Descent of the Demon Master-Chapter 1035: Getting a Job (5)

“You got a job in Jaegyeong?”

Kang Jin-Ho coolly nodded. “Yes.”

Choi Yeon-Ha in the passenger seat looked rather bemused as she stared at Kang Jin-Ho in the driver’s seat. “Jaegyeong, as in that Jaegyeong?”

“Yes. That one.”

“Why so suddenly, though?"

“Things somehow worked out that way…”

Choi Yeon-Ha snapped her fingers. “Wait. I think I got it.”

“Sorry?”

Choi Yeon-Ha’s expression could only be described as unreadable as the corners of her eyes curled up suspiciously. “Yes, it’s true that you need a stable income source. For the big picture, of course. Isn’t this flow of events naturally leading to a marriage proposal?”

“M-m-marriage proposal?!”

“I’m kidding! Don’t freak out like that. You’re going to make me feel bad.”

“…!”

Choi Yeon-Ha seemed to pout while turning her head away from Kang Jin-Ho. He couldn't tell if she was genuinely angry or pulling his chain, though!

However, when Kang Jin-Ho began anxiously fidgeting, Choi Yeon-Ha chuckled affably. “I’m kidding! Really! Please don’t panic like that.”

“O-of course…”

Choi Yeon-Ha grinned deeply at Kang Jin-Ho’s sweaty face.

‘Geez! He can be so adorable in moments like this!’

She was well aware of how charismatic Kang Jin-Ho could get in his serious mode. Choi Yeon-Ha wouldn't usually cower before anyone, but even someone of her gumption had to clamp her mouth shut when Kang Jin-Ho was genuinely furious.

But in a normal setting? Kang Jin-Ho was more like a good-looking dummy with maybe one or two screws loose in his head. It was this disparate gap in personality that Choi Yeon-Ha enjoyed so much.

‘No one’s more entertaining to hang out with than a screw-loose hunk, you see!’

Of course, that wasn’t the real reason why Choi Yeon-Ha liked Kang Jin-Ho so much. Being handsome and entertaining weren’t really factors for her. No, she just liked him for who he was.

Choi Yeon-Ha lightly tapped on her lips. “Wow, isn’t it so weird?”

“What is?” Kang Jin-Ho tilted his head.

“I just can’t picture you commuting to work in a proper business suit.”

“…”

“This won't do! I better witness your first commute as a salaryman with my own two eyes!”

“...I'd like you to hold yourself back if you don't mind.”

“Why? I think it might be fun, you know?” Choi Yeon-Ha giggled loudly, prompting Kang Jin-Ho to sigh deeply.

It was nothing more than a new employee training program, so why were the reactions of his family and even Choi Yeon-Ha so over the top like this?

Maybe it meant Kang Jin-Ho had drifted far away from what was considered an ordinary life in everyone else’s point of view. He couldn’t help but feel a little weirded out by this realization.

‘Even though I can’t deny it…’

When he initially returned to the modern era, Kang Jin-Ho's one overriding wish was to live an ordinary life. He didn't want to experience all the fatigue and pain associated with living a not-so-ordinary life like the one back in Zhongyuan.

But now, everyone, including himself, thought Kang Jin-Ho no longer suited an ordinary, plain life. How did he end up in this situation?

Although Kang Jin-Ho didn't regret the choices that had led him to this point in life… He couldn't do anything about this bitter taste lingering in his mouth.

“Mm… Did you get angry?” Choi Yeon-Ha cautiously asked after noticing the unreadable look on Kang Jin-Ho’s face.

“No, it’s not that. I was thinking about something,” said Kang Jin-Ho while urgently waving his hand.

‘Now that’s uncanny.’

Kang Jin-Ho believed he was an expressionless man, but Choi Yeon-Ha had somehow trained herself to notice even the slightest changes in his face like a detective with a magnifying glass.

“Aren’t you worried, Mister Jin-Ho?”

