Chapter 33
Chapter 33
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: New Employee Welcome Party
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Yoo Daeho.
The tiger of the business world.
The legendary figure who had turned a modest corner store called 'Daeho Trading' into the global powerhouse 'DH Group' in just twenty years.
To him, Yoo Jihyun was the sorest finger of all.
A child brought in from outside, not from his legal wife.
The label of 'concubine's daughter' had haunted her like a stigma since the day she was born.
Her half-siblings treated her not as family, but as a thieving stray cat come to steal their rice bowl.
In that suffocating coldness, the only shield protecting her was her father, Yoo Daeho.
But he had abandoned her.
No, more precisely, he couldn't help her.
The more he tried to shield her, the more his legal wife's children strangled her in the shadows.
There had even been times when she felt her life was in danger.
Yoo Daeho must have known about it too.
After waking from her coma, Yoo Jihyun went straight to her father.
– Hunter? Have you lost your mind? Died and come back, and now you can't tell dreams from reality? Just live quietly like a dead rat.
– No. Am I supposed to spend my life cowering and watching my siblings' every mood? I'm your blood too, Dad. I want to prove myself on my own strength.
– Prove yourself? What could you possibly prove? You think they'll leave you alone? A nail that sticks out gets hammered down. Just take the money I'm giving you and go study abroad. Live where no one sees you. That's the last consideration I can give you.
That was his way of showing love.
The more she stuck out, the more his other children would crush her, so he wanted to hand her enough money to live comfortably forever and send her away.
But Yoo Jihyun refused.
– I don't need your consideration. If that's how I'm supposed to live, I'd rather die fighting.
– ...You really take after your mother.
– Good thing I don't take after you, Dad.
Yoo Daeho's eyes wavered.
Of all people, it was this child who most resembled his own ambitious gaze from his youth.
He made his decision.
– Fine, if that's what you want, go ahead. But do it with your own strength, like you said.
– ...!
– No help from me. No backing. Survive with nothing but yourself. If you fail and come crying, then you'll have to do a political marriage my way.
– ...You'll regret this.
From that day on, Yoo Daeho truly left her alone.
The only silver lining was assigning her his capable secretary Kim.
While his other children snatched up executive positions in affiliates, she had to claw her way up from the bottom of F-rank dungeons.
That made her strong.
Knowing he wanted her to stand on her own, not secretly pulling strings behind her back, she pushed even harder.
And in just a few weeks, she became the most promising hunter in Korea.
'I need to get stronger. Strong enough that no one can mess with me.'
To surpass the massive fortress called DH and suppress her half-siblings, she needed something overwhelmingly superior.
That's when a man's face flashed through her mind.
Kim Woojin.
With his abilities, he might just turn her from Yoo Daeho's illegitimate child, DH's youngest daughter, into simply 'Yoo Jihyun.'
Ding–
It was a message from Secretary Kim.
[Mr. Kim Woojin has just clocked out. He's heading home now.]
Yoo Jihyun's eyes lit up as she checked the text.
Her serious face instantly transformed into that of a girl's.
"He's here!"
She tied her apron tightly.
Today's goal: 'Casual dinner invitation.'
Gifts were already cliché. She'd already figured out the two brothers mostly survived on delivery food.
She was pretty confident in her cooking.
She held certifications in Korean, Chinese, Japanese, and Western cuisine, plus patisserie and baking. Who knew a hobby would come in so handy?
Time it so she 'happens' to run into Woojin in the hallway as he comes home.
Then, waft the delicious aroma and say,
"Oh, I made extra stew... Want to join me if you haven't eaten yet?"
The key was targeting Sangjin first.
The quick-witted Sangjin would surely play along: 'Whoa! Sister-in-law made this for bro?' paving the way naturally.
"Perfect plan. Hehehe."
She stirred the doenjang jjigae loaded with premium No. 9 hanwoo brisket, lost in her private fantasy.
'He'll definitely be amazed at how good it is. If he says it suits his taste and asks for more next time... I can naturally go to Woojin's place, cook for him... and then...'
"Kyaa!"
Yoo Jihyun clutched her flushed cheeks and stomped her feet.
She was beating drums and gongs all by herself, scripting a whole drama in her imagination.
Bubble bubble–
The stew's bubbling sounded sweeter than ever.
Meanwhile, the three who had left Woosang Shop's office.
Woojin, Sangjin, and Jo Ayoung.
On the way home, riding the bus and getting off together toward the apartment complex.
"Whoa! Sold out in just four hours!! Jackpot, total jackpot!"
Sangjin was thrilled too.
"I thought we wouldn't sell out today, but it all went!"
"Heh heh heh, all thanks to bro's amazing skills, right?"
Sangjin thought it was his SNS marketing that did it, but explaining was too much hassle.
"Yeah, sure."
