Realizing she hadn’t introduced herself, Autumn quickly started, “Hello, I’m Yoon Ga-eul, invited by Chairman Shin. I’m accompanying Chairman Han Baek-ho.”
The man listened quietly to her introduction, then his lips curled into a pleasant smile, resembling Chairman Shin in a way. Yet, his youthful skin and gentle eyes seemed more akin to someone of Autumn’s age. His tousled hair and amiable appearance suggested he must have been popular.
Then, noticing something, the man asked with a slight frown, “Did you cry?”
“No, no!”
“You look like you did.”
Quickly wiping away any remaining moisture with her sleeve, Autumn changed the subject, “Are you related to Chairman Shin?”
“Yes, he’s my grandfather.”
“I see.”
That explained it…
Not expecting more guests, Autumn felt silly for being surprised. It was natural for a family member to be in the house. He even resembled Shin Mincheol quite a bit.
With nothing much to say, Autumn hoped he would quickly pass through the corridor and gave a slight smile.
But the man wasn’t in a hurry to leave. He asked another question.
“Why were you staring so intently at that painting?”
“Oh, that… It was painted by my father.”
“I see. Then why didn’t you come with your father to see it? Why are you here alone?”
His question, asked with a gentle smile and pure intent, prompted a calm response from Autumn.
“My father has passed away.”
“Oh…”
“I came to see it because Chairman Shin allowed me. I don’t have any of my father’s paintings.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s okay. You wouldn’t have known…”
Her plan to view the painting alone seemed to have gone awry.
A bit disappointing, but unavoidable.
“Well, at least… my tears have stopped for sure.”
“The roses are beautiful.”
“Yes.”
Autumn resigned herself to the conversation as the man kept talking. The closeness of their shoulders as they stood side by side looking at the painting was distracting, but he seemed unbothered, still smiling gently.
The fresh, clear scent like leaves came over, reminding her of being in a forest.
“Are you not going to ask my name? Aren’t you curious?”
“Oh, sorry. Your name is…?”
“Shin Yeon-woo.”
“Ah, right. My name is…”
“You already told me. You’re Autumn, right?”
“Right. I did say that.”
Chairman Shin’s voice suddenly echoed from the dining room.
“Is Yeon-woo here?”
“Yes, Grandfather.”
“Then why aren’t you coming in?”
“Coming now.”
Finally, stepping back, Autumn greeted Yeon-woo, who then paused and asked her.
“Aren’t you coming in?”
Realizing she had stayed out too long, Autumn awkwardly smiled and replied.
“I was just about to go in.”
“Great! Let’s go together.”
“Wait, just a minute…!”
As she consented, Shin Yeon-woo gently grasped her wrist.
Surprised by his forwardness, Autumn was nevertheless led by his easy manner into the dining room.
Once in front of Chairman Shin and Chairman Han, Yeon-woo naturally let go of her wrist.
Thus, Autumn sat beside Chairman Han, and Yeon-woo beside Chairman Shin.
After the meal, Autumn rose with a slightly tipsy Chairman Han.
As they prepared to get into the car, Shin Mincheol busily bid them farewell. Autumn opened the opposite rear door of the car.
Then, someone tapped her shoulder.
Turning around, she saw Shin Yeon-woo.
“Why…? Shin Yeon-woo.”
Yeon-woo squinted his eyes in a smile and softly said.
“Will you come to see the paintings again?”
Autumn shook her head and answered more firmly.
“No, I’ve seen it once. That’s enough.”
Puzzled, he murmured.
“Why? Is once enough?”
“What?”
As he spoke, he squinted his eyes in a smile again.
“No, didn’t you say you don’t have any of your father’s paintings? Wouldn’t you want to see them again?”
His words were entirely accurate.
Having seen it once, a desire had arisen, and beyond just wanting to see it again, there was a longing to take it with her.
That’s why she had decided to stop at just this one visit.
“No. If I see it again, I’ll keep thinking about it. I just… want to be content with having seen it today.”
“Really? When I see something once and start thinking about it, I want to see it again, and if I keep wanting to see it, I start wishing I owned it. Isn’t that normal?”
Autumn burst into a chuckle at Shin Yeon-woo’s comment, which seemed like a joke, and waved her hand dismissively.
What a simplistic notion.
As if anyone can have everything they want.
“No, not for me. Just because you want something doesn’t mean you can have it.”
Having finished her goodbyes, Autumn turned around at the sound of Chairman Han calling her.
Then, Shin Yeon-woo spoke up again through the car window.
“Goodbye, Autumn. Let’s meet again.”
There seemed to be no reason for her to return to see the paintings, nor for them to cross paths again.
He was someone she wouldn’t likely see again. Yet, Autumn replied with a lifted corner of her mouth, a smile replacing her words. It was a sentiment not necessary to voice aloud.
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.
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