Covetous Sponsorship (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 4
“Is it really okay to just send a bouquet? …… I’m sorry.”
Above the signature line, a fountain pen that had been moving nimbly came to a suddenly sensitive halt, as if irritated by something.
The secretary, who knew Chairman Han’s temperament well, had asked impatiently—but after catching Gi Tae’s sharp glare, promptly clamped his mouth shut.
That look alone seemed to say, Who do you think you are to meddle pointlessly?
Rrrr…… Rrrr…….
Just as the secretary had worried, the phone rang immediately—only five minutes past the scheduled time.
Without so much as blinking, Gi Tae picked up the call, then waved his hand dismissively, sending even his secretary away.
– Han Gi Tae, you little rascal! How dare you deceive your old man? Didn’t you say you’d come?
“I meant to come, but got tied up, so I sent a bouquet instead. It should’ve arrived by now—haven’t you received it yet?”
– Do you really think I called you here just to receive congratulations? I told you to come see the paintings and think things over! No wonder you agreed so readily… You planned this from the start, didn’t you?
“I’m sorry. When I got back, there was more work than I’d expected.”
Sensing the call would drag on, Gi Tae stood up, turned around, and perched lightly on the edge of his desk, staring directly at the clear sky beyond the floor-to-ceiling window. With his free hand, he absentmindedly twirled the fountain pen.
– Agh… My neck!
“…….”
The winter sunlight poured down warmly, comforting in its gentle glow.
As the call stretched on, Gi Tae shifted the phone to his other ear—then, startled by a sudden shout through the receiver, pulled it slightly away.
“Ga Eul paints well!”
“Yes, I know she does. I’ve heard it many times.”
Again, talk of Yoon Ga Eul.
Naturally, the image of the woman he’d seen yesterday surfaced in his mind.
She’d seemed flustered—on one side of her face, fresh red paint streaked from long-unseen haste.
Without thinking, he’d reached out a hand. Uncharacteristic of him.
By the time he realized his mistake, she’d already widened her eyes and drawn her shoulders inward.
He’d never paid attention before, but now it seemed clear—her face showed every emotion plainly.
That little girl he’d glimpsed briefly in childhood had grown swiftly into a poised young woman, now gently melting her mother’s heart—dimples deepening as she offered a serene, crinkled-eyed smile.
Just yesterday, he’d witnessed with his own eyes how the atmosphere in the household had distinctly brightened. It had struck him as quite remarkable.
Yes, remarkable indeed.
Perhaps because of that, he’d impulsively agreed to attend the exhibition—utterly unlike himself.
Truthfully, what piqued his interest wasn’t the paintings at all—
—it was her.
A soft chuckle escaped his lips.
He understood well enough that Grandfather doted on that girl, but the gallery’s operating method was undeniably flawed. Now that it was his gallery, he had no obligation to follow that outdated approach.
In a gallery, each featured artist becomes the face of the institution. That’s precisely why artists are rigorously selected under contract—just as rarity drives the value of luxury goods, the same holds true for galleries.
Gi Tae had already filled TS Gallery exclusively with artists of exceptional aesthetic merit. He couldn’t possibly slot in that young woman—fresh out of college, barely worthy of being called a painter—simply because her style aligned with Grandfather’s tastes.
The reality was clear: novice artists straight out of university simply weren’t capable of contributing meaningfully.
He’d already decided during their meal—he couldn’t fulfill Grandfather’s request.
And yet, he’d readily agreed to come… No wonder the old man was furious.
‘I wonder if her work is even worth a look.’
As he pondered the woman’s skill from yesterday, his grandfather’s voice boomed again through the receiver.
“Han Gi Tae! Are you even listening?”
“Yes, I heard you, Grandfather.”
“Come to the main house right now.”
“I still have appointments—it’d be difficult. There’s also a stack of documents to review.”
“Then come after you’re done, even if it’s dinner time!”
“Yes. I’ll hang up now.”
After ending the call, Gi Tae glanced absentmindedly at his fingertips—and frowned. Ink had bled from the fountain pen, leaving dark smudges on the two fingers that held it.
“……Of all things.”
He pulled out a handkerchief to wipe it—but paused abruptly.
Red oil paint.
The stain from that woman’s cheek yesterday still lingered stubbornly on one corner of the handkerchief, refusing to fade.
* * *
Noticing the chairman’s evident displeasure, Ga Eul tried to lighten the mood with a warm greeting.
“The flowers are so beautiful, Chairman… No, Grandfather.”
“Haa… Is that so?”
Honestly, he felt less admiration than bewilderment.
A bouquet? Out of nowhere?
