Chapter#10
“Your bonus came out, right?”
Even though it had been a while since they last spoke, Yulhee’s mother, Okjeong, got straight to the point.
“…I just checked. I’ll send it now, so please wait a moment.”
Yulhee paused the call, opened her banking app, and transferred the entire bonus she had just received to her mother’s account.
Her balance dropped sharply.
“I sent it.”
— If you had sent it right away, I wouldn’t have to call you. You’re always so slow…
Even after receiving such a large amount, Okjeong didn’t thank her and instead spoke sarcastically. Yulhee didn’t even have the energy to respond and just held her phone silently.
— You said it was your best performance ever, but the bonus is about the same as last year? You didn’t take some in the middle, did you?
Her mother spoke suspiciously.
Even though it was money Yulhee earned entirely on her own, she acted as if Yulhee had secretly kept some.
— Should I call your company to check—
“I sent everything exactly as I received it. Do you want me to show you the statement?”
A heavy silence followed.
Yulhee held her pounding heart, expecting to be scolded.
— …Never mind that. Then what about your Lunar New Year bonus?
Fortunately, perhaps because she had received a large amount of money, Okjeong didn’t press further and immediately moved on to the next topic—money.
It was always like this.
She never asked if her daughter, living alone far away, was eating well or staying healthy.
Only money.
At least her mother called about money. Her father and younger brother never even sent a text.
“…It’ll probably come in next week.”
It had already been almost a year since Yulhee last visited home. It wasn’t even that far, but she always made excuses not to go.
As long as she kept sending money, her family didn’t seem to care whether she came or not.
So she planned to spend this Lunar New Year alone.
— Come home this time.
Surprisingly, her mother told her to come.
Yulhee couldn’t hide her shock. For a moment, she wondered if they missed her.
But that hope quickly shattered.
— Minsu is getting married.
Minsu was her younger brother, two years younger, who had never even held a proper job.
— He got a girl pregnant. She’s already five months along. We can’t afford a proper wedding, so we’ll just have a family meal and set them up with a small room.
Though it sounded like a complaint, Yulhee knew the money for that “small room” would come from her.
Ignoring Yulhee’s sinking mood, Okjeong added:
— Bring your boyfriend too.
After Yulhee once introduced Byeongju, her mother had treated him very well, even sending him food she never gave Yulhee.
Yulhee considered saying they had broken up, but decided not to. It would make the call too long.
“I think I have to go. I’m busy.”
— Fine. Send the holiday bonus as soon as you get it.
The call ended.
Yulhee lowered her hand weakly.
“Alright, everyone, attention!”
Team leader Yooncheol banged on the desk to gather attention.
“Our Business Team 2 has been given a very important task!”
He looked proud.
“We’ll be in charge of launching our company’s next-generation wearable device, code name ‘W-12’!”
The team murmured. It was expected that the higher-performing Team 1 would handle it.
“This means management recognizes our team’s abilities!”
Yooncheol glanced smugly at Team 1’s leader, Seon Woo-yeon.
In truth, this opportunity came because of Director Kwon’s influence, to help Sora secure a full-time position.
“The project leader will be Assistant Manager Park Byeongju.”
Byeongju acted surprised but had already been told. He spoke seriously:
“I’ll lead this project to success for the company and our team.”
He felt confident choosing Sora had paid off.
“Next, Assistant Manager Kang Yulhee.”
He wasn’t surprised—he had asked for her. Despite their awkward past, he needed her skills.
He planned to use her again.
“Then, Staff Baek Sihyeok.”
Byeongju frowned. Of all people, it had to be Sihyeok, whom he disliked.
But soon he smirked, thinking of using this chance to put him in his place.
“Lastly… Intern Kwon Sora.”
The team reacted. An intern joining such a major project was unusual, but the reason was obvious.
Even Byeongju wasn’t pleased—Sora wasn’t capable, but she had to be included.
“I hope the four of you will work together to make this project a success!”
Applause followed briefly.
Looking at her teammates, Yulhee’s face darkened.
Her ex-boyfriend who cheated, his future bride, and her current complicated relationship—all in one team.
She hoped the project would go smoothly.
But things rarely went her way.
And this time would be no different.
