Brother, You're Mistaken (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 15
“Taboo word is Kang Seung Won?”
Caught off guard by the unexpected prompt, Hye Ju felt a bit dazed. Normally in games like this, people would choose something like “no loanwords” or “no interjections,” right?
“Did I really talk about Kang Seung Won that much…?”
Hye Ju felt a twinge of guilt.
But even so—was he really so unbearable that he had to be made a taboo word? He wasn’t even some stranger; he was her younger brother. And she hadn’t even been gossiping—so why?
“What about you?”
His pitch-black eyes locked onto hers.
His gaze was unusually sharp and deep—what some might call “melancholic.” With just one drink in him, his eyes seemed even deeper, and Hye Ju’s heart fluttered.
“My heart’s racing because of Kang Joo Won? Me…?”
Hurt pride made her furiously search for a reason.
After some thought, she found one.
“Oh Hye Ju, your alcohol tolerance’s really dropped. You’re just tipsy and can’t think straight—that’s all.”
It was all because she’d been cutting back on alcohol lately. Sitting alone with a guy who looked that good, staring right at her—who wouldn’t feel nervous? Right?
“Why are you staring like that? Fallen for me again?”
“Who’s falling for you? Hah, even a stray dog passing by would laugh.”
“Let me make this clear—you said you’d buy me drinks, not that I should play along with your crush.”
“Excuse me, Mr. Ax-Mental.”
“Just say your prompt.”
Ugh, this guy’s skill at cutting people off was unreal.
Hye Ju huffed to herself, then suddenly flashed a triumphant smile. You’re done for today.
“My taboo is ‘interrogative sentences.’”
“!”
She’d never lost a taboo word game using that before. Predictably, Joo Won’s eyes flickered slightly in surprise.
“Isn’t that too broad?”
“Did you just end that with a question mark?”
“No?”
“Sounded like you did again.”
…Gotcha.
I’m Kang Joo Won—the guy who never loses at drinking games.
He thought he’d landed a decisive blow. But Oh Hye Ju was clearly no pushover.
“Drink up.”
Hye Ju slid a drink toward him, perfectly balancing it using surface tension.
“You’re full of affection, aren’t you?”
“Absolutely. I’ll pour in affection until it overflows.”
Joo Won reluctantly picked up the glass, his face full of dismay.
The bitter first sip slid down his throat.
Two hours later.
Just like the mellowed-out drinking session, Hye Ju’s cheeks had flushed red.
After repeatedly making Joo Won drink due to the “no questions” rule, she’d finally gotten so thirsty she started downing drinks herself. Eventually, she’d forgotten all about the game and ended up drinking on her own. Now thoroughly buzzed, she was pestering Joo Won to go to a karaoke bar.
“Let’s go to karaoke, karaoke! There’s a place nearby with insane echo—they say so, okay?”
Of course, Joo Won wasn’t listening at all.
“You had a good meal, so why ruin your stomach? Forget it.”
“I ate plenty, so I need to walk it off. I’ll treat you for round two!”
“No.”
“Why not? You lost the game! Karaoke, let’s go!”
“Are you crazy?”
Seeing him cross his arms and start humming a tune, Joo Won broke out in a cold sweat.
He absolutely hated karaoke. God had blessed him with a “cave-forged” perfect voice, but neglected to give him pitch accuracy or rhythm. Even when he started a song on beat, by the first verse everything would fall completely out of sync.
He’d made a vow after witnessing others’ excited eyes turn to horror the moment he began singing:
He would never, ever voluntarily set foot in a karaoke room again.
“If you really want to go, go alone. I’ll walk you there.”
“What’s the fun of karaoke by yourself! I didn’t think you were this sneaky. We agreed the loser of the game picks round two! Why break your promise now?”
“Round two doesn’t include karaoke.”
“Why do you get to decide that? That’s totally unfair!”
Her pouting, sideways glance was so cute he nearly wavered—but precisely because of that, he had to steel his resolve.
“Unfair or not, no way am I going to karaoke.”
It was a secret he had to protect at all costs—for the dignity of his title as president.
Pitter-patter. Just then, spring rain began to fall.
Kang Joo Won wouldn’t miss such a perfect excuse.
“It’s raining—I should head home today.”
“It is?”
The moment they stepped outside, Hye Ju looked up at the sky as raindrops began to fall softly. Her slightly parted pink lips revealed a glimpse of white teeth.
He hadn’t noticed before, but they were plump and lovely. Try as he might not to, his eyes kept drifting toward them like a magnet.
“Your voice comes out best in the rain, you know.”
Not that he wanted to hear her mention karaoke one more time.
“Don’t spout nonsense without scientific backing.”
“What do you mean no scientific basis? Humidity in the air helps your voice—haven’t you ever oiled your vocal cords?”
“Is H2O the same as glyceride?”
“Wow… that was seriously cold just now, you know?”
“Glad to hear it.”
