A Night That Reveals Too Much

The door opened again.

A female staff member in a red cheongsam walked in, pushing a service tray.

Side dishes in white bowls and a neatly arranged teacup were placed in front of me.

Sitting still without lifting a finger honestly felt uncomfortable.

I would rather be at a barbecue place, poking at meat to pass time.

A company dinner in such a closed space felt suffocating.

But what was really going on.

There was a reason I suspected the director was being unusually tactless on purpose.

This was the first time he had ever been like this.

Did he have something to say.

While everyone cautiously filled the silence with small talk about cafeteria drinks, the food arrived.

The dishes were served on wide white plates.

I shifted slightly, wondering if I should serve others, but the restaurant staff handled everything.

Then a golden liquor bottle was brought out.

I wondered how strong it was.

Chinese liquor is never mild.

How could I avoid drinking it.

The director, holding the bottle, looked around at us and stood up.

“Please have a drink each. Thank you for everything.”

“It’s nothing. We’re the ones who are grateful.”

The glasses were passed around one by one.

I stared at the glass in my hand, hesitating.

If I held it too politely with both hands, would it feel awkward since we’re similar in age.

The warm porcelain cup was filled with clear liquor.

We all sat down and drank the first glass together.

The taste was subtle and hard to describe.

It felt sweet, yet carried many flavors.

It went down smoothly, but I could tell it was strong.

My mouth and throat burned, so I quickly picked up a piece of abalone.

Just as I swallowed, the manager’s voice rang beside my ear.

“This time, I’ll pour a drink.”

Without hesitation, I held out my glass with both hands.

It filled up again.

I blinked after drinking, trying to steady my gaze.

The director sat across from me, leaning back comfortably with one arm.

His broad shoulders tilted slightly.

As I dropped my gaze, I made a silent resolution.

If anything slipped out of my mouth under the influence of alcohol,

it would be better to bite my tongue and die on the way home.

Clenching my teeth, I endured the drinks that kept coming.

The conversation shifted between company talk and personal chatter.

While I briefly lowered my head, the topic changed again.

Assistant Kang nudged my arm and spoke casually.

“I found your hiring story the most impressive.”

“Me? Ah… right.”

It was something I had heard many times.

I sipped tea, trying to stay awake.

Without the warm tea, I would have lost my senses long ago.

Nara, who was wiping chili shrimp sauce from her short hair, glanced between me and the director.

“I heard the director personally recommended you.”

“Yes.”

The director’s slightly tanned face showed no sign of intoxication.

He casually tilted his glass again.

“When I called a professor at Korea University for industry collaboration, she answered.

I liked her voice, so I recommended her.”

“Wow.”

Nara sighed softly, holding her flushed cheeks.

“The hiring test at Hanshin is really hard, but you got in easily. I’m jealous.”

“It’s thanks to the director’s favor.”

I didn’t bother mentioning that I had planned to go to graduate school.

Still, it was true that I entered Hanshin easily.

Instead of spending my life with psychology experiments,

my days became filled with answering calls.

A crab meat bird’s nest dish was served.

My tongue felt numb, but it seemed delicious.

As I focused on eating, the manager spoke again.

“Any games these days? Should we play a compliment game?”

“Oh please. We’ve done that so many times, there’s nothing left to praise.”

“Then what should we do?”

As their voices overlapped, the director casually spoke again.

“Then how about sharing one flaw each? It’s a drinking game, so it’s fine.”

What.

I quickly raised my head.

Was this the real purpose of tonight.

Did he join this dinner just to point out our flaws.

Everyone stared at him.

The alcohol haze faded slightly.

The director gestured for Nara to start.

She looked at everyone desperately, as if asking for a clue.

I avoided her gaze, desperately trying to think of flaws.

Flaws… I could name anyone’s.

But what about his.

Her pale face looked even paler today.

Perhaps this was the biggest crisis since she joined the company.

The director sighed lightly.

“It seems like I’m bothering you. Shall I go first?”

“No, it’s not that…”

Still, if he started, it would be better for us.

He spoke casually to each person.

Light criticisms that could be laughed off.

Then his gaze turned to me.

“Assistant Yoon, you’re very easy to read.”

“Pardon?”

“I can tell what you’re thinking.”

He tapped his temple with two fingers.

I was too shocked to hide my expression.

Others burst into laughter, easing the tension.

Assistant Kang grabbed my shoulder and shook me playfully.

“You always show your feelings on your face.”

“That’s not true.”

“Really? Even the director noticed.”

I forced a stiff smile and looked at him.

Please… let this be about work.

He slowly smiled again.

“Assistant Yoon.”

“Yes?”

“Were you always like that at work too?”

“Yes, director. Especially when answering calls.

She looks annoyed, but sounds like a professional announcer.”

As they laughed, I searched for my glass.

I needed alcohol.

Being sober in a situation like this was unbearable.

At that moment, a phone rang.

It was the director’s.

He stepped outside to take the call.

I stood up, grabbed the golden bottle, and poured myself a drink.

It overflowed slightly.

“Careful. Do you know how expensive that is?”

I didn’t care.

My face burned with embarrassment and alcohol as I drank.

Even after he returned, the topic was still about me.

The game ended vaguely.

Leaving behind unease for everyone and a deep impact on me.

The dinner ended, and we stepped out into the street.

The director opened the car door and spoke.

“I won’t intrude on the second round.

Drink moderately and see you tomorrow.

Assistant Yoon, you seem quite drunk. Submit the report slowly.”

“No, I’ll submit it on time.”

“You’re even talking slowly.”

Ignoring my response, he placed a hand on my shoulder.

The warmth felt heavy.

“Just have it on my desk before lunch.”

That was his final remark.

After he left, everyone sighed in relief.

“That wasn’t as bad as I expected.”

“When he mentioned the flaw game, my heart almost stopped.

Anyway… are you okay?”

The manager shook me lightly.

Neon lights blurred around me.

“I’ll head home.”

“I’d usually take you, but you don’t look good.

Can you get a taxi?”

“Yes. See you tomorrow.”