Though he’d merely instructed the florist to send something appropriate, the resulting arrangement was so thoughtfully composed—detail by detail—that it seemed implausible such care came from Han Gi Tae’s usual sensibilities.
More likely, it was the florist’s good taste—not Gi Tae’s.
‘I really thought he’d show up himself.’
Now that her tension had eased, she felt oddly deflated.
She’d been unnecessarily nervous over someone who never intended to come.
Watching Ga Eul’s slightly downcast expression, Chairman Han turned away sharply.
She’d assumed he’d at least look at the other pieces while he was here—but clearly furious, he strode off without a moment’s hesitation.
Sensing his dark mood, Ga Eul hesitated briefly before following quietly behind as he briskly exited through the glass doors. She then offered her thanks.
“Chairman… Thank you so much for coming to see my work today.”
“No. Go inside—it’s cold out.”
“Yes. Please drive safely.”
“Alright.”
Ga Eul stood there, watching blankly as the car slowly disappeared into the distance.
For some reason, her energy had completely drained—and she had no desire to return to the exhibition hall.
* * *
The post-graduation party began at a rather modest barbecue joint.
Seated beside Ga Eul, Joo Ah spotted her bouquet and exclaimed with delight.
“Wow, what’s with this huge bouquet? Who gave it to you?”
“…Someone I know. Said they couldn’t make it and apologized.”
“Oh, really? You must’ve been disappointed.”
“…I guess. A little?”
Joo Ah patted Ga Eul’s shoulder a few times.
Though the graduation exhibition had concluded successfully, Ga Eul seemed more subdued than usual. Trying to cheer her up, Joo Ah exaggeratedly shook a bottle of soju, watching the clear liquid swirl inside.
“When you’re feeling low, soju’s the answer! Here you go, Miss Ga Eul.”
‘Right. The exhibition went well, and this is supposed to be a fun celebration. No more gloomy faces.’
Ga Eul forced her lips into a wide smile for Joo Ah, who worked so hard to lift her spirits.
It was the first time she’d smiled since entering the restaurant—and Joo Ah beamed back brightly.
“Ugh, look! You’re so pretty when you smile, Yoon Ga Eul.”
Noticing her friend’s unusually exaggerated reaction, Ga Eul asked,
“…Joo Ah, are you drunk?”
“No, no! I’m just in a really good mood!”
She’d certainly been drinking more than usual.
Contrary to her denial, Joo Ah’s chopsticks kept missing their target—a sight that didn’t escape Ga Eul’s eyes.
Hopeless.
Yet, because of Joo Ah’s antics, Ga Eul briefly let out a genuinely cheerful laugh.
Just then, a classmate from a nearby table called out for Joo Ah. Excited, she jumped up immediately.
“I’ll be right back—just stepping over to the next table for a sec!”
Thanks to her outgoing personality, Joo Ah—the group’s mood-maker—was constantly sought after. Ga Eul waved her off with a smile.
“Okay. Go ahead.”
As soon as Joo Ah moved to the neighboring table, Do Jin approached and offered Ga Eul a chocolate milk.
“Ga Eul, have this at least.”
“Thank you, Oppa.”
“Don’t push yourself. If you can’t drink more, just say so.”
“Alright.”
She hadn’t had enough to get drunk yet, so Ga Eul gratefully accepted the milk, holding it tightly in her hands.
Then, Do Jin asked, genuinely puzzled,
“But Ga Eul—why don’t you date?”
“Well… I guess I’ve just been too busy to try.”
“Oh? Really?”
Ga Eul nodded.
Now that she thought about it—he was right.
She’d been so fixated on showing Chairman Han better paintings, showing him her growth, that she’d never even considered anything else.
Time devoted to painting alone had always felt overwhelming—everything else seemed like an indulgence.
For nine long years, she’d held nothing but a brush—her entire existence narrowed solely to her art.
As Ga Eul fell into a momentary silence, lost in thought, Do Jin quietly watched her—then asked again.
“Ah, maybe you’re just too picky? What’s your ideal type… like?”
Though Do Jin had spoken softly, somehow Joo Ah overheard from the next table and bounded back over, full of excitement.
“What? What’s going on? Are you two playing truth or dare? Me too! I wanna hear! Ga Eul’s ideal type—I’m curious!”
Do Jin let out a deep sigh.
But Ga Eul couldn’t help but smile at her friend’s extra exuberance today. She paused, considering seriously.
Ideal type, huh…
“Well… I think I like someone kind and gentle. And… someone warm would be even better.”
It was the first time she’d ever thought about her ideal—but as she spoke, she realized it sounded exactly like her father.
And yet…
Han Gi Tae.
