A Light Contract (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 1

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“What, what did you say?”

Yura momentarily doubted her own ears. The phrase she’d just heard made no sense at all, and her brow instinctively furrowed. Unlike Yura, Lee Hyun’s expression was calmer and more composed than ever— which only further irritated her.

Lee Hyun had suddenly appeared at a place she never expected and brought Yura to his villa. They weren’t close enough to regularly visit each other’s homes, and she saw no reason to follow him, so she’d refused—but reluctantly ended up sitting across from him in the living room after he insisted it was important.

Already flabbergasted by his abrupt appearance, Yura was now utterly dumbfounded by the single sentence he’d just dropped—something several times more absurd.

“A marriage contract.”

“With whom? With me? Why?”

“It’s a good match, isn’t it?”

“Wait, hold on. What could *you* possibly need so badly that you’d specifically choose me?”

“Hm, it’s you who’s in need.”

Yura couldn’t help but let out a dry laugh at the sheer confidence in his reply. Baek Lee Hyun was famously arrogant—so universally praised for his looks that you’d search in vain to find even a trace of humility in him. Twisting her lips, Yura pushed back against his unwavering certainty.

“I don’t need anything.”

Lee Hyun shifted his long legs with a languid cross, every movement exuding sensuality, and tilted his head with a lazy gaze.

“Are you really fine just leaving that guy alone like that?”

Noting how he deliberately referred to “that guy” with palpable hostility, Yura couldn’t think of a proper response—and frankly didn’t feel she needed one, given their relationship. She deliberately avoided his uncomfortable stare.

“We’re done anyway. Besides, what gives you the right to call him ‘that guy’?”

“You may say it’s over, but you’re still being dragged around by him, aren’t you?”

“That’s…”

“Could you really quit Songrim?”

Yura, about to retort, suddenly found herself speechless at Lee Hyun’s follow-up question.

Songrim Art Center—the company Yura currently belonged to—was where she’d climbed to her current position through four grueling years of blood, sweat, and relentless dedication. Her pride in it ran deep, and she was right on the verge of achieving the very goals she’d long desired.

Quitting Songrim was something she’d never even considered. Of course, she should’ve immediately said no—but recent events had seeded enough doubt and disillusionment in her that the words wouldn’t come easily.

“Would it really be any different at Argon?”

His low voice, as if he knew exactly what she was thinking, brought up Argon—the undisputed industry leader. To Songrim, Argon was the mountain they had to climb; to Yura personally, it was her rival she desperately wanted to surpass.

Lee Hyun’s single remark seemed to confirm that no matter how high she climbed, her position in this world wouldn’t fundamentally change. Yura already knew well enough—if she couldn’t speak up freely at Songrim, moving to Argon wouldn’t magically fix that.

Lee Hyun had pinpointed it precisely.

“As long as you don’t quit this job, this kind of thing will keep happening.”

His smug implication that he understood this world better than she did grated on her nerves. Frowning in displeasure, she watched as he casually tossed out another confident declaration.

“And you can’t quit this job.”

“Why do you act like you know everything?”

“Because you want to surpass Jin Yoo Gun.”

Yoo Gun and Yura were siblings, only two years apart, and like any typical siblings, they bickered constantly. That relationship had grown even more distant ever since Yura’s strained relationship with their father worsened. He was probably saying this with that exact dynamic in mind.

“We siblings aren’t enemies like you seem to think we are.”

“Oh, so is your goal your father’s approval then?”

His question wasn’t really a question—it was a statement of certainty. Yura shot him a cold glare. Yet Lee Hyun remained utterly unfazed, merely shrugging his shoulders indifferently. She didn’t want to ask how he knew—it would expose too much—but denying it felt dishonest too.

“Ha, fine. Let’s say that’s true. But it still can’t be you.”

“What can’t it be?”

“You’re surrounded by women—there’s no shortage.”

“Actually, there is.”

“Are you just playing word games again?”

It infuriated her how casually he’d thrown around the word “marriage” and kept dragging up trivial matters instead. Even if his words were right—that she was the one in need—the problem was that *he* was the one making this proposal.

Baek Lee Hyun was the epitome of perfection: looks, background, talent—you name it. She’d heard countless families lined up to secure him for their daughters through arranged meetings. So why, out of all those eligible women from prestigious families, had he chosen *her*? It simply didn’t make sense.

“Sure, you might feel pressured to marry since you’re at that age. But someone as accomplished as you—bothered by something so trivial?”

“I appreciate the high opinion.”

“Tch.”

His evasive answer made Yura click her tongue in irritation. No matter how hard she tried to see him positively, his dry tone alone made her dislike him instantly.

“It’s true—my parents’ nagging about marriage is getting annoying.”

Annoying—not burdensome, not unpleasant—just *annoying*. Yura shook her head at his phrasing.

“And I hate living with a woman I don’t know.”

“Then date someone.”

“That’s a waste of time.”

Trending

After all, which couples in this world truly knew each other from the start? Everyone learns about each other as they go—but he dismissed that whole natural process as worthless. Yura no longer felt like arguing with his logic. How could you explain the path to someone who insisted on skipping straight to the destination without even starting the journey?

“So that’s your reason?”

“If I had to give one—it’s that we’re incredibly alike.”

For a moment, Yura’s face twisted as if she’d just bitten into a bug. Of everything they’d said that day, this was by far the most unpleasant and infuriating remark.

