NLFSD Chapter 38

Chapter 38

The next morning, when Lee Jiwoon opened his eyes, he was alone.

Mmm… BBG, where did you go? Already up?

No matter how much he scanned the bedroom, Seo Taecheon was nowhere to be seen. Jiwoon rubbed his sleepy eyes, splashed some water on his face in the bathroom, and stepped outside. Taecheon, already perfectly dressed in a crisply ironed shirt and hair neatly slicked back with pomade, was speaking to someone on the phone.

“Yes. I’m planning to look around today. Yes, I’ll let you know the results.”

Jiwoon was still half-asleep, eyes barely open and staggering slightly. As Taecheon ended the call, he glanced toward Jiwoon.

“You’re awake?”

“Yes… Who were you talking to?”

Normally, Jiwoon wouldn’t pry into who the director was speaking to, but in his groggy state, the question slipped out. Surprisingly, Taecheon answered readily.

“My father.”

“The chairman?”

“Yes. I had a report to give him.”

“I see.”

Jiwoon yawned so wide it nearly split his face. Taecheon walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Wash up. Let’s have breakfast and head out.”

Would it be weird to say his touch felt gentle? Jiwoon couldn’t help but feel good at the soft weight of Taecheon’s hand resting so naturally on his shoulder.

“Okay. I’ll be right out.”

In the bathroom, Jiwoon stared at his reflection and recalled the previous night. Man, his shoulder massage was amazing. Did we fall asleep like that until morning? He couldn’t say for sure, but it had been good either way. The solid muscle beneath that gray robe—god, it had felt incredible.

For some reason, even the scent of his body wash seemed fresher today, and Jiwoon hummed a cheerful tune as he washed up.

When he came out, he checked the Sukryeo app on his phone. Scores were updated every midnight, so any changes from the previous day should have been reflected by now.

Warning Alert – Stage 1 Clearance Likely to Fail

Reason: Failure to submit couples travel report (deadline passed)

On-screen, the little Sukryeodung mascot sighed heavily with a gloomy face.

“Whew.”

Thank goodness. The deadline had passed, the score was gone, and there was no way to recover it now. So the director didn’t file the travel report either? Even if I didn’t upload it, it would’ve counted if he had… maybe the notification didn’t go through?

In Jiwoon’s mind, Seo Taecheon was the type who diligently checked scores and cleared levels without fail. It was odd. Still, there was no reason to ask, “By any chance, did you forget to submit the report?” Better not to stir up trouble unnecessarily.

“If you’re done, come eat.”

“Ah, yes.”

Taecheon called him over. As Jiwoon approached the dining table, he was greeted by a spread of lavish dishes rarely seen in their daily life.

“Wow. Did you make all this, Director?”

“Felt like showing off a bit this morning.”

Thick French toast drenched in maple syrup, fresh greens tossed with dressing and ricotta cheese, and a large omelet studded with finely chopped bell peppers and onions filled the plates. The table looked like something out of a luxury hotel breakfast buffet.

“Wow. This looks so good.”

“I thought you liked French toast, so I made it.”

“Yes! I really do. Wow… it looks like art. And it tastes amazing!”

The moment he took a bite, the fragrant sweetness of honey and milk filled his mouth. Jiwoon covered his mouth and stomped his feet in delight.

“It’s so good!”

“I heard last night that your stomach’s all better, but are you really okay now?”

“Of course. Goodbye porridge—bread is back on the menu.”

Thanks to Myeongsgas (the digestive tonic), Jiwoon had nursed his stomach back to health over the past week. Now he could finally eat good food again.

The director cooked breakfast for me? And it’s this delicious and heartfelt?!

Jiwoon wanted to scream about it from the rooftops but restrained himself, choosing instead to snap photos mid-bite. Watching him, Taecheon asked,

“Planning to upload that to the app?”

“Huh?”

“The Sukryeo app. Are you posting it there?”

There was something in his tone—subtle disapproval. It was a minute change in expression, but having been around him long enough, Jiwoon caught it immediately: he wasn’t pleased, and he was trying to hide it.

“N-no. Just for myself… to look at when I’m hungry.”

“…Huh?”

“When I see tasty food pictures while I’m hungry, it cheers me up….”

