episode_0087

“Why, Taehyun, do you dislike working?”

During his leave of absence, Kim Taehyun seemed to have a bit of a rookie touch in the documents he had prepared, but his basic format and diligence seemed fine. Was there some kind of issue?

“It’s not that, but rather that he’s too good at dealing with people than working. Everyone can see that someone fit for the sales department is in the development department, so Manager Kim from Sales 1 must be coveting him.”

“But… if it’s Manager Kim, there might be another reason.”

When they say Manager Kim from the sales department, they mean a late thirties old maid. She’s notorious for openly favoring young male employees. Since Kim Taehyun was considered quite handsome, it was assumed that if she set her sights on him, he would be in for a tough time.

“Well, that’s true. Heh.”

Well, even if it’s gossip, there’s a reason why an old maid is an old maid.

“So, Taehyun, how about I send you to the sales department? I heard Manager Kim has a thing for younger guys. Hehe.”

“T-There’s no need for that. I prefer the development department. No, I love it. Yes!”

Kim Taehyun waved his hands awkwardly, seemingly in distress. Seeing him sweat nervously as he declined, it seemed like he was really struggling.

Yes, Manager Kim’s influence doesn’t just stay within her own department.

“Haha. So, be good to our manager, dude. If you don’t want to go to the sales department.”

If he goes to the sales department, Manager Kim might just snatch him up because she likes him.

“Of course. I’ll do my best. Hehe.”

After some light banter, I decided to rent a meeting room to receive a report on the progress of our work so far.

“Since I confirmed the data Kwon Manager sent me at home, let’s start with the current development progress.”

“Yes. The Planning team suggested developing a total of 10 types of meal kit menus. They decided to start with 6 stable flavors. Director also mentioned that it would be good if 4 had our company’s unique touch.”

Kwon Manager calmly flipped through the ppt slides and began explaining to me. Since Manager Dal Jjamba isn’t going anywhere soon, his explanation was very neat and stable.

“So, each Development Team 1 and 2 will take 5 each, right?”

“Yes. Menu selection is in the final stages.”

“Alright, got it. Kwon Manager, share the meeting minutes with me later, and please hand over the tasks you’ve been handling so far. And Taehyun, organize the files of the prototypes you’ve made and hand them over to me.”

“Yes, understood.”

After a short meeting, as we were leaving the meeting room,

We came face to face with the team that was about to use the meeting room next.

Typically, the person leading a group has a high probability of being the leader of that group. Just like how I was the first to come out of the meeting room, the person standing at the forefront of the other team was their team leader. She had a very composed face,

-Gasp!

The person who made Kim Taehyun shudder as soon as he saw her. It was none other than Manager Kim Sohyun from Sales 1, the team leader we were just talking about.

Her eyes seemed to be filled with a sense of caution as they quickly scanned me up and down.

“Oh my, I didn’t know it was written by the Development Team. Hehe. Taehyun, how have you been? Ah, I’ll make sure you can transfer to the Sales Department, so just come over. It’s such a waste of your abilities, Taehyun.”

What kind of ridiculous situation is this again? Trying to blatantly poach someone else’s team member in front of a superior like that. Even if my identity was just revealed this morning, it was no different from blatantly ignoring Manager Kwon.

“By the way, who’s this? A new employee? Ah, Manager Jung must be happy. Having such a pretty new employee join the team. By the way, how is Manager Jung doing, Manager Kwon?”

Manager Kwon seemed quite uncomfortable with her attitude earlier, but she still managed to suppress her anger in front of me.

“Hey, Manager Kim. Even if you’re interested in someone else’s team member, isn’t it a bit inappropriate when a superior is right there?”

As I confronted Manager Kim in a lowered voice, wondering what she was up to, she quickly raised her voice with a stern expression.

