Seok-hwa bristled playfully, and Tae-jun’s laughter grew, his lips stretching to reveal dimples. His appearance reminded Seok-hwa of her brother who passed away 20 years ago, bringing a pang of sadness. Hiding her emotions, she continued conversationally.
“You should’ve stayed abroad longer. Then you could have been assigned to the electronics headquarters.”
In fact, Tae-jun was slated to return to K Electronics at thirty-one but returned a year early. He was destined for a central position at K Electronics Service. Despite his Ivy League education and lineage, it might have seemed beneath him.
“Grandfather was too harsh. My precious grandson, stuck at a service center. You should have started with applause in the corporate strategy room.”
“No, I told grandfather I wanted that position.”
Seok-hwa, defending Tae-jun, was surprised at his choice.
“You did? Why?”
“I need after-sales service too.”
Tae-jun replied with a faint smile, then calmly continued his meal.
Seok-hwa grew more puzzled.
The essence of after-sales service is speed. Customers at the center all have clear purposes, so wasting their time is not an option.
But the service center was always full. Despite rushing, the workload never seemed to lessen, always more tasks piling up than resolved.
Sweat kept accumulating on So-eun’s glasses. She wiped her nose with a tissue and refocused on her work.
Returning from a month of unpaid leave, she spent the next month catching the eyes of her colleagues. Leaving abruptly without explanation and then returning naturally left them feeling uneasy.
But it wasn’t something she could openly discuss.
Despite the swelling from exhaustion due to the busy workload, So-eun couldn’t speak of it. Between sending off one customer and welcoming another, she quickly reached down to vigorously rub her swollen legs.
It’s okay. You did well.
You saved someone.
She reminded herself again today.
Two months ago, So-eun had 65% of her liver removed. It was to save the life of her boyfriend Yang Hee-wook’s mother, Mrs. Kim Mal-hee.
Eight months into their relationship, So-eun learned about Mrs. Kim’s battle with liver cancer. Hee-wook had revealed this, shedding tears. It was the first time she saw her always resolute and tender boyfriend cry so sorrowfully.
It was a huge shock for So-eun. Mrs. Kim had always treated her kindly and cherished her like her own daughter. She never flaunted having a lawyer son.
To So-eun, who had been scolded all her life, the warmth of Hee-wook’s family was like sunlight. Eager to step into that light, Mrs. Kim was the first to bring up marriage. She welcomed So-eun, saying she couldn’t ask for a better daughter-in-law, and not to worry about the dowry or bridal gifts.
While preparing for marriage, they went for a health check-up. Unaware of what tests were being done, So-eun followed Hee-wook’s suggestions for various examinations. On the day the results came, Hee-wook burst into tears as soon as he received them.
“So-eun, you’re so lucky to be type O. If only I were O type too…”
Then Hee-wook opened up about his mother’s health. He lamented that he couldn’t donate his liver due to incompatible blood types and that none of his family members matched either.
Though liver transplants are possible with different blood types, the slightest risk of complications couldn’t be ignored.
So-eun, with the same blood type as Mrs. Kim and healthy enough for liver donation, couldn’t sleep that night. She realized she was also a viable donor for her future mother-in-law. In cases where they’re not family, donation isn’t possible, but it was for those promised in marriage.
Mrs. Kim, who asked her to be her daughter, and whom she already saw as her own mother.
She had always wanted a real mother, a real family to believe in.
For her, who had never felt loved, the assurance of being loved by them was overwhelming. She wanted to repay their love with even greater love. She wanted to be loved forever.
And so, she made a life-changing decision.
“Mother, my liver will surely match yours. I’ll get more tests done.”
After So-eun announced her decision, Hee-wook and Mrs. Kim both cried, a sight she would never forget.
Further tests confirmed that So-eun’s organ would be a perfect fit for Mrs. Kim.
Hee-wook’s family considered it destiny and were overjoyed. So-eun too felt proud.
Non-relative organ donation requires rigorous procedures. So-eun had to prove her pure intent, free from any coercion, to gain government approval.
She went through several interviews with social workers to prove her purity and prepared extensive documentation. Hee-wook took care of most of the tiresome paperwork, but So-eun also followed him every time to take care of the documents.
Eventually, everything was set for the surgery, and So-eun lay on the operating table. There, she dreamt of her life’s compass turning abruptly.
The surgery was a success.
And after the operation, So-eun woke up alone.
The excruciating pain, conveying exactly where she had been cut, made even breathing difficult.
The first to rush to her upon hearing she had awoken was a nurse.
“Han So-eun, the surgery went well. It was laparoscopic, so the wound isn’t big.”
“Is mother okay? And my guardian…”
“They’re probably in mother’s room. Since the recipient’s condition is more critical, everyone seems to be there.”
It was expected and inevitable. Yet, So-eun felt an empty void inside.
Subsequently, So-eun’s health always took a back seat to Mrs. Kim Mal-hee’s recovery. Even while hospitalized herself, So-eun had to take care of Mrs. Kim.
Thus, her hospitalization-like life led to a delayed wedding preparation. Hee-wook always stuck by his mother’s side in his free time, and So-eun had to visit Mrs. Kim instead of preparing for the wedding.
Even though she considered it all natural, So-eun couldn’t help feeling increasingly neglected.
[Star Icon]Hastily finishing her work, So-eun headed straight to the hospital after work. Although there was a direct bus from Suwon to the hospital in Seoul, the journey took quite a while due to the distance.
On the bus, So-eun firmly resolved to herself.
‘Even so, I should talk about the wedding today. It’s better to book the venue early.’
They had toured wedding halls long ago, but actual booking was delayed due to health check-ups and Mrs. Kim’s surgery schedule.
Now, with her future mother-in-law’s condition improving, it was time to restart wedding preparations.
I must speak gently to avoid upsetting her. Setting a wedding date will give her strength and help her recover faster.
With these positive thoughts, So-eun headed to Mrs. Kim’s room.
Conversations could be heard through the door crack. It was Mrs. Kim Mal-hee and Yang Hee-wook talking.
“Did you say her name was Choi Hyun-ji? She works at the same law firm, right?”
“Yes, she’s a colleague.”
“She’s very diligent. Despite being busy, she even visited her colleague’s mother. Is she married?”
“No, she’s single.”
“And her age?”
“Twenty-seven.”
“The same age as So-eun.”
Mrs. Kim’s sigh resonated loudly through the door crack.
“She’s really pretty. I feel sorry…”
As Mrs. Kim trailed off, So-eun reached for the door handle but let go.
“The girls around you are all so pretty and smart. They have their parents alive and well, and come from good families.”
“The girls with alive and well parents and good families don’t donate their livers to our mother.”
So-eun hastily covered her mouth with her hand.
Mrs. Kim’s lament continued.
“I’m the sinner. I obtained a liver at the expense of our son’s bright future…”
“Don’t say that. Being sick is not a crime, Mom.”
“…”
“Just think positive thoughts and focus on recovering.”
Hee-wook comforted the sorrowful Mal-hee.
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.]
