ACTSV chapter 66

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Jingyeom, having returned home, pondered over the events that had happened earlier.

How should he have acted?

‘But throwing that can… that was really out of line…’

At the time, he had been so blinded by anger that he just grabbed whatever was within reach and threw it.

Now that he was back home and thinking it over, he realized how bad his behavior had been, and he squirmed under his blanket for a long time, embarrassed.

But what was done was done. He couldn’t take it back, so he just tucked the memory deep into his mind.

Contrary to his worries, a few days passed peacefully. Nothing happened.

He occasionally brushed past Manager Song and Manager Park, who were on the same floor, while going to the restroom or the copier.

They hurriedly averted their gaze and avoided him, not showing any sign of displeasure.

At first, Jingyeom was concerned, but gradually, he began to feel indifferent.

It had been three days since he started working as an assistant secretary, and two days since he last saw Soohyuk, who had said they should meet.

He thought about sending a message first but hesitated, thinking it might have just been a courtesy on Soohyuk’s part. Was he overthinking it alone?

After all, it had only been two days—fretting over such a short time seemed ridiculous.

While deep in thought, Jingyeom subtly moved closer to Jinwoo.

“Jinwoo, about Director Sun…”

“…”

“Is something wrong? I haven’t seen him for the last couple of days…”

Jinwoo, who had been focused on his monitor, turned his gaze to the side. He saw the top of Jingyeom’s head as he leaned his face on Jinwoo’s arm.

“Why do you care?”

“Well, it’s not that I’m overly curious… but he’s been out of sight, so I wondered if something happened.”

Jingyeom’s hesitant tone revealed his curiosity. Jinwoo shrugged, causing Jingyeom’s head to fall back before it settled against him again.

“He’s on a business trip. It’ll take about two weeks.”

“Two weeks? Then we won’t see him at the office for a while.”

His voice was tinged with disappointment.

Jinwoo almost asked if he missed Director Sun but kept silent, fearing a positive response.

Secretary Yang, who had been listening in, leaned forward.

“He might come back sooner. I heard he’s working really hard right now.”

Secretary Yang grinned and glanced up at Jinwoo, who responded with a slightly exasperated smile.

“Actually…”

Secretary Yang lowered his voice as if sharing a secret, making Jingyeom to lean in as well.

“It might take less than a week. The employees who went with him are complaining that they haven’t even had time to sleep.”

“Why? Is it because they’re really busy?”

“No, Director Sun wants to cut the two-week trip down to a week.”

“Is that even possible?”

Secretary Yang chuckled as if such a thing couldn’t happen and sat up straight. Jingyeom slowly followed suit.

“Of course not. That’s why the employees are suffering. Usually, when Director Sun goes on a business trip abroad, he likes to relax and enjoy some leisure time afterward. The employees who go with him look forward to the sightseeing and fun, but this time, they’re out of luck.”

Both Secretary Yang and Jinwoo knew the reason behind this was none other than Jingyeom, who blinked cluelessly.

Jinwoo let out a short breath through his nose.

“Aren’t you supposed to report in, Secretary Yang?”

“I’m going. I’m getting things ready now.”

“…”

“It’s too much. I offered to help, and this is what I get in return—working late into the night because Director Sun dumped all this on me.”

As Secretary Yang grumbled about his hardships, Jinwoo gave an awkward smile.

“Everyone thinks they can just dump things on me. I’m like MacGyver—solving everything!”

“That’s because Secretary Yang is so capable!”

“…Right. At least Jingyeom appreciates it, so I’m thankful. Someone has to acknowledge all my hard work…”

His last words were directed at Jinwoo, who looked on apologetically as Secretary Yang carried a file folder and headed into the director’s office. Jinwoo closed his eyes and pressed his hand to his forehead.

‘Ah… he’s sulking.’

In the year he’d worked with Secretary Yang, Jinwoo had seen him sulk a few times. Though it never lasted long, he made such a big show of it that it was impossible to ignore and quite a hassle to deal with.

Moreover, when he sulked, his voice took on a sharp, distinct tone that could be quite grating if heard all day. Even hearing it occasionally could leave Jinwoo with Secretary Yang’s voice echoing in his ears long after they had parted.

If he left things as they were, both his and Jingyeom’s ears might be in for trouble.

‘…I’ll suggest grabbing a beer after work.’

The small silver lining was that a beer was usually enough to cheer up Secretary Yang.

Thus, the three of them agreed to go to a pub after work.

As the end of the day approached, they all packed their bags to head out. It was then that Wonbeom, who had been working late due to frequent overtime, appeared.

“Are you leaving now?”

Secretary Yang’s eyes sparkled at that moment.

