Tae Yeon’s eyes widened noticeably at Do Joon’s words about wanting to protect her.
The unexpected response surprised not only Tae Yeon but also Do Joon.
Do Joon tried to compose his expression while attempting to repackage the truth that had inadvertently slipped out.
“I meant that since Jin Tae Yeon is also considerate of me, I want to do the same.”
“Ah, I see.”
Tae Yeon nodded as if she understood immediately.
“It seems a bit odd to order just one course meal for two people.”
Do Joon opened the menu and handed it to Tae Yeon.
“Have at least a little. Choose what you’d like to eat, Jin Tae Yeon.”
Tae Yeon, also feeling hungry, unconsciously scrutinized the menu with her eyes. Then she chose carefully.
“I think I prefer Course A a bit more.”
“Let’s do that then. Two Course A meals.”
After ordering, the food was placed between the two of them.
“Go ahead and eat. I like it here because the chef cooks well.”
Though she had said she wouldn’t eat and just came along, seeing the delicious food before her, her hand naturally reached for the chopsticks.
“Then I’ll eat just a little.”
“You can eat it all.”
As Tae Yeon smiled brightly, Do Joon added a comment.
Do Joon’s vision was filled with Tae Yeon’s small face. Then his gaze shifted to her slender shoulders.
“It would be better if you eat a lot.”
“I will.”
As Do Joon said, the food at KK Hotel’s Chinese restaurant suited Tae Yeon’s taste perfectly.
After eating more than usual, Tae Yeon put down her chopsticks. Do Joon looked at her with a satisfied, warm smile.
“It seems it suits your taste as well, Jin Tae Yeon.”
“It’s delicious.”
“We should come here often.”
After taking a sip of warm jasmine tea, Do Joon glanced at Tae Yeon.
Then he brought up the story of the day they first met for their wedding photoshoot.
“Jin Tae Yeon, do you remember the day we took our wedding photos?”
At his words, Tae Yeon also recalled the same day.
It was the day she first saw Do Joon, and also the last time she saw him.
Do Joon was as cold as the temperature that day, which was freezing enough to make her whole body stiff.
However, she couldn’t express what she felt without any filter.
As Tae Yeon was pondering what to say,
Do Joon spoke first.
“You were beautiful.”
“Pardon?”
“Jin Tae Yeon was much more beautiful in person than in the photos.”
Do Joon seemed embarrassed by his honest words, raising one hand to rub the back of his neck.
“I remember being quite surprised.”
“Ah, thank you.”
Tae Yeon was so surprised she didn’t know how to respond.
Though she had heard countless times in her life that she was pretty, hearing it from Do Joon for the first time,
Her heart suddenly started racing madly.
‘Why am I like this? Even though I know he’s just saying it.’
Having received a compliment, she felt she should say something in return. Tae Yeon slowly raised her head.
Thick eyebrows, deep and intense eyes below them.
A sharp nose bridge, and a jawline so sharp it could cut anyone.
Such smooth skin.
As she examined Do Joon’s handsome face, a smile unconsciously spread across her face.
Do Joon asked slyly.
“Do you like it?”
“Pardon?”
“You were observing my face so intently, as if trying to bore holes in it.”
Of course she was, but it was embarrassing to admit. It seemed she wasn’t as honest a person as Do Joon.
Tae Yeon quickly lowered her gaze to the table and whispered quietly.
“Observing? I was just looking.”
Tae Yeon hastily took a sip of hot tea. Her eyelashes trembled slightly from nervousness.
Do Joon unconsciously smiled as he looked at Tae Yeon.
“So. I’m curious about your first impression of me, Jin Tae Yeon.”
Tae Yeon hesitated before asking.
“Do you want an honest answer? Or a slightly embellished one?”
“Hahaha.”
Even that question was so typical of Tae Yeon.
“I’d like to hear both.”
Tae Yeon opened her mouth with an awkward smile.
