Covetous Sponsorship (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 15
“Really… Is that… alright…?”
It was a painting drawn by her father.
Ga Eul, who would normally have firmly refused, found herself blurting out a question instead.
Shin Min Cheol readily replied,
“Of course. Anytime you like.”
As if she’d already seen , a fresh smile bloomed on Ga Eul’s face. Seeing her smile so brightly, Shin Min Cheol’s eyes widened for a moment—then he burst into hearty laughter.
“Now that I look closely, Miss Ga Eul isn’t just talented at painting—you’re truly a lovely young lady.”
“Huh…? Oh! Th-thank you, Chairman.”
Flustered by the unexpected compliment, Ga Eul stood frozen. Shin Min Cheol, however, continued speaking as if to himself.
“I’d even like to introduce you to my grandson.”
Then, abruptly, he switched to praising his grandson.
“Of course, my grandson is quite a catch too. And I’m not just saying that because he’s my grandson—he really is impressive, even if you compare him with anyone else.”
Although the conversation briefly veered off course, he quickly returned to his original intent and made this proposal to Baek Ho.
“Since you’ve invited us to dinner today, how about coming to my place next time? Miss Ga Eul can come see the painting, and Chairman, you and I can enjoy a drink together again, just like today.”
“Heh heh, that wasn’t my intention when I invited you.”
“But isn’t it nice to visit each other back and forth? My wife is an absolutely fantastic cook—I’d love to treat you once.”
“Ohoho, is that so?”
The arrangement was practically settled right then.
Afterward, they talked business, discussed art, and Shin Min Cheol—tipsy from all the alcohol—kept dropping subtle hints about being a longtime fan of Yoon Dae Ho. The meal only ended when Shin Min Cheol’s face turned bright red from drinking.
He left the main building leaning almost entirely on his chauffeur. Ga Eul, watching his unsteady back, bowed deeply in silent gratitude.
Baek Ho approached her side. Ga Eul, who had been momentarily lost in emotion, quickly composed her expression and faced him.
He asked gently,
“So… you got into the gallery, right?”
“Yes, Chairman.”
“Good job. Keep working hard just as you have been.”
“Yes, I will.”
He was unexpectedly courteous, as if nothing had ever happened.
* * *
A few days later, Shin Min Cheol quickly followed through on his promise, and the dinner was arranged shortly thereafter.
Ga Eul ended up riding together with Baek Ho to the mansion where Chairman Shin’s family was staying.
It had been nearly ten years since she’d last seen her father’s painting.
She had no room in her mind for anything else. Her heart pounded harder and faster than usual.
The car traveled for a long while before finally stopping at the entrance of Chairman Shin’s estate. Shin Min Cheol and his wife, having anticipated their arrival, warmly greeted the two as they stepped out.
“Welcome, Chairman Han! You must be Miss Ga Eul, right? My husband mentioned you earlier. Please, come right in, Miss Ga Eul.”
“Yes, thank you.”
Guided kindly by the couple, Ga Eul entered the mansion alongside them.
Shin Min Cheol’s home was vast. A long corridor stretched ahead toward the living room, lined on both sides with numerous paintings.
Among them must be her father’s work.
Afraid of missing it by accident, Ga Eul carefully examined every single painting as she walked forward. Then, she let out a small, ironic chuckle.
‘…There it is. .’
There was no way she could ever miss her father’s painting—even by mistake.
hung side by side with Ga Eul’s own , as if they’d always belonged together.
Stepping closer to the painting, Ga Eul’s eyes slowly drooped, filling with a sorrowful light.
Just how many years had it been since she last saw her father’s work…?
Vividly, she recalled the sight of her father’s broad back as he painted those roses, his large hands deftly guiding the brush—because she’d watched every stroke of that painting’s creation with excitement, knowing it was meant to be a companion piece to her own.
She wanted to reach out and touch it with her own hands. But since it wasn’t hers, she couldn’t just handle it freely. Awkwardly, she withdrew her hand and simply gazed at it from a distance.
‘It’s just the same… my dad’s painting.’
Though time had passed, it had been well preserved—its brilliance remained undimmed.
The vivid red hues of the roses, the lush green of the climbing rose vines, even the worn gray garden wall—all exactly as she remembered from childhood.
Seeing Ga Eul unable to take her eyes off the painting, Shin Min Cheol tactfully spoke up.
“Miss Ga Eul probably needs some time alone. Shall we go ahead and start dinner?”
Shin Min Cheol led Chairman Han into the dining room.
As Chairman Shin entered, Ga Eul seized the brief moment their eyes met to express her thanks.
“Thank you, Chairman.”
“No need. Take your time looking around. Don’t worry about us.”