Joo Won gave a curt reply and lightly ruffled her hair.
“Let’s go home. I’ll walk you.”
Mixed with the spring rain was a faint scent of shampoo. Joo Won thought this season perfectly resembled Hye Ju—fresh, bright, and warm.
Even unexpected rain smelled sweet in this season.
“I’m fine. I’ll just take a taxi.”
“Getting soaked and then taking a taxi is rude to the driver.”
“Your car’s probably more expensive—wouldn’t that be ruder?”
And so began a night that felt as if walking forever would bring only happiness.
“Who said I’d give you a ride?”
Joo Won flashed a grin, revealing straight, white teeth.
“Let’s walk.”
“Two bus stops?”
Hye Ju asked, bewildered.
“It’s perfect walking weather.”
Joo Won pulled a large black umbrella from his car parked nearby and held it out. Its wide canopy settled over their shoulders.
Though puzzled, Hye Ju didn’t protest. Since karaoke was clearly off the table, a walk might do her some good anyway.
“Let’s go.”
Joo Won gave a small nod.
“Okay.”
Hye Ju quickly ducked under the umbrella.
Her left shoulder brushed against his right arm. Even through their clothes, his firm arm sent unexpected heat to her cheeks.
“Am I standing too close?”
Instinctively, Hye Ju hunched her shoulders.
“Don’t get wet for no reason—stay close. I won’t eat you.”
Joo Won draped his umbrella-holding arm over Hye Ju’s shoulder. With his height and long arms, she ended up half-leaning into him despite herself.
Like a cicada clinging to an old tree, Hye Ju realized at some point that not a single raindrop had hit her.
Pitter-patter, pitter-patter.
Even though the rain poured heavily.
Ruby had returned.
After a week of struggling with stomach issues from eating oyster pancakes, her cheeks were noticeably thinner.
Ruby was known for her cheerful personality and boundless energy—if a normal person used 100 units of energy a day, she operated at 120… no, more like 200.
The youngest daughter in a family with three older brothers, she’d been raised on love alone, and her slightly plump figure had always been part of her charm. Ever since joining the company last year, she’d been on the same team as Hye Ju.
With Ruby back, Hye Ju’s workload had become significantly lighter. Not only had Ruby voluntarily taken on tasks like the buddy program, she even insisted on covering meals and coffee for a week—how could she not be adored?
Plus, the office had instantly brightened—a true vitamin infusion.
“Oh wow, it’s neck-and-neck! It’s totally a photo finish! Currently tied 3–3! This is thrilling!”
After lunch, the break room was buzzing with an ongoing vote for the office heartthrob—and, of course, Ruby was leading the charge.
“There are eleven eligible women across Business and Development, so a tie shouldn’t happen. Who will be DataS Korea’s throne king? Drumroll, please!”
“Wait.”
At that moment, Team Leader Uk quietly raised her right hand. The oldest woman on the Business team, her fiery temper had earned her the nickname “Team Leader Uk” in full.
“Weren’t you always Team Kang Joo Won, Ruby? You said he was totally your type and even signed up for the buddy program first.”
Ruby shook her head vigorously.
“After a few tries, I realized he’s not. He’s way too emotionally detached. A real man should be gentle and cute—like Deputy Kang Seung Won. President Kang is just too rigid.”
“Well, our president is more on the charismatic side.”
“Remember that buddy mission where you had to visit a restaurant together? Everyone else covered for Hye Ju, so I was stuck with just that one—and it was…”
“Was…?”
“The absolute worst.”
How bad could it have been? Hye Ju, just entering the break room, pricked up her ears.
“I’d been so excited since the day before! Of course, I have a boyfriend—so I wasn’t expecting anything else—but after a whole week of hospital porridge, I’d been counting down to that day!”
“A foodie like you must’ve suffered terribly.”
“But do you know what President Kang did? I brought a whole list of great restaurants, and he wouldn’t even look at it! Just said, ‘Let’s go to the closest one.’ Seriously—if he hadn’t been my boss, I would’ve kicked him in the shin!”
So much for Kang Joo Won, huh?
While the others chattered excitedly, only Hye Ju nodded silently.
“Anyway, that’s why I’ve switched back to Team Kang Seung Won. What about you, Hye Ju?”
All eyes turned to Hye Ju as she stepped into the break room. She coolly feigned indifference.
“Why are there only two candidates?”
“Well, there are only two decent guys. Minus married men, cheapskates, hot-tempered jerks, and those without cars or apartments—and you’re left with just two.”
Ah, so our company really is that lacking in talent.
It suddenly hit her just how hard Joo Won and Seung Won were carrying the place.
“You’re the only one who hasn’t voted, Hye Ju. It’s completely tied right now—your vote will decide the winner!”
“Is there a prize or something?”
“The losers have to chip in to buy coffee for the winners.”
Ruby then whispered pointedly,
“You’re voting for Kang Seung Won, right? Aren’t you two super close friends?”