“When you weren’t smiling, you seemed so cold that I felt I couldn’t approach you.”
“I see.”
Do Joon’s face bore a faint smile as he said those words.
Along with a warm gaze incomparable to the day they took wedding photos.
It was hard to believe he was looking at her with such eyes.
“Then what’s the embellished version of your first impression of me?”
“Still, you were handsome.”
Enough to fall for.
She couldn’t bring herself to say that last part.
Perhaps what was embellished wasn’t her genuine first impression of Do Joon, but her own feelings.
Do Joon seemed pleased with Tae Yeon’s compliment, pulling his lips up into a smile. Then Do Joon drove the point home.
“I’ve been thinking lately that this marriage was a good decision.”
Tae Yeon could only stare with wide eyes, wondering if she had heard correctly.
Do Joon smiled slyly and asked for her opinion.
“Don’t you think so, Jin Tae Yeon?”
“Ah, I think the same.”
Having answered quickly like a well-programmed robot, Tae Yeon laughed softly at herself, finding it ridiculous.
“Was my response just now too emotionless?”
“Yes. Sometimes I think Jin Tae Yeon is even more rational than I am.”
“Just now, I felt I had to answer quickly, so I spoke rapidly…”
Do Joon sent a warm gaze towards Tae Yeon, who was making excuses.
“I won’t say anything if you answer late, or if it’s not the answer I want.”
Tae Yeon lifted her long eyelashes to look at Do Joon.
“You may be my subordinate at work, but not in our marital relationship.”
Do Joon’s face was resolute.
“So I’d like you to speak comfortably if you have something to say.”
“If I have something to say… I will.”
“Good.”
Do Joon loosened his tie and pulled it down as he elaborated on why he said such things.
“I think it was quite irresponsible of me to fly straight to America and leave Jin Tae Yeon alone for a year and a half.”
“No, it’s fine. You went for work.”
“That’s why I’m saying this. I’d like to do better from now on.”
“…”
“I feel sorry for misunderstanding Jin Tae Yeon based only on the delivered photos. We need to move quickly to fill the empty space between us, don’t you think?”
Tae Yeon nodded slightly and took a sip of the now lukewarm tea. A warm feeling spread throughout her body.
Whether it was due to the jasmine tea she just drank,
Or because of Do Joon looking at her with affectionate eyes, she couldn’t tell.
[This is the timeline separator]After finishing dinner and returning home, Do Joon instructed Mrs. Choi to leave work.
After Mrs. Choi went to the annex, Do Joon called Tae Yeon in a low voice.
“Jin Tae Yeon, are you tired?”
“I’m fine. Why do you ask?”
“I was thinking we could have a glass of wine together.”
“Sure.”
The two put on the same pajamas and went out to the terrace.
Do Joon filled Tae Yeon’s glass with red wine first, then poured some for himself.
Clink-
The wine glasses made a clear sound as they touched. A sweet and bitter taste filled Tae Yeon’s mouth.
Seeing Tae Yeon take small sips, just enough to wet her lips, Do Joon spoke.
“I’m reminded of that day.”
“Which day?”
“The day Jin Tae Yeon got drunk and touched various parts of my body.”
Tae Yeon bit her lip and lowered her head as if embarrassed.
“It wasn’t various parts, just my face a little.”
“I liked it.”
“…Pardon?”
“I think you said you were touching because my face was handsome.”
Had she said such a thing? Feeling unnecessarily embarrassed, Tae Yeon took another sip of wine.
Do Joon looked at Tae Yeon’s glass, which was still quite full, and muttered to himself.
“You express yourself a lot when drunk.”
“I don’t have a drinking problem.”
“Really?”
Do Joon tilted his head slightly and looked at Tae Yeon as if he couldn’t believe it.
Lacking confidence, Tae Yeon nodded very slightly.
“Actually, I haven’t drunk to the point of getting drunk very often.”
