EDR Ch 37

Deputy Kang suggested that we have a drink before I leave. I called Department Head Lim and Ha Won and informed Chief Seo to take care of the others if more people arrived. As for how Chief Seo conveyed the story, Section Chief Lee, who was drinking coffee in the bathroom, came running with his wallet.

Deputy Kang, who wanted to eat chicken, saw Section Chief Lee’s card and suggested that we eat sashimi because he changed his mind. Chief Seo insisted on us dining at a family restaurant. Section Chief Lee secretly whispered to me that we should go somewhere as expensive as possible. Section Chief Lee waved a black card in front of me with a signature on it. “Seo Hee-tae.”

“Then we will go to a Korean BBQ restaurant.”

Section Chief Lee patted me on the back.

“As expected, Deputy Kim does not disappoint me.”

The retirement celebratory dinner devolved into overindulgence disguised as a party. Section Chief Lee and several team members dashed to a nearby department store in the afternoon before the dinner party. People obviously went out of their way to buy me a retirement gift, but what they had in their hands were personal items. Even Department Head Seo’s younger brother, Seo Hee-soo, was wearing a watch I’d never seen before.

“Even if he died, he wouldn’t buy me these things.”

Deputy Kang went so far as to purchase a stainless steel pot. No, you stated that we came here for a while to buy my gift, so why did you buy a pot? Deputy Kang praised the pot’s quality. So I asked about my present, and Section Chief Lee stated that he had already taken care of it. It’s completely useless.

We arrived at the meat restaurant after work and ordered food like crazy people. Sirloin, steak, grilled ribs… Department Head Lim said she was on a diet, but she ate the most. Today is called a cheat day. Chief Seo pushed a forkful of salad into Department Head Lim’s mouth.

“Eat grass, grass. You ate chicken with me yesterday because it was also a ‘cheating day’.”

“Ha ha ha ha! I can’t eat it next week!”

Section Chief Lee took a bite to eat and ordered a lot of alcohol. Seo Hee-soo was trying to stop Section Chief Lee, but Deputy Kang came in and tried to fill Section Chief Lee’s cup. Before I grabbed Deputy Kang’s hand, Section Chief Lee declined.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can drink. I’m pregnant.”

“Hahahaha. Really?”

“Yeah, it’s true.”

“So, are you going to go on maternity leave now?”

“Then I don’t think we can all drink this. Excuse me!”

Ha Won called the clerk. He was calling to take the alcohol back, but Section Chief Lee ordered more meat and alcohol. As we stared curiously, Section Chief Lee gave a meaningful smile.

“I just ordered it because it’s expensive. You don’t have to eat it if you don’t want to.”

Section Chief Lee, holding Department Head Seo’s card in his hand, seemed to have lost his temper. I think it’s fortunate that Section Chief Lee is not part of the finance team.

We kept drinking, eating, and talking. When I saw them in the office, I didn’t know they were this easygoing. It’s a mess. At Deputy Kang’s feet, there is a large box containing the pot that reached up to his calf. He said he would cook beef bone soup for his bonded Alpha, who had a car accident a while ago.

Department Head Lim said that she started growing plants. She bought 3 flowerpots, and 2 of them withered within a week. One of them was a cactus. We praised her for being talented anyway, even in the way she didn’t mean to be.

Ha Won said that his dog is likely to give birth soon. Doori? I pretended to know, and Ha Won whispered to me like a secret. Si-hyun hyung is aiming for Doori’s puppy.

There was no specific conversation about anyone, and everyone laughed. Everyone is drunk and stylish. Section Chief Lee, who wasn’t drunk, smiled as gently as Buddha.

“Hyun-jae-ya.”

Department Head Seo arrived late. There were no suitable seats, so I thought he would pull up a chair, but Section Chief Lee gave him the seat next to me. Department Head Seo glanced around us and asked if there was anything missing.

“Deputy Kim Joo-hyuk, you’ve worked hard.”

Department Head Seo asked me to shake hands. It’s surprising. I thought that Department Head Seo might not like me a bit, but it didn’t seem like that was the case.

“Thank you.”

