He seemed to have just finished washing up, as his hair was still slightly damp, and there was a subtle glow on his face. His cheeks had a faint blush, and his slightly parted lips revealed the tip of his tongue. His heavy eyelids drooped slightly, giving him a drowsy appearance.
As his moist eyes spotted Seo Seung-hyun, they widened in surprise.
His lips opened wider, and now the tip of his tongue was more visible.
His lips moved, as if trying to say something, and he breathed in and out rapidly.
Seo Seung-hyun glanced at him and lightly waved his hand, motioning him to step back.
“Well then, Director. Have a pleasant holiday.”
With a soft and cheerful tone, his overly polite greeting seemed almost teasing.
The call ended.
Jang Young-hee swiftly approached him.
“What happened?”
“It’s settled. Anyway, Young-hee, have you ever heard of Haeju Forwarding?”
At that question, vertical lines appeared between Jang Young-hee’s eyebrows. Even before he said, “No,” Seo Seung-hyun had already guessed the answer and turned his head. Lee Young-jin was still standing there, with his mouth and eyes wide open. Seo Seung-hyun gave him a faint smile.
“Did you have a good time?”
A brief greeting.
Lee Young-jin seemed to want to say something, but his lips quivered hesitantly.
Seo Seung-hyun didn’t wait for him to respond.
He quickly removed his long coat and suit jacket in one motion, and Jang Young-hee skillfully received them. Then, he adjusted his necktie, pulling it slightly to center it again, and took decisive strides forward.
Jang Young-hee followed him as if it were only natural.
Seo Seung-hyun plopped down onto the large sofa, leaving Lee Young-jin standing awkwardly, unsure whether to come closer or go somewhere else. He gestured towards Lee Young-jin with a puzzled expression.
“What are you doing over there?”
Although Jang Young-hee had an expression that implied Lee Young-jin’s presence was entirely natural, he seemed unsure of what to do and awkwardly wiggled his fingers before finally approaching. He managed to sit on the edge of the sofa.
Seo Seung-hyun spoke again.
“Kwon is the one who mentioned Haeju Forwarding. I think we should look into it.”
“Could it be another domestic company involved in this case?”
“Haha… in this case?”
Those who knew about the symbiotic relationship between SH and Seoran would withdraw their foot just by hearing Seo Seung-hyun’s name in connection with this case. Even if that wasn’t the case, there were very few domestic companies with enough financial power to get involved in this particular project.
“Young-hee, you know it already, so why bother? We’ve already spent 150 billion just on the basic construction. There’s more to come. Who knows how much it’ll cost in the second auction, damn it. If we roughly estimate the overall budget, it’s around three or five trillion, or something like that. And you’re saying a domestic company is getting involved? Haha. I should be worried, huh? When did such a competitor emerge?”
Seo Seung-hyun laughed lightly. Jang Young-hee didn’t laugh along, of course.
“Young-hee, we had some business in Shanghai already, didn’t we? It wouldn’t be strange if domestic companies got involved.”
At those words, Lee Young-jin, who was sitting at the edge of the sofa, flinched. Seo Seung-hyun observed his expression with a languid smile.
“Those freelancers who knew nothing, right?”
Though the words were directed at Jang Young-hee, his gaze was fixed on Lee Young-jin.
“Well, let’s start investigating Haeju Forwarding for now.”
The competent chief secretary interjected.
As Seo Seung-hyun nodded briefly, the doorbell rang. Jang Young-hee stood up. The stalwart alpha’s broad shoulders rose like a mountain, and the bell rang again.
“It must be Director Yoon.”
Jang Young-hee looked at his phone and walked towards the entrance. Meanwhile, Seo Seung-hyun glanced at Lee Young-jin. Sensing his gaze, Lee Young-jin turned his head to meet his eyes. The exchange of glances was brief. Soon, Jang Young-hee returned, carrying a large shopping bag in both hands.
“CEO, the meal sent by Director Yoon is here.”
Seo Seung-hyun got up lightly without saying a word.
The dining area felt chilly. Jang Young-hee placed the shopping bag on the bar counter and familiarly found the remote control, raising the blinds covering the front window while simultaneously turning on the air purifier. The low mechanical noise filled the room, and the Han River view stretched outside the window.
Seo Seung-hyun casually went ahead and sat at the dining table, while Jang Young-hee started taking out the food one by one.
“I, I should…”
Lee Young-jin showed an eager expression, darting towards Jang Young-hee with remarkable agility, likely influenced by the urgent need for his 170,000-won job. He seemed quite agile. The hourly pay seemed to have a significant impact on his work attitude.
Of course, Jang Young-hee politely declined, “It’s alright. Please have a seat.”
Lee Young-jin didn’t know what to do, going back and forth in front of the bar counter like a scared cat or a borrowed pole. Only when Seo Seung-hyun gestured for him to come and then softly tapped the table did he finally manage to gather himself and sit down obediently at the dining table.
As they knew Seo Seung-hyun’s character, all the food was neatly packed in large disposable containers. Soon, the aroma filled the spacious kitchen.
There were a considerable number of side dishes. Seo Seung-hyun looked a bit overwhelmed as he had returned from Shanghai just two days ago and was leaving for another 2-night 3-day business trip to Yokohama. It seemed like Director Yoon was determined to provide a hearty meal. Considering Seo Seung-hyun’s appetite, the meal included brown rice mixed with various grains, a large grilled flounder, spicy beef patties, a hearty mushroom and perilla seed soup, soy-braised beef and burdock root, dried pollack with chili, steamed egg, grilled bellflower root, along with fresh kimchi, green onion kimchi, and watery radish kimchi—there were at least four different types of kimchi alone.
As Jang Young-hee placed each dish on the table, it felt like the spacious dining table was not big enough.
Seo Seung-hyun’s face showed a bit of annoyance. “Why did you prepare so much?”
Jang Young-hee replied in a gentler tone, “It seems Director Yoon wanted to provide a meal for you after a long time, CEO.”
“You think I can’t take care of myself and eat properly?”
“Isn’t it Director Yoon’s way of showing his care for you, CEO? It seems like he went through some trouble to arrange this meal, as he was considering coming here himself.”
Jang Young-hee’s response softened as he faced the lavish spread.
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