A Child Who Resembles Me [EN]: Chapter 170

170. [Side Story] Working Dad (2)

Jeong-oh calmly and meticulously pointed out,

“Think about your past actions. Your brow furrows a mere half-centimeter when you talk to employees. Which employee would feel comfortable talking to you?”

But soon, she became emotional.

“Just because I’m your wife, don’t assume employees only come to me with praise for you. No. They ask me to pass on messages to the director. Tell him not to make employees revise proposals while breathing down their necks, not to just throw out incomprehensible sketches and say, ‘Do it this way.’ Tell him not to glare daggers at any man who sits next to Lee Jeong-oh in the conference room.”

Jeong-oh had become the company’s unofficial grievance officer. Listening to employees’ complaints, comforting those who needed it… Naturally, these weren’t easy days for Jeong-oh either.

So, she indulged Boram. Even though it was just for two days, she felt good hearing nice things about her husband.

Ji-heon was shocked. He hadn’t realized Jeong-oh had been working so hard, as she hadn’t shown it.

“It’s gotten to the point where people are saying Jeong Ji-heon comes to the company just to chase after Lee Jeong-oh.”

…But that was true, so he had nothing to say. The reason he came to Max Planning was simple: to protect Lee Jeong-oh.

His actual work was just a side benefit.

Jeong-oh, having spoken her mind, advised,

“Now, go back to headquarters.”

“Why? Why is the conversation going that way?”

Ji-heon stammered, flustered.

“I’m saying this for your own good. Go back to headquarters now.”

“Why is that for my own good? I know what’s best for my future.”

“Then work hard. Don’t waste time following me around.”

Ji-heon felt wronged. It seemed his wife didn’t appreciate how busy he was.

“Do you think I’m not working hard? I finish all my work before following you around.”

“A leader shouldn’t just goof off after finishing their work. They should find other things to do.”

Am I goofing off? Am I playing around!

I, who used to put only 70% of my energy into work, am now pouring 80% of my passion into it since meeting you.

Can’t you see my efforts?

But Jeong-oh’s reaction was cold.

“If you can’t focus on your work because you’re worried about me, you really should go back to headquarters.”

Jeong-oh turned away after saying that.

.*. *. *. *. *. *.

A leader’s position is so lonely. Even when sulking, you have to work.

Ji-heon went to the conference room ahead of the competitive PT [Presentation Test] meeting. Jeong-oh, who had arrived earlier, was examining the products with the production team members. Everyone greeted Ji-heon as he entered, but Jeong-oh didn’t even glance at him.

Let’s see how long you can keep that up.

Ji-heon glared at Jeong-oh with narrowed eyes before taking his seat.

When everyone had gathered, the planning team leader stood up and began the briefing.

“Yoo-ah-yoo-us is a baby product brand launched three years ago by ‘I-poom,’ which has established itself as a leading national stroller brand. Baby clothes and functional clothing are very popular. This year, baby carriers and temperature-sensing bathtubs were developed and achieved exceptional success, and next year, they plan to introduce modular beds and baby chairs. The products I mentioned are set up in front, so please take a look.”

The bidding amount, including production costs, is around 6 billion won [approximately $4.5 million USD]. The scale is quite large, so two production teams were assigned.

“Production Team 1 has married members, and Production Team 2… well, with Deputy Manager Lee Jeong-oh being pregnant and preparing for childbirth, we thought they could approach it most realistically. If possible, it would be great if Deputy Manager Lee could do the production presentation herself… I think the advertiser’s trust would increase. But, don’t feel pressured.”

The planning team leader carefully suggested, watching Ji-heon, who comes to work to protect Jeong-oh.

Jeong-oh readily nodded.

“I also thought it would be good for me to do it, or at least attend the PT session. If it’s successful, it’ll be like the baby is showing filial piety [respect and obedience to one’s parents] even before being born.”

Everyone laughed comfortably at Jeong-oh’s positive response. Opinions were exchanged freely in a friendly atmosphere. Ji-heon also spoke up.

“It would be really good for Deputy Manager Lee Jeong-oh to do the production presentation.”

Everyone’s eyes showed no disagreement. They seemed to think it was fortunate that Ji-heon had agreed. Jeong-oh also smiled, showing her enthusiasm after a long time. However, everyone was taken aback by Ji-heon’s next words.

“In that case, I will do the planning presentation.”

The feeling of their jaws dropping. Everyone’s jaws dropped, their mouths hanging open.

Only Ji-heon smiled faintly, staring at Jeong-oh as if challenging her.

I’ll show you.

That I’m working this hard to be by your side.

After the meeting, Jeong-oh stomped after Ji-heon.

“Why are you doing the presentation?”

“Haven’t you seen a division head doing a presentation in a competitive PT?”

Of course, Jeong-oh had seen it many times. In her previous company, executives often did the planning presentation themselves. It was a way to show their enthusiasm for the client’s advertising campaign.

But that’s for experienced people.

“Are you confident?”

Jeong-oh asked anxiously.

“Don’t you trust me?”

