Chapter 1
Chapter 1
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 1
Chapter Title: Our Daughter-
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It was a successful life.
That was the general consensus. Starting out as a contract worker, he transitioned to full-time status and climbed the ranks through repeated promotions, passing through key affiliates. And now, he held the position of team leader in one of the group's core departments.
Some dismissed it as no big deal or outright nonsense, reacting hysterically. To those imagined masses, his longtime friend had a blunt response.
"Fucking idiots who've never held a real job."
"......"
Above all, Son Jin-hyuk was single. His few friends envied him most for that. And wasn't a life that made friends envious the very picture of success?
Huuu-.
After finishing his roughly 20km run, 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 a private gym instead of the company one, and hated the hassle, so he rarely carried his phone. The only person who would call so desperately without leaving a text or message was one. As he went to call back, his phone buzzed.
The 26th call.
"Yes, Executive Director."
- Eee-ruu-luu-eh-beh-beh-.
A slurring woman on the other end of the line stuck out her tongue.
"Understood."
Having reached the level where he could decipher baby talk, he took even his boss's off-hours calls with perfect composure.
Jin-hyuk scanned the bar quickly with his eyes and spotted Executive Director Hong Su-jeong. High stool at the bartender's counter, her usual solo spot. A woman swaying like kelp in the waves. Why did someone who owned hotels drink alone in a place like this? She must have sent her secretary and bodyguards away.
Her bobbed bangs lit up when she saw him, her bleary eyes focusing with effort.
"Teem-leah-der's heeeere~?"
Her disheveled hair made her look like she'd fought with her own locks. If only she wouldn't roll her eyes. Drunks were all so predictably similar.
"Ig-guh-bah, ig-guh-bah-. Comin' heeeere-."
"Haha! Right you are. Looks like I lose again, ma'am."
Ignoring Hong Su-jeong as she pointed accusingly at the bartender, Jin-hyuk exchanged a nod with the bartender he'd become familiar with by necessity.
Hong Su-jeong pounded the empty stool beside her as she looked at him.
"Yuh gonna eat that bitch~?"
If only she'd just pronounce words properly.
Perching on the stool, Jin-hyuk muttered in reply.
"Not yet. Just came from working out."
"Ehh-goo-goo, our teem-leah-der's gotta stay fit. Wannanother ramen heeeere~?"
This was getting ridiculous. Jin-hyuk raised a palm toward the awkwardly smiling bartender, teeth gritted.
"It's fine. Finish this and let's head out."
"Yeeees, whaaatever-."
Hong Su-jeong replied with a pout that didn't suit her status.
There was one whiskey bottle on the counter. Three glasses in, and plenty remained.
Jin-hyuk held up two fingers to the bartender and raised his brows. The bartender smiled sheepishly and raised one finger.
'Guess I'm finishing it again today.'
She could've just left the rest, but no—once opened, she had to finish it, showing her stubbornness. And she was a lightweight, too.
The Sein Group's chairman's only daughter. Their connection began when twenty-nine-year-old Hong Su-jeong joined Sein Heavy Industries' site office as a regular employee. Jin-hyuk was a contract assistant manager then, her mentor. The chairman had ordered it: put her in a rough environment and have a proper teacher train her.
Everyone else tiptoed around her, watching her moods, but not Jin-hyuk. He scolded her harshly for junior mistakes and covered for major screw-ups himself.
His message was simple.
- "If you're going to work, do it right."
He refused the chairman's daily allowance and special hire offers, focusing solely on the job.
In her eyes, everyone in the organization relied on Jin-hyuk.
Maybe that's why she started relying on him too. With each promotion and affiliate transfer, she lured him with milk and honey... well, honey.
It was honey too sweet and grand to refuse.
"I rose this fast thanks to you, Team Leader."
Despite the drinks, she spoke surprisingly clearly. Her flushed face and leaning posture as she looked up remained the same, though.
"No. It's your achievement, Executive Director."
"Oh come on, what did I even dooo~."
Straight-backed Jin-hyuk contrasted with Hong Su-jeong, who seemed ready to slip off her stool any second.
"You brought me along."
Hong Su-jeong blinked her cat-like eyes, pondering the meaning.
Your merit for recognizing me. Pleased with his subtle humor—and her cute reaction—a faint smile tugged at Jin-hyuk's lips.
"Whoa! Whoooaaa-! You're smiiiiling! Smiiiiling!"
A rare sight from the man, so her frantic pointing was understandable. Finally, she toppled over with a thud. Impressive she'd lasted this long, given she turned red after one glass. Between them lay an empty 700ml whiskey bottle.
"Should I caaaall you oppa?"
No.
"Oppaaa, know why my nickname's Great Magician?"
I do.
"Oppaaa, am I pretty?"
Riding on Jin-hyuk's back, legs dangling, Hong Su-jeong chattered nonstop.
Dream.
'Did I ever have one?'
People called aspirations—things you wanted to do or become—dreams. Jin-hyuk was versatile but dreamed of nothing. He'd just studied, memorized, aced tests. That was all he could do.
'Dropped out of college, at least.'
He wanted to live ordinarily.
Nothing flashy—just like his friends, somehow.
Jin-hyuk once lived as a rascal, showered in parental love.
Mom, Dad...
"Oppaaa, you looove running that much?"
I do. It was the only thing that made him feel alive. Only sprinting until breathless made his heart pound.
Ignoring her excited leg-kicks and babble, he walked steadily.
"Oppaaa single?"
You're crossing lines now.
Maybe drop her with a back throw. Jin-hyuk muttered.
"Oppaaa."
Someone of her social standing calling a subordinate "oppa" felt off. Human relations were tricky for Jin-hyuk, who cherished solitude.
