Kim Mi-jung, a poor tailor’s daughter who had been Jin-woo’s secretary, knocked on the door of their Pyeongchang-dong house. Feeling a bitter sense of defeat, Jin-hyuk could only watch helplessly.
Kim Mi-jung looked the same as before, just a bit older. She was a small woman with eyes like a deer. Those eyes reminded him of the rumors that used to circulate – Jin-woo and Kim Mi-jung were seen entering a hotel, they were living together, they wore matching rings.
Having gained some courage, Kim Mi-jung, who had now claimed to have been raising Jin-woo’s son, demanded that the family take care of Jaeho. High school student Jaeho had the same eyes as the deceased Jin-woo.
“Chairman, this child is indeed Jin-woo’s son. We can do a test if you want. You might still dislike me, but for Jin-woo’s sake, please be a shelter for this child. I beg you.”
Heon-tae couldn’t take his eyes off Jaeho. He must have seen the same thing – the bright and promising future of Jin-woo.
Heon-tae asked the boy with a slightly trembling voice, “What’s your name?”
The boy hesitated a bit before answering, “Kim Seong-hyeon.”
His voice was just like Jin-woo’s in his teenage years. It seemed pointless to even do a paternity test. Seeing him in person made Jin-hyuk even angrier. Heon-tae said, “If you’re Jin-woo’s son, you can’t remain a Kim. Write down your birthday. Let’s find you a good name.”
For Jin-hyuk, Jaeho’s existence was a disaster, but for Heon-tae, it was like a miracle of his dead son returning to life. Jin-hyuk was furious.
When Jaeho, who had been abroad for studies, returned and chose the path of an actor, Jin-hyuk was secretly pleased. But it seemed Heon-tae was determined to make Jaeho a successor. Jin-hyuk couldn’t wait any longer.
“I plan to tell Grandfather clearly this time. I can’t concede the successor position to Jaeho.”
“Finally, you should have done that long ago!”
Se-hui agreed.
“To do that, we need your strength, girls. Se-a, you’re working in the strategic planning division, so you need to achieve something within this year. Make sure Grandfather gets the report directly. You need to showcase your abilities as much as possible.”
“Dad, there’s not much time left this year. We are still in the planning stage…”
Jung Hye-su cut her off sharply.
“No, you have to do it. Se-a. Your new business proposal I saw last time had many fashion ideas, but put that on hold and plan a food franchise with Taemyeong Food. Grandfather is keeping an eye on the K-food market.”
“But…”
Dasung watched the conversation in the fan chatroom with a smile.
The fans were almost certain of their speculation about Jaeho being a conglomerate heir. They noisily discussed when he would take over the group, whom he would marry, and so on.
A conglomerate heir.
Though Jaeho rarely talked about his life, from Dasung’s observations, he didn’t seem to fit the profile of a conglomerate heir. It didn’t seem likely that a real conglomerate heir would haggle over a few thousand won in the market. If he really were one, going on a month-long trip would be impossible.
And a conglomerate heir certainly wouldn’t be dating someone like her.
Dasung smiled wistfully.
Fans started discussing how Jaeho wouldn’t even look at girls who weren’t model-grade. They agreed, saying, “Of course, he’s a conglomerate heir.”
The conversation shifted to talking about what they were having for lunch.
Dasung sighed and put down her phone.
The peaceful days continued.
A recent downpour left the seaside wrapped in a misty watercolor shadow. The humidity was quite intense, feeling almost like rain. The seaside’s humidity varied greatly.
Dasung had named a visiting cat ‘Pinky’ and had even become familiar with manager Byunghoon, who had visited the pension.
“Looks like Pinky won’t come today.”
“She seems popular.”
“Pinky?”
“Yeah. Look at her belly. She must be eating well at other homes too.”
“I wonder what they call her elsewhere. Curious.”
After that day, Jaeho, as he had warned, held Dasung greedily. This place was perfect for a secret rendezvous. Jaeho, like a primal human, pounced on her regardless of time and place.
Jaeho’s place. Dasung’s place. The window with the sunset. The dining room.
Dasung gradually became colored by him. The initial pain had already become a thing of the past. Sometimes, she even responded passionately to his primal pleasures.
“I need to go to Seoul for a while.”
“I know. You’ve been saying. The interview and Grandpa’s birthday.”
“Don’t cheat on me while I’m gone.”
“Why do you always talk like that…”
“Don’t even go out. You’ll catch a cold.”
Jaeho played with Dasung’s earlobe as he spoke.
“I’ll try to come back the same day without sleeping. I can finish everything in one day.”
“Don’t push yourself.”
“Come with me? I want to show you my place. I live alone.”
“I know. Hannam-dong.”
Dasung spoke thoughtlessly, then clamped her mouth shut. She had replied as if knowing his address was a given.
“What?”
Jaeho narrowed his eyes.
“I searched it up! Searched! You find out a lot when you search. So I know. Just recently. Like, yesterday.”
“Is that so.”
Jaeho quietly got up and started peeling an apple, a smile lingering on his lips. Despite his silence, Dasung felt anxious as if she had been caught doing something wrong.
“I was curious. Searching is my right.”
“I’m going crazy…”
“What?”
“Oh, nothing. Good job. Keep searching about me then.”
“Ah, okay.”
“If you find out something new, let me know.”
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
