Covetous Sponsorship (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 2
“Oh, thank goodness! What perfect timing! I was just about to have some tea, but it’s boring drinking alone. Would you like to join me? Are you busy by any chance?”
“Not at all, I’m fine.”
When Ga Eul replied with a gentle smile, the woman called out to An San.
“Bring us some tea, please—brewed with the chrysanthemum flowers I received as a gift. Ga Eul, let’s go sit at the tea table.”
“Yes, Madam.”
The tea table sat right beside a floor-to-ceiling window, offering a clear view of the outdoors.
In spring or autumn, sitting here and gazing outside revealed a beautifully blooming garden. But now, with the chill in the air, the flowers had withered, leaving behind bare branches that gave the scene a somewhat desolate feel.
Still, once the snow fell soon enough, the garden would unveil a different kind of charm.
When snow blanketed those stark branches, their noble and elegant beauty would shine so brilliantly it begged to be captured in a painting. Most of those trees were expensive, carefully selected ornamental specimens.
Ga Eul gazed toward one empty flowerbed. A tree that had stood there until autumn was now gone—not a trace remained. It had been uprooted, deemed useless.
Ga Eul looked back at the remaining ornamental trees with mixed feelings. They still looked beautiful.
Indeed, nothing without purpose remained in this mansion. Even those trees had been chosen because they shone brightly—and that standard of usefulness was determined solely by the Chairman’s discernment.
Having just reaffirmed her temporary usefulness moments ago, Ga Eul brushed a hand over her chest, now grown cold, as she stared out the window.
After a brief while, two teacups and a transparent heat-resistant glass teapot were placed before Ga Eul, who had been admiring the garden.
“Madam, I’ve brought the chrysanthemum tea.”
“Thank you, An San.”
“You’re welcome. Please enjoy it. If you need anything else, just call me again.”
An San set down the teapot and cups, then quickly walked away. Ga Eul spoke to Mi Jeong, who was reaching toward the teapot.
“Madam, let me pour it for you.”
“Alright. Then Ga Eul, would you mind doing it?”
“Yes.”
Ga Eul accepted the teapot and drew the cup in front of Mi Jeong closer. Inside the teapot, a single chrysanthemum blossom floated elegantly, and as the pot tilted, the petals diffused into the water like ink, releasing a golden hue.
The warm, spring-like color caught Ga Eul’s gaze, holding it briefly on the teapot.
Then she lifted her head and asked Mi Jeong,
“Did something good happen today?”
“…How did you know?”
Ga Eul recalled how unusually cheerful Mi Jeong had seemed ever since grabbing her arm, and answered,
“You just seemed especially happy today.”
“Oh, you…”
Mi Jeong shot Ga Eul a sideways glance and replied haughtily.
‘No one else ever asks me things like that…’
Though she answered with arrogance, inwardly, Mi Jeong was softening—so much so she nearly melted.
What good was it having a successful husband always featured on newspaper front pages and two sons? Mi Jeong thought of her sons, then shook her head again.
With three utterly indifferent men in her life, Mi Jeong always felt worn out.
—”Son! Guess what Mom did today!”
—”I’m really busy. If you need anything, just ask Secretary Kim.”
‘…That’s not what I meant at all.’
Did she really call just to ask for something? She could buy whatever she wanted using her own card, or ask the ever-present assistants.
Every time, despite them being her own children, she felt deeply hurt. In this vast mansion, surrounded by four cold-hearted men, Mi Jeong was always lonely.
She just wanted someone to ask what she did today, what she ate, or to proudly share how another madam had complimented her—simple attention.
Compared to those four indifferent men, Ga Eul noticed things even before she mentioned them and asked thoughtfully.
It had already been nine years since Mi Jeong, startled at the sight of two women brought in by her father-in-law without any warning or permission, had screamed for them to be kicked out.
Despite enduring all that scolding, Ga Eul remained polite and humble, eventually causing Mi Jeong to let down her guard. Far from being sly, the girl was refreshingly innocent and well-mannered—unlike most kids these days.
“Today I went for a massage.”
“Oh, really?”
“It’s my skincare day today, after all.”
“Your skin looks especially radiant today.”
Mi Jeong giggled at Ga Eul’s response.
Yes, this was exactly what she loved.
Mi Jeong felt like a fish in water, practically leaping with joy. Ga Eul’s understated yet subtly flattering tone—delivered honestly without exaggeration—made her feel genuinely appreciated, lifting her spirits.
“No, no, Ga Eul. That’s not the point. At the salon, I bumped into the wife of a major distributor. Guess what she said to me?”
“What did she say?”
“She thought I was Mr. Dae Gyun’s daughter! Imagine! Calling his wife his daughter! Hahaha—I must look really young!”
