NLFSD Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Sparkle. For some reason, Lee Jiwoon woke up early this morning.

“Is this the effect of the herbal tonic…? I’m not tired at all.”

Just like yesterday, he barely felt the chronic fatigue that usually accompanied his office worker life. Feeling refreshed, Jiwoon got out of bed, washed up, and came out into the living room.

As always, Seo Taecheon had gotten up before him, and today too, he was sitting in a dining chair in a gray robe with damp hair after his shower.

Huh. He hasn’t been wearing his black robe much lately, has he? I even neatly arranged it in the dressing room—wonder why?

Jiwoon found it curious that Taecheon’s affection for his black robe seemed to have waned, but he didn’t ask directly.

In any case, it was probably for the best—Taecheon had no idea that Jiwoon’s so-called “tidying” had led to him messing everything up again, which Taecheon had then silently re-folded and organized himself.

“Deputy Lee. You’re awake?”

“Yes. Director, are you only having black coffee again today?”

In front of Seo Taecheon, there was no rice, no bread—not even water. Just a jet-black Americano. Cold shower, towel-dried hair, and downing a full Americano—that was Seo Taecheon’s morning routine.

“This suits my constitution.”

“Ah… I see. Then I’ll go get my breakfast ready. Please wait just a bit.”

“Understood.”

Jiwoon was naturally inclined toward Korean cuisine. With side dishes the housekeeper had prepared in advance, a bowl of seaweed soup, instant rice, and a simple fried egg, he managed to set up a respectable-looking meal.

Just as he was about to pick up his spoon, Jiwoon hesitated and asked,

“Um… We’ve got quite a few eggs. Would you like me to make you some toast with a fried egg?”

“Toast?”

“Yes, with the egg tucked between slices of bread. How about it?”

“Hmm… I’ll give it a try.”

Surprisingly, Seo Taecheon gave his approval. Jiwoon, unable to help himself, smiled broadly and got up from his seat.

“Then let me show off a little of my skill!”

Rolling up his sleeves, Jiwoon headed to the kitchen. There were only two slices of the bread he had bought recently, so he put them in the toaster first, planning to fry the egg while the bread toasted.

After popping the slices into the toaster, he poured plenty of oil into the pan and started frying the egg. However, he missed the timing to flip it, and the egg white got a little burned.

“Ah, crap.”

How should I fix this… Maybe if I trim the burnt part with scissors?

But today of all days, the kitchen scissors were nowhere to be seen. As he rummaged through drawers and cabinets, the toaster popped up with the finished bread.

“Not toasted enough. Back in you go.”

Jiwoon decided to re-toast the bread. While the timer was running again, he finally found the scissors and salvaged the fried egg.

But this time, the bread was toasted too much.

“Gasp!”

The slice of bread popped out with a thunk—charred almost black. Jiwoon panicked and tried to put in a new slice, only to find there was no more bread.

“Uh… What now.”

“You can just give it to me as is.”

Seo Taecheon, who had been silently observing everything, spoke calmly.

“Ah… no, this isn’t what I meant to do. It got a little burnt.”

It was more than a little—it was badly burnt and pitch black—but Seo Taecheon took the carbonized bread and put it in his mouth without blinking.

Maybe he just likes black things? Black robe, black coffee, and now black bread…

“Tastes fine.”

“Thank you for eating it so well. I’ll make you more next time!”

Jiwoon grinned, falling into the illusion that maybe his cooking skills weren’t so bad after all. Meanwhile, Seo Taecheon, having his throat scratched by the overly hard toast, drank another cup of Americano.

He hadn’t expected to eat charcoal first thing in the morning, but he still pretended to enjoy it as much as possible.

When both men had finished getting ready and stepped outside, Seo Taecheon’s family driver was waiting at the door.

“Good morning!”

“I brought the new car for you to try. I’ll drive you to the office today.”

“Thank you.”

Seeing the upgraded vehicle—a higher class and far flashier than the one they used to ride—Jiwoon inwardly went “wow.” He and Taecheon sat side by side in the back seat on their way to work.

“Driver, please drop me off at that bus stop over there.”

“Why is that, sir?”

“Ah… It’s a bit of a long story.”

Jiwoon laughed awkwardly and got out of the car. He then boarded a bus filled with fellow commuters and college students heading to class.

Going from a Maybach* to a city bus in the span of minutes made Jiwoon feel suddenly miserable and uncomfortable. Fortunately, it was only five stops to the office.

“Whew… That was intense.”

Looking disheveled, Jiwoon got off the bus, fixed his hair, and stopped by his regular café for a takeout coffee—sweet, just the way he liked it.

