NLFSD Chapter 8

 

Chapter 8

Lee Jiwoon was dozing off at work. It was a rainy Wednesday, and the humid air combined with the sound of raindrops outside made his body feel sluggish.

Of course, part of his lethargy was also due to the various humiliations and mental stress he had endured the day before.

“Did everything go well yesterday?”

Deputy Manager Min Hyekyung turned her head toward Lee Jiwoon and asked.

“Ah, well… so-so.”

“I see.”

Actually, she had something else she wanted to ask.

Did the Director really take a half-day off, but surely they didn’t meet, right?

That question was stuck in her throat, but she couldn’t ask so bluntly, so she decided to take a roundabout approach.

“But it’s really strange. The Director never takes a half-day off… How come the one time he does, it matches perfectly with Assistant Manager Lee’s day off?”

“Ah… is that so?”

Yes. We took the same half-day off, went to couples counseling, grilled short rib patties at home, and even fell asleep in the same bed.

Because it was a secret he would never admit even if he died, Lee Jiwoon kept his mouth shut tightly and focused on the work screen.

At that moment, Deputy Min let out a squeal.

“What’s this announcement?”

“Why, Deputy Min?”

“Jiwoon, quickly check the intranet announcements. Something super fun just popped up!”

Not only Deputy Min, but the whole office began to buzz and gather in small groups, chatting. What on earth was it? Lee Jiwoon quickly opened the announcement.

Clicking on the post that had already surpassed 1,000 views revealed a draft document.

Along with promoting the Jeju branch, we are launching a project to build a friendly corporate image, and we ask for the active cooperation of unmarried employees.

Cooperation details: Production of a couple matching reality content

Tentative title: ‘Love Village’

(*** Participants will be composed of 20 people, considering the gender ratio of Alphas/Omegas/Betas)

Schedule: 3 nights, 4 days

Location: Jeju Resort

Broadcast schedule: Undecided

“Whoa. It’s a matchmaking show, isn’t it?”

“Yeah. I read it carefully, and it says that unmarried people in the group get priority to apply, and if there aren’t enough applicants, people might be randomly selected. Since you’re single, Jiwoon, doesn’t this apply to you?”

As Deputy Min spoke with excitement, Lee Jiwoon waved his hand dismissively. Because he hadn’t submitted the family registration certificate showing Seo Taecheon’s name to the company, he was still classified as single. Still, he didn’t think he would be chosen out of so many people.

“No way. Among so many people, there’s no way I’d be picked.”

“You never know.”

Though participants would be selected based on gender ratio, Lee Jiwoon thought there was no chance he’d be chosen and waved off the idea.

“Oh? Speaking of which, the Director is single too. And he’s the most popular single in the group. Doesn’t that mean he could be picked too?”

“Huh?”

“If it’s really random, there’s no rule that the Director can’t be picked.”

… Now that he thought about it, that was true. If it was a random draw across the whole group, there was no reason he wouldn’t be picked.

Deputy Min’s words nagged at Lee Jiwoon, and he spent the whole afternoon lost in thoughts about the project. Though he assumed others would fill the spots anyway, the nagging doubt followed him.

Time passed, and today was the day the participant list for the project would be announced.

Lee Jiwoon pretended not to care but refreshed the company bulletin board every minute. Then a new post appeared.

[‘Love Village’ Participant List (20 people) Announcement]

Applicants have been confirmed immediately, and for the insufficient number of Alpha/Omega employees, candidates have been registered. Those who do not wish to participate may contact the relevant department by phone to be excused.

“Wow, Jiwoon! Your name’s on the list!”

Before Deputy Min squealed again next to him, Lee Jiwoon had already opened the file containing the list. Since the number of participants was small, he easily found his name.

But Seo Taecheon’s name was nowhere to be found. He checked twice, even thrice—no sign of him.

Uh… he’s not here. Only I got picked.

Though statistically possible, the feeling was strange. Simply put, it felt empty.

“Jiwoon, you’re going to be the hot star in the company now. This is going to be really fun!”

“Ah… yeah.”

“You’re going to participate, right?”

“Um… I guess I have to. There’s no way they’d accept a refusal from a lowly assistant manager like me…”

“That’s true. You know how much our director watches the PR team’s mood, right?”

“Putting that aside, it’s 3 nights and 4 days. I guess I have to think of it as a vacation.”

Instead of being excited, his voice was weak, so Deputy Min quietly stopped talking. Instead, she immediately messaged Secretary Kim.

Min Hyekyung: Why isn’t the Director’s name on the list? It would’ve been so fun if he was there ㅠㅠ

Kim Minji: Yeah, I’m sad too.