“Sorry?”

“You're joining Jaegyeong, aren't you? As an intern. Or just attending its training program."

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“And that’s why I’m wondering if you’re worried.”

“I don’t follow?” Kang Jin-Ho tilted his head in confusion.

Choi Yeon-Ha could only shake her head helplessly at this sight.

‘Why am I not surprised?’

Kang Jin-Ho's dullness and sharpness could be truly unpredictable at times. He'd react sharply about things most people would brush aside without a second thought. Or, he'd not react to things most people would lose their minds over as if he couldn't care less even if he tried!

Now was a good example. Jaegyeong was infamous for how stiff and by-the-books its corporate culture was. Any prospective job seeker going there for a training program would get so nervous that they might go through bouts of insomnia!

Even if this program wouldn't affect the overall direction of Kang Jin-Ho's life, to think he'd be this nonchalant about it!

Should Choi Yeon-Ha chalk this down to Kang Jin-Ho’s fearlessness or slow-wittedness?

‘Then again…’

When Choi Yeon-Ha thought about it some more, she couldn't help but realize that Kang Jin-Ho had nothing to worry about here. Jaegyeong should be the one worrying itself sick about Kang Jin-Ho waltzing around in its corridors instead!

Choi Yeon-Ha sneakily muttered, “Hnnng~, so… Is that why you dragged your feet after coming home from your overseas sojourn? And didn't even bother to call me? Because you were busy with stuff like that?”

Kang Jin-Ho paled slightly. “Y-yes, of course.”

“Really?”

“...Yes, really.”

Choi Yeon-Ha narrowed her eyes. “Mister Jin-Ho?”

“Yes?”

“You’ve grown up nowadays, haven’t you?”

“I’m sorry?”

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“Seeing how you know how to lie and all.”

“…!”

Kang Jin-Ho finally understood what people meant when they said the weather had been rather balmy lately. He was sweating profusely, after all! Even though the aircon was on inside the car!

Choi Yeon-Ha tutted softly. “You better watch yourself.”

“...My apologies. I really had a lot of things to deal with.”

“Oh? Someone with a lot of things to deal with is now joining a newbie training program, too? Seriously?!”

Kang Jin-Ho sank deeper and deeper into the driver’s seat.

‘I better treat Lee Hyeon-Su better from now on.’

He had no idea while he was the one nagging the other party. Now that he got nagged to death by Choi Yeon-Ha after a few days of not seeing her… Kang Jin-Ho finally realized how torturous it must've been for Lee Hyeon-Su on the receiving end!

“You went on an overseas trip all by yourself. And came back a long time ago but didn't even bother to…!”

Kang Jin-Ho hurriedly took something out of his pocket and pushed it toward Choi Yeon-Ha. “H-here!”

“Ng? What’s this?”

“It's a souvenir.”

Choi Yeon-Han blinked her eyes and stared at the object Kang Jin-Ho presented her with: a key ring.

“...A souvenir? As in, a present?”

“Yes. You said you wanted me to buy one, so…”

Indeed, it was a small key ring with a pendant shaped like the Union Jack dangling at the end. The design of it subtly screamed, “Yes, I’ve been to the UK, and this is the proof!” to anyone who cared. In other words, it was the absolute worst item to buy during an overseas trip for one’s girlfriend!

However, Choi Yeon-Ha was still rendered speechless and dazedly stared at the key ring.

Kang Jin-Ho frowned slightly. “It seems… You don’t like it?”

“N-no, that’s not it. It’s, uh…” Choi Yeon-Ha suddenly covered her face with her hands.

Kang Jin-Ho flinched nastily when the atmosphere changed without any warning.

‘Did I do something wrong?’

He never expected his gift to satisfy Choi Yeon-Ha's tastes or standards. After all, he knew better than anyone that he was terrible at this kind of thing. Not getting chewed out for being a senseless idiot would've made him happy, but this…

Choi Yeon-Ha’s reaction was more visceral than he thought!