Then Woojin tilted his head.
"'Very Good' Deputy, why aren't you going home? Why follow us?"
"Pardon? Oh... I live this way too."
Sangjin chimed in.
"Ah, Deputy Jo. Don't answer to nicknames like that. Bad habit."
Woojin ignored him.
"This way? Huh? You live here?"
"Yes. 1204. Right above the president's place."
Jo Ayoung stated it openly, no intention of hiding.
Woojin finally realized the new upstairs neighbor was her.
"Ah... so that's it? Management Bureau's got deep pockets, huh?"
"S-Sorry. It's work..."
Woojin chuckled.
How likable must someone be to straight-up confess to spying?
She was trembling like a scared herbivore.
"Whatever. I get it without you saying. Nice having a place. Family must be happy?"
As Woojin brushed it off casually, Jo Ayoung's expression relaxed.
"Yes! My siblings love it. They're jumping around saying they even have their own rooms now."
"Siblings? Parents?"
Jo Ayoung's words caught in her throat at Woojin's casual question.
After a brief silence, she smiled bitterly.
"Ah... Both passed away in a car accident eight years ago. So I'm raising my siblings."
"...Sorry."
Jo Ayoung forced a bright smile.
"Hehe... It's okay now! Lucky I became a civil servant, so we can at least put food on the table. Thank you too, President. Whatever the process, you let me and my siblings live in a nice place like this..."
Thud–
Woojin's steps halted. Sangjin's eyes beside him wavered too.
"Tch..."
It didn't feel like someone else's business.
The weight of raising young siblings without parents.
Woojin knew that weight better than anyone.
Ten years ago, trudging through snow carrying Sangjin on his back—he saw himself in her.
Woojin spoke abruptly.
"Hey, first employee dinner today. Nice Deputy cool with that?"
"Pardon?"
"Dinner. My treat."
Woojin pulled up the delivery app without waiting for a reply.
"Kids love chicken and pizza best. Two chickens, two pizzas. Two large colas. Address 1204."
Jo Ayoung waved her hands in panic.
"P-President! Why to our place!? It's fine! The kids ate! I gave them money for good food!"
But Woojin snorted.
"Hmph. You think so?"
"Pardon?"
"You'll see when you get home."
"???"
Jo Ayoung stared blankly at Woojin's matter-of-fact words.
What did this man know?
"Feeling burdened? I'm going anyway. I'm the evil boss who forces dinners on employees whether they're comfortable or not."
Woojin pushed shamelessly ahead.
"Plus, don't you need something to report? Tell the chief, 'Today Kim Woojin visited my home for close talks. Cooperation positive.' Makes your job easier, right?"
Jo Ayoung's eyes widened.
"Ah... You knew?"
"I'd be an idiot not to. Think the chief would just send you? I don't care, do your job. Let's just eat."
Woojin led the way into the apartment entrance.
Sangjin tapped Jo Ayoung's shoulder with a grin.
"Let's go, Officer. Bro commits, can't stop him. And food tastes better together."
The three rode the elevator past the 11th floor to the 12th.
1204.
Beep–
Jo Ayoung cautiously opened the door.
"Kids, I'm home."
Her two siblings came running and hugged her.
"Sis!"
"Unnie!"
And in the middle of the living room sat a single cold, unopened chicken waiting for them.
The kids hadn't touched the food, just swallowing hard while waiting for their sister.
Woojin grinned at Ayoung seeing it.
"See? Told you they didn't eat."
"Yeah. Reminds me of when we were kids."
Jo Ayoung swallowed her surging emotions and scolded her siblings.
"Why didn't you eat? You must be starving!"
"We waited to eat with you... How could we eat something delicious without you..."
It was a heartwarming sight.
Sangjin remembered his childhood, clutching the orphanage director's bungeoppang until his brother returned.
That soggy, cold bungeoppang had tasted so good back then...
'Brings back memories.'
Woojin set aside nostalgia, took off his shoes, and clapped.
"Alright! Attention everyone! Dinner party today! Chicken, pizza, cola on the way! Let's stuff ourselves!"
Only then did the kids look up at the strange uncles.
"Who're you, uncle?"
"Me? Your sister's company president."
"Whoa! First time seeing a president. Uncle rich?"
Ayoung panicked and hushed her brother.
"Jo Jinyoung! Manners!"
The sister bowed politely.
"Hello, President. I'm Jo Gayoung, Ayoung unnie's sister. She's doing her best, but please take good care of her."
Woojin laughed happily.
"Hahahaha! You're going places, kid. Where'd you learn manners like that? No wonder your sister's smart and hardworking."
"Unnie good at her job?"
"Of course! Uncle's company would tank without her."
"Wow, unnie's amazing."
"Yeah! Your sister's incredible! Hang on a bit! Food's coming soon!"
