Chapter 8

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Lee Jiwoon was dozing off at work.

It was a rainy Wednesday, making the air humid and the sound of rain outside made him feel lethargic.

Of course, the physical exhaustion was partly due to the various humiliations and mental stress he experienced yesterday.

“Did you see what happened yesterday?”

Assistant Min Hyekyung turned her head towards Lee Jiwoon and asked.

“Oh, well… just about.”

“I see.”

In fact, she wanted to ask him something specific.

The Director also took a half-day off.

Surely, you two didn’t meet, did you?

These words almost escaped her lips, but she couldn’t ask so directly.

Instead, she decided to use a roundabout way.

“But it’s really strange. The Director never takes a half-day off. He might take it once a year, if at all. How come he and you took it on the same day?”

“Oh… is that so?”

Yes, we took a half-day together, went to couples counseling, grilled short rib patties at home, and then fell asleep in the same bed.

It was a secret he could never reveal, so Lee Jiwoon kept his mouth shut and focused intently on his work screen.

At that moment, Assistant Min let out a scream.

“What is this announcement?!”

“What’s wrong, Assistant Lee?”

“Jiwoon, quickly check the intranet announcements. There’s something incredibly interesting posted!”

The entire office buzzed with excitement as people started talking in groups.

What on earth?

Lee Jiwoon quickly accessed the announcements.

[Notice Regarding the Production of Promotional Content to Enhance Corporate Image]

The post had already surpassed 1,000 views. When he clicked on it, a draft popped up.

– To promote the Jeju branch and build a friendly corporate image, we are implementing a project that requires the active cooperation of unmarried employees.

– Cooperation Details: Couple Matching Reality Content Production

Working Title: ‘Love Village’

(Participants will be composed of 20 people, considering the gender ratio of Alphas/Omegas/Betas)

– Duration: 3 days and 4 nights

– Location: Jeju Resort

– Broadcast Schedule: TBD

“Huh. It’s a matchmaking program?”

“Right. Reading further, it says they’ll prioritize unmarried employees’ applications, and if there aren’t enough applicants, they might randomly select people. Jiwoon, you’re single, so this applies to you, right?”

Assistant Min said this with great interest, but Lee Jiwoon waved his hand dismissively.

Since he hadn’t submitted the family registration certificate with Seo Taecheon’s name on it, he was still classified as single at the company.

However, he didn’t think he would be selected among the many people.

“No way. What are the chances I’d be picked out of all these people?”

“You never know.”

Even though participants were selected based on gender ratio, Lee Jiwoon didn’t think he would be chosen and waved his hand again.

“Oh? Now that I think about it, the Director is single too. And he’s the most popular single in the group. Couldn’t he be selected too?”

“What?”

“If it’s truly random, there’s no reason the Director wouldn’t be chosen.”

… Now that she mentioned it, it was possible.

If they were drawing from the entire group, he could indeed be picked.

Assistant Min’s words strangely stuck with him, and Lee Jiwoon spent the afternoon lost in thoughts about the project.

While others assumed the slots would be easily filled, the remote chance lingered in his mind.

The day finally came for the announcement of the project participants.

Pretending not to care, Lee Jiwoon refreshed the company announcement board every minute.

Eventually, a new post appeared.

[Notice of ‘Love Village’ Participant List (20 people)]

– Confirmed applicants have been finalized, and lacking numbers of Alpha/Omega employees have been randomly selected. If you do not wish to participate, please contact the relevant department by phone for arrangements.

“Wow, Jiwoon! Your name is on the list!”

Even before Assistant Min could squeal from the adjacent seat, Jiwoon had already opened the list.

With so few names, he quickly found his own.

But Seo Taecheon’s name was not on the list.

He checked twice, three times, but there was no sign of him.

‘Oh… he’s not there. Only I got picked.’

Though it was statistically possible, he felt strangely empty. Simply put, he felt lonely.

“Jiwoon, you’re going to become a hot star in the company now. It’s going to be really fun!”

“Oh… yes.”

“You’re going to participate, right?”

“Well… I have to. I doubt a lowly assistant like me would be able to refuse and have them accept it…”

“That’s true. You know our Director is very conscious of the PR team.”

“Besides, it’s 3 days and 4 nights. I’ll just treat it as a vacation.”

Hearing his lackluster voice, Assistant Min quietly closed her mouth.

Instead, she immediately messaged Secretary Kim.

