You Promised Me, Mr. Lee San-ha - Chapter 126



Only Krnovel

Episode 126 I’m leaving work (3)

Yun Yeo-gam and I sat across from each other in a corner of a dark bar.

Team Leader Yoon spoke first.

“… … I’m sorry about what happened earlier.”

“It’s okay. I just didn’t take it to heart.”

“When I think about it, I don’t know why I did that. There were a lot of guys who quit during that time, and we were all like family because we had been eating from the same pot for a long time. But I never did that to other guys. Even when they talked about quitting, I always said, ‘Okay. It’s time for you to go. You should go play in the big leagues.’ and just let them go.”

Team Leader Yoon placed a glass of whiskey on the rocks in front of me.

“Really… … I guess I was that sorry for you.”

I raised my glass.

Yun Yeo-gam clinked her glass with mine and emptied it in one gulp.

“What kind of person are you? You’re too humble. To be frank, is there anyone in our entire company who asks for scoops as much as you?”

“Team Leader Choi also wrote a lot of exclusive articles and… … Team Leader Yoon also wrote a lot―.”

“That’s what’s different, that’s what’s different.”

Team Leader Yoon continued speaking, swinging his sword with the hand holding the cup.

“You were someone who competed with at least the team leaders. You were a trainee reporter, and you brought in more scoops than people who had accumulated infrastructure, connections, sources, and data for years. Do you know what that means?”

“… … What does it mean?”

A new wine is poured into a glass held in a bear-like hand.

“You have a power that no one else has.”

That’s not wrong.

It’s just that the abilities he spoke of and the abilities I had were different.

I answered in a calm voice.

“I would be honored if you would say so.”

“Again, humility again. Do you know what company I recommended this time? It’s VOG. VOG.”

“yes?”

VOG. It’s a name you can’t help but know unless you’re a spy.

No, even if you’re a spy, you’ve probably read at least one article in VOG.

A media outlet that is truly ranked among the top 3 in South Korea.

Every year, it competes for the top 1 or 2 spots in terms of media trustworthiness, and has maintained an unwavering first place in the rankings of the most influential media outlets.

I never thought I would be recommended to such a large company out of nowhere.

Yun Yeo-gam folded her arms and nodded.

“A guy like you should go to the big media. The rotten media world… …needs your skills.”

I feel a chill down my spine at those remarks that seem to see through my ‘abilities’.

I changed the subject.

“How do you have a connection with VOG?”

“Did you know there’s an entertainment department there too? I met him when I went out to report.”

“Hmm? Then is the person recommending you also from the entertainment department?”

“Hahahaha! That’s not it. It’s the social affairs department right now. That’s… … Ah, if I tell you this, you’ll get in trouble. Are you only telling me?”

Yun Yeo-gam cautiously leaned toward me.

“That guy is a total idiot. He’s a real idiot who runs to the desk and grabs the collar and starts a one-man protest just because someone rejected his article. He has a lot of passion as a reporter, but one day, he went astray. He even messed with politicians, who shouldn’t have been messed with. He even kept quiet about the politics department, but the society department was stirring things up? This time, the company couldn’t just sit still either. So he was kicked out to the entertainment department for a while, but now he’s back in the society department—”

At that moment, the shadow of a woman appeared behind him as he excitedly told stories of other people’s bravery.

“Well, I was wondering if the two men were sitting in a corner having a secret conversation. Was it about me?”

Contrary to expectations, she was a woman with a kind impression.

But maybe because of what I just heard, it seemed like there was some kind of urgency to it.

Yun Yeo-gam asked back in a trembling voice.

“Oh, you’re here? I heard the road here is blocked… … .”

“Aha, if the road is blocked, can I just talk about other people’s things?”

The woman sat next to Team Leader Yoon, who looked like a deflated balloon.

Then he shook hands and introduced himself.

“Nice to meet you. My name is Kim Hye-ji, a ‘fool’ and ‘real loser.’”

A stubborn person.

This expression is exactly right.

A gaze and voice that never seem to waver in their beliefs, and an upright posture.

I shook her hand politely.

“Hello. I’m Lee San-ha, entertainment reporter for the TLT Times.”

“Aren’t you part of TLT anymore?”

“Because I haven’t finished processing my resignation yet.”

Kim Hye-ji looked back at Yoon Yeo-gam, raising one eyebrow.

Team leader Yoon Yeo-gam was sitting on the edge of a slump.

“Ah, that… … My resignation was accepted today―.”

“You said you had already resigned when we spoke on the phone earlier.”

“So, in my mind, I’ve decided to quit… … .”

“Haha. Funny. Such an uncertain man.”

“… … .”

Yun Yeo-gam curled her lips into her mouth and remained silent.

It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him shrink like that.

Kim Hye-ji brought another glass and filled it with ice.

“Ah, that’s just how this guy works. I don’t do things haphazardly like this old man, so if we’re going to work together, we’ll have to be prepared.”

“yes!”

She, who was filling the ice, smiled faintly as she listened to my answer.

Then he looked back at Yun Yeo-gam and said.

“Well, I see now why you were such a dear junior. You have such a good spirit.”

“Right? This guy is going to be a huge player later on. I can guarantee it.”

