Chapter-5

The Art of Avoiding Work (Advanced Techniques)

Ahn Jihun had three core beliefs when it came to corporate survival:

1. Never volunteer for anything.

2. Look slightly busy but never too busy. (Too busy means people assume you're competent, and that's dangerous.)

3. If all else fails, disappear.

Unfortunately, Yoo Taesung existed. And Yoo Taesung was a problem.

Jihun had barely stepped into the office when he saw Taesung already waiting at his desk, arms crossed, the same smug look on his face that all overly productive people had.

"Good morning, partner," Taesung said in a tone that implied Jihun's suffering was his new favorite hobby.

Jihun narrowed his eyes. "Why are you here so early?"

Taesung smirked. "Oh, I just had a feeling you'd try to escape today."

Jihun gasped. "How dare you accuse me of—"

Taesung held up his phone. "Ahn Jihun searched: 'Best fake illnesses to call in sick.'"

Jihun froze. "...How do you know that?"

"You left your screen open in the group chat."

Jihun sighed. "Damn it. I really need to stop multitasking."

Taesung tossed a thick folder onto Jihun's desk. "Anyway, let's get to work."

Jihun stared at the folder like it was an ancient curse. "What… is this?"

"More tasks."

Jihun rubbed his temples. "I just finished work yesterday."

Taesung smiled. "And now you get to do it again. Isn't life wonderful?"

Jihun groaned. "No. Life is a trap."

To escape his tragic fate, Jihun needed a solid work-avoidance strategy. And he had just the plan.

Step one: Look extremely busy with vague tasks.

Jihun flipped open a random document and started typing furiously. His screen was filled with complete nonsense, but to an outsider, it looked like intense productivity.

Taesung walked past, peeking at his screen. "Are you... just typing 'asdfghjkl' over and over?"

Jihun quickly minimized the window. "Mind your business."

Taesung sighed. "Just do one thing. One real thing."

Jihun leaned back, stretching. "I am doing something."

"Which is?"

"Strategizing."

Taesung pinched the bridge of his nose. "You're unbelievable."

"Thank you," Jihun said proudly.

Step two: Hide in plain sight.

Jihun spotted Nayoung at the copier and immediately walked over, grabbing a random stack of papers.

"What are you doing?" Nayoung asked.

"Looking busy," Jihun whispered.

"By stealing someone's printouts?"

"Yes. If I walk around carrying papers, people assume I have a purpose."

Nayoung shook her head. "You're a menace."

"Thank you."

Jihun confidently strolled past his boss, nodding politely. The boss nodded back, approvingly. Success.

Unfortunately, Taesung appeared out of nowhere. "You know that's the accounting department's budget report, right?"

Jihun blinked. "…No."

Taesung smirked. "Are you planning to do their taxes too?"

Jihun shoved the papers into Nayoung's hands and bolted.

Step three: Disappearing Act.

Jihun's best work-avoidance technique was simple—find a hiding spot and stay there. Today's choice: the office rooftop.

With a triumphant sigh, he settled onto a bench, enjoying the cool breeze. "Finally. Peace."

His phone buzzed. Taesung: Where are you?

Jihun ignored it.

Another buzz. Taesung: Don't think I won't find you.

Jihun smirked. Heh. Good luck, workaholic.

Five minutes later, Taesung stepped onto the rooftop, arms crossed.

Jihun nearly fell off the bench. "How—?!"

"Your phone's location is on."

Jihun cursed. "Damn technology."

Taesung sat down next to him. "Look. You can avoid work all you want, but eventually, you'll have to do something."

Jihun sighed dramatically. "But why? Work is endless. The moment you finish one task, there's another one waiting. It never stops. It's like a horror movie but with emails."

Taesung chuckled. "You know, you're actually pretty smart when you're trying to avoid things."

Jihun smirked. "That's because laziness breeds creativity."

Taesung shook his head. "Fine. Let's make a deal."

Jihun squinted. "I don't like your deals."

"This one's fair. I won't bother you for the next hour… if you finish one small task by today."

Jihun thought about it. "Define 'small task.'"

"Something that takes less than 30 minutes."

Jihun sighed. "Fine. But I'll complain the entire time."

Taesung grinned. "That's expected."

Jihun groaned, staring at the sky. Why was he cursed with such a responsible coworker?

Back at his desk, Jihun opened the task list. "Alright. What's the easiest thing here?"

Taesung pointed. "This one. Just summarize a meeting report."

Jihun frowned. "That sounds like work."

"It is work."

Jihun sighed. "Fine. But after this, I'm going back to looking productive instead of being productive."

Taesung smirked. "We'll see."

As Jihun reluctantly started typing, he realized something horrifying—Taesung was slowly dragging him into actual responsibility.

And the worst part?

Jihun was starting to lose.