Mun Ugyeong.
He was a renowned powerhouse who had achieved significant results at TS Electronics' marketing team and risen through the ranks at breakneck speed, and the man who had also participated as an interviewer when Saebom had her interview.
Even during the interview, Ugyeong had not asked Saebom a single question.
He had simply watched silently as she answered the other interviewers' questions.
The point of contact between such an Ugyeong and Saebom had occurred today, just a few hours ago.
It was when Saebom, who had gone to TS Electronics' HR team and caused a commotion, couldn't leave the front of the company building due to the crushing emptiness and helplessness flooding over her, and was blankly staring up at the sky. Ugyeong approached her without any warning.
"Take this."
Without so much as a greeting or introduction—he held out a black business card, not a speck of dust on it.
"In six months, a new TF team that I will lead is scheduled to be established."
Ugyeong stated his purpose for approaching Saebom bluntly and directly. Though his tone was polite, there was something slightly arrogant about his attitude.
A special task force team for the brand launch planned as TS Electronics' premium line was scheduled to be established in six months. The man proposed that Saebom join that team as a short-term contract employee.
"The personnel to be drafted from each team have already been decided, but if Jin Saebom wishes, I'm thinking of making one more seat."
Perhaps because he had a tight schedule, he looked down at the watch on his wrist and continued the rest of his explanation.
"And once the project is wrapped up, I'll recommend Jin Saebom for a permanent position in Marketing Team 1, where I am."
Of course, that was on the condition that she produced good results before then—
The man's added voice was buried by the small noises around them.
The reason he didn't clearly state that part to her was because he was confident she would succeed anyway.
"Of course, nothing will be overturned like what happened today."
Ugyeong spoke as if he already knew about the unreasonable treatment Saebom had received. Only after she took the business card as if bewitched did Ugyeong meet Saebom's eyes again, as if he had been waiting for that.
"Contact me if you're interested."
That marked the end of their brief conversation.
"But isn't it a little strange?"
"What is?"
"Why did he go out of his way to give me a chance?"
"Didn't you say Team Leader Mun was there during the interview? He must have taken a liking to you then."
Seeing Saebom's expression, which had been deep in thought, suddenly turn serious, Iseo smacked her back with a sharp slap.
"Hey! You're not thinking weird thoughts again, are you?"
"...What do you mean?"
"You know, whenever anyone is even a little nice to you, you always start by suspecting their motives."
Whenever someone showed her kindness, Saebom had a habit of first doubting their true intentions.
Even when good things happened, she would unconsciously carry negative thoughts along with them, worrying about things she didn't need to.
"It's fine to be moderately careful and moderately wary, but you sometimes take it too far. How many potential boyfriends have you missed because of that?"
"Hey, why are you bringing that up here?"
"Because you're always digging holes for yourself. Team Leader Mun isn't the type to pick someone for his team based on mere favoritism or goodwill. So stop borrowing needless worries and focus on working hard to get into Team 1."
She couldn't completely shake off the uneasy feeling, but Iseo wasn't wrong either.
Ugyeong was someone whose face she had only properly seen during the interview. What reason could he have for making such an offer to her with other intentions?
Saebom nodded and took out the business card Ugyeong had given her again.
The reason she had put TS Electronics as her top choice when preparing for employment was after watching a lecture Ugyeong had given.
It was a chance to work under that very Mun Ugyeong. So, as Iseo said, this could be a blessing in disguise. The problem was......
'How am I going to get through the next six months.'
To join the TF team Ugyeong had proposed, she had to wait another six months.
It would have been nice to think of it as a refresh after working hard all this time and take a break, but the problem was that about four months ago, Saebom had purchased an apartment on the outskirts of Seoul.
She had poured all the money she had saved since starting her career and the severance pay from her interim settlement into it, and still had to take out a bank loan for the remaining amount.
It had felt like a stretch, but she had been able to go through with it because she had a stable job back then. She had thought she just needed to endure a few years of hardship and tighten her belt. But now that she was unemployed, the weight of that debt felt completely different.
