Secretary Gwanggong's Survival Diary-Chapter 90

I knew he was an easygoing guy. Despite several incidents, when Yoon Taeo’s rut cycle was disrupted, that bastard had sneakily slipped into the villa, resting calmly and sleeping well—no need to say more. But now, things were different again.

“Baek Sieon.”

Yoon Taeo couldn’t understand. After dropping bombshell words on him, how could he sleep so peacefully...?

Indeed, Baek Sieon’s room was shrouded in pitch darkness. If Taeo hadn’t quickly confirmed the figure lying on the bed, he might have thought he had run away. But he hadn’t escaped, and before relief could even settle, Taeo’s annoyance swelled seeing Baek Sieon so comfortably asleep. How could he be asleep now?

“Haah...”

The steady breathing and the rise and fall of his chest showed he wasn’t pretending. Taeo briefly thought of waking him but decided against it. Instead, he sat by the bed and gently brushed the sleeping face. Perhaps it was better for the situation to end peacefully like this. This too was an “uncomfortable” relief for Taeo.

“Sleep well.”

After long brushing Baek Sieon’s face, Taeo left the room.

❖ ❖ ❖

“What is this?”

Yoon Taeo felt uneasy all morning. He couldn’t pinpoint it but something subtly irritated him. It was an ordinary morning: he woke up, prepared for work, hosted morning meetings, and started his duties. Of course, Baek Sieon was there with him. On the surface, everything looked normal, but something was off. And now, the cause of that discomfort lay before Taeo.

“This is a resignation letter.”

His expression was very calm. As if delivering a routine business report. Quite different from the irrational nonsense about quitting yesterday—a rational attitude altogether.

After Baek Sieon’s clothes had been burned, he no longer wore cheap suits. Though not expensive, he dressed neatly in clothes befitting his worth. In his hand was a tablet, like an extension of himself.

“Resignation letter? Who?”

“Obviously... me, sir.”

Yoon Taeo didn’t even consider opening the envelope before him. It was his first time receiving a resignation letter in his life. Usually processed digitally, no one would bother hand-delivering one. Leaving aside that fact, resignation?

“So, does this mean Baek Sieon is quitting Secretary Kim’s job?”

“...The wording is strange, but yes. I am quitting.”

“Ha.”

Understanding the situation, Taeo let out a bitter laugh. Ridiculous talk. It could never be sincere.

Tapping his desk lightly with his finger, Taeo searched for reasons.

Judging by Baek Sieon’s usual patterns, this had to be a premeditated move. He guessed it was a trick born from fear of consequences after last night’s insubordination—a scheme to avoid punishment.

“Fine. I’ll consider it carefully.”

Taeo’s plan had been to quietly accept it with just a simple apology... No, he now wanted to see those words come from Baek Sieon’s mouth properly.

“Yes, I will find a new secretary through the chief secretary. I have plans for lunch with Choi Hyunjin, so I’ll let you know before you leave.”

But strangely, Baek Sieon responded quite differently from what Taeo expected. Couldn’t have anticipated this situation...? Before Taeo could reply, Baek Sieon finished what he wanted to say and left the office.

“...What is this?”

Could it be... Baek Sieon wasn’t just babbling out of fear? Taeo’s mind was in turmoil.

“Raise his salary.”

“...Excuse me?”

While heading to lunch, Taeo’s voice filled the car.

“I mean, give Secretary Kim a raise. Double what he’s getting now.”

He thought a lot about what Baek Sieon might want. As the only one doing much work among incompetent secretaries, it could be dissatisfaction. Doing a lot without enough reward naturally breeds resentment.

“Our company rules state that employees who are not executives must be paid according to the salary table.”

“Change the rules.”

“That’s fine. It’s enough as is.”

But the man sitting in front flatly refused this too.

“...Does he dislike managing the residence? Then we could transfer him to company work.”

“No, it’s the job he originally did, so managing the residence is fine. No need to worry.”

...Was he prepared? Baek Sieon responded promptly as if anticipating Taeo’s words. Polite and courteous, with no hint of sarcasm or dissatisfaction.

“We’ve arrived. I have to pick up Choi Hyunjin’s younger sibling, so the second secretary team leader will accompany you for the rest of the schedule, sir.”

“Why does Secretary Kim do even that?”

“...Managing people around us is part of secretary duties. Enjoy your meal.”

Baek Sieon personally opened the car door and greeted Taeo as he got out, then walked away. Watching him, Taeo felt a vague displeasure he couldn’t quite explain.

“Sir, is Chief Baek resigning...?”

“How do you know?”

As he watched Baek Sieon’s retreating back, Kang Seokho cautiously asked.

“I heard it from the company gossip—they say it’s true...”

“Ha.”

Taeo thought Baek Sieon was only scheming with him. He thought the resignation was a complaint aimed at getting something he wanted, not a real intent to quit. But hearing it spread to others confused him. It wasn’t a complaint, nor about salary or work assignments...

Yoon Taeo simply couldn’t keep up with Baek Sieon’s mind, which seemed several steps ahead of his own.

❖ ❖ ❖

Dinner will be at home today.

Taeo hesitated while about to send a message. If he said he’d eat at home, he’d have to cook again. He didn’t know the reason, but it was obvious Baek Sieon would dislike being given more work when he wanted to quit.

