Bamboo Forest Manager

Chapter 117: The Promise

Since meeting his brother, Yu Arin had changed somewhat.

Due to Manager Lee Chan-song being summoned by the disciplinary committee, and the directive to exclude part-timers from night shifts, things had returned to their original schedule.

Or maybe it was because she found out that I was the youngest son of the chairman of Gold One’s parent company.

‘No, maybe not that.’

Rather, she clapped in derisive applause, saying I had given up everything and come out with nothing inherited.

What was it again?

Gold One employees drove foreign cars, but Kim Woojin walked around.

The mocking laughter was so annoying that I gave her a playful smack, only to get hit back and ended up outside.

I wasn’t leaving work.

‘Especially with the matter of Manager Lee Chan-song this time.’

Yu Arin was working with me, but I didn’t notice it much. In that sense, I thought about asking Seo Yerin once.

‘It’s strange to see her wallpapering and sending photos.’

Especially recently, the frequency of sending photos has increased so much that I wasn’t worried for no reason.

After all, it was a sign that she was under stress.

Especially since the photos of her at the Gold One Bakery were circulating on SNS, being known as the beautiful part-timer, she must be receiving constant attention from people every day.

‘I should tell her to uproot it completely this time.’

Since my hyung is still at the hotel, I could use it as an opportunity.

At first, it felt like I was asking for help, but upon reflection, it was rather me helping my hyung out.

Because it was about catching those who were not in their right mind at the company.

“I don’t want to do anything good.”

Arriving at Great Korean Hall, Seo Yerin was already catching eyes. Dressed in a white shirt and a brown apron, with a baker’s cap, she possessed a charm that made anyone, regardless of gender, look twice.

“Indeed.”

Thinking her face alone was truly national treasure-grade, I was about to enter the bakery.

“Hey, what’s the matter?”

No sooner had I spoken than Seo Yerin was getting hit on. Due to Gold One’s nature as a casino, gangsters often visited as customers, and this guy looked the part.

A goblin tattoo crawling up his neck created a sense of intimidation for onlookers.

The other part-timers, while noticing the gangster, were too scared to intervene properly.

“…I just want to leave.”

If it were an employee or a part-timer, I would immediately pull out the vice president card and tell them to get lost, but the other party is a customer.

Moreover, it seems like they belong to an organization with a terribly tacky name, like something out of a gangster movie.

I didn’t want to get on their bad side just to protect Seo Yerin.

‘Sigh.’

But then, remembering how Seo Yerin used to be tormented by seniors, I couldn’t just stand by.

In the karaoke room, she was bullied by Han-kang and his peers, and in the stir-fry restaurant, she struggled with the third-year seniors.

How could Seo Yerin fend off a thug on her own?

I intended to intervene to buy time to call the hotel guards.

“Please don’t touch me, sir.”

Contrary to the bright smile she was wearing, her thorny tone changed the cozy atmosphere of the bakery.

“What?”

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The thug was holding on to Seo Yerin’s wrist. She sees it and points to the bakery’s CCTV with her other hand.

“This is all being recorded. Sir, you shouldn’t be doing this.”

“You’re saying you’re worth looking at then? Anyway, just by looking at you, you seem like an easy woman rolling around here and there…!”

He’s crazy.

Even though he’s a thug and uneducated, I thought, how could he say something like that to a woman?

But.

Suddenly.

Seo Yerin raised her middle finger with her other hand.

I had never seen her swear before, so my jaw dropped involuntarily.

The thug, fuming with anger, was about to hit Seo Yerin at any moment.

“We’re here responding to a report!”

The guards rushed over in no time. They seemed familiar with this kind of situation, probably having been called a few times already related to Seo Yerin.

“Sir, you can’t do this here.”

“I’m a customer! Is this how you treat a customer? Huh? Is it right? Is this how you run your business? Do you know how much I’ve spent here?”

He boasts quite confidently about the money he blew at the casino. As I watch the thug being dragged away by the guards in a daze.

“Hey? Woojin!”

Approaching me with a bright smile, completely opposite to the cold atmosphere just moments ago, was Seo Yerin.

“What’s up? Did you come to buy bread? Or did you come to see me?”

“…I did come to see you.”

Feeling the gazes, I awkwardly glanced at the part-timers, who were looking at me with surprised expressions.

Since it was a bit inappropriate to talk about it here, I was contemplating what to do.

“Sorry, but can I take a short break?”

Rather, Seo Yerin quickly asked other part-timers for help, which was unusual for her. Given what just happened, no one objected to Seo Yerin taking a break.

Eventually, we came outside to a nearby bench. When I handed over a cola from the vending machine, she smiled brightly and gulped it down.

And then she said,

“I only drink zero!”

“After drinking it all…?”

“I need to maintain my figure by drinking zero. Next time, get me zero.”

So she was managing herself too. Well, that kind of appearance doesn’t come easily.

“Do you have something to say?”

“Hmm.”

I did have something to say originally. But after seeing Seo Yerin just now, it completely slipped my mind.

