Huntae’s words, expressing strong trust in Ihyeon, slightly eased Yura’s worries. When the busy meal resumed, the galbijjim dish was subtly pushed toward Yura.
“Dear, was there no problem at work?”
Hyuntae’s affectionate question caused Yura’s nose to tingle slightly.
“No, there was no problem.”
“Okay. If you’re okay, everything’s fine.”
“I’m sorry for causing you to worry.”
“Stop saying that. Let’s eat quickly.”
It was a concern and comfort that she had never heard from her father. Yura felt that she had to make a considerable effort to control her ever-spreading desires.
While reluctantly putting rice into her mouth, she regretted marrying for the first time.
Does Baek Ihyeon know? If he knew that his parents were such warm and affectionate people, he probably wouldn’t have entered into this contractual marriage. How can one give their heart to such people, part without lingering regrets, more than the love for Baek Ihyeon?
More worrying than the love for Baek Ihyeon was the warmth that she couldn’t forget, especially the two years to come.
After finishing the meal and going to the second floor, Yura stared at the distant window.
Separate from estimating the breakup with Baek Ihyeon, O Sejin’s situation kept bothering Yura’s mind. While it was difficult to easily reverse the course of events, the appearance of Ju Hyerim was perplexing.
What did Ihyeon talk about with Ju Hyerim? Why did Hyerim come looking for Ihyeon instead of O Sejin? The question kept lingering, tangling and confusing Yura’s thoughts.
“Why?”
Along with Ihyeon’s low-pitched voice, a warm hand touched Yura’s shoulder.
“Just because I wondered if it would really end like this.”
“It’s over. There’s nothing more to do.”
“If that’s the case, I’m relieved.”
Although there were other questions she wanted to ask, Yura couldn’t bring herself to do so. It seemed harshly blocked, as if unnecessary and unrelated to herself. It wasn’t Ihyeon’s silence that frightened her but facing his chilly and cynical gaze.
As her feelings deepened, even the familiar sight of Ihyeon always bothered her chest.
Despite originally being reserved and not showing emotions, these days his indifferent appearance was somewhat disheartening. Thoughts like whether she should be treated a bit more affectionately surfaced, and despite knowing that her concern and care were merely for show, she disliked herself for constantly attributing meaning to it.
“I’ll be continuously late due to work for a while.”
“Well, you were busy anyway.”
“That’s true.”
These were the things that confused her. He wasn’t even the type to say if he was going to be late, so why suddenly say such things? The confusing favor from Ihyeon was unsettling Yura’s heart.
While silently promising not to make unreasonable meanings and torment herself alone, Ihyeon unexpectedly made a suggestion.
“How about going on a trip once things settle down?”
At Ihyeon’s mention of a trip, Yura recalled the honeymoon destination they visited not long ago. It hadn’t even been two weeks, but it felt as if several months had passed.
The breaking sunlight and the bright smile of Baek Ihyeon felt like a dream. She wished he hadn’t been so reluctant back then, that he had looked carefully, asked for more smiles. The vivid memory of that time created a strong yearning.
Yura wanted to go back there right away and see that version of Ihyeon again, but she knew it was just a desire.
Although things got busier due to O Sejin’s situation, Ihyeon was already a consistently busy person. She didn’t want to forcibly take time away, and for now, the situation where Yura couldn’t even spare a moment for herself due to the increased workload was an obvious and predictable outcome.
“As for a trip, O Sejin’s performance will be missed, and I have to replace it with another performance. So, I’m busy from now on as well.”
“Oh.”
Ihyeon sighed as if really in crisis. At this rate, there would be a delay in the second-half performance.
O Sejin’s performance was planned as a long-term show over several months, and during the gaps, they intended to include performances by a few other artists.
Finding artists available for long-term performances was a challenge, and there was no luck in finding artists for year-end performances either. As time raced towards the end of April, there were no significant achievements in the planned events.
Feeling the pressure of impending performances, Yura sighed deeply. As Ihyeon gently grasped her nape and lightly touched her cheek, she raised her head in surprise.
