“My father suggested we all go to enjoy the gayageum solo concert together.”
Thinking about tonight’s dinner, she couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
“That family gathering turned out to be a disguised meeting. It was a solo concert for Kwak Seoyoon, Yerin’s friend.”
“Oh, really?”
“It seems like Seoyoon’s friend was terrible at playing. Even an elementary school student playing the recorder would have done better.”
In response to Hyun’s honest evaluation, a smile involuntarily escaped Yerin’s lips.
Nevertheless, as a secretary, Yerin felt the need to broach the subject cautiously.
“Miss, on the matchmaking list given to me by Madam, Seoyoon was ranked first.”
“Is that so?”
Yerin nodded slowly.
“How was your conversation after meeting her today?”
Yerin asked the question and immediately regretted it.
After meeting Seoyoon, the question was whether Hyun’s feelings had changed, and she wanted to find out.
To see if there might have been any indication of such emotions, she added one more sentence.
“If, by any chance, discussions like engagement came up with Seoyoon, I would have to assist in preparations…”
“Miss Hanye Rin, is that statement sincere?”
“What?”
“Is the question genuinely asked for public reasons?”
Yerin took a moment to gather her breath and spoke.
“Yes.”
“Do you have absolutely no personal feelings about it?”
“Yes.”
Of course, that wasn’t true.
She was curious about what private conversations they had, if there were any changes in emotions, how close they had become.
She found it absurd to harbor such feelings while wanting to push Hyun away more than anyone else.
“That means, whether I get engaged or married to that woman, Miss Hanye Rin has no concern, right?”
“…”
“Even if I do something with that woman?”
Hearing those words, the image from earlier flashed in her mind.
A picture that seemed to show them getting quite close.
It wasn’t that Yerin liked the idea of Seoyoon and Hyun getting closer.
But feeling like that might show, Yerin hid her true feelings.
“That is Director’s private sphere.”
“Too much.”
Hyun stopped and turned towards Yerin.
His face was filled with a deeply hurt emotion.
“I used to get jealous when Miss Hanye Rin even just talked to another man.”
“…”
“Just because we were having a conversation, I felt jealous.”
With sincere, earnest eyes, Hyun approached, closing the distance.
“It’s ridiculous. I was a bit late, and a useless guy is sitting in front of you.”
Yerin, meeting his gaze with eyes full of sorrow, softly asked,
“Director, is this really sincere? Even though it was just a conversation?”
“During that fleeting moment with that woman, I was still thinking about Miss Hanye Rin.”
Hyun, tightening his grip on her hand, murmured earnestly.
“Miss Hanye Rin, whenever we seem to get closer, you keep trying to escape from me.”
If only that were truly for Hyun.
But she couldn’t bring herself to speak those words out loud.
At that moment of sharing the story, Yerin couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if Hyun really distanced himself.
“Since I’ve decided to give my best during this contracted relationship, why not enjoy it a bit? Can’t I be a bit more honest?”
Of course, even though she thought that, she knew more than anyone that she wouldn’t immediately put it into practice.
Still, what was truly fortunate today was that Yerin personally confirmed there was no change in Hyun’s feelings.
“Aren’t you tired?”
“I was really tired before seeing Miss Hanye Rin.”
Hyun looked directly at Yerin’s face as he continued speaking.
“Hearing your voice and holding hands like this charges me with energy.”
“I’m glad. If I can be of help.”
The two of them, walking slowly, had arrived in front of Yerin’s house before they knew it.
It felt strange.
Today, all they did was take a walk after meeting Hyun.
Why did she feel so comfortable?
It was the first time in her life that she realized how fulfilling time could be with someone just because of who they were, even without doing anything special.
Arriving at Jinheonjae, Madam Yoon grabbed Chairman Cha, who was heading straight to his study.
“Honey, let’s talk.”
Normally, when Madam Yoon spoke, Chairman Cha couldn’t move a muscle, but today was even more so.
He had done something wrong.
Chairman Cha stroked his neck awkwardly and sat on the living room sofa.
Sharp, Madam Yoon’s gaze was fixed on Chairman Cha.
