Chapter 65. I Need You (6)

Translator: Aura

It had been a full three weeks since Tae Lee-Seob took over TK’s fashion business. Last weekend, he went on a business trip to China in connection with the acquisition of the Fashion Mall and Spring Breeze brands, and even after returning, he had a schedule full of analysis, reports, meetings, and conferences.

It was a tough schedule that often required eating lunch or dinner at the office. For the past two weeks, Lee-Seob has not engaged in any conversation with Minkyung that is not work-related.

“Your face looks good. Are you well both mentally and physically, Senior Manager Kang?”

Although he was sarcastic once in a while, she was already familiar with it.

“I guess it’s because you had a fun weekend?”

There was a slight displeasure in his greeting on Monday.

Last Saturday, Lee-Seob, who was on a business trip to China, called her around midnight. It was after Minkyung had dinner with See-ah and other friends for the first time in a while and moved to the pub. Someone called See-ah’s older brother, Hyunseong, and he joined them later.

As people entered and left the pub, Hyeonseong sat next to Minkyung, and the topic of TK Fashion came up naturally. In a voice that could not be heard by others, Hyunseong spoke about the progress of work related to the acquisition of Spring Breeze. For a subsidiary in China, there were some legal issues that needed to be examined further.

“Is Executive Director Tae Lee-Seob okay? Ah, he’s on a business trip to China, right?”

When Hyeonseong asked about him, Minkyung just nodded calmly. That was when she turned her body, avoiding the eyes that were watching her for more information, and picked up a napkin that had fallen far away.

“What a coincidence.”

Hyunseong nodded and pointed to Minkyung’s phone on the table.

“It’s a call from the person I just asked you about, Executive Director Tae Lee-Seob.”

“Oh, it’s true.”

Minkyung hurriedly answered the phone. She said as she got up and left the table.

“Yes, Mr. Representative.”

She had no response from Lee-Seob. She pulled her cell phone away from her face to see if there was a signal problem, then put it back to her ear.

“Mr. Representative?”

— It’s noisy.

“Yes, I’m outside.”

— Where? Are you drinking?

Minkyung answered Lee-Seob’s question flexibly.

“I’m not drunk. The phone call is okay.”

— Who are you drinking with?

“Club friends.”

After asking, he didn’t seem to have any intention of hearing what kind of club it was or whether her friend who lived with her was also attending.

— I’m calling about the Spring Breeze acquisition. As we looked to expand into China, we received some investments and signed a contract with the government. But there seems to be a problem with that. We have a meeting scheduled for tomorrow. Until then, contact M&P and find out.

“Yes, I was told about it just now. M&P is aware of this and is organizing the information. They will most likely send us a report first thing tomorrow morning.”

— Just now? Who was it?

“Attorney Lee Hyunseong…”

Minkyung paused for a moment, unable to finish her sentence properly.

“He joined us later, and then spoke to me separately about it.”

— You said they were club friends.

“His younger sister, See-ah, who lives with me, is a member of the club, so Attorney Lee Hyunseong is also friends with everyone in the club.”

— Oh, that’s great. While I’m going through such a hard time, at least Senior Manager Kang should have fun. Have a good time with your best friends and Hyunseong, who you’ve always seen as an older brother.

It was clearly a cynical tone.

“Sir, I’m sorry you’re having a hard time on a business trip while I’m out having fun. I’ll check what time the report will be available tomorrow and get back to you right away.”

— Yes, yes. Ask the attorney Lee Hyunseong next to you carefully.

When I returned to my seat with my phone in hand, Hyunseong asked first.

“What did he call you for?”

“It’s about what you told me earlier. He asked me to check with your firm about the problem with the Spring Breeze acquisition. How long will it take you to have a report ready? Should I contact the firm to find out if it will be ready first thing tomorrow morning?”

“Huh?”

Hyunseong tilted his head,

“Well, Executive Director Tae Lee-Seob spoke directly with the team leader on the phone before I came here. That’s also why I told you.”

What Hyunseong meant was that there was no reason for him to call Minkyung at this hour.

Minkyung raised her beer glass, in an attempt to hide the embarrassed expression that must have flashed across her face in an instant. As she took a sip, Hyunseong didn’t take his eyes off her.

“Why don’t you order a new one? That one’s lost its fizz.”

“No, I’m not going to drink anymore.”

Her friends were already drunk, laughing out loud, taking pictures of themselves and posting them on Instagram.

Minkyung waved her hand in rejection to her friends, who invited her to take a photo with them. Someone turned their phone and took a photo of Minkyung and Hyunseong.

“You two look good together!”

A friend joked. However, she didn’t give it any importance.

“Minkyung.”

Because of the noise, Hyeonseong moved a little closer to her.

“If you think I’m exaggerating, just laugh it off.”

“Huh?”

“You and Executive Director Tae Lee-Seob have a working relationship… Is that all?”