They had met during the day, but before she knew it, the sun was setting. She had planned to return before sunset to continue her landscape painting, but now the dusk was beginning to show.
‘…I only came to talk about the painting, why am I here doing this?’
It felt like she was under some kind of spell.
She had joined him for a meal, thinking it would be rude to leave someone who hadn’t eaten, but now she found herself walking the bustling streets late into the evening.
Autumn blew bubbles through her straw, the irregular sounds of the bubbles popping filled the air.
It was always like this when she met Shin Yeon-woo; he had a natural way of leading people along.
By the time she realized what was happening, the situation was already over.
“Hey, Autumn. This looks like it would suit you. Want to try it on?”
He suddenly pointed out a bracelet in a jewelry shop window and asked Autumn.
She shook her head.
‘Now I really need to ask and then go home.’
It was only after some time had passed that Autumn finally brought up the topic she had been eager to discuss.
“Shin Yeon-woo, how can I get back my father’s painting?”
But then, he led her to another place.
“Um, there are too many people here. How about we sit on that bench and talk?”
“Okay.”
Yeon-woo pointed to a bench and walked slightly ahead, with Autumn following him to a more secluded bench. The bench was shaded by a large tree, providing relief from the setting sun and a cooler breeze compared to the warmth of the street.
“Your legs must be tired. Sit down, Autumn.”
After seating Autumn on the bench, Yeon-woo finally broached the subject she had been waiting to hear about.
“My grandfather is different from me. He has a strong attachment to the paintings he owns and takes great pride in them. He wouldn’t sell them, no matter how much money is offered, even to close acquaintances. Especially that painting, ‘Rose Garden,’ it’s one of his favorites.”
“Oh, I see…”
Autumn’s voice trailed off. She felt a sinking feeling as Yeon-woo explained that he had been unable to find a way to return the painting and had asked her to meet to apologize for not being able to give it back. The thought dampened her spirits, and she wondered if that was why he had bought her an expensive meal.
The hunger excuse might not have been a mere excuse after all… perhaps he felt sorry.
‘Shin Yeon-woo doesn’t need to feel sorry. It was me who had expectations.’
If he said he was sorry, she was going to reassure him it was okay. Her spirits were definitely dampened, though.
While Autumn sat alone on the bench, Shin Yeon-woo stood at a distance, looking down at her. Dropping his usual smile, he wore a more serious expression and began to speak.
“But if it’s a favor for me, it might be different.”
Autumn, who had been looking down, raised her eyes to Yeon-woo again. A faint glimmer of hope seemed to shine in her eyes.
“It might take time, but continuously appealing might eventually change his mind. I can’t promise when, but I can certainly assure you that it’s possible to return the painting.”
“Really? Then, may I ask you a favor? I’ll definitely pay for the painting. I’ll manage to arrange the money by then…”
Autumn, who had been responding with mere acknowledgments all day, now spoke hastily, prompting Yeon-woo to ask teasingly.
“I thought you gave up on it. Why do you want it so much now?”
Faced with his curious gaze, Autumn paused, then answered honestly.
“When I thought the painting was unattainable, I had no choice but to give up. But now that there’s hope, I find myself wanting it…”
She felt a bit foolish for changing her stance so quickly after being so definitive before.
Feeling somewhat embarrassed, Autumn let out an awkward laugh.
To that, Yeon-woo grinned broadly, his dimples showing, and spoke with a gentler tone.
“I told you, right? You’d want to see it again and wish to have it.”
“Yes, that’s true. Then, if it’s not too much trouble, could I ask you, Shin Yeon-woo, to help me get my father’s painting from Chairman Shin?”
Yeon-woo shrugged nonchalantly, then leaned forward to match Autumn’s eye level.
“Of course. That’s why I came to see you today.”
What a relief!
She was afraid he was stringing her along to say he couldn’t return the painting.
A flush of color returned to Autumn’s face.
Then, Yeon-woo spoke again.
“But…”
“……?”
“On what condition?” Yeon-woo asked suddenly, surprising Autumn.
Even in the car ride back, no words were exchanged.
‘On what condition…?’
When she asked what he wanted, he replied that he wouldn’t call often, but if he did, could she have a meal with him like today?
When she asked why, he said he had really enjoyed today’s meal. It’s not too difficult a request, he said, smiling lightly, and added that he would occasionally update her on the painting as well.
“……Take care.”
“Yes. You too, Autumn.”
Like the last time, Autumn got off in front of the gallery.
He had said he was busy, but unlike the previous time, he didn’t get out of the car and quickly drove away. Watching his sedan disappear, Autumn bit her lip.
Once he was out of sight, she let out a deep sigh without realizing it.
Although it would take longer to walk from the gallery, she chose to walk a bit more, her mind feeling cluttered.
Looking only at her feet as she walked, she suddenly bumped into a man who emerged from an alley.
It was partly the man’s fault for popping out suddenly, but also Autumn’s for not watching where she was going.
Without even thinking to pick up her dropped phone, Autumn first offered an apology.
“I’m sorry. Are you okay?”
“Ouch… It’s a bit painful, but I’m okay.”
The man, wearing a hat pulled low over his face, dusted off his clothes and then picked up the phone Autumn had dropped.
“Here, you dropped this. Take it.”
“Oh, thank you. And I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s not your fault alone.”
Autumn bowed her head again, apologizing. The man chuckled and waved his hand, indicating it was okay.
Autumn, still feeling apologetic, bowed her head once more before finally moving on.
The man, watching Autumn walk away, stood still and chuckled to himself with a rough voice.
“Right, it is the Autumn Yun I know.”
Content with a satisfied smile, he then disappeared back into the alleyway.
Male lead is a Love-Obsessed Merman
When he discovers she has gone, he risks everything to pursue her on land, enduring agonizing pain to transform his tail into human legs…
One-line summary: Male lead chases female lead. The male lead’s love is a bit sick, an invincible love brain.
Synopsis
During a voyage at sea, Jiang Yang accidentally captures a merman.
Servant: I heard that mermen are fierce and brutal.
Jiang Yang looks at the merman obediently rubbing her palm like a puppy: “You call this fierce and brutal?”
Servant: I heard that mermen have no human nature.
Jiang Yang looks at the merman with wet puppy eyes, obsessively calling her ‘A Yang’ like a childish infant: “You call this having no human nature?”
With great difficulty, she releases the merman back into the sea and returns to shore.
Who would have thought that in less than half a month, the merman, who should have been freely wandering in the South China Sea, would shed his scales, endure the pain of losing his tail, transform into human legs, and come ashore to find her?
He kneels at her feet, rubbing her palm, with merman tears rolling down: “A Yang, don’t abandon me.”
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