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Evening had quietly settled over the orphanage.
After clearing away the dinner table, Joo-eun finally slipped on her jacket.
“We’ll be leaving now, Director.”
Joo-eun whispered softly, careful not to disturb the children.
“Having such handsome company from your workplace visit us—thank you so much, Joo-eun. We’re all incredibly grateful for everything you’ve done.”
The woman with snow-white hair that suited her perfectly expressed heartfelt gratitude in a calm tone for their efforts.
“I’ll come back whenever I have time.”
Min-hyuk bowed slightly as he spoke, and Jang Wook glanced at him with visible surprise.
“This guy never says empty words… What’s gotten into him? He actually wants to come back to this tough place?”
It was undeniable—love truly was a powerful force.
“We’ll leave quietly. Please don’t come out, Director.”
“How could we let you go without saying goodbye after all your hard work today? Kids, Joo-eun is leaving. Say your goodbyes!”
The children, who had been playing together in the largest room, rushed over all at once, stomping their feet.
“Don’t go! Play more with us!”
The younger boys clung to Jang Wook, while the girls flocked to Min-hyuk.
Ji-yoon, who had earlier whispered to Joo-eun, “That uncle looks like a prince,” was especially persistent in clinging to Min-hyuk.
At first, Min-hyuk had kept his distance shyly, but it seemed he had now learned how to meet the children at eye level.
Kneeling down, he locked eyes with Ji-yoon.
“Stay well and don’t get hurt. Uncle will come back again.”
When the child responded by planting a kiss on his cheek, laughter erupted all around.
His embarrassed smile, tinged with red cheeks, made him look surprisingly pure, almost like a child himself.
Without realizing it, Joo-eun found herself staring at him, only snapping out of it with a forced cough to avert her gaze.
“Hmm. Well then, we’ll really be going now. Everyone, study hard and behave. I’ll come back soon!”
As each child shouted their own farewell, dozens of voices echoed loudly.
With heartfelt farewells from the director, teachers, and children, the trio finally stepped out of the orphanage.
Once the children were back inside, the world suddenly felt eerily quiet.
Jang Wook gazed up at the darkening sky and sighed.
“Wow. We came in the morning, and it’s already evening. Where did my weekend go…?”
Since she hadn’t explicitly asked them to come, there was no real reason to feel sorry.
But knowing that Jang Wook had worn the mascot costume all day filled her with an inexplicable sense of guilt.
“I’m sorry you came all this way only to endure so much hardship.”
Startled by her polite apology, Jang Wook waved his hands dismissively.
“No, no. Don’t apologize to me. I’m just venting because someone else didn’t even say thank you. Don’t misunderstand.”
That someone…
It was obvious who he was referring to, yet Min-hyuk’s gaze remained fixed solely on Joo-eun.
“You barely ate while taking care of the kids earlier. Let’s grab something to eat.”
Min-hyuk watched her with evident concern, completely ignoring Jang Wook’s grumbling.
Only her.
“Wow… Look at this. He doesn’t even hear a word I say. Ugh, I think I’ll need alcohol tonight to deal with this stress.”
“Um, I’ll…”
Joo-eun hesitantly raised one hand.
“What?”
“I’ll treat you. I feel terrible about today.”
“Oh… I appreciate the thought, but do you see the way the boss is glaring at me? He’s probably thinking of ways to kill me if I accept.”
“When did I ever glare?”
Though Min-hyuk had indeed shot him a menacing look, he denied it outright.
Joining them for food and then sending Jang Wook off later didn’t seem like a bad plan at all.
“Why don’t you go ahead? My friend’s chicken place has amazing fried chicken.”
“Oh. Does your friend run a chicken shop?”
Finally, Jang Wook showed some interest.
“Well, technically, it’s my friend’s father who runs it. Anyway, the food there will definitely help you unwind from today’s stress.”
“Let’s see how the chicken tastes first before deciding whether to relax or not.”
“That’s a good idea. I’m sure you’ll love it.”
Min-hyuk’s expression grew subtle as he observed the two conversing.
While it irked him slightly how well they seemed to get along, he couldn’t deny that if Jang Wook left at the right moment, it could make for a perfect night.
Drinking with her?
His heart was already racing at the thought.
“Welcome…”
Se-young, busy carrying trays back and forth, froze mid-step upon seeing Joo-eun.
More accurately, her eyes were glued to the men standing on either side of her friend.
One looked like he’d stepped out of a photoshoot, exuding sexiness even at night, while the other had the sharp, intellectual appearance of someone fresh off a flight from Silicon Valley.
If forced to choose between them… impossible.
This was like asking, “Who do you prefer, Mom or Dad?” No way. Can’t do it.
No one had even asked her to choose.
Yet Se-young stood frozen, lost in her thoughts.
“Maybe stop staring so blatantly, Se-young…”
Joo-eun tugged at her collar, giving her a pointed look, snapping her out of her daze.
“Huh? Oh, did I do that? I was just lost in thought. Ahem. But what brings you here so late without even calling?”
“I wanted to thank these two gentlemen. Thought I’d repay them with chicken and beer.”
“Wow… In what neighborhood can you find such people to help you? Next time, call me before you get their help, okay?”
Se-young’s blatant teasing made Joo-eun chuckle awkwardly as she subtly tried to shut her up.
“Haha. Your friend is quite entertaining. Hello. I’m Byun Jang-wook from DK Media’s executive office.”
“Ah! The knife-wielding tyrant director everyone talks about? Phew, must be tough for you.”
Joo-eun’s jaw dropped in shock.
Unaware of her reaction, Se-young barreled on like a runaway train.