Jiwoon mumbled sheepishly.

“Is that so? Then good.”

Only then did Taecheon’s face relax back to normal.

What’s that about? Was that his way of hinting not to upload it? I wasn’t going to anyway, but still… why did he react like that?

Jiwoon’s thoughts were interrupted by Taecheon’s voice.

“The omelet’s getting cold. Eat up.”

“The bell peppers were really fresh. They’ve got a great crunch. I used Swiss cheese this time—tell me how it tastes.”

“Okay!”

Jiwoon sliced off a big piece and popped it into his mouth. For a moment, he felt like he’d ascended straight to heaven.

“This is insane. This is an insane dish.”

He covered his mouth in awe. He’d eaten countless egg dishes in his life, but none had ever tasted this good.

“Can I have another?”

“Gladly.”

Taecheon handed over his own plate. Before Jiwoon knew it, he’d forgotten all his complicated thoughts and was fully immersed in enjoying breakfast.

“Wow, it’s autumn weather.”

“Late autumn, but today’s neither chilly nor warm—just perfect. Almost feels like spring.”

“Right? It’s amazing.”

This feels like a date. No—this IS a date. Absolutely.

Climbing into the passenger seat, Jiwoon mentally repeated the mantra. Taecheon was dressed immaculately, more handsome than usual today, and wherever they were headed, it had to be somewhere nice. That counted as a date, didn’t it?

In the driver’s seat, Taecheon set up the navigation. The address he entered was one Jiwoon knew well.

“Huh? That’s the new Paju resort.”

“Yes. That’s right.”

It was the company’s latest flagship location, rumored to soon become the biggest cash cow in Gyeonggi Province.

Wait—this isn’t a date? We’re going for work? Like some weekend sales inspection? Are we doing a secret shopper run or something?

Jiwoon’s mood plummeted at once. Of all places, why did it have to be their own company’s hotel?

Regardless of Jiwoon’s sulking, Taecheon drove in silence. Jiwoon, still slightly pouty, stared out the window, puffed his cheeks, rested his chin on his hand, and eventually resorted to snacking.

“Bored?”

“No.”

“Then why the long face?”

“…Feels like we’re going for work.”

Speaking honestly, Jiwoon was startled when Taecheon burst out laughing.

“Work? No, not at all.”

“Huh? It’s not work?”

It was rare for Taecheon to laugh so brightly, and Jiwoon found himself staring, eyes wide, throat dry. Seeing him roll up his sleeves and run a hand through his hair while laughing—it was dangerously heart-fluttering.

“So it’s not work, and you’re already smiling. Look at you.”

“N-no, that’s not it.”

No—it’s because you look too damn good.

Jiwoon scratched the back of his head awkwardly and looked away, unable to suppress the upward curve of his lips.

It took over an hour to reach the Paju resort. Designed with an eco-healing concept, unlike other resorts it had no grand gates; instead, the entrance was framed by a forest path.

“First time in Paju?”

“Yes. I’ve never been here since it opened. It’s beautiful.”

Jiwoon was awestruck by the expansive greenery. Each tree was ancient and majestic, exuding a mysterious charm that made the resort even more enchanting.

“Welcome, Director.”

“It’s been a while, Manager.”

“Thank you for coming such a long way.”

The resort manager bowed respectfully to Seo Taecheon.

“This is…”

“Hello.”

“This is Assistant Manager Lee Jiwoon.”

Jiwoon was about to introduce himself when Taecheon spoke first. The manager immediately exclaimed, “Ah,” and stepped back a pace.

What? Why did he do that?

“Please, take your time to look around, Director, Assistant Manager. Don’t mind us.”

“Thank you. We’ll have a look around on our own.”

The manager bowed deeply and withdrew. Jiwoon couldn’t quite understand. Even though his position was lower and the manager’s rank was equivalent to a department head or higher, why was he being treated with such deference? I’m nothing special… so why?

Footnotes:

• Sukryeo App (숙려 앱): Al marriage-evaluation app used in this world, which tracks points and stages for couples—missing tasks like “travel reports” affects one’s score and progression.

• Paju Resort: Paju is a real city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, known for nature reserves and proximity to the DMZ; here, the resort is depicted as a luxury eco-healing location central to the company’s business.