Mijung had raised Jae-ho to the best of her ability in poverty. She could have used her experience as an executive secretary in a large corporation to find a similar job, but chose otherwise to avoid TaeMyung’s scrutiny, working instead in restaurants and cleaning. Yet, she tried her best not to let Jae-ho feel the absence of a father.
“Don’t worry.”
A corporate heir and a poor secretary – regardless of their genuine love, their strategic marriage had been decided between families. Jinwoo tried to find a solution but couldn’t stand up to his father’s formidable presence.
During this, Mijung discovered she was pregnant. Fearing the child might hinder Jinwoo, she chose to flee and raise the child alone.
That child was Jae-ho. He knew his significance better than anyone.
“I’ll go see Grandfather first.”
As he heard his grandson’s first words, Heontae closed his eyes deeply.
“I have a woman I love, Grandfather.”
The same words, in the same place, had been spoken by someone else. It felt like yesterday, though it had been more than 30 years. Young Heontae was a tyrant then.
He lashed out, throwing things around in his study, when he heard the ridiculous notion of love. Then the reply came.
“I want to marry her, Father.”
“I want to marry this woman.”
Voices overlapped as if Jinwoo had just visited. Heontae opened his eyes to look at his grandson, seeing eyes that resembled his son’s – firm and resolute. Men with such eyes never knew surrender.
“You’re here to listen to what I have to say, yet you start with your own story?”
“I thought this was more important.”
The audacity in his tone was noticeable, even though he came to ask a favor. Heontae narrowed his eyes.
“Are you saying you want to get married right away?”
“Not immediately. But in case you have plans regarding my marriage… I want to marry when I’m ready and with the person I love.”
Heontae’s lips tightened, his expression stern.
“Marriage…”
His grandson had always been closed off. Since coming to this house at seventeen, he had clashed with Heontae and never seemed to blend into the family. Heontae worried whether he would always remain an outsider.
Recently, Heontae had even hoped for a woman who could share Jae-ho’s pain. He had considered arranging a meeting with someone, but now that Jae-ho had someone he loved, it was a relief.
The idea of a strategic marriage made him shudder. Heontae had already made that mistake once with his son. He had no intention of repeating it.
Yet, he responded ambiguously, still needing to obtain many things from his grandson.
“Which family is she from?”
“If I were to describe her by Grandfather’s standards…”
Jae-ho carefully chose his words, determined to be precise.
“…she would be below average in every aspect. But to me, she is everything.”
It was a frank confession.
His voice carried a strength. Without raising his voice or making grand gestures, Jae-ho had a natural ability to command attention, a trait Heontae knew couldn’t be learned, but was innate. This was the main reason Heontae couldn’t give up on Jae-ho.
He had great potential, greater than his father or even Heontae himself.
Heontae remained silent, prompting Jae-ho to speak again.
“Did you consider a strategic marriage for me?”
“I won’t say I didn’t think about it.”
“I don’t want that.”
“It seems so.”
“Will you scold me?”
“Maybe.”
Jae-ho tilted his head slightly, trying to gauge Heontae’s intention. Heontae spoke firmly.
“That depends on you.”
Ah. Jae-ho nodded briefly, then spoke, apparently viewing this as a negotiation. Heontae was curious to see what Jae-ho would offer.
“I’ll participate in the management as you wish. TaeMyung, the food division, or anywhere you designate, I’ll give my best. I’m already clearing my schedule.”
“Again?”
“I’ll move into the Pyeongchang-dong house. I’ll play baduk with you weekly and spend time with my uncle. And about my acting career…”
Jae-ho paused to catch his breath.
“I plan to step back temporarily. I’ll focus solely on the company.”
“It sounds like you’re clipping your own wings. You’re giving up the freedom you always wanted. What do you gain from it?”
“Love.”
Memories of his younger self, who would have scolded for such nonsense and angrily dismissed any talk of love, flashed through Heontae’s mind. He remembered telling Jinwoo about the enormous benefits of marrying into the KL Group, estimating the value in trillions of won.
He could hardly remember Jinwoo’s expression then. Heontae’s brows furrowed.
Male lead Asks for a Divorce Every Day
It’s not often you come across a plot like this in the female-dominant genre — make sure to check it out!
This is a novel I’m planning to reread as well.
The male lead is strong, skilled in martial arts, and not the usual fragile type you often see in matriarchal novels.
Meanwhile, the female lead is a scientist—rational and logical. Even when she falls for the male lead, she doesn’t let her emotions cloud her decisions.
If you push through the first few chapters, you’ll gradually find the story really intriguing.
It has a mix of mystery, detective elements, and romance.
The author’s writing style is like crafting a puzzle—except they deliberately leave out a few pieces, making it hard to predict what happens next, yet keeping you hooked.
In the end, everything will come together and be explained.
One-sentence summary: Wife, stop playing with beakers and look at me!
In a laboratory accident, research scientist Zhu Wansheng accidentally travels to a matriarchal world. The original owner of the body is an eighteen-year-old only daughter of a wealthy rouge merchant, already married with a handsome young man.
Zhu Wansheng grins: Nice! She always said she was heaven’s favorite granddaughter. After a life of toil in her previous life, she can enjoy blessings in this one.
However, her joy lasts no more than three seconds as bad news arrives: the original owner’s family is about to go bankrupt, and her husband wants a divorce.
Even worse, she’s stuck with a research system full of restrictions.
Zhu Wansheng: ? Is this the destiny of a research dog?
——
Faced with this mess, Zhu Wansheng pours herself a bowl of wine to drown her sorrows. In her drunken haze, her husband arrives.
His figure is imposing, holding a long sword, with a dignified air that captivates Zhu Wansheng.
Gu Yingqing, however, looks at the alcohol-reeking Zhu Wansheng with undisguised disgust and coldly asks, “Divorce or not?” The intoxicated Zhu Wansheng mumbles vaguely, “I think… it’s not… it’s not… impossible!”
——
The next day, after sobering up, Zhu Wansheng is full of energy, rolling up her sleeves ready to make a big move. As for yesterday? She has no memory of it.
Zhu Wansheng is ambitious; a research dog fears nothing!
Upgrading rouge, extracting fragrances, producing perfumes, researching lipsticks… all shall bow to the power of modern technology!
The original owner’s dying rouge shop is revitalized. Her mother is pleased and with a wave of her hand, passes on the family business to her. As she takes control and her experimental results gain popularity, it’s the pinnacle of her life…
——
But there are always those who can’t stand to see her doing well. Jealousy, scheming, assassination attempts – they want nothing less than her life.
The person who has always kept his distance from her suddenly holds her tightly in his arms, eyes full of concern.
She is unharmed, but he falls into a pool of blood…
Zhu Wansheng feels guilty, “I can grant you one wish.”
Gu Yingqing tentatively circles his arms around her, carefully resting his head in the crook of her neck, pleading softly, “I regret it. Can we not divorce?”
Zhu Wansheng: ? When did I agree to a divorce?
[Small Theater]
The newly developed rouge is beautifully packaged, and Zhu Wansheng is eager to try it.
Gu Yingqing suddenly appears: “My lady, may I apply it for you?”
Cool fingertips lightly brush her lips. His Adam’s apple bobs as he leans in for a light bite.
Zhu Wansheng: ?
Gu Yingqing: It smells so good, I wanted to taste it…
On a warm spring day, Zhu Wansheng tries a new perfume: “Spring Night.” Gu Yingqing corners her against a wall.
Warm breath lingers on her neck.
“My lady, from now on, may I test the fragrances for you?”
[Humorous female scientist vs scheming live-in son-in-law male lead]
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
