It’s understandable to dislike hearing such words when they’re not even dating. Not just Seol-hee, but everyone was taken aback by Teacher Ok’s stern response. The awkward atmosphere led the manager to chime in.
“Ah, Teacher Ok… You made Director and Seol-hee uncomfortable with such a firm refusal. And Director, what’s with bringing up such a topic? Excited for the rare dinner party, aren’t you? You know, these days you can’t say things like that, Director.”
“Ah, is that so? Sorry, sorry.”
Listening to the manager and director, Eun-woo tilted his head, a small frown forming between his brows.
“Why are you apologizing? If you meant what you said seriously, I think the Director should also understand.”
He continued firmly.
“I have no intention of starting my own practice in the future. I plan to remain a salaried veterinarian (a doctor who receives a salary) for life. Management doesn’t suit me. Focusing on medical practice in a hospital suits my personality.”
“Ah, I see. That’s what it was.”
The manager, realizing something, nodded.
So, the ‘dislike’ that Eun-woo expressed wasn’t about disliking marriage with Seol-hee but about disliking managing the hospital.
Everyone, except Seol-hee, breathed a sigh of relief.
“I thought it meant something else.”
“That’s right! Teacher Ok really isn’t suited for starting a practice. Staying as a salaried veterinarian is better. Dealing with people and such is stressful, right?”
Not exactly a sigh of relief, but even Seol-hee, sitting beside him, felt the tension in her shoulders ease.
He didn’t mean he disliked me.
Her uncle, oblivious, laughed heartily.
“Hahaha, what are you worried about, Teacher Ok!”
If only he had stopped there.
Her uncle, wanting to ensure no one doubted his and Seol-hee’s mother’s outspokenness, added an unnecessary remark.
“Seol-hee has a knack for management. She worked in a company, after all. Leave the management to her, and Teacher Ok can focus on medical practice.”
Please stop.
This is why one shouldn’t work in a family-run company. She loved her job at the animal hospital, but the embarrassment made her regret everything. She couldn’t take it anymore. Her face burned red. She raised her voice and called out to her uncle.
“Uncle!”
Why are you talking as if Teacher Ok and I are getting married?
We’re not even dating! Not yet!
Contrasting with the flustered and blushing Seol-hee, Eun-woo was relaxed. Sipping his drink, he wet his lips and then, his gaze fell on Seol-hee, who stood up clenching her fists.
He tilted his head. His attractive neck muscles tensed.
“Seol-hee managing the hospital.”
“…….”
“Can’t really picture it in the current state. Will she ever be able to manage well one day?”
…What are you saying?
Seol-hee’s heart fluttered tumultuously. It felt like her heart might leap out of her mouth.
Why is everyone thinking about what would happen to the hospital if we got married? I never said I liked Teacher Ok, but why is he so confidently talking about me as his future wife?
“What are you all talking about? Have you all… had too much to drink?”
As opposed to the anxious Seol-hee, the relaxed Eun-woo’s smirking was irksome. As Seol-hee glared at him, the corners of Eun-woo’s mouth lifted slightly.
His sharp gaze, the curve under his straight nose lifting, was thrilling.
Thump. Her heart raced just by seeing his smile.
So… so annoying. Really annoying.
“Got something to say?”
As Seol-hee glared, Eun-woo smiled again and continued.
Nothing to say.
Seol-hee, her face bright red, sat down and gulped down the soju. Her chest felt tight. At times like this, a bitter soju was the best.
So, she drank too much.
“Seol-hee, aren’t you drinking too much? Do you usually drink that much? It’s my first time drinking with you, so I’m not sure.”
“Is… that… so? Do I look drunk?”
Even as the younger folks were surprised and the director and Teacher Choi left for the second round, Seol-hee’s pace of drinking didn’t slow down.
No, in fact, she was drinking faster.
Even without side dishes, just seeing Teacher Ok made the alcohol take effect. Her chest felt tight, so she kept gulping down beer. Sip, then another, until the manager waved her hand.
“Seol-hee, stop drinking now.”
As the manager tried to stop her, Seol-hee grinned broadly. Her face was already flushed red. Seeing her bright smile, the manager laughed, somewhat embarrassed.
“Seol-hee, you’re cute when you’re drunk, but how are you planning to get home?”
Hearing the manager’s words, Eun-woo, who had been silently drinking in front, stood up. His long shadow fell over Seol-hee. Glancing at the time, he spoke.
“I’ll be going then.”
Seeing Eun-woo rise, Seol-hee looked up at him in a dazed state.
He’s leaving. Good, that’s better. I should have fun with everyone. Now I can finally talk about this and that.
Contrary to Seol-hee’s expectations, however, Teacher Ok grabbed her hand, still tightly holding the beer mug. His warm hand touched her cool skin, chilled by the mug. A shiver ran through her, and her eyes narrowed.
“Stop drinking. Let’s go, Yu Seol-hee.”
“Huh? No… I don’t want to. I want to drink more.”
“You’re already very drunk. Drinking more will be a nuisance to others.”
She wanted to stay longer, but his firm tone and the word ‘nuisance’ made her stand up, still grasped by Teacher Ok’s hand. Her body swayed, and Eun-woo wrapped his arm around her shoulder.
“Ah.”
Warm and solid. The firm shoulder embracing her wavering body was so rigid that she momentarily felt breathless.
The Male lead Always Seduces Her with His Beauty (Matriarchy)
Xin Jiao Zhou is the leader of the world’s premier sect. She has just experienced betrayal from all sides, was poisoned in an assassination attempt, and faced death squad attacks while the poison was taking effect. After finally clearing out the scum from her sect, she was drugged again while trying to detoxify.
After waking up from a night of unconsciousness, she gained a “beautiful and kind-hearted” husband.
Xin Jiao Zhou: “???”
He fell ill.
She came to see him, bringing breakfast.
As she put down the breakfast and was about to leave, his hand slipped while holding the spoon. “Clank!”
She turned around upon hearing the noise.
He looked up at her, his eyebrows drooping: “My hand… has no strength.”
“Shall I… feed you?” she asked tentatively.
He opened his mouth cheerfully: “Ah—”
Thinking she was drowning, he jumped in without hesitation to save her, but nearly drowned himself. In the end, it was she who swam over to rescue him, giving him air underwater.
After emerging from the water, his ear tips turned red. He lightly brushed his cheek, tucking his sideburns behind his ear, revealing delicate, pink-tinged ear tips. He lowered his gaze, too embarrassed to look at her.
Xin Jiao Zhou: He’s truly beautiful, kind-hearted, and adorable.
A certain someone when disciplining subordinates behind the scenes: “If they don’t obey, just kill them.”
What’s that? She might already have someone she cares about in her heart? A certain someone: Find out who it is, kill them, and then there won’t be anyone.
What? She met a man by the riverside? What? That man even hurt her? A certain someone: Whichever hand hurt her, chop off his entire arm.
Love at first sight without realizing it, gradually falling in love, slowly getting closer…
Family and national grudges, schemes and desires, good and evil, crime and punishment, she and he face the future together, seeking justice with passion!
A naturally dark female lead who could accidentally destroy the world but is actually an honest person VS a weak, pitiful, and helpless but skilled fighter, beautiful white-cut black male lead
My heart is not of stone, how steadfast is your love? — Tao Yuanming “Imitating the Ancients (No. 3)”
— Reading Guide —
Cold female lead & dramatic black lotus with hidden yandere traits male lead
