Boiling Desire (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 1
It’s the day of the arranged marriage between Kang Ha Joon, eldest son of the vice chairman of Tae Sung Group, and Han Seo Ah, second daughter of the vice chairman of Yoo Young Group.
In terms of hierarchy, no conglomerate could rival Tae Sung Group—it had firmly held the number one spot for thirty consecutive years.
Yoo Young Group, ranked around 30th, had seen its stock price climb steadily since news of the arranged marriage broke, and analysts now predicted it could break into the top 20 within the next five years.
The wedding was held at Tae Sung Hotel—the most prestigious wedding venue in the country, famed for its ironclad security and as the chosen site for weddings of chaebol heirs and top celebrities.
It was also the very hotel where Ha Joon had recently been appointed managing director.
From the dazzling chandelier lighting to the live floral decorations meticulously arranged by the world’s top florists, every detail of the reception hall was outfitted with only the finest, leaving nothing wanting.
Although most guests—prominent figures in politics and business, along with their children—had attended weddings here before, the space had been decorated with such unprecedented grandeur that it felt entirely new, leaving them wide-eyed in awe.
“There’s a rumor the groom is deeply in love with the bride. Otherwise, why would he rush into marriage like frying beans in a lightning storm—with someone just twenty-three who hasn’t even graduated college? He’s only twenty-seven himself.”
“Kang Ha Joon—the man everyone knows—being in love?! Wasn’t he the guy who treated women like stones? No, scratch that—like ghosts!”
Kang Ha Joon had long been the most coveted bachelor among daughters of political and business elites. So many women had followed him to his university in the U.S., desperate for any chance to connect with him.
“They say when a man like that falls in love, he falls hard.”
“That’s nonsense. This is purely… business. Just business. An arranged marriage is merely an extension of corporate strategy, right? Who even does arranged marriages these days? Everyone just dates and marries for love.”
Unlike in the past, when arranged marriages were practically obligatory, nowadays unions between chaebol and non-chaebol families had become commonplace.
Yet Kang Ha Joon—possessing peerless looks and an impeccable résumé—had chosen an arranged marriage at such a young age.
Perhaps it made sense, after all: a man who showed zero interest in women and cared only about studies and work might naturally follow this path.
“But if it’s really just business, what could Tae Sung Group possibly need from Yoo Young? Unless Yoo Young is the one rushing things…”
Originally scheduled for five years from now, the wedding’s sudden hastening was ironic.
And it wasn’t Yoo Young Group—though they stood to gain greatly—but the groom, Kang Ha Joon himself, who had unexpectedly pushed everything forward.
Only immediate family were permitted in the bride’s waiting room.
Seo Ah, overwhelmed by the prospect of a grandiose wedding with a guest capacity of one thousand, had insisted on keeping visitors out.
Like everything else, her hair, makeup, and gown had been handled exclusively by the world’s top artists and designers.
“Hyung—no, I mean, brother-in-law—must really love you, Unnie! I’m so jealous!”
Her adorable younger sister, Seo Yun, gazed at her with envy.
Seo Ah calmly took Seo Yun’s hand in both of hers.
“You should marry for love. Date lots of guys, take your time, enjoy everything you can before settling down.”
Seo Yun narrowed her eyes slightly as she studied Seo Ah.
“What’s with that expression? Anyone would think you’re being forced into a marriage you don’t want! You’re marrying Hyung-bro because you love him, right? Don’t think I don’t know!”
Seo Ah’s pupils trembled faintly.
Then, Ha Joon’s words from six years ago echoed through her mind like a haunting refrain:
“Instead of wasting time on that, memorize one more English word. I’d be embarrassed showing up with a wife who’s empty-headed.”
Just like back then, her breath caught in her throat.
She could still vividly recall the contempt in his eyes when he looked at her.
He’d always been cold, but she’d assumed that was just his nature—since he treated everyone that way. She never imagined he despised her so intensely.
Always cheerful and sunny, Seo Ah had grown up receiving only love, so the shock cut even deeper.
But back then, her feelings for him had outweighed the hurt. That’s why she’d impulsively gone to study in France, determined to become someone worthy of him.
That’s how she’d felt… until now.
“Unnie? Unnie?!”
“Huh?”
“What were you spacing out about?”
Seo Ah immediately brightened into a cheerful smile.
“Oh—nothing at all…”
“The groom’s entrance!”
Ha Joon strode down the historic, record-breaking aisle—so long it normally took several minutes at bridal pace—with long, confident strides, his 188cm frame exuding perfect proportions.
Dubbed not just a study and workaholic but also a gym addict, he began every morning with an intense workout. His broad shoulders and tightly toned muscles, straining against his tuxedo, bore silent testimony to his discipline.
His already small face appeared even smaller, perfectly framing his chiseled, model-like features: thick eyebrows, deep-set eyes, a straight, defined nose, and a sharp, clean jawline.
Women who had secretly adored him could only swallow their tears silently, careful not to show any outward emotion.
As the groom reached the stage, the lighting shifted and the music softened.
With the press of a button, the previously sleek black aisle—tailored to match Ha Joon’s sharp image—split down the middle, instantly transforming into a warm, blooming floral pathway.
It was an ambitious touch Ha Joon had prepared upon becoming managing director.
Predictably, the venue erupted into murmurs of awe.
Whether out of deep affection for his bride, extreme frugality, or simply his workaholic drive to impress guests with an upgraded ceremony—nobody could say for sure.
