Chapter 99: Oh! This Is Driving Me Crazy—I Could Climb the Walls!

I had only intended to introduce President Yoon Sehwa to my family before saying goodbye.

However, she clearly had no intention of letting us leave and invited us for coffee instead.

Feeling awkward, I tried to decline politely, but she insisted. In the end, we had no choice but to follow her to the President's office at Hangang Department Store.

After taking a sip of coffee, she set her cup down and spoke warmly to my mother.

"It seems Senior Specialist Cha and Miss Cha Hyeonji inherited their excellent genes from you, Mrs. Sun Jisuk."

"Oh my, hearing something like that makes me feel embarrassed. Jiham's father was a truly handsome and imposing man."

"Oh... So Senior Specialist Cha's father has already passed away?"

"Yes. Jiham's father was a soldier. Twenty-one years ago, he died in an accident during an operation."

"How tragic..." Yoon Sehwa sighed sympathetically.

"Oh dear, I shouldn't have brought that up here. Please forgive me."

"Not at all. I was the one who asked, so I should be apologizing."

"It's alright. But... to be honest, I'm very curious, President Yoon. How exactly did you come to know our Jiham?"

"Last winter I spoke with Chairman Park Yeongil over the phone. He mentioned someone he had his eye on. He told me there would be an internship interview at Hangang Group a few days later and asked me to choose a proper suit for Senior Specialist Cha. That was when Cha Jiham and I first met."

"I see. President Yoon, are you close with Chairman Park?"

"Very much so. He's been friends with my father for seventy years, so I'd certainly say we're close."

"I can't believe..."

As though she had suddenly realized something, Mrs. Sun Jisuk hesitated without finishing her sentence.

Reading her thoughts immediately, Yoon Sehwa continued,

"Yes, Mrs. Sun. Your guess is absolutely correct."

"My goodness! It's an incredible honor for us to meet someone so remarkable."

"Oh, not at all. I'm only sitting in this chair because of my father's reputation."

"You're far too modest. We've already taken up enough of your valuable time, and I'm sure you're busy. We should be going."

"Please wait just a moment."

Yoon Sehwa made a brief call using the internal phone before hanging up.

A short while later, after a knock on the door, a woman who looked to be in her forties entered the office.

"President Yoon, you called for me?"

"Manager Choi, these are our very important guests. Please help them choose the clothing that suits them best."

"Certainly. Esteemed guests, please follow me."

However, I was unable to stand because Yoon Sehwa stopped me.

"Senior Specialist Cha, why don't you stay and chat with me while they're shopping?"

I knew perfectly well how women behaved while shopping. There was absolutely no reason for me to refuse the President's suggestion.

"I think that would indeed be better."

"Ho-ho-ho. A wise decision."

While Yoon Sehwa chuckled softly, the manager led my mother and Cha Hyeonji away.

Realizing this was finally my opportunity, I spoke.

"I actually intended to buy my mother some beautiful clothes. But she absolutely refuses..."

I briefly explained the argument I'd been having with Mom before making my request.

"...I'll personally pay for whichever clothes she likes. Please ask the manager to have her try on as many different outfits as possible."

Yoon Sehwa picked up the internal phone again. This time she gave someone lengthy and detailed instructions before hanging up.

"Senior Specialist Cha, you heard my conversation with the manager, didn't you?"

"Yes, President Yoon. I'm sincerely grateful for your kindness."

"No, I'm the one who should be thanking you."

"I'm afraid I don't quite understand what you mean..." I deliberately stalled, trying to figure out what Yoon Sehwa was really after.

"Well, you're buying clothes for your mother. That means our department store's sales are increasing."

"Haha, you're right. That completely slipped my mind."

"Everything your mother tries on will later be delivered directly to your home."

"I'd be extremely grateful."

"Now then, let's change the subject for a while. I heard Senior Specialist Cha has a girlfriend. Is that true?"

"I've been too busy trying to earn a living. I haven't had any time for a relationship."

In reality, Yoon Sehwa already knew that Cha Jiham didn't have a girlfriend.

