DMSD | Chapter 19

“I did mention this earlier, didn’t I?”

The Manager looked at Kwon Jinhwan with a gentle smile.

“Assistant Manager Go here will be in charge of your training, Jinhwan-ssi.”

Jinhwan stared at Myeongeun before giving a slightly delayed, “Yes.”

“I’m Go Myeongeun.”

Myeongeun forced a smile in his direction, but there was no response.

“Alright, Assistant Manager Go.”

The Manager pushed a clipboard across the table toward Myeongeun. There was a note attached to it.

<For Assistant Manager Go Myeongeun’s Eyes Only>

It looked like even the Manager hadn’t seen it, as the seal was still intact. Deciding to check it later, Myeongeun placed it on his lap.

“Today, Assistant Manager Go, why don’t you show him around the office?”

“Understood.”

“Jinhwan-ssi, could you go ahead and help Manager Lee set up your workspace?”

At last, Jinhwan’s gaze shifted from Myeongeun to the Manager.

“Isn’t Assistant Manager Go supposed to be in charge of me?”

“Yes, of course—”

“Then Assistant Manager Go should be moving with me. Why am I the only one going out?”

“Pardon?”

Good grief.

Without realizing it, Myeongeun parted his lips slightly and looked at Jinhwan. He was certain that Jinhwan had misunderstood the meaning of “in charge.” This wasn’t a personal assistant arrangement but rather a common office training setup. He should’ve explained, but Jinhwan’s confident expression left him speechless. He silently muttered to himself:

…Are you a child?

“Ahem, well, that’s…”

The Manager, trying to keep his composure, cleared his throat repeatedly, though he was clearly caught off guard. Finally, “Uh, Jinhwan-ssi,” Myeongeun spoke up, raising his head. Jinhwan must have been watching him all along because their eyes met instantly.

“I’ll head out right after I finish talking to the Manager. Go ahead and start setting up with Manager Lee. It’ll be your workspace from now—”

Before he could finish, Jinhwan abruptly stood up, pushing his chair so hard it banged against the back wall. Ignoring the chair, he left the meeting room.

For a few moments, the Manager and Myeongeun simply stared at the closed door.

“That guy.”

The Manager broke the silence first.

“Quite the temper, huh.”

He motioned toward the door with his chin. All Myeongeun could do was respond with an awkward smile.

“Don’t need me to say who he takes after, right?”

The Manager leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes.

“Yes.”

The Manager who had been so deferential in front of Jinhwan, his tone even pitched up a notch, was gone. He had reverted to his usual low, gravelly voice, the expression of a bulldog with drooping eyes and mouth.

“Don’t push him too hard. Just let him pass the time comfortably. He’s not here to stay; he’s just out here for some ‘social experience.’ Keep it light.”

Without responding, Myeongeun looked at the Manager, feeling a bit puzzled. Though it was rare for anyone to be completely consistent, he didn’t expect the Manager to change his stance so drastically behind Jinhwan’s back.

Noticing the atmosphere, the Manager tapped his fingers on the desk before casting a sidelong glance at Myeongeun.

“According to the HR Manager, he’s all flash and no substance.”

Suddenly, he was talking about rice cakes, leaving Myeongeun bewildered. Sighing at Myeongeun’s confusion, the Manager added,

“In other words, they’re saying he’s more trouble than he’s worth.”

“…Did the HR Manager really say that about Jinhwan-ssi?”

Myeongeun asked cautiously.

The Manager hesitated briefly before waving it off. “Forget it.”

“But since Deputy Manager Kwon requested this spot for him, and Lawyer Kwon personally brought Jinhwan to the HR department, he can’t be entirely useless.”

Finally, Myeongeun understood what the Manager was getting at and found himself at a loss for words.

The Manager took a cigarette out of its pack, dangling it between his lips. As he played with the cigarette, he glanced briefly at the closed door.

“By the way, Assistant Manager Go,” he began, lowering his voice as if someone might overhear.

“If you get even the slightest hint that Kwon Jinhwan has any mental issues, report it to me directly. Don’t mention it to Manager Lee or anyone else.”

After a pause, Myeongeun lowered his head slightly, murmuring, “Yes.” His mouth had a bitter taste, and he ran his tongue along the inside of his cheek.

It wasn’t hard for Myeongeun to imagine the conversation between the Manager and the HR Manager. If Kwon Jinhyeon personally requested a spot for his brother, the HR Manager, always eager to cozy up to the founding family, would’ve jumped at it. He would’ve accepted a resume likely prepared by Kwon Jinhyeon himself.

