An Instinctive Proposal (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 26
The next morning, Yeon Woo sensed the office atmosphere was different from usual as soon as she arrived for work.
“What happened?”
At that, Ji Hyun, who’d already arrived earlier, waved her hand dismissively without saying a word.
“The CEO seems to be in an extremely foul mood today. Section Chief Ko got chewed out since this morning.”
“Section Chief Ko?”
Why would someone as indispensable as him, second only to Sung Won in the secretarial office, be scolded like that?
“I don’t know why, but according to Associate Heo who witnessed it, the mood was deadly.”
Perhaps that explained why Section Chief Ko’s seat sat empty.
Yeon Woo looked toward the firmly closed CEO’s office door with a sour expression.
“Come to my office when you get in tomorrow.”
Even Tae Han had looked angry when he’d given that order.
‘It must be because of me.’
She felt uneasy, as if stray sparks from her situation had unfairly scorched Section Chief Ko.
After finishing her work preparations, Yeon Woo went to find Sung Won. He happened to be looking for her too and raised his hand.
“Ms. Yeon Woo, go into the CEO’s office now.”
Yeon Woo briefly bit her lips inward.
“Is the CEO in a really bad mood today?”
“I’m not sure about his mood, but his condition isn’t good. He pulled an all-nighter working, so he might be sensitive—be careful.”
“Oh…”
Then what about that rumor that Section Chief Ko got scolded?
Still, instead of asking, Yeon Woo simply nodded and carefully adjusted her clothes in front of the CEO’s office door.
She’d barely slept last night, troubled by how she’d sent Tae Han away in that manner.
Only after pondering alone had she finally understood why he’d come back and asked to talk again.
Before leaving the office yesterday, Yeon Woo had contacted the HR representative in Jeju whom Tae Han had mentioned.
She’d explained that she wanted to resign but hadn’t even had her request processed, and a consultation was scheduled for next week.
Most likely, that news had already reached Tae Han’s ears.
She hadn’t intended to put him in an awkward position—she only hoped he’d understand her desire to settle everything cleanly before becoming too comfortable.
Yeon Woo took a deep breath, clenched her fists, and lightly knocked on the door.
Knock knock.
But there was no response from inside.
She knocked once more, yet heard nothing—not even a sound—so she cautiously turned the doorknob.
Brilliant morning sunlight poured through the opening door.
Tae Han’s space always smelled clean and pleasant, no matter when she entered.
“CEO.”
Considering his supposed stormy mood, she called out to him more respectfully than usual.
But his desk was empty.
Thinking he’d just stepped out briefly, Yeon Woo turned to leave—only for her eyes to accidentally drift toward the sofa.
For a moment, she doubted her vision.
Two feet stuck out awkwardly over the armrest.
Since the sofa faced away from the entrance, she couldn’t see who the feet belonged to.
Half-disbelieving, Yeon Woo slowly moved toward the sofa.
And when she saw a man sleeping there, limbs stretched and crossed, she let out an involuntary gasp.
“Be careful—he pulled an all-nighter working and might be sensitive.”
Suddenly, she recalled what Sung Won had just said.
Did that mean he’d come straight back to the office and worked all night after seeing her yesterday?
If so, the reason for his exhaustion seemed to be her fault, making her heart heavy.
This was the first time she’d seen Tae Han asleep.
Though he was clearly sleeping uncomfortably, cramped into the sofa’s size, it didn’t look pitiful at all—in fact, seeing this new side of him held her gaze captive.
Ki Tae Han was always the man who made her tense, yet his sleeping form evoked an oddly different feeling in her.
The still, peaceful atmosphere—so quiet it almost seemed his soft breathing could be heard—actually suited him well.
She didn’t know how long she’d been watching him when she suddenly noticed his face looked flushed.
‘Is it from the sunlight?’
She hurried to the window and lowered the blinds.
Only once the sunlight stopped pouring onto his face did Yeon Woo finally relax.
‘He’s sleeping deeply.’
Crouching in front of the slumbering Tae Han, Yeon Woo studied his face again.
She gazed at his silent, motionless eyelashes with quiet fascination.
This was the first time she’d ever examined Tae Han’s face so closely. His eyelids veiled in soft shadow, his high nose bridge, and slightly parted lips formed perfect harmony.
He looked like a painting—surely no real person could be this beautiful.
Maybe that’s why Yeon Woo didn’t even realize she was reaching out toward him.
The urge to touch him felt almost instinctive.
He wouldn’t show her such vulnerability again, and she didn’t want to miss this moment.
‘Just a little…’
Just the slightest bit.
