There was no response.
Autumn quickly withdrew her hand.
She didn’t want to be misunderstood.
Under his sharp gaze that touched her hand and then met her eyes, Autumn unknowingly tensed her shoulders.
“I, Boss…”
Just as Autumn was about to call him again,
“……?”
He turned away without hesitation.
What…? Why…?
Lately, whenever they happened to meet, if Autumn approached him smilingly, he would greet her back with a rare, albeit faint, charming smile.
But now, he turned away coldly.
His demeanor was like that towards a complete stranger.
The next day, Autumn visited the gallery, using the excuse of checking her paintings for the upcoming exhibition. The exhibition was still a few days away and not yet fully set up, but her paintings were sufficiently visible.
Director Park, thinking Autumn was excited about her first exhibition at TS Gallery, showed her the reserved paintings one by one with a fatherly, benevolent smile, and also where they would be displayed.
“Two from the first batch you sent and two landscape paintings from the recent submissions. We’ve decided to display these.”
“……Ah, yes.”
“What about the last painting you mentioned, Miss Autumn?”
“Ah… I need to do a bit more work on that one…”
“If it’s good, we’ll display it too, so you need to send it as soon as possible. There’s not much time left until the exhibition.”
“Yes, Director.”
She had timed her visit to coincide with when he usually came to the gallery, but no matter how long she waited, he didn’t appear.
‘Did I do something wrong…? Why is he acting like this?’
The cold indifference from the previous day lingered, causing her a restless night.
She had debated several times whether to contact him last night.
“Then, take care, Miss Autumn.”
“Yes. …Director!”
As Autumn was about to leave the gallery, she stopped Director Park to ask,
“Is the Boss coming today?”
“He said he won’t be here today.”
“Oh…….”
“Is there something you wanted to tell him?”
“No, it’s nothing. Then, I’ll be going.”
Autumn hastily said goodbye and left the gallery. Her smile to Director Park faded dramatically the moment she pushed through the glass door.
Sighing deeply, Autumn walked away from the gallery without looking back.
Behind her, a man naturally followed.
Thanks to Autumn’s lack of attention and her disregard for any noise behind her, he easily trailed her.
The man, wearing a black hat pulled down low, stopped and alternated his gaze between the gallery and Autumn. He then broke into a wide grin, showing his gold teeth.
“Seems like becoming an artist like her father was the right choice. Wonder if she’s made any money?”
Staggering as if half-drunk, he stopped following Autumn and sat on a wall, chuckling to himself.
At that time, Ki Tae had just finished work at the department store and headed early to the lounge bar, BYN.
He sipped his wine, unable to relax his furrowed brow. He was alone on the second floor, which somewhat helped ease his tense nerves.
But that respite was short-lived. The sound of someone climbing the stairs drew Ki Tae’s gaze towards them.
Soon, a familiar figure appeared.
“Han Ki Tae. What are you doing?”
Ju Hyeok, ascending the circular staircase, asked Ki Tae, who was drinking early in the evening.
He could have just wanted a drink, but somehow today felt distinctly different.
He seemed to have drunk quite a bit alone, evidenced by the more than half-empty wine bottle, his deeply furrowed expression, and the dress shirt haphazardly unbuttoned in one or two places.
He was always a bit temperamental, but this was something else…
Ju Hyeok sighed deeply, seeing Ki Tae just nodding towards an empty seat, seemingly having no intention of explaining himself. Then Ki Tae abruptly asked,
“Why did you come?”
“The president told me you were here alone, so I came to find you. Why?”
“Tsck. Annoying.”
“What? I came out of concern for you.”
Ju Hyeok feigned throwing the wine bottle in frustration.
Though Ki Tae had initially found it bothersome that his plan to drink alone was disrupted, he didn’t mind his friend’s presence. A smirk-like smile finally escaped his lips.
Ju Hyeok, noticing that smile, took the opportunity to grumble irritably.
“Not answering my question, trying to get by with just a smile. Are you really not going to tell me?”
“What?”
“Why are you like this?”
“……I don’t know.”
Typical of him, so rude.
Ju Hyeok exhaled a sigh. Ki Tae often made it difficult to know what he was thinking, never sharing his innermost feelings.
With Ki Tae drowning his sorrows in alcohol, Ju Hyeok wanted to help, but without knowing the reason, he felt helpless.
“Ah, forget it.”
Might as well just drink. Ju Hyeok settled into the sofa opposite Ki Tae.
He had come to keep Ki Tae company while drinking, but what comfort could he offer if Ki Tae wouldn’t open up? He had given up on that idea long ago.
Ju Hyeok reached for the canapés.
The Male lead Always Seduces Her with His Beauty (Matriarchy)
Xin Jiao Zhou is the leader of the world’s premier sect. She has just experienced betrayal from all sides, was poisoned in an assassination attempt, and faced death squad attacks while the poison was taking effect. After finally clearing out the scum from her sect, she was drugged again while trying to detoxify.
After waking up from a night of unconsciousness, she gained a “beautiful and kind-hearted” husband.
Xin Jiao Zhou: “???”
He fell ill.
She came to see him, bringing breakfast.
As she put down the breakfast and was about to leave, his hand slipped while holding the spoon. “Clank!”
She turned around upon hearing the noise.
He looked up at her, his eyebrows drooping: “My hand… has no strength.”
“Shall I… feed you?” she asked tentatively.
He opened his mouth cheerfully: “Ah—”
Thinking she was drowning, he jumped in without hesitation to save her, but nearly drowned himself. In the end, it was she who swam over to rescue him, giving him air underwater.
After emerging from the water, his ear tips turned red. He lightly brushed his cheek, tucking his sideburns behind his ear, revealing delicate, pink-tinged ear tips. He lowered his gaze, too embarrassed to look at her.
Xin Jiao Zhou: He’s truly beautiful, kind-hearted, and adorable.
A certain someone when disciplining subordinates behind the scenes: “If they don’t obey, just kill them.”
What’s that? She might already have someone she cares about in her heart? A certain someone: Find out who it is, kill them, and then there won’t be anyone.
What? She met a man by the riverside? What? That man even hurt her? A certain someone: Whichever hand hurt her, chop off his entire arm.
Love at first sight without realizing it, gradually falling in love, slowly getting closer…
Family and national grudges, schemes and desires, good and evil, crime and punishment, she and he face the future together, seeking justice with passion!
A naturally dark female lead who could accidentally destroy the world but is actually an honest person VS a weak, pitiful, and helpless but skilled fighter, beautiful white-cut black male lead
My heart is not of stone, how steadfast is your love? — Tao Yuanming “Imitating the Ancients (No. 3)”
— Reading Guide —
Cold female lead & dramatic black lotus with hidden yandere traits male lead
