Taeseo smiled in front of Kang Sinjae, but in reality, he was biting the inside of his lips. He barely endured the feeling of nausea. The moment of driving the well-sharpened blade into the banter exchanged between the affectionate wealthy people was horrible.
“Kang Taeseo, this idiot…”
The laughter he let out was bitter. Anyway, it was the first time in his life.
Recognition from his biological father. Even if it was a joking remark filled with disdain, even if it was words used to create difficulties for him, it was still recognition.
It was something he had longed for a long time. Being praised by him. Calling him father while looking into his eyes.
It wasn’t because he loved or respected Kang Sinjae. It was because he was his father. It was only natural for a child to seek praise from their parents.
The obvious thing is exceedingly difficult for Taeseo. Difficult to the point of torment. Misery, sadness, anger, resignation, disappointment. Depressing emotions intertwined, weighing heavily on him.
Taeseo, who had scoffed at himself for wavering over such a trivial matter, wiped his face. Disappointed when he accurately understood his father’s intentions upon meeting him. Yet, amidst the disappointment, he wondered.
If I become unhappy as my father wishes, will my father’s gaze towards the son who has become similar to him soften a bit?
A shiver ran down his spine at the fleeting question. What exactly was he expecting? Despite being disappointed and abandoned every time, he still had expectations. Such a fool, there was no greater fool.
“Really, what an idiot, this…”
The time he spent trying to be someone he desired in his eyes was futile.
Being academically gifted, Taeseo completed the middle and high school courses quickly and entered university early. If he had wanted to, early graduation from university was possible. However, he graduated later than others.
It was his first rebellion since birth. He did it out of a desire to see what would happen if he showed an ugly side since showing off a good appearance didn’t earn him praise, let alone a glance.
So, he received failing grades and warnings in some subjects. He even went to tempting gatherings and tried drinking until he got drunk.
“Why is Kang Taeseo showing his face here like this? What’s going on?”
“Yeah, there’s something good here. Want to try it?”
“Get lost.”
“Yeah, it’s not for just anyone.”
“I told you to get lost.”
He held onto his glass, hoping Chairman Kang Sinjae, who had planted eyes around him, would report all of his actions. Although he didn’t touch women or drugs, for him, who had always walked the straight path, it was a daring deviation.
For just one semester, Taeseo, who had let himself go, quickly realized it was pointless. Worries and admonitions were based on affection, but without affection, his unloving father couldn’t criticize his flawed actions.
So, from that time, Taeseo sought his own path. Not harboring any ambitions to inherit Gangseon Group, he didn’t even think about entering Gangseon Group to work.
He simply studied intensely and gained experiences. Deliberately delaying graduation, he avoided Chairman Kang Sinjae’s eyes and established his own company.
He then met Amber, who shared his ideals, and through trial and error, he grew his company. Gathering information, scrutinizing, acquiring and merging companies or tearing them apart and selling them. Chasing money in everything he touched, he hit the jackpot.
Having no attachment to living in Korea, he initially wanted to settle in the United States. However, he wavered and ended up in the U.S. due to his stepmother’s persuasion, who had flown in.
“How long do you plan to wander around only thinking about going abroad? Taeseo, it’s time for you to come in now.”
“I don’t think there’s anything for me to do there.”
“Why wouldn’t there be anything for you to do, Taeseo? If there isn’t, I’ll create something for you.”
“…”
“Taeseo, no matter what anyone says, you’re my only grandson. I will protect you, at least as my one and only grandson.”
“Grandmother…”
“Chairman Kang is like that now. The day of regret will come. So, Taeseo, will you stay by the side of your ugly father and stepmother?”
Choosing that path, he ended his life in the United States and came to Korea. Director Lim Hongjin, who had put in the effort to ensure that Taeseo’s birth father, Kang Sinjae, couldn’t oppose, had prepared a position as the head of Kangseon Construction for him.
That’s how life in Korea began. He made every effort to fulfill the difficult instructions given by Chairman Kang Sinjae to be recognized in his eyes. He wanted to be acknowledged at least once. But what good was it?
His birth father, who didn’t react to everything he did, only moved after confirming Taeseo’s happiness. It was right after seeing his hateful son become happy that he reached out to take away that happiness and trample it.
This evening, just knowing that the destination was Yeonryudong, and that he would meet Chairman Kang Sinjae, made him uncomfortable and tired. However, throughout the journey to Yeonryudong, there was still a faint expectation.
Even though it was his father. Even though. No matter how much.
However, what poured onto Taeseo was only ridicule, mockery, resentment, and anger, along with cold glares. Taeseo was fed up with his father, who used the excuse of the company’s image to force him into marriage with Jo Yuri. Literally, he was fed up.
With a throbbing headache, Taeseo, holding his temples, staggered out into the garden. As he circled the building and opened the first-floor entrance, he was greeted by the warm glow.
When the sun sets, the indirect lighting in the living room automatically turns on. Since he had always been alone, he reflected his long-standing habit when decorating the house, even paying attention to the lighting.
Because he didn’t want to realize loneliness or solitude. His preference for cozy and warm things was also for the same reason.
But perhaps due to being drunk, he thought it would be nice if there were lights waiting for him in the bedroom tonight.
Knowing it was not the emptiness that could be concealed by lighting, a bitter smile escaped. The moment he opened the bedroom door with a grimace, realizing he didn’t want constant intrusive thoughts.
“……. ”
From behind Taeseo, the firm orange light illuminated a white quilt. The quilt that should have been spread out neatly formed a small, round mountain.
Before realizing the familiar feeling, his heart raced. The scent that filled Taeseo’s room was Yoon Jaein. She was waiting for him in Taeseo’s room, not on the second floor in Jaein’s room or in the first-floor living room, and she had fallen asleep.
“Why…?”
Why do you keep treating me like a child?
I want to cry. I want to throw a tantrum. I want to beg you to love me.
Swell, Taeseo’s broad chest swelled up.
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.]
