Each in charge of a small subsidiary within Joo An Group, they stood apart from each other. To their sides were lined up individuals around Tae Seo’s age, presumably the granddaughters of Chairman Jeong.
They exchanged whispers and glances at Tae Seo, their eyes full of curiosity and caution. Even though a funeral parlor is never a place for good atmosphere, there was an especially harsh energy circulating.
The silent calculations were evident, on how to divide the shares of Joo An Food, the holding company of Joo An Group.
It was a moment that foreshadowed the fragmented future of Joo An Group, soon to be torn apart. Tae Seo gave the portrait of Chairman Jeong, the self-made founder of Joo An Group, one last look and swallowed a bitter smile before turning away.
“Hey, another guest is arriving!”
A stir rose from behind. The voice was unmistakably that of Jung Jae Hoon’s aunt calling for the family member in charge, but Tae Seo did not look back.
“Go straight home. I will get back by myself.”
“But…”
“It seems like the journalists have all the photos they need by now; please have them wrap up.”
He meant to signal that no more photographs should be taken of him.
Manager Jang understood and nodded, gesturing to the chauffeur. After handing the smart key to Tae Seo and bowing respectfully, Manager Jang headed toward the area where the journalists had gathered with the security team.
Tae Seo stood for a moment, gazing into the distance, then clenched his jaw and headed for the parking lot. He slowed his pace slightly more than usual, ensuring that Jung Jae Hoon, who might follow him, wouldn’t waste time searching.
Before parking, Tae Seo checked that the second-floor windows were dark before entering the house. Therefore, the scene that unfolded before him now was entirely unexpected.
Standing still in the entryway for a moment, Tae Seo managed to suppress a rising grin. He nearly let out a laugh.
His steps towards the central living room on the first floor were cautious. Holding his breath, he clenched his lips tightly and knelt down. There lay Jae In, curled up and asleep on the sofa.
“Why are you sleeping here uncomfortably when there’s a comfortable bed prepared for you on the second floor?” he thought, but the sight of her peacefully sleeping face kept making him smile.
Did she wait for me? Is it okay to think that?
It was the first time someone had waited for him at home. Tae Seo felt a peculiar sensation.
Whether it was his heart, lungs, or somewhere else, something tingled, squeezed tightly, and ached, causing his nose to feel prickly. The growing tremor was a type of emotion he had never felt before.
Does Jae In’s scent carry warmth, too? The house, which always felt somewhat chilly despite the heater running, now felt warm where Jae In’s sweet fragrance lingered.
Looking at her peach-colored forehead revealed through strands of fallen hair, her beautiful eyelashes resting on her closed eyes, her cute, pert nose, and her softly closed full lips, Tae Seo couldn’t take his eyes off her. He belatedly realized his own hand was reaching towards her cheek.
“…….”
He barely managed to pull back his greedy hand. Spreading a blanket he found on the sofa’s backrest over her small frame, his gaze was tender.
While he carefully covered her to ensure no draft would get in, he was careful not to wake her, and his hand lingered long on the empty edge of the blanket.
“Wait, let’s talk.”
As he approached the car he had parked in a corner of the funeral home lot, Tae Seo clenched his fist at the sound he had been anticipating. Just hearing the voice was enough to stoke his anger; he took several breaths to quell it before he could turn around.
Jung Jae Hoon faced him with his jaw muscles clenched tight. Tae Seo’s eyes, not hiding his displeasure, looked down coldly.
“Tae Seo, I hear you’ve been approaching our Jae In…”
“Our Jae In?”
“…….”
Tae Seo narrowed his eyes and glared at Jae Hoon. As he enunciated each word with force, Jae Hoon clenched his teeth and glared back.
“The ‘our Jae In’ you just mentioned.”
“…….”
“That wouldn’t be the same Yoon Jae In who nearly died because of a stalker bastard like you eight years ago.”
“Don’t get close to Yoon Jae In. She’s not someone you can take lightly.”
“Who’s taking Yoon Jae In lightly? Me? Or you, who’s nothing?”
As Tae Seo scoffed, raising an eyebrow in disdain, Jung Jae Hoon, who had been hiding in the corner of the parking lot, suddenly lunged at him. Tae Seo effortlessly dodged the arms reaching for his collar and pressed Jae Hoon’s back against the car.
“When you pick a fight, choose someone on your level. Neither Yoon Jae In nor I are suited to play with a dark, twisted bastard like you.”
“Jae In is a pitiful girl! Don’t carelessly, ugh, touch her!”
“Ha… If you were a decent human being, you wouldn’t say such nonsense.”
“You’re not a woman to be toyed with by the likes of you! Yoon Jae In has been mine since high school…!”
“Shut up.”
With a crunch of bone meeting bone, Jung Jae Hoon let out a low groan. His crushed ribs seemed to press on his lungs, and he began to gasp in pain.
“Listen well. This is your only warning.”
“…….”
“The day Yoon Jae In spots you or I find you near Yoon Jae In.”
Jae Hoon gulped down rough breaths, trying to endure the pain in his twisted arm and neck.
“I’ll make you regret being born.”
“Kang, Tae Seo… you, bastard, ugh!”
Tae Seo put more force into the arm holding Jae Hoon down. Jae Hoon’s face was crushed against the car window, and his neck was nearly bent in half as he gasped and choked. Tae Seo spat out his words as if chewing on curses right by Jae Hoon’s ear.