Kang Jin-Ho cautiously asked, “...Should I get you something else?”

Choi Yeon-Ha didn’t say anything and simply snatched the key ring out of his hands. She brought it closer to her face and inspected it.

“Hah…” She let out a loud sigh before gripping the key ring tightly.

“I tried my best to pick this souvenir, but… If you don’t like it, I can get something else, Miss Yeon-Ha.”

“No, it’s okay,” Choi Yeon-Ha replied while dabbing the corners of her eyes away.

Kang Jin-Ho was flustered by that. “W-why are you crying?”

Choi Yeon-Ha’s somewhat teary eyes stared at Kang Jin-Ho. “I honestly didn’t expect you to do this, Mister Jin-Ho. Even though I asked you for a souvenir, I figured you’d completely forget about it.”

“…” Kang Jin-Ho clamped his mouth shut. He decided not to reveal that he had almost forgotten.

“I knew you were going there to do something important, so a present for me would’ve been the last thing on your mind.”

“N-no, well…”

“I’m not being sarcastic, Mister Jin-Ho. I really thought that. And that souvenir thing was just a joke, you know? I really didn’t think I’d get something like this. Yet you didn’t forget, so I… Mm…” Choi Yeon-Ha dabbed her eyes again. “What’s gotten into me? This is so embarrassing.”

Kang Jin-Ho was rendered speechless once more. That was nothing more than a cheap key ring.

The truth was that he randomly bought that key ring because he eventually ran out of time in the gift shop. Not only was it cheap, but anyone could easily find a key ring of similar style in Korean stores, too!

Knowing this, Kang Jin-Ho was weirded out by how an actress on Choi Yeon-Ha’s level could be moved so much by a measly little key ring.

“Did you know you have a talent for triggering people the right way every now and then?” Choi Yeon-Ha sighed deeply, then stared poignantly at Kang Jin-Ho.

That only prompted him to flinch a little and back away.

Choi Yeon-Ha yelled playfully, “Where are you going! Come here!”

“Yes, ma’am.”

When Kang Jin-Ho returned to his original position, Choi Yeon-Ha reached out and pulled him closer. Since the car’s interior was on the cramped side, their hug couldn’t really qualify as one, but a hug was still a hug in the end.

Kang Jin-Ho froze stiff like a statue.

Choi Yeon-Ha held Kang Jin-Ho for a while, then patted him on the back before sitting upright in her seat. “You did good this time, okay? At least, once in a while.”

“...Thank you kindly.”

It felt like the gender roles had switched somewhat here, but what did that matter?

“Good thing that you remembered, though. Because you didn't call on time and never told me what you did on that side, I was thinking of interrogating you properly today.”

“…!”

“You should count yourself lucky, Mister Jin-Ho. Now I don’t feel like doing that anymore, you see?”

It seemed a cheap key ring had saved the day.

‘Holy cow. If I hadn't bought that thing, I'd be in a world of hurt by now!'

Kang Jin-Ho couldn’t help but praise himself for remembering to buy a souvenir in the midst of all the Round Table shenanigans.

“Hah. Calm down, Choi Yeon-Ha! Fuu! Hah!” Choi Yeon-Ha regulated her fierce breathing, then glanced at Kang Jin-Ho with a gentle smile on her face. “Then… When are you starting your Jaegyeong adventure?”

“From tomorrow, actually.”

“Did you finish all the preparations?”

“Preparations… Well…” Kang Jin-Ho's complexion suddenly became gloomier. Recalling his ordeal in the department store had sickened him to his stomach just then.

‘...Why did we drop by the women's clothing section when the trip was supposed to be about buying my clothes?'