She handled the thug so skillfully; it was clear she wouldn’t hesitate to confront any sexual harassment directly.

Therefore, I shifted the topic to something else.

“You’ve changed a bit? Before, you couldn’t even speak properly in situations like this.”

When I praised her, Seo Yerin gave a thumbs up and replied,

“These days, the trend is to be a protagonist who does things on their own.”

“Stop watching so much anime.”

“Heh, there’s that too. You can’t always protect me forever.”

“……”

Maybe it was because of her unexpected words. Without realizing it, I stared at Seo Yerin intently, and she looked proud.

“So, I wanted to become someone you wouldn’t worry about. Yes, I think I was brave because I wanted to become that.”

Even when she gave a thumbs up earlier and now, she didn’t seem to notice that her shoulders were trembling slightly.

That’s what she said, but whatever it was, she was definitely scared.

It can be said that the ability to pretend otherwise and not say things she couldn’t have to others has increased.

“You’re having a hard time.”

As I patted her shoulder, offering some consolation in my own way, Seo Yerin smiled broadly and finished the remaining cola.

Well, that should do for comfort.

I moved my hand from her shoulder to pinch both of her cheeks with my index fingers.

Her lips protruded as her cheeks were squeezed.

I spoke with irritation to Seo Yerin, who looked at me in confusion.

“I told you to stop sending me photos.”

“Heehee! Is it tough because you find them arousing?”

This girl…

“Sigh, just stop sending them. Got it? You don’t seem to be under any stress these days, so why are you doing this?”

As I let go and sighed, Seo Yerin rubbed her soft cheeks with both hands and responded.

“Then let’s hang out together today. How about it?”

“I don’t know why this conversation is going that way, but no.”

I remembered what my hyung said yesterday, and I wasn’t in the mood to hang out alone with a girl right now.

“Ah, why! If we play together, I promise I won’t send any photos! How about it?”

“I can just block you and be done with it?”

As I spoke confidently, Seo Yerin pouted.

“Is this how we are with each other?”

“What kind of relationship do we even have?”

“We’re sex friends.”

“……”

I had nothing to say to that.

“You took my virginity, and now you’re acting like this?”

“Please, stop talking!”

I covered her mouth with my hand and looked around to see if anyone was nearby, but fortunately, there was no one.

Having had previous experiences, I quickly pulled my hand away before she could lick it, and she gave a sly smile.

“If you play with me, I’ll help you out.”

What is she talking about now?

“What are you talking about? Help out with what?”

As I asked irritably, Seo Yerin gave a somewhat suggestive smile and leaned in close to my ear, whispering softly.

“I’ll help you figure out why you aren’t dating Yiseo or Arin.”

“…?!”

I was startled and looked at Seo Yerin without realizing it. She met my gaze with the same expression.

“Got it? I’ll send you a message, so you have to respond immediately when I call, okay? Got it?”

“Sigh.”

“Or do you want to pick me up after work? That sounds better.”

Seo Yerin smiled brightly and got up from the bench. She clicked her tongue seeing me, who was completely exhausted.

“Heal!”

She grabbed my face and shoved it straight into her cleavage.

“Ugh?!”

I let out a sound involuntarily at the sudden darkness and the softness.

“Hehe! It tickles!”

Whatever amused her, Seo Yerin tightened her grip around my head, preventing any escape.

It seemed she had no intention of letting go, so I had to find a way out myself, which meant touching Seo Yerin’s chest.

Anyone would hesitate in such a situation.

I grabbed Seo Yerin’s chest with both hands without hesitation and pushed her away.

“Huu!”

Seo Yerin steadied her chest as she watched me pull away.

“My bra chafed me.”

So what.

“Then you shouldn’t have done it.”

“I did it to cheer you up because you looked so gloomy. How do you feel? Do you feel better?”

“…Fuck.”

Setting aside the fact that my lower body felt like it was going to explode, I hated myself for feeling better just from touching a soft chest once.

‘Is this because of the bloodline?’

Seeing as my hyung seemed to be quite swayed by women now, it must be because of him.

Or maybe it’s just that I’m naturally weak to a woman’s temptation.

“More importantly, how was it?”

“What do you mean, how was it. Your chest? Air it out, it smells like sweat.”

I got hit right away.

“Not that! Didn’t it get bigger?”

“…Uh?”

“Isn’t this enough for the cosplay I showed you last time?”

Is she talking about the cow cosplay?

When I stared blankly at her chest at her words, it certainly seemed a bit bigger than before.

“Did you pad it?”

“What are you talking about! I grew it through daily massages!”

I get it, so stop shaking them, it’s making me want to touch them.

“Anyway, I’m off work at 5, so you have to pick me up, okay?”

As the break was about to end, Seo Yerin told me not to forget.

“Got it, you punk.”

I sighed and nodded.

“See you later then! Sexs!”

“……”

Is she really crazy or what?

When I stared blankly at her, Seo Yerin awkwardly scratched her cheek and explained.

“I heard that guys exclaim like this? Like, this is ‘sexs’…”

“No, just go.”

“Sexs!”

I said no.