Couples in Love (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 5
In a quiet private room of the hotel’s upscale Korean restaurant, Jin Young Cheol, Park In Young, and Sunwoo, who had arrived first, watched as Green and her father entered.
The Green who had barged into the office a week ago with a huge bag slung over her shoulder was so different from today’s Green that Sunwoo’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.
She glared fiercely at Sunwoo, then lowered her eyes—a silent warning to pretend they were meeting for the first time today.
“Oh my, Congressman, Vice Chairwoman—you came early! And Jin, have you been well?”
Han Moon Taek greeted them cheerfully, but no one responded.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Han Green.”
While Han Moon Taek stood awkwardly embarrassed, Green bowed politely to Jin Young Cheol and Park In Young.
Jin Young Cheol still wore a displeased expression, but Park In Young, despite her cold demeanor, nodded slightly to acknowledge Green’s greeting.
“Yes, please take your seats.”
Once Green and Han Moon Taek sat across from them, Jin Young Cheol turned his body sharply forty-five degrees away. Naturally, Park In Young took the lead in the conversation.
“As you know, this marriage isn’t normal, so the opinions of those involved don’t really matter right now. That’s why I’d like to negotiate terms directly with you, Mr. Han Moon Taek.”
“Fine, I don’t mind.”
Since Han Moon Taek’s only goal was for Green to marry Sunwoo, he was ready to accept any condition.
“Let’s start with the most important point. You agree that those unpleasant photos you sent me will be buried forever with this marriage. If, for any reason, those photos resurface, you’ll owe a penalty of three billion won.”
“Three billion?”
Stunned by the enormous sum, Han Moon Taek gulped hard. But he knew that if Sunwoo and Green married, circulating those photos would do him no good either.
“Fine.”
“Next condition: the wedding will be held in two months at K1 Hotel’s special hall. We’ll handle all preparations, including security.”
“How incredibly generous! Then, what about the marriage registration…?”
“Hmph. Do you really think they’ll last long enough to register? Just be happy with the ceremony.”
Jin Young Cheol, who until then had kept his mouth tightly shut like a clam, finally spoke up.
His glare at Han Moon Taek was so murderous that if looks could kill, Han Moon Taek would have dropped dead on the spot.
But Han Moon Taek, a seasoned veteran who’d weathered countless storms, was no pushover either.
“If we’re not registering the marriage, then why even go through with this? Let’s just call it off. Green, stand up.”
Han Moon Taek grabbed Green’s arm as if ready to leave immediately. Park In Young, fully aware he was acting deliberately, turned to Sunwoo and asked,
“Sunwoo, what do you think?”
“I don’t mind either way.”
Jin Young Cheol, shocked by Sunwoo’s indifferent reply, anxiously turned to his wife.
“Darling, please say something. Do we really have to register this absurd marriage?”
“What can we do? Mr. Han Moon Taek holds all the cards right now.”
Seeing even his wife refuse to take his side, Jin Young Cheol’s face crumpled in despair. Calmly, Park In Young laid out the reality for him.
“If those photos get released, your political career could be over. The next general election is less than a year away—can you really afford that?”
“Well, that’s…”
“It’d be devastating for K1 Construction too. Everyone already knows you’re my husband.”
Jin Young Cheol’s face flushed with anger. But he had no power to change anything at this point.
Park In Young shifted her gaze to Green, who sat quietly beside Han Moon Taek, and scrutinized her thoroughly, as if inspecting something closely.
Noticing Park In Young’s gaze, Green offered an awkward smile, like a Miss Korea contestant.
‘This girl was the one Sunwoo mentioned—and even smiled about.’
Park In Young silently turned to look at Sunwoo. His expression remained as unreadable as ever.
Having made up her mind, Park In Young addressed Han Moon Taek, who was still standing.
“Please sit down. Let’s renegotiate the terms.”
“Hmph.”
Only then did Han Moon Taek reluctantly sit back down.
“We’ll register the marriage right after the wedding ceremony. In return, the wedding itself will be a small, private ceremony with only the bride, groom, and parents present.”
“A—a small wedding?”
“Yes. The press will portray it beautifully as a model wedding among the elite.”
Han Moon Taek, who had been excitedly imagining reclaiming decades’ worth of congratulatory gifts he’d doled out, felt as if a bucket of ice water had been dumped over his head upon hearing he couldn’t invite even a single guest.
“But surely even a small wedding should allow close relatives to attend…”
Trailing off, Han Moon Taek suddenly remembered something important and lifted his chin.
“You can’t possibly mean that Mr. Park Chan Wook, CEO of K1 Construction, won’t attend? It’s the only grandson’s wedding!”
“No, he won’t attend. Sunwoo says he doesn’t want to show this marriage to his respected grandfather.”
“Good grief…”
The more he heard, the more ridiculous and humiliating the terms sounded—so much so that walking out right then would’ve left the groom’s side without grounds to complain.
