UR | Chapter 17

“Happy birthday, noona.”

Just as Yujin was almost done getting ready for work, Yoosung emerged from his room with puffy eyes from sleep. He gave Yujin a gentle smile.

Perhaps because of the age gap, Yoosung often felt like a son she had raised herself.

Before their family fell apart, Yujin had to act as Yoosung’s guardian in place of their always-busy parents. Even though there were people at home to take care of the household and childcare, Yoosung preferred waiting for Yujin to come home over their parents.

For a brother who adored her so blindly, there was nothing Yujin wouldn’t do.

“Look at how much weight you’ve lost, Yoosung. Quit your part-time job and focus on studying. Are you short on pocket money?”

“You’re worrying about unnecessary things again, aren’t you?”

“You’ll have a hard time in the military, so at least take it easy during your first year.”

“How many times do I have to tell you I’m going to delay the military? And I’m comfortable enough as it is.”

Despite giving him a decent allowance, Yoosung didn’t want to quit the part-time jobs he started after finishing the college entrance exam. He was not only tutoring and serving at a restaurant but also occasionally working at construction sites.

“I’m doing it because I enjoy it, noona.”

“Getting experience isn’t bad, but it’s tough. Focus on getting good grades, doing volunteer work, or joining clubs. It’s almost winter break; aren’t you going on any MTs?”

Hoping her brother would do what she couldn’t, Yujin nagged, but Yoosung just smiled as if he didn’t hear a thing.

“Noona, what do you want to eat for dinner?”

“What do you want to eat?”

“It’s your birthday, noona. You should choose what you want to eat.”

Today was Yujin’s birthday. Because Yujin didn’t have the habit of eating breakfast, Yoosung would make seaweed soup for her birthday dinner every year.

But this year, he said he would buy dinner with the money he earned. He was excited when he suggested they have beer at a nice place together.

“I’m fine with anything, so think about where you want to go.”

It was almost time to leave for work. As Yujin got up to leave, Yoosung reluctantly let her go.

“Then I’ll ask the restaurant noonas for recommendations.”

“Okay. Let me know once you decide.”

“Don’t work late. It’s not the first time you’ve stood me up, noona.”

“Got it. I won’t be late today.”

Yujin affectionately patted her brother’s head and hurried out of the house.

December was just around the corner.

The white breath escaping her mouth in the cold air scattered into the air.

Some employees were already lamenting about getting a year older, but Yujin didn’t mind the idea of aging by just one year.

Yet, the reason her heart felt unsettled at times was because the end of her contract with Jihoon was approaching.

One year. For almost six months, she had maintained a relationship where she spent nights with him whenever he wanted.

Being human, she never let go of the guilt for engaging in morally questionable behavior.

No matter how much she justified it as a personal escape, the fact that she received money from Jihoon didn’t change.

Living with the label of a woman who sold her body for money was her penance.

No matter how desperate she was, she shouldn’t have made that choice. She lived with the intention of being a role model for her good brother and always emphasized to Yoosung not to do anything shameful, but after the Macau business trip, Yujin became a shameful sister.

What was even more shameful was that she still couldn’t sort out her feelings for the bad guy, Han Jihoon.

How much did she like him to become this foolish? She felt she would never understand herself until the day she died.

“Happy birthday, Assistant Manager Kim Yujin.”

Employees who checked the birthday list on the company messenger every day congratulated Yujin.

“Thank you.”

Since her family fell on hard times, she had never received birthday wishes at school. It was more accurate to say she didn’t have the luxury to mention it was her birthday.

But in her working life, she received birthday wishes from colleagues every year. Her desk neighbor, the new employee Seo Eunhye, even prepared pistachio chocolates, which Yujin liked, and touched her heart.

“I’ll handle all the hard work today, so you can take it easy and leave early, Assistant Manager Kim Yujin.”

“I’ll just take your kind gesture. Thank you.”

“I’m completely serious, you know?”

With Seo Eunhye becoming a full-time employee after a six-month probation period, Yujin could finally end her time as the only woman in the lab. Though young, the bright and capable Seo Eunhye was a diligent employee who followed Yujin well and learned her work diligently.

“But Assistant Manager, what are you doing for dinner today?”

