Yu Ri put down the box of traditional snacks she was holding and handed her business card to the secretary.
“Could you pass that message, please?”
Yu Ri picked up the box of snacks, wrapped in a bojagi, once more, holding herself erect as she faced the firmly closed door of the director’s office.
Having handed over her business card, she expected the informed secretary would either guide her to the director or, after conveying the message, would flusteredly open the door to the director’s office for her.
“I will pass along the message. If you could leave the item you brought with me, I’ll make sure it gets delivered.”
Yu Ri’s head slowly turned toward the secretary with a visible expression of displeasure, yet the secretary maintained a consistently stiff smile.
“You seem to not know who I am…”
Suppressing the irritation that had begun to surface, Yu Ri took a deep breath to quell her anger. She didn’t intend to just stay at home after marrying Tae Seo.
After enjoying the honeymoon period to some extent, she planned to speak to her grandmother-in-law about carving out a place for her at the art center.
Yu Ri decided then that once she started working at the art center, the first thing she would do was fire the secretary in front of her for not being aware of the family of the person they were serving.
“…Fine. Please convey the message right now. Who has come to visit. I will wait here until the director arrives.”
“I am sorry but…”
As the secretary, who appeared reluctant to have her wait there, was about to explain, a beep from a phone interrupted. The secretary’s eyes swiftly moved to her desk at the back.
“Yes, Director.”
The secretary sitting at another desk quickly picked up the phone and exchanged glances with the secretary standing in front of Yu Ri.
“Yes, the car will be prepared. But, Director, we have a visitor right now. Yes, the team leader of the sponsorship department from Hyunyang Foundation, Ms. Jo Yu Ri.”
Yu Ri watched the two secretaries, one calm and the other clearly flustered, and let out a scoff. She felt as if she could hear the commanding tone telling them to hurry up and let her in.
“I have relayed the message, but she insists on waiting until you arrive. She is sitting on the sofa in the secretary’s office and says she has something to deliver to you.”
After giving her shoulders a needless brush, Yu Ri stood up, picking up her coat and the gift. She lifted her chin with confidence, casting her gaze forward yet slightly downward.
“Yes, understood.”
The secretary finished the call and stood up, then came around the desk to whisper something to the secretary in front of Yu Ri. It seemed the secretary who had fallen out of Yu Ri’s favor was indeed the head secretary.
“I will guide you inside.”
Yu Ri nodded at the secretary’s newfound respectfulness. The clack of her heels resounded assertively as she headed towards the director’s office.
They watched a light-hearted movie and substituted dinner with good wine and light snacks at a bar with a pleasant atmosphere.
“There is a good wine. I’ll prepare it, so let’s have it together next time.”
“Yes.”
Before she knew it, they were in front of her house. Jae In responded plainly, agreeing to do so. Yet she felt stifled, unable to picture herself actually sharing that wine with him.
“The exhibition of the artist you liked last time is scheduled to begin soon. It starts next Wednesday, at the Kang Sun Art Center.”
“…It’s confirmed, right? Tae Seo, it wasn’t you who made the arrangements?”
Understanding what Jae In implied, Tae Seo smiled ambiguously.
“The art center isn’t my responsibility. I mean, I could have some influence, but this wasn’t my doing. It’s an exhibition that was already planned.”
As he denied any personal intervention while looking down at Jae In, Tae Seo extended his hand.
His touch, curling around her cold fingertips, was affectionate and careful. Perhaps that’s why Jae In wasn’t surprised at all.
“You would be warmer with your hands in your pockets. I took the liberty of interpreting your not putting them there.”
“…”
“Was that also oblivious of me?”
In truth, even Jae In herself hadn’t realized it. Once caught in his warmth, it seemed she had desired it too. Jae In, without giving a response, fixated her gaze on his hand that enveloped hers.
Tae Seo had turned Jae In’s hand into a fist and then wrapped his own large hand around her entire fist, protecting it from the cold winter wind as much as possible. Within his grasp, Jae In could only barely see the back of her own hand.
Someone once held her hand like this. Her mother had done so.
Before Sena fell ill, Jae In used to watch the Christmas tree lighting and fireworks with her every year.