At Gaon, resumes didn’t need to include family information—only the applicant’s qualifications, including final education, grades, and certifications. Whatever was on Jinhwan’s resume, it wouldn’t have mentioned his main line of work. The HR Manager’s comments about “mental issues” implied he had heard something to that effect. He probably recognized Jinhwan from his photo and name, then called his own superior, Executive Director Kwon Jinseok. From there, Executive Director Kwon might’ve given some offhand remark, calling Jinhwan “the crazy one.” Rumors had circulated about that back in the day, and the HR Manager must’ve bought into them before passing the story to the Manager.

It was an easy scenario to picture, which explained the Manager’s attitude.

A 24-year-old with little notable experience, soon to turn 25, labeled as something of a problem child by those around him—it was all too easy for Myeongeun to see how this young man had been written off.

Fortunately, even if they gossiped behind his back, they still treated Jinhwan like royalty in front of him, given his family status.

Idiots. If only they realized he was the cherished youngest son his family had raised with such care.

“By the way, Assistant Manager Go.”

The Manager tapped the desk to get his attention.

Looking up, Myeongeun saw the Manager’s characteristic downturned smile.

“Yes?”

“I guess you made quite an impression on Deputy Manager Kwon.”

Unsure of what he meant, Myeongeun replied, “I’m not sure I understand.”

“Oh, don’t play coy. Deputy Manager Kwon specifically asked for you as his mentor.”

The Manager looked pleased with himself.

“Well done. Even if it’s not for Lawyer Kwon, Deputy Manager Kwon has a high chance of moving up to executive management one day. Making a strong impression could really benefit your career.”

Myeongeun stayed silent.

Sometimes, the Manager would say to the ambition-less Myeongeun, “You’ll regret it if you’re still like this when you get older.” Although it was probably meant as advice, it often sounded condescending. The Manager valued someone like Kim Junyoung more. His philosophy was that ambition, even if it didn’t come with great skills, could take a man far.

Knowing this, the Manager’s praise didn’t sit well with Myeongeun. All he had done was open the storage room per the office’s rules. Yet, as soon as the Manager praised him, it felt like he had done it specifically to curry favor with Deputy Manager Kwon.

The Manager’s smile looked like he thought, Ah, finally, you’re getting it, which only made things worse.

Was the Manager a bad person? Not at all. Myeongeun couldn’t deny that he genuinely cared about his team members. But like some of his peers in similar positions, he sometimes had a way of thinking that felt almost outdated and frustrating to Myeongeun.

“Don’t you have a meeting with Deputy Manager Song? You’d better get going.”

“Ah, yes.”

Snapping out of his thoughts, Myeongeun gathered the clipboard and stood up.

“Remember, what we discussed stays between us.”

The Manager gave him a knowing look. Nodding, Myeongeun replied, “Yes,” and exited the meeting room.

Stopping just outside the door, he took a moment to reflect on his life so far. Had he been too much of a pushover all this time? But Myeongeun was naturally easygoing. He’d lived this way for 28 years and planned to continue for the next 29. It wasn’t like he could suddenly change into a shrewd operator overnight.

He stifled a deep sigh. Dwelling on it any longer would only make the Manager’s warnings about “regret” come true, so he shook his head to clear the thoughts.

“Assistant Manager Go.”

Hearing his name, he turned to see Manager Lee seated at his desk, waving discreetly.

As he approached, Manager Lee whispered cautiously, even though they were alone.

“Could you go check on Jinhwan-ssi?”

“Jinhwan-ssi?”

Glancing around, Myeongeun asked, “Where is he?”

“He’s in the break room with Section Chief Yang.”

Looking toward the slightly open break room door, he saw it.

“Oh, you have no idea.”

Manager Lee shook his head, looking exasperated.

“He asked three times when you’d be out. At one point, he almost tried coming into the meeting room, but I stopped him.”

Myeongeun was too tired to even sigh. Of course, to Jinhwan, his “mentor” probably felt more like a personal assistant.

“He’s something else.”

Had Jinhwan not been Kwon Jinhwan, Manager Lee would likely have ranted, “Is he crazy or what?” Describing him as “something else” was the most tactful expression he could muster.

“Are you sure you’re up for being his mentor?”

Manager Lee leaned back in his chair, giving him a curious look. Glancing at the break room door, Myeongeun smiled faintly and replied,

“Yes, I guess.”

“Are you sure?”

Not waiting for an answer, Manager Lee shook his head.

“If you’re told to do it, you do it. Not like you have much choice.”

Exactly.