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On a hot summer night, the pub was crowded with people. Office workers filled the place, enjoying beers in frosty mugs, their surfaces covered in a thin layer of ice.

Secretary Yang scanned the room, trying to find a seat in the corner, but with no luck. Every seat was taken, so they had no choice but to sit in the middle.

Since the pub was near their office, a few people recognized Director Tak and greeted him. They whispered among themselves, though it was clear what they were likely talking about.

“Isn’t that Director Tak? What’s he doing here?”

“Oh… we should’ve gone somewhere else!”

“Eat fast. Let’s head to the next place.”

Even amid the noise, their hushed comments reached their ears, most of them about Director Tak, who paid no mind and took a seat.

Despite the narrow space between the tables, Wonbeom managed to squeeze through, making Secretary Yang’s eyes gleam with amusement. He found the situation quite entertaining.

Jinwoo, slightly baffled, guided Jingyeom to sit inside. As they were about to sit down, Secretary Yang gave Jinwoo a nudge.

“Secretary Baek, you should sit with me.”

“What?”

“I’m shy, remember?”

“What… that doesn’t…”

Secretary Yang seated Jingyeom next to Wonbeom and then pulled Jinwoo to sit beside him.

“…Secretary Yang.”

“Yes, I’m right here. Jingyeom, what would you like to eat? The spicy marinated whelk salad here is good, and so is the chicken. This, this, and this are also delicious.”

Secretary Yang opened the menu and asked Jingyeom, completely ignoring Jinwoo’s burning gaze. Jinwoo sighed quietly and straightened his posture.

With both hands on the edge of the table, Jingyeom looked over the menu and then turned his head to the side.

“What about you, Director?”

“Just order what you want, Jingyeom.”

“…Pardon?”

Ah, he didn’t like repeating himself.

“I said, order what you want.”

Wonbeom repeated in the same tone, without a hint of annoyance.

Jingyeom slowly nodded and returned his attention to the menu.

It was the first time Wonbeom had called him ‘Jingyeom,’ so startled, he had asked again.

Since he rarely interacted with Wonbeom directly at work, hearing his name from him felt strange.

His heart thumped hard in his chest. It was like getting closer to a wild beast that he hadn’t managed to befriend before.

“Did you hear that? He called him Jingyeom.”

Secretary Yang, leaning against Jinwoo’s arm, whispered. Usually, he would keep his voice low, but not this time.

His words were loud enough for everyone at the table to hear.

Jinwoo nodded, acknowledging that he heard it, though his face was filled with displeasure.

Since Soohyuk had suddenly left for an overseas trip and Wonbeom had been busy, he hadn’t run into them much at the office.

But he hadn’t expected Wonbeom to join them at this impromptu gathering to cheer up Secretary Yang.

Wonbeom typically disliked such gatherings. He hated noise and crowds, so Jinwoo was surprised he had agreed to join them.

He always offered to come, asking Director Tak if he wanted to join, though Director Tak usually declined, handing over his card instead.

Honestly, Jinwoo expected the same today. But here he was, truly joining them.

‘I’d better eat quickly and leave.’

Even with that, Jinwoo only wanted to be involved with him professionally.

“Let’s order spicy sea snails and fried chicken. Director, will you have a beer?”

“No.”

“Then, we’ll order just two beers.”

Jinwoo quickly settled the order.

Jingyeom, eyeing the chicken he hadn’t had in a while, could almost taste it. He remembered what it should taste like, but this body hadn’t experienced it yet, so the anticipation was even greater.

When the food arrived, Jingyeom could only stare at the white meat on his plate.

“…”

“Not going to eat?”

“…We ordered fried chicken.”

“Yeah. It’s chicken.”

Jinwoo’s response, as if wondering what the issue was, made Secretary Yang click his tongue openly.

“How is this chicken?”

“It’s just missing the skin. It’s still chicken.”

“This…!”

Traditionally, fried chicken is a golden-battered, deep-fried delight. But the chicken on his plate was a bare, white protein lump, stripped of its essence.

Sure, it had been deep-fried, so eating it with the skin wouldn’t have been a huge problem. Yet Jinwoo had stripped the fried chicken of its life, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Jingyeom bit his lower lip and gripped his fork, his hand trembling.

He knew it was for his own good, but at moments like this, Jinwoo felt cruel.

Can’t I just eat it as is? It’s not like I eat it every day, or even once a week—this is the first time since his transmigration!

Even though Jinwoo saw the trembling fork, he continued to separate the batter with delicate fork movements, making sure not a single piece of the coating remained.

“Do you want to go home and eat rice instead?”

“…Who said I wasn’t going to eat?”

Pouting, Jingyeom ate the white meat. Despite it being fried chicken, the seasoning from the aging process made it savory. He had to take comfort in the fact that it wasn’t completely bland.

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