Chapter 38: First Days and Familiar Faces

“Nah, you’re ugly.”

“Liar.”

When did he get so slick? He used to tear up and run if called ugly. In the novel, when Bae Ji An says, “Do Yoon, you’re too pretty,” his ears turn red. I advised seriously.

“Don’t say that to girls, got it? They’ll think you’re cocky.”

Do Yoon’s pure charm had to stay intact until he met Ji An. The male lead isn’t a smug type. His face fell, and he pulled away.

“Why would I say that to girls?”

“Good if you don’t.”

“Don’t you go being nice to everyone.”

“What’d I do?”

“Being overly friendly.”

I felt wronged. I hadn’t even started work yet—what friendliness?

The company vibe on wasn’t bad. I worried about diving into work on day one, but the first two months were group training in the basement auditorium, like school.

Unlike Seung Hee’s strict suit-and-tie company, this place was relaxed, which I liked. The memory of Haewon Trading’s cookie-cutter employees still haunted me.

The staff felt younger, too. Whether it was truly a “new culture” vibe, as they claimed, I’d see once work started, but it looked promising.

My cohort had no standout good or bad apples. Similar ages made chatting easy. After a dull morning session, I ate lunch with five teammates. Everyone swapped compliments and pleasantries in a friendly atmosphere—typical corporate socializing.

“A Young, your presentation was great—clear voice. Ever trained to be an announcer?” said the glasses-wearing guy across from me to the long-haired woman.

She waved it off, blushing. “No way, just did some broadcasting club in college…”

“Wow, knew it! Lucky to be in your group—no worries about presentations.”

“Oh, stop…”

It was hard to tell if it was freeloading or flirting, but his flushed face leaned toward the latter. I ate quietly, staying out of it. Then the short-haired woman spoke.

“We get paid to do this? Big company perks…”

The pomade-slathered guy next to me replied, “It’s only 80% pay during training, though.”

I nodded silently. Still a sweet deal. Compared to my assistant director days, sleeping an hour a night, this was heavenly. Glasses guy chimed in.

“But for a big company, the pay’s not that high.”

“True. Benefits are nice, but my friends still do side gigs,” said the short-haired woman, probably planning to herself.

As I kept eating silently, the long-haired woman, A Young, turned to me.

“Seung Hyun, you eat so well. You could do food ads.”

“Thanks,” I said.

“Yeah, I thought you were a company model. Handsomest in our batch, right?” Pomade guy jumped in.

I nearly choked, gulping water. They were laying it on thick for day one. I laughed awkwardly, waving them off.

“Stop it…”

Glasses guy suddenly looked annoyed. “Seung Hyun, did you not sleep? You were dozing earlier.”

The chairman’s polished welcome video about “future leaders” was sleep-inducing, especially with the auditorium lights dimmed and heaters humming. I thought I’d hidden it well, eyes closed but posture straight. Busted. I scrambled.

“Uh, I was too excited for my first day and couldn’t sleep…”

“Oh!” A Young gasped, nodding eagerly. “Me too! So nerve-wracking. But everyone seems nice, so I’m relieved.”

“Same,” Glasses guy said quickly.

I inwardly clicked my tongue. He was ready to confess any minute—hopefully after we’re in different departments. I’d seen drama leads date, break up, and turn the set into chaos. No way I’m getting caught in office romance. A Young spoke again.

“If we finish early, wanna grab dinner? Everyone free?”

She looked at me. Glasses guy answered loudest.

“If A Young says so, I’m in!”

“Great!”

“I’m good.”

Pomade guy and the short-haired woman agreed. Suddenly, all four stared at me. I mumbled.

“Uh… sure.”

Pomade guy clapped, startling me. “Hope all five of us get the same department!”

Insane people skills. Then he leaned toward my hand.

“Is that a V-brand watch?”

“Huh? Yeah… I think?”

All eyes locked on my watch. Sweat prickled. Glasses guy mouthed, “Fake?” sharply.

Lunch ended just in time as seniors called us. I grabbed my tray and stood. Pomade guy stuck close, whispering.

“Can I try it on? For Insta.”

I was dumbfounded. Never met someone like this.

All afternoon, Pomade guy clung to me, asking about my clothes, shoes, wealth, parents—endless nonsense. Glasses guy’s glares were a bonus. Tomorrow, I’m wearing sweats.

I tried everything to ditch Pomade guy, to no avail. I dreaded the dinner plans.

But salvation came unexpectedly.

“Hyung!”

At quitting time, Do Yoon was waiting outside.

In a black coat to his calves and my camel scarf, he looked like a runway model. The scarf matched his hair perfectly. Seeing him among the crowd, he looked even more striking than at home. The short-haired woman, quiet all day, gasped, covering her mouth.

“His face is unreal…”

I was surprised for another reason—Do Yoon was wearing my coat and scarf. He ran up.

“Hyung, I’m a bit late.”

I checked my watch. I’d said I’d be off at six, and he’d probably waited since. Only twenty minutes late, but I quickly wrapped the scarf tighter.

“How long have you been here? Cold?”

“I’m fine.”

Grinning through the scarf, he scanned the four with me, then smiled brightly.

“Your teammates?”

“Uh… not quite, departments aren’t set. Just met today…”

Pomade guy jumped in, grabbing Do Yoon’s hand.

“Hi, I’m Kwak Seon Woo, Seung Hyun’s teammate. Your brother?”

“Yes, nice to meet you. Please take care of my brother,” Do Yoon said, smiling.

A one-second silence followed. Pomade guy muttered, entranced.

“You’re really good-looking…”

Not flattery—genuine awe. It warmed me a bit. A Young asked.

“Seung Hyun’s brother?”

“Yeah.”

“You two could be actors.”

I coughed, hiding a grin, and said.

“No way. But what’s up? Didn’t you say you had S University orientation?”

I knew there was no orientation yet but emphasized S University. Do Yoon faltered.

“Hyung, there’s no news yet…”

The short-haired woman gasped.

“Your brother goes to S University?”

Perfect question. I said casually.

“Yeah, he just got in. Freshman waiting for orientation.”

“Wow…”