Ga Eul nodded earnestly, listening carefully to her story,
as if her own thoughts held no importance.
Even that attitude satisfied Mi Jeong.
* * *
Ga Eul’s university studio.
The spacious classroom-turned-studio, filled with several large, well-ventilated windows, smelled strongly of paper, oil paint, and turpentine.
With the graduation exhibition approaching, her classmates were too absorbed in reviewing their own artwork to even chatter. Trash bins overflowed with energy drink cans and coffee cups.
Everyone was pouring their heart and soul into their pieces.
Ga Eul had prepared five paintings in total. The one she was finishing now would be the last.
‘Should I add another layer to the petals?’
She stood back, brush in hand, taking in her painting as a whole, lost in happy indecision,
when suddenly someone crept up behind her and startled her with a loud “Woah!”
“Woah! What the—? Ga Eul, your whole canvas is covered in flowers.”
“Oh! You scared me!”
“Really? Why are you always so jumpy?”
“You just yelled from behind me! Anyone would be startled like that.”
Ga Eul’s wide-eyed shock made Joo Ah chuckle softly.
Then she poked Ga Eul’s cheek.
‘Oops. Got paint on her.’
Unaware the paint was on her fingers, Joo Ah had now left a perfect smear on Ga Eul’s porcelain-white cheek—like a freshly applied blush on blank paper. Just as Joo Ah reached out with her sleeve to wipe it off, she paused, pulling her hand back.
The soft red stain looked so subtly adorable she wanted to leave it there just a little longer.
‘So cute. It’s always fun teasing her. How can someone be this lovable?’
Wearing a paint-splattered apron yet maintaining milky-white skin and long, straight hair, Ga Eul exuded quiet femininity. Her gentle, composed demeanor made her seem just like a proper heiress from a wealthy family.
Even her simple clothing and impeccably straight posture added to that refined impression.
‘Her family must definitely be well-off.’
Though they’d known each other for quite some time, they’d only ever met outside—Ga Eul never spoke about her home. Joo Ah had concluded this all on her own.
Caught staring, Joo Ah was asked by Ga Eul,
“Why…?”
“Nothing, nothing. Anyway, Ga Eul, your paintings are so vibrant!”
To deflect, Joo Ah turned her full attention to Ga Eul’s canvas that she’d only glanced at earlier.
‘Wow… What is she even painting?’
Her skill stirred feelings of inadequacy. Of course, better painters existed—but among their peers, Ga Eul’s talent was clearly head and shoulders above the rest.
In truth, she’d stood out since their very first semester. Curious at first, Joo Ah had gradually gravitated toward her, and before she knew it, Ga Eul had become her closest friend.
Ga Eul’s gentle nature melted away even jealousy, leaving only admiration for her talent.
“…How is it?”
“How is it??”
“Yeah.”
Hearing the question from Ga Eul—who had never failed to top their class—Joo Ah let out an exasperated sigh.
“Why even ask? Of course it’s good.”
“…That’s a relief.”
Ga Eul looked genuinely reassured. Joo Ah gazed at her fondly.
“You really ought to enjoy yourself more.”
“Haha…”
Yet Ga Eul had only one thought on her mind.
‘Thank goodness. The Chairman’s supposed to attend this exhibition. If everyone says it’s fine, the response probably won’t be bad…’
Just then, Joo Ah suddenly teased,
“But seriously, why do you always look so fresh?”
“No way. I’m exhausted too—look at these dark circles.”
Though Ga Eul insisted she was tired, Joo Ah shook her head dismissively.
“All I see is pale skin. Ga Eul, look—this is what real dark circles look like!”
Joo Ah plopped down beside Ga Eul and yanked Do Jin—who’d been painting quietly nearby—right over, pointing to the shadows under his eyes as proof.
“Baek Joo Ah, what are you even doing right now?”
Do Jin snapped, clearly annoyed by Joo Ah—though when his eyes met Ga Eul’s, he scratched his head sheepishly and softened his tone only for her.
“I’m just a bit tired. Normally I have better color?”
“I know, Oppa. Everyone’s tired right now.”
Encouraged by her agreement, Do Jin cleared his throat and complimented her work.
“Right! Anyway, Ga Eul, your painting looks great again today.”
“Thank you. Yours looks great too, Oppa.”
“Thanks. Yours is… beautiful.”
As they chatted amiably, Ga Eul’s apron vibrated. She quickly pulled out her phone and checked the message.
[Chairman: Come home early today. Let’s have dinner together.]‘…I wonder what this is about?’
It was rare for him to summon her without warning on the same day. Ga Eul tilted her head slightly in puzzlement.
[Yes, Chairman.]Despite her confusion, she replied immediately, swiftly tucked her phone away, and stood up.
