Her chest crumbled at the calm explanation.
In her heart, she wanted to grab people on the street and explain one by one. To tell them that the rumors on the internet were not all true, and how good of a person Taesang was.
As she tightly bit her lips, suddenly, Dajeong’s eyes widened.
‘Explain…?’
Why didn’t she think of this before? The simple thought that if there was a misunderstanding, she could clarify it. Dajeong raised her head abruptly.
“Secretary Kim.”
“Yes.”
“Can I make one request?”
“What…?”
“Please cancel one of Taesang’s schedules this week. Just give us about two hours.”
A puzzled expression flickered across his face. While the work and living spaces had merged a few days ago, Dajeong had never been involved in Taesang’s schedule.
Moreover, there was no reason to make such a request now. If it was for Dajeong, Taesang would give not just two hours but an entire day.
“If that’s the case, wouldn’t it be better to talk to Vice President directly?”
“Ah… I want to keep it a secret from Taesang.”
“A secret?”
“Yes. I’m asking you a favor. It’s really important.”
“…I can do it, but what is this about?”
“That…”
Thud.
The sound of the bathroom door opening echoed from a distance. Dajeong peered her head out and scanned the room. She saw Taesang, wearing a shower gown, heading toward the closet.
“I’ll tell you what it’s about later. You must keep it a secret, okay?”
“Yes…”
With an astounded nod from Secretary Kim, Dajeong quickly left her seat. Although there was still some time before Taesang would come out, there was one more thing to do.
Dajeong picked up her phone from the living room sofa and entered the sub-room.
As she gently closed the door, a quiet stillness filled the air.
‘She’ll surely help…’
Thin fingers moved rapidly over the screen. Soon, her fingertip paused over the name ‘Kang Miyeon.’
Dajeong’s face, as she pressed the call button, was filled with conviction.
A few days later.
In front of the bathroom mirror, Dajeong gave herself a final check.
Considering the urgency, the beige suit suited her well. Neatly tied hair and a rather trustworthy appearance, though not as much as a TV announcer.
“Sigh…”
All preparations were complete. She had asked Miyeon to help, coordinated with Secretary Kim to change Taesang’s schedule.
Now, only convincing him remained. To conduct an interview. To tell our story, not excuses or euphemisms, and clear up all misunderstandings.
With determination in her gentle eyes, Dajeong opened the door.
As she stepped into the bedroom, Taesang’s gaze turned in her direction. His face showed a puzzled expression at the sight of her in a suit.
Taesang, dressed in a deep blue suit with a dark wine-colored tie, had an external meeting according to Secretary Kim’s lie.
Approaching Dajeong like a magnet, he slowly stood up from his seat.
“Where… are you going?”
“Yes. Wherever you’re going, Taesang.”
Taesang, with documents in hand, slowly approached Dajeong, who was dressed in a suit.
“Taesang, I… have a favor to ask.”
“A favor?”
“Yes. Please do an interview with me.”
For a moment, Taesang’s face slightly stiffened. He seemed to have already grasped the meaning behind the word ‘interview.’
“Explain everything that happened between us, say what isn’t true. Okay?”
What if he refuses? I don’t want to reopen old wounds. Until this morning, Dajeong had been grappling with repeated concerns.
But no matter how many times she thought about it, the conclusion remained the same. She had to do it. Rather than relying on his protection, standing side by side and helping each other seemed much happier.
“You don’t have to do that kind of thing.”
A worried voice murmured softly.
“I’m… I’m not okay. Taesang, the awkward situation, people saying bad things, I can’t just stand by anymore.”
Dajeong gently held his large hand, looking up at him. In his eyes, a desperate expression had inadvertently appeared.
“I know Taesang wants to protect me. But I feel the same way. My feelings are the same.”
“Dajeong…”
Taesang wanted to keep Dajeong hidden. He wanted to place her where people couldn’t see her, only letting his touch and gaze reach her.
He knew it was selfish, but he couldn’t help it. If Dajeong became the talk of the town like last time, he really didn’t have the confidence to stay sane this time.
However,
“This is really what I want. Please.”
In front of pleading eyes, Taesang was helpless. He wasn’t strong enough to resist Dajeong, nor could he suppress her as he pleased.
Taesang wrapped his arms tightly around Dajeong’s waist.
“If you say it like that… I really can’t do anything.”
“I know. I started this knowing it would be like this.”
“This is bad…”
Taesang sighed thinly, gently stroking the back of her head. In his slow touch, a lot of concerns were soaked.
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.”
