Secretary Gwanggong's Survival Diary-Chapter 91

“I hope you rest well, sir.”

Yoon Taeo’s steps were unusually quick, his impatience and displeasure evident with every stride. Returning home without even changing clothes, he headed straight to the room Baek Sieon had been staying in.

Turning on the light, nothing seemed out of place inside. The spacious room—larger than Baek Sieon’s original entire home he had visited once—felt almost like a business hotel suite. Though it appeared neatly organized, much like Taeo’s own style, that in itself felt unnatural. Not a single personal item was visible. The desk, drawers, nightstand, even the inside of the wardrobe, were all empty.

“Haah... resignation.”

Yoon Taeo sat down on the empty bedside without an owner.

He remembered how Baek Sieon once said he liked the house’s highly oxygenated air and water filtered seven times. He’d even shifted Baek Sieon’s duties to company work and raised his salary, fearing he might dislike household chores. Perhaps accepting his resignation so easily was the real problem.

Sitting in the space where Baek Sieon had fallen asleep every night, Taeo tried to see things from his perspective but could find no answer. He’d laid out every card he could offer Baek Sieon. Had he ever done this before? No. For Taeo, who didn’t value people much, changing even a single cog like a secretary was barely worth notice. He’d made more than generous offers to Baek Sieon, yet failed to change his mind.

But if that person wasn’t just any secretary but Baek Sieon, Taeo wanted to find another way. There’s no problem without an answer; it’s just that surrounded by countless wrong ones, the right one isn’t visible.

❖ ❖ ❖

“There’s a resort marketing strategy meeting scheduled today. You can lead the agenda related to ‘Next Resort’ response.”

“Next? That perennial 4th place, Next?”

“...Yes, that Next.”

“Hmm, I see...”

The question “Why the hell should I care about that, Secretary Kim?” rose to his throat, but determined, Taeo had to give another answer.

The ‘Next Group’ was involved in various businesses but only held 4th place market share in every field it entered. He knew the Jeju resort was opening roughly the same time but never cared because it was incomparable in scale.

“Don’t ask why...?”

“If it’s Secretary Baek saying it, there must be a reason.”

It seemed he had a prepared answer, but Taeo didn’t ask for details and merely sipped the coffee Baek Sieon had made. Today, he switched from yesterday’s approach.

“The coffee’s drinkable. Maybe because Secretary Baek made it.”

“...Ah, yes. Thank you. Shall I get ready for work?”

Despite Taeo’s praise, Baek Sieon’s reply was somewhat stiff, but Taeo didn’t mind. He expected this.

“How about a dark gray checked tie today?”

“Good taste. Let’s do that.”

Tie pins, shoes—all suggestions from Baek Sieon were gladly accepted, even the unfamiliar compliments. Whether objectively praise or not was unclear, but Taeo felt it was his effort’s result. Yet Baek Sieon’s expression barely changed. Though expected, the professional demeanor almost felt disappointing. Usually, he’d blush or get excited, making a fuss to highlight Taeo’s actions.

Even until they headed to the car, Baek Sieon’s reaction bothered Taeo.

“Sit beside me.”

“You might feel uncomfortable, sir...”

“I said, sit beside me.”

Baek Sieon usually sat in the passenger seat when traveling together. But even that felt like drawing a line, so Taeo for the first time gave a somewhat firm order. Baek Sieon climbed into the back seat as if it was nothing.

“Commuting must be hard. Your place and here are far apart.”

“Yes... it is. I have to leave early and don’t get enough sleep...”

“That’s why.”

Taeo decided to give Baek Sieon the room next to his bedroom. It wasn’t that the old room was shabby or small, but the new one faced south with a large window and included a bathroom and dressing room. It was almost as spacious as Taeo’s own room. He was even willing to renovate the interior if Baek Sieon wished. He was confident he could finish it by the end of the day if Baek Sieon agreed to come back.

“So, starting tomorrow, the second secretary team leader will help you get ready in the morning.”

“What...?”

“Now we have to hand over one by one.”

“Haah... damn it.”

