“Today is the day!”
Holding onto her aching heart from a sleepless night, Se-hee woke up early, bustling with travel preparations. The Dekona, having sailed through the night, arrived in Rome, a city rich with ancient history, the following morning. The passengers were already bustling about, eager for the shore excursion.
Looking at herself in the mirror, Se-hee smiled happily.
“I don’t want to be the only one showing off my excitement.”
Perhaps because she was traveling with Kyle today, her excitement was already evident on her face. She tried to mimic Kyle’s cool demeanor but found herself unwittingly thinking of him again.
The thought of him alone made her happy.
Kyle had been busy from dawn, adjusting meetings to breakfast engagements to spend the day with Se-hee. So, after briskly finishing breakfast alone, Se-hee decided to meet Kyle when he returned.
She headed to the buffet she frequented most during the cruise. Initially self-conscious dining alone, she now moved with ease, picking out her favorite dishes. While scanning for a seat, someone called out to her cheerfully.
“Se-hee?”
It was Sung-jae, dining alone.
“Long time no see, Sung-jae.”
Se-hee greeted him with a bright smile.
“Jung-yeon isn’t here today? Did you two have a fight?”
Se-hee asked with concern.
“Jung-yeon left for Rome early. He was looking forward to today. Join me for breakfast. It was awkward eating alone anyway.”
Sung-jae stood up, pulling out a chair for her.
“Thank you,” Se-hee said, taking the offered seat.
“Are you traveling alone today?”
“No, I have someone to accompany me today.”
Se-hee’s face lit up at Sung-jae’s question.
“The one you mentioned before… Kyle?”
Sung-jae asked tentatively.
“Yes, that’s right,” Se-hee nodded.
“He’s quite a lucky guy,” Sung-jae muttered, almost to himself.
Se-hee chose not to react, noticing his downcast expression. Perceptive as always, Sung-jae swiftly changed the topic.
“The trip’s almost over.”
“It felt like a long time, but now there’s not much left,” Se-hee agreed.
“This trip has been meaningful for me, especially meeting you,” Sung-jae suddenly shared his feelings.
“Can we meet again back in Korea?”
He asked.
“I guess?”
Se-hee felt overwhelmed by his forwardness.
“I’d like to meet again. You still have my contact, right?”
Sung-jae continued, seemingly oblivious to her discomfort.
“If you ever miss me or need help, feel free to contact me. I have more influence than you might think.”
He handed her his business card.
Vice President Ban Sung-jae of Sihan Group.
“Surprised, aren’t you?”
Sung-jae smiled confidently, but to Se-hee, he seemed more like a stranger than ever.
“People usually introduce themselves when they meet at places like this, but strangely, you didn’t ask anything about me, Se-hee. So, I’m properly introducing myself now.”
Sung-jae spoke to Se-hee as if he was slightly upset that she hadn’t asked about him.
“Can I have your business card too?”
Sung-jae waited expectantly for Se-hee’s response.
“I’m just an ordinary person. I don’t really have a business card.”
Se-hee’s reply was brief.
“You don’t want to tell me?”
Sung-jae asked, sounding disappointed.
“It’s not that I don’t want to tell you, it’s just that there’s nothing much to tell.”
Se-hee tactfully avoided Sung-jae’s advances.
“Hmm. Then can you at least give me your contact information?”
Sung-jae boldly asked again.
“I was quite sad you never contacted me after I gave you my details last time.”
“Um… Sung-jae.”
Se-hee’s voice became calm.
“Yes?”
“Can we just enjoy our breakfast?”
Se-hee firmly declined.
Sung-jae’s expression stiffened, clearly understanding her indirect but clear rejection.
Deciding to confess his feelings, Sung-jae began, “Honestly, I’ve been interested in you from the start. But that man…”
“I’m sorry, Sung-jae.”
Se-hee interrupted him mid-sentence.
“I find your actions quite burdensome.”
She expressed her feelings politely but firmly.
Sung-jae looked crestfallen.
“Well, I should get going. I wish you a pleasant trip ahead.”
“Se-hee.”
As she stood up to leave, Sung-jae’s cold voice stopped her.
“Why is he okay, and I’m not?”
His question made Se-hee uneasy.
“How much do you know about him? Do you trust him? Is his heart as sincere as yours?”
Sung-jae persistently questioned her.
“If it’s about my relationship with Kyle, I don’t think I need to answer. That’s between the two of us.”
Se-hee stood up and left.
Sung-jae wanted to hold on to her but couldn’t. He slammed the table in frustration.
Back in her room, Se-hee was troubled by Sung-jae’s words. Why had he asked her those questions? She reflected on her relationship with Kyle, which had begun as a chance encounter on an unfamiliar journey. She believed her feelings were sincere and trusted Kyle implicitly. But why had Sung-jae said those things? His attitude seemed to hint at something unsaid, leaving Se-hee with unresolved questions.
The Male lead Always Seduces Her with His Beauty (Matriarchy)
Xin Jiao Zhou is the leader of the world’s premier sect. She has just experienced betrayal from all sides, was poisoned in an assassination attempt, and faced death squad attacks while the poison was taking effect. After finally clearing out the scum from her sect, she was drugged again while trying to detoxify.
After waking up from a night of unconsciousness, she gained a “beautiful and kind-hearted” husband.
Xin Jiao Zhou: “???”
He fell ill.
She came to see him, bringing breakfast.
As she put down the breakfast and was about to leave, his hand slipped while holding the spoon. “Clank!”
She turned around upon hearing the noise.
He looked up at her, his eyebrows drooping: “My hand… has no strength.”
“Shall I… feed you?” she asked tentatively.
He opened his mouth cheerfully: “Ah—”
Thinking she was drowning, he jumped in without hesitation to save her, but nearly drowned himself. In the end, it was she who swam over to rescue him, giving him air underwater.
After emerging from the water, his ear tips turned red. He lightly brushed his cheek, tucking his sideburns behind his ear, revealing delicate, pink-tinged ear tips. He lowered his gaze, too embarrassed to look at her.
Xin Jiao Zhou: He’s truly beautiful, kind-hearted, and adorable.
A certain someone when disciplining subordinates behind the scenes: “If they don’t obey, just kill them.”
What’s that? She might already have someone she cares about in her heart? A certain someone: Find out who it is, kill them, and then there won’t be anyone.
What? She met a man by the riverside? What? That man even hurt her? A certain someone: Whichever hand hurt her, chop off his entire arm.
Love at first sight without realizing it, gradually falling in love, slowly getting closer…
Family and national grudges, schemes and desires, good and evil, crime and punishment, she and he face the future together, seeking justice with passion!
A naturally dark female lead who could accidentally destroy the world but is actually an honest person VS a weak, pitiful, and helpless but skilled fighter, beautiful white-cut black male lead
My heart is not of stone, how steadfast is your love? — Tao Yuanming “Imitating the Ancients (No. 3)”
— Reading Guide —
Cold female lead & dramatic black lotus with hidden yandere traits male lead