“Now, please welcome today’s true star—the bride!”
Under the spotlight and the weight of every guest’s gaze, Seo Ah entered on the arm of her father, Han Jin Won, vice chairman of Yoo Young Group.
Her gown was an off-shoulder, A-line dress, notable for its elaborate three-dimensional floral embroidery.
Yet what drew attention first wasn’t the dress, nor the expensive accessories or dazzling tiara—but her natural beauty: flawless, translucently fair skin and wide, clear eyes.
Her large, round eyes came with naturally deep double eyelids and lush, long lashes. Below her high nose bridge, full lips were softly tinted red.
Her petite face flowed seamlessly into a slender, elegant neckline and round, snow-white shoulders—an image so delicate it stirred an instinctive urge to protect her.
Now it made sense why Ha Joon had rushed the wedding.
The moment she returned from France, the moment they met again after six years—he’d immediately pushed for marriage.
Right after the ceremony, they went straight to their new home.
With the wedding arranged so abruptly, there hadn’t been time for a honeymoon.
Ha Joon had only just become managing director—how could he afford to neglect work so soon? Already labeled a “parachute hire,” he needed to prove himself quickly through results.
Seo Ah was relieved. She didn’t know what might happen in the intimate atmosphere of a honeymoon.
“I’d like to have a child two years from now, after I graduate. Maybe we can take our honeymoon then…”
“Separate rooms are out of the question. I’ll accept birth control, but that’s it.”
That had been her conversation with Min Jung—Ha Joon’s mother and now her mother-in-law.
“Whew…”
Alone in the second-floor bedroom, Seo Ah let out a deep sigh. Fortunately, the bed was large—easily accommodating three adults.
Creak.
At the sound of the door opening, Seo Ah flinched violently.
Ha Joon had just entered—he’d been on the phone by the front door moments ago and told her to go ahead without him. He’d come home sooner than expected. She had to bury her wish that he’d stayed out just a little longer deep inside her heart.
A pleasant scent trailed behind him as he brushed past her shoulder—fresh and invigorating, like the deep Mediterranean Sea under a clear blue sky.
The very fragrance that once shattered her composure now made her heart clench painfully tight.
His broad back, heading toward the dressing room, stood in stark contrast to the boy she remembered. He’d always been taller than her, but now he was on an entirely different level.
He disappeared briefly, then reappeared having removed his jacket and tie.
“Go wash up. I’ll shower downstairs and come back up.”
Whether it was consideration for her or for his own comfort, Seo Ah was certain it was the latter. He was never considerate when they were alone.
After Ha Joon left, Seo Ah gathered her underwear and sleepwear and headed into the ensuite bathroom.
She hesitated: Should she wash quickly and pretend to sleep? Or take her time with a half-bath, waiting until he fell asleep before coming out?
After standing through a wedding watched by a thousand people, she was too exhausted to choose the latter.
Much later, having thoroughly dried her hair and changed into a long-sleeved, pale pink silk pajama set with zero skin exposure, she stepped out of the bathroom.
Thankfully, Ha Joon wasn’t there. The lights were off, and he was already lying at the far edge of the bed.
Thump-thump-thump-thump. She felt utterly drained—as if she might pass out the moment she lay down—so why was her heart racing like mad?
Was it because she’d been so single-mindedly focused on studying to become worthy of him that she’d never learned anything about men?
Don’t worry. Ha Joon said he wasn’t the kind of trash who’d touch someone he disliked.
Just don’t let him hear this pounding heart. Please, calm down…
Creak.
At the sound of the door opening, she squeezed her eyes shut.
But then—
Beep. The dark room brightened slightly, as if he’d turned on a mood light.
Her heart began pounding even harder.
Lying face-up, afraid he’d catch her faking sleep, she tried to roll onto her side—
When suddenly, the blanket covering her was whisked away.
What should she do? Keep pretending to sleep? Or shout, “What are you doing?!”
Next, the mattress slowly sank beneath her feet as a dark silhouette gradually enveloped her entire body.
“Haa…”
Unable to hold it in any longer, Seo Ah exhaled sharply. She didn’t even understand why she’d been holding her breath while pretending to sleep.
Cautiously opening her eyes, she saw Ha Joon’s face right in front of hers—startling her so much she immediately averted her gaze.
She didn’t want to see, didn’t want to know what was happening below his face.
Was he… shirtless?!
“W-What are you doing?!”
“Anyone would think I’m about to commit rape.”
This was exactly the situation she feared! He said he wouldn’t touch women he disliked! Or—wait—was he just teasing her because he found her reaction amusing? Stay calm. You have to stay calm…
“M-Move. I’m tired.”
“Just hold on a bit. I’ll be quick.”
Quick with what?! Are you insane?!
“W-What are you going to do…?!”
“What do you think? We’ve held the wedding. Officially become husband and wife. Now it’s time for our wedding night, isn’t it?”
Ha Joon lowered his head and gently pressed his lips to her delicate neck.
“Huhh!”
An utterly unfamiliar sensation rippled through Seo Ah’s body, raising goosebumps everywhere. Instinctively, she curled inward.
Her heart raced uncontrollably, and her mind grew hazy—caught between fear and something she couldn’t quite name.
Soon, his lips moved to her ear, and he whispered in a low, husky voice:
“No use trembling like this.”
“Huh!”
Again, without realizing it, Seo Ah held her breath tightly.
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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Joy Lean Cañete
Why are ML like this? I’ve been searching for a good read only to end up with men like these