CHAPTER 52: WHAT A BORING BOSS.

"You’re back! So, did you try it?" Jo Hee’s grin was mischievous.

Cho Rin dropped her bag and collapsed onto her chair. "Try what?" she asked flatly, though she knew what was coming.

"You know... the whole secretary thing from that drama. Fluffing the boss’s pillow, tying his tie, pouring water with two hands like you’re in some chaebol romance." Jo Hee mimed an exaggerated bow, nearly knocking her laptop over.

Rin rolled her eyes. "I only managed part of it. And no, he didn’t react much."

Jo Hee gasped. "What do you mean, no reaction? He didn’t blush? Didn’t smirk like a wolf? Nothing?"

"Nothing," Rin muttered, flipping through her notes. "He just looked a little surprised. That’s all."

Jo Hee flopped back on her bed with a dramatic groan. "What a boring boss. At least tell me he gave you a raise."

Rin paused, then smirked faintly. "Actually... yes. Two thousand more."

Her roommate bolted upright. "Two thousand?! That’s insane. You just got a raise last month!"

Cho Rin shrugged. "Now it’s ten grand. He says it’s tradition."

"Tradition?" Jo Hee repeated, half incredulous, half envious. "Your boss is either running a charity or completely out of his mind."

Rin didn’t reply, but deep down she felt a strange mix of pride and confusion. Whatever madness her boss was up to, she was determined to keep pace.

The next morning, the factory yard of Steel Cup T-Shirt Factory buzzed with unease. Lines of workers shuffled into formation, grumbling under their breath. Some rubbed sleep from their eyes; others stared at the ground, baffled.

"Everyone line up properly!" Li Wonho barked, his voice booming across the yard. Recently promoted to production director, he took his role seriously—even if he didn’t quite understand why the boss had ordered "mandatory morning exercise."

From the second-floor balcony, Suho watched with a sly grin. Exercise, he thought. Not punishment, not discipline. Just another excuse to burn money on trainers, uniforms, maybe even a company marching band if he felt like it.

"Mr. Kim," Wonho called out, jogging up to the balcony. "All employees assembled."

Suho nodded, surveying the crowd. The key troublemakers were all present. Perfect.

His grin widened. "Good. Let’s see how much energy these people have when I make them do synchronized stretches before dawn."

All the employees lined up in front of the workshop, staring at Suho curiously. None of them knew why he had called them out so early in the morning.

"Brother Jin, what’s going on? What’s Mr. Kim planning?" Wu Yu whispered nervously. As a fresh graduate, he was still trying to get used to the strange ways of the company.

Jin Wu, standing with arms crossed, squinted toward the front. He was just as puzzled, but he spoke calmly. "I don’t know yet. Probably something to do with discipline or the workshop. Don’t worry about it. You just remember the clients I told you about later and bring samples when you go."

"Okay, Brother Jin," Wu Yu nodded quickly.

Before they could say more, Suho’s voice cut through the air.

"There are some things I need to announce today." He swept his gaze across the employees, letting it linger a little longer on Kim Jing, the round-bellied cafeteria chef, and then on Jin Wu, before finally returning to the front.

"After observing everyone for a while, I realized something—your physical condition is terrible. Sub-health, low energy, weak stamina. If this continues, how can you work? How can you live well? The body is the capital of the revolution!"

A few workers exchanged uneasy glances. They hadn’t expected a lecture on health from the boss.

Suho’s lips curled upward into a faint smile. "So, from today onward, we’re implementing morning exercises. Every morning, you’ll run for half an hour."

A ripple of shock went through the crowd. Morning runs? At work?

"But," Suho continued, raising his hand, "I know everyone works hard, so I won’t force you to run every single day. Three times a week is enough. However," he paused dramatically, "—I will appoint pacemakers. They will be required to attend every single morning."

The workers began whispering anxiously, wondering who would be cursed/blessed with the pacemaker role.

Suho raised his voice. "The pacemakers are Jin Wu, Wonho, and Kim Jing."

A wave of relief swept through the crowd—relief that it wasn’t them. Then, all eyes turned toward the unlucky three with a mix of sympathy and glee.

"Mr. Kim, I really can’t run!" Kim Jing wheezed, raising his hand timidly. His cheeks already glistened with nervous sweat.

"That’s exactly why you need to run more," Suho replied smoothly. "The weaker your stamina, the more you need to build it. Only then will you get healthier."

Kim Jing groaned, holding his side dramatically, but Suho’s smile only widened. Perfect. The weaker they are, the more trouble they’ll cause. More trouble means more losses.

"Alright then," Suho clapped his hands. "Ten laps around the workshop to start. Go!"

The workers reluctantly began jogging, their sneakers slapping against the concrete. At the front, Jin Wu and Wonho pushed forward, their faces already tense with determination. Kim Jing, however, waddled two laps before clutching his side. "Boss... I can’t... breathe..."

Suho crossed his arms. "Then walk. Ten laps, even if you crawl."

"But the cafeteria—" Kim Jing tried to argue.

"The cafeteria can wait. Health comes first. Walk!" Suho ordered, patting his shoulder with mock encouragement.

Groaning, Kim Jing trudged onward, sweat dripping like rain.

By the fifth lap, half the employees had slowed to a walk. Shoulders hunched, faces pale, they dragged themselves forward reluctantly.

From the side, Cho Rin jogged steadily, her breathing even. Suho noticed her and raised his brow. "Impressive. Even the assistant keeps going."

When Jin Wu later came over, panting heavily, he tried to plead on behalf of everyone. "Boss... maybe that’s enough for today. If people are too exhausted, it could hurt work efficiency."

Suho’s eyes lit up. Lower efficiency? Less output? Perfect.

He smirked, his decision firming in an instant. "No, this is just the beginning. Everyone will get used to it. And to make it more exciting... I’ve decided we’ll hold a company sports meet soon. Winners get prizes. Expensive ones."