A Child Who Resembles Me [EN]: Chapter 132

132. True Madness

Eun-yeop received generous financial support from Ham Dae-geun. As soon as the news broke that his father was nominated as the next Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Dae-geun personally delivered the money.

It was convenient that Ham Dae-geun was so perceptive. With the Special Committee on Personnel Hearings about to be formed, he could quietly begin working behind the scenes, influencing the National Assembly members on the committee.

After the Jung Ji-heon family cut ties, Eun-yeop had been at a loss as to how to help his father, but thanks to the idiot who was completely infatuated with his sister, things became much easier.

Satisfied with the day’s success, Eun-yeop left work early and found Eun-bi at home. He knew from his mother that Eun-bi was bringing side dishes, but he hadn’t expected her to still be there.

“Why are you still here?”

His sister’s eyes were fierce, as if she was displeased about something again.

“Oppa [older brother, a term used by females in Korean], don’t you have anything to say to me?”

“What is it now?”

“Kim Jin-gu. You did that, didn’t you?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Then what is this?”

Eun-yeop’s eyes widened as he recognized the cell phone in Eun-bi’s hand.

“Are you crazy? Why are you snooping around in someone else’s house!”

Eun-yeop quickly snatched the phone and checked its status. It was powered on, but fortunately, airplane mode was still enabled.

“You didn’t turn off airplane mode, did you? If you turn it off, we’re both dead.”

“How could you do that!”

Eun-bi shouted at Eun-yeop, who spoke with such concern.

Eun-yeop was dumbfounded.

“Chae Eun-bi, can’t you understand the situation? How dare you get angry at me. You should be bowing down in gratitude.”

“What?”

“Do you think I did it for my own good? It’s all because of you. Because of the lie you told seven years ago! Because you were threatened by that Kim Jin-gu! I had no choice but to get rid of him!”

Eun-yeop’s voice grew louder with each word. Tears welled up in Eun-bi’s eyes.

“Just be grateful for your brother’s abilities and live quietly. Get married, take care of the household, and live comfortably.”

“Why are you always talking about marriage! Why do I have to get married so urgently!”

“Then what else can you do!”

Eun-yeop, who had lowered his voice as if to soothe Eun-bi, became angry again. Eun-bi wanted to argue, but she had nothing to say. She knew very well that her only value in this family was for marriage.

“Father will soon become the Chief Justice. Ham Dae-geun’s support is essential for Father to become the Chief Justice. So, you better behave. You just need to behave.”

“……”

“If you really don’t like Ham Dae-geun, tell me later. After you get married and get all the inheritance back, I’ll take care of him safely. Just bear with it for a few years.”

“……Are you saying you can kill even the person who will be my husband?”

“If you don’t like it, then don’t whine and just live well!”

Eun-bi squeezed her eyes shut and opened them again at her brother’s violent outburst, as he glared and shouted.

“Chae Eun-bi. Marriage is the best way you can show filial piety [respect and duty to one’s parents]. Understand? Don’t cause trouble for Father and behave yourself.”

Her brother was a monster.

* * * * * * *

A busy day.

Jeong-o was a little worried because she hadn’t heard from Ji-heon even after dinner time.

‘I wonder if the consultation went well…….’

Should I call him? Or maybe he has another schedule.

Jeong-o hesitated, as she hadn’t heard about any other schedules, and then got up from her seat.

Dawon Liquor had contacted her to hold a meeting to discuss new product ideas. Song Gi-hoon from the same team followed Jeong-o as she headed to the conference room.

“Remi Remi is coming.”

“Ah, the one who’s completely out of his mind?”

Jeong-o smiled and replied, recalling the nickname given by the production team. But Gi-hoon’s expression was serious. He was genuinely worried about Jeong-o.

“Yes. I don’t think you have to attend if you’re uncomfortable, Deputy Manager.”

“But I can’t do that. What could possibly happen with everyone there? I’ll be fine.”

Jeong-o confidently entered the conference room.

The meeting was attended by members of Production Team 1 and Jeong-o and Gi-hoon from Production Team 2. By chance, Jeong-o was the only woman present.

After a while, the planning team leader, the assistant manager, and three account executives appeared with the three advertisers. Two of them were Dawon Liquor employees whom she had met at a drinking party, and the other was Remi Remi.