"Yes!"
Moments later,
With the kids' cheers, a modest but warm dinner party began.
Woojin and Sangjin deftly tended to the children.
Slicing pizza onto plates, pouring cola.
As natural as long-time family cousins.
Jo Ayoung watched, feeling a fluffy warmth in her chest.
The president who barged into their ignored lives—shunned by nation and relatives—and set the table.
'What a weird guy... really.'
Same time, 1104.
On the table, cooling doenjang jjigae, braised short ribs, and japchae were splendidly laid out.
Yoo Jihyun stared holes into the elevator panel.
But it showed no sign of stopping on the 11th floor.
"Why... isn't he coming?"
Work hours had long passed.
Per Secretary Kim's report, he'd entered the complex.
Growing anxious, Yoo Jihyun called Secretary Kim again.
"Secretary Kim, sure? He came in?"
– Yes, miss. Confirmed entering Building 103, lines 3 and 4. But...
"But what?"
– Elevator stopped on 12th floor, not 11th.
Secretary Kim had hesitated on how to report it.
"12th floor?"
Yoo Jihyun's brows furrowed.
She already knew who lived there.
Plus, intel on a government employee joining Woojin's company today.
"No way... Jo Ayoung's place?"
– Circumstantially, yes. And...
"And what else?"
Secretary Kim gritted his teeth and delivered the bitter report.
– Confirmed chicken and pizza delivery to 12th floor... My apologies...
Clack–
The phone slipped from Yoo Jihyun's hand.
Her gaze turned upward, toward 1204.
"Chicken...? Pizza...? Why there...?"
The lovingly prepared meal grew cold, while her insides burned black.
Grind–!
An unexpected ambush from an ignored flank.
Yoo Jihyun ground her teeth in betrayal.
"...Jo Ayoung..."
"Kyahahaha! Oppa Sangjin so funny!!"
"Bro! You know this one too!?"
"Duh, man. Who you take me for."
The kids called Sangjin oppa/hyung, Woojin uncle/bro.
'Damn.'
Woojin gave a wry smile.
Well, presidents were uncles to kids.
Sangjin had a knack for kids; the three were holed up in the room blooming with laughter.
Left awkwardly alone with Ayoung in the living room.
Jo Ayoung cautiously spoke.
"Um... Thank you, President. For caring like this..."
Woojin looked her over steadily.
Seeing her siblings grow so bright and pretty, he could tell how much she'd suffered, how many tears she'd swallowed.
"Thank you."
Ayoung flinched.
She was the grateful one—why was he thanking her?
"...Pardon?"
"For not giving up. For gritting your teeth and raising them right. For enduring. For staying alive to the end. Thanks."
Woojin paused, then continued.
"Your parents must be watching from heaven, saying exactly that."
Drip–
A thick teardrop fell from Jo Ayoung's eye.
"Huh...?"
Woojin spoke plainly.
"Feels like no one notices, right? Nah, those kids know. Look today—they starved waiting for you."
Jo Ayoung's throat tightened; she couldn't speak.
"You did well. Impressive. Really, good job."
Drip–drip–
Tears flowed endlessly.
Why? Because it felt like her parents' words?
Or because they were words she'd longed to hear?
"From experience... those are the words you crave most. 'Good job, you're doing well, thanks, thanks for your hard work.' Nothing special, huh?"
"Sob, hic..."
Jo Ayoung was sobbing openly now.
"You deserve those words. You lived well, Ayoung."
That was the final straw.
"Wah, sob! Hic! President dummy! Dummy! Why make people cry! Waaah!"
She pounded Woojin's chest with her fists.
"Even steel hearts aren't steel. Someone has to acknowledge it, you cry once, pour it out—then you endure again."
"Hic, how am I supposed to go to work tomorrow! Sniff!"
One early December night.
A bizarre yet warm scene of laughter and tears echoed in the new town's 12th-floor apartment.
"Alright, we're off. Don't be late tomorrow."
"...Dunno... Might be too embarrassed to show up..."
Woojin chuckled at her puffy-eyed face.
Fun employee to tease.
"Even with separate pay?"
"Pardon?"
"Think I'd make you work for free?"
"No... that's...!"
"Not charity. Fair pay. Bye."
As Woojin opened Ayoung's door,
In the hallway stood someone in an apron, arms crossed, with the world's sourest expression.
"Huh? Jihyun?"
The chill radiating from her was fiercer than December's cold.
Plus faint mana pressure made it no joke.
Woojin swallowed hard.
'What... why's she like that...?'
Yoo Jihyun, having watched the three, brushed back her hair and slowly spoke.
"Hoo... This situation. Anyone care to explain it to me?"
Her icy gaze stabbed at Sangjin.
Sangjin's throat bobbed heavily.
"M-Me?"