On the way back, they rode horses instead of a carriage.
Ian explained it was just to get back before sundown, a faster means of transport, but Helena still couldn’t shake off the feeling that they were being pursued.
Not that she could do anything about it, she silently followed him.
“We seem to have arrived quicker than expected.”
Ian, who had dismounted first, naturally extended his arm and wrapped his hand around Helena’s waist.
Helena passively accepted his help, understanding that staying still was her way of assisting.
As soon as she placed her hand on his shoulder for support, she was gently lifted down to the ground.
“Aren’t I heavy?”
“Not at all. I could carry you all day if you’d let me.”
Though she expected it, Helena still felt a bit embarrassed by his straightforward words. He really didn’t lack for anything to say.
Looking around to shake off the awkwardness, she noticed the familiar bustle. It was the shopping street near the inn where they were staying.
They began walking with the horses towards the exchange place, a bit further inside.
‘He’s not hurrying here.’
Ian was more relaxed than in the upper town, allowing Helena to leisurely gaze at the stalls lined up along the street.
The items were modest, but she wanted to immerse herself in the bustling atmosphere.
Ian adjusted his pace to match Helena’s.
Before long, the exchange place came into view. It was then that Helena stopped in front of a display featuring various ornaments.
‘Oh…?’
A simple brooch caught her eye. It was shaped like a hawthorn, with red jewels on each tip of the branches.
As she picked up the brooch, a faint pain, accompanied by a child’s voice, echoed in her mind.
⌜Hurry, go now. The moon is hidden behind clouds tonight, so there’s less risk of being seen. The path is rough, but if you cross through the hawthorn forest, you’ll reach the river leading to Strail Bay. I pray for your safe journey.⌟
⌜Go, hurry. Don’t look back, just run.⌟
In the dark fields, she was holding someone’s hand. She couldn’t recall the touch, but it felt warm.
‘A childhood memory?’
Hoping for more to surface, Helena stared intently at the brooch. But no matter how much she closed and opened her eyes, no new scenes unfolded.
Frustrated that she couldn’t recall more, Helena reluctantly put the brooch back.
However, instead of the hard wooden surface, something soft met her hand. Ian had paid for the brooch and was holding it in his hand.
He took her hand and turned around, and the next moment, her index finger was between his lips.
The soft, warm sensation was strange. His gentle tongue slowly brushed the tip of her delicate finger.
Startled, Helena couldn’t say a word. Ian released her finger with a light suck.
“You were so engrossed you didn’t notice it pricked you. It’s bleeding.”
“There was no need for you to do that…”
Instead of replying, Ian untied the knot of Helena’s cape. The loosened fabric was soon gathered again with the hawthorn brooch.
After neatly adjusting her attire, Ian faced Helena, who still wore a surprised expression.
“I’ll replace it with a real gem later.”
Helena shook off her astonishment and sighed softly. Truly, Ian never ran out of things to say.
“Don’t obsess over something so trivial.”
“It’s not trivial, so it’s easier to take care of. Costume jewelry tends to deteriorate over time, you know. I’d like you to have it for a long time.”
“Why?”
Helena asked, wiping the still-round drop of blood from her fingertip with a handkerchief she rummaged from her bag.
“So every time you look at it, you’ll think of me.”
Helena hadn’t expected another bold remark.
Unknowingly, she stopped pressing the handkerchief against her finger.
Looking up at him, her brows furrowed slightly, blaming the blinding sunset.
“Are you confessing to me now?”
“It’s just about creating a small memory. Nothing wrong with that.”
Ian, having wrapped his hand around the reins, then asked her to wait.
“The exchange is just ahead. I’ll settle the payment and stop by the store. Please wait here for a bit.”
He hastened his actions, pulling the reins. Ian’s broad back gradually receded from Helena’s view.
Helena stood still until he was completely out of sight. This was the second time he had left her alone, not sneakily during her sleep, but openly.
‘Does he trust me now?’
If he had gained such confidence, how had she instilled it in him?
Helena felt uneasy, deliberately pondering over an obvious question.
She sniffed, picking up the scent of earth. Humidity thickened in the air.
‘It seems like a downpour is coming.’
Helena looked at the looming dark clouds and thought.
It would be good to reach the inn before it started raining, but being prepared for the worst wasn’t a bad idea. She looked around for shelter.
Then she bumped into someone.
“Oh, I’m sorry, miss.”
The man immediately turned around. He steadied Helena, who was slightly staggering, and quickly apologized.
His bowed head caused his tied-up blue hair to flutter.
“Are you hurt anywhere?”
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.]