“Team Leader Ahn, hello. I came because you wouldn’t come.”

Remi Remi said, shaking hands with Team Leader Ahn Chan-seop.

“Yes, welcome. Please sit down. You remember our production team members, right?”

“I do remember…… but who is that?”

Remi Remi narrowed his eyes and pointed at Jeong-o with his chin.

“This is Deputy Manager Lee Jeong-o, a copywriter from Production Team 2. She’s the top contributor to the summer new product advertisement.”

Remi Remi had a displeased expression even after Team Leader Ahn Chan-seop’s introduction.

“Where did Chae Eun-bi go? Chae Eun-bi is so efficient and good at her job.”

Remi Remi leaned closer to Jeong-o and asked,

“What is our Deputy Manager Lee good at?”

“I will create good copy.”

Jeong-o replied with an awkward smile. Remi Remi shook his head as if he was not satisfied and then sat down.

“Ahem, the reason why I came all the way here is……”

Remi Remi cleared his throat loudly and said,

“Isn’t creating collaboration beer brands the trend these days? So, Dawon Liquor is also planning to create a collaboration brand. And Max Planning, our advertising production company, is an affiliate of the Seryun Group, right? When it comes to Seryun Group, it’s Seryun Foods. They have many hit products. I think we can create a good product if we collaborate with those hit products.”

“We need to consult with Seryun Foods first. Do you have any products in mind?”

“We need to find them now. Anyway, is it possible to consult with Seryun Foods?”

Remi Remi came just to hear opinions without any proposal.

“We will try our best.”

The planning team leader replied.

“Then what product should we use?”

The conference room fell silent at Remi Remi’s question.

“I’ve never seen it so quiet. Are you uncomfortable and unable to speak properly? Should we liven up the atmosphere?”

“No, ideas don’t always come up in a flash……”

The production team 1 leader answered Remi Remi’s question, but Remi Remi didn’t even listen to the answer and pointed at Jeong-o.

“Copywriter Deputy Manager Lee?”

“Yes.”

“Do you have any ideas?”

“I’m thinking about it.”

“If you can’t think of anything right now, at least try to liven up the atmosphere. That way, ideas will sprout.”

“……How should I liven it up?”

“Why are you asking me that? I told you to do it yourself. Dance or sing.”

‘I don’t think so. You son of a bitch advertiser…….’

Jeong-o’s expression hardened at Remi Remi’s absurd request. Others were equally surprised.

“Is it a bit stiff here? Then shall we move to another place? A more comfortable place would be better, right?”

When Jeong-o didn’t react, Remi Remi winked at the youngest member of the planning team. The AE [Account Executive], who understood Remi Remi’s intention, was startled and stood up.

“……Shall we find a place for a company dinner?”

“Kuh. You’re so quick.”

Remi Remi gave a thumbs up to the youngest AE. After the AE left the conference room to find a place for the company dinner, Remi Remi gave Jeong-o a look again and complained.

“Ugh. That’s why production is no good. AE’s do everything they’re told, but why is production like that? What university did Deputy Manager Lee graduate from? It’s always the less educated ones who are so arrogant.”

‘Should I endure it one more time?’

‘No. If I endure it here, my juniors may suffer even more than I do.’

Jeong-o clenched both fists and carefully spoke up.

“Director. I’m saying this because I’m a little worried. If you cross the line with content that is not related to work……”

“What? Cross the line?”

Before Jeong-o could finish speaking, Remi Remi’s face turned red and he shouted.

“Look at how Deputy Manager Lee is talking. Why is Max Planning like this these days? Don’t you manage your employees? Are you teaching them to talk back to advertisers these days?”

At that moment.

“What did I just hear?”

The slightly ajar door swung open and Ji-heon entered. Deputy Manager Go Eun-ju was standing behind him.

Ji-heon’s expression, who had heard Remi Remi’s shouting from outside, was fiercely hardened. The conference room became as silent as if cold water had been poured over it. Remi Remi’s red face also turned blue.

“Ah, Director, that’s…… ahem, hmm.”

Remi Remi cleared his throat, trying to buy time to organize his thoughts, and answered.

“Deputy Manager Lee Jeong-o and I are personally close. We’re like siblings in private, just joking around, just kidding each other. Isn’t that right, Team Leader Kim?”

“That’s…… right…….”

