thing.”
It'd probably feel even more bustling with Hyun Ye-won along. Who knows—maybe someday we'd end up as one big family, all trooping off to watch the sunrise together.
Baek Jae-ha might be sulking a little.
But she really needs to build relationships with people besides me. Aside from Jeong Da-on and me, she basically has no friends.
Of course, college would probably change that.
Hyun Ye-won sprawled halfway onto the sofa, grumbling.
“Ugh. Some of us were dragged to boring New Year's parties and bored to death.”
Then she ground her teeth and declared with conviction.
“That Baek Jae-ha girl definitely did it on purpose...!”
“Haha. It was decided the day before.”
I hadn't even thought to contact Hyun Ye-won.
“So you're here for work today? Weren't you off until today?”
“Yeah. Being home felt suffocating, so I lied about coming to work and snuck out. Didn't expect to see you here, though, President.”
“Had some backlog to catch up on.”
The office was completely empty except for me and Hyun Ye-won sitting there alone. That let her whine to me without anyone else watching.
I hadn't expected anyone else to show up on a holiday besides me.
“Anyway, that New Year's party. Sounds like it wasn't so bad.”
Before my regression, I'd spent New Year's like that too. It wasn't particularly fun, but it was a good way to meet people useful for business.
Not a bad way to kill time, all in all.
“No way. It was so boring. I didn't know anyone, and I just had to trail after Dad, getting introduced to all these dull people.”
Hyun Ye-won continued with a miserable look.
“I'm just an accessory. Hyunmu hasn't officially named an heir yet, but here's our healthy one, all present and accounted for. That's what it was all about—showing off.”
Makes sense. Those connections might matter to Hyun Jeong-hoo, but not to Hyun Ye-won.
No wonder it was boring.
“And yesterday, I even ran into Hyun Tae-seong. The nerve of that guy!”
Thud!
Hyun Ye-won slammed her fist on the table and shouted.
“What happened?”
“Hah. He acted like nothing happened, totally playing innocent. So when we were alone later, I confronted him.”
—Hey. Hyun Tae-seong.
—Hey? What's with that tone to your big brother?
—Act your age if you want the 'big brother' treatment.
—Still as rude as ever.
—Coming from the guy who tried to stab his sister in the back?
—Stab in the back? Anyone hearing that would misunderstand. Do you really have to slander your brother who cares for you?
—Cut the crap. Don't ever pull that crap again. Next time, I won't hold back.
—And what will you do if I don't?
—Maybe I'll take away what matters most to you. Like that heir spot at Hyunmu.
—You...!
—So let's not make things tiring for each other.
“...And when I turned and walked away, do you know what that jerk said?”
Hyun Ye-won's fist trembled as she spoke.
“'Looks like backing from JC makes you fearless. Wonder what Grandpa would say if he knew?' That's what he said.”
“Ah.”
“Why'd JC even come up? Seriously.”
Hyun Ye-won shook her head in disbelief. But I had a hunch, so I let out a small hum.
“Looks like Director Hwang Tae-in reported it.”
That misconception that I might be JC's illegitimate son.
Of course. To explain why things didn't go as planned, he'd need an excuse. Messing with JC was a headache for both Hwang Tae-in and Hyun Tae-seong.
Hyun Tae-seong seemed to buy it completely after hearing that.
“So that's why he said it to Hyun Ye-won.”
She had no idea, so she was just confused.
“I didn't lie. Misconceptions are fair game.”
Either way, JC's name was protecting The Song, so I silently sent my thanks.
“Anyway! I don't want to get dragged to these New Year's parties anymore. So from now on, invite me too. Got it?”
“Got it.”
“Promise? Promise!”
Only after wringing the promise from me did Hyun Ye-won beam.
“Oh. And I watched the first episode. [Alleyway Secrets]!”
“How was it?”
“So fun!”
Hyun Ye-won's eyes sparkled. Come to think of it, she'd always said she never missed my variety shows.
“I've seen you developing new menu items right next to me, but this was the first time I saw all the details. I was hooked. Everyone's reactions are great too!”