'If I had known this would happen, I would have postponed buying the house.'
The only lump sum of money Saebom had on hand right now was five million won. If she considered the car insurance payment due next month, the loan interest, and the living expenses she needed right away, she couldn't last even three months with the money she currently had.
'It's not like there's a six-month short-term position available in marketing.'
She needed to find a part-time job she could start right away. Saebom's worries were deepening when—
"Ppom, look at this. It's insane."
Iseo fussed noisily and repeatedly tapped Saebom's arm.
"What?"
"I posted a photo on Instagram an hour ago saying I was on a date with you. I said I was comforting my baby who took a huge hit because of the parachute hire, and asked if anyone could introduce a good short-term part-time job......"
Iseo trailed off and held her phone out in front of Saebom.
On the screen was a message from Gijun, a college classmate of the two.
["This hyung I know is looking for someone to work a six-month short-term gig. There are some tricky aspects, but the pay is high for the work. Tell Saebom about it, and if she's interested, have her contact me."]
A hole had opened up in the collapsed sky.
* * *
A week later.
Through Gijun's introduction, Saebom found the offices of 'Surim Publishing.' Surim, which held numerous bestsellers, was so famous that one would recognize the name upon hearing it, and it was also a fairly large-scale publisher.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Jang Hyeongu, CEO of Surim."
"I'm Jin Saebom."
"Please, have a seat here."
After offering her a seat, Hyeongu headed toward a home bar set up on one side of the CEO's office.
When she had entered under a staff member's guidance, the home bar was the first thing to captivate Saebom's gaze. It looked like a lot of effort had been put into it, giving off an atmosphere as if she had walked into a café.
"Is coffee okay?"
"Yes."
"I tend to run hot, so I keep the air conditioning on high. The office might be a bit cold. Shall I make you something warm?"
Saebom had been thinking that the office temperature was rather chilly, so she nodded.
"Yes. A warm one, please."
Saebom watched Hyeongu subtly as he prepared the drinks. The humming of a little tune gave a hint of the man's cheerful personality.
'But the CEO himself is conducting the interview to hire a short-term part-time worker at such a big publishing company?'
Because it was an introduction from someone trustworthy, she had agreed readily without hesitation, but starting from the fact that he had revealed so little information, it felt like a strange interview in many ways.
"Drink up."
Hyeongu returned to his seat and placed two pretty mugs on the table.
'Latte art?'
In Saebom's mug was a swan, and in Hyeongu's mug was an elaborately shaped leaf.
"It's a hobby."
Hyeongu answered a question she hadn't even asked. Saebom offered a slightly awkward smile and took a sip of the coffee.
'It's delicious.'
She had thought his latte art skills were top-notch, but it tasted even better than coffee sold at most coffee shops.
"I've checked the resume you sent."
Hyeongu got straight to the point. Saebom set down her mug and straightened her posture, focusing on their conversation.
"You must have heard from Gijun beforehand, but honestly, receiving your resume was just a formality. We're not looking to hire someone with impressive specs right now."
TOEIC scores, certifications, even Saebom's work experience—none of it carried much weight in this interview.
Hyeongu said he was looking for someone diligent and trustworthy. He added that was precisely why they were seeking someone through a trusted acquaintance's introduction rather than posting a public job opening.
"Gijun and I have known each other for about ten years."
He mentioned a few of the strengths Gijun had described about Saebom. Saebom listened attentively to Hyeongu, though she offered a faint, slightly awkward smile at hearing praise spoken directly to her face.
"Since there are parts Gijun couldn't explain to you directly, I assume he only gave you a brief summary of the duties. Is that right?"
"Yes."
At Saebom's answer, Hyeongu nodded and offered her coffee again, suggesting they talk over drinks, then turned his gaze toward the window. He seemed to be organizing his thoughts on what to explain first.
The heavy silence that had settled when the conversation broke off was shattered when they had emptied their mugs about halfway. Hyeongu spoke an unexpected name.
"Do you happen to know Author Haegang?"