Watching Ga Eul wipe her oil-stained brush on a paper towel, both friends asked in unison,
“Ga Eul, where are you going?”
“Yoon Ga Eul! You’re not done yet—where are you off to?”
Ga Eul hurriedly untied her apron and answered,
“Oh… I just got some family matters to take care of, so I think I’ll head out for today.”
Glancing once more at Ga Eul’s unfinished final piece, Joo Ah frowned, clearly disappointed on her behalf.
“It looks like you’re almost done—such a shame. You’ll have to finish tomorrow.”
“I know. I really wanted to wrap it up today too.”
“Well, I’ll go rinse my brushes real quick.” With that, Ga Eul waved goodbye and walked off.
Joo Ah waved back with a smile—then froze mid-motion. She’d just remembered she’d forgotten to wipe the paint off Ga Eul’s cheek.
‘Oh right! I didn’t clean that paint off her!’
But Ga Eul was already far out of sight.
“Hey, Baek Joo Ah! Are you seriously going to keep embarrassing Ga Eul like this in front of her?”
“What? No way!”
Joo Ah groaned briefly, then retorted sharply to Do Jin’s complaining—but inwardly thought,
‘…Eh, she’ll probably wash it off herself.’
* * *
The main building of Chairman Han’s mansion in Hannam-dong.
The estate had grown unusually lively—ever since his arrival.
“So, Gi Tae’s here?”
“Yes, Grandfather. Have you been well?”
“Of course, of course. Was everything wrapped up smoothly in Venice?”
“Yes.”
“How long do you plan to stay this time?”
Knowing Gi Tae rarely stayed in Korea long, Chairman Han assumed as much—but Gi Tae shook his head.
“I plan to settle down in Korea now.”
Chairman Han’s eyes widened briefly, then returned to his usual calm as he asked,
“Oh? Really? Then what about Venice and your other overseas branches?”
“I’ll still receive regular reports, so it’ll be fine. I’ll manage the Korean branch and visit the others occasionally.”
“Hmm, I see. Let’s go inside first.”
“Yes.”
There was no longer any reason to travel the world.
His galleries, planted across international cities and culminating in Venice—a city perfectly suited to art—were now solidly established.
It was the right choice. As always.
His gallery, perched where the Grand Canal offered a stunning view, harmonized flawlessly with art. He’d confirmed that the paintings were selling well, leaving nothing more to check.
So he’d returned home the moment he finished his final arrangements.
Just then, loud footsteps echoed through the mansion’s staircase from afar. The source was Mi Jeong.
As soon as she reached the entrance, Mi Jeong scolded him,
“Gi Tae! If you’re coming, at least give your mother a heads-up! You hurt my feelings!”
“It’s not like seeing my face will be any different.”
“But still! I didn’t even prepare anything special—I didn’t know my son was coming!”
“Anything’s fine with me.”
“What? Honestly! You may be my own child, but you really don’t understand your mother’s heart!”
Complaining endlessly about his indifference, Mi Jeong was gently nudged inside by Gi Tae, who cited the cold weather as his excuse. Though hurt by his interruption, she grumbled as she stepped indoors.
After ushering Mi Jeong in, Gi Tae glanced back briefly. At his subtle signal, his waiting secretary quietly got into the car.
Just as Gi Tae turned to leave, he suddenly noticed a woman standing beside him.
“…?”
“…!”
Their eyes met—and she flinched in surprise.
The girl who’d been small the last time he saw her now stood slightly taller.
‘She’s still here.’
Male lead is reincarnated to save his wife
I’ve also read this one twice already. The female lead is kinda soft and gets embarrassed easily—not really my type, but the plot is definitely worth reading. Hurry up and read it, y’all!
Intro
When Shen Yuan encountered Su Jin again in his previous life, she had already become the Prime Minister of the current dynasty. As for him, the former top young master of the capital, he had long since fallen into the abyss, becoming a singer on a pleasure boat.
After a song ended, he was redeemed and sent to the Su Residence.
Su Jin respected and cherished him, gave him a roof over his head, and bestowed him with warmth. Shen Yuan fell deeper and deeper, but before he could express his feelings, Su Jin passed away.
Shen Yuan died to follow her in death, but instead, he returned to when he was fifteen years old.
At that time, he was not yet engaged, and Su Jin was just a poor scholar.
Shen Yuan gritted his teeth, casting aside all his pride, and thought of ways to coax and entice her every day.
The colder and more indifferent Su Jin was towards him, the more proactive Shen Yuan became.
He was not afraid of being mocked by the world, only wanting to marry his Wife-master early, to hold her hand and never let go for a lifetime.
[Note: This story will not specifically point out the male lead’s reincarnation time point; it’s all in the details. Whenever you feel that the male lead is acting strangely, he has most likely been reincarnated.]
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
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