His large eyes—framed by soft double eyelids that somehow only added to their allure—his sharp nose, his clean, angular jawline, and his fair complexion all amplified his naturally cool aura. Blessed with height and maintaining his physique diligently, his broad shoulders formed the perfect apex of a figure utterly free of excess.

No wonder people never stopped praising him—and knowing this all too well only made him more arrogant and shameless. Yet even that arrogance was backed by his background and capabilities.

What frustrated her most was being lumped into the same category as him, despite being someone who relied solely on her own talent and merit.

“I’m not as pathetic as you.”

He gave a faint, amused smile. Yura narrowed her eyes, studying him—so *this* was how he smiled?

“You don’t need to overthink it. It’ll be a very light contract.”

Yura was flabbergasted—how could something called “marriage” ever be “light”? She leaned back against the sofa, crossed her arms over her chest, and lifted her chin challengingly, as if to say, “Go on, keep talking.”

“First, we’ll hold an extravagant wedding ceremony.”

Given it would essentially be a merger between corporations, Yura figured her father, Jin Kang Soo, would naturally throw a lavish wedding for the sake of appearances anyway.

“Second, we’ll maintain the appearance of a happily married couple.”

They’d be legally married—acting cold or hostile like strangers or enemies would only invite unnecessary rumors. So playing the role of a picture-perfect couple was really their only option.

“Third, we’ll divorce after two years.”

Just as Lee Hyun said, Yura herself—if she accepted this marriage—had no intention of making it last forever. She was deeply skeptical about marriage to begin with, and absolutely had zero desire to spend her life with this cynical, icy man. While she’d naturally assumed there’d be an end, the specific timeframe of two years puzzled her.

“Why two years?”

“It’s the most appropriate timing.”

“Ah—you mean when couples naturally drift apart.”

“You’re sharp.”

“Hmph.”

His remark, sounding almost mocking, made Yura snort and turn her head away. According to her married friends, while love’s expiration date might be around three years, the honeymoon phase typically lasted between one to two years. From that perspective, divorcing after two years really was, as he claimed, the most suitable timing.

“Lastly, fourth—no overnight stays outside.”

At the word “lastly,” Yura’s eyes widened instantly. Even if their marriage wasn’t founded on passionate love, once married, there were certain lines they had to respect. Staring straight at Lee Hyun, her expression clearly said, “Why on earth would I even *need* to stay out overnight?”

“Isn’t that obvious?”

“In this world, lots of people fail to honor even the most obvious things.”

Lee Hyun knew perfectly well Yura wasn’t that kind of person—but his real reason was different.

He simply wanted to share a bed with her every night after work, resting their tired bodies together—just like any normal married couple.

But he couldn’t possibly reveal that true intention to Yura, who was already flustered by his sudden proposal.

Since childhood, Lee Hyun had watched over Yura as his destined partner. The Yura he saw wasn’t someone entangled in messy emotions or indulging in trivial romantic games. This shared clarity was exactly where they were alike—and that’s why he believed Yura was the perfect candidate for marriage.

Not as a passionate lover, but as an ideal, flawless spouse. He hadn’t wanted to force this into the mold of an arranged political marriage, so he’d been waiting for the right moment—only for Yura to unexpectedly start dating someone. Of course, it ending unhappily was a relief.

But now that guy she’d broken up with was back.

Yura weighed the terms Lee Hyun had laid out. Honestly, it was a tempting offer. Was there really a better way to escape Oh Se Jin?

Yet the situation felt too sudden, making her hesitant to commit right away. Concealing her inner turmoil, Yura stood up slowly, carefully considering what to say to Lee Hyun.

Meeting his gaze as she moved, she spotted an envelope on the table—his marriage proposal.

“Do you really want to marry me?”

“Yes. Of course, you.”

“Me… are you serious?”

“There’s no reason not to.”

“I’ve never even considered it once.”

Who was Baek Lee Hyun, really? Their families were acquainted, so they’d known each other since childhood—but more significantly, he’d always been her older brother’s friend.

This whole thing felt uncomfortably close to doing something wrong with her own brother, making Yura’s stomach churn.

“Why?”

“You’re my older brother’s friend—this feels like…!”

Just as she was about to voice the thought swirling in her head, Lee Hyun abruptly stood and leaned swiftly over toward her. His knee pressed into the sofa beside her thigh, one hand firmly gripping the backrest—he’d completely boxed her in.

Yura cautiously lifted her head, her entire field of vision filled with him. His light brown eyes held a mysterious allure. Locking eyes with him felt almost hypnotic, her mind growing hazy—a sensation that frightened her.

“We’re a man and a woman—before being your brother’s friend.”

“M-move aside.”

So close she could feel his breath on her skin, Yura swallowed nervously, her lips trembling slightly.

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Caught completely off guard by the sudden turn of events, her wide eyes swirled like stormy seas.

Her face and ears burned as if on fire. In stark contrast, his calm, composed expression stung her pride.

“Seems there’s plenty of potential.”

“Move.”

The instant Lee Hyun stepped back, Yura sprang to her feet. After glaring briefly at the envelope on the table, she snatched it up and turned away abruptly.

“I’ll think about it.”

“Don’t take too long.”

Lee Hyun leaned back into the sofa again, speaking leisurely. Yura shot him a fierce look before turning on her heel. A satisfied smile spread fully across Lee Hyun’s face.

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