“Where are we?”
“Youngjong Bridge.”
“What? That’s the bridge you cross to go to Incheon Airport…”
Eunsoo’s eyes widened in realization as she turned to look at Juhan.
“Hey… you’re not seriously thinking of going to the airport, are you? Not like ‘let’s have a Mojito in Cuba right now,’ right?”
Juhan casually replied as he glanced over.
“Why, don’t you like it?”
“Is this really a matter of liking or not?”
“You’re right. It’s not the issue. Did you bring your passport this morning?”
“Are you crazy or what?”
Seeing Eunsoo’s pale face, Juhan chuckled and turned the steering wheel.
“We’re going somewhere other than the Han River, but not to Cuba. Do I deserve to be called crazy?”
“Where are we going then? I’ll decide whether to cancel based on that.”
“It’s a secret until we get there.”
“You, you’re insane!”
Juhan just shrugged nonchalantly, unaffected by Eunsoo’s outburst. Now fully awake, she leaned back in her seat, resigned. They seemed to be heading somewhere in Incheon, but she hoped it wouldn’t be some random fishing boat.
Juhan’s car pulled into the yard of an ordinary-looking house. Most of the neighboring houses displayed signs for pensions or guesthouses. Not as unexpected as Cuba, but still quite a surprise, Eunsoo got out of the car in a daze.
“I park my car here when I go on business trips. It’s convenient to take a taxi to the airport from here. Can’t leave the car at the airport for weeks.”
“So, where are we?”
“It’s a pension run by my brother Kiwoo’s friend. He recently closed it and went to Australia. He said we could use it anytime while he’s gone.”
“Oh.”
Eunsoo nodded, her lingering frustration and suspicion fading away. Juhan took Eunsoo’s bag from the back seat.
“Let’s get changed and head out. There’s a beach and a cafe within a 5-minute walk. Some good restaurants too.”
Eunsoo’s eyes sparkled.
“I’ll change and be out in 3 minutes.”
Soon after, Eunsoo and Juhan sat side by side on a bench facing the sea, having just had a hearty meal at a nearby restaurant.
“I’ve heard this place is popular for sunset viewing.”
“Really?”
“If we have time, we could stay and watch it.”
Eunsoo quickly nodded, stretching out in her comfortable jeans and neat t-shirt.
“I haven’t seen the sea in so long.”
“Me neither.”
“Nor have I spent time doing nothing… It feels kind of unsettling.”
“When it’s time to rest, just rest.”
Juhan replied, lounging similarly. He had also changed into more casual clothes.
“Right, such days are necessary.”
Eunsoo thought it would be a hectic day but appreciated the unexpected leisure.
Her gaze drifted into the distance. The receding water revealed more of the beach, with a few people strolling near the waves. Planes flew surprisingly low, given the proximity to the airport.
Juhan quietly picked up his phone and captured Eunsoo’s profile.
‘Don’t take it.’
Eunsoo had once said that in Juhan’s mind. She grimaced slightly.
‘I don’t like photos. They always turn out weird.’
‘They’re not weird.’
Showing her the freshly taken photo, Eunsoo’s expression softened.
‘At least your photos are tolerable.’
‘I fill them with affection. That’s why they’re good. I put my heart into them.’
‘Ugh, what’s that?’
Eunsoo cringed at his deliberately playful tone. Juhan laughed at her typical reaction, and she joined in with a smile.
‘Still, I don’t want to take photos. It feels awkward. So, keep it elsewhere.’
‘Keep what?’
‘Your affection.’
Not expecting such a sweet reply, Juhan was momentarily stunned, vividly recalling the sensation of being struck by her words.
Everything I wanted to pour into the world, everything I wanted to tell you, but I just couldn’t because something hot seemed to block my throat.
At that moment, Eunsoo, who had been gazing at the sea, turned her head and her eyes met Juhan’s.
“Are you taking my picture now?”
Eunsoo adjusted her posture as she noticed the phone in Juhan’s hand.
“Don’t hold the camera straight in front. Tilt it a bit. That way, it looks longer. And don’t just take one shot, take ten, twenty in rapid succession. That’s the only way to get a good one.”
Juhan, watching Eunsoo consciously flicking her hair in slow motion for the camera, blurted out.
“You’ve changed, you know.”
“What? What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“Forget it.”
“What do you mean ‘forget it’? You look like you’ve got a complaint right now. Is it too much to ask to put a little soul into the photos?”
“If I put my soul in a photo, it becomes a ghost photo.”
Juhan’s sarcastic reply was followed by him abruptly standing up. He then muttered three clear words.
“Bathroom.”
Watching Juhan’s retreating figure, Eunsoo blinked rapidly and then let out a frustrated sigh. It was impossible to guess why he suddenly acted like that.
“Throwing a tantrum out of nowhere? You’re hard to please.”
Grumbling, Eunsoo stood up. She stretched lightly and walked towards the sea.
As she reached close enough to the waves and slowly walked along, someone called out from behind.
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.”