“Do you know how much I had to coax and persuade Joo-eun to go to work because she hated seeing that tyrant? Sigh. I’ll give you extra service tonight. Eat up and relieve all your stress.”
“Even if we eat…”
Min-hyuk’s low, icy voice made Se-young flinch and shrink back.
“Huh?”
“Do you really think it’ll help?”
Min-hyuk’s sharp eyebrows twitched upward.
Se-young cautiously opened her mouth, glancing at Joo-eun as if to ask, Why is this sexy man acting like this?
“Well… I mean, maybe not all of it, but at least a little stress relief… something like that…”
“Will it really work when that tyrant director is sitting right here?”
“Huh?”
“Right here. That tyrant.”
“Gah!”
As Se-young staggered, Jang Wook caught her arm.
“Miss Se-young, right? Don’t be too startled. That tyrant might be insufferable, but he won’t harm a friend of the woman he likes.”
“A woman he likes?”
“Yes, apparently.”
“Ah… Thank you for letting me know…”
Se-young shot daggers at Joo-eun with her eyes, silently cursing. What’s going on here?
Joo-eun responded with her own silent apology. Sorry. Things got complicated.
“Hmm. Now that introductions are done, shall we sit over there? Se-young, can we get one order of fried chicken? I’ll handle the beer.”
“Huh? Oh… Sure. I’ll go fry some oil onto the chicken or something…”
How exactly one fries oil onto chicken was unclear, but Joo-eun thought it was a great idea and quickly sent her off.
A heavy silence fell between the three seated at the round table, maintaining a polite distance.
“Everyone’s drinking beer, right? I’ll go grab it.”
“Oh, no need. I’ll get it.”
Jang Wook jumped up from his seat, stopping Joo-eun.
“It’s fine. I brought you here, so I should take care of it.”
“If you want to avoid getting cursed by someone later, just sit. Ah, there it is.”
Before she could protest, Jang Wook headed straight for the kitchen.
Touched by his thoughtfulness, Joo-eun murmured as she watched his retreating figure.
“Secretary Byun, you’re so considerate and gentlemanly. You seem like a great guy. Do you have a girlfriend?”
Snap.
Did something just break?
Joo-eun’s head creaked as it slowly turned toward Min-hyuk.
Beside her, he sat scowling deeply, chewing on puffed rice snacks with exaggerated force.
“Is something bothering you…?”
“Marriage.”
“M-marriage? Are you married, Secretary Byun?”
His already large eyes bulged further.
After swallowing a piece of puffed rice, Min-hyuk finally spoke.
“I’ve been married multiple times, but every relationship ends within two months, so I’m still single.”
Haa… Why didn’t he just say that instead?
Joo-eun sighed, looking utterly defeated.
“Are you relieved?”
“When Se-young and I were chatting earlier, the atmosphere felt strange. I was just wondering if she’d try to set you up since you’re single.”
“Oh, I see. Of course.”
Min-hyuk smirked, raising one corner of his lips.
Why did he keep switching between moody and charming?
Thinking it resembled Southeast Asia’s unpredictable weather, Joo-eun chuckled and teased.
“So, what did you think I was asking about?”
Avoiding her question, he chewed on another piece of puffed rice. She playfully glared at him.
“Could it be… jealousy? From the heir to the DK Group?”
“Heir or not, it doesn’t matter if you don’t acknowledge me. Didn’t you say you didn’t want to go to work because of that tyrant?”
Ah. So he hadn’t let it go after all. He was still picking at her words…
“D-do you really believe that? My friend misunderstood what I said about Team Leader Gam. Ever since you arrived, every day at work has been so enjoyable. Haha…”
“You’re good at kissing but terrible at lying.”
“Yeah, yeah. I guess I’m great at kissing but terrible at lying…”
Half-soullessly echoing his words, Joo-eun froze, her eyes wide.
Her cheeks flushed like ripe apples, irresistibly adorable.
“Cute.”
His low murmur deepened as his gaze darkened.
Her earlier confession replayed in his mind, making his heart flutter.
Should he tell her that he was the one inside the mascot earlier? He hesitated briefly, his lips curling into a faint smile.
Why was he smiling so mysteriously all of a sudden…?
Feeling restless, Joo-eun absentmindedly grabbed a handful of puffed rice.
She dropped one, swallowed another.
As her lips moved continuously, Min-hyuk’s Adam’s apple bobbed noticeably.
“Byun Jang-wook, should I just let him go?”
Just then, Jang Wook returned, placing three glasses of beer on the table.
“I poured them using the golden ratio. Drink up.”
“Ah… I was dying of thirst. Thank you. Shall we toast and drink?”
No sooner had she finished speaking than Min-hyuk tapped his glass against hers.
Before Jang Wook’s glass could join, Min-hyuk quickly moved to drink, prompting Jang Wook to shout.
“What are you doing? Why aren’t you clinking glasses with me? Do it with me too!”
“Do you really think I’d want to? Touch me by even 1mm, and you’ll find your desk gone by Monday morning.”
“Like you’d even let me sit there anyway. Fine, I don’t need a desk. Just clink glasses with me!”
“Didn’t I tell you to back off? Don’t do it.”
Min-hyuk dodged, and Jang Wook chased after his glass like a magnet.
What was this?
Joo-eun peeked over the rim of her glass, rolling her eyes before turning away.
It was embarrassing watching these two grown men bicker like children, drawing all the attention in the room.
Still, thanks to the oddly cozy atmosphere created by the chicken and beer, the trio exchanged comfortable conversation and laughed occasionally.
No one expected what happened next—
Two of them passed out.
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