Chapter 62
Something I Wanted to Do
“Really?
Did anyone watch the ‘In-House Welfare’ segment this time?”
At Jihoo’s side, Jinho asked, and people around raised their hands saying they had watched it too.
“Me!
I watched it.
I thought Jeong Heera had a pretty face, but standing next to I-Yeon, her face looked lifeless. And she was wearing white, but her face totally lost its glow.”
A female colleague, who had been fixing her makeup, laughed happily, implying she was an anti-fan of Jeong Heera and pleased that her face seemed dull.
“Wasn’t it a red outfit?
Why did I see Jeong Heera in red?
Well, even wearing bright red, all eyes were on I-Yeon. I-Yeon should have been the celebrity.”
“Right. If she were a celebrity, she’d have become a top star by now.”
Everyone nodded vigorously in agreement.
“Did she change outfits?
Maybe she changed because I-Yeon was so beautiful that she didn’t want to be overshadowed?
Switching from white to bright red seems a bit obvious.”
The female colleague’s remark made everyone giggle.
They all roughly understood why Heera changed clothes.
It was a move so she wouldn’t lose in competition against I-Yeon.
‘Right, she was so pretty that day.’
Jihoo recalled seeing I-Yeon that morning at work.
She was so beautiful that he froze, staring at her blankly.
He thought even the camera couldn’t capture I-Yeon’s real-life beauty.
“Lately, social media has been buzzing about I-Yeon.
Since appearing on the Woosung Card segment, it’s been explosive.
Even celebrities can’t compete. Plus, I-Yeon has a cool personality, so there’s no bad rumor about her.”
“Poor Jeong Heera. She got caught vaping in the bathroom during the ‘In-House Welfare’ shoot, right?”
“What! Jeong Heera? That’s crazy. I didn’t think she smoked.”
“Of course.
You can’t just trust appearances with celebrities. It’s all about the image.
So suddenly having a cigarette habit shown up has messed with her pure image.”
“Jihoo, can you persuade I-Yeon to come to the reunion?
I want to reconnect! She’s more popular than any celebrity. I want to show her off to our friends!”
“Yeah! You were really close to I-Yeon, right? Try persuading her.
She probably wants to see us too. We all got along well!”
“I’ll ask her once.”
Jihoo gave a tentative positive answer, and the others cheered in anticipation.
Once the conversation on this topic ended, friends split into small groups to talk about something else.
Jihoo covered his face with his hands.
He didn’t know what to do.
Actually, the solution was simple.
He just had to cut off I-Yeon.
He could just treat her as a colleague with no personal feelings.
It wasn’t the first time he thought of this simple solution, yet it wasn’t easy.
It was probably due to his personality.
He was the type who had to see things through and had to get what he wanted.
He felt frustrated about leaving things like this.
***
Clap, clap, clap.
The conference room was filled with the sound of applause.
All the employees were clapping vigorously.
“I never imagined seeing numbers like this,” said the former director, stopping the applause.
Employees nodded in agreement, as if his reaction was natural.
“The new issuance increased by 15%! This is unbelievable.”
It truly was unbelievable.
People were reluctant to change their existing cards for new ones.
Switching card types wasn’t easy.
But with new issuance, customers who hadn’t used Woosung Card applied for new ones.
New issuance required more steps: checking credit, setting limits, etc.
People usually avoided it unless necessary.
Yet this year, it increased by 15% compared to last year.
Even last year, Do-Hyun’s efforts had increased issuance numbers, but this time, the growth surpassed that, showing overwhelming results.
“Vice President’s new benefit-type card, along with the public’s interest in your and Vice President Yu I-Yeon’s relationship, created a huge marketing effect.”
Recently, credit card companies were removing most benefit-heavy cards to restructure revenue.
Do-Hyun released a limited edition card with appealing benefits, contrary to the trend, and sparked interest.
“The peak moment was after Secretary Yu I-Yeon appeared on ‘In-House Welfare.’ Her beauty became a hot topic, and public interest in Woosung Card skyrocketed.
Many applied after seeing the newly released card.”
“The effort has paid off with tangible results.”
Do-Hyun felt proud and somewhat guilty for using I-Yeon as a marketing tool, amazed at her influence.
He also worried a bit about the attention I-Yeon was getting.
She wasn’t used to being in the spotlight.
“It seems we can even replace the Woosung Card model with Secretary Yu I-Yeon!”
The former director laughed heartily.
“Her influence is no joke, even more than a celebrity.”
Do-Hyun remained silent, then finally spoke.
“Secretary Yu I-Yeon worked hard, but it’s also the result of the Brand Strategy Department’s effort. Everyone did a great job.”
“No, we just followed the direction set by the Vice President,” said the staff modestly.
Before Do-Hyun finished, the former director added a humble remark.
“Since everyone worked hard, we should have a year-end party somewhere nice.”
Employees cheered happily at Do-Hyun’s words.
Some even stood up, expressing their excitement.
“Everyone did a great job.”
With Do-Hyun’s words, the meeting ended.
Afterwards, he quietly walked down the hallway so I-Yeon wouldn’t notice.
I-Yeon was busy writing in her notebook, oblivious to his approach.
He quietly observed every movement.
From her prominent forehead to her straight nose, her full lips, and the sharp chin.
He had never examined her profile so carefully before.
Each line of her face was precise and beautiful.
No wonder everyone was captivated by her.
“You’re diligent.”
Do-Hyun patted I-Yeon’s head.
She looked up in surprise.
“You work this hard?”
Do-Hyun found her focus endearing.
“I’ve always worked this hard. Why so surprised?”
I-Yeon scowled lightly, returning to her work.
He worried about her pouting lips, thinking she might sulk anywhere.
But she was only supposed to be seen by him.
Since they connected, Do-Hyun realized how possessive he was.
He hadn’t expected to be this intense over someone he liked.
He lowered his hand.
Placing his palm on her forehead, he gently lifted her face.
“You’ll hurt your eyes if you get too close.”
Do-Hyun worried about her privacy being exposed after filming.
Even finding his original self was tough; he didn’t want her stressed.
He wondered if she felt trapped by public attention, and if she couldn’t share it with him.
Even after days of public attention, he hadn’t asked her.
He feared she might be struggling alone.
“It seems the Woosung Card benefited greatly from your effect.”
I-Yeon blinked rapidly.
“Really?”
Do-Hyun nodded.
She cheered.
“That’s great!”
“So… today, I want to do something with you. Whatever you want, I’ll take you there.”
Do-Hyun had come close to her desk; all she saw was his broad chest.
I-Yeon stepped back.
Looking into his eyes, she asked,
“You’ll do whatever I want?”
“Whatever you wish.”
He stepped closer.
To face him properly, she stepped back a bit and said,
“Well… there’s something I’ve always wanted to do.”
“What is it?”
“I like watching couples at work commute together. Holding hands, walking the same path—it looks happy.
Can we take public transport together after work?”
They usually went by car, so they’d never tried this.
I-Yeon wanted this kind of date: holding hands, standing side by side, watching the world pass by through the window, going somewhere together.
“Hold hands?”
“Yes, both hands.”
Ha-ha.
Do-Hyun chuckled softly and nodded.
“Then, we’ll take the bus together after work.”