He tried to hold back. Yesterday, he’d only talked about improving work conditions one-sidedly; today, he wanted to show a more ‘human side.’ But all conversations inevitably ended with resignation, and Taeo’s reason snapped.

“Stop the car.”

The car stopped on a quiet road, and the unknown driver was sent out.

“Now be honest.”

“W-what do you mean...?”

After the resignation declaration, Taeo showed his emotions unfiltered for the first time, and Baek Sieon dropped his mask. Taeo was glad to see that face soaked in embarrassment. This wasn’t the unfamiliar, almost alien Baek Sieon but a version Taeo actually preferred.

“I think I gave you enough chances.”

“What....”

He wondered if he was too angry, but that’s exactly how he felt.

“When have I ever given someone two chances?”

“...No....”

“Fine. But now, I’m giving you the chance to take back your words.”

“What...?”

“The words about quitting. I’ll pretend I didn’t hear them. I’ll raise your rank as much as possible considering what you’ve said to others.”

There was no reason. Though Taeo was notoriously lacking in empathy, and despite all reasonable causes for Baek Sieon’s resignation being resolved, Baek Sieon’s stubborn refusal to take back his words was just plain obstinacy. So Taeo offered the pretense of a gracious return.

“Thank you for your consideration, sir. But...”

“Phew... Okay. Be honest. What do you ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) really want? I’ll do my best... No, I’ll do everything. You’re not just anyone. You’re Secretary Kim.”

This was originally a last resort meant to soften the mood. Taeo had held back on compliments all morning just to get to this point. Yet in this situation, he had no choice but to use his final tactic.

“I...”

Fortunately, Baek Sieon didn’t say “It’s fine” again, which would have shattered Taeo’s reason completely. After a brief hesitation, he spoke.

“I really want to quit. That’s all, sir.”

“That makes no sense. I admit it’s been a lot of work, but nowhere else will treat you this well.”

“Yes, it’s not a matter of treatment or dislike of work.”

“Then is the chief secretary the problem?”

“...I can’t say it’s not partly that, but it’s not only because of that. I just... want to rest comfortably.”

The timid Baek Sieon didn’t avoid Taeo’s sharp gaze.

“Please do that, sir.”

He was even smiling—a smile devoid of any emotion, as if soulless, that would cheer no one.

“No. I can’t accept that. Bring me a reason I can understand.”

Taeo thought to himself that Baek Sieon’s smile seemed like a plea to be caught. Where was a smile that made others feel bad? Truly an unpleasant start to the day.

❖ ❖ ❖

Clink!

A sharp sound echoed through the restaurant’s private room.

“Sir, is there something wrong with the meal?”

“Is this even food? It was so bad I thought it was animal feed.”

The plates and food strewn on the floor were swiftly cleared by the staff. The chief secretary who followed in instantly realized the plates hadn’t fallen by accident.

“How bad must the food be to eat that little and call it done, chief secretary?”

When Taeo acted out, Choi Hyunjin, who’d been eating with them, tensed up. Taeo had suddenly grabbed his plate and slammed it to the floor. But when he pointed to his own plate with a nod, Hyunjin’s neck flushed reddish. He hated being watched so closely. The reason for Taeo’s anger only added to his satisfaction.

“Sorry... I’ll make sure we don’t take you to this restaurant again.”

In reality, it was just venting the displeasure that had lingered since morning. The food really was awful. Just seeing Choi Hyunjin made Taeo lose his appetite.

“I’m going to the restroom.”

Taeo didn’t understand what part of Hyunjin made him blush and didn’t want to. When only the chief secretary and Taeo were left, the chief secretary approached.

“But sir.”

“What is it?”

“Team Leader Baek says he’s quitting...”

“So?”

“You may not know, but our secretary team handles so many covert tasks that resignation doesn’t really exist.”

Taeo knew that. Actually, far more staff had been laid off by the chief secretary’s orders than by Taeo’s. Most of those Taeo let go were practically extensions of the chief secretary.

“Go on.”

“So... it might be best to lay off Team Leader Baek, too.”

Lay off...? Surely not.

The chief secretary smiled faintly at Taeo, as if confirming Taeo’s thoughts were correct.