“What’s wrong with you? Who do you think you are to talk about a new employee like that? Can’t you differentiate between what’s appropriate and what’s not? Huh, unbelievable. Hey, Manager Kwon. You explain. How did you conduct the new employee training that such nonsense is happening? A mere new employee talking to a manager. What?! This won’t do. This is something that should be officially complained about when Manager Jung arrives…”

At that moment, Manager Kwon interrupted Manager Kim with a cold gaze.

“Manager Kim, please behave yourself.”

“W-what?”

Manager Kwon calmly continued speaking to the flustered Manager Kim.

“You’re not wrong, are you? It’s clearly disrespectful to try to take our team member like that when a superior like me is right here. You mentioned something similar before, and if I had just laughed it off, you should have ended it as a joke. Besides…you want to complain to Manager Jung? Haha, what do you think, Manager Jung?”

Manager Kwon asked, looking at me. As the situation became unclear, Manager Kim and I exchanged puzzled looks.

“Perhaps you haven’t heard the news yet. I don’t know if you’re slow to catch on or if there’s no one around to inform you…anyway. Jeong Dohyun. I’ve returned to work after a long absence due to various reasons, and it’s not pleasant to reunite under such unpleasant circumstances. Let’s be careful from now on. That’s all.”

Before she could fully regain her composure, she was about to pass by when suddenly.

“Oh, regarding this matter, I will report it to Director Kang and officially file a complaint with the Sales Department, so keep that in mind.”

With that said, she passed by and descended from the 7th floor where the meeting room was to the 6th floor where the Development Department was located. When we arrived at our team’s location, Manager Kwon finally burst into laughter.

“Hahaha! Ah…Manager, you’re truly the best. Hahaha, you should have seen Manager Kim’s expression when you passed by. Hehehe.”

“That’s right. Ah, you’re really amazing.”

Seemingly impressed, Kim Taehyun looked at me with a sense of admiration.

“Ah, I’ve been through so much trouble in various places due to the team leader’s absence…I need to get promoted soon, even if it’s heartbreaking.”

“Well, Manager Kwon’s promotion is confirmed next month anyway.”

“That’s true, but there’s also the issue of salary, so I’ll end up falling behind. I trust Manager Jung in those times. No…now that you’re a Director again, should I start calling you Director in advance?”

“Enough, are you talking nonsense? Anyway, Taehyun, if Manager Kim or someone from the Sales Team tries to mess with you, tell me immediately. As long as you’re on our team, I can’t stand anyone messing with my people. Got it?”

“Yes!”

Kim Taehyun was staring at me with eyes sparkling like a baby bird looking at its mother.

Oh, it’s intimidating.

Now that I’ve received the handover of work, it’s time to start working in earnest.

After reviewing the tasks that Manager Kwon handled as my proxy for three months, it was already time for lunch.

“Manager, shall we go for lunch?”

“Has it already become that time?”

I didn’t realize how tired my eyes were until my concentration was broken and my eyes started to sting.

Feeling a stiffness in my shoulders, I stretched my upper body back and let out a big yawn.

“Ugh! Phew.”

Standing up and looking at Manager Kwon and Kim Taehyun, they both seemed a bit flustered.

“What’s wrong? Is there a problem?”

When I asked that, they both blushed and waved their hands.

“Oh, no. It’s nothing.”

“Haha, shall we go for lunch then? I wonder what’s on the menu today.”

Although their vague attitude seemed suspicious, I was too hungry to pay it any mind and headed out of the office.

On the way to the company cafeteria.

“Oh, Manager. Isn’t that the medical room over there?”

“Oh, I brought a packed lunch, so I need to pick it up.”

When Manager Kwon asked, I replied that I had stopped by the medical room on my way to work in the morning to leave my packed lunch.

“A packed lunch? Why did you make one to eat alone….”

“Oops, do you think I would eat alone if I had one? That’s sad. If Manager Kwon saw me like that.”

“Haha, just kidding. By the way, what’s in the packed lunch all of a sudden?”

“Oh, I’m on a diet. So, for a month now, I’ve been eating nothing but boiled sweet potatoes.”

“What?! Why would you do that, Manager?”