Yet Han Moon Taek held firm. After all, people were already lining up to collaborate with his future son-in-law, Jin Sunwoo, who was destined to become K1 Construction’s next leader.
Having decided he could endure even the humiliation of the wedding day, Han Moon Taek kept silent—until Green finally spoke up.
“Father… are you really going through with this marriage?”
That single sentence from Green carried many layers of meaning. In truth, it was her last chance for her father to reconsider.
“I’ll endure anything, as long as you’re happy, Green.”
For a moment, Green squeezed her eyes shut, overcome with nausea. Han Moon Taek had cloaked his greed in the guise of her happiness. She no longer needed to spare him any consideration.
“Since we’ve reached an agreement, shall we sign the contract?”
Park In Young pulled out two copies of the contract and handed them to Han Moon Taek.
“You even prepared a contract?”
“Of course. Verbal promises carry no weight. We need documented proof. All five of us here will sign.”
Though slightly unnerved by the three-billion-won penalty clause, Han Moon Taek’s face broke into a deeply satisfied smile once he confirmed the provision for immediate marriage registration after the ceremony.
That clause alone meant he’d already achieved everything he wanted.
“Shall we talk a bit more among ourselves?”
“Sure.”
As the adults, having finished their business, promptly rose to leave, Sunwoo suggested to Green. Green, who’d wanted to speak with him alone, readily agreed.
“Well then! If you two spend time together often, feelings you didn’t have before might just grow.”
“What nonsense you talk!”
Han Moon Taek eagerly welcomed the idea of Green and Sunwoo staying behind alone. Jin Young Cheol, however, watched him with clear disapproval.
“Let’s go quickly. I need to head to the office.”
Recognizing that nothing good would come from letting Han Moon Taek and Jin Young Cheol stay together, Park In Young swiftly pulled her husband away.
Han Moon Taek, too, gladly stepped aside to give Sunwoo and Green some private time.
Before them sat five full servings of an elegant, high-end Korean set meal, untouched.
“Whew… Your mother’s presence is seriously something else.”
With the tension finally easing, Green, who had been sitting rigidly upright, slumped forward.
“Were you really that nervous?”
“Of course! In-laws are hard enough as it is, but in-laws for a contract marriage? Even harder.”
As she answered Sunwoo, Green naturally picked up her chopsticks and took a piece of galbijjim from the dish in front of her.
Watching Green help herself generously to the galbijjim and then heap a large portion of fresh salmon salad onto her plate, Sunwoo let out a soft chuckle. He realized he was hungry too.
When Sunwoo began eating, Green observed him curiously.
“What do billionaires usually eat anyway?”
“Well, grilled fish and doenjang jjigae appear on the table almost daily. Personally, I like miyeokguk and japchae.”
“Really? That’s surprisingly ordinary.”
“If there’s any difference at all, it’s that all our ingredients are domestic and organic.”
“Tch, figures.”
Thanks to the light conversation, the mood grew considerably lighter.
“There’s something I’d like to tell you before we marry. It’s about my mother.”
“Yes?”
“My mother’s been in a coma for five years due to a hit-and-run accident.”
“…I see.”
Sunwoo offered no hasty words of comfort. He simply waited quietly for Green to continue.
“Even though this is a formal marriage, I wanted you to know that you’ll technically have a mother-in-law.”
“I’ll keep that in mind. Would you like me to visit your mother before the wedding?”
Green was startled by Sunwoo’s offer—she hadn’t expected him to say that.
“No. I’d rather my mother stay peaceful amid all this chaos. When I meet someone I truly love—someone real—I’ll introduce them to her then.”
“I see.”
Sunwoo’s dark eyes, fixed steadily on Green, betrayed no emotion—but the atmosphere instantly turned icy.
‘What’s wrong? Did I upset him? I didn’t say anything offensive…’
Trying to ease the sudden chill, Green forced a smile toward Sunwoo.
“Thank you so much for saying that, Jin Sunwoo. I’m genuinely touched.”
Only then did Sunwoo shift his gaze, pulling a sheet of paper from his pocket.
“Shall we now discuss the specifics of our agreement?”
“Before that, I have a question. Will I have to quit my job after we marry?”
“You’re a photographer, correct?”
“Yes. I’ve been working freelance so I can visit my mother regularly.”
Recognizing that Green wanted to keep working, Sunwoo replied somewhat awkwardly.
“You’ll likely find it difficult to work after marriage, given how much media attention you’d attract.”
“My father often delays paying my mother’s hospital bills. If I stop working, things would get really difficult.”
Having laid bare her pride and revealed her situation, Green watched as Sunwoo frowned slightly.
“What does Mr. Han Moon Taek actually do for work?”
She, too, had no idea what her father did for a living, so she couldn’t answer.
“If marrying you means cutting ties with my father and being unable to work, I’d appreciate it if you could cover my mother’s hospital expenses.”
“Understood. Just tell me which hospital she’s in, and I’ll arrange for her to stay in a private suite. Is there anything else you need?”