“Don’t even think about wandering around carelessly. Stick to the places you usually go.”
“…….”
“Make sure it doesn’t irritate me to keep an eye on you.”
Tae Seo only let go after he saw Jae Hoon nod. Jae Hoon collapsed to the ground, hacking and coughing. Tae Seo stepped past him and got into his car.
Having signaled that he was being watched, the man would likely be more cautious. But since Jae Hoon wasn’t one to give up easily, Tae Seo knew he needed to stay sharp to prevent any reckless approach towards Jae In again.
As he looked at the peacefully sleeping Jae In, the anger that had soared within him began to ebb away. The smile that spread across his lips was meant for Yoon Jae In alone.
How long had he watched her? Unable to tear his gaze away from the sleeping Jae In, Tae Seo headed to the bathroom and returned to the living room with a clear face soon after, his hair tips still wet.
“Sleep well.”
He sat down on the floor and rested his arms on the edge of the sofa, his head slowly tilting forward. His eyes still lingered on Jae In as he placed his face in the crook of his arm.
He knew she wasn’t enticing him by sleeping like this. There was no calculation in her childlike slumber. He knew it was madness to feel seduced by someone simply being there. Yet.
“It’s disappointing.”
He wanted to wake her up. To see those pretty eyes sparkle only for him. To have her open those babbling lips to call his name, to have her reach out her small hand to caress him.
Even though he had told her to sleep first, he felt both disappointed she was sleeping and grateful she was here.
He wanted to wake her to look at him, yet he also wished she would continue to sleep peacefully. He longed to taste her lips and just watch her lying there undisturbed.
This ironic duality of wanting to both spoil and protect the tranquility before him.
By the time dawn was breaking, Tae Seo’s eyes too had closed, still fixed on Jae In.
Male lead Asks for a Divorce Every Day
It’s not often you come across a plot like this in the female-dominant genre — make sure to check it out!
This is a novel I’m planning to reread as well.
The male lead is strong, skilled in martial arts, and not the usual fragile type you often see in matriarchal novels.
Meanwhile, the female lead is a scientist—rational and logical. Even when she falls for the male lead, she doesn’t let her emotions cloud her decisions.
If you push through the first few chapters, you’ll gradually find the story really intriguing.
It has a mix of mystery, detective elements, and romance.
The author’s writing style is like crafting a puzzle—except they deliberately leave out a few pieces, making it hard to predict what happens next, yet keeping you hooked.
In the end, everything will come together and be explained.
One-sentence summary: Wife, stop playing with beakers and look at me!
In a laboratory accident, research scientist Zhu Wansheng accidentally travels to a matriarchal world. The original owner of the body is an eighteen-year-old only daughter of a wealthy rouge merchant, already married with a handsome young man.
Zhu Wansheng grins: Nice! She always said she was heaven’s favorite granddaughter. After a life of toil in her previous life, she can enjoy blessings in this one.
However, her joy lasts no more than three seconds as bad news arrives: the original owner’s family is about to go bankrupt, and her husband wants a divorce.
Even worse, she’s stuck with a research system full of restrictions.
Zhu Wansheng: ? Is this the destiny of a research dog?
——
Faced with this mess, Zhu Wansheng pours herself a bowl of wine to drown her sorrows. In her drunken haze, her husband arrives.
His figure is imposing, holding a long sword, with a dignified air that captivates Zhu Wansheng.
Gu Yingqing, however, looks at the alcohol-reeking Zhu Wansheng with undisguised disgust and coldly asks, “Divorce or not?” The intoxicated Zhu Wansheng mumbles vaguely, “I think… it’s not… it’s not… impossible!”
——
The next day, after sobering up, Zhu Wansheng is full of energy, rolling up her sleeves ready to make a big move. As for yesterday? She has no memory of it.
Zhu Wansheng is ambitious; a research dog fears nothing!
Upgrading rouge, extracting fragrances, producing perfumes, researching lipsticks… all shall bow to the power of modern technology!
The original owner’s dying rouge shop is revitalized. Her mother is pleased and with a wave of her hand, passes on the family business to her. As she takes control and her experimental results gain popularity, it’s the pinnacle of her life…
——
But there are always those who can’t stand to see her doing well. Jealousy, scheming, assassination attempts – they want nothing less than her life.
The person who has always kept his distance from her suddenly holds her tightly in his arms, eyes full of concern.
She is unharmed, but he falls into a pool of blood…
Zhu Wansheng feels guilty, “I can grant you one wish.”
Gu Yingqing tentatively circles his arms around her, carefully resting his head in the crook of her neck, pleading softly, “I regret it. Can we not divorce?”
Zhu Wansheng: ? When did I agree to a divorce?
[Small Theater]
The newly developed rouge is beautifully packaged, and Zhu Wansheng is eager to try it.
Gu Yingqing suddenly appears: “My lady, may I apply it for you?”
Cool fingertips lightly brush her lips. His Adam’s apple bobs as he leans in for a light bite.
Zhu Wansheng: ?
Gu Yingqing: It smells so good, I wanted to taste it…
On a warm spring day, Zhu Wansheng tries a new perfume: “Spring Night.” Gu Yingqing corners her against a wall.
Warm breath lingers on her neck.
“My lady, from now on, may I test the fragrances for you?”
[Humorous female scientist vs scheming live-in son-in-law male lead]
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