“It’s not about trust, it’s about needing certainty.”

Ji-heon’s unfounded confidence worried her. Still, Jeong-oh was the one who could trust and support Jeong Ji-heon the most. Jeong-oh firmly added her best advice.

“Don’t just exploit the employees, get the data, and then do the presentation. If you’re going to do the presentation, you prepare the proposal too. That’s how everyone does it.”

“…….”

“And show the progress so that the staff who haven’t seen you present before don’t get anxious. Do a mid-term presentation and a rehearsal. That’s how everyone does it.”

Ji-heon frowned for a moment but didn’t argue with Jeong-oh’s advice. Worried that her words might not be effective, Jeong-oh added a postscript.

“Shall I tell you an important fact?”

“…….”

“I have a 100% win rate. I’ve never lost a PT I’ve presented. I’ve done it ten times and won all ten times.”

Ji-heon’s expression, which had been arrogant with his chin raised, twitched and changed slightly.

“If we don’t win this PT, it’s all your fault.”

Thus, the competition of who’s better began.

.*. *. *. *. *. *.

The couple’s competition grew more intense day by day. Ji-heon was also busy creating the first draft of the proposal. The habit of glancing at Jeong-oh every hour naturally disappeared. In the meantime, time flowed by leisurely.

“Daddy! Do you know what day is the day after tomorrow?”

“Hmm. What day is it?”

Ji-heon asked back playfully, even though he knew the answer to Yena’s question.

“It’s Christmas!”

Christmas was approaching. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, and the day after is Christmas.

Before their marriage, Jeong-oh had said,

“The most important days for Yena are her birthday, Children’s Day, and Christmas. Kids live for the fun of waiting, so never forget these days. Got it?”

Ji-heon had engraved those words in his bones.

To have a Merry Christmas Eve and a Merry Christmas, there were many things to take care of.

The first draft of the proposal had to be finished by the 24th to avoid any schedule disruptions. But gathering opinions wasn’t easy. The staff had a lot of work to do, so meetings were only possible after regular quitting time.

Advertisers tend to be obsessed with persuasion. Even if the opinions gathered after much effort, if someone inside raised an objection, it was back to square one. They had the obsession that if they couldn’t persuade the people inside, how could they persuade anyone outside the company?

So, Ji-heon had difficulties. Especially when young people who didn’t care about the opinions of their superiors, such as interns in the planning department, raised issues, Ji-heon had to revise his logic.

He couldn’t get angry at the interns. At the end of the year, before Christmas, those who devoted their passion to the company were precious beings.

And finally, the 24th. Quitting time.

“Director, I don’t understand this part.”

“Me too. I don’t think 15% satisfaction will produce very meaningful results.”

At the interns’ sincere opinions, Ji-heon weakly deleted a line from the proposal.

“Okay. Let’s think about it again…….”

Watching the time flow indifferently, the whites of Ji-heon’s eyes turned red. His chest felt like it was burning.

But I can’t just leave these young people behind and go home.

“By the way, aren’t Seon-il and Se-woong going home? It’s Christmas Eve.”

Despite Ji-heon’s serious concern, the young people full of passion answered lightly.

“I don’t have a girlfriend or any plans. I’m okay because I have a company to burn my passion for.”

“I’m meeting my friends at 10 o’clock later. I’m going to work hard until then.”

……The company’s future is bright because there are people like this. Ji-heon’s future is dark, though.

Ji-heon’s vision blurred.

10 PM… So, I have to be held captive by these young people until 10 PM?

Today is Christmas Eve!

I have a family. My daughter must be eagerly waiting for her dad.

Taking advantage of a break when the interns were eating snacks, Ji-heon briefly left the conference room and contacted Jeong-oh. It was 7 PM.

“What are you doing?”

[Playing with Yena. Her dad’s not here, so we can’t go anywhere and we’re just playing at home. It’s a very cozy Christmas Eve.]

Ji-heon’s heart felt like it was tearing at Jeong-oh’s answer. Tears welled up slightly.

“I’m sorry.”

[No, it’s just how our job is.]

“Still, if Yena told me to come right now, I’d go right away.”

[Hey, what are you saying? Are you going to pawn the work off on the interns? You can’t do that.]

“It’s not about pawning it off on the interns, I can take it home and do it there.”

[You can’t do that! You have to keep incorporating the employees’ opinions. The interns are giving up their precious time for you.]

But, strangely, Jeong-oh’s voice didn’t sound sad at all.

No, it felt like she was encouraging Ji-heon’s overtime.

“Isn’t Yena very sad that I’m not there?”

[No. Not at all. She’s been laughing and playing the whole time.]

Yena’s laughter could be heard faintly. The child was really laughing and playing.

Why, why, why. Why is it that she’s okay even when I’m not there?

[I’m here, so you finish what you’re doing and come home. You have to finish your work so that other people can do the follow-up work.]

“…….”

[It’s okay. Christmas isn’t Yena’s birthday, it’s Jesus’s birthday, so it’s understandable. Our kind Yena will understand.]

Ughhhhh. I’m going crazy!