Autumn had spent the entire week holed up in her studio, striving to fulfill his directive.
Yet, as her will faltered, the progress of her work remained stagnant.
Despite her continued efforts, the paintings weren’t turning out well. It seemed like they might even be criticized as worse than her previous works.
‘Wouldn’t it be safer to stick to my previous paintings if it’s not about poor execution?’
Her studio was cluttered with several half-finished canvases. A few were complete, but none met her satisfaction.
It felt like a creative slump.
‘I wasn’t even this troubled during my entrance exams…’
Everything about her, especially concerning painting, had always come unusually naturally, backed by talent. She had consistently satisfied the Chairman by closely following her father’s footsteps.
Her efforts had always yielded results, reassuring her that hard work paid off.
But changing a habit solidified over 10 years overnight seemed… a bit too much.
Her body, accustomed to mimicking her father’s painting style, struggled to adapt.
It was the first time someone had suggested her paintings felt like mere imitations.
Shaking off these pointless thoughts, Autumn tried to refocus on her work. Still, progress remained as elusive as the day before. Her confidence had long since waned.
The next day, Autumn sent a few selected paintings to the gallery and visited the office, anticipating the feedback. She knew deep down what to expect.
Unsurprisingly, all were disapproved.
“Autumn, are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine, Director.”
Her attempt to smile was unconvincing.
“Doesn’t seem like you’re okay at all…” he muttered, concerned.
Was the request that difficult? Autumn’s shoulders tensed.
If things continued, her original paintings would be displayed. Though she treasured them, not meeting the gallery’s expectations felt like a personal failure.
Nevertheless, Director Park praised her efforts.
“Don’t worry. It’s the effort that counts. I told you, if it doesn’t work out, we can use the paintings you’ve already completed. The Chairman suggested this to help you, not as a mandate. Let’s wrap up this exhibit with those. You’ve worked hard.”
“Thank you, Director.”
Creak.
Just then, the door opened. Autumn, lacking the energy to look up, buried her face in her knees.
Only Director Park greeted the newcomer politely.
“Have you arrived early from work, Chairman?”
“Yes, all the busy work is behind me. …What’s going on here?”
“Ah, Autumn here had some upsetting news.”
Ki-tae looked down at Autumn, who hadn’t greeted him, and pulled one of her arms, lifting her listless body and revealing her face.
“Aren’t you going to greet me?”
“Ah, sorry. I didn’t realize it was you, Chairman… Hello…”
“What’s wrong? You seem really off.”
Park Director, instead of explaining, showed him two of Autumn’s paintings. His brow furrowed.
“There’s no change at all…?”
Even before any formal evaluation, he noticed her trembling shoulders and downcast eyes with every breath he took. Still, he painstakingly pointed out each flaw.
“Regardless of whether it’s well-painted or not, haven’t I pointed out these issues before? I’m sure I conveyed that it’s fine even if it’s not perfectly done, right?”
Faced with results that seemed to ignore his advice, he set the paintings down and asked,
“Do you not need my advice?”
His tone wasn’t reprimanding. Rather, he was suggesting he’d withdraw his guidance and attention if she agreed.
For Autumn, this was a frightening prospect. She couldn’t afford to be seen in a bad light by him.
Startled, Autumn quickly shook her head and cautiously spoke.
“No! It’s not that. I tried my best, but… I’ve been painting in the same way for 10 years. It’s become second nature, and I can’t seem to figure out how to change it…”
It felt like any excuse would sound like a mere justification.
‘I’m making excuses even though I pointed it out myself.’
Resigned, Autumn closed her mouth tightly.
“Painting in the same way for 10 years? Do you have a particular method you’re adhering to? What is it?”
“…?”
He didn’t dismiss her explanation as an excuse but listened seriously.
“Tell me about your usual work process. Why does every painting remind me of your father’s work?”
Unexpectedly…
He seriously began listening to her story, eager to understand.
A bit stunned, Autumn soon collected her thoughts and quickly responded.
