An Instinctive Proposal (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 22
“There, there! I grilled it nicely, so please eat before it gets cold!”
Golden-brown slices of black pork were plopped onto the plate.
This was the barbecue restaurant Sung Won had guided them to.
Just as he described, it seemed to be a place only locals knew—though the shop was old and cramped, every table was filled with people who looked like neighborhood residents.
Sung Won rolled up his sleeves and showed great enthusiasm, holding tongs in one hand and scissors in the other.
He had even dismissed the staff member who offered to grill for them, insisting on doing it himself, and proudly shrugged, claiming he had thirty years of barbecue experience.
It seemed he genuinely wanted, as a Jeju native, to treat his Seoul guests well.
“How’s the meat?”
“Not bad.”
Tae Han tasted a piece and gave a blunt remark.
Yet, for him, saying “not bad” was practically high praise, so Sung Won smiled proudly.
“It just melts in your mouth. How can pork taste like this?”
Yeon Woo also brightened and praised it enthusiastically.
The flavor was so moving that, for a moment, even her heavy heart was forgotten.
The tenderness, the rich juice, and the deep savory richness that grew with every chew—she had occasionally visited upscale restaurants while assisting Tae Han, but this was the first time she’d encountered pork that melted so completely in her mouth.
She didn’t even feel any morning sickness.
“Right? It’s not just about the quality of the meat—you really need good grilling technique, too.”
Sung Won flipped a thick piece of pork with a proud expression. Even the sizzling sound from the charcoal fire sounded delicious.
“Do you come here often, Director?”
“Yeah. My father loved the food here, so when I was a kid, we came almost every weekend. After I was discharged from the military, I even worked here part-time.”
Sung Won said the memories from twenty years ago were still vivid.
“It was all about lighting and replacing the charcoal. Summers were unbearable—you wouldn’t believe it. Even now, just thinking about it makes me break out in sweat.”
“So this place has been around that long.”
Yeon Woo chewed thoughtfully and looked around the interior once more.
The menu only offered black pork and kimchi stew. Somehow, she found herself really liking this place.
“By the way, it’d be a shame to just eat without drinking. Would you like a drink, Mr. CEO?”
After a short while, in higher spirits, Sung Won suggested alcohol.
“Yeon Woo, don’t you want a cold beer? Huh?”
“I’m fine, thanks.”
But when Yeon Woo declined—being unable to drink for the time being—Sung Won looked disappointed and asked,
“Why not? At company dinners, you always seemed to enjoy beer just fine.”
Yeon Woo carefully avoided Tae Han’s silent gaze from across the table and answered,
“I do like it, but lately, alcohol doesn’t agree with me. You two go ahead.”
“Aww, that’s a shame. Then I guess I’ve only got you to count on, Mr. CEO…”
Tae Han, well aware of Sung Won’s determination to have a cold beer at all costs, reluctantly agreed with a look of exasperation.
“Order it.”
Only then did Sung Won quickly raise his hand and order one bottle of beer and one bottle of soju.
Moments later, the golden liquid was poured vigorously into clear glasses.
Yeon Woo involuntarily swallowed hard at the sight but forced herself to stay composed.
“Still, it feels unfair for you to sit there without drinking. At least take a glass—if it’s right in front of you, you’ll end up drinking anyway, right?”
“No, really, it’s okay…”
But a beer glass with a frothy head was already placed in front of Yeon Woo.
She’d just been thinking how much she wanted to drink, and her eyes visibly wavered—prompting Tae Han, who’d been watching, to speak up.
“Don’t pressure someone who can’t drink.”
Then he personally took away the glass in front of her.
Both Sung Won and Yeon Woo were surprised by this unusual behavior from him and widened their eyes.
“Oh, sorry.”
Sung Won apologized awkwardly and gave Yeon Woo a meaningful glance—asking why Tae Han was acting this way.
Yeon Woo could only feign ignorance and stay silent.
Anyway, thanks to Sung Won’s efforts, delicious meat kept finding its way into Yeon Woo’s mouth.
When the stew arrived, she even ordered an extra bowl of rice. This was the first time since returning from Cheonan that food went down so smoothly.
She’d genuinely enjoyed the meal, and her mood was pleasantly full.
“Thanks to you, Director, I discovered a real hidden gem. Thank you.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
After Tae Han paid the bill, Yeon Woo also thanked him for the meal. As they all headed back to the hotel, she gazed out the window.