Yeon Woo’s delicate fingertips hovered hesitantly in the air before finally gathering courage and stretching forward.
But the moment her finger barely tapped his cheek, his tightly closed eyelids slowly parted.
From the opening, obsidian-like eyes appeared.
Unlike Yeon Woo, who flinched, those dark eyes stared steadily at her without surprise.
A quiet, powerful aura radiated from him—like a lion awakening from deep slumber.
“…”
Yet something felt strange. Perhaps because of the dimness after blocking the light, Tae Han still remained silent, gazing at Yeon Woo with glassy, unfocused eyes.
Neither spoke first; they simply held each other’s gaze in silence—until Tae Han finally reached out and gently stroked her hair.
“Yesterday…”
His voice was dry but languid.
“My head felt like it was splitting open.”
His slow, warm movement was unlike the usual Tae Han, and since Yeon Woo sat on her folded knees, their eyes were level.
His hand, lightly gripping her nape, naturally pulled her closer.
As their faces drew nearer, Yeon Woo found no desire to push him away.
“Why did that happen?”
It felt as if this moment were playing out in slow motion.
“I was only thinking about you.”
His unusual demeanor made Yeon Woo’s heart pound faster and faster.
Just as she felt herself falling under his spell, she belatedly sensed danger and opened her mouth.
“That’s not something I’d know.”
Tae Han gave a soft chuckle, as if he’d expected exactly that reply.
Instantly, Yeon Woo’s eyes wavered.
A faint whiff of alcohol reached her nose.
Moreover, she noticed his exposed chest beneath his unbuttoned shirt was red and swollen, as if irritated.
She hadn’t seen it earlier with his eyes closed, but now his eyes seemed bloodshot too.
Half-dreading, Yeon Woo quickly glanced at the coffee table beside the sofa.
“CEO.”
Her face hardened instantly.
“Did you… drink whiskey by any chance?”
Her gaze had been fixed so intently on him that she hadn’t even noticed what sat on the table.
A small, opened bottle of whiskey.
Of course, it was completely empty.
“You drank this all by yourself?”
Her voice rose sharply.
Tae Han was naturally allergic to whiskey.
Even a single sip caused rashes on his skin, and drinking a larger amount made his chest tight and breathing difficult.
Having witnessed such a dangerous episode while assisting him, his staff had since strictly excluded whiskey from all events and gatherings.
“Are you angry?”
But for him to casually drink whiskey like this—so recklessly—was beyond belief.
“Who brought you whiskey?”
Yeon Woo was furious. It didn’t seem even Sung Won knew about this.
She immediately decided to inform someone and schedule a health checkup.
But her attempt to stand up abruptly failed—his grip on her hand was quiet yet firm.
“I’m going to revise the company regulations.”
Their faces remained close together.
Though surprised by this sudden mention of company policy, Yeon Woo was too preoccupied checking his condition to focus on his words.
She was too worried about him to pay proper attention.
“The clause about pregnant employees.”
Only then did Yeon Woo look at him with disbelief.
“I looked it up—apparently, early pregnancy is the most dangerous period. I always thought it only got tough once the belly showed and the baby was born, but it turns out it’s hard from the very beginning.”
“What are you talking about?”
“The term ‘parental leave’ itself is misleading. Pregnant employees need protection from the moment they conceive.”
Yeon Woo could only stare at him, speechless.
“I’ll add that clause—any employee confirmed pregnant will be allowed to work from home.”
Yeon Woo was utterly lost for words, yet Tae Han appeared perfectly calm.
Thinking back, it had always been this way—she was the one who panicked, hesitated, and suffered in silence.
“…CEO. People will call that special treatment. Some employees might even see it as discrimination.”
“If protecting those who need protection is seen as discrimination, then such employees have no reason to stay at our company.”
Yeon Woo thought it made no sense.
No matter that he was the CEO—this company was merely a fragment spun off from a massive conglomerate.
Arbitrarily revising the company regulations like this was unreasonable.
“Why go this far?”
And Yeon Woo knew the answer.
She understood that his intention to revise the policy was solely to keep her.
“I told you—I’m flailing desperately.”
“…”
“Just now, Section Chief Ko mentioned that HR asked why Deputy Seo Yeon Woo’s resignation hasn’t been processed.”
Tae Han gave a lazy, drunken-looking smile.
“You always say you don’t understand me, but you actually do. You feel it all.”
His dark eyes, half-lidded, moved as if searching her.
“Just like how you touched me.”
Yeon Woo’s gaze trembled.
With a simple motion, Tae Han drew her face even closer.