“Do I have to watch my secretary’s moods too?”

Though slightly displeased, Taeo didn’t want to add unnecessary work. First, he needed to understand why Baek Sieon was like this. It seemed better to ask directly. He had spent the afternoon trying to find the answer but couldn’t grasp his thoughts at all.

Let’s eat dinner together.

After revising and sending the message, a reply came soon after.

Sorry. I already ate. I’ll prepare a place for you.

“This is maddening. He says he ate dinner at five.”

Did he really fill his stomach so early? Taeo didn’t know, and didn’t want to know. That message alone exploded all the irritation he’d been holding today. He couldn’t accept being rejected like that by Baek Sieon. Even if he had eaten, eating one more time wouldn’t hurt.

“Get the chief secretary in here.”

Overall work management was now back to the chief secretary. Though they’d worked together for a long time, recently it had been uncomfortable—completely unlike when Baek Sieon was around.

“Have you called him, sir?”

“How is the secretary team managed? What time is it, and the schedule updates for tomorrow aren’t in yet? What do you mean by ‘rush and get work done’? What is this?”

“...Sorry.”

“Fire whoever is responsible.”

“Yes, I’ll handle it.”

“And who the hell is making the coffee? It’s undrinkable. Fire them too.”

Every time Taeo opened his mouth, the chief secretary’s smile vanished. It felt nitpicky, but it wasn’t. Taeo had recently become quite lenient, but his nature was like this. No small mistake went unmentioned. The real him had returned after a long time. Many mistakes were pointed out after. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

“If there’s no one else, call Secretary Baek. He’d be better than these bastards.”

“I will do so.”

Taeo had to give a rational reason to call Baek Sieon, who wasn’t the chief secretary’s man. It wasn’t difficult. Everyone made mistakes, and stacking them up to explode ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) was enough. If he insisted on having Baek Sieon beside him without any prior move, it might raise suspicion. Luckily, the chief secretary seemed to follow Taeo’s orders without question this time.

“Call the head of security on your way out.”

Though Baek Sieon preferred managing the residence, Taeo thought otherwise. He looked better working at the company, with more energy. The other employees’ dislike also played a role. Baek Sieon wasn’t flawless but was the most satisfactory secretary Taeo had experienced. Quite perceptive, and above all... Taeo felt he needed to have the guy right in front of him.

Not long after the chief secretary left, a large figure rushed into the office.

“Yes, sir.”

“Go get Baek Sieon.”

“Chief Baek?”

“Yes.”

“Haah, what mistake has that bastard made now...”

He had. Having dinner alone, no less. Even if the story was a lie, it was unforgivable. But Taeo couldn’t bring himself to say it or explain why.

Kang Seokho read the serious mood. Taeo was usually cold, but today was worse. Remembering the chief secretary’s frowning face earlier, he assumed Baek Sieon had made a big mistake.

“Should I drag him to the warehouse where we work?”

“Drag him...? Are you crazy?”

“Yes?”

“Carefully, no injuries, bring him to ‘Alila.’”

‘Alila’ was a restaurant in Hannam-dong, but why...? Taeo didn’t understand the order to bring him there carefully, without injury.

Unable to figure out the intent, Kang Seokho gave up and saved Taeo’s command in his mind. Baek Sieon, carefully, no injuries, Alila.

“I thought he already ate dinner.”

“...I ate reluctantly.”

The claim that he ate dinner was a lie after all. Look at a man who alone ate food meant for three adult men. Baek Sieon finished his meal thoroughly despite pretending indifference.

“I said that because it looked good, don’t sulk.”

“...Why would I sulk?”

That was a relief. Had he not eaten properly and been sulky, Taeo would have been more irritated. Thanks to the meal—or Baek Sieon eating well—the atmosphere seemed much lighter. The stress from work also lessened accordingly.

“From tomorrow, have him come to the office. Don’t worry about the residence.”

“Ah... yes. I’ve been informed.”

“I’ll raise his salary as promised.”

“If that’s your will, I’ll gratefully accept.”

Baek Sieon nodded lightly with a faint smile when told he’d keep regular hours and be assigned backup secretaries. Taeo discreetly covered his slightly upturned mouth with a wine glass. The wine’s scent was especially sweet in his mouth.

That’s right. In the end, it was a matter of improving the work environment and money. Baek Sieon’s quitting tantrum barely lasted a day.

“Shall we head home now?”

“Just a moment, sir.”

As Taeo stood, Baek Sieon approached. He touched Taeo’s collar, saying, ‘Your tie is crooked.’ Taeo took it as a sign the mood had fully eased. He didn’t know why Baek Sieon had sulked, but he must have gotten over it. Even the little head looked cute, so Taeo reached out and tousled his hair. Why did such a trivial thing bother him?

Just when Taeo thought it was over...

“Won’t you get in?”

Baek Sieon didn’t get into the car waiting in front of the restaurant. Taeo, already seated, looked out puzzled, and Baek Sieon smiled gently before speaking.

“Since I’m quitting, I’ll start living at my place today. Take care getting home.”

With a click, the car door shut. Then Taeo realized something had snapped between him and Baek Sieon.