The Country Life Diary of a Gangster's Secretary-Chapter 113

"But it’s a bit of a stretch to say you’re just a salaried man. And you being here... well, doesn’t that mean you have quite a few grievances?"

The calm smile on Jung Se-jin’s face sent a chill down Choi’s spine. Choi had heard a lot about Jung Se-jin, who was being touted as the next president of Daehyun, but this was his first time meeting him in person. What he saw in front of him was very different from the image portrayed in the media.

When Daehyun contacted Choi after the meeting, he knew it wasn’t just for social reasons. However, he didn’t expect Jung Se-jin to reveal his true intentions so quickly.

"I’m just here to listen. But if you’re uncomfortable talking about this, I’ll stop," Jung Se-jin offered, pouring a drink into Choi’s glass. The sound of the clear liquor filling the glass resonated in the quiet room. Choi looked at the filled glass, then back at Jung.

"How could I refuse when you’ve invited me so directly? I think sharing what’s inside is the only way to resolve it," Choi said, raising his glass.

"I think we can have a good conversation, Mr. Choi," Jung Se-jin replied as their glasses clinked together. The sound was soothing, almost ominous.

For a few days, Hyesung really felt the importance of his back. If your back isn’t functioning properly, it can significantly impact your daily life.

After being "harassed" by Lee Hyuk a few days ago, Hyesung had to lie down for an entire day. He needed to work in the fields, but his body refused to move, forcing him to take a break.

Moreover, today he had an appointment in Seoul. He wasn’t sure if his body was up for it, but fortunately, he was feeling much better than he had after that intense night.

As he undressed to shower, Hyesung glanced at his reflection in the bathroom mirror. Red marks were scattered across his body.

They were all left by Lee Hyuk. Through their relationship, Hyesung learned something new: Lee Hyuk had a habit of biting. Once, Lee Hyuk had tried to leave a mark on his neck that couldn’t be covered by clothes, and Hyesung had barely managed to stop him.

Even though he had scolded Lee Hyuk not to do it, the marks remained.

"The comet is too white," Lee Hyuk had said, referring to Hyesung’s pale skin, which made the marks stand out even more. Though Hyesung didn’t understand it at first, the marks didn’t seem so bad. After all, they were marks left by Lee Hyuk, and in a way, they felt special.

"What am I thinking about this early in the morning?" Hyesung muttered to himself as he hurried into the shower. After washing up, he quickly prepared breakfast and got ready to head out.

After a long bus ride to Seoul, Hyesung arrived at a café in downtown Gangnam. It was lunchtime on a weekday, so the streets were filled with office workers out to eat, their employee ID cards hanging from their necks.

Hyesung ordered a coffee and sat by the window, watching the office workers pass by, each with a coffee cup in hand. There was a time when he was just like them.

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Maybe they envied him for being free to work in the fields, while they were tied to their office jobs. When Hyesung used to wear his own employee ID card, he envied those who seemed free from such constraints.

However, the view from this side of the window, now that he had achieved that "freedom," wasn’t as sweet as he had imagined.

"Comet!" a loud voice called out from a distance, breaking Hyesung’s contemplative mood.

"I missed you! Comet!" Park Do-hyun greeted him enthusiastically.

"It’s a public place, so be quiet," Hyesung admonished, smiling as Do-hyun sat across from him. It had been a month since Hyesung had last seen Do-hyun, and as always, he was as energetic and loud as ever.

"Why didn’t you answer my calls a few days ago? I thought you had blocked me," Do-hyun complained.

"Oh, I just had a few things to take care of."

"Still, we’re best friends! You can’t just ignore your friend’s texts like that," Do-hyun teased.

"That’s why I’m here. I came all the way to Seoul to help you prepare for your interview," Hyesung replied.

The purpose of today’s meeting wasn’t just to catch up with his best friend but also to help Do-hyun prepare for his upcoming interview.

Do-hyun had applied for a job at a financial company and passed the initial paperwork screening. But that was just the first step—he still had several interviews to go through.