Their lips hovered dangerously near—so close they might touch at any second.
“I know you can’t let me go either.”
Their locked gazes burned intensely.
His dark eyes, staring directly into hers, showed neither panic nor confusion—unlike her own.
His large palm cupped her cheek.
A dizzying shiver started at her cheek and raced through her entire body.
Though Yeon Woo knew she should push him away, she remained frozen, unable to move.
“I’m going to kiss you.”
Her trembling body warred with her reason, and she barely managed to open her mouth.
“…Don’t.”
Even as she refused, Tae Han traced her lips with his thumb.
Beneath his firm finger, her lips were pressed and rubbed softly.
That alone sent an electrifying shiver through her entire body. Unable to bear the intoxicating sensation, Yeon Woo instinctively ducked her head.
She only regained her senses as their gazes deepened, locking more intensely.
Just as his warm fingers brushed her earlobe, an urgent knock sounded at the door.
When male lead is the homewrecker
“I know she doesn’t love him.”
I’ve read the novel below twice already. Girls, I’m highly recommending it to you!
The female lead? Not a good person.
The second male lead? Not a good person.
The male lead? Willingly plays the third party, breaking up the female and second male lead’s relationship despite all the warnings from his friends—so yeah, he’s definitely not a good person either.
Basically, nobody in this novel is simple-minded or without scheming.
The female lead starts off as the male lead’s secretary, but don’t worry—later on, she takes over the company while the male lead steps back to support her. He won’t steal her spotlight, overshadow her, or dull her shine.
I love novels where men are out here snatching wigs, tearing each other down, and going to war just to win the female lead’s affection. And this is exactly that kind of novel. Most of Hai Dai Ran’s works have this dynamic. You’ll see the male characters’ emotions being pushed to the absolute extreme.
There’s even a scene where the second male lead exposes the male lead online for being a homewrecker. The brotherhood immediately gangs up on him, dragging him through the mud. I find it compelling —it completely flips reality on its head, where usually, women are the ones fighting over a man and getting torn apart by the sisterhood.
For me, female leads in the novels I read should only struggle in their careers, not in love. But if the brainless romantics in the story are all men? I have zero complaints.
I’ve pretty much read all of Hai Dai Ran’s novels and even translated all of them—her works are just my thing. I’ll slowly upload everything here. One day, when my website is official, I hope I can invite her to join as one of the star authors.
Here’s the story synopsis:
One-line summary: She is his lifelong obsession, to the point where he was willing to be a third wheel, scorned by society, just to wedge his way into her relationship with her fiancé.
Cold-hearted and indifferent female lead + Scheming and subservient CEO male lead
Intro 1:
“I know she doesn’t love him.”
With blood trickling from his clenched fist, Rong Xiu gazed at the woman before him, his eyes clouded with anguish. Hidden in the wardrobe, he had witnessed Fan Xia – the woman he desperately loved – in an intimate embrace with her fiancé. Yet his heart still yearned for her, defying all reason.
Fan Xia, the elegant and composed assistant, carried something mysterious in her eyes whenever she looked at her fiancé, Wen Lan Sheng. Strange occurrences began to surface – secret meetings with the young Gu Jin Yi, an unexplained withdrawal of 5,000 yuan… Then suddenly, her fiancé’s sister, Wen Jing, violently attacked her.
In this matriarchal society, Rong Xiu had risen to become the chairman of a powerful healthcare conglomerate, breaking through gender prejudices. But for the first time, he willingly stepped into the shadows as the other man, disregarding his friends’ warnings to become her secret lover.
Because he had discovered the truth – Fan Xia wasn’t the pure angel everyone believed her to be. And perhaps, he was the only one capable of helping her execute her mysterious plan…
Intro 2:
Rong Xiu’s biggest regret in life was missing out on Fan Xia.
He secretly loved Fan Xia for 7 years.
Watched her go public with her boyfriend.
Watched her kiss her boyfriend at their wedding.
Until that man blissfully nestled in Fan Xia’s arms, obtaining everything he could only dream of.
The crazy jealousy stripped away his hidden secret love, layer by layer, burning like wildfire.
Fan Xia, how can I have you!
【Reading and Trigger Warning Guide】
1. Female dominant, male submissive, male pregnancy
2. Male lead schemes his way to the top, male competition
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Please help me, I want to bring you the best possible things.
If you find any chapter or novel with poor translation and editing quality, let me know by commenting directly under that novel or chapter. I will retranslate it as soon as possible.
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aah, serim really messed up.
claimed to know everything but in reality know nothing.
allergic reaction could be really dangerous.