With Autumn looking slightly downcast, Chairman Han turned to leave. She had thought he might stay to view other artworks, but he seemed too upset and left without hesitation.
Noticing his somber mood, Autumn hurriedly followed him out and expressed her gratitude.
“Chairman, thank you for coming today.”
“It’s nothing. Go inside, it’s cold.”
“Yes. Have a safe trip back.”
“Alright.”
Autumn watched the departing car, feeling drained and not wanting to return to the exhibition.
The post-graduation exhibition celebration started modestly at a humble barbecue restaurant.
Jua, sitting at the same table as Autumn, noticed her bouquet and exclaimed in surprise.
“Wow, who gave you such a big bouquet?”
“…Someone I know. They couldn’t come today, said they were sorry.”
“Ah, that’s a shame, isn’t it?”
“…Maybe a little?”
Sensing Autumn’s usual vibrancy missing despite a successful exhibition, Jua cheerfully shook a soju bottle, creating a whirl inside. Her excitement was clear as she encouraged Autumn to drink.
“Let’s cheer up with some soju, Autumn.”
Autumn decided not to dwell on her gloom, inspired by Jua’s efforts to lift her spirits, and managed a genuine smile for the first time since entering the restaurant.
Seeing Autumn’s smile, Jua beamed back.
“See, you’re so pretty when you smile, Yoon Autumn.”
Autumn, amused by Jua’s exaggerated reaction, asked teasingly.
“…Jua, are you drunk?”
“No, no. I’m just in a good mood!”
Jua had been drinking more than usual, her chopsticks movements increasingly unsteady.
“Can’t help her.”
Watching Jua, Autumn also smiled genuinely for a moment.
Then, classmates called out for Jua, the ever-popular mood maker. She sprang up to join them.
“I’ll be back, just going to the next table.”
Waving her off, Autumn replied, “Okay, take your time.”
As Jua left, Dojin offered Autumn a carton of chocolate milk.
“Here, drink this, Autumn.”
“Thanks, Oppa.”
“No problem. If you don’t feel like drinking more, just let me know. Don’t force yourself.”
“Okay.”
Autumn, not yet tipsy, gratefully accepted the milk carton from Dojin and held it tightly in her hand.
Dojin then asked in a baffled tone, “But Autumn, why don’t you date?”
“Uh… Well, I guess I’ve been too busy.”
Autumn nodded in agreement.
Now that she thought about it, she had always been focused solely on showing Chairman Han her improved and well-crafted paintings. Anything beyond that had never crossed her mind.
Her time was fully consumed by painting. Any time spent elsewhere seemed like a luxury.
For nine years, her life revolved around painting, devoting every moment to perfecting her craft.
Lost in thought, Autumn was brought back to reality by Dojin’s question, “Aren’t your standards just too high? What’s your ideal type like?”
Unexpectedly overhearing their conversation, Jua, who had gone to the next table, came running back, making a fuss. “What? What’s this? Are you two playing some truth game? I want to join! I’m curious about Autumn’s ideal type!”
Dojin sighed deeply at her interruption.
Autumn, amused by her friend’s whimsical behavior, pondered seriously for a moment.
“My ideal type? Hmm… Someone kind and warm-hearted would be nice.”
As she spoke, she realized her description matched her father’s traits.
But then, unexpectedly, Han Kitae’s name popped into her mind. Why was she thinking of him again?
Frowning, she wondered why Kitae would have visited her exhibition in the first place. They weren’t close enough for such an expectation.
Her gaze inadvertently drifted to the bouquet, repeatedly catching her attention. Why did it keep drawing her eyes?
“Now it’s your turn, right, Dojin? What about you?”
Jua asked, shifting the focus. Dojin, clearing his throat, started speaking in a deeper, more serious voice than usual, “Well, I like someone petite, with long hair…”
“Oh, Autumn, what’s that?” Jua interrupted, pointing at Autumn’s bouquet.
“…Hey, Jua. Why do you keep interrupting people?”
Annoyed by being cut off mid-sentence, Dojin glared at Jua, but she was already engrossed in Autumn’s bouquet and didn’t notice his reproach.
Jua reached for the bouquet and shook it, “Autumn, there’s a note inside? What is it?”
“Really? There’s something inside?”
Jua rummaged through the bouquet and pulled out a stiff piece of paper, holding it up to Autumn’s face. The pink paper made its presence known to Autumn.
She hadn’t closely examined it, assuming it was a perfunctory gesture arranged by Kitae’s secretary.
Jua, squinting at the note, said, “It’s hard to read…”
Autumn reached out, “Let me see. I’ll read it.”
“What does it say?”
“Um…”
“Come on, I’m curious!”
“Congratulations on your graduation, Yoon Autumn. – Han Kitae.”
Autumn blinked rapidly, then widened her eyes. The bold strokes reminded her of him.
“–Han Kitae.”
She lingered on the man’s name.
Handwritten note with distinct style.
Was it really written by him personally?
Whether she would have the chance to ask…
As always, and perhaps even in the future, she knew well that their paths were unlikely to cross again.
A heavily intoxicated Autumn staggered past the entrance of the mansion. The chilly night breeze tickled her cheeks, but the signs of sobering up seemed distant, thanks to the excess alcohol.
“My head hurts…”
Having never really drunk alcohol during her university days, Autumn had uncharacteristically accepted and consumed every drink offered that evening.
Overwhelmed by the impending hangover, she paused, supporting her head with her hand. That’s when she noticed the lights still on in the main house.
“Uh? Hasn’t Mom finished work yet?”
Usually, at this hour, the family of Chairman Han inside the main house would have retired for the night. Hence, her mother, who worked there, should have also returned home, but the lights were still glaring in the ground floor living room.
The illuminated house indicated that someone was still awake at this late hour, increasing the likelihood of her mother being there. Her mother often delayed her departure if there was additional work to be done.
With unsteady steps, Autumn headed towards the main house.
“I should go in with Mom…”
Upon reaching the entrance, Autumn peeked inside, slipping quietly into the shoe cabinet area.
There was another sliding door inside, slightly ajar, revealing the interior.
Rubbing her bleary eyes, Autumn peered through the gap and saw two men conversing. Contrary to her expectation, her mother was nowhere in sight. Instead, Chairman Han and another man were engaged in a discussion. The man’s back was turned, making it difficult for her to immediately recognize him.
“Who could it be at this hour…?”
Curious, she muttered.
Just then, the man sighed and turned his head, revealing his face. Autumn instantly recognized him.
“Uh…? That’s Han Kitae, the one who congratulated me on my graduation.”
He looked visibly upset.
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.]