“As long as you don’t do ‘stupid things’ like others.”

“That… … The slip of the tongue earlier―”

“No. It’s good because you know how I usually feel. Anyway… … You said Mr. Lee San-ha, right?”

Kim Hye-ji took her eyes off Team Leader Yoon and turned to me.

I nodded lightly and answered.

“Yes. Feel free to speak. You will soon be a shooter.”

“Let’s talk about that after we start working together in earnest. Anyway, do you know anything about the social affairs department?”

“I only looked over TLT’s social affairs department because they had one. Even though I don’t know the practical details, I do know one thing: there is absolutely no break time there.”

The social affairs department is famous for having an overwhelmingly large workload compared to other departments.

Because crime is not limited to time or place.

They are even nicknamed the ’24-hour team’ or the ‘5-minute standby team’.

Kim Hye-ji asked with a playful smile.

“After seeing that, did you still want to come to the social affairs department?”

“Because it’s something I wanted to do. I guess I’ll get used to the hardships over time.”

“That’s a great idea. I’m starting to look forward to working with you.”

She continued, filling my glass with whiskey.

“But there will be more difficult moments than you think. Public figures have an obligation to respond to reporters’ requests for interviews, but ordinary people have no obligation to do so. There’s a saying in the social affairs department.”

Kim Hye-ji finished speaking, putting down the bottle of alcohol.

“A social affairs reporter is higher than the president and lower than a beggar.”

I fully understand what you mean.

But there is always one thing I can trust.

That’s my ability.

If you use this ability well, it might be difficult to get to the president… … but you might be able to dig up something like a 5th grade civil servant.

I answered with confidence.

“You can look forward to it. I will cover everything, from beggars to the president.”

Kim Hye-ji nodded her head once and raised her glass.

“It looks like our Mr. Yoon Gom-taeng brought a proper gift this time. Let’s do our best, Mr. San-ha.”

“i look forward to.”

I also raised my glass and clinked it with hers.

Team Leader Yoon glanced at the situation, raised his glass, and added curtly.

“When have I ever given a bad gift? I mean, it makes people sad… … .”

“Oh my? If I tell you about our anniversary last time, you’ll keep your mouth shut again.”

“Let’s have a drink, let’s have a drink. Oh my~ On a good day, this is not enough alcohol. Bartender! No, barman! Give me another bottle of the same thing!”

Judging by the way he hurriedly changed the subject, it seems like Team Leader Yoon also made the same mistake as my father.

Three glasses touched each other.

visor!

I am very much looking forward to what happens next.

* * *

I didn’t go to work right after the meeting was over.

I had to go to an interview and prepare for a lot of things.

but…….

“I need to get some rest now.”

After my resignation was accepted, I used up all the vacation time I had left.

The luxury of lying on a warm floor in broad daylight and looking at the ceiling.

How long has it been since I felt like I was unemployed…?

After I was discharged from the military and returned to school, I couldn’t rest even for a moment because I was working part-time.

‘Should I harass Kim Tae-kyung, who is still working day and night?’

There’s nothing more fun than teasing your workers during a long vacation.

As I took out my phone to call Kim Tae-kyung, I received an unexpected text message.

[An Hee-yeon: San-ha. Uh… … Can I ask you a favor? If it’s burdensome, you don’t have to accept it. I have no intention of forcing myself to burden you or making you uncomfortable. But then again, since this is a promise, I feel like I have to tell you… … Anyway, don’t feel burdened and listen.]

Why am I hesitating so long over such a huge request?

The image of Ahn Hee-yeon avoiding eye contact and trailing off her words stood out.

[Lee San-ha: Is it just my imagination that there doesn’t seem to be a single request in this long sentence?]

Were you waiting for a reply?

An Hee-yeon replied immediately.

[Hee-yeon Ahn: Do you have time in the evening? If you’re busy, you can meet whenever you have time… … .]

[Lee San-ha: I’m preparing to change jobs, so I have some free time. Why?]

[Hee-yeon Ahn: Huh? A job change?]

[Lee San-ha: It wasn’t completely confirmed yet, so I was going to talk about it after I changed jobs… … Anyway, that’s what happened. I’m going to the VOG social affairs department.]

[Hee-yeon Ahn: VOG? I’ve known you were great for a long time, but you’re really amazing. Aren’t you getting ahead of yourself?]

[Lee San-ha: I was just lucky. So, what do you want?]

[Hee-yeon Ahn: Um… … That’s… … .]

Why are you taking so long?

If you’re asking for a guarantee, that’s difficult.

[Hee-yeon Ahn: Mom really wanted to invite you to her house because of what happened last time… … .]

‘Why is this kid beating around the bush when asking such an easy favor?’

There is no reason not to go.

Especially for unemployed people whose days are too long.

[Lee San-ha: Of course it’s okay. When is your mother comfortable?]

[Hee-yeon Ahn: Really? My family members say that as long as you’re okay with it, you’re always welcome… … But if you don’t feel like it, you don’t have to force yourself to come! Really, don’t feel pressured!]

[Lee San-ha: I’m going because I want to go. So what’s the schedule?]

There is no answer for a moment.

After about a minute, a reply arrived.

[Hee-yeon Ahn: It might be sudden, but… Are you okay today?]