"Ah, ooooppaaa-."
No answer, so she shook her legs wildly.
"Yes."
"Ramen? Wanna go?"
Not the first time. She obsessed over ramen post-drinking, like it was her nemesis. Blamed long study abroad, but no evidence beyond her word. Hence "Executive."
"Hotel's here. Ramen next time."
Hotel staff who recognized her rushed out. Set down, she slipped into heels, suddenly tall. Confirmed her into the bedroom, then cautioned the manager.
"Keep this quiet."
"Of course."
Not their first rodeo; staff knew the drill.
To cool off, he sat in the lobby. Chilly season starting; overheating outside risked a cold.
Pulled a photo from his wallet.
Fingered the subjects in order.
'Mom, Dad, me, General.'
Never called them Mother, Father.
They left too soon, leaving their young son.
The gentlest, kindest mom in the world.
Dad, handsomer than any actor, kinder too.
'See you tomorrow.'
Wind in his eyes blurred the photo.
Tucked it away, left the hotel. Cool wind wrapping like a cape wasn't unwelcome. He shrugged his broad shoulders indifferently.
Jin-hyuk arrived early again today.
His day started checking team members' progress on key group projects as PMs. Meticulous review, then the division head's secretary brought coffee. He'd said no need, but it was the boss's orders—daily ritual.
Coffee aroma calmed him.
Electronically approved reports in the team leader section.
Still before regular hours, he checked personal assets. Sell the officetel; stocks, deposits totaled 4 billion won.
The tiny plot Dad built—barely saved—stay down there...
'Exercise stock options, maybe 6 billion.'
Plenty for quiet solo living.
Time to buy a car.
Good for countryside life.
"Good morning!"
"Hello."
40 minutes early. Team trickled in: masters, PhDs, ex-overseas execs. Elite talents, some outranking him.
One had floundered, but under his training, now a top planner. Even after he left, they'd support Hong Su-jeong well. Reassuring.
Brains didn't guarantee success. He acknowledged Hong Su-jeong behind his rise—and her reliance on him. Quitting abruptly wasn't easy.
But decided. Leave the world, reminisce childhood parental love. If asked why, blame burnout, no passion.
"Team Leader, Executive Director's in."
"Ah, got it. Thanks."
Messenger existed, yet secretary came personally.
Donned jacket, followed.
In the office, Hong Su-jeong sat rigidly, awkward smile.
"Ahem! Team Leader, last night—."
"Min Yong-rak's overseas affiliate diversification report should be up for approval."
"Ah, yes."
Last night? Routine day.
Emotions blunted, he saw no issue.
Not rare.
"Uh, C-level meeting today..."
"Already? Understood."
No need for elaboration.
For some reason, she dreaded facing Chairman Hong Gi-jun. Rebellious almost. So Jin-hyuk attended exec meetings instead; chairman never minded.
"Sorry, always."
"No problem. Then—."
Light bow, exit.
Parents' grave tomorrow, first bus. Sikye there; dried mackerel in freezer? They loved sikye, never drank.
"Manager Min, heading to the hotel. Send team home early."
"Yes sir! Enjoy your weekend!"
Min Yong-rak saluted playfully. Ex-overseas exec, legal team lead. Demoted post-lawsuit loss, near forced resignation—Jin-hyuk recruited him. Over 50, higher rank, yet respectful.
Showed zeal for final blaze.
Handed desk bag.
"For your wife's birthday. Trusting you."
"Aigoo! Always—haha, thanks."
Stoic Jin-hyuk cared deeply for his people.
Younger execs existed.
Yet eyes fixed on Jin-hyuk. Movie-star aura, standing out among presidents and execs.
Infamous playboy Sein Networks CEO nudged his arm.
"Going well with Hong Exec?"
"What..."
"Heh, playing coy."
Rumors of hotel visits.
Chairman arrived; execs straightened.
All bowed deeply; Jin-hyuk politely, lightly.
Tall, visible from afar.
"Heh, our group's real power's here."
Hong Gi-jun approached, patted back, pulled arm.
Watching intimate chat, others whispered.
"See? Groom-in-waiting."
"Daughter divorced in a month—must haunt him. Over 10 years."
"Not divorce—Hong Exec dumped him!"
"Anyway, turning 70, prepping to hand over to daughter."
"To son-in-law? Chairman inherited from father-in-law."
"True. Could be tradition."
Men age, yang energy to mouth—who said that?
Spot on.
Meeting ended; chilly rain poured under dark sky.
Execs lined to see off chairman.
His car halted before Jin-hyuk; VIP window down.
"No car, right? Rainy—ride with me."
Different direction, so urgent talk pending.
Indifferent to others, Jin-hyuk caught that.
"Yes, then."
Driver Kim rushed to open rear door.
Nodded to Kim, boarded.
Car rolled; execs bowed in unison.
Not for him, but odd receiving farewell.
"Kim, rain's nice—take long way."
"Yes, Chairman."
What's coming? Expected topic, but no guess. Own plans set.
Chatted variously.
Then abruptly:
"Ever had a dream?"
Chairman's gaze on rain-streaked window.
'Wanted ordinary life.'
Jin-hyuk silently touched slim wallet.
One photo inside.
Hong Gi-jun clasped his right hand warmly. Soft, warm—first in ages. No time to dwell:
"You perhaps..."
It arrived.
No guts to refuse elder. Ask time? Feels like life derailing.
"Discussed with daughter's mom too..."
Mom now.
As chairman broached delicately:
"Our daught—."
Kwaaaang-!
Kiiiiii-!
R roar rocked car; body lurched.
Instinctively, Jin-hyuk braced to shield old man.
Felt like lying ages.
Why's cheek wet? Jin-hyuk muttered inwardly.