Brain-work is a one way connection Chapter 4

 

It was difficult to prepare to become a member of society after living a wonderful life of unemployment.

My mom nagging at me about how not just anyone can get a job at Silla Electronics, strained my mind as well.

"I said, I’ll take care of it!"

"Take care of what? Says the person who has only managed to save 1,400 won¹!"

¹Equals to about 1 dollar.

While it felt harder than a butterfly emerging from a cocoon, the materials Baek Professor’s son used were extremely helpful.

The documents from this person, whose face and name I didn’t even know, were organized to the point of seeming obsessive.

"Your son has really neat handwriting."

"My youngest son has been strong since birth, so I had him learn calligraphy for a long time.”

His handwriting was also like that of a robot’s.

Though his handwriting might be robotic, my brain certainly wasn’t, and so I endured many difficult days.

It was so tough that it seemed like a better option to retake the college entrance exam. Despite being a private company, they had aptitude tests and personality assessments that rivaled those of public enterprises… And even after passing the document screening, there was no time to relax. Just attending the four different interview study groups left me feeling exhausted.

I collapsed onto the bed and thought of Baek Eun-soo. He who managed to work and still exercise every morning. He must either have blue blood like my mom, or be part robot like Baek Professor’s son. The truth is, I still had lingering feelings for Baek Eun-soo.

He was indeed the ideal man. From his black hair to his leather shoes, including his member, everything was perfect.

Fortunately, I received the news of my final acceptance, before I got drunk and messaged Baek Eun-soo how he had been doing.

After overcoming trials and tribulations, I secured my shiny employee ID and was even assigned to the department I wanted.

Excited, I sent a thank-you message to Professor Baek’s son, whichever department he might be in.

‘Thanks to the obsessively organized materials you provided, I think I passed. Thank you. Have an invigorating day.’

Then I energetically greeted the team members I met for the first time. At least, I tried to. Because first impressions are important.

"Hello, I’m Han Yui! Starting today, I’ll be part of the Research and Development Team 2..."

But what if among them was someone with whom I had already had an embarrassing encounter?

"Mr. Baek Eun-soo!"

I wasn’t sure how I manged to sit through the new employee training. Closing my notebook, which was full of scribbles, I hurriedly grabbed Baeu Eun-soo’s sleeve.

“Please be mindful of the titles, as we are still in the company.”

Company. So the underground parking lot is also part of the company. Yes, I know it is.

The way he brusquely brushed off my hand was quite rude. But that wasn't the issue right now.

"Alright, Team Leader Baek Eun-soo."

"Yes?"

"Did you hire me based on appearances?"

"What?"

Baek Eun-soo’s face was filled with bewilderment. Though I’m the one who should be bewildered.

I worked hard to get this job. But the thought that it might not be solely the result of my efforts made me angry.

"You know who I am. Did you hire me because of our acquaintance?"

"Oh, that appearance."

"Yes, my appearance!"

What other appearance could it be?

"Are you asking if I hired you through connections?"

I was ready to submit my resignation, depending on his answer. Seeing my resolute expression, Baek Eun-soo sighed deeply and spoke.

"Connections is a term usually used between people who have established relationships, aren’t they? "

"What?"

“Han Yue and I–didn’t we only briefly meet during a meal?”

"What does that..."

"It means our relationship isn't deep enough for me to hire you based on connections."

I was ready to argue with everything, but hearing him out, everything he said made sense. In fact, it seemed he was the one arguing, if anything. I nodded unconsciously and then snapped out of it.

"Th-then, you’re saying it's not?"

"Yes. From the beginning, the hiring process was handled by HR, and the department assignment was done blindly."

"Blindly..."

"I’m saying I didn’t know your name, gender, or academic background when I answered the assignment survey."

"I mean, I know what 'blind' means..."

Facing Baek Eun-soo again after several months, even in the dark and musty underground parking lot, his good looks remained unchanged.

He silently waited for my reaction and then checked his metal watch on his wrist.

"If you’re done, I’ll be going. See you tomorrow."

I snapped out of it only after hearing his footsteps and the sound of his car door opening.

Just like before, whenever I faced Baek Eun-soo, I found myself mesmerized by his face, slowing down my reaction speed.

"I’m sorry!"

My apology echoed loudly in the parking lot. The headlights of the white Range Rover, which seemed to hint at the standards of Baek Eun-soo, blinked lightly as if telling me to move aside.

Watching the car drive away, I slipped the resignation letter I had clutched to my chest, back into my bag.

 

***

 

Contrary to my worries, Baek Eun-soo was not the type to let personal matters affect his professional demeanor.

"Hello~"

"Good morning."

