A highrise studio apartment with a full view of the Han River.
The space, chic and modern like its owner, was subtly filled with an irresistible aroma of coffee.
“Unexpected. I thought we were going to a café when you said let’s have a cup of coffee.”
“There are no good cafes around. You know, I’m pretty serious about coffee.”
“Right. Baek Seo Rin. You’re… quite serious about coffee.”
At Seo Rin’s words, Tae Joon nodded in agreement without needing a long explanation.
It was possible because they had a past that they could share. And that past seemed to tie the two together with an invisible thread, regardless of the eight years that had passed.
Seo Rin wasn’t opposed to this feeling that was both familiar and strange.
The space in which they resided, without needing to say much, was comfortable.
As the tension that had lasted all day started to unwind, thoughts about marriage began to flood in again.
“Oh, there’s someone you need to meet before we file the marriage report.”
“Who?”
“My stepmother. The appointment is after the shareholders’ meeting, let me know when you’re available and I’ll arrange it.”
Taken aback by her words, Tae Joon set down his coffee cup with a clatter.
It had been almost ten years since they had known each other, including the time they broke up like strangers, but he had never heard her talk about her stepmother.
Of course, the fact that Chairman Baek had remarried a long time ago was public information that could be found with a simple internet search. However, it was the first time the term ‘stepmother’ had come out of Seo Rin’s mouth.
“I didn’t think of that. Of course, if there are adults in the house, I should pay my respects first.”
“No, that’s not what I meant. I just thought you should know in advance. Nothing changes.”
Seo Rin corrected Tae Joon’s words. It was a unilateral announcement that didn’t require the opinion of her stepmother, Mrs. Park.
No one could wield a significant influence on her life. She had neither the intention nor the leisure to maintain a relationship that could exert such an influence on her life.
“Do you have anyone important to meet before the marriage registration, Tae Joon?”
Even though they weren’t holding a wedding ceremony right away, once they filed the marriage report, they would be a legal couple.
Although the current circumstances did not allow them to be a public couple, she thought it was proper to greet those who were really important to each other first.
The only thing she was a bit cautious about was that Tae Joon’s parents were both deceased. She had heard that they had passed away when he was young. It was a question she asked just in case, but she regretted it almost immediately.
A too brief and unhesitant answer flowed out.
“No.”
As she was regretting asking the question, he suddenly changed the topic while looking at her.
“Oh, there’s one. But it’s not someone to greet, it’s someone who needs to know.”
“Who?”
“My secretary.”
“Oh, right. I also told Director Park today. We can’t keep it from them when we’re going through everything together. When will you tell them, Tae Joon?”
“I already did. By now, he must’ve chewed and swallowed three sedative pills. He must be frustrated.”
It would be curious why a secretary would be bedridden with frustration when their boss gets married, but Seo Rin showed interest in something else.
“Sedative pills… do they work?”
“Why?”
“I think I should also buy something for Director Park when I register my marriage. His heart seemed like a soaked cotton today.”
For a moment, both of them burst into laughter as if on cue. It was because they felt a sudden comradeship, realizing they were in very similar situations.
“It seems like you really do everything with your secretary, Tae Joon.”
“Yes. He’s like a younger sibling I’ve known for a long time, so he endures well. Other people couldn’t stand a month and left. I guess I’m more demanding than I thought.”
“He must be good at his job. Only those who are good at their work can stand it. He’s a competent secretary, right?”
“Right. He seems lax but is strangely competent.”
“That’s right. Our Director Park is overtly competent. He’s incredibly good at his job.”
“Ha, this is fun. We’re not bragging about our children, but about our secretaries, like proud bosses.”
Small laughter erupted again.
Their soft laughter spread through the air like an invisible virus, mingling with the aromatic scent of coffee. Then, a sweet scent could be felt in the colorless, odorless air. It was truly a miraculous thing.
But before the lingering laughter could fade, Seo Rin spoke again.
“Thank you. For listening to all my demands without hesitation.”
She wanted to say this for sure. She knew better than anyone that it was not an easy task for him to accept her demands from his perspective.
“I know it wasn’t easy.”
“There was nothing difficult about it. Don’t I know Baek Seo Rin? If you had closed your mouth, you would have closed it, you never speak empty words.”
“……”
“I trust you.”
What should she do with this man?
My Step-brother Is Obsessed With Me (Female-dominant)
A gentle female protagonist vs pitiful in the early stage, and a sick male protagonist in the later stage
Cheng Songer transmigrated into the body of a vicious cannon fodder female supporting character with the same name as her in a female-dominant novel.
In the original story, the cannon fodder female supporting character was inhumane, committing domestic violence, gambling excessively, being lustful, and even wanting to sell her stepbrother to a brothel for money.
As luck would have it, she just happened to transmigrate at this time.
Seeing Cheng Qingzhi biting his lip, enduring the tears in his eyes, looking pitiful, her heart softened.
She stuffed the money back into the Madam’s hand and reached out to him.
“Brother, come home with me.”