Beyond the low stone walls lining the road, the emerald sea rippled gently. The sky remained clear and brilliantly blue.
The picturesque scenery stirred her emotions once again.
It felt as if everything had passed, leaving only a difficult assignment behind—and her heart grew heavy.
She would need to finish her conversation with Tae Han before the day ended.
“Mr. CEO, will you hold a meeting after we return to the hotel?”
Shortly afterward, Sung Won, now seated in the passenger seat after handing the wheel to the driver, turned to ask Tae Han.
“Why ask something so obvious?”
Unlike the other two who carried the scent of charcoal smoke, Tae Han alone maintained an air of aloof dignity.
“Well, it is obvious—but if you have time, I thought I’d visit my uncle’s place. It’s been a while.”
“My uncle?”
“The hotel isn’t far from his house, so I called. He insisted he missed seeing me and kept urging me to come. Ha ha.”
Tae Han folded his arms, utterly exasperated.
“Looks like you’re just here for a visit, Director Kim.”
“Didn’t you grant me special holiday leave today?”
Sung Won beamed, delighted to have received an unexpected gift of free time.
Sung Won was fundamentally an employee Tae Han trusted and relied on. Knowing well how much his boss valued his subordinates, Tae Han wouldn’t be able to refuse this request in the end.
“Go ahead. Secretary Seo and I can handle things—don’t worry about it.”
“Thank you!”
Sung Won gave a hearty reply and glanced at Yeon Woo—checking if she’d be okay.
But Yeon Woo couldn’t bring herself to answer and instead turned her gaze back out the window.
At this point, she just thought, “Whatever happens, happens.”
Tae Han’s reflection appeared in the window. His silhouette hovered over the beautiful landscape.
Yeon Woo followed the outline of his face slowly and delicately, as if touching it with just the corners of her eyes.
From his broad, clear forehead down to the slight hollow between his brows, the straight bridge of his nose, his defined philtrum and lips, and his firm jawline—
Tae Han’s face was like a work of art, exuding a beauty that seemed hand-painted.
As she gazed at him, savoring every detail, her chest tightened unexpectedly.
“Should I drop you off here?”
Soon, they arrived at the hotel.
The driver stopped right in front of the main entrance. Sung Won handed the car keys to a hotel attendant, and both Yeon Woo and Tae Han got out.
“Well then, I’ll be off!”
Sung Won’s face was still flushed from the lingering alcohol, and his voice rang out heartily.
“Yeon Woo, please take good care of the CEO.”
“Yes.”
Though she knew it was just a routine farewell, Yeon Woo answered awkwardly, flustered.
Now they were alone.
After a moment of hesitation, Yeon Woo called out to Tae Han.
“Mr. CEO.”
She couldn’t stay indifferent to the way he looked at her—even though he hadn’t been drinking.
“What time are you planning to hold the meeting?”
“Are you going somewhere too?”
“If I have time, I’d like to take a short walk before heading in.”
It was just before sunset.
The sky, bright when they’d left the restaurant, had deepened steadily to a calm, rich hue during the drive.
Yeon Woo didn’t want to let this moment pass idly.
“We’ll do it now.”
Hearing him say they’d do it now, Yeon Woo felt disappointed—but since work came first, she tried to suppress her regret.
“Understood. Then I’ll go up and get ready…”
“While walking.”
Tae Han stood at a slight angle and tilted his chin up slightly.
“You choose the place.”
Meeting Tae Han’s eyes, Yeon Woo unconsciously swallowed.
He, too, had clearly had quite a bit to drink.
Though his face and expression hadn’t visibly changed, there was a subtle looseness to his demeanor.
“Then… let’s go to the sea.”
Yet somehow, Yeon Woo liked this version of him even more.
***
This was the second time she’d come to the sea with him.
Technically, she’d only run into him here last night—but to Yeon Woo, the place already felt special.
Tae Han, who’d claimed they’d hold a meeting, walked along the beach in silence for a long while.
Yeon Woo also remained quiet, unsure of what to say first.
“Is it okay to walk like this?”
Out of nowhere came an odd question.
Yeon Woo looked at him, as if asking what he meant.
“Shouldn’t you be resting?”
“Oh… I’m fine, this much is okay.”
