“I haven’t told Master Dohyuk yet. Once I find a replacement and complete the handover, I will step back. I sincerely apologize for repaying the kindness you’ve shown me until now.”
“That won’t do! It’s a bit annoying, but where can you find someone as trustworthy as you? People make mistakes at least once in their lives.”
“One cannot fully recover trust that has once crumbled. I understand it better than anyone else. So, please accept the decision I made after careful consideration.”
As Sungjun didn’t step back, Chairman Cha smiled persuasively and asked.
“What are you trying to achieve by quitting when I say it’s okay? Do you gain something from leaving?”
“I hope Master Dohyuk will be happy.”
“Then he should help more by your side. Is quitting the answer?”
“I can’t follow your wish because it’s impossible. So, I decided to support Master Dohyuk wholeheartedly from outside.”
“What?”
Chairman Cha’s gaze turned sharply.
Without blinking an eye, Sungjun continued.
“Chairman, I haven’t told Master Dohyuk about this yet. I’ve decided to retire from my current position so that I can cheer for Master Dohyuk freely from the outside.”
“I’ve been watching over Master Dohyuk for 20 years now. It’s the 20th year this year. This is the first time he looks so happy. All thanks to Seo Jae-in.”
When Jae-in’s name was mentioned, Chairman Cha’s forehead wrinkled.
“What do you want to say?”
“Chairman, if you truly care for Master Dohyuk, please accept Seo Jae-in.”
“Are you calling that a proposal? Introduce such an unremarkable woman to Dohyuk!”
Chairman Cha shouted in frustration.
“Chairman, how many times have you seen Dohyuk smile throughout last year?”
“…”
Suddenly faced with the question, Chairman Cha was speechless.
Come to think of it, Dohyuk rarely smiled. Almost never.
Considering his reserved personality and his tendency to be quiet except for work-related conversations, it wasn’t that surprising.
“Believe it or not, when Dohyuk is with Seo Jae-in, his laughter doesn’t stop. He even laughs when he’s alone.”
“You fool. All for that woman?”
While surprised by Sungjun’s words, Chairman Cha didn’t want to acknowledge Jae-in’s presence.
Sungjun stared straight into Chairman Cha’s eyes and spoke forcefully.
“Strange as it may sound, I have a very accurate eye for people. Seo Jae-in is a person of good character and a kind heart. I believe she will make Master Dohyuk happier than anyone else. Above all, Seo Jae-in and Master Dohyuk love each other.”
“Dohyuk is the heir. How can he lead Daesan Group swept away by such trivial emotions?”
“He is a man before being an heir.”
Chairman Cha, no longer wanting to hear, clapped his hands.
“That’s enough of that talk. Do you not understand how crucial the merger with Sejin Mulsan is? Imagine it from my perspective. Would I want to marry a well-behaved lady like Sejeong and welcome an unknown orphan as my grandson’s wife?”
“…”
“Being an orphan is reason enough to be pointed at. The family has nothing special, and there should be something likable.”
Chairman Cha’s complaints continued for a while.
Finally, Sungjun smiled gently and said,
“So, I have no choice but to quit. I’m sorry, Chairman. I’ll leave now.”
After finishing his words, Sungjun bowed deeply in apology and left.
Left alone, Chairman Cha stared blankly at the spot where Sungjun had disappeared.
Then, one question crossed his mind.
‘What makes Seo Jae-in so outstanding?’
Around that time, Jae-in was standing on the platform of the Gwangju-bound KTX to travel.
It was the first day of the New Year, and with the long weekend, there were many travelers here and there.
Jae-in received a call from Yura just as she boarded the Gwangju-bound KTX.
“Hey, Yura.”
―Jae-in, are you okay?
Out of the blue, Yura asked with a worried tone.
“What’s wrong?”
―Did Chairman Cha’s grandfather rush in? He said harsh things.
“How do you know that?”
Jae-in asked, surprised.
―I heard it from Director Kim.
“What? Are you in frequent contact with Director Kim?”
―Ah… We’re just friends. Don’t think weirdly about it.
When Yura looked serious, Jae-in snorted.
“What are you saying? I never thought that way.”
―Ah, anyway. Are you okay?
“I’m okay. It’s natural to face opposition, right? I was prepared for that much.”
Although she said that, when Jae-in thought about the realistic obstacles, a sigh escaped involuntarily.
It needs to be a bit higher.
―It’s nothing special about Daesan Group! Seo Jae-in, have confidence! Fighting!