The planning team leader, who was in a difficult position, dragged out his answer.

Ji-heon called Jeong-o.

“Deputy Manager Lee Jeong-o?”

“Yes.”

“Tell me directly. The truth.”

“……”

“Are you close to Director Um Seok-gi? Are you like siblings in private?”

“……”

“When did you see each other in private?”

‘Siblings? I’ve never even heard the name Um Seok-gi before.’

She wanted to shout it out, but Jeong-o also needed time to think. It was a crossroads of choices.

If I say I’m not close to that person, Dawon Liquor, who has become unpleasant, may terminate the contract, and I may incur the resentment of my colleagues in the same headquarters. But if I lie and say I’m close to that person because I don’t like that, I’ll be scolded by Jung Ji-heon.

I don’t know how I’ll be scolded, but somehow Jung Ji-heon was much scarier than my company colleagues.

Jeong-o told the truth.

“……I met him once at a tasting event. We only exchanged greetings briefly, and we are not like siblings.”

“Director Um, please stand up.”

Ji-heon called Remi Remi in an even colder voice. Remi Remi swallowed hard and stood up from his seat.

“I don’t want to do business with your company anymore, so get out.”

“What? What, what…….”

Remi Remi, who was faltering at Ji-heon’s cold treatment, barely parted his lips.

“Director, even so, this is…… we are the client. How much did we contract with Max Planning…….”

“Stop talking nonsense and get out, you X-hole.”

‘Oh oh.’ Eun-ju’s eyes, who was watching next to Ji-heon, lit up. She actually wanted to applaud. It was the first time she had seen someone pronounce the double-siot [a Korean profanity] so perfectly.

Moreover, that look was a murderous look that seemed like he would twist the advertiser’s neck with one hand.

True madness is like that.

That man is really crazy.

I brought him to the conference room, but I’m a little worried. I wonder how he’s going to handle the aftermath.

Eun-ju felt joy, but on the other hand, she became worried. It seemed to be the first time she was genuinely worried about his well-being.

Remi Remi, who felt the threat of strangulation, turned pale and hurriedly left. The two employees Remi Remi brought also found themselves in a situation where they had to run away without even saying goodbye.

Even after Remi Remi left, the atmosphere in the conference room was cold.

Ji-heon, who sat down in the empty seat, scanned the conference room with an unpleasant look and said,

“Have you all been standing still until now, even when the advertiser made such rude remarks?”

‘Because he’s the advertiser.’

Everyone had a retort that they couldn’t bring themselves to say.

“Team Leader Kim.”

“Yes, Director.”

“Please collect reports of cases of advertisers’ abuse from the employees by tomorrow and report them to me.”

“……Yes. I understand.”

“I will handle the Dawon Liquor matter from now on. Please forward all contacts from Dawon Liquor to me.”

“Yes.”

“Let’s work without being intimidated. It’s not like the company pays salaries based on who has been hurt the most.”

Ji-heon told them not to be intimidated, but everyone was frozen. People were afraid of Ji-heon in a different sense from Remi Remi, or rather, much more so.

Ji-heon sighed and got up from his seat.

“And.”

But Ji-heon, who had been walking towards the conference room door, turned around for a moment. The employees were startled again at his words.

“The official announcement will be made this week, but I’ll tell you all in advance.”

His voice softened slightly.

“I got married recently.”

The eyes of the Production Team 2 members, including Jeong-o, widened, and the others blinked. The planning team leader, who was quick to adapt, was the first to offer congratulations.

“Ah…… Congratulations, Director.”

“Thank you, but I’m not saying this to be congratulated; my bride works at this company.”

“……At Max Planning?”

“Deputy Manager Lee Jeong-o is my wife.”

The mouths of those who heard this fact for the first time in this place opened in unison. Jeong-o’s face was the color of the tteokbokki [spicy rice cakes, a popular Korean dish] she had eaten for lunch today.

“I’m telling you in advance in case you make a mistake.”

Eun-ju was so amused that she could hardly hold back her laughter.

‘What mistake? You’re just saying it because you can’t resist showing off.’

‘You’ve done it again. Director Jung Ji-heon comes to the company to protect Lee Jeong-o.’

‘Anyway, if the company is this fun, I should work hard.’

Unexpectedly, a sense of belonging to the company sprouted.