SWP Ch 2

The last paragraph remained unresolved. Yeonsoo stared at the monitor, her brow slightly furrowed. Her report, which had flowed smoothly until now, needed a powerful closing statement. She brainstormed ideas, but none of them felt quite right.

Perhaps from staring too long, her eyes ached. She took off the glasses she only wore while using the computer and opened the drawer under the table. She took out a single-use eye drop, kept like a standby medicine, and put it in her eyes. Blinking, she closed her eyes to let the artificial tears sink in, when she heard a familiar sound of footsteps.

Since when had she become able to recognize someone just by the sound of their footsteps? Sometimes she was bewildered by it, and sometimes she worried, thinking her heart must be heavily burdened. She’d deny it, telling herself it shouldn’t be this way, only to find herself emptily hoping again. But the ending was already written.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

Around the time the footsteps faded away, Yeonsoo opened her eyes. The eye drops had worked; her dry eyes felt somewhat soothed. As she reached for her glasses, she saw the door of a nearby meeting room open. People emerged, chattering, and her surroundings became noisy.

“Oh, Deputy Manager. You’re still here?”

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

Kyungoh, who sat next to her, greeted her warmly. It was well past lunchtime, and the office was sparsely populated. She planned to skip lunch to finish her work by the afternoon.

“Yeah. I have something to finish quickly.”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“You haven’t eaten lunch?”

“I’m going to have a sandwich later. I bought it this morning.”

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“Oh, perfect. I have some kimbap my mom packed for me.”

As if surprised by the coincidence, Kyungoh held up his lunch bag.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

Ever since he moved back in with his parents to save on rent, Assistant Manager Hwang Kyungoh often brought his own lunch. Today, it seemed he had kimbap thanks to his younger brother.

“Okay. Let’s eat first.”

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Yeonsoo checked her watch and stood up. She knew that when things weren’t going her way, clinging to the problem wouldn’t provide a solution. A change of scenery might even spark new ideas. Besides, looking at Hwang with his lunchbox made her feel a little hungry.

She figured she shouldn’t skip meals, especially since everything she did was to make a living. Yeonsoo opened her drawer and took out the sandwich bag. Kyungoh quickly grabbed some drinks from the pantry and followed her.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

The rooftop terrace was less crowded than usual. The weather was cloudy, and it seemed everyone had gone out for hangover cures after the company dinner the previous night. Yeonsoo, who couldn’t drink alcohol, wasn’t affected, but Kyungoh’s complexion wasn’t great.

“You should’ve brought some ramen.”

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“Soup would be worse. This is better.”

Kyungoh stuffed his mouth with kimbap, trying to soothe his upset stomach. She’d noticed he’d drunk more than usual last night. Everyone had let loose because the big project had successfully concluded.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“I told you to pace yourself.”

“Everyone was fired up. How could I? Didn’t you see the Director? He drank everything offered to him. I’d be punished if I held back in front of him.”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

Kyungoh’s words made Yeonsoo recall the drinking party. He had been different than usual. He was usually meticulous about self-management, drinking just the right amount and stopping. So, many people didn’t know his alcohol tolerance, but seeing him last night made her wonder if there even was a limit.

As she watched him walk out perfectly fine while everyone else was passed out, Yeonsoo was once again struck by what a remarkable man he was.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“Everyone has their own capacity, I guess.”

“I never knew my capacity was that of a tiny soy sauce dish.”

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Yeonsoo gave a faint smile at his self-deprecating humor. She didn’t want to think about last night’s party or that man anymore, so she changed the subject.

“Did you make up with your girlfriend?”

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

She remembered he’d been asking for relationship advice recently.

“We worked things out yesterday. Alcohol helps in those situations, you know.”

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

He said he’d finally gathered the courage, called his girlfriend, and showed up at her door. He thought she’d yell at him for being drunk and showing up unannounced, but instead, she comforted him, saying she hadn’t realized how hard it was for him. It turned out his girlfriend had been waiting for him to reach out first.

“I’m glad it worked out.”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

“Deputy Manager?”

“Yes?”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

Yeonsoo was a little startled when Kyungoh called her.

“You said you were waiting for a call, right? Did you get it?”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

When had she said that? Yeonsoo couldn’t remember. She vaguely recalled mentioning it to Kyungoh, who often confided in her about his relationship troubles, unable to speak about his own.

“No. I didn’t expect it to come.”

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

It had been a month, and the man hadn’t said a word. Her prediction was accurate. She’d realized once again that the relationship she thought was mutual was actually just her clinging on.

“Ugh. Forget that jerk. You’re too good to be hanging on to him. There are tons of men out there. Speaking of which, should I set you up on a blind date?”

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“No thanks. Worry about your own love life.”

Yeonsoo brushed him off lightly and took out her sandwich. As she unwrapped it and took a bite, a wave of nausea hit her. Yeonsoo covered her nose with one hand.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“What’s wrong?”