She only pretended otherwise because she was carrying out a direct request from Chairman Yoon Jongu.

"But what my father told me doesn't match what you're saying."

"And what exactly did Chairman Yoon say?"

"He mentioned that you liked Tracy, Chairman Bongard's granddaughter."

After quickly deciding on the best response, I answered,

"The only women I love are my mother and my younger sister."

"So my father was mistaken?"

"Exactly, President Yoon."

"Since we're already talking about this, let me ask one more thing. Senior Specialist Cha, what do you think about international marriage?"

Why is President Yoon asking me something like that?

"Personally, I wouldn't mind at all. But my grandparents and my mother would probably see things differently."

"I'd like to hear why you think so."

"No matter what, cultural differences and language barriers can't simply be ignored."

"That's a fair point. Oh, while we're on the subject, I'd also like to discuss business with you."

"I'm afraid I know almost nothing about department store management."

"The thing is, I'm not only the President of Hangang Department Store. I'm also the President of Hangang Hotel."

That completely changed the situation.

After all, Korea Investment also owned several major hotels.

"So you'd like to discuss the hotel business?"

"Exactly. As you know, the hotel industry in our country is currently facing a severe crisis. Senior Specialist Cha, what do you think is causing it?"

"As far as I know, it's mainly due to the rapid expansion of short-term rental platforms and the sharp decline in the number of tourists coming from China."

"Excellent observation. Is there any way to overcome this crisis?"

"No matter how hard hotels try, they'll never beat short-term rentals in terms of value for money. I believe hotels should decisively stop competing for travelers who prefer rental accommodations and instead focus on providing first-class service for tourists who already intend to stay in hotels."

"I understand your point. Then how should we compensate for the loss caused by the decline in Chinese tourists?"

She already knows the correct answer herself, so why ask me?

"For Chinese tourists to return in large numbers, the Chinese government would have to change its policies. That's unlikely to happen anytime soon."

"So does that mean there's no way to save the struggling hotel industry?"

I shook my head before answering Yoon Sehwa's question.

"Korean culture is spreading throughout the world at an incredible pace right now. Because of that, the number of visitors from other countries is increasing rapidly."

"I know that. But how exactly do we attract them?"

"Korea Renaissance Hotel, for example, is currently developing a tourism promotion plan together with celebrities working in the Korean entertainment industry. As for Hangang Hotel, it's already strongly associated with luxury. You should capitalize on that image and focus exclusively on attracting wealthy travelers."

"I'll seriously consider your suggestion, Senior Specialist Cha. Now then, shall we go see your mother and sister?"

Following Yoon Sehwa to the women's clothing department, I froze in surprise.

There was a very good reason.

At that exact moment, Yun Sola was happily shopping alongside my mother and my sister.

Wanting to find out how she had ended up there, I immediately walked over.

"Senior Specialist Yun, what brings you here?"

"Oh, Senior Specialist Cha? What are you doing here?"

At that instant, the situation completely spiraled out of control.

Having overheard our conversation, Cha Hyeonji bluntly interrupted.

"Big brother, who is this woman to you?"

"Just a moment."

Yun Sola cut me off before I could say a single word.

Completely confused by what was happening, I simply stared at her.

After giving me a piercing look, she asked,

"And who are these people to you?"

"My mother and my younger sister."

"Ah! I'm so sorry. I had no idea. Please forgive me."

Yun Sola immediately apologized before politely bowing to my mother.

"Allow me to introduce myself properly. I'm Yun Sola, Senior Specialist Cha Jiham's girlfriend."

"What?!"

Both Mom and I shouted at exactly the same time.

However, the emotions behind our voices couldn't have been more different.

I reacted because of Yun Sola's outrageous boldness.

Mom reacted out of complete and genuine surprise.

Trying to minimize the damage, I hurriedly interrupted.

"Mom, Senior Specialist Yun is just joking. Don't take it seriously."

Instead of replying, Mom looked directly at Yun Sola.

As though she had read her thoughts, Yun Sola spoke carefully.