When he arrived at the company and took the elevator to the 19th floor where Marketing Team 1 was, the team leader waved him over—something he didn’t usually do.

“Deputy Lee! I was just wondering when you’d show up.”

“Oh, Team Leader. Is something going on?”

“Yeah, yeah. Come over here for a second.”

Jiwoon quickly set down his coffee at his desk and rushed over. The team leader had pulled up an unfamiliar document on the monitor and gestured for Jiwoon to read it.

<Subject: Preparation for Founding Anniversary Event T/F – From: Executive Office To: All Team Leaders>

“Uh… Founding anniversary event?”

“Right. As you know, it’s the founding anniversary of our Sehwa Hotel & Resort Group next week. We’re hosting a dinner banquet at the Seoul Dazed Hotel. And they’ve asked each team to send someone to help with event planning.”

“Ah… I see.”

Jiwoon lowered his gaze as he answered lifelessly. So this is what you called me for.

Jiwoon, who clearly remembered how Assistant Manager Min Hyegyeong had suffered during last year’s event, sincerely wanted to avoid being roped into the T/F (task force).

But the seasoned team leader started making a case with an air of earnest persuasion.

“This is a really important event, you know. If you show them how capable you are, think about how highly the higher-ups will regard you. Right?”

“Yes. I suppose you’re right.”

Jiwoon responded flatly. The team leader, undeterred, continued with what he wanted to say.

“Especially since this event is being led directly by Director Seo Taecheon. If we do well, it’ll really boost the reputation of our Marketing Team 1.”

Ugh. Jiwoon felt like the coffee he hadn’t even drunk yet was rising back up his throat.

“You know Director Seo’s position in the company. He’s the future owner. Do you know how hard it is to get on his radar?”

“Ah… yes, you’re right.”

“Even team leaders like me don’t get to sit down for coffee or a meal with him. You need to be at least department head level to meet with him one-on-one. So don’t miss this chance—Deputy Lee, you go for it, got it?”

The person who literally shoved a lump of charcoal into that man’s mouth this morning was me…

But of course, he couldn’t say that. So Jiwoon clenched his fist and put on an expression full of passion and ambition. He already knew very well he had no real power to refuse.

“Yes, this is Lee Jiwoon from Marketing Team 1 speaking.”

–This is Deputy Manager Kim Minji from the Executive Office. Mr. Lee, the T/F meeting is happening soon. Please gather in Small Conference Room 3 on the 20th floor at 2 o’clock.

“Ah, yes. Understood. Thank you.”

Called in, Jiwoon headed to the meeting room feeling tense. He had no clue how much work was waiting for him or how long it would keep him busy.

Inside the conference room were members selected from the Finance, HR, and Planning Teams, as well as Assistant Manager Ki Hyunjin and Director Seo Taecheon’s secretary, Deputy Manager Kim Minji.

When Ki Hyunjin saw Jiwoon, he acknowledged him with a greeting. Jiwoon gave a brief nod and deliberately sat as far away from him as possible.

Once everyone had taken their seats, Seo Taecheon entered. He wore the same black suit Jiwoon had seen him in that morning. After briefly scanning the room, he sat at the head of the table and spoke in a low, clear voice.

“I apologize for the delay in assembling the task force due to internal and external circumstances. However, since the Executive Office has already progressed with certain preparations, you can consider yourselves the on-site personnel for the event day and focus on fulfilling your roles.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Understood.”

“Secretary Kim, please explain the details.”

“Yes, sir.”

Kim Minji handed out a short briefing document to everyone. It included an emergency contact list and an assignment of responsibilities for each person.

Duties like preparing the event schedule, managing awards and prizes, and overseeing protocol were each assigned to different individuals. Ki Hyunjin groaned as soon as he saw the words “protocol management.” But Jiwoon’s assignment was different.

[Deputy Lee Jiwoon – Prepare on-site event banners, contact florist for commemorative bouquets.]

Oh, I only have two tasks?

Jiwoon lifted his eyes slightly and looked toward Taecheon.

Is this because I made him breakfast this morning? I didn’t need this much kindness… but I’ll take it, gratefully!

Relieved, Jiwoon was satisfied with the lighter workload than expected. He exhaled in relief. The thought of handling T/F duties while managing his regular work had been overwhelming.

“Until the day of the event, please report all progress and updates to Secretary Kim.”

“Yes, Director.”

Smiling softly, Jiwoon thought about making an impressive banner as his first task on the list.

But as it turned out, it wasn’t going to be as simple as it looked.