“No matter where you go, you’ll do well.”

“Thank you.”

Department Head Seo is surprised as we continue our nonsensical conversation. Our attention was drawn to Department Head Seo before scattering once more. Section Chief Lee maintained his smile as he looked at Department Head Seo. I think I can just pretend that everything is going smoothly.

“We have prepared a present for you.”

While contemplating whether or not to go for the second round, Section Chief Lee took out something. It’s a tiny envelope. I quickly recognized the brand. It’s a well-known brand. The black card of Department Head Seo appears to be engraved on the leather. Section Chief Lee handed me the wallet.

“You can make a lot of money out there too. You should go to Hawaii. Deputy Kim’s favorite Hawaii.”

“Thank you.”

“I also have something to give you.”

Deputy Kang opened the pot box. Surely that pot isn’t my gift, is it? Inside the large pot is another box. The box is just another pot.

“Make sure to eat well. We can’t have lunch together anymore. I bought this so that you can think of me while eating.”

I’m a little touched. I hugged the pot in his arms. And I received a lot of small gifts like fountain pens and so on. I thought that my life was not in vain while I’m working for the company.

Section Chief Lee jumped up and went to the cash register just as I was about to get up. Department Head Seo smiled softly at the back of Section Chief Lee. Section Chief Lee, who went to pay, appeared to be the happiest he had been since joining the company. Department Head Lim spoke to me in hushed tones.

“What could be so good?”

I’m not sure if you’re talking about the Section Chief whose smile is so wide that it reached his ears, or if you’re talking about Department Head Seo who can’t take his eyes off Section Chief’s back.

“If he’s happy, there is nothing we can do about it.”

We were so hyped that the second round rushed to the next pub. I ordered some chicken, squid, and a lot of alcohol. Section Chief Lee looks really happy. Department Head Seo is busy eating chicken and ordering drinks without taking his eyes off Section Chief Lee.

When I checked my phone later, there were several missed calls from Director Lee. I went out for a while and called Director Lee. Director Lee, with a hoarse voice, answered the call.

– Why aren’t you answering the phone?

“Hmm, that’s how I feel.”

– Are you having a good time at the company dinner? Did you drink a lot?

“Hmm.”

– What’s wrong?

“I’m still angry.”

– Still?

Director Lee ultimately spent his rut alone. I asked him what he had done by himself, but Director Lee did not answer. I wanted to have sex scheduled around the rut and a mutual agreement. I want to do it, but Director Lee’s approval keeps being delayed.

If you’re going to do it anyway, it’s better to do it quickly. More than anything else, I want to prove this to Director Lee. I like you too. And I just want to do this with Director Lee.

“I miss you.”

I took off my jacket.

– Me too.

“Hmm.”

– What’s wrong with you?

Director Lee laughed.

“Director too?”

– Yes, of course. I miss you.

Laughter leaked out. Did I take my clothes off? Well, there are a lot of people in the company, so he has to be careful with his words.

“Come pick me up.”

– Of course. When can I go?

“Now. Come now.”

I could hear Director Lee’s steps over the phone. Director Lee has a bit of a quirky personality. The problem is that I keep getting blocked by it. Laughter erupted. When I got up after hanging up the phone, my gaze was drawn to Section Chief Lee, who was holding a cigarette pack in his hand.

“Oh, Section Chief.”

“Did I disturb you?”

“No, no. Section Chief, cigarettes…”

“Oh, this is not mine. I stole Hee-tae’s cigarettes. I’m going to throw it away.”

Section Chief Lee dropped the pack of cigarettes on the floor and crushed them. Tobacco powder spread in a puddle of rainwater. I opened my mouth blankly. Oh, my clothes smell like meat.

“Hyun-jae-ya, it’s cold. Jacket…”

After chasing Section Chief Lee, Department Head Seo found the crushed cigarette.

“Give it to me.”

“Yes.”

Department Head Seo, who put a jacket on Section Chief Lee, looked sadly at the cigarettes that had been thrown on the floor, and then went back inside. Section Chief Lee’s cheeks swelled up. Section Chief looks really happy.