Staff members murmured among themselves as they watched Ha Joon, with his long legs, stride confidently across the hotel lobby.
“Did you see the photo in the newspaper? I didn’t even realize it was our director.”
“I know right. I didn’t know he could even smile.”
“It seems like he genuinely married out of love. Though, they did rush the marriage a bit.”
“Anyway, he’s living his life alone as always today.”
“He looks even more handsome today.”
Ding. Ha Joon and Seok Hoon got into the elevator that had just arrived.
“You look the happiest I’ve ever seen you in the ten years I’ve been serving you, director.”
“Is it that obvious?”
Seok Hoon looked surprised at his response. He had expected a stern refusal as Ha Joon usually disliked personal conversations.
“I slept soundly for five hours without the help of any medication. The day before yesterday, too.”
Ha Joon felt he had to tell Seok Hoon, as he was the only one who had seriously worried about his insomnia.
He also wanted to brag about it to someone. Even though he had good news, he had no one to share it with. Not that there were many joyful events to share, but…
“Really?”
Seok Hoon couldn’t hide his pride. He was glad he had told Seo Ah about Ha Joon’s insomnia. He had no doubt that she would cure it.
“But now, you’re publicly displaying affection and have become quite the lover.”
Seok Hoon showed Ha Joon a photo on his phone. A snapshot of a fleeting kiss in the Jeju Island hotel lobby.
“It was, it was a whisper.”
Ding. The elevator arrived at the 27th floor, where Ha Joon’s office was, and he hastened his pace.
Upon entering the office, Ha Joon sat down at his desk and Seok Hoon handed him a tablet.
“These are the agenda for this morning’s meeting and the updated schedule. The buyers’ meeting that was postponed last week is set for 2 p.m. on Wednesday. The hotel grade evaluation seems feasible if you just check the Myeongdong branch that you postponed last week. How about tomorrow at 11 a.m.?”
“Let’s do that.”
“Also, Hyosung Gallery requested a meeting. They said they have something to propose regarding the exhibition happening in two months. When shall we arrange it?”
As Ha Joon was slowly flipping through the tablet, he paused and looked up.
“Is it not artist Kim Ji Young but a gallery representative coming?”
“I’m not sure, but we did get a contact from the marketing team.”
“Then let’s meet with our marketing team as well. Please coordinate the schedule.”
“Understood.”
After Seok Hoon left, Ha Joon was about to start working when he decided to search his name on the internet for the first time.
He wanted to take a closer look at the photo Seok Hoon had shown him in the elevator.
He had wanted to show a tender image with Seo Ah, but she had been flustered and uncomfortable at the time, so he was worried she might appear that way in the photo.
He thought he should check in advance in case there were any negative comments that might cause Seo Ah to resent him.
Since Seo Ah seemed to search her name on the internet all the time.
Luckily, there were no photos showing Seo Ah’s expression. Looking at her small figure nestled in his arms made his heart race.
He found himself incessantly pressing the save button.
He seemed to be on a roll saving all the photos taken in Jeju Island.
Seo Ah got into Yeong Joo’s car which was waiting in front of her house for her to go to school.
“Did you have a good trip?”
“Yes!”
Yeong Joo startled as she started the car. It was the brightest she had seen Seo Ah in a long time.
“You must have enjoyed it. I saw the photos in the newspaper, you two seemed quite close.”
Seo Ah flinched at her words. Yeong Joo didn’t know that she had no intention of divorcing. She knew she would have to tell Yeong Joo someday, but not just yet.
If Ha Joon could continue to be this way, there would be no need to convince Yeong Joo, but if he returned to his life before marriage, she would have to come up with another plan and tell her.
And who knows, her own thoughts might change by then…
“We did get a bit close. It’s all business! All business! I thought it would make it easier to find out his true character.”
“But if you fall for him again…”
“Don’t worry! That won’t happen. It’s just the photo that looked that way. On the first day, I didn’t even eat and just worked, I was so lonely! If I knew it was going to be like this, I would have brought you along!”
This was indeed the truth. She wasn’t lonely after that, but…
“That’s right. I should have thought about going together. Let’s go together next time.”
“Sure!”
“Was there anything else?”
“WhaWhat do you mean?”
Stammering, Seo Ah felt embarrassed. There had been a lot of things happening. It would be chaos if Yeong Ju knew.
“You don’t look so good. Your voice also seems a bit subdued.”
While waiting for the signal, Yeong Ju looked at Seo Ah’s face and expressed concern. Despite her bright voice tone, her complexion didn’t look so good. She seemed to be forcing brightness…
“Ah. I haven’t been sleeping well for a few days. I guess it shows in my acting? Ha ha.”
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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