"I consider Senior Specialist Cha to be my boyfriend, but he treats me as though I'm some kind of stalker."

"You little rascal!"

Smack!

Mom delivered a loud slap across my head while scolding me.

At that moment, Yoon Sehwa stepped into the conversation.

"There are too many people watching. This isn't really the right place to discuss such matters. Shall we continue in my office?"

In the end, we had no choice but to accept Yoon Sehwa's invitation and return to her office.

Looking from me to Yun Sola and back again, she calmly broke the silence.

"Senior Specialist Cha, would you mind explaining what kind of relationship you have with Senior Specialist Yun?"

In reality, Yoon Sehwa knew perfectly well what kind of relationship existed between Cha Jiham and Yun Sola.

Even so, she asked with a perfectly composed expression so she wouldn't reveal Yun Sola's connection to Hangang Group's senior management.

"We're simply colleagues working in the same department."

"I see. But there must be some reason you treat someone as extraordinarily beautiful as Senior Specialist Yun like a stalker."

"I don't consider Senior Specialist Yun a stalker. However, I can't deny that I treat her rather coldly."

"So there must be a good reason for that?"

The truth was that Yun Sola had fallen hopelessly in love with me solely because of the pheromone components contained in the herbal tranquilizer.

Since I couldn't be certain her feelings were genuine, I deliberately kept my distance.

Knowing that revealing the truth would only make everything even more complicated, I offered an entirely different explanation.

"Senior Specialist Yun earned an MBA from Harvard University. She's a true genius who speaks six languages fluently, including English. Compared to her, I'm just an ordinary graduate of Korea University."

"I can't agree that you're an ordinary person, Senior Specialist Cha. And I'm sure you understand why."

"...Yes, President Yoon."

"I don't believe this is simply an inferiority complex toward Senior Specialist Yun. So what's the real reason?"

Oh! This is driving me crazy—I could climb the walls!

"There isn't any other reason."

"In that case, Senior Specialist Yun, why do you think Senior Specialist Cha treats you so coldly?"

Yun Sola knew the real reason, but she couldn't possibly say it aloud.

"I think it's because he already has a girlfriend."

"You don't need to worry. That's definitely not the reason."

"What do you mean...?"

"I personally confirmed that just now."

"What a relief."

"Hm. There are plenty of other men around. Why deliberately choose to put yourself through so much heartache, Senior Specialist Yun?"

"I'm simply following my heart."

"I see. You may go now."

However, Yun Sola clearly had no intention of leaving.

"Actually, we already agreed to have lunch together with Senior Specialist Cha's mother and younger sister."

"What are you talking about?"

My question came out before anyone else could speak.

"Your mother thanked me for helping with the shopping and promised to treat me to lunch. Mother, isn't that right?"

It was an outright lie.

However, Mrs. Sun Jisuk had clearly taken a liking to Yun Sola and simply couldn't bring herself to deny her.

"Uh... Yes. Senior Specialist Yun is telling the truth."

"Senior Specialist Cha, you heard what your mother just said, didn't you?"

"...Yes."

Ignoring my defeated tone, Yun Sola turned toward Yoon Sehwa.

"I assume I now have sufficient reason to stay?"

"Certainly. By the way, Mrs. Sun, were you able to find any clothes you liked?"

"I only came to help my daughter choose some clothes."

"Since you've come all this way, why not try on something you like as well?"

"Well... the manager insisted, so I tried on a few outfits. I have to admit, they were all wonderful."

Smiling gently, Yoon Sehwa continued.

"That's wonderful. Since you've come here with your son, why not refresh your wardrobe and pick out a few outfits for yourself?"

"I already have plenty of clothes, so that really isn't necessary."

"I see. Well, if that's your decision, then it can't be helped. Now then, shall we go have lunch?"

"President Yoon, you're coming with us too?"

"If I let our department store's most distinguished guests leave without treating them to a meal, I'd be neglecting my duties."

And so, in the most natural way possible, President Yoon Sehwa joined our group for lunch.