“Yes, I understand… Thank you. Really, truly thank you.”
Only after confirming they’d disappeared into the dining room did Ga Eul turn her gaze back to the painting.
‘…I miss you, Dad.’
Merely looking at the painting brought back that day’s memories with startling clarity.
Then, inevitably, greed welled up inside her.
‘I want to take it.’
She’d thought seeing it would be enough… but that was clearly wishful thinking.
If only she had enough money, she’d beg the Chairman to let her take the painting home with her…
Tears welled up, but Ga Eul bit down hard on her lower lip to hold them back.
Had she really stood there silently staring at the painting for so long?
Suddenly, she sensed someone approaching—someone appeared at the far end of the corridor. Instinctively, Ga Eul’s eyes turned toward them, then froze.
‘Who’s that…?’
Ga Eul was startled by the sudden appearance of the man.
But it seemed he was just as surprised.
The man paused for a moment, eyes wide with surprise, then quickly walked down the long corridor, stopping right behind Ga Eul.
“…!”
Startled by how close he stood, Ga Eul held her breath and tensed her shoulders—but the man simply stared intently at the painting, as if nothing unusual had happened.
Seeing that he was focused solely on the artwork, Ga Eul finally let out the breath she’d been holding.
‘Gosh, you scared me… You were just here to look at the painting.’
He seemed deeply curious about which painting he was looking at.
Once his curiosity was satisfied, he asked directly,
“Who are you? I didn’t hear anyone was coming today.”
Ah, right. Now that she thought about it, she’d forgotten to introduce herself.
Flustered, Ga Eul quickly offered her introduction.
“Hello. I’m Yoon Ga Eul. I came here at Chairman Shin’s invitation—as Chairman Han Baek Ho’s guest.”
The man listened silently to her introduction—then suddenly lifted the corners of his mouth into a charming smile. For a fleeting moment, he looked strikingly like Chairman Shin.
Yet his clear, youthful skin, soft eyes, and gentle smile felt close to Ga Eul’s own age. Even his casually tousled hair added to the impression of someone likable and probably quite popular.
Still smiling warmly, he studied Ga Eul’s face for a moment—then gently furrowed his brow and asked,
“…Were you crying?”
“Oh! N-no!”
“You look like you were.”
“I wasn’t.”
Ga Eul quickly wiped away any lingering moisture with her sleeve, then hastily changed the subject by asking,
“Um… are you part of Chairman Shin’s family?”
“Yes. He’s my grandfather.”
“Oh, I see.”
That explained it…
She felt foolish for being startled—of course anyone in this house would be family. And they did look alike.
With nothing more to say, Ga Eul gave a light smile, hoping he’d quickly pass through the corridor.
But he seemed unwilling to leave just yet, and asked another question instead.
“But why were you staring so intently at this painting?”
“Oh, well… this painting was done by my father.”
“I see. Then why didn’t you come with him to look at it? Why are you here alone?”
His question came with such genuine innocence and a gentle smile that Ga Eul answered as calmly as she could.
“My father… has passed away.”
“Oh…”
“Thanks to Chairman Shin’s kindness, I got to see it briefly. I don’t actually own any of my father’s paintings.”
“Oh… I’m sorry.”
“It’s alright. Of course you couldn’t have known…”
Her plan to view the painting alone was clearly ruined now.
That was slightly disappointing, but there was nothing she could do about it.
Well… at least her tears had definitely stopped.
“Those are beautiful roses.”
“…Yes.”
Knowing he’d keep talking, Ga Eul resigned herself early and replied.
Though she was aware their shoulders occasionally brushed as they stood side by side, he seemed completely unfazed—still wearing that easy, cheerful smile.
A fresh, clear scent—like green grass or young leaves—drifted gently from him, teasing her nose. It was crisp and refreshing, like stepping into a forest.
“But you didn’t even ask my name. Hmm… aren’t you curious?”
“Oh! No, I—what’s your name…?”
“Shin Yeon Woo.”
“Oh. My name is—”
“You already told me. Miss Ga Eul, right?”
“Oh, yes. I did, didn’t I?”
They’d been exchanging meaningless small talk for a while when suddenly, Chairman Shin’s voice called from the dining room.
“Yeon Woo, is that you?”
“Yes, Grandfather.”
“Then why aren’t you coming in right away?”
“Yes, I’m coming now.”
Only then did Shin Yeon Woo step back slightly—and Ga Eul quickly bowed in greeting. He stopped in his tracks and asked her,
“Aren’t you coming in, Miss Ga Eul?”
Come to think of it, she’d been standing here far too long.
After all, she’d been invited to dinner too.
Ga Eul offered an awkward smile as she replied,
“I was just about to head in now.”