I know. I monitored it hard yesterday.
At first, I needed Baek Jae-ha or Jo Yi-ruk to check reactions, but now I'm pretty good at it.
“Especially that budae jjigae place in the end teaser~ Ugh. When's the next episode? I'm dying waiting...”
Knock knock.
Someone knocked on the president's office door mid-sentence.
What?
“Come in.”
Slide. The door opened, revealing a familiar face.
“...Employee Hyun's here too.”
“Ah. Team Leader Jo!”
Hyun Ye-won jumped up and bowed.
“Happy New Year!”
“You too, Hyun Ye-won.”
With Jo Yi-ruk showing up too, my head spun. Why was he here? Isn't today a holiday?
“Team Leader Jo, what's brought you in today?”
“Staying home just meant nagging. Plus, I left something behind. Figured I'd escape while I was at it.”
“Ah.”
That explained the casual outfit.
He always wore sharply tailored suits. Today: collared shirt, slacks, puffer jacket instead of a coat.
“What kind of nagging made you come to the office?”
“The usual repertoire. 'Seeing anyone? When are you getting married?'”
Jo Yi-ruk sighed wearily.
“Ugh. If they're gonna nag about holidays, they should pay up. You know those internet memes? 'When are you getting married: 300,000 won' and such.”
Hyun Ye-won grumbled, and Jo Yi-ruk nodded vigorously. Then he muttered with the face of someone who'd pulled an all-nighter for days.
“They even tried setting me up right there at the table, so I bolted.”
Sounds like a real hassle, whatever it was.
Anyway...
“Nice to see friendly faces to start the new year.”
I smiled faintly, and Hyun Ye-won and Jo Yi-ruk fell silent for a beat.
Oops. Too sentimental?
Before I could get awkward, Hyun Ye-won sprang up like a spring and hugged me tight.
“Me too! I love it~!”
Jo Yi-ruk cleared his throat and added,
“I... feel the same.”
Jo Yi-ruk's face was uncharacteristically embarrassed as he said it.
Hugging Hyun Ye-won tight, I burst out laughing, pffft-haha.
Hah. White breath puffed out with every exhale. Rubbing my palms warm with my breath made me feel a bit more alive.
Slide.
I glanced at my phone screen. A text from an unknown number stared back.
No sender name, but I could easily guess who it was.
Lee Hyo-soon.
The owner who'd gotten an earful from me last time over the disastrous hygiene.
“I knew he'd reach out again...”
[Alleyway Secrets] had a successful premiere and was generating decent buzz. Getting branded a 'hygiene disaster' on a show like this was a death sentence for recovery.
So even if insincere, he'd pretend to turn over a new leaf.
The surprising part?
“He contacted me directly, not even during filming.”
If it was just for image rehab, shouldn't he get shots of him working hard, regretting, reflecting—on air?
Yet Lee Hyo-soon bypassed the station and texted me straight.
“PD Kim Hee-seong didn't seem to know either.”
If he did, he'd have sent a cameraman, calling it prime footage.
I'd considered telling PD Kim Hee-seong to film it, but since I hadn't decided whether to take on this shop's turnaround, I held off.
So now.
I stood alone in front of Lee Hyo-soon's shop—no cameraman.
Knock knock.
“Anyone there?”
The shop was silent to my call. Not home? Just as doubt crept in.
Rattle.
The door opened, and Lee Hyo-soon appeared.
He looked noticeably thinner since last time. Was that my imagination?
“You came.”
“Yeah. How've you been?”
“Eh, same as always.”
“Starting the new year with a visit. Happy New Year, Owner.”
“Ayy, you too, President.”
Lee Hyo-soon flung the door wide and stepped aside.
“Come on in.”
The shop felt empty and lonely. Not a business day, but he'd come all the way here waiting for me.
“Excuse me.”
I stepped in, unwinding my scarf onto my forearm. Sitting nearby, I glanced around—and blinked at the unexpected sight.
“Huh?”
My eyes went wide.
“Owner... What's going on here?”