They had a tradition of browsing the Christmas market, buying a small decoration, sipping hot chocolate, and then heading to the Water Tower to see their favorite tree.
On those nights, Jae In’s mother would always hold her small hand in just this way.
Jae In lowered her gaze to hide the sudden surge of emotion, nodding slightly. It was not the casual interlocking of fingers but a gentle holding, as if to cherish. The warmth of his touch was undeniably comforting.
“I’m scheduled for a business trip starting Tuesday. I’ll keep Saturday evening free. I’ll come for you. Let’s look at the paintings together. Dress comfortably, like today. Anything you wear is pretty.”
He was giving her about a week more. Until then, she would grapple with her thoughts and conflicts fiercely. Although she was determined to become Kang Tae Seo’s person, dreaming of revenge against Jo Dae Hoon, the romance he proposed was another matter.
To simply accept as her heart suggested meant to eventually use him, and her conscience did not easily allow that.
Jae In slightly bowed her head. The reason for her cheeks turning crimson amidst the turmoil was singular. The compliment of being pretty, which she had heard to the point of tedium, felt different coming from him.
Jae In felt that one week to decide on their relationship was incredibly short. Yet, at the same time, the thought of having to wait another week to see him made that week seem long, which brought a wry smile to her face.
“Jae In.”
At the soft voice calling her familiar English name, Jae In collected her emotions and looked up.
“Snow is falling.”
Snowflakes settled on his nose and on Jae In’s eyelashes. Jae In blinked and took in the sight of Kang Tae Seo looking at her.
A tender and thoughtful gaze lingered between them. Merely locking eyes seemed to silence the noise around them, making the world fade away bit by bit.
Jae In, now sensing the closeness of his scent, gently closed her eyes.
A snowflake landed on Jae In’s lips before Tae Seo’s could, melting instantly upon the red warmth, which Tae Seo then softly claimed. A gentle warmth lingered in its place.
Glad to have seen you today.
Wishing to stay together a little longer.
But willing to wait.
The warm kiss made her forget the cold, yet a part of her heart ached in response. Jae In carefully cherished the feelings he conveyed.
Jae In sensed it would be another night stirred by Kang Tae Seo, a night of feeling flutters because of this man, of feeling sorry because of him, a night she wouldn’t fall asleep easily.
By now, her concerns about Jo Dae Hoon had been forgotten.
Male lead is a clingy little husband
One-line summary: The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
Introduction:
One day, Lu Yuner’s soul transmigrates into a female-dominant world. She enters the Imperial Academy and takes up the position of a doctoral instructor, teaching classes and grading schoolwork.
One day, she encounters the young prince Su Qingwan secretly skipping class from the male academy.
As a result, Su Qingwan is punished.
From then on, Su Qingwan sees Lu Yuner as a “thorn in his side”.
But before long, this “thorn” becomes the person he cherishes most, and he goes to great lengths to win Lu Yuner’s affection.
Mini scene 1:
One day, the sun is high in the sky but Su Qingwan still hasn’t gotten up for class.
Servant Xiaoyuan: “Young prince, it’s time for class. You’ll be late otherwise.”
Su Qingwan says arrogantly: “I’m not going. I am the esteemed prince, my status is so noble, why should I suffer this hardship? Besides, isn’t learning all this just to please women? Hmph, they’re not worthy!”
Mini scene 2:
After Su Qingwan falls for someone, he completely changes. He no longer skips class and diligently learns how to be a good husband and father. But he discovers that Sister Yuner is always surrounded by admirers.
Drunk and overcome with jealousy one day, he clings to Lu Yuner, crying beautifully like a pear blossom in the rain.
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan likes Sister Yuner.”
Lu Yuner: “Young prince, you’re drunk.”
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan isn’t drunk. Qingwan likes Sister Yuner, likes you so much, likes you to bits…” Before he can finish, Lu Yuner’s eyes flash with emotion and she leans in closer.
[Reading Guide]
1. The female lead is gentle, gracious, humble and polite but not weak. The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
2. 1v1, a bit torturous in the beginning but definitely sweet later on.
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