Due to Hye Sook’s constant nagging that she always needed to keep her wits about her, she had never really drunk alcohol freely.
It wasn’t just alcohol. She was used to always hiding her true feelings and suppressing the words she wanted to say.
Do Joon glanced at Tae Yeon and asked curiously.
“Not even once?”
“No.”
“May I ask why?”
“I’m not good with alcohol.”
“You seemed a bit drunk that day with me.”
“That’s right.”
Strangely, that day she drank without thinking about the consequences. Do Joon smiled, pulling up his lips as if pleased about something.
“It’s okay to get drunk occasionally when you’re with me.”
Tae Yeon looked at Do Joon with wide eyes, as if asking what he meant.
“Especially when drinking at home.”
Do Joon raised his wine glass and gestured for Tae Yeon to drink together.
Compared to when Do Joon had just returned to Korea, he seemed much more relaxed, allowing Tae Yeon to also relax and savor the wine.
As they were almost finishing the bottle of wine, Tae Yeon’s phone, placed on the table, vibrated.
Tae Yeon’s pupils trembled as she checked the caller.
As she just stared at the phone without answering, Do Joon leaned forward curiously and asked.
“Aren’t you going to answer?”
“Ah, it’s my elder sister.”
At the mention of Tae Jin’s call, Do Joon narrowed his eyes.
“Go ahead and answer.”
Tae Jin’s calls often involved difficult requests, so Tae Yeon felt anxious even before answering.
As she was about to press the answer button, Do Joon pulled his chair closer and whispered in Tae Yeon’s ear.
“Answer quickly. Knowing Jin Tae Jin’s future whereabouts will make it easier to identify the person who threatened me.”
“You’re right.”
Though Do Joon’s close proximity was distracting, Tae Yeon hurriedly answered the phone.
“Yes, it’s me.”
-Why did it take you so long to answer?
“I was just doing something. What’s the matter?”
-Hey now. I called because I was curious how my younger sister was doing, why are you being so distant?
It was laughable. Tae Jin’s words, spoken so casually, were too much.
Worried that Do Joon might overhear, Tae Yeon lowered her voice even more.
“I’m doing well. How about you?”
-I’m just okay. I heard you went home today?
“Yes. I went with Do Joon.”
-Let’s have a meal together too. When is good for you?
Tae Yeon let out a small sigh. It was obvious it would be an uncomfortable situation.
But then she remembered what Do Joon had said earlier.
The fact that knowing Tae Jin’s whereabouts would make it easier to catch the person who threatened Do Joon.
So she said something she wouldn’t normally say.
“Alright, send me the time when you decide on an appointment.”
After ending the call, she found Do Joon looking at her with a face curious about what they had talked about.
______
In This Life, I Won’t Be Foolish To Lose You Again (Female-dominant)
When Shen Yuan encountered Su Jin again in his previous life, she had already become the Prime Minister of the current dynasty. As for him, the former top young master of the capital, he had long since fallen into the abyss, becoming a singer on a pleasure boat.
After a song ended, he was redeemed and sent to the Su Residence.
Su Jin respected and cherished him, gave him a roof over his head, and bestowed him with warmth. Shen Yuan fell deeper and deeper, but before he could express his feelings, Su Jin passed away.
Shen Yuan died to follow her in death, but instead, he returned to when he was fifteen years old.
At that time, he was not yet engaged, and Su Jin was just a poor scholar.
Shen Yuan gritted his teeth, casting aside all his pride, and thought of ways to coax and entice her every day.
The colder and more indifferent Su Jin was towards him, the more proactive Shen Yuan became.
He was not afraid of being mocked by the world, only wanting to marry his Wife-master early, to hold her hand and never let go for a lifetime.
[Note: This story will not specifically point out the male lead’s reincarnation time point; it’s all in the details. Whenever you feel that the male lead is acting strangely, he has most likely been reincarnated.]
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