Why did that name suddenly flash through her mind again?
Frowning slightly at the unexpected thought,
she knew full well he had no reason to attend her exhibition.
They weren’t close enough for her to even expect it…
Yet the bouquet kept drifting into her vision. Why wouldn’t it stop haunting her?
“Now it’s your turn, Oppa! What’s your ideal type, Do Jin Oppa?”
This time, Joo Ah asked.
Clearing his throat with a deep “Hmm,” he answered in a voice lower and more serious than usual.
“Well… I like someone petite, with long straight hair…”
“Oh my, Ga Eul! What’s that?”
Suddenly, Joo Ah pointed sharply at Ga Eul’s bouquet.
“…Hey! Baek Joo Ah! Why do you keep interrupting people?”
Cut off mid-sentence, Do Jin shot Joo Ah a glare—but she’d already zeroed in on the bouquet and didn’t even register his rebuke.
She reached for the bouquet and gave it a shake.
“Ga Eul, there’s a piece of paper stuck in here! What is it?”
“…Huh? Was there something inside?”
“Yeah!”
At Ga Eul’s question, Joo Ah rummaged through the bouquet—then pulled out a stiff sheet of paper.
She waved it right in front of Ga Eul’s face, making the pink paper impossible to ignore.
Had that really been in there…?
She hadn’t examined it closely before, assuming Gi Tae hadn’t personally picked it—just vaguely guessing he’d told his secretary to send something decent.
“Ugh! Can’t read what it says—it’s blurry.”
Still drunk, Joo Ah squinted at the paper, scowling. Ga Eul reached out.
“Let me read it. Give it here, Joo Ah.”
“Here! What does it say?”
“Well…”
“Hurry up! I’m dying to know!”
[Congratulations on your graduation, Yoon Ga Eul. – Han Gi Tae.]Ga Eul’s eyes widened instantly, blinking in disbelief.
The bold, clean strokes unmistakably evoked him.
– Han Gi Tae.
Her gaze lingered long on the man’s name.
The handwriting radiated unmistakable authenticity.
Could this note really have been written by his own hand?
She wondered if she’d ever get the chance to ask…
But just as always, she knew perfectly well there might never be another encounter.
* * *
Heavily intoxicated, Ga Eul staggered past the mansion’s entrance.
The cold night wind nipped sharply at her cheeks, but she felt no sign of sobering—she’d drunk too much.
‘Ah… my head hurts.’
She’d barely touched alcohol even at university—yet today, she’d accepted every glass offered.
Overwhelmed by the looming hangover, Ga Eul paused briefly to rub her temples—then noticed the main building was still lit.
“…Huh? Has Mom not come home yet?”
Usually by this hour, the entire household—including Chairman Han and his wife—would already be asleep. Her mother should’ve returned home by now, leaving the lights off—yet the first-floor living room glowed brightly.
If the lights were still on this late, someone was definitely awake—and her mother was likely there too. She often delayed returning home if she had errands to run.
Ga Eul’s unsteady steps turned toward the main building.
“I should go in with Mom…!”
Reaching the entrance, she peeked around quietly—then slipped softly into the shoe cabinet area.
Inside, another sliding door stood slightly ajar, giving a clear view beyond.
Rubbing her blurry eyes, Ga Eul peered through the gap—and saw two men.
Contrary to her expectation, her mother wasn’t there. Instead, Chairman Han was deep in conversation with someone—whose back was turned, making identification difficult.
‘A guest… at this hour?’
Who could it be…?
“…Haa.”
Just then, the man sighed and turned his head—revealing his face in full.
Ga Eul recognized him instantly.
‘Huh? It’s Han Gi Tae—the one who sent the graduation congratulations.’
He looked deeply irritated.
When the male lead is punished by carrying the female lead’s child and having periods like a woman
“I’ve given birth to two children for you, yet you still think about him.
Was I nothing but his substitute to you from beginning to end?”
Synopsis:
Meng Huan, a scumbag who has dated countless girlfriends, transmigrates to a female-dominated country.
Day 1: Whether it’s female dominance or not doesn’t matter. The beauties here are passionate and amorous. Isn’t it easier to date them than in modern times?
Day 2: After a night, Meng Huan discovers the differences in the female-dominated world. Men here actually have chastity locks and menstrual cycles. This hinders his ability to perform, damn it!
Day 3: What’s wrong with sleeping around? I don’t want you to marry me. I’m meant to be a playboy. I don’t care about male virtues… What? You want to drown me in a pig cage? Marry, I’ll marry!
Day N: Meng Huan inexplicably vomits and receives the shocking news of his life… He’s pregnant.
_____
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