Chapter 5
Yeonsu’s pupils trembled violently as she recognized Jinhyuk.
In disbelief, her lips parted without her realizing it.
However, regardless of Yeonsu’s inner turmoil, Jinhyuk’s welcoming speech continued on the stage.
“Welcome to Haenam Construction. Our company aims to create a new future through creative thinking and relentless challenges…”
The new employees focused their gaze on Jinhyuk, listening attentively.
But unlike the others, Yeonsu’s head gradually lowered. Her heart raced at the thought of accidentally making eye contact with him.
“Our executive director is so handsome.”
“So what? How would a contract employee like us ever meet him? Today will probably be the first and last time anyway.”
It was at that moment that she heard whispering right behind her.
The new hires, who had passed the company exam together in a study group, were quietly chatting about Jinhyuk, expressing their admiration and a hint of regret that they couldn’t meet him more often.
Their words snapped Yeonsu back to reality.
As they said, that man was indeed an executive director.
That meant someone like Yeonsu, just joining the company, would have no chance of ever meeting him.
A sliver of sunlight shone through a dark mouse hole.
After the welcome speech, the new employees moved to their respective departments.
Yeonsu also headed to the Marketing Team, which was on the 10th floor.
There were two new employees in the Marketing Team.
“Oh my, both of our new marketing employees have the same first name.”
Manager Jin greeted them.
Ha Yeonsu and Kang Yeonsu. Even the new colleague who came in with her shared the same first name, only differing in surname.
“Ha Yeonsu is 27, and Kang Yeonsu is 24, so you can treat each other as older and younger sister.”
Deputy Kim added his comment, intending to ease the tension on the first day.
However, Kang Yeonsu’s face showed irritation, as if offended by the remark.
“All right, Deputy Kim, please show them their seats and briefly explain today’s tasks.”
After a short greeting, Deputy Kim led the two to their assigned desks.
The two seats by the entrance were assigned to them. These were generally avoided by others. One seat was shielded by a partition, which was acceptable, but the other was completely open to the hallway.
Kang Yeonsu immediately took the partitioned seat.
“Deputy, is it okay if I take this seat?”
She even added a playful smile as she asked.
“Yes, go ahead.”
Deputy Kim nodded approvingly.
Although the inner seat was technically assigned to Yeonsu, it didn’t matter much who sat where. Both were contract employees, and their actual duties hadn’t been assigned yet.
“Today, familiarize yourselves with the manual. The real work will begin tomorrow. The instructions for creating company emails are included, so please make your emails and submit them.”
Deputy Kim gave a brief instruction and returned to his desk.
“Our names are the same, but let’s get along well.”
Kang Yeonsu said as she glanced at Yeonsu.
“Yes, thank you.”
Yeonsu responded warmly.
“You said you’re 27, right?”
“Yes, I’m a little older.”
Feeling embarrassed about starting as a new hire at this age, Yeonsu laughed lightly.
“Even if I’m younger, we’re at work, so don’t call me ‘younger sister,’ okay, Ha Yeonsu?”
Kang Yeonsu said this and quickly turned her body.
Ha, seeing her back, Yeonsu’s face reflected pure disbelief. Somehow, the first day was already giving her a bad feeling, but perhaps it was just coincidence.
Two weeks had passed since Yeonsu joined Haenam Construction.
Contrary to the ominous feeling of the first day, work life was enjoyable.
Except for Kang Yeonsu, all the Marketing Team members were friendly.
The man Yeonsu had been worried about, Jinhyuk, hadn’t been seen since the first day.
For Yeonsu, who had handled all sorts of tasks during years of part-time jobs, the duties of a new employee were not difficult.
Her brief experience with Excel also helped significantly.
“Kang Yeonsu doesn’t seem like a rookie; I’d believe she has experience.”
Manager Jin praised her while reviewing Yeonsu’s report.
It was an Excel report that neatly summarized yearly sales in charts.
“Thank you, but it’s not Kang Yeonsu—it’s Ha Yeonsu,” Yeonsu corrected, smiling.
“Oh dear, I got confused again.”
Manager Jin chuckled awkwardly, smiling back. It was a drowsy afternoon after a satisfying lunch.
“Yeonsu, please deliver this to the Logistics Team.”
Deputy Kim’s voice came.
The Logistics Team was in the annex, quite a distance from the Marketing Team in the main building.
Kang Yeonsu pretended not to hear and bowed her head even lower.
“Yes, I’ll go.”
Yeonsu responded cheerfully, took the documents, and left the office.
Only then did Kang Yeonsu lift her head. She had no intention of doing any tasks herself.
Initially, she had been irritated by the shared name, but now she realized she could dump all the work she didn’t want onto Yeonsu. What luck.
Yeonsu could clearly see Kang Yeonsu’s petty intentions. As a result, Yeonsu’s workload increased, but she worked harder instead of complaining.
My goal is to become a full-time employee, Yeonsu thought.
The more Kang Yeonsu schemed, the further she moved from a full-time position, and the closer Yeonsu came. It wasn’t a bad situation for Yeonsu.
As Yeonsu delivered the documents to the Logistics Team and returned to the main building, she saw the elevator doors closing.
“Wait, just a moment.”
Hearing Yeonsu’s voice, the elevator doors reopened.
“Thank you.”
Yeonsu hurried forward and stopped in front of the elevator. Inside was Jinhyuk, a VVIP client of the “Baby Bodhisattva” brand.
Yeonsu’s pupils trembled violently, her heart raced. She was so nervous that even her spine tingled.
“Won’t you get in?”
Jinhyuk, holding the open button, asked. His indifferent voice carried a slightly unpleasant aura.
“No, I will.”
Yeonsu entered the elevator, and the doors closed. The spacious elevator matched the building’s scale.
Yeonsu tried to stay as far away from Jinhyuk as possible, pressing herself into a corner.
But her effort was futile, as Jinhyuk immediately asked:
“What’s your name?”
His voice carried a heavy weight. The invisible pressure made Yeonsu feel breathless.
“I’m Ha Yeonsu, newly assigned to the Marketing Team.”
Jinhyuk asked again:
“Have we met somewhere before?”
Yeonsu’s heart plummeted. The numbers on the elevator panel quickly rose—Marketing Team, 10th floor.
Men usually have poor memories; they can’t remember someone after seeing them once. He probably just thought I was pretty, Yeonsu reminded herself.
“Yes, we haven’t met,” she firmly denied.
Just then, the elevator stopped with a ding. Floor 10.
“Ha Yeonsu.”
Jinhyuk called as Yeonsu was about to step out. An ordinary employee couldn’t ignore an executive director.
Yeonsu slowly turned her body, her head bowed, eyes fixed 45 degrees downward on the elevator floor to avoid his gaze.
Jinhyuk said nothing. Unable to endure the silence, Yeonsu finally lifted her head, and Jinhyuk’s eyes met hers.
Feeling the intensity of his gaze, she awkwardly smiled.
“Are you sure we’ve never, by chance, crossed paths before?”
His languid tone seemed to know something.
“Of course not. What reason would I have to meet you? I only go to Jangdo Market, and I live in the hills over there. Hahaha.”
Yeonsu laughed nervously, fumbling her words, too tense to notice how awkward she appeared.
“I see,” Jinhyuk nodded.
“Well, I’ll be going now.”
Yeonsu bowed 90 degrees to Jinhyuk. She didn’t notice the faint smile on his lips.
As Jinhyuk released the elevator button, the doors slowly closed.
As the elevator ascended, Yeonsu finally exhaled, relieved.
Thankfully, that went smoothly.