Green was stunned—not only had Sunwoo accepted her request immediately without even asking how much the hospital bills were, but he’d also offered to move her mother to a private suite.
For a moment, she recalled Hanna’s advice: “When you’re married to a diamond-spoon heir like Jin Sunwoo, demand everything you can.” Suppressing her racing heart, she spoke again.
“Separate from the hospital bills, I’d also need a modest living allowance… and I’d like to continue photography work, as long as it stays out of the public eye. It’s hard to rebuild your reputation once it drops in this field.”
“Is there a place you can work without public exposure?”
“My stylist friend’s studio. It’s unpaid work, so there’s no risk of exposure.”
“Fine. Anything else you’d like to add or ask?”
“How long will our marriage last?”
Sunwoo fell silent for a moment at Green’s question, as if weighing something in his mind.
“My father is working on a countermeasure to neutralize Mr. Han Moon Taek’s blackmail. Once that succeeds, our marriage will end as well.”
“I see.”
Green slowly nodded. Though she’d desperately wanted to avoid this marriage, now that her mother’s hospital bills were secured, a selfish thought crept in—perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad if this marriage lasted a bit longer.
“Don’t you have any expectations of me, Jin Sunwoo?”
Green’s question caught Sunwoo off guard—he blinked as if struck. Her manner, acting as if he’d grant every request, nearly made him laugh aloud.
Quickly regaining his composure, Sunwoo spoke slowly.
“You don’t need to worry much about my father, but I’d appreciate it if you honored the wishes of Ms. Han Green and the CEO of K1 Construction.”
“Hmm—you mean your grandfather and mother? Goodness, you speak of family like they’re your workplace superiors.”
Green teased him playfully, but Sunwoo’s expression remained utterly serious.
“Because they truly are my superiors. Though they don’t say it, my father’s actions must have deeply hurt them. I’d like you to behave in a way that doesn’t upset Vice Chairwoman Han Green.”
Seeing Sunwoo regard his mother and grandfather as literal superiors, Green was taken aback—and somewhat resentful. Is this how all chaebol heirs are?
But deciding it wasn’t her place to interfere with family customs, she agreed to Sunwoo’s condition.
“Yes, I’ll do my best to earn your mother’s approval.”
“Gaining her approval won’t be easy, but I sincerely hope you succeed. Now, shall we discuss the terms of alimony in case of divorce?”
“I won’t accept any alimony. My father’s blackmail forced this marriage—my conscience won’t allow it.”
“Are you serious?”
Sunwoo’s dark eyes bore into her persistently, as if probing for sincerity.
‘Have I been fooled all along?!’
A surge of defiance rose within her, but Green forced a smile and said,
“Consider it solidarity between two stubborn frogs.”
Sunwoo continued watching her for a long while before finally nodding slowly.
“Here’s my offer: if our marriage ends to both our satisfaction, I’ll continue covering your mother’s hospital expenses for life—in lieu of alimony.”
“For life? Until when exactly?”
“For the rest of her life.”
Blinking in surprise, Green quickly nodded before Sunwoo could change his mind. A strong determination sparked within her—no matter what, she’d make sure Sunwoo considered this marriage a success.
As Sunwoo meticulously recorded every agreed-upon term onto the paper, Green’s face broke into a relieved smile, as if a great weight had lifted.
Whether it was the expertly applied makeup, the soft lighting of the upscale private room, or perhaps the glint of the expensive watch on her wrist as she tucked her hair behind her ear—at that moment, Sunwoo thought Green’s smile was genuinely pretty.
Just… that’s all it was.
When scheming men desperately battle for her favor in the male harem
This one’s also on my reread list! The rivalry, scheming between the men in the imperial harem are just as intense and thrilling as in classic palace drama novels, where concubines fight to the death. Give it a read, girls! I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Synopsis:
“I am not worthy of her… but I still want to be by her side, even if only as a loyal dog…”
Those were the painful whispers of Yue Guanyi – the proud Crown Prince of the Great Qi, who was torn between deep love and a guilty conscience. Despite holding the supreme power of the Imperial Guard, he still could not forget the dark past when he was sold into a brothel.
Fate played a cruel twist when Qiu Shuzhi – a young female official who had just passed the imperial examinations with top honors – stepped into his life. She did not know that she was the one who had saved him from a tragic fate many years ago. And now, her heart was the target of pursuit for both Yue Guanyi and the powerful Empress Dowager Qin Qing.
While Yue Guanyi only dared to silently care for and protect the one he loved from afar, the Empress Dowager Qin Qing openly expressed his feelings and did not hesitate to take advantage of his power to approach Qiu Shuzhi. The covert struggle between the two most powerful forces in the imperial court began…
Trigger warning: All men in this novel are yandere style.
_____
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.
[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)
Men of the Harem (137 Chapters Left to Complete)
The Duke Only Needs My Child (Completed Main Story)
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)
I Received The First Time Of My Extraordinary Superior (9 Chapters Left to Complete)
Regret With All Your Might (Completed Main Story)