“If today’s concert was such an occasion, you should have told me beforehand.”
“Sorry. I just wanted to casually introduce Hyun and Congressman Kwak’s lady.”
“Honey, you even told me that Hyun has a woman he likes.”
More than anyone, Madam Yoon, who was sincerely supportive of Hyun’s matchmaking, changed after finding out that Hyun had feelings for someone.
“Even if I can’t push for a romantic marriage, why burden Hyun with this? Why do you give him pressure?”
Now, she had become a reliable ally, supporting Hyun’s unrequited love more than anyone else.
When male lead is the homewrecker
“I know she doesn’t love him.”
I’ve read the novel below twice already. Girls, I’m highly recommending it to you!
The female lead? Not a good person.
The second male lead? Not a good person.
The male lead? Willingly plays the third party, breaking up the female and second male lead’s relationship despite all the warnings from his friends—so yeah, he’s definitely not a good person either.
Basically, nobody in this novel is simple-minded or without scheming.
The female lead starts off as the male lead’s secretary, but don’t worry—later on, she takes over the company while the male lead steps back to support her. He won’t steal her spotlight, overshadow her, or dull her shine.
I love novels where men are out here snatching wigs, tearing each other down, and going to war just to win the female lead’s affection. And this is exactly that kind of novel. Most of Hai Dai Ran’s works have this dynamic. You’ll see the male characters’ emotions being pushed to the absolute extreme.
There’s even a scene where the second male lead exposes the male lead online for being a homewrecker. The brotherhood immediately gangs up on him, dragging him through the mud. I find it compelling —it completely flips reality on its head, where usually, women are the ones fighting over a man and getting torn apart by the sisterhood.
For me, female leads in the novels I read should only struggle in their careers, not in love. But if the brainless romantics in the story are all men? I have zero complaints.
I’ve pretty much read all of Hai Dai Ran’s novels and even translated all of them—her works are just my thing. I’ll slowly upload everything here. One day, when my website is official, I hope I can invite her to join as one of the star authors.
Here’s the story synopsis:
One-line summary: She is his lifelong obsession, to the point where he was willing to be a third wheel, scorned by society, just to wedge his way into her relationship with her fiancé.
Cold-hearted and indifferent female lead + Scheming and subservient CEO male lead
Intro 1:
“I know she doesn’t love him.”
With blood trickling from his clenched fist, Rong Xiu gazed at the woman before him, his eyes clouded with anguish. Hidden in the wardrobe, he had witnessed Fan Xia – the woman he desperately loved – in an intimate embrace with her fiancé. Yet his heart still yearned for her, defying all reason.
Fan Xia, the elegant and composed assistant, carried something mysterious in her eyes whenever she looked at her fiancé, Wen Lan Sheng. Strange occurrences began to surface – secret meetings with the young Gu Jin Yi, an unexplained withdrawal of 5,000 yuan… Then suddenly, her fiancé’s sister, Wen Jing, violently attacked her.
In this matriarchal society, Rong Xiu had risen to become the chairman of a powerful healthcare conglomerate, breaking through gender prejudices. But for the first time, he willingly stepped into the shadows as the other man, disregarding his friends’ warnings to become her secret lover.
Because he had discovered the truth – Fan Xia wasn’t the pure angel everyone believed her to be. And perhaps, he was the only one capable of helping her execute her mysterious plan…
Intro 2:
Rong Xiu’s biggest regret in life was missing out on Fan Xia.
He secretly loved Fan Xia for 7 years.
Watched her go public with her boyfriend.
Watched her kiss her boyfriend at their wedding.
Until that man blissfully nestled in Fan Xia’s arms, obtaining everything he could only dream of.
The crazy jealousy stripped away his hidden secret love, layer by layer, burning like wildfire.
Fan Xia, how can I have you!
【Reading and Trigger Warning Guide】
1. Female dominant, male submissive, male pregnancy
2. Male lead schemes his way to the top, male competition
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Please help me, I want to bring you the best possible things.
If you find any chapter or novel with poor translation and editing quality, let me know by commenting directly under that novel or chapter. I will retranslate it as soon as possible.
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