Hye Ju instinctively glanced at Da Hee. Though Da Hee was pretending to wash a cup nonchalantly, her ears were visibly perked toward them.
Hye Ju deliberately raised her voice so everyone could hear.
“I’m voting for President Kang Joo Won.”
“What?! Really?”
“Why so shocked?”
Facing Ruby’s incredulous head-shaking, Hye Ju drove the point home.
“President Kang Joo Won isn’t bad at all. Face like a god, great physique, makes good money—aren’t those enough to overlook his personality?”
“I didn’t think you were the swooning type! It’s not like you’re going to eat his face—why Kang Joo Won?!”
Just then—click.
The break room door swung open.
“Who ever said it’s just his face worth eating?”
“Gasp—President!”
Joo Won entered with one hand in his pocket, prompting everyone to scramble to their feet. He scanned the room with an impassive look and pulled out a bottle of sparkling water.
“Look harder. His face might be the standout, but there’s plenty else worth appreciating too.”
Annoying as it was—it weirdly made sense.
Hye Ju let out a heavy sigh, ashamed at how easily she’d been convinced. Glancing sideways at her coworkers’ frozen expressions, she realized:
“Everyone’s thinking the exact same thing.”
As Joo Won calmly closed the fridge door, no one dared speak. Regardless of his title, Joo Won carried a unique, quiet authority. Unable to bear the awkwardness, Ruby nudged Hye Ju’s side and whispered urgently,
“Say something! Among us, you’re the closest to the president!”
“We’re not close at all.”
“But you’re buddies!”
“Ruby, you were supposed to be his buddy originally.”
“Just because we’re buddies doesn’t mean we’re close!”
“But you just said you were close because you’re buddies—!”
Ugh, don’t push me! Please don’t push!
Hye Ju braced her legs with all her might, but Ruby was relentless. Between her resistance and Ruby’s shove, Hye Ju swayed like a paper doll—and crashed headfirst into Joo Won’s chest.
And then—
“…Ugh!”
Something firm pressed mercilessly against her lips.
The moment they both saw the bold lipstick stain on his pristine white shirt, their eyes met in midair.
…I’m trembling right now, aren’t I?
Male lead is a Divorced Husband
She said to him: “Tell me, what makes you like me? I’ll change it!”
Liu Changning transmigrated into a female cannon fodder character in a female-dominant novel.
After reading the first half of the novel’s plot, the first thing she did upon transmigration was to divorce the Pan Jinlian-style male protagonist she had just married.
She indulged herself, pretending to be ugly and poor.
But as time passed, the way that man looked at her became more and more unusual…
Liu Changning was dumbfounded: Tell me, what makes you like me? I’ll change!
――
This lifetime, Pei Yuanshao was rejected by the same woman twice!
The first time, she drove him away. Forced by the situation, he endured the waves of anger in his heart, yielding and humbling himself.
That person lay slanted on a rocking chair, her sallow face emotionless: “If you don’t want a divorce, go cook!”
Pei Yuanshao’s face was dark and gloomy: “You!”
The second time, after the crisis in Jinling City was resolved, the new emperor sent someone to pick him up. He turned around, stammering: “I… I have to go. If you keep me…”
That person lay on the kang bed, her back to him, as if she had long anticipated this day, crisp and clear: “Goodbye!”
Pei Yuanshao was so angry his fingers trembled: “You… you!”
The mission of family and country made him restrain himself, averting his eyes and turning to leave this broken household.
Two years later, they met again. Seeing her ethereal face, his body shook like a sieve.
“She was originally a ‘she’!”
At the Qionglin Banquet, the top scholar of the imperial examination, a talented person with exceptional speech and conduct, all the unmarried young gentlemen from aristocratic families looked at her with shy and timid eyes.
The peerless imperial official Pei Yuanshao felt the anger in his heart erupt. He pointed at the woman surrounded by the crowd at the Qionglin Banquet, his thin lips slightly curled: “Little sister, I wants that person to be the wife-master of my Mingde Prince Manor.”
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
Most Commented This Week
The Villain Has Gone Mad For Me (Completed Main Story)
I’m The Lowest-Ranking Daughter Of A Martial Arts Villain (2 Chapters Left to Complete)
I Became the Assassin Family’s Foster Daughter (Completed Main Story)
The Duke Only Needs My Child (Completed Main Story)
Men of the Harem (137 Chapters Left to Complete)
At the End of Ruin, There You Are (56 Chapters Left to Complete)
She’s a Villainess but her Husband is Handsome (Completed Main Story)
People Aren’t Meant to Be Fixed! (4 Chapters Left to Complete)
My Discarded Fiancé Returned (Completed Main Story)
Summer Must Die (16 Chapters Left to Complete)
Regret With All Your Might (Completed Main Story)
I Received The First Time Of My Extraordinary Superior (9 Chapters Left to Complete)