‘Then take care.’

That was the bride’s first words as they came out after registering their marriage.

She emphasized separating public and private matters, asking to refrain from personal contact as much as possible. Though politely expressed, her intent was firm.

Feeling somewhat resentful, he considered teasing her a bit, but ended up doing as she wished.

Perhaps it was because he had no other desires. At that time, just being on the same family register was enough.

Afterwards, they attended various events together. It was a strictly business relationship.

And a month ago, the L Construction foundation anniversary event was the last day he saw her.

On that day when he had to stay at her house for a long time out of necessity. For the first time, he had such a thought.

What if he lived like this with Kye Da Hae?

However, he couldn’t grasp it, unsure of what emotion it stemmed from. She wasn’t the type of woman who could be easily caught anyway.

What was certain was that after that day, Kye Da Hae wouldn’t leave his mind.

Before he knew it, he was thinking about that woman habitually, unsure if he wanted more than their contractual relationship or simply wished to become closer.

The moment he decided he had to see her, he found a justification.

Our relationship needed that. Though in the end, it became useless.

Jae Kyung laughed softly. It was a bitter, empty laugh. Then he searched for a suitable reason why his wife couldn’t accompany him.

Nothing extreme like a car accident. Something ordinary.

Just then.

“Oh? Chairman Kang, over there…”

The person sitting facing the entrance called out to Jae Kyung, pointing somewhere.

At the same time, the sound of high heels distinctly caught his ear.

Jae Kyung turned his head casually and let out a small gasp.

With an elegant figure that matched well with the softly flowing music, Kye Da Hae was approaching.

Her modest attire stood out among the people who had come dressed up. Yet it didn’t feel plain.

Like a pure oriental orchid blooming among flamboyantly decorated western orchids.

As Da Hae came close enough to discern her expression and smiled brightly, Jae Kyung responded with a slight smile.

“Sorry I’m late.”

Not sorry at all. He could clearly imagine how much she must have cursed on her way here.

Still, as she had to act, Jae Kyung chuckled softly at her apologizing first.

Then he laughed, shrugging his shoulders. He rested his face on one hand and even tilted his head. His face was quite excited.

Like a child happy to see their mother who had decided not to attend the school performance.

Though he was usually nice, such an unguarded smile was a sight none of those seated around had ever seen before.

The women’s eyes looking at Da Hae dripped with envy, thinking the rumors of Kang Jae Kyung falling in love at first sight and proposing right away weren’t unfounded after all.

Da Hae was disgruntled.

It was absurd enough that Kang Jae Kyung was laughing like a madman just from seeing her face, but the various energies emitted by the gathering gazes were overwhelming.

By now, a new chair had been placed next to Jae Kyung.

Someone quickly brought it, noticing his gesture to stand up.

Da Hae sat down after giving a nod of thanks, and the proper welcoming began.

Even as she responded appropriately, she felt an intense gaze near her temples.

“Why didn’t you answer the phone?”

Da Hae leaned back and whispered quietly during a lull in attention.

“You should have just agreed to come obediently.”

Jae Kyung added with a voice tinged with laughter, saying she always plays hard to get once, and showed her his turned-off phone to confirm it had no battery.

It was then that he straightened his back as if rebounding.

Startled by the small but significant movement, she turned to the side to see his slanted gaze fixated on a certain point.

Below Kye Da Hae’s face, on her freely open neckline.

“What are you looking at?”

“Your exposed neck for all to see.”

Da Hae glanced down at her shirt.

Her collarbone was half-revealed, but it didn’t feel particularly sexy.

“Why did you stop halfway buttoning it?”

“It’s the concept.”

“Exposure?”

“Wake up, sir. The Joseon era is over.”

“The noble’s wife has become quite corrupt. Was she enlightened too quickly?”

The couple exchanged words dryly while facing forward, then called a temporary truce.

This was because the focus of the chattering guests suddenly shifted to them.

A string of inane questions followed – does Jae Kyung treat you well, how’s newlywed life, any plans for children?

Da Hae would answer appropriately, and Jae Kyung would add to her responses, but somehow the chairman’s replies were curt.

As the focus dispersed, Da Hae pulled in her chin.

“You’re quite comfortable with informal speech?”

The man lowered his lips to her ear and said nonchalantly.

“We’re married. And I’m older.”

“Even if we’re married and you’re older, you should still be polite.”

Da Hae clicked her tongue, saying wasn’t it the noble sir who had become corrupt?

Jae Kyung rested his chin on one arm draped over the back of Da Hae’s chair, stroking his chin with his other hand.

“Is that so?”

Ignoring his meaningful tone, Da Hae picked up a grape placed in front.

She needed to replenish her rapidly dropping blood sugar.

As she put a large grape in her mouth, the juice burst.

The strong sour taste made her eyes scrunch involuntarily. Her mouth filled with saliva.

As she looked around the table for something to wipe her damp lips, a wrist with a silver metal watch suddenly appeared before her eyes. It held a napkin.

The greeting she was about to offer while receiving it was cut off at the start.

“Please eat slowly, my lady. I’m concerned you might choke.”

Because Chairman Kang’s period drama tone left her speechless.

