He skillfully plated a piece of exquisitely cooked sea bream on Yura’s rice, smiling gently.
“So, have you decided?”
Yura had come to a conclusion not just during her call with her father or while listening to Sejin’s absurdities. Yet, for some reason, she hesitated to answer. She was reevaluating if there really was no other option.
Her view on marriage was largely negative, shaped by observing her patriarchal and male-preference-oriented parents. Despite appearing happy, her upbringing led her to inherently distrust men’s perspectives.
Yura, initially believing Sejin to be different from other men, eventually realized his breakup method made him no different. This only reinforced her inability to trust men as a whole.
Even though the marriage with Baek I-hyun was just a contract, devoid of love or shallow trust, she hesitated to step into a system she fundamentally opposed. She took a deep breath, emptying her cluttered mind, reminding herself that whether it’s a system or trust, it all boils down to a piece of paper.
“Okay, I’ll do it.”
“Good choice.”
“But, I want to add a few conditions.”
“Tell me.”
Yura put down her spoon and met Baek I-hyun’s serious gaze.
“Now, this is the critical part. These conditions are vital in this damned marriage. They’ll shape the efficacy of that piece of paper, ensuring both the system and trust.”
It was time for the real negotiation, determining how far Baek I-hyun would accommodate her needs.
“I’ll continue working.”
“Fine. Just inform me of the mandatory family events. For anything else, you handle it.”
“What else?”
Yura gathered her breath again, finding it hard to continue. She recently understood his ‘no overnight stays’ rule wasn’t just about the words but their implied meaning.
Considering Yura had no experience with men, even during her high school fling and year-long relationship with Sejin, the idea of a wedding night was alien and uncomfortable.
She had set her boundaries, believing they would shield her from forthcoming situations.
“About physical contact.”
“Physical contact?”
Baek I-hyun found Yura’s blushing face, resembling a peach, quite refreshing. He had assumed her experience with men due to her past relationship with Sejin and attributed her stiffness to sudden circumstances. Now, her choice of words and reaction piqued his curiosity.
“Hand-holding or hugging, maybe, but anything beyond should be mutually agreed upon.”
“Hmm, okay.”
Yura internally sighed in relief, surprised by Baek I-hyun’s straightforward agreement. She wondered if she should have been firmer in her refusal, but the appropriateness of her boundary seemed to justify his acceptance.
“Regarding alimony in case of divorce…”
“I’ll ensure you have enough for a lifetime of leisure.”
Yura frowned at his reply, feeling underestimated. While currently independent from her father’s financial support, she had never lacked anything and certainly never planned a life of idleness. His logic, trivializing her as someone seeking financial gain, irritated her.
“Write that it’s not needed.”
“You’d better accept it.”
Seeing Baek I-hyun’s perplexed look, Yura snorted dismissively. Everyone in the world values money, necessary for basic survival and maintaining human dignity.
However, she was averse to the idea of money being involved in their contract marriage. She disliked the notion of marrying for money even more than the institution of marriage itself.
If there were gains other than money, that would be a different matter. Hence, Yura proposed an alternate benefit in place of alimony.
“If you insist on giving something, then be a support to my brother.”
“Jin Yugeon?”
Baek I-hyun looked surprised. From his perspective, their sibling relationship might have seemed contentious. Yet, fundamentally, it was about Yura’s freedom.
“My brother needs strength to counteract my father.”
“Your sibling relationship seems better than I thought.”
“Not enemies, at least.”
“Okay, let’s think about that gradually.”
Even within a family, individual differences and occasional conflicts are natural, especially when it involves power dynamics like in the Jinwha Group.
Yura had no desire for the power or wealth that might come from the Jinwha Group. She harbored neither hostility nor inferiority towards her brother, just finding his overprotectiveness a bit bothersome.
“So, let’s work well together, contract husband.”
“Likewise, contract wife.”
They reached across the table, their hands meeting in agreement. It was the initial step towards their contractual marriage.
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