Min Hyekyung: Why isn’t the Director on the list? It would’ve been really fun if he was there ㅠㅠ

Kim Minji: Right? I feel the same.

Min Hyekyung: By the way, that regular employee I mentioned last time, the one who seemed to have something going on with the Director, got selected. But he looks really down right now.

Kim Minji: OMG!

The loud typing noise from beyond the partition showed how diligently Assistant Min worked.

She was so enthusiastic about her job.

Meanwhile, Jiwoon couldn’t concentrate on his work, feeling restless.

After a while, a group message arrived through the company messenger.

[Recipients: Love Village Participants

CC: PR Team Leader

Hello, this is the PR team.

There will be a meeting today at 3 PM for the program participants. Please gather in the second-floor conference room.]

Replying to the message, Jiwoon glanced towards the Director’s office.

Since the morning’s announcement, he hadn’t received any contact from him, and the door remained firmly closed.

‘Why am I feeling so restless? It’s not like the Director and I have any special relationship. I’m just selected as an unmarried participant. I should just enjoy some freedom away from my married life.’

Determined, Jiwoon shrugged his shoulders.

Twenty people were gathered in the conference room.

A quick glance around confirmed that everyone on the list had shown up.

No one had declined the invitation.

Well, who would pass up a chance to have fun with other singles outside the office?

Those who disliked public exposure or were introverted hadn’t even applied, so the conference room was filled with the energy of extroverts.

“Jiwoon!”

As he looked around for a place to sit, Assistant Ki Hyunjin waved him over enthusiastically.

“Ah, Assistant Ki.”

“Sit next to me.”

“Yes, sir.”

Ki Hyunjin pulled out a chair for Jiwoon.

“I was glad to see you on the list too.”

“Me too. I’m really excited about going with you, Jiwoon.”

“Oh, come on, it’s not like I’m the only one going.”

“No, really. I’m genuinely looking forward to going with you.”

Watching Ki Hyunjin smile endlessly, Jiwoon felt indifferent.

As a passionate alpha with a friendly appearance and tall stature, he knew he was popular among omegas.

So he thought he’d probably make a significant impact on this program as well.

Soon, the door opened, and the head of the PR team and two staff members entered.

“Hello, everyone. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules.”

The twenty attendees applauded in unison at the PR manager’s greeting.

“I’d like to explain the specific direction of this project.”

As the presentation material appeared on the screen, Jiwoon leaned forward.

It detailed the luxurious and expensive Jeju branch of the company’s resort, including how and when they would gather, depart, and return.

“You’ll each have your own room, and most activities will take place in the outdoor garden or the party room. There will also be a barbecue area and a swimming pool.”

“Sounds fun.”

The employees all showed interest.

“Like in other dating reality shows, there will be first impression selection dates, night walks, and individual dates. Each of you will have at least one date a day.”

The mention of dates made the employees visibly excited.

Jiwoon felt out of place.

He had never been particularly interested in dating, preferring his solitary life.

The idea of switching between alphas and betas for dates didn’t appeal to him at all.

However, looking at the excitement and happiness on Ki Hyunjin’s face beside him, it was clear that others felt differently.

‘…Boring.’

Jiwoon started doodling on his notepad. His drawing, composed of circles and lines, resembled the portrait of the Director he had sketched a few days ago.

‘It’s turning out ugly again. I wish I could draw well like the Director. Is that a matter of talent?’

Lost in his thoughts, Jiwoon barely paid attention to the presentation, just letting the time pass.

Before he knew it, the briefing was over, and it was time for the final Q&A session.

“Any questions?”

The staff asked, and employees raised their hands to ask questions.

“Do we get a special allowance if we become a couple?”

“If any couples get married here, shouldn’t there be a bonus?”

Laughter erupted from the group.

Jiwoon didn’t find these jokes funny at all.

However, the PR officer’s response was enough to snap him out of his daze.

“Regarding bonuses, we actually have a plan. It’s a special directive from the marketing Director. If a couple forms here, there will be a first-tier bonus and a reward vacation. And if they end up getting married, an additional special bonus will be provided.”

“Really?”

“That’s amazing. I definitely need to find a partner.”

The room buzzed with excitement.

Jiwoon stopped drawing and stiffened his expression.

…They really want as many couples as possible to form from this reality show. They’re putting a lot of interest in this project.

‘Even with me participating…’

Jiwoon felt inexplicably upset. But why, and on what grounds he felt this way, was hard to explain.

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