Ch.378378. Same as Usual, Slightly Different.

“…Yeah, so. How do you think honeymoon babies are made?”

[Hey! Siwoo, what are you asking such embarrassing things for?!]

I tossed it out like a joke, and my sister flared up and shouted. Judging by her trembling voice, her face must be bright red even though I can’t see it.

Imagining that sight was secretly funny, so I laughed quietly before breaking into chuckles.

[Oh, seriously… Han Siwoo, do you want to die…? Don’t laugh. I said don’t laugh!]

“Ah, sorry. It’s just too funny. But, seeing how you’re not denying it, it means you’ll have one soon, right? Would you prefer a boy or a girl?”

[…Han Siwoo. Know your limits? Even my patience as your sister has its boundaries.]

Hmm, if I tease her more, she’ll really get angry. When I asked her to let it go since it was just a joke, she sighed deeply but still answered my question.

[Well… if I had to choose, I think I’d prefer a boy for the first child. And if we have a second, I’d like a girl.]

This sister of mine is already thinking about a second child when she doesn’t even have a first one yet.

If I tell her she’s moving too fast and should have the first child before thinking about the second, she’d probably come all the way to my place, wouldn’t she? Swallowing my words, I asked something else instead.

“Really? Why? Is there a reason the first child should be a boy?”

[They say firstborn sons take after their fathers. I think it would be nice to have at least one son who looks like Sunghyun.]

“Oh… what’s this? Already showing off your newlywed status? You’re being so lovey-dovey! Sister, you’re so sweet it’s like someone spilled a bucket of sugar.”

[Han Siwoo, are you off work yet?]

“No, I’m still at the company. Why?”

[I see? That’s too bad. If you were off work, I was going to come see you.]

“…Why would you come see me?”

[Why do you think?]

To punish me, right? I swallowed my words, afraid they might come true if I said them out loud. My sister is the type who follows through when she says she’ll do something.

—Creeak.

Just as I was about to speak to calm down my angry sister, Im Hansol opened the team leader’s office door and came in. He was carrying a stack of documents, probably the ones I had requested earlier.

Our eyes met as I held my phone. Im Hansol asked me silently with his eyes.

‘Should I just leave the documents and go?’

‘No, it’s fine. I’ll be done soon.’

“Um, hello? Sis? Sorry, but something urgent came up. I’ll have to call you back later.”

[Okay, got it. So you’re asking me to come find you and kill you later, right?]

“Oh my, this sister of mine….”

She’s still a shy new bride in front of her husband, but I don’t understand why she becomes so aggressive with me. Her husband should have known how she treats me and my brother.

If he had known earlier, would he have seriously reconsidered the marriage? I was about to say that but held back, knowing it would really make her angry.

“Anyway, call me later if you need anything or have questions. Okay?”

[Ah, wait a minute. Siwoo!]

“Yeah, what is it?”

[I was just wondering… do you think those herbal supplements that supposedly help with pregnancy actually work?]

“…Well, I’m not sure about that. Why, are you thinking of trying them?”

[No, not really… but if they work, it might be worth trying. They say it’s better to get pregnant when you’re younger, especially at our age.]

“That’s true, but um….”

Nabi and I are a rare case where she got pregnant even after having contraceptive surgery. So I’ve never worried about pregnancy and can’t really give her an answer.

“I guess it’s better than not taking anything? But be careful when you take them, and do your research first. If all else fails, you could ask Grandfather.”

[Grandfather? Does he know about such things?]

“Yeah, a few years ago? Grandfather had his secretary bring some medicine that’s supposedly good for pregnant women. So he probably knows more than we do.”

[Oh, really? Okay. Then I’ll have to go ask Grandfather later. Finish your work well, Siwoo.]

“Yeah, you take care too.”

Click, the call ended. As I put down my phone, Im Hansol approached as if he’d been waiting and placed the heavy stack of documents on my desk with a thud.

“Team Leader, I’ve looked into everything you asked for.”

“You’re being so formal again.”

I’ve told him countless times that he can be casual when it’s just the two of us. Im Hansol is really stubborn.

I quickly skimmed through the documents he brought, and after confirming nothing was missing, I nodded.

“Okay, that’s good. Thanks. I really can’t do without you.”

“Save the praise. If this helps you become department head, just give me a good performance review. So I can get a nice year-end bonus.”

“What? Has the rumor spread that far already?”

“Is there anyone who hasn’t noticed you’re competing with the Team 3 leader? You two have such intense power struggles whenever you meet.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

“Yes, it is. You’d have to be stupid not to notice.”

I didn’t intend to have a power struggle from the beginning, but as we competed over performance, somehow it turned into that kind of dynamic. There’s no point explaining this in detail. No matter how other employees look at it, it would appear to be a power struggle.