When Yeon Woo answered awkwardly, Tae Han fell silent again.
Silence settled between them once more.
Tae Han looked lost in thought, a serious furrow etched between his brows.
Yeon Woo alone moistened her dry lips with her tongue, unsure what words might come from him next.
“I’ve thought about it.”
Finally, Tae Han broke the long silence.
But his voice sounded different—and her heart skipped a beat.
“You decided to resign and move to Cheonan because you’re pregnant, right?”
Not understanding his intention, Yeon Woo remained silent, offering no reply.
“Answer me.”
But Tae Han showed no intention of giving her any room to evade.
“Yes. That’s one reason.”
“Then what’s the other reason?”
Having thought the resignation matter was settled, Yeon Woo grew uneasy at the thought that he might be reconsidering.
“I don’t understand why you’re asking. It’s a done deal—does my answer really matter now?”
“It matters. Nothing’s settled yet, and until you give me a proper answer, your resignation is on hold.”
“What?”
Yeon Woo’s eyes widened in shock.
“If you’re resigning because of the pregnancy, take maternity leave instead. I’ll do my best to accommodate your situation as Secretary Seo. Even if people criticize me for being unfair, I’ll still do it.”
“Mr. CEO…”
“Call HR if you need to. If that doesn’t work, file a complaint against the company.”
Just as Yeon Woo’s expression tightened, Tae Han abruptly stopped walking.
He shoved one hand into his pants pocket and faced her directly.
Above his head, the sky blazed red. The sun, which had brightly lit the world, was slowly sinking behind him.
“You really don’t know me at all, Seo Yeon Woo.”
His voice was low—chillingly so.
It scraped roughly from his throat, hoarse and harsh.
“You think I’d just let you, pregnant, go off to Cheonan alone? That’s impossible.”
“…”
“I don’t know what kind of life lies ahead for you—but I can’t let you go like this, not without knowing.”
“What you’re doing right now is overstepping your authority.”
“You sure like throwing that word around.”
“It’s not even your child.”
Yeon Woo finally denied the truth with her own words—and bit hard on the inside of her cheek.
“It doesn’t matter.”
But Tae Han, as if he’d expected exactly this reaction, stepped closer and stared straight into her eyes.
“Whose child it is doesn’t matter. If it’s in your womb, it’s under my jurisdiction.”
His face was cold as he declared this.
“I’ve decided that’s how it’ll be.”
Yet his eyes, fixed on her, burned fiercely—like the last blazing light of the sun before it vanishes beneath the horizon.
After Being Cheated On, She Picked Up a Treasure (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: The husband I married on a whim had been secretly in love with me for a long time.
On the day when Jun Shao finally obtained the imperial decree for her marriage, Lan Qu, the person she had admired for six years, defied the decree and ran away.
Her gentleness and devotion, her promise of a lifetime together, were all disregarded by him. Instead, he dreamed of entering the palace to serve the Emperor’s sister as a sixth-rank attendant.
News of this incident spread throughout the capital, and the alleys in front of and behind the Lan mansion were crowded with people who came to watch the commotion.
Jun Shao should have been embarrassed and angry.
But someone stepped in to protect her dignity.
The figure was in a miserable state, yet still possessed an undeniable elegance and handsomeness.
The young lord struggled to climb the wall of the Lan mansion and shouted to her, “If he won’t marry you, I will!”
So, Jun Shao took advantage of the situation and married the person.
She thought the young lord did it to save the Lan family from the crime of defying the imperial decree, but never imagined that from beginning to end, what he coveted was her.
*
After the wedding, Jun Shao felt like she was living in a dream.
Her Wife-master was as beautiful as a fairy in a painting, skilled in the six arts, well-versed in poetry and literature, capable of being gentle and attentive, and also grand and dignified. Most importantly, she was the only one in his heart and eyes.
Jun Shao didn’t know how Lan Shiwu, as a illegitimate son without a father and blessed with beauty, had managed to preserve his purity, recklessly escape, and use his last ounce of strength to ruin his own reputation, all because of his love for her, just to stand before her.
She could only see him gazing at her with eyes full of love, and when she bestowed a name upon him, his eyes shone like stars.
“You have come to me like a weary bird perching on a branch. I shall call you A Qi.”
aah, serim really messed up.
claimed to know everything but in reality know nothing.
allergic reaction could be really dangerous.