Translator: Elisia
Editor/Proofreader: Wojo
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“Ah, senior, didn’t you say your home isn’t in Seoul?”
The reason we were able to ease the awkwardness during our conversation was thanks to So-hee’s presence.
Maybe it was because they were colleagues that she found it easier to make small talk.
Well, when a reserved senior and an energetic junior work together, it’s usually the energetic one who tries to maintain the relationship.
They’d still see each other at work, so a bare minimum sense of familiarity was necessary.
It didn’t seem like most of the people working at this mansion deliberately chose silence.
And since So-hee was the type of person who naturally had many friends, staying quiet and only focusing on work didn’t seem like her style.
Plus, for some reason, So-hee seemed to really enjoy being my maid.
Although I hadn’t personally observed her work process, so I couldn’t comment on the intensity, she certainly seemed much more content while at the mansion than when she sat in class looking bored.
She only displayed such a bright expression when it was just the two of us.
It’s not that she didn’t smile at school, but it was limited to when she talked with us.
Other than us, the only person she was somewhat friendly with was Son A-reum, the disciplinary committee member.
To the other students, she was practically hostile, almost growling at them.
And her attitude was even more severe with teachers.
It was as if she was getting angry on my behalf.
“My hometown is in Gangwon-do. But I’ve lived in Seoul since middle school…”
“Gangwon-do?”
I reflexively asked again before quickly shutting my mouth.
No, it wasn’t about whether it suited her or not—I had simply never thought about Yang Hye-in’s hometown.
Now that I think about it, when I did my military service in Gangwon-do, I didn’t really notice the locals using a dialect.
Living in Seoul for a long time probably erased any accent she did have.
Since I had lived my whole life in Seoul, except for the few years spent elsewhere due to military and university, I naturally assumed that anyone who didn’t speak with an accent was also from Seoul.
I was making excuses, but that’s why I asked the question again.
“Yes, my grandmother lives there.”
“Ah, I see.”
Saying her grandmother lived in Gangwon-do was similar to saying her hometown was Gangwon-do.
If she had moved to Seoul as a child, then she might have lived in Seoul from middle school through university.
In that case, where do her parents live?
Do they live in Seoul?
What about the rest of her family?
These questions popped into my mind, but they felt awkward to ask.
Between friends, you naturally learn such personal details over time.
But while Yang Hye-in and I had known each other for a while, we weren’t close enough to discuss such intimate topics.
In fact, even among close friends, family relationships weren’t usually a common subject.
They just happened to come up during conversations.
Wait a minute.
The fact that Yang Hye-in had a family meant…
“How many days a year do you go home?”
I asked.
In Sara’s memories, Yang Hye-in was always present.
At least, whenever Sara left the room, Hye-in would leave with her.
Perhaps on the days Sara didn’t go out, Hye-in took time off to visit her family.
But considering that she was always with Sara whenever she went out, it seemed more likely that she simply didn’t take vacations.
“…I live here.”
After a moment of hesitation, Hye-in responded.
“…”
Silence.
Her answer was so shocking that even the others looked dumbfounded.
So, living here meant she didn’t go home?
“Do you mind telling me your work hours?”
I calmly asked.
After all, even So-hee changes into comfortable clothes after work.
Maybe Hye-in’s family lived nearby, so she could change into her everyday clothes and visit them in the evenings.
That would explain why she didn’t need to take official vacation days.
“…My work hours comply with the law and my contract.”
“…”
Didn’t her salary amount to about 500 million won?
With some bonuses, it was probably a bit more than that.
If someone paid you 500 million, how many hours a day could they make you work?
Of course, there were legal limits on working hours.
But maybe the pay included overtime, and breaks in her room wouldn’t count as work time.
Still, wasn’t it basically like never truly clocking out?
When I first arrived in this world, Hye-in had come running to my room the moment she heard my scream.
I pressed my fingers to the bridge of my nose. I felt a little dizzy just thinking about it.
“When was the last time you went home?”
“I go home every day.”
“I’m not talking about the time you spend eating and sleeping here. When was the last time you left this mansion to visit your family’s house?”
“…”
At my words, Hye-in fell silent for a long time.
“Is that such a hard question to answer?”
“…I’m sorry.”
“There’s no need to apologize…”
I barely held back a sigh.
Was she just foolish, or completely absorbed in work?
Or was earning that 500 million only possible by being obsessed with work?
“…”
I hesitated for a moment.
Was it right to just leave her like this?
Regardless of my personal feelings, I didn’t think it was right as her employer.
It felt like I’d be the worst kind of boss if I did.
And I couldn’t even use the excuse of blaming Choi Na-kyung anymore.
“Then how about taking a vacation? I’ll give you paid leave.”
“What?”
Hye-in showed a rare expression of surprise at my suggestion.
Well, maybe I couldn’t say “rare” anymore.
While she usually kept a neutral expression, recently she had shown reactions to my words.
“You haven’t properly rested in years.”
“That’s not true.”
Contrary to my expectations, Hye-in firmly shook her head, refusing the offer.
“Huh?”
This time, I was the one surprised.
Wouldn’t most people be thrilled at the offer of paid leave?
Even if your hobbies overlapped with your work, wouldn’t it be nice to indulge in them during your time off?
Reading a novel at home, relaxing on your bed, sounded much more comfortable and enjoyable than squeezing it in during work breaks.
Of course, cross-stitching wasn’t something you could do while lazing around in bed.
…Or maybe you could?
I wasn’t sure about that.
But even if you legally had off days, there was still a big difference between resting at a company dormitory versus your own home.
The problem was—
“Former Chairman Choi Na-kyung hasn’t been found yet. The police are pursuing her, but she remains a significant threat to your safety.”
That was the reason Hye-in used to reject my proposal.
“…”
Okay… I knew Hye-in had been a huge help last time.
Without her, I might have been in serious trouble, possibly locked in some basement, despairing through a horrific experience.
But even so, I didn’t think her absence would cause major issues right now.
Someone like Choi Na-kyung wouldn’t be able to meet me alone, especially not at school, which had already been through one major incident and wouldn’t allow it.
Plus, I intended to refuse any such meetings.
Since the police were already tailing me, I wasn’t likely to face danger.
I’d even seen headlines about a high-ranking police officer getting fired.
I wasn’t sure if it was related to me, though.
Anyway, it didn’t seem like things would fall apart if Hye-in took a break.
…But how could I say that to her face?
It would be like telling her she wasn’t needed.
“…”
Even though Hye-in’s expression remained neutral, I sensed a strange desperation in her.
I held back a sigh.