The shopping trip to buy Kang Jin-Ho’s business suit took “only” one hour. Taking that long just to buy one measly suit should’ve alarmed anyone unaware of the details, but Kang Jin-Ho knew how Baek Hyeon-Jeong and Kang Eun-Yeong operated. He was ready to offer a prayer of gratitude that the torture session didn’t last more than an hour!

Unfortunately, life never really worked out how you envisioned it.

Once the mission to buy Kang Jin-Ho’s suit was fulfilled, the mother-and-daughter duo dragged him everywhere for a truly miraculous six-hour shopping spree!

Thankfully, this incredible shopping trip ended just before Kang Jin-Ho could develop claustrophobia. No wonder he didn’t want to recall this horrifying memory if he could help it!

“I am more or less finished with the preparations.”

“Oh?” Choi Yeon-Ha smirked deeply. “That means you can afford to spend the rest of today in my company. Right?”

Kang Jin-Ho tilted his head. “Mm? I thought you were busy?”

“Nope. I’m all good.”

“Mm? But I heard you have a lot on your plate, like going to interviews and stuff…?”

“Aha, that?” Choi Yeon-Ha casually shrugged. “I ran into a rude little b*tch in one of the interview tapings and ended up tearing her hair out. But that got the unsavory rumor mill going, so I figured I should lay low for a while.”

“…!” Kang Jin-Ho’s eyes subtly quaked just then.

A rude little b*tch? Tearing her hair out?!

Kang Jin-Ho felt his heart nearly tumble to the pits of his stomach. He reflexively fished out his packet of cigarettes while asking Choi Yeon-Ha, “B-but, why did you do that?”

“That b*tch was smoking in the bathroom.”

Kang Jin-Ho’s hands froze mid-air. The extracted packet of cigarettes sneakily returned to his pocket.

Choi Yeon-Ha noticed that. “Oh, it’s fine. You can smoke.”

“N-no, I’d rather not.”

“I’m telling you, it was only because that idiot smoked in the bathroom when I was not in a good mood. It’s fine now. You don’t have to mind me.”

“No, it’s fine.”

Choi Yeon-Ha’s voice suddenly grew frosty. “Hey.”

“Y-yes, ma’am?”

“I said, you can smoke.”

“…”

Kang Jin-Ho's trembling hand brought a cigarette to his mouth. This had to be the most nerve-racking smoke break in his entire life!

Choi Yeon-Ha chuckled when Kang Jin-Ho couldn’t light up the cigarette and just sat there in awkward silence. “That’s why…! You better hang out with me today, okay?”

Kang Jin-Ho saw her smile and nodded back at her with a smile of his own.

He thought about a lot of things after that talk with his father yesterday morning. Achieving something was indeed important, but spending quality time with people around him was perhaps just as important, too.

Even if hanging out with his family and friends didn't mean anything, and nothing of note might happen, that did not discount the importance of those small moments. After all, such small moments accumulated to become lasting human relationships in the end.

“Before we start, though…” Choi Yeon-Ha smirked weirdly. “There’s something I gotta confirm first.”

“...Sorry?” Kang Jin-Ho tilted his head slightly.

“So, did anything happen while you were in the UK?”

“…!” Kang Jin-Ho’s irises shifted to the left about one millimeter before rapidly returning to their original positions. “No, ma’am. Nothing happened.”

“Hmmmmmmm?” Choi Yeon-Ha’s brow slowly arched up. She was too sharp not to notice the suspicious movement of Kang Jin-Ho’s eyes. “Well, well, well. How about coming clean with me?”

“I, I assure you, nothing happened.”

“Then, why are you being so shifty? Why?”

“…!”

Choi Yeon-Ha narrowed her eyes and peered closely at Kang Jin-Ho’s sweaty face before grinning brightly. “It’s fine. I’m in a good mood today, anyway. For now, let’s go for a drive. And eat something delicious, too! Okay, let’s go!”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Kang Jin-Ho quickly depressed the accelerator. The Zoom-Zoom carrying these two people slickly sped down the road.