“Well, first, when I decide what to paint…”
Encouraging her to continue, he listened intently as she carefully chose her words.
“I think about how my father would have painted it, or if there was a similar piece he did, and then I try to replicate that approach as closely as possible.”
“…?”
“Then, I keep repeating it, just like my father used to. Doing so, I could create something quite similar to his work… whatever it was.”
“…”
He looked at her, seemingly unable to comprehend her response.
Male lead Asks for a Divorce Every Day
It’s not often you come across a plot like this in the female-dominant genre — make sure to check it out!
This is a novel I’m planning to reread as well.
The male lead is strong, skilled in martial arts, and not the usual fragile type you often see in matriarchal novels.
Meanwhile, the female lead is a scientist—rational and logical. Even when she falls for the male lead, she doesn’t let her emotions cloud her decisions.
If you push through the first few chapters, you’ll gradually find the story really intriguing.
It has a mix of mystery, detective elements, and romance.
The author’s writing style is like crafting a puzzle—except they deliberately leave out a few pieces, making it hard to predict what happens next, yet keeping you hooked.
In the end, everything will come together and be explained.
One-sentence summary: Wife, stop playing with beakers and look at me!
In a laboratory accident, research scientist Zhu Wansheng accidentally travels to a matriarchal world. The original owner of the body is an eighteen-year-old only daughter of a wealthy rouge merchant, already married with a handsome young man.
Zhu Wansheng grins: Nice! She always said she was heaven’s favorite granddaughter. After a life of toil in her previous life, she can enjoy blessings in this one.
However, her joy lasts no more than three seconds as bad news arrives: the original owner’s family is about to go bankrupt, and her husband wants a divorce.
Even worse, she’s stuck with a research system full of restrictions.
Zhu Wansheng: ? Is this the destiny of a research dog?
——
Faced with this mess, Zhu Wansheng pours herself a bowl of wine to drown her sorrows. In her drunken haze, her husband arrives.
His figure is imposing, holding a long sword, with a dignified air that captivates Zhu Wansheng.
Gu Yingqing, however, looks at the alcohol-reeking Zhu Wansheng with undisguised disgust and coldly asks, “Divorce or not?” The intoxicated Zhu Wansheng mumbles vaguely, “I think… it’s not… it’s not… impossible!”
——
The next day, after sobering up, Zhu Wansheng is full of energy, rolling up her sleeves ready to make a big move. As for yesterday? She has no memory of it.
Zhu Wansheng is ambitious; a research dog fears nothing!
Upgrading rouge, extracting fragrances, producing perfumes, researching lipsticks… all shall bow to the power of modern technology!
The original owner’s dying rouge shop is revitalized. Her mother is pleased and with a wave of her hand, passes on the family business to her. As she takes control and her experimental results gain popularity, it’s the pinnacle of her life…
——
But there are always those who can’t stand to see her doing well. Jealousy, scheming, assassination attempts – they want nothing less than her life.
The person who has always kept his distance from her suddenly holds her tightly in his arms, eyes full of concern.
She is unharmed, but he falls into a pool of blood…
Zhu Wansheng feels guilty, “I can grant you one wish.”
Gu Yingqing tentatively circles his arms around her, carefully resting his head in the crook of her neck, pleading softly, “I regret it. Can we not divorce?”
Zhu Wansheng: ? When did I agree to a divorce?
[Small Theater]
The newly developed rouge is beautifully packaged, and Zhu Wansheng is eager to try it.
Gu Yingqing suddenly appears: “My lady, may I apply it for you?”
Cool fingertips lightly brush her lips. His Adam’s apple bobs as he leans in for a light bite.
Zhu Wansheng: ?
Gu Yingqing: It smells so good, I wanted to taste it…
On a warm spring day, Zhu Wansheng tries a new perfume: “Spring Night.” Gu Yingqing corners her against a wall.
Warm breath lingers on her neck.
“My lady, from now on, may I test the fragrances for you?”
[Humorous female scientist vs scheming live-in son-in-law male lead]
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