“But the Team 3 leader seems pretty stubborn too. He must know he can’t win against you, yet he keeps engaging in these power struggles during meetings with everyone present…”

“Mr. Im Hansol, that’s enough.”

I tapped the desk to point this out, and Im Hansol abruptly stopped talking. I understand he’s frustrated because the Team 2 leader increases our workload, but it’s not right to talk behind someone’s back when they’re not present.

Im Hansol seemed to realize his mistake and bowed his head slightly.

“…Ah, I apologize. I got carried away.”

“Is it because you’ve been in the workforce? Hansol, I think your personality has changed? Back in school, you couldn’t say a single harsh word to others.”

“You’re right. I guess I’ve changed a bit after getting a taste of the corporate world.”

“But you don’t need to go as far as putting yourself down…”

“But you know what? You’ve changed too, Team Leader.”

How have I changed? Which part of me? When I asked with just my eyes, Im Hansol tapped his own mouth.

“Back in school, you hardly ever smiled, but these days you’re always walking around with a smile. That’s why people in our department say you might have some psychopathic tendencies. They say you smile when you’re pointing out mistakes and when you’re in a good mood.”

“…People say that?”

“Not often, just occasionally. Occasionally.”

I smile when I point things out because I don’t want to make people feel bad by looking stern, and they’re calling me a psychopath for that?

This won’t do. From now on, I should scold people so severely they’ll be on the verge of tears when I have something to point out. I slightly adjusted my future approach and nodded for him to continue.

“And? Anything else?”

“Um… no. That’s all I’ll say.”

“What? You’re implying there’s more? Go on. Why stop? I’m curious too. What do people in our department think of me?”

I’m not sure if it’s just my imagination, but Im Hansol seems to be watching my reaction.

“Well, they say you might have some psychopathic tendencies, but everyone agrees you’re a really great person otherwise. You’re generous during company dinners, and you let us leave work on time unless there’s something urgent.”

“Hmm… is that so? What else?”

“They say you’re handsome. And also, um… that you probably have many…”

“Yes, many?”

“Many… women, they think.”

“…”

Is that last one even a compliment? It’s definitely not an insult, but it’s also awkward to take it as praise.

“…Ahem. By the way, Team Leader. Did your sister finish her honeymoon well?”

I could feel him deliberately changing the subject, but I nodded willingly.

“Yeah, she said they had a good time. They’re back now and working as usual.”

“Ah, you mentioned they both work? That’s a shame. This would be the best time for them.”

“Both my brother-in-law and sister are over thirty. They probably feel too rushed to just enjoy newlywed life.”

Looking for supplements that help with pregnancy is evidence of that.

“I suppose so. By the way, does Director Han have any plans to get married?”

“Why are you asking me about Director Han?”

“Why not? He’s your brother, so I’m asking you.”

“…What?”

Though shocked internally, I stared at Im Hansol.

I’ve never told anyone in our department that Director Han is my brother. How did Im Hansol know?

Reading my thoughts from my expression, Im Hansol smiled slightly and added:

“I’m the only one in our department who knows. No need to worry about it leaking out.”

“Ah, I see? That’s a relief… wait, no. How did you find out, Im Hansol?”

“I had a chance to meet him once and went to his office. Director Han and you look so similar, and you have the same surname. So I thought you might be brothers or cousins… I was just testing the waters, and you just confirmed it. That he’s your brother.”

“…”

So he wasn’t certain when he asked but was just fishing for information. I feel blindsided by someone I trusted.

What an impertinent subordinate. I took half of the stack of documents Im Hansol had brought and pushed them toward him.

“Mr. Im Hansol. Please review from here to here and submit a report by the end of today.”

“Wait… just a moment. By today, not tomorrow?”

“Yes, is there a problem?”

“Work hours end in an hour.”

“Then you’ll have to work overtime. The government just increased the work week to 69 hours, right? It’s good to get an early experience of the new policy.”

“You know the Ministry of Labor is getting a lot of criticism for the 69-hour workweek. What if someone spreads a rumor that Hanwi Construction supports the 69-hour work system?”

“Then we’ll both become unemployed. Well, you have your resume ready to submit to other companies, right?”

Looking at me silently as if at a loss for words, Im Hansol sighed deeply and gathered the documents.

Well, that should be enough. I stood up and patted Im Hansol’s shoulder.

“Don’t worry. I’m just joking.”

“Ah, of course. I thought so…”

“But do have the report ready for me to read first thing Monday morning. Understood?”

“…It’s Friday evening now.”

This time, I patted Im Hansol’s shoulder once more with a smile.

“Yes, I’m aware of that.”

Im Hansol’s face filled with shock.