That’s right.
Just a dozen or so affiliates with annual revenue in the tens of trillions, it’s just a small conglomerate.
It’s easy to talk about other people’s affairs.
“Anyway, thanks for the support.”
―But after going through all that fuss, you went to another gathering?
“Huh?”
―You said you were going to a home party with Chairman Cha.
“Ah…”
In the end, she didn’t go to Se-yeon unni and Min-woo sunbae’s home party, using the excuse of not feeling well.
She felt sorry for the disappointed two.
“I just rested at home because I was tired.”
―That’s understandable. You wouldn’t have felt like enjoying the year-end.
“Right, whatever.”
Suddenly, Yura joked with a giggling laugh.
―Ugh, poor Chairman Cha, he probably heard nothing but the sound of a gong all night again. Seo Jae-in was too much.
Embarrassed.
That’s enough of that.
Jae-in quickly changed the subject.
“Yura, I’m on the train, so I can’t talk for long.”
―Ah, you must be going down for the 80th birthday party. You said it would be held at a hotel, right?
“Yeah. Plaza Hotel.”
―Come back safely. Don’t hold back too much. What if you get pent-up frustration?
“I’ll handle it, so don’t worry.”
Yura raised her voice as if feeling frustrated.
―You talk well. If I go to meet relatives and come back, they’ll keep nagging me. I wonder if I should go and turn things upside down.
“That’s enough. I’ll contact you after I return.”
―If anything happens, make sure to call!
“I got it.”
Jae-in hung up the phone and took a deep breath.
Hoping that today would pass without any issues.
As expected, going to a gathering of relatives required a great deal of determination.
For Dohyuk, she simply said she was going to her parents’ house to meet them.
Because it would be a hassle if she mentioned the 80th birthday celebration.
‘If Team Leader really had work and couldn’t go with me, it’s rather fortunate.’
Jae-in, who didn’t want Dohyuk to be exposed to the unpleasant glances of her relatives, was still not ready to reveal their relationship.
Jae-in stretched out in her seat.
Last night, due to not being able to sleep properly, sleepiness gathered to an unbearable extent.
As Jae-in was about to take off her coat to take a nap, it happened.
In her half-closed vision, a familiar face passed by.
‘Kang Na-hee?’
The Male lead Always Seduces Her with His Beauty (Matriarchy)
Xin Jiao Zhou is the leader of the world’s premier sect. She has just experienced betrayal from all sides, was poisoned in an assassination attempt, and faced death squad attacks while the poison was taking effect. After finally clearing out the scum from her sect, she was drugged again while trying to detoxify.
After waking up from a night of unconsciousness, she gained a “beautiful and kind-hearted” husband.
Xin Jiao Zhou: “???”
He fell ill.
She came to see him, bringing breakfast.
As she put down the breakfast and was about to leave, his hand slipped while holding the spoon. “Clank!”
She turned around upon hearing the noise.
He looked up at her, his eyebrows drooping: “My hand… has no strength.”
“Shall I… feed you?” she asked tentatively.
He opened his mouth cheerfully: “Ah—”
Thinking she was drowning, he jumped in without hesitation to save her, but nearly drowned himself. In the end, it was she who swam over to rescue him, giving him air underwater.
After emerging from the water, his ear tips turned red. He lightly brushed his cheek, tucking his sideburns behind his ear, revealing delicate, pink-tinged ear tips. He lowered his gaze, too embarrassed to look at her.
Xin Jiao Zhou: He’s truly beautiful, kind-hearted, and adorable.
A certain someone when disciplining subordinates behind the scenes: “If they don’t obey, just kill them.”
What’s that? She might already have someone she cares about in her heart? A certain someone: Find out who it is, kill them, and then there won’t be anyone.
What? She met a man by the riverside? What? That man even hurt her? A certain someone: Whichever hand hurt her, chop off his entire arm.
Love at first sight without realizing it, gradually falling in love, slowly getting closer…
Family and national grudges, schemes and desires, good and evil, crime and punishment, she and he face the future together, seeking justice with passion!
A naturally dark female lead who could accidentally destroy the world but is actually an honest person VS a weak, pitiful, and helpless but skilled fighter, beautiful white-cut black male lead
My heart is not of stone, how steadfast is your love? — Tao Yuanming “Imitating the Ancients (No. 3)”
— Reading Guide —
Cold female lead & dramatic black lotus with hidden yandere traits male lead
