While speaking slowly, he gently pushed her hair behind her ear. Se Ah shivered at the ticklish and strange sensation.
“I should learn from Se Ah. How to love.”
“Se, Ah?”
Pretending not to hear, Kang Woo grabbed the steering wheel. Se Ah watched his profile intently as he expertly navigated the car.
These moments together were thrilling and happy.
She decided to love him as if today was their last.
They did a round of shopping. The gifts were for the children at the orphanage.
Kang Woo bought a generous amount of stationery and toys, as if to sweep the entire store. It was a way of showing affection, hoping that her long-awaited visit to the orphanage would be celebrated.
They sent the gifts for over a hundred children directly to the orphanage via courier service as it was too much to carry.
After shopping for the primary purpose, Se Ah bought a luxury scarf as a salary-celebration gift for Hyun Sook. Se Ah thought that was the end of their shopping.
Holding onto the escalator handrail, Se Ah looked exhausted. Kang Woo, noticing her weary shoulders, relaxed his lips.
“Tired?”
“A bit. I guess shopping isn’t really my thing.”
“It’s because you didn’t buy anything for yourself.”
Se Ah narrowed her eyes and pouted her lips, appearing somewhat wronged.
“What do you mean? I bought gifts for the kids and my mother. It would have been just ordinary stuff if I had used only my money… Thanks to Kang Woo, the kids will be really happy. Thank you for caring.”
Se Ah’s praise always made Kang Woo dance and ignited his motivation.
“I’m still not satisfied though.”
“Why? Because we didn’t buy anything for you?”
“Yeah.”
“You really have a high opinion of yourself, Kang Woo.”
“Of course. Who else would love me that much?”
“……”
“It’s a joke. Didn’t expect you to look so pitiful.”
“I know. But still, when Kang Woo says things like that… somehow, it makes me feel lonely.”
“Why?”
Although she didn’t know well, considering Nam Tae’s nature, she guessed Kang Woo’s upbringing wasn’t easy.
That’s why when he made slightly twisted remarks, she would swallow the pain inside. She knew he had high pride and disliked others presuming to know him.
“Just. And why wouldn’t Kang Woo have someone who likes him? I’m here. Me, me.”
Se Ah vigorously pointed to herself. Kang Woo’s eyebrows twitched as if questioning her abrupt and frank show of affection.
However, soon he pulled her small, delicate hand. Apparently not satisfied with just holding hands, he pressed her close against his broad chest.
“Now you sway me whenever you want.”
Kang Woo’s lips relaxed as he smiled along with the laughing Se Ah.
“But why the sudden increase in affection? Your tone is so sweet, I could melt.”
“I’ve wanted to for a while… I was just holding back. I don’t want to anymore. Does it bother you?”
“I like it. Do it more.”
His directness made Se Ah beam with a smile.
“It’s great that Kang Woo is joining me at Hanbit Orphanage… But don’t you need to go to the launch party?”
“I informed Director Lee to attend on my behalf. Anyway, I need to get involved in the collaboration with G-Comms, so it’s good to greet them in advance.”
“The launch party is hosted by G-Comms?”
“Yes. Why?”
“I just wondered if they might find it unpleasant.”
“No way. As far as G-Comms is concerned, anyone making a courtesy appearance is enough.”
Whether Min Young would think the same, Se Ah wasn’t sure. Nam Tae’s ulterior motives were one thing, but Min Young’s intentions were unclear.
The recent dinner with the three of them, presumably orchestrated by Nam Tae, could be just a business necessity. But despite her complex thoughts, Se Ah smiled brightly.
Kang Woo stopped at the floor connected to the premium luxury section.
“Let’s go this way.”
“Why here?”
“Because you’re beautiful. I want to buy you a gift.”
“No, no, it’s okay.”
Se Ah pulled on Kang Woo’s hand, insisting. She had already received more than enough material gifts.
“I can’t even use up what I have at home in a year. It’s just a waste now.”
“Isn’t it better to have more?”
“It’s a pity to just let them sit unused.”
“Then we’ll get something you won’t find wasteful.”
Kang Woo gently pulled the reluctant Se Ah.
“Come on. Give me a chance to be pampered too.”
She surrendered to his innocent insistence.
Kang Woo took her to a jewelry store he had already visited. The manager greeted them with a bright smile.
“Have you been here before?”
“To buy something for you. A heart-shaped jewelry set.”
“……Ah.”
Recalling the specific details, Se Ah nodded her head.
“Not even once did you wear them. Heartless Se Ah.”
Teasingly, Kang Woo lightly pressed Se Ah’s small nose. Seeing her eyes light up with understanding, he was delighted by every expression she made, as if he was buoyed up with joy.
“Is there something specific you’re looking for?”
The manager’s query brought Kang Woo back to the moment.
“Something that can be worn 24/7, without ever taking it off.”
“Then, may I suggest a ring as a safe option?”
“A ring can be inconvenient during showers or in bed. My girlfriend tends to take it off.”
“……Kang Woo.”
“Why?”
Girlfriend? Se Ah mouthed the question before leaning close to Kang Woo’s ear.
“And talking about bed is too personal.”
“I couldn’t think of a synonym. Forgive me.”
Pretending not to notice their affectionate exchange, the manager pondered. To help, Kang Woo spoke up.
“Show us a couple’s necklace, please.”
“Excellent choice. Just a moment, please.”
Kang Woo liked a necklace with the brand’s signature rectangular frame deeply engraved with the word HOLIC. HOLIC, meaning addict. He hoped Se Ah would be just as captivated by it.
“Se Ah, how about this one?”
“I like it. If Kang Woo likes it, I like it too.”
When the manager tried to put it in a gift box, Kang Woo stopped her and instead put it around Se Ah’s neck.
“Don’t ever take it off. 365 days.”
Surprised at first by his insistent words, Se Ah soon smiled broadly. She picked up the men’s necklace and stood on her tiptoes, prompting Kang Woo to bend his knees to her height.
The necklace, with a long chain and a sleek, unisex design, surprisingly suited him well. The absence of any chunkiness added a deeper masculine charm.
“Kang Woo, you shouldn’t take it off either. 365 days.”
Echoing his words, Se Ah whispered softly in his ear, her eyes crinkling softly.
Despite the cold of winter, it felt like a gentle spring breeze was blowing in their hearts.
Male lead fell into her trap — and shattered when she walked away
This is also on my reread list!
This one is a slow burn, but when it burns, it burns hard.
Definitely worth a read, y’all!
The story follows a thousand-year-old seductive spirit who, on a bet, sets out to charm the male lead—a once-promising but unfortunate cultivator.
But just when she succeeds in making him fall for her, she heartlessly leaves, driving him to madness.
Determined to find her at all costs, he captures her, keeping her by his side no matter what, even if she hates him.
I love this kind of trope—I enjoy watching the male lead suffer in agony.
The ending drags a bit with unnecessary filler, but that’s fine.
As long as I enjoy the beginning, I’m good.
Intro
As an enchantress, Su Heng possesses captivating eyes and charming beauty, easily manipulating the joys and sorrows of living beings at her fingertips.
But to enchant a god, making him taste the bitterness of love’s separation, long-lasting resentment, unattainable desires, and inability to let go…
Do you dare?
Su Heng assists a divine lord in his cultivation, aiming to make him experience all the sufferings of love, so that he can attain the Great Dao.
Only after being chased down from the heavens by the divine lord, confined and completely possessed by him, does she realize how successful she has been.
The once gentle and polite youth has transformed into someone she no longer recognizes.
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
