Dohyuk stood still with his back turned.
His deep eyes, facing away, trembled slightly.
“What’s the matter?”
“Oh, that… When I looked into Dohyuk’s eyes, the words got stuck in my throat and didn’t come out.”
Eventually, without context, a work-related topic suddenly popped out.
“Was there any problem with the report? Any revisions or…”
“No. Was that all you wanted to say?”
With a slightly relaxed expression, Dohyuk stared at her.
Jaein, summoning the courage to meet Dohyuk’s gaze, struggled to speak.
“So… I mean, me…”
“Seo Jaein.”
Dohyuk followed her words cautiously.
“The team leader…”
“Me?”
Due to excessive tension, another inappropriate word slipped out of Jaein’s mouth.
“I-I waited. I was wondering when you’d come because I was hungry, but you were late because you went to the bakery.”
Jaein put the dessert Dohyuk brought into the refrigerator with trembling hands.
Looking disappointed at Dohyuk’s face, who was watching her, a dejected laughter followed.
“Is that all? It’s bland. I thought you were confessing your feelings or something.”
“What? C-Confession is what…”
Jaein’s heart sank.
‘Oh, I should have just agreed with what the team leader was thinking. Why couldn’t I say it when I have a mouth? Where did my determination go?’
Even though she practiced in front of the bathroom mirror.
The seemingly unknowable Dohyuk disappeared into his room, indifferent to Jaein’s inner turmoil.
Later, Dohyuk and Jaein sat facing each other at a simple dining table.
A gentle smile spread on Dohyuk’s lips after tasting the soybean paste stew.
“It’s really delicious. Thank you.”
“What? Oh… Please eat a lot.”
Seeing Jaein’s flustered expression, Dohyuk asked.
“Why?”
“You didn’t say that before. I thought I misheard you.”
“Maybe living with Seo Jaein has changed me. I’ll take responsibility.”
“What? Whether… regardless, it’s a very desirable change, Seo Jaein.”
Feeling awkward, Dohyuk slowly opened his lips as if he had made a decision.
“Seo Jaein.”
“Yes?”
“How about spending this Thursday evening together?”
“This Thursday? Isn’t it Christmas Eve?”
“Right.”
Thump, thump.
Upon hearing the words about spending Christmas Eve together from the beloved Dohyuk, Jaein’s heart felt like it was about to burst.
Although she pretended to be indifferent, fearing disappointment.
Upon hearing the words about spending Christmas Eve together from the beloved Dohyuk, Jaein’s heart felt like it was about to burst.
Although she pretended to be indifferent, fearing disappointment.
‘But I promised the director to go to the orphanage that day. What should I do? I can’t say I can’t go now…’
Thinking of the disappointed faces of the children, Jaein felt sorry for regretting it.
With a heavy heart, she cautiously brought up the topic.
“I’m sorry, team leader. I already have a prior commitment that day…”
As soon as he heard Jaein’s words, Dohyuk recalled the always laid-back appearance of Nam Minwoo, furrowing his brows deeply.
Though he had hoped otherwise, the ominous premonition turned out to be true.
Dohyuk had been bothered all day by the rumors he heard earlier that Nam Minwoo had reserved a proposal spot for Christmas Eve and the fact that he came to Jaein to say something.
What Nahee said also played on his mind.
“Last Monday, I saw Team Leader and Assistant Manager Seo having a meeting at the cafe across the river. They looked really affectionate… If someone sees them, they might think they’re dating. It seems like Team Leader and Assistant Manager Seo have an unusual relationship.”
On that day, Jaein clearly stated that she was meeting a senior woman.
“Team leader, I have an urgent appointment in the evening.”
“Who are you meeting? Is it me, the team leader?”
“Just a female senior.”
“Let’s believe what Seo Jaein says.”
Even during the previous overtime, Jaein had hidden the fact that she had tea with Minwoo.
“Alone?”
“Yes, of course, I went alone.”
Although Dohyuk wanted to believe Jaein, unpleasant memories kept coming back, making him torment himself.
So, tonight, he suggested having dinner together to honestly talk with Jaein.
Dohyuk asked sternly, “Can I ask what the commitment is?”
“Oh, that’s… Perhaps, meeting Nam Minwoo?”
“What? Tell me, is that true?”
When Minwoo’s name unexpectedly came out of Dohyuk’s mouth, Jaein felt perplexed.
“That day, Minwoo reserved Y Hotel Sky Lounge for Christmas Eve?”
“How did you know that? It’s a complete secret.”
Jaein widened her eyes, wondering how Dohyuk knew Minwoo’s secret.
At the unexpected revelation, Dohyuk was convinced that the two had decided to meet on Christmas Eve.
A painful feeling, as if his heart were being stabbed with a dagger, washed over him.
“Last week, you said you met a female senior, but you met Minwoo, right?”
“How did you…?”
Jaein was utterly surprised.
“Team leader, did you perhaps follow me?”
“I’m not that free. Someone kindly informed me that they saw the two of you.”
“Oh, I did meet Minwoo that day, but…”
So they did meet.
Male lead fell into her trap — and shattered when she walked away
This is also on my reread list!
This one is a slow burn, but when it burns, it burns hard.
Definitely worth a read, y’all!
The story follows a thousand-year-old seductive spirit who, on a bet, sets out to charm the male lead—a once-promising but unfortunate cultivator.
But just when she succeeds in making him fall for her, she heartlessly leaves, driving him to madness.
Determined to find her at all costs, he captures her, keeping her by his side no matter what, even if she hates him.
I love this kind of trope—I enjoy watching the male lead suffer in agony.
The ending drags a bit with unnecessary filler, but that’s fine.
As long as I enjoy the beginning, I’m good.
Intro
As an enchantress, Su Heng possesses captivating eyes and charming beauty, easily manipulating the joys and sorrows of living beings at her fingertips.
But to enchant a god, making him taste the bitterness of love’s separation, long-lasting resentment, unattainable desires, and inability to let go…
Do you dare?
Su Heng assists a divine lord in his cultivation, aiming to make him experience all the sufferings of love, so that he can attain the Great Dao.
Only after being chased down from the heavens by the divine lord, confined and completely possessed by him, does she realize how successful she has been.
The once gentle and polite youth has transformed into someone she no longer recognizes.
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