“It smells strange…”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

“Really? Is it spoiled?”

Kyungoh took the sandwich and sniffed it himself. He tilted his head, seemingly unsure.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

“It seems fine to me? Isn’t this made today?”

She’d thought it was when she bought it, but apparently not.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“The production time and everything is written here.”

Yeonsoo checked the packaging, and there was nothing more to say.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Are hangovers contagious? I was the one drinking, but why do you seem worse than me?”

“I wonder.”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Yeonsoo took a sip of her ionic drink and laughed. She wondered if she was getting a delayed reaction from the lingering smell of alcohol in the office.

Come to think of it, she hadn’t had much of an appetite lately. Well, it would be stranger if she had been eating well.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Even if he didn’t realize it, from her perspective, it was a breakup. A month had passed, and she should’ve moved on by now, but it wasn’t easy. Maybe things would have been different if she could drown her sorrows in alcohol like others. She never thought she’d regret her low alcohol tolerance.

“If you can’t eat that, have some of this.”

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

“No, it’s okay…”

Before she could finish, a piece of kimbap was popped into her mouth.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Delicious, right?”

Yeonsoo laughed at Kyungoh’s boldness.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Yeah.”

After a few bites, her nausea seemed to subside. The homemade kimbap was lightly seasoned and didn’t have any artificial flavoring. She needed to eat something to get her brain working, so Yeonsoo reached for the lunchbox again. At that moment, Kyungoh quickly covered it with his hand.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“No stealing.”

“Hey, that’s not fair.”

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

Yeonsoo complained that he was being stingy after offering it to her. A playful look came over Kyungoh’s face as he teased her. Annoyed, Yeonsoo didn’t give up and wrestled with him for the kimbap. Their bodies bumped into each other, and they both burst into laughter.

Just then, they heard the terrace door slam shut. Did someone come up? Thinking it was probably a colleague coming out for some fresh air, Yeonsoo glanced over and made eye contact with the person.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

“Ah, Deputy Manager, you made me drop all the kimbap… Oh, Director.”

Kyungoh was about to complain to Yeonsoo but sensed the strange atmosphere and turned his head. He froze, staring at Junhyuk.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“What? You two were having lunch here?”

Behind Junhyuk stood Manager Yang Wongu. He spoke to them amiably, and Yeonsoo replied with a smile. Junhyuk didn’t react, simply heading towards the smoking area. Seeing Manager Yang offer him a lighter, Yeonsoo turned away.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

“Shall we go down?”

“Yes, let’s.”

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Kyungoh, slightly intimidated by Junhyuk’s expression, hurriedly packed up the lunchbox. Yeonsoo neatly gathered the fallen kimbap and left the rooftop.

Junhyuk lit a cigarette, seemingly unconcerned about the door. Sensing a chilly silence, Wongu carefully spoke.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“About the upcoming personnel list…”

Manager Yang began, and Junhyuk turned to look at him.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“Why is Deputy Manager Min Yeonsoo being removed?”

“Is there a problem?”

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

Instead of answering, he countered with a question.

“No, not really, but… No, I’m sure you made the decision for a reason, but Deputy Manager Min plays a bigger role in the TF team than you might think. There are many projects she needs to continue working on, and her sudden departure will cause various…”

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“Losses, you mean?”

“That’s what I think.”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

Manager Yang didn’t back down. It was standard practice to keep the TF team members together as long as they didn’t cause any major issues, especially since it was formed by gathering talented individuals for specific projects. It had been a long-standing tradition for the TF team to remain unchanged even during periods of company-wide personnel changes. So, he wondered if there was a special reason.

“I’m considering assigning her to a different project.”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

Junhyuk suddenly offered an answer.

“Yes? What kind of…?”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

“I’m thinking of the Food Care Core Team Leader position.”

Wongu was even more surprised by Junhyuk’s words. A team leader position for a 3-year Deputy Manager? It was a decision beyond unconventional. While Yeonsoo consistently topped the reports competition in that field, being a team leader was a different matter.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

The team members would have to follow her, but who would properly respect a team leader of Deputy Manager rank? It wasn’t a good opportunity for Yeonsoo, but rather a more difficult ordeal. Wongu couldn’t tell if the Director’s decision was a positive move to groom Yeonsoo as his protégé or a way to test her abilities and push her out.

“Why, are you dissatisfied with that too?”

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“No… It’s not that… It’s just unexpected.”

Manager Yang mumbled his reply.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

“It’s just a thought for now. So, keep this to yourself, and let’s prepare for the next meeting.”

Junhyuk checked his watch and put out his cigarette. Watching the Director turn away, Wongu couldn’t help but tilt his head in confusion. He’d never understood Junhyuk completely, but today, something felt different.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com