Confused, Irene chose to keep quiet as Carlos had advised.
But if he’s Jardin’s escort, wouldn’t he have been with him all this time? Why haven’t I seen him before?
Suddenly skeptical, Irene stared at Raymond intently.
Carlos then asked, “Should I ask him to leave if he’s making you uncomfortable?”
Startled, Irene shook her head.
“No, no, it’s not like that. I just found it strange that I’m meeting the Crown Prince’s escort for the first time today…”
“That’s because.”
Jardin interjected, shrugging.
“Sir Raymond has been outside of Esper Castle this entire time.”
“Really? Why is that?”
If he’s the escort of the Crown Prince, shouldn’t he be by Jardin’s side?
“Why indeed?”
Jardin looked toward Carlos and grumbled.
“My master would not permit Sir Raymond to enter the castle. I begged for him to be allowed in, but he strictly refused.”
Carlos lifted his lips in a sly smile.
“You should have also refused his entry then.”
It seemed like a cheerful smile, but it wasn’t.
“I lost my mind for a moment and misspoke. I apologize, Master.”
Recognizing the expression Carlos wore when he was displeased, Jardin quickly apologized and changed the subject.
“We shouldn’t waste time. Let’s go enjoy the sights. I saw a bard performing in the streets earlier.”
“…”
Receiving no response from Carlos, Jardin switched his focus to Irene.
“Irene, have you ever heard a bard sing?”
“Um, no.”
Seizing on her hesitant reply, Jardin warmly suggested,
“Then let’s go see it together.”
At his words, Irene looked down at her hand, still held by Carlos.
Jardin’s gaze naturally followed. Raymond, Jessie, Dus and Dewey also glanced at the entwined hands.
As the focus shifted to them, Irene felt shy and tried to pull her hand away, but Carlos tightened his grip.
Stronger and more secure than before, she couldn’t free her hand.
Why is he doing this?
Confused by Carlos’s mysterious behavior, Irene looked up at him.
“…”
What was strange was that Carlos also seemed surprised.
He looked somewhat confused as well.
Why would he hold on and then make such a face? Irene was increasingly baffled by Carlos.
An awkward silence hung in the air between them.
Irene had hoped Carlos would release her hand of his own accord, but even after a long wait, he didn’t.
“Could you please…let go of my hand?”
Finally, an exhausted Irene cautiously made her request.
“…”
Then Carlos stared intently at her face and looked down at the hand he was tightly holding.
He knew well that he had to let go of her hand.
He was well aware that Irene was uncomfortable, that others were staring oddly, and that he looked foolish like this.
Yet he couldn’t let go, didn’t want to let go,
because the moment he held her hand, his empty body and mind felt completely filled.
The feeling was too good.
He didn’t want to lose it ever again.
If possible, not just her hand, he wanted to completely engulf her.
So, so…
“Your Grace…?”
“…”
Snapping out of it due to her timid voice that seemed like it could break at any moment, Carlos took a deep breath and splashed his face with his other hand.
There was no need to rush.
Although time was running out, rushing wouldn’t solve anything.
If he acted hastily, it could even scare her off, so he had to approach her slowly and patiently.
Even though he thought it was right to let go of her hand now,
he didn’t want to because he knew that emptiness would come rushing back the moment he did.
‘Do I really need to let go right now?’
He had waited for so long, and would have to wait much longer; it felt okay to be a bit greedy.
“Let’s keep holding hands.”
Suddenly, his rising desires paralyzed his rationality, and his mouth moved on its own.
“What?”
Seeing Irene’s surprised and wide-open eyes, Carlos quickly added an explanation.
“Publicly… people know we’re a couple, so it would be good to walk around holding hands.”
Although it was a hasty statement, Carlos felt satisfied, thinking it was a suitable excuse.
“Besides, this place is crowded; it might be hard to find each other if we get separated.”
He quickly added another good excuse in case Irene had doubts.
“…”
Irene turned her head and surveyed the bustling square.
As Carlos had said, the square was jam-packed with people who had come to see the festival.
Indeed, getting lost in a place like this would be dangerous.
Having openly declared in front of the priests that they were madly in love at first sight, it would also look strange if they walked around separated as if they were strangers.
“…”
Although she wasn’t keen on holding hands with Carlos, she couldn’t find a reason to decline.
Irene hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
At that moment, a faint smile appeared on Carlos’s lips. Fortunately or unfortunately, Irene didn’t see it, as she was focused on the hand she was holding.
“Shall we go?”
Without suspecting any ulterior motive from Carlos,
Irene entered the dense crowd, holding tightly onto Carlos’s hand.
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.]
