With a surprised expression, Se-ah received flowers. Roses, sweet peas, and peonies were delicately wrapped in beautiful silk.
“Ji, the author, you look sexy today. Unusually.”
Afraid that Yu-hee might overhear, Kang-woo whispered in Ji’s ear. Because of that, the low voice saying “sexy” sounded even more provocative. He playfully pushed her chest as Ji giggled happily.
It had already been six years since they started living together. During that time, Yu-hee had given birth, and they had seen many unpleasant sights, but she still looked pretty. A deep affection flowed in Kang-woo’s eyes as he looked at her with new love.
“You dressed up, and you put on makeup today, so that’s why.”
“Even without makeup, you’re beautiful. Doing a book signing, that’s cool.”
Since there were condolences and such, Kang-woo was the one who turned around and said this time. Awkwardly, Se-ah touched the flower petals while looking down at Yu-hee. She had a gaze for her daughter reading a fairy tale, but her heart pounded.
“How did you come all the way here? You said you were busy today.”
“I made time.”
“…You should’ve told me in advance. Yu-hee got surprised when you came.”
Because she was trembling too much, Kang-woo looked at him timidly, and the nimble Kang-woo couldn’t help but notice. He glanced at Yu-hee and lowered his voice.
“Fine, I’ll die. For coming.”
“I hear nothing. I’m reading a book.”
Sometimes, he sincerely wondered if his daughter was really four years old. Nowadays, they say kids are fast, especially girls. Seeing the impressive daughter, Kang-woo’s shoulder went up.
“As expected of my daughter, Cha Yu-hee. Yu-hee, ask Mom to sign.”
“Yeah.”
Whether she knew or not, Yu-hee, showing her back to her mom and dad, turned the pages one by one. After turning the pages of the picture book that Se-ah handed to her, Yu-hee signed it and handed it back.
“Congratulations, Mom.”
Various emotions rushed over Se-ah as her eyes became warm. She felt so proud to have grown this much to receive a signature on the fairy tale book she wrote. Receiving her daughter’s congratulations, she felt nothing more enviable in the world.
“Do you have things to tidy up?”
“Yes.”
“Will it take long?”
“No. About 20 minutes?”
“Then, Yu-hee and I will be in the car, so take your time and come. Let’s celebrate.”
“Did you make a restaurant reservation?”
“Yeah.”
“Oh, then bring your mom along. It might be lonely to eat alone.”
“Ji-sea is so kind-hearted.”
A smile lingered on his lips. For a moment, excitement visited between them.
“Yu-hee is hungry.”
Holding one hand each of her mom and dad, Yu-hee shook hands.
Hyun-suk was busy taking care of her granddaughter’s favorites. When eating out like today, Hyun-suk always sat next to Yu-hee. Se-ah, who had initially hesitated, realized that Se-ah was truly happy when Hyun-suk fed Yu-hee.
“Grandma, I don’t like bell peppers.”
“Our pretty Yu-hee shouldn’t be picky. Now, try a bite. Ah.”
Hyun-suk and Yu-hee, who stubbornly refused to eat, ended up with Kang-woo intervening.
“Yu-hee, why do you dislike bell peppers?”
“No matter how much I eat, the taste is weird.”
“Sure. Then don’t eat.”
“Hey, Kang-woo.”
In response to his mother’s objection, Kang-woo silently gestured with his eyes.
“Alright. Your father must have a reason.”
With a disappointed expression, Hyun-suk cut the meat. At times like this, Se-ah just stayed back without taking anyone’s side.
“You’ve tried bell peppers many times and still don’t like them, right?”
“Yeah.”
“But you have to eat carrots.”
“Carrots too…”
“If you don’t eat all your vegetables, it’s not good. According to your dad, Yu-hee definitely dislikes the taste of bell peppers. But she eats carrots well.”
Finding a compromise, Yu-hee nodded her head.
“Oh, my, my.”
Suddenly seeing him picking up a forkful of boiled carrots, Hyun-suk was surprised.
“Mr. Kang-woo unexpectedly excels in parenting. Don’t worry, Mom.”
“It’s different when it comes to your child. True.”
Looking at her son, who was doing this, Hyun-suk’s eyes were tender, as if she were looking at a young child rather than a grown son.
Having raised Yu-hee, Se-ah now understood that feeling better. Even when Yu-hee turned twenty or crossed thirty, she probably always felt like a young child to her as well.
Kang-woo sliced the steak and put it on Se-ah’s plate. Se-ah, who was busy serving Yu-hee with pasta, handed it to Hyun-suk.
“Yu-hee, how about sleeping at Grandma’s house tonight?”
“With Mom and Dad?”
“No. Just you and Grandma.”
“Um…”
Although she usually sang songs about going to her grandma’s house, she didn’t seem ready to sleep alone away from her mom and dad.
“Yu-hee, can you sleep at Grandma’s house? It might be tough since you’re still a baby, right?”
Poking at Yu-hee’s competitive spirit, Kang-woo teased her.
“I’m not a baby.”
“Still, what if you get scared? You might cry at night.”
Yu-hee’s worries deepened.
After Being Cheated On, She Picked Up a Treasure (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: The husband I married on a whim had been secretly in love with me for a long time.
On the day when Jun Shao finally obtained the imperial decree for her marriage, Lan Qu, the person she had admired for six years, defied the decree and ran away.
Her gentleness and devotion, her promise of a lifetime together, were all disregarded by him. Instead, he dreamed of entering the palace to serve the Emperor’s sister as a sixth-rank attendant.
News of this incident spread throughout the capital, and the alleys in front of and behind the Lan mansion were crowded with people who came to watch the commotion.
Jun Shao should have been embarrassed and angry.
But someone stepped in to protect her dignity.
The figure was in a miserable state, yet still possessed an undeniable elegance and handsomeness.
The young lord struggled to climb the wall of the Lan mansion and shouted to her, “If he won’t marry you, I will!”
So, Jun Shao took advantage of the situation and married the person.
She thought the young lord did it to save the Lan family from the crime of defying the imperial decree, but never imagined that from beginning to end, what he coveted was her.
*
After the wedding, Jun Shao felt like she was living in a dream.
Her Wife-master was as beautiful as a fairy in a painting, skilled in the six arts, well-versed in poetry and literature, capable of being gentle and attentive, and also grand and dignified. Most importantly, she was the only one in his heart and eyes.
Jun Shao didn’t know how Lan Shiwu, as a illegitimate son without a father and blessed with beauty, had managed to preserve his purity, recklessly escape, and use his last ounce of strength to ruin his own reputation, all because of his love for her, just to stand before her.
She could only see him gazing at her with eyes full of love, and when she bestowed a name upon him, his eyes shone like stars.
“You have come to me like a weary bird perching on a branch. I shall call you A Qi.”
