The world was clear after an overnight rain. As Doha came out to leave, Haeyeon went to see him off. The thought of not being able to do this if she got the job felt strange.
“Are you nervous about the interview?”
“A bit?”
Doha smiled and tucked her hair behind her ear.
“You’ll do well, so don’t be too nervous.”
“I know.”
Haeyeon answered but didn’t harbor high hopes. It was a habit ingrained in her from living alone in the world, not to expect too much or get too disappointed.
As Doha was putting on his shoes, Haeyeon exclaimed, “Wait!”
“Why?”
Confused, Doha bent down slightly at Haeyeon’s gesture, and she kissed his cheek. Doha chuckled.
“Joo-ah is one of the directors at Dallik Coffee. Ask her for some help.”
“Don’t say that. Even as a joke, I don’t like it.”
“Alright. You’re too serious, Haeyeon.”
Doha playfully stuck out his tongue, his eyes smiling. Haeyeon walked him to the car, waving goodbye.
After sending him off, Haeyeon called someone. She had things to do before her interview that morning.
“Sigh[Dash].”
Haeyeon nervously waited in the waiting room. The sudden special hiring at Dallik Coffee had attracted a few applicants, but the company was still considered a ‘dream job’ for job seekers. Dallik Coffee, founded by Joo-ah’s father, dominated the competitive coffee shop market, boasting the highest number of franchises and customer satisfaction.
Yoo Joon, the interviewer at Dallik Coffee, opened Haeyeon’s file. The table was neatly organized with her application, personal statement, various certificates, and transcripts.
[Dash] “She was the top student in her major and her college. A perfect fit for our company, just lacking in experience.”Yoo Joon recalled his subordinate’s words and looked at Haeyeon. More than her beauty, her clear and bright eyes caught his attention.
“Both a company and an individual must have a spirit to reach mastery. What do you think is the ideology that our company should effectively convey to our customers?”
Yoo Joon awaited her response. Haeyeon, with slightly flushed cheeks, raised her head and answered clearly.
“I believe it’s about the space.”
It was unexpected. Most interviewees would typically answer ‘taste’.
“Why do you think so?”
“I believe those who visit Dallik Coffee shops do so not just to buy tasty coffee, but to find a place. A place where one can comfortably enjoy their favorite coffee without disturbance, even alone. That’s why I think it’s about the space.”
There was a murmuring of agreement from the side, but Yoo Joon kept his face expressionless and promptly continued with his questions.
“Our company doesn’t do advertising yet. Do you think it’s necessary?”
“It’s not necessary.”
The concise answer made the corners of Yoo Joon’s eyes crinkle in amusement.
“Why do you think that?”
“Advertising would contradict the philosophy of Dallik Coffee I just described. Promoting a place as a free and comfortable retreat, more so than home, school, or office, wouldn’t be fitting. Such places, if overly publicized, would no longer serve as havens of rest.”
A fellow interviewer on Yoo Joon’s side was about to applaud when Yoo Joon, with a nonchalant expression, stepped on his foot, making him retract his hands.
“Most coffee shops nationwide have a similar interior. Should our company follow suit?”
The woman smiled slightly this time.
“No. On the contrary, each store should not be the same.”
“Why is that?”
“Because the culture of each region is different. Even within Seoul, there are various atmospheres. Ensuring the independence of each store while collectively conducting marketing promotions can highlight local characteristics, creating a unique ambiance and potentially boosting tourism, image, and sales.”
That was enough for a pass. There was nothing more to ask. Yoo Joon looked at Min Haeyeon’s application with satisfaction, concluding the interview.
After Being Cheated On, She Picked Up a Treasure (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: The husband I married on a whim had been secretly in love with me for a long time.
On the day when Jun Shao finally obtained the imperial decree for her marriage, Lan Qu, the person she had admired for six years, defied the decree and ran away.
Her gentleness and devotion, her promise of a lifetime together, were all disregarded by him. Instead, he dreamed of entering the palace to serve the Emperor’s sister as a sixth-rank attendant.
News of this incident spread throughout the capital, and the alleys in front of and behind the Lan mansion were crowded with people who came to watch the commotion.
Jun Shao should have been embarrassed and angry.
But someone stepped in to protect her dignity.
The figure was in a miserable state, yet still possessed an undeniable elegance and handsomeness.
The young lord struggled to climb the wall of the Lan mansion and shouted to her, “If he won’t marry you, I will!”
So, Jun Shao took advantage of the situation and married the person.
She thought the young lord did it to save the Lan family from the crime of defying the imperial decree, but never imagined that from beginning to end, what he coveted was her.
*
After the wedding, Jun Shao felt like she was living in a dream.
Her Wife-master was as beautiful as a fairy in a painting, skilled in the six arts, well-versed in poetry and literature, capable of being gentle and attentive, and also grand and dignified. Most importantly, she was the only one in his heart and eyes.
Jun Shao didn’t know how Lan Shiwu, as a illegitimate son without a father and blessed with beauty, had managed to preserve his purity, recklessly escape, and use his last ounce of strength to ruin his own reputation, all because of his love for her, just to stand before her.
She could only see him gazing at her with eyes full of love, and when she bestowed a name upon him, his eyes shone like stars.
“You have come to me like a weary bird perching on a branch. I shall call you A Qi.”