Min Hyekyung: Oh, and that regular employee I mentioned before? The one people say has something going on with the Director? That employee got picked this time. But right now, their expression is super gloomy.

Kim Minji: Wow!

Typing sounds from Deputy Min behind the partition were extremely loud. She really works hard. Meanwhile, Lee Jiwoon couldn’t concentrate on work, feeling restless. That’s what he thought.

After a while, a group message arrived on the company messenger.

*** To: ‘Love Village’ Participants

*** CC: PR Team Leader

Hello. This is the PR team.

A meeting will be held today at 3 PM in the second-floor conference room for all program participants. Please gather there.

As Lee Jiwoon replied to the message, he glanced toward the Director’s office. But from the time the list was announced this morning until now, he hadn’t received a single contact from Seo Taecheon, and the office door remained firmly closed.

Why am I getting restless? Honestly, I have no relationship with the Director. I’m just being selected as a single employee. I’ll just enjoy the freedom of life outside of being married.

With that thought, Lee Jiwoon shrugged his shoulders.

There were 20 people gathered in the conference room. Looking at the faces, they were exactly the same as on the list. No one had declined to participate.

Well, of course, no one would miss the chance to hang out with singles outside of work.

Since employees who dislike being seen or are introverted didn’t even apply in the first place, the meeting room was filled with the energy of extroverts.

“Jiwoon!”

While looking around to see where to sit, Deputy Manager Ki Hyunjin suddenly raised his hand and called out to Jiwoon.

“Ah! Deputy Manager Ki.”

“Sit next to me.”

“Yes, Deputy Manager.”

Ki Hyunjin pulled out a chair for Jiwoon to sit.

“I was glad to see you were on the list too.”

“Me too. I’m so excited to go with you, Jiwoon. I’m already looking forward to it.”

“Ah, it’s not like I’m the only one going, why say that?”

“No, really, I’m genuinely looking forward to going with you.”

Watching Ki Hyunjin’s constant smiling, Jiwoon didn’t think much of it. He knew he was an enthusiastic Alpha who was popular with Omegas thanks to his friendly looks and tall height. So he figured he would probably be quite active in this program too.

Soon the door opened, and the head of the PR team along with two staff members came in.

“Hello everyone. Thank you all for taking the time out of your busy schedules.”

At the PR team leader’s greeting, all twenty people applauded simultaneously.

“I will explain the detailed direction of this project’s progress.”

Jiwoon peeked his head out toward the PT presentation unfolding on the screen. It showed the scenery of the company’s resort on Jeju Island, said to be the most luxurious and expensive among company-owned resorts, along with information about when and how to gather, depart, and return.

“Each person will have a single room, and we will mostly live together in the outdoor garden and party room. Also, at the outdoor barbecue area and swimming pool.”

“That sounds fun.”

The employees all showed interested reactions.

“Like other dating reality shows, we have first impression selection dates, night walks, and individual dates prepared. You will have at least one date every day.”

At the mention of dating, the employees couldn’t hide their excitement. Jiwoon felt like an outcast. Was it because he usually had no interest in dating and enjoyed being alone too much? The idea of swapping between Alpha and Beta and enjoying dates didn’t bring any joy at all.

But just looking at Ki Hyunjin beside him, it was clear the others were swept up in excitement and happiness.

…Boring.

Jiwoon brought a pencil to a notepad and began to doodle. The picture made up of circles and straight lines was the portrait of the head of the department he had drawn a few days ago.

It’s coming out ugly again. I want to draw as well as the head of the department’s picture, but is that a matter of talent?

Trapped in his own world and barely listening to the explanation, Jiwoon just passed the time vaguely.

While he was distracted, the meeting ended, and it was time for the final Q&A.

“Any questions?”

When the person in charge asked, employees raised their hands here and there and asked.

“If couples are formed, will there be a special allowance?”

“If couples get married here, shouldn’t there be a reward?”

Laughter burst out among the crowd. Jiwoon didn’t find the jokes funny at all. But the PR representative’s answer was enough to wake his sleepy ears.

“Regarding rewards, we actually have plans. It’s a special directive from the head of marketing. If couples are formed here, there will be a first reward and a bonus vacation. And if it ultimately leads to marriage, an additional special reward will be given.”

“Really?”

Awesome. I have to become a couple for sure. There was a buzzing excitement around. Jiwoon stopped drawing and tightened his lips.

…They really want as many couples as possible to be formed in this reality show. They’re very invested in the project.

Even though I’m going.

Jiwoon felt an indescribable sense of discomfort. But why, and by what right, it was hard to explain why he felt that way.