In one of the numerous unused, yet spacious rooms in the Duke’s residence, Atia found herself paired with Casus.
Starting today.
There wasn’t much time left, but this was the only method available for Atia now.
‘I would have preferred to learn from my wellseasoned father… He’d have some useful tips that I don’t know about.’
Being near Hertian, who only ate and waged wars, she thought some fortune would trickle down.
However, in any case, now it was Casus who had taken Hertian’s place.
“Are you ready?”
Casus asked.
Atia stretched her arms over her head in comfortable attire.
“Yes.”
They decided to start indoors.
Being alone like this for the first time since the night market felt understandably awkward.
“Your Grace, aren’t you busy? There’s the festival preparation as well…”
Atia casually asked.
“Physical training is fundamental. Even festival preparations require stamina.”
‘Huh! Seems like he knows something at least.’
Atia didn’t find Casus particularly reliable.
Not when she had seen how he trained the knights, which was not confidenceinspiring.
But she had no other option.
Casus was her only exercise assistant and companion to help her escape her feeble skeletonlike body.
If this didn’t work, she thought she might have to find and consume some mysterious magical potion.
‘Wonder if there’s such a thing here.’
Then Casus asked,
“You wanted to become stronger, right?”
“Yes. That’s my true wish.”
“How strong?”
“Uh? As much as possible. To my utmost limits.”
“Even so, there must be a standard.”
In response to the question about standards, Atia confidently placed her hands on her hips.
“My ultimate goal is a 3set of 700. I don’t know if this body can handle it, but I used to be able to do 700. So, my first goal is 500.”
“Three, …what? Used to?”
Casus slightly furrowed his brows, not understanding.
Atia realized her slip but moved on quickly.
“First of all, I need muscles to do anything, and muscles aren’t forming.”
“Why do you want to build muscles?”
Casus examined her frail body and asked.
Atia raised an eyebrow.
“Because it’s cool.”
“Your definition of ‘cool’ is rather peculiar. Sometimes it seems like your gender is reversed.”
“As long as it looks cool to me, that’s what matters.”
“I don’t know what you mean by ‘3sets’ and all, but you want to bulk up that frail body?”
“Yes, ideally like my father’s or the Duke’s.”
“…What?”
Casus made a face as if incredulous.
“Anyway, I like sturdy bodies. Strong arm muscles, strong leg muscles, it looks sturdy.”
“…”
“How beautiful it is.”
From Atia’s expression, it didn’t seem like a joke.
“Seriously?”
“Or would you, Your Grace, like to switch bodies with me?”
“…Huh.”
“It’s a joke. The duchy would fall apart if you became like me.”
Atia then took something out of her bag.
It was a frying pan.
Casus slightly narrowed his eyes at the incongruity of a kitchen item appearing from her bag.
“I used to be able to fold frying pans in half, you know?”
Ting! Ting!
Atia said, flicking the frying pan with her finger.
Then she tried to bend the pan with one hand holding the handle and the other trying to bend it.
“…Wow, not a chance?”
She exerted her full strength once more.
It didn’t bend even a centimeter.
“Hoo… alright, let’s give this a try.”
Atia, feeling challenged, started to put even more force.
Unable to watch any longer, Casus stopped her.
“That’s enough, stop.”
“What? I haven’t even started…”
“What’s the big deal.”
Before something bigger happened, Casus quickly took the frying pan from her hands.
“Ah, that’s mine, that…”
Casus lifted the frying pan high above his head.
Atia tried to jump, but the height difference was too great for her to reach the pan.
Unable to do anything, Atia stepped back from Casus.
‘Huh, she gave up.’
Just as Casus felt relieved,
Atia, who had been walking away, ran back and jumped in an instant.
“What the—”
Casus, who had underestimated the petite Atia, made a face of surprise.
He thought she had given up, but she ran back from a distance to swiftly try and snatch it away.
He dodged quickly in astonishment.
“Give it back!”
Atia stretched out her hand, hopping like a child who had a toy taken away.
Casus hid the frying pan behind his back.
“No.”
“Why?”
“Use a more conventional tool.”
“If this isn’t conventional, then what is!”
“It’s clearly unconventional.”
Dodging Atia’s reach, Casus spoke while keeping the frying pan hidden behind him.
“Are you hurt? How about your ankle?”
“What do you take me for?”
“Look, your hand’s all red.”
Even while backstepping, Casus scrutinized Atia’s hand.
Her hand was flushed from gripping the frying pan so hard when she tried to bend it.
“I should apply some ointment.”
Snatching the frying pan from that big man, even after all that running, seemed impossible.
Deciding so, Atia stopped her steps and brushed her hair to the side.
“Well, it’s fine. I can get it back later.”
Casus narrowed his eyes.
“If you get it back, I’ll snatch it again.”
“Huh?”
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.]