“I’m having dinner with my brother.”

“Oh, right. You mentioned you have a younger brother?”

“Yes. He was boasting about buying me something delicious, but I’m worried I might feel too burdened to eat. I might have to discreetly pay in advance.”

“Oh, then your brother will be disappointed. Even if you give him pocket money later, just enjoy the meal. He must have prepared a lot for your birthday.”

Listening to her, Yujin realized she wasn’t wrong.

Why were the young people around her so thoughtful? Smiling at the thought, Yujin popped a piece of chocolate from Eunhye into her mouth and checked her email.

Meeting with Professor Ki Seonghyeop

There was a group email from Jihoon. As soon as she clicked it, she saw words filled with troubling news.

Professor Ki Seonghyeop was Yujin’s advisor during her college days. Thanks to his recommendation, she got her job, so he was like a benefactor to her.

Not only that, but he was also a technical advisor for Austin, providing a lot of help. So it wasn’t unusual to see him frequently, but the fact that he was visiting the company today was not welcome.

Reading the part where Jihoon repeatedly asked for her attendance at the dinner with the lab staff and Professor Ki Seonghyeop, Yujin pressed her temples.

Jihoon had added an apology for the sudden notice, but it didn’t resonate with her at all.

“Sigh.”

It was obvious how disappointed Yoosung would be, who had been pleading with her not to be late for a week. If he got angry and said it was too much, she might feel less guilty, but Yoosung would probably just resign himself to it.

And he wouldn’t forget to tell her to come home safely.

No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t help but sigh.

“Oh no, Assistant Manager. What should we do?”

Seo Eunhye, who checked the email late, looked at Yujin with a more troubled expression.

“Can’t you say you have something at home?”

If she exercised some flexibility, she might be able to get out of it, but it didn’t seem easy to refuse a dinner with Professor Ki Seonghyeop.

“It can’t be helped. Sigh, I wish they had told us in advance.”

“Right? Did they forget to announce it?”

“It’s probably because of the professor. Professor Ki Seonghyeop can be quite spontaneous. He seems excited to have finished the advisory request quickly.”

Knowing both Jihoon and Ki Seonghyeop well, it seemed like this was the professor’s doing. Jihoon might also be displeased with the situation.

“But what should I tell Yoosung?…”

Feeling too frustrated, Yujin muttered to herself, and Seo Eunhye’s eyes drooped in sympathy.

The company dinner with all the staff ended in an hour. That was Professor Ki Seonghyeop’s decision.

He apologized, saying he came to the company to do his job, and it was too much to have dinner with the entire lab staff. So he suggested they have a simple dinner since they were already there.

After the dinner ended with a set meal without alcohol, Yujin was about to contact Yoosung.

“Kim Yujin, where are you going?”

Professor Ki Seonghyeop called her.

“Even if everyone else leaves, you and Assistant Manager Park Jonghwan should have a drink with me.”

Assistant Manager Park Jonghwan was an employee who joined a year after Yujin and was her junior from college. He was also in the same lab as Yujin during college and joined Austin through Professor Ki Seonghyeop’s recommendation.

“Let’s go. Honestly, what big deal did I come here for? I came to see my students’ faces.”

Yujin, who had been happy to finally spend her birthday with Yoosung, sullenly put her phone back in her coat pocket.

It felt awkward to prioritize her personal matters and go home. With Assistant Manager Park Jonghwan searching for a place nearby for a second round, she couldn’t just go home.

But the trouble didn’t end there.

As Jihoon, who had finished paying, came out, Professor Ki Seonghyeop raised his hand.

“President Han, over here.”

Then he announced as if informing them.

“I was going to leave, thinking you might be tired, but President Han Jihoon insisted on going for a second round.”

“Oh, okay.”

“Are you uncomfortable?”

How many people in the world could comfortably drink with their boss and professor in front of them?

In the same vein, Yujin wasn’t bold enough to ignore the invitation from her boss and professor and go home, so she decided to accept reality.

“Let’s go. I’ll take you to a quiet place nearby.”

She had to follow Jihoon and Ki Seonghyeop.

But just then, Professor Ki Seonghyeop, who received a call, stopped in his tracks.