“…”

Da Hae slowly chewed what was in her mouth while looking at Kang Jae Kyung with disdain as he smirked, unable to hold back his smile.

He didn’t seem to mind the corrupt wife’s gaze at all.

The couple’s standoff met its second truce due to protests erupting from all directions.

“Wow~ The couple seems really close?”

“Our Chairman Kang is even witty. Da Hae, you’re so lucky! Hahaha!”

Last winter was particularly cold, so perhaps all the wit froze to death then.

Putting on a calculated smile, Da Hae quietly stood up and excused herself, heading towards the restroom.

As she left the banquet hall, the excited voice of W Textile’s eldest son, who lacked tact, cut through the air.

“Wow, Chairman Bae sure is something. Kye Da Hae was indeed no ordinary woman, huh?”

Faces unable to hide their shock turned towards him, but the man, excited by the focused attention, added more.

“To think that the great Kang Jae Kyung is living under a woman’s thumb?”

“Yes.”

“Uh, yes…?”

Confused by the bland affirmation, W Textile’s eldest son just blinked stupidly. He finally realized he was the only one smiling.

“It’s comfortable that way.”

Jae Kyung slowly rose, uncrossing his legs, and smiled lightly. It was a smile equally fair to everyone.

The man, gripped by a chilling sensation, gulped down a dry swallow.

The leisurely steps stopped behind him, and two large hands firmly gripped his shrinking shoulders.

The pressure was tremendous for mere palm weight.

“I prefer to be the one doing the catching, though.”

“R-right! It suits you to be the catcher, Chairman Kang…!”

Though he couldn’t bring himself to turn around, he answered enthusiastically.

Hmm, as if troubled, Jae Kyung hummed and smiled, crinkling his eyes.

“But I can’t catch you, can I?”

“Uh, uh…?”

“Hmm?”

“Hmm…”

Having obtained the desired answer, Kang Jae Kyung finally released the man’s shoulders.

Only after seeing Jae Kyung leave the banquet hall did he let out the breath he’d been holding.

What just happened was clearly a warning. Not to carelessly mention his woman.

Even lacking in tact, he understood that much clearly. The effect was certain.

From then on, he never uttered even the first syllable of Kye Da Hae’s name in any gathering.

*

Damp knuckles lifted the faucet lever.

As the cool stream of water stopped, Da Hae’s sigh became distinctly audible.

“What nonsense about being concerned.”

She nearly stuck out her tongue, forgetting her surroundings, at his brazen face reciting a scene from a period drama.

Her lips, which had been pressed together forming frown lines, parted with a smacking sound.

Kang Jae Kyung was impeccable as always today.

Short-trimmed hair and a clean jawline without a trace of stubble. A naturally wrinkled dress shirt, semi-brogue shoes.

He was perfectly Da Hae’s style without a single flaw, but why were his actions so peculiar? If she considered it just the quirk of a fellow boatman on the same ship, that would be that, but she felt strangely disheartened.

Da Hae halfheartedly wiped off the moisture with a paper towel from the dispenser and pulled herself together.

As she was choosing an appropriate tone to respond in kind if he came at her with the historical drama tone again.

“Oh…!”

Da Hae’s body was suddenly thrown backwards as she was just rounding the corner. Her stumbling heels made irregular sounds.

As her back pressed against the marble wall, forcing her to stand upright unintentionally, Da Hae raised her small chin high.

Sharp eyes were scanning her limbs.

“I heard my wife was in a car accident.”

“Thanks to her excellent reflexes, she’s fine.”

Did he chase after her just to argue about that? Not even a word of thanks to a partner who readily accommodates unreasonable requests? Ungrateful Kang Jae Kyung.

“Thank you.”

“…?”

“For readily accommodating even unreasonable requests.”

“…”

Somehow, a chill ran down her spine. How was it possible for him to copy her thoughts word for word without missing a single letter?

Had he really been possessed by the soul of a thousand-year-old snake? If so, should she even guard her inner thoughts? As she was lost in these absurd delusions.

“…You said it was the concept.”

The hand that had abruptly come close as if to grab her collar began buttoning her shirt. He was a man with a strange fixation on odd points.

Feeling awkward, Da Hae complained halfheartedly but let him do as he pleased.

His large hands struggled with the small buttons. There was no particular quirk. His downturned face was quite serious.

It was quite amusing to watch his furrowed brow.

The citrus scent he always gave off suited him well.

He had a good sense for choosing shoes, and seemed to understand well what suited him.

A man who, despite his young age, achieved success, became an object of envy, possessed a status and background everyone coveted, yet still engaged in strange behavior.

What on earth was going through the mind of this goblin-like Kang Jae Kyung?

Da Hae quickly averted her gaze when she met his pitch-black eyes hovering at eye level.

Somehow, she felt a tickle down her spine.

“How far are you going to button it? You’ll choke me.”

Pale fingers wrapped around his thick wrist, restraining his actions.

Just one more button… The man’s eyes shifted to the woman’s hand gripping his wrist as he contemplated finishing what he started.

It was then that his impassive face subtly crumpled.

“You took it off. The wedding ring.”