“Really? Perfect. Then let’s go together.”
“…Huh? Wait, just—!”
As soon as she said she’d go in, Shin Yeon Woo—wearing that fresh, grassy smile—gently took hold of her wrist.
Startled by his boldness, Ga Eul was thoroughly flustered, but he simply kept walking toward the dining room with that same easy smile.
Dazed, Ga Eul followed his gentle pull straight into the dining room.
Unlike how he’d confidently grasped her wrist outside, Shin Yeon Woo naturally let go the moment they reached Chairman Shin and Chairman Han.
Thus, Ga Eul took the seat beside Chairman Han, while Shin Yeon Woo sat down next to Chairman Shin.
.
.
.
After dinner ended, Ga Eul stood up with the slightly tipsy Chairman Han.
As Chairman Han moved toward the back seat of the car, Shin Min Cheol hurriedly offered well-wishes and farewells. Ga Eul followed suit, opening the opposite rear door.
Just then, someone tapped her shoulder—twice.
She turned around. It was Shin Yeon Woo.
“What is it…? Mr. Shin Yeon Woo.”
Shin Yeon Woo narrowed his eyes into a gentle crescent, giving her a soft-eyed smile, and spoke in a tender voice,
“Will you come again to see the painting?”
Ga Eul shook her head, then answered with quiet firmness,
“No. Seeing it once is enough.”
He murmured, sounding genuinely confused,
“…Why? Does one look satisfy you completely?”
“Huh…?”
Then, as if amused by some private thought, he smiled again—eyes crinkling softly—and added,
“But didn’t you say you don’t own any of your father’s paintings? Wouldn’t you want to see it again?”
“…”
He was absolutely right.
Having seen it once, her desire had only grown—now she didn’t just want to see it again; she desperately wanted to take it home.
That was exactly why she needed to cut it off here.
“No. If I see it again, I’ll keep thinking about it. I’d rather be content with just seeing it today.”
“Really? When I see something that sticks in my mind, I go back to see it—and if I still want it afterward, I try to get it. Isn’t that how most people are?”
Amused by Shin Yeon Woo’s casually delivered words, Ga Eul let out a small laugh and waved her hand dismissively.
What simple thinking was that?
Where in the world could someone live, getting everything they wanted just because they desired it?
“No. Not for me. Wanting something doesn’t mean you can have it.”
“…”
Just then, Chairman Han called out to her—apparently, he’d already finished saying goodbye. Ga Eul bowed politely to Shin Yeon Woo and turned to leave.
But he called out once more through the car window,
“Take care, Miss Ga Eul. See you again.”
She wouldn’t be coming back to see the painting—and they likely wouldn’t meet again.
He was someone she’d never see again. Still, Ga Eul simply smiled back, lifting the corners of her mouth. After all, there was no need to say it out loud.
Male lead is a Divorced Husband
She said to him: “Tell me, what makes you like me? I’ll change it!”
Liu Changning transmigrated into a female cannon fodder character in a female-dominant novel.
After reading the first half of the novel’s plot, the first thing she did upon transmigration was to divorce the Pan Jinlian-style male protagonist she had just married.
She indulged herself, pretending to be ugly and poor.
But as time passed, the way that man looked at her became more and more unusual…
Liu Changning was dumbfounded: Tell me, what makes you like me? I’ll change!
――
This lifetime, Pei Yuanshao was rejected by the same woman twice!
The first time, she drove him away. Forced by the situation, he endured the waves of anger in his heart, yielding and humbling himself.
That person lay slanted on a rocking chair, her sallow face emotionless: “If you don’t want a divorce, go cook!”
Pei Yuanshao’s face was dark and gloomy: “You!”
The second time, after the crisis in Jinling City was resolved, the new emperor sent someone to pick him up. He turned around, stammering: “I… I have to go. If you keep me…”
That person lay on the kang bed, her back to him, as if she had long anticipated this day, crisp and clear: “Goodbye!”
Pei Yuanshao was so angry his fingers trembled: “You… you!”
The mission of family and country made him restrain himself, averting his eyes and turning to leave this broken household.
Two years later, they met again. Seeing her ethereal face, his body shook like a sieve.
“She was originally a ‘she’!”
At the Qionglin Banquet, the top scholar of the imperial examination, a talented person with exceptional speech and conduct, all the unmarried young gentlemen from aristocratic families looked at her with shy and timid eyes.
The peerless imperial official Pei Yuanshao felt the anger in his heart erupt. He pointed at the woman surrounded by the crowd at the Qionglin Banquet, his thin lips slightly curled: “Little sister, I wants that person to be the wife-master of my Mingde Prince Manor.”
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