"As long as I have your advice, I’m sure I’ll pass," Do-hyun said confidently.

"Don’t overdo it. You still need to do well to pass," Hyesung replied, ever the realist.

"The comet is always so cold…" Do-hyun sighed dramatically.

Ignoring the theatrics, Hyesung grabbed the laptop Do-hyun had brought and got straight to the point. Helping others prepare for interviews was something Hyesung was accustomed to. Ever since college, he had helped seniors and juniors in his department and clubs with their interviews.

Hyesung had a keen sense of analysis and could speak directly without sugarcoating anything. His ability to identify weaknesses and strengths had made him quite famous in his circles.

Rumors even circulated that all the students who received interview mentoring from Hyesung ended up getting internships, making his advice legendary.

"I think it’s best to leave this sentence out," Hyesung said, drawing a red line through the text on the screen. "Oh, and I’ve been looking through some reviews of the company’s interviews. They say the pressure interviews are pretty intense."

"Really?" Do-hyun asked, a bit nervous.

"Yeah. You’re good at speaking and have strong vocalization, but you have a habit of getting flustered when asked unexpected questions. Be careful not to get intimidated," Hyesung warned.

"I hate pressure interviews…" Do-hyun whined, slumping onto the table.

"We’re not done yet. Sit up straight. If you look at your expected responses, there’s a lot of unnecessary rhetoric. You need to be as concise and to the point as possible, so the interviewer doesn’t get tired. Let’s go over it again," Hyesung instructed, mercilessly marking up Do-hyun’s notes.

Do-hyun continued to lie there, turning his head to stare at Hyesung.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" Hyesung asked, feeling self-conscious.

"It’s just… you shine when you’re working," Do-hyun replied.

"What are you talking about? Are you trying to change the subject because you don’t want to do the work?" Hyesung accused.

"No, no! That’s not it!" Do-hyun quickly corrected himself, sitting up straight. "It’s just that you seem so comfortable now. You look more alive than when you were working at Taesung."

Hyesung was taken aback by Do-hyun’s unexpected observation.

"Of course, I’m out of town most of the time, and I only see you occasionally, but that’s how I feel. You seemed more alive back then," Do-hyun added.

"What are you saying? So, am I dead now?" Hyesung joked.

"It’s a metaphor, comet," Do-hyun said with a laugh as he got up to go to the bathroom. As he walked away, Hyesung called after him, telling him not to run off.

Left alone, Hyesung pondered what Do-hyun had said. Suddenly, his phone vibrated on the table.

[Uncle]

Hyesung’s face brightened as he answered.

"Yes?"

"Are you meeting with Park Do-hyun?" Lee Hyuk’s voice came through the line.

"Yes, I’m helping him prepare for an interview at a café," Hyesung replied. Hearing Lee Hyuk’s voice was always a pleasure, but now, he didn’t have to hide his feelings. His fingertips tingled with happiness.

"Have you had lunch?" Lee Hyuk asked.

"I had some cake at the café," Hyesung admitted.

"Cake? That’s not a proper meal. Take better care of yourself," Lee Hyuk scolded lightly.

"Did you eat?" Hyesung asked.

"Mm. Make sure Park Do-hyun eats well while you’re helping him," Lee Hyuk said.

Hyesung laughed at Lee Hyuk’s words.

"Comet," Lee Hyuk said suddenly, his voice dropping.

"What?"

"Aren’t you in public right now?"

"Yes, why?"

"Then what are you doing laughing like that? Don’t laugh like that around anyone else," Lee Hyuk warned, his voice serious.

"No… what are you talking about?"

"I told you. You look your best when you cry and when you laugh, so don’t let anyone else see that," Lee Hyuk said, his tone full of sincerity.

"Ugh, I’m hanging up!" Hyesung said quickly, not having the confidence to keep listening to such embarrassing words. He ended the call and breathed a sigh of relief. That’s when he noticed Do-hyun standing nearby, looking shocked.

"Comet…" Do-hyun said, his mouth slightly open, clearly having overheard the conversation.