Having adapted to that chatgpt-like rigid greetings, I started to peel away my misconceptions about him.

Baek Eun-soo might not be the kind of husband who checks for dust and scolds his wife, as I imagined in my narrow-minded fantasies.

Though he diligently maintained the angles and shine of his desk every morning, he didn't impose this on his team members.

Even when I urgently left my monitor on while going to the restroom, he only gave a polite reminder.

'Perhaps it wouldn’t have been so bad even if I had married him.'

By the time these lingering doubts surfaced, I had dispelled all my misunderstandings about Baek Eun-soo, which were mostly born from my own fantasies. I even found myself considering marrying him, obsessive compulsiveness and all.

In my mind, we were already married and living in our new home.

With 77% of human perception relying on sight, it was inevitable. He was just too perfect.

Wanting to start afresh and forget past mistakes, I hovered around Baek Eun-soo. Getting up early to follow him to the company gym,–if that wasn’t the start of love, what was?

Pretending to exercise, I diligently ogled his back muscles, even worrying about what would happen if this turned into an office romance.

But it didn’t last long.

"Redo it."

An office romance? Yeah, right.

"Pardon?"

"Didn’t you hear me? Redo it with a lower budget."

There was no romance. Only the gray, worn-out daily life of a tired office worker awaited me.

My life was not an R-rated romance novel but a wholesome office drama rated for all audiences.

"But, how do I lower it from here?"

"So are you suggesting giving a refrigerator as a corporate event prize?"

"Why not?"

Nothing was easy. And Baek Eun-soo was greatly contributing to this difficult daily life.

No, wait. I need to be careful with titles. As someone said, this is the workplace. It’s not Baek Eun-soo, but Team Leader Baek Eun-soo.

"Redo it."

Actually? You're just Baek Eun-soo.

As if finishing orientation training and adapting to practical work weren’t exhausting enough, my life became even harder when I was assigned to plan company events, a task typically given to the youngest member of each team. 

It was so hard that I couldn’t even indulge in my morning eye candy sessions at the company gym. To be more specific, I hadn’t masturbated in two weeks. The dark circles under my eyes deepened by the day.

"Assistant Manager Nam, what were the prizes when you were a newbie?"

"Paper certificates. Things have improved a lot."

"I want to quit."

"I’ll go first."

A nice workplace where colleagues support each other. We joked about listing the prizes as gold, silver, and bronze statues, but then decided to stop messing around and lowered the estimated budget.

"The prize is... a washer-dryer tower."

"Yes."

"Do you think that’s possible?"

"Yes."

" 250,000 won? For third place at that?"

"Is it not possible?"

Assistant Manager Nam shut his eyes tightly.

"Lower the budget to within 300,000 won and redo it."

It took less than a week for Team Leader Baek to become the infamous old-fashioned “Byuk Team Leader”.

"...So what’s the prize for first place? A house in Gangnam?"

"Newlywed appliances."

"Redo it."

He’s a rejecter. Not a companion, but a rejecter¹. It rolls off the tongue better than “fiance”.

¹Play with the word 반려 which can mean both companion and partner, or return, sending back.

When will I get to leave on time and spend quality time with my Penis Johnson?

Although it was past 7 PM, the plan was nowhere near completion, nor could I think of suitable prizes within 300,000 won. I work day and night and can’t even give away a washer-dryer tower!

Taking a break, I went to the third-floor café to get some coffee. An iced Americano filled with ice. And then, of all the employees, I ran into Baek Eun-soo in the elevator.

He was holding a strawberry cookie frappuccino, which didn’t match his appearance at all.

"...Get in."

"Yes."

The elevator ascended to the 27th floor in silence. It was so quiet that I considered starting a conversation but ended up just swallowing nervously. It was better than making a fool of myself.

If I joked around, Baek Eun-soo would definitely insist on following protocol and report me to HR.

My performance review would be ruined, and I’d struggle with 300,000 won prizes and endless complaints until Assistant Manager Nam becomes a manager and then a senior manager...

"Oh, what the..."

The slowly ascending elevator suddenly stopped. At the same time, the power went out, plunging us into darkness.

Naturally, both Baek Eun-soo and I instinctively reached for the only source of light, the emergency button.

“Ouch!"

The moment our fingers touched, a visible spark flew, creating a strikingly bright, blue-tinged white light between us.

It was more than just static electricity; the air felt incredibly dry, making the shock quite painful.

A dull thud mingled with the clinking of ice cubes. It seemed Baek Eun-soo dropped his drink.

"Team Leader, are you okay?"

No answer came, only the faint scent of something sweet wafted through the air. Worried he might have fallen, I reached out in the dark, feeling around until my hand landed on something soft.