Ihyeon’s eyes, filled with passion, were noticeably intensified. A danger signal flashed in Yura’s mind in an instant.
“Why, why are you doing this?”
“Compensation.”
“What?”
“I haven’t received my compensation.”
Yura blinked in bewilderment. The heat that had emerged in the discreet space of the study rose, and her face flushed.
Without realizing it, Yura avoided Ihyeon’s sticky gaze. Moreover, this place felt more embarrassing and awkward than the study. It was not just a place for the two of them; it was the in-laws’ house, making this act even more disgraceful.
“Are you crazy? Your parents are downstairs.”
This felt like doing something wrong secretly behind the parents’ backs. Despite being adults and even a married couple with no one to interfere, an inexplicable sense of guilt surged.
Yura vehemently shook her head, expressing that it was not acceptable. However, Ihyeon showed no intention of backing away.
As solid as a rock, his arm wrapped around Yura’s waist, leaving no room for even the slightest gap. Startled, Yura took a deep breath, and Ihyeon’s ominous whisper penetrated her ears.
“Yeah, so you should be quiet.”
Then, unexpectedly, Ihyeon bit into her nape in a swift motion.
A short scream escaped Yura involuntarily.
“Ah!”
“Hush.”
Ihyeon raised his index finger, pressing firmly on Yura’s lips. Then, he gently caressed her trembling shoulders. Yura bit her lips and glanced at Ihyeon.
“Really, you troublesome fox.”
“Heh.”
Ihyeon’s low, mischievous laughter tickled her ears. It was irresistibly provocative and wicked, making Baek Ihyeon unbeatable.
Though Yura thought it was dangerous, it drew closer to her, and she couldn’t push Ihyeon away. As her trembling hand grabbed his lapel, Ihyeon swiftly swallowed her lips.
As if showing that he had endured a lot, Ihyeon forcefully engulfed her lips in a kiss. Yura’s legs wobbled from the threatening force.
Ihyeon firmly held her waist, persistently exploring her lips. Along with the faint scent of mint, his breath entered, and a rich heat emerged.
Yura decided to concentrate on feeling Ihyeon as long as she could. Due to the uncertainty of when it would end, she didn’t want to miss this happiness and excitement.
At least for now, Ihyeon clearly conveyed that he still desired her. That alone was the wish she wanted to cherish.
Male lead is a Divorced Husband
She said to him: “Tell me, what makes you like me? I’ll change it!”
Liu Changning transmigrated into a female cannon fodder character in a female-dominant novel.
After reading the first half of the novel’s plot, the first thing she did upon transmigration was to divorce the Pan Jinlian-style male protagonist she had just married.
She indulged herself, pretending to be ugly and poor.
But as time passed, the way that man looked at her became more and more unusual…
Liu Changning was dumbfounded: Tell me, what makes you like me? I’ll change!
――
This lifetime, Pei Yuanshao was rejected by the same woman twice!
The first time, she drove him away. Forced by the situation, he endured the waves of anger in his heart, yielding and humbling himself.
That person lay slanted on a rocking chair, her sallow face emotionless: “If you don’t want a divorce, go cook!”
Pei Yuanshao’s face was dark and gloomy: “You!”
The second time, after the crisis in Jinling City was resolved, the new emperor sent someone to pick him up. He turned around, stammering: “I… I have to go. If you keep me…”
That person lay on the kang bed, her back to him, as if she had long anticipated this day, crisp and clear: “Goodbye!”
Pei Yuanshao was so angry his fingers trembled: “You… you!”
The mission of family and country made him restrain himself, averting his eyes and turning to leave this broken household.
Two years later, they met again. Seeing her ethereal face, his body shook like a sieve.
“She was originally a ‘she’!”
At the Qionglin Banquet, the top scholar of the imperial examination, a talented person with exceptional speech and conduct, all the unmarried young gentlemen from aristocratic families looked at her with shy and timid eyes.
The peerless imperial official Pei Yuanshao felt the anger in his heart erupt. He pointed at the woman surrounded by the crowd at the Qionglin Banquet, his thin lips slightly curled: “Little sister, I wants that